The music heritage of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area is unsurpassed in the country for its influence on the development of music that is truly and distinctly American.
Recently, the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area and the North Carolina Arts Council partnered to survey the economic impact of traditional mountain music on the counties and communities in the region.
The surveyors visited 26 traditional music events in Western North Carolina, and the results showed that at present, the music and the venues surveyed generated in excess of $20.7 million.
To read the Executive Summary of that study, click here.
Blue Ridge Music Trails Listening Sessions Schedule
The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Partnership and the North Carolina Arts Council invite you to attend one of the following “Listening Sessions.” Here you will meet Music Trail partners from throughout your region and get updates on the progress of the Music Trails initiative, guidebook and development timeline. You will also have the opportunity to provide your input into ways to sustain the music, strengthen our music sites/events, increase community engagement, and work together. These sessions are free, fun, and interactive, and we hope you’ll join in!
- Tuesday, April 9, Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau Conference Room, 36 Montford Ave, Asheville, 1 – 4 pm. Region 4: Buncombe, Henderson, Madison and Transylvania counties.
- Wednesday, April 10, Old Rock School, Valdese, 1 – 4 pm. Region 5: Burke, Cleveland, Rutherford, and Polk counties.
- Thursday, April 11, Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center, Robbinsville, 1 – 4 pm. Region 6: Haywood, Swain, Graham, Cherokee, Clay, Macon, and Jackson counties.
- Wednesday, April 17, Blue Ridge Dinner Theatre, West Jefferson, 1 – 4 pm. Region 2: Alleghany, Ashe, Caldwell, Watauga and Wilkes counties.
- Wednesday, April 24, Chetola Resort, Blowing Rock, 10 am – 1 pm. Region 2: Alleghany, Ashe, Caldwell, Watagua and Wilkes counties.
- Monday, April 29, Toe River Arts Council, 269 Oak St., Spruce Pine, 1 – 4 pm. Region 3: Mitchell, Avery, McDowell, and Yancey counties.
- Tuesday, April 30, Old Time Music Heritage Hall, Mount Airy, 1 – 4 pm. Region 1: Surry, Stokes, Rockingham, Iredell, and Yadkin counties.
- Saturday, May 4, at the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center, Milepost 384, Asheville, 10 am – 12:30 pm. All regions welcome to attend this makeup session.
