Blue Ridge Music Trails North Carolina

One of the most distinctive cultural icons of the High Country is “our” music. Mountain music includes elements of old English ballads, Irish and Scottish Gaelic dance music, African instrumentation and rhythms, gospel, and quite a bit of original mountain hardscrabble life experience. Distinctive types of mountain music range from “roots” music to the more polished bluegrass and modern Gaelic styles. Residents continue a musical heritage that stretches back many generations. Performances, some rehearsed, some spontaneous, are almost always easily accessible throughout the High Country.

The North Carolina Arts Council, in association with the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area and noted folklorist Fred Fussell, have created the guidebook “Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina” that puts readers on the trail to discover the many sites in western North Carolina where unique musical legacy’s thrive.

PURCHASE THE BOOK, CLICK HERE to purchase online.

Here is a list of the High Country music locations that made the Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina list:

ALLEGHANY COUNTY

The Alleghany Jubilee
Tuesdays, 7 to 10 pm; Saturdays, 8 to 11 pm
The Spartan Theater, 25 North Main St., Sparta, 28765
336-372-4591
www.alleghanyjubilee.com

ASHE COUNTY

Old Helton School Hog Stomp
Thursdays, 7 to 11 pm
Old Helton School, Sturgills Community, Lansing, 28643
336-384-4707

Phipps General Store Jam
Fridays, 7 to 10 pm
2425 Silas Creek Rd, Lansing, 28643
336-384-2382

Todd New River Festival
Second Saturday in October 9 am – 6 pm]
Cook Park, Railroad Grade Road, Todd, 28684
828-964-1362
www.toddruritan.com

Todd Concert Series
Some Saturdays, June – August, check website
Cook Park, Railroad Grade Road, Todd, 28684
336-877-5401
www.toddnc.org

Dances at the Todd Mercantile
One Friday each month, January – April, check website
Todd Mercantile, 3899 Railroad Grade Road, Todd, 28684
336-877-5401
toddmercantile.blogspot.com or www.toddnc.org

AVERY COUNTY

Singing on the Mountain at Macrae Meadows
Fourth Saturday in June, 8:30 am – 3 pm
Grandfather Mountain, US221, Linville, 28646
800-468-7325
www.grandfather.com

WATAUGA COUNTY

Music at the Jones House Community Center
Concert on the lawn: Fridays, June – September, 5pm; jam session: Thursdays, year-round, 7:30pm
604 West King Street, Boone, 28607
828-262-4576
www.joneshousecommunitycenter.org

Music Fest ‘N Sugar Grove
Friday 4 pm and Saturday 9 am, second weekend in July
Cove Creek School, 207 Dale Adams Road, Sugar Grove, 28679