Music in the Mountains of North Carolina

Every weekend the North Carolina mountains and foothills come to life with the passionate strains of bluegrass, old-time fiddles, and dancing feet. Outdoor festivals are a great way to sample a variety of talent and styles while enjoying local food and sunshine. Seasoned performers also take the stage at jamborees, clubs, and concert halls.

Live Local and Old Time Music Jams

Local mountain and old time music jam sessions, which may be held anywhere from pubs and cafes to the general store or public square, provide a great opportunity to hear local talent and experience local music culture. Many welcome visitors, so bring an instrument if you play.

Festivals, jamborees, local jam sessions, and other music venues are profiled in the Blue Ridge Music Trails guidebook, an excellent resource for visitors aiming to sample the rich musical culture of the North Carolina mountains and foothills. A calendar of festivals, jam sessions, and other musical events can be found on the Blue Ridge Music Trails website.

Learn to Play Traditional Mountain Music

There are numerous opportunities for musicians at all skill levels to learn more about this distinctive regional music.  Several colleges and other craft schools offer workshops in which students learn from professional musicians.  Here are a few such annual workshops:

• Swannanoa Gathering, held every summer in July and August on the campus of Warren Wilson College, just east of Asheville.

Appalachian Mountain Music on the Radio

Tune in to traditional old time music in the mountains on local radio. A variety of stations feature traditional Appalachian mountain music during the week:

The King Pup Radio Show
Pre-recorded programs may be listened to on the website. Programs are also broadcast during the week by affiliate radio stations in North Carolina and other states.

WKBC - 800 AM , North Wilkesboro, NC

WKSK - 580 AM, West Jefferson, NC

WNCW Public Radio - 88.7 FM in Asheville, NC and 92.9 FM in Boone, NC

WPAQ - 740 AM, Mount Airy, NC

WCQS Public Radio - 88.1 FM , Asheville, NC

WWMY - 106.1 FM , Jefferson, NC