The Smoky Mountains are known for their picturesque scenery, fun activities, and friendly community, but did you know that the region is also an artistic hub? There are a number of ways to engage with the Smoky Mountain artistic community, including summer festivals like Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales!
Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales is a strolling street performance event featuring musical performers, storytellers, cloggers and artisans in Gatlinburg. The performances are intimate, interactive, and impressive!
This year's performers include...
- Kerry Kooch, Kate Laciak and Steve Laciak: a musical trio known for "blend[ing] vocal harmonies with a bold style that’s unique, fun, and creative."
- The Flying J's: musicians "dedicated to keeping an American Music Style alive and sharing the music as they travel the world."
- Cannon Creek Bluegrass Band: a five-member band that plays traditional bluegrass and gospel music as well music from other genres and artists (such as Dolly Parton and Elvis Presley).
- Tristan LaBorde: "a multi talented virtuoso who plays many instruments and sings many songs."
- The Geist Girls: talented young musicians who have "grown up singing hymns in four-part harmony in their local Primitive Baptist Church."
- The Hodnett Family Band: "a family bluegrass and gospel band from central NC."
- The Lorentzen Trio: this Indiana-based group has two simple goals- "to have fun making music and singing harmony, and to keep old timey music alive."
- Tim and Cherry on the Strings: a duo with an eclectic range of musical talents
- Railroadin’ Caleb: a performer showcasing "funny stories, historical tidbits, and a little bit of dancing."
- Happy Creek: "the confluence of two old time music performers whose musical waters run deep in mountain tradition and old-time history."
- Braxton Rogers: "a 17 year old singer, songwriter and an award winning banjo player from Southwest Oklahoma."
- Bearded Bluegrass: a duo of talented musicians bringing you terrific bluegrass tunes.
- Fletcher Roberts: "a mind-blowing magician hailing from Boone, NC."
- Robert Cyphers: a renown Chattanooga-based musician.
- Daniel Michael Crane: a solo musician "with vocal styles ranging from country & oldies variety, to Broadway, Patriotic & Christmas!"
- 18 Strings: "a family bluegrass band from Gatlinburg, TN."
- The Mountain Movement Cloggers: you can find this dance team performing at "local events, fairs and festivals around East Tennessee, sharing the tradition of Appalachian Clogging."
- Zach McNabb: an "East Tennessee-based singer and musician... carrying the torch for traditional country music with his own unique sound and style."
- Willow and Jesse: a "genre-bending duo... blaz[ing] a new path for the banjo, navigating a diversity of influences and unique perspectives."
- Rita Ruby: "a lifelong singer, with beginnings in small churches in southern Ohio where she grew up. Her love for bluegrass, gospel and country songs is evident in her performance."
- The Rust Family Band: "a sibling group based out of Kingsport, Tennessee who enjoy performing gospel and classic country music, complete with their close sibling harmony."
- JP Sudduth: a 26 year old musician who "plays mostly country with some bluegrass and contemporary Christian music in the mix as well."
- Jim Frable (aka Cousin Jeem): a talented musician with an impressive resume who can play about 20 different instruments.
- Jerry and Joan Paul of Lost Mill: a duet that "sings and performs acoustic folk music with guitar, clawhammer banjo, harmonica and upright bass."
- Addison and Chynna Birkmire: "a brother-sister clogging duo from North Wilkesboro, NC" who have "trained around 20 years in both traditional and contemporary styles of clogging and have won numerous awards."
- Uncle Denny: a musician who enjoys "many styles of music" and who has written and performed many original songs for a variety of audiences.
- Cheyenne: "a classic country music band that leans toward the outlaw era of late 70s and 80s."
- Simplicity Cloggers: a dance team "consist[ing] of dancers age 2-Adult from all over Southest Virginia and Tennessee."
- Billy and the Kids Bluegrass: "a family bluegrass band based out of Jacksonville, NC."
- ...and more!
Come see a variety of talented performers during Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales, taking place June 28, 2024 through July 27, 2024!