Blue Ridge Outdoors May 2021 by Summit Publishing

Love is music. Music is love. Virginia music has always been a part of every perfect summer, but things have been quiet lately. We’ve missed feeling the bass and getting lost in the moment. But more than anything, we’ve missed hearing you sing your heart out -- even if it’s a little off-key. We know you’ve missed that too, but festival season is right around the corner and we can’t wait to hear you again. virginia.org/music

Your Parks Your adventures | 800-933-PARK (7275) | www.virginiastateparks.gov | Know Before You Go — Recreate Responsibly

ON THE COVER

CONTENTS

PRESIDENT BLAKE DEMASO b l a ke @ b l u e r i d g e o u t d o o r s . c o m E D I TO R I N C H I E F J E D D F E R R I S jedd@blueridgeoutdoors.com P U B L I S H E R L E A H WO O DY leah@blueridgeoutdoors.com

Biking the Beer Trail: singletrack and suds in western North Carolina.

11 | THE STUDIO

E D I TO R I A L & P R O D U C T I O N S E N I O R E D I TO R W I L L H A R L A N will@blueridgeoutdoors.com

Nevada Tribble reinvents the wheel by incorporating biking into her art.

T R AV E L E D I TO R E L L E N K A N Z I N G E R ellen@blueridgeoutdoors.com

15 | ESSAY

The local North Carolina landscape provides comfort during a milestone celebration.

C O N T R I B U TO R S MIKE BEZEMEK E R I C J. WA L L AC E ALLI MARSHALL

46 | THE GOODS

Spin your wheels with our favorite spring biking gear. RAD memories and rekindling the potential of youth.

ADVERTISING & BUSINESS

48 | PERSPECTIVE

S E N I O R AC C O U N T E X E C U T I V E

M A R T H A E VA N S

A good deed for the planet spirals into existential anxiety.

martha@blueridgeoutdoors.com AC C O U N T E X E C U T I V E TAY LO R L E A L taylor@blueridgeoutdoors.com

50 | TRAIL MIX

B U S I N E S S M A N AG E R M E L I S S A G E S S L E R melissa@blueridgeoutdoors.com

New tunes from Amy Helm and the Steel Woods; plus a collaboration between John Hiatt and the Jerry Douglas Band.

D I G I TA L M E D I A O N L I N E D I R E C TO R C R A I G S N O D G R A S S webdir@blueridgeoutdoors.com

D I G I TA L C O N T E N T S P E C I A L I S T

S H A N N O N M C G OWA N

shannon@blueridgeoutdoors.com D I G I TA L M A R K E T I N G I N T E R N

BRENNA TURPIN

C I R C U L AT I O N I N Q U I R I E S circulation@blueridgeoutdoors.com

16 | LIVE MUSIC RETURNS OUTDOORS

The pandemic decimated the live music industry. Now, at pod shows, drive-ins, and small festivals, performers are making a return to outdoor stages in the South.

Learn how artists made it work in a year of lost live performance.

977 SEMINOLE TR PMB294 C H A R LOT T E S V I L L E , V I R G I N I A 2 2 9 0 1

32 | PITCH A TENT RIDE

Bike-friendly camping destinations in the Blue Ridge.

200 DISTRICT DRIVE, UNIT 8 ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA 28803

40 | REVIVING THE PIEDMONT BLUES

B LU E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

The new movement to bring back an old regional art form. P H O T O B Y J A C Q U E L I N E D AY

B LU E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

F E AT U R E S

27 | BLUE RIDGE MUSICIANS PERSEVERE

PUBLISHING

GOT A STORY IDEA OR COMMENT?

PHOTO COURTESY SWEET PROTTECTION

47 | THE OUT AND BACK

C O P Y E D I TO R S JULIA GREEN, ROBERT MCGEE

submit@blueridgeoutdoors.com

7 | EXPLORE

A S S O C I AT E P U B L I S H E R K AT I E H A R T W E L L katie@blueridgeoutdoors.com

SUMMIT

May 2021

D E PA R T M E N T S

C R E AT I V E D I R E C TO R L AU R E N WO R T H lauren@blueridgeoutdoors.com

DAV E S TA L L A R D G R A H A M AV E R I L L DOUG S C H N I T Z S PA H N

I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y KEVIN HOWDESHELL, T H E B R AV E U N I O N . C O M

43 | HOW TO SAVE THE OKEFENOKEE SWAMP The South’s wildest spot is now one of the most endangered.

45 | PICKER’S CHOICE

Texas guitar great Redd Volkaert finds a new home and music community in the Virginia mountains. M AY 2 0 2 1 | B LU E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M 5

Not a jack of two trades but a master of both. photo: Jonathan Finch rider: Jake Hopfinger

BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS

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EXPLORE

SINGLETRACK AND SUDS

BIKEPACKING THE BEER TRAIL TO ASHEVILLE A three-day mountain biking adventure through North Carolina’s Pisgah National Forest BY MIKE BEZEMEK

WE WERE ONLY A MILE OUT FROM REEB

Ranch when I began to question our plans. My buddy Boberts and I were riding loaded mountain bikes up DuPont Road, a paved highway with little shoulder. Hearing an SUV approaching behind us, I glanced back. A passenger

was hanging out the window, preparing to give us a piece of his mind. Probably the typical, get out of the road. “You guys rock!” shouted a friendly young man. He flashed two supportive hang-loose hand gestures and issued a roaring whoop. Woah, I thought. Not what I expected. During the 20-minute climb, more cars passed. One driver honked and fist pumped. Another yelled, “Killer!” A third slowed down to drawl, “Bad assss.” By the time we reached the Lake Imaging parking lot, we felt like visiting dignitaries. A few riders came over to chat, inspect our brand new Revelate Designs bikepacking bags, shake our hands. One dude said we’d inspired him to join the sport. Two athletic ladies with arms buffer than my legs gave us approving nods. While I announced my candidacy for mayor of mountain biking, Boberts kissed a baby in a bike carrier,

blessing the child with good fortune and fine riding stamina. Something we’d need ourselves to complete the trip. This was our first bikepacking trip, after five years of traditional touring with racks and panniers. Our three-day plan was to start ES TIMATIN G TH E with a quick outRIDE AROUN D and-back to DuPont 80 MILES WITH for a looksee at this 8, 000 FEET OF CLIMB IN G , popular trail network. WE H OPED From there, we’d pass TH IS WAS A REALIS TIC FIRS T through Brevard and B IK EPAC K IN G into Pisgah National TRIP. Forest, where we’d ride and camp for two days. Finally, we’d cross the Blue Ridge Parkway, ride the flowy singletrack of Bent Creek Experimental Forest, and end with a biking brewery tour of Asheville. Estimating the ride around 80 miles with 8,000 feet of climbing, we hoped this was a realistic first bikepacking trip.

O S K A R B L U E S B R E W E R Y O P E R AT E S T H E R E E B R A N C H N E A R B R E VA R D , N . C . P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y OF THE AUTHOR

To preserve our legs, we limited our DuPont visit to an easy route, mostly the Hilltop Trail and Buck Forest Road to the covered bridge above High Falls. On our way out, we stopped by the picturesque Triple Falls, made famous as a filming location for The Hunger Games. Reeb Ranch (see what they did there?), where we camped the night before our ride, was established by Oskar Blues Brewery as a destination for mountain bikers, campers, and festival goers. Our next stop was The Hub, a cycling shop and taphouse near the entrance to Pisgah. Here we purchased a topo map but skipped having another beer because we needed to hydrate— ahem, with water—for a big climb into the forest.

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GO OUTSIDE & PLAY IN DICKENSON COUNTY!

the perfect family getaway

Dickenson County is home to three Virginia Scenic Rivers (Russell Fork, Cranesnest, and Pound) that are ideal for kayaking, tubing, and family fun. Stay in one of the five nearby campgrounds or in the cabins at Breaks Interstate Park, which has many trails for hiking and horseback riding, ziplining, bike rentals, pedal boats and more! Visit Birch Knob Tower on a clear day for a view of six states! Call the Dickenson County Visitor Center for more info (276) 926-6074 or visit us on Facebook!

BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS

3/22/21 5:25 PM

After a few miles on Highway 276, we veered onto a gravel road to begin a five-mile, 1,500-foot ascent to our first camp. Soon we were joined by two downhill day riders, which made for friendly conversation between heavy breaths. “Two nights?” said one of the riders, incredulously studying our rigs. “Hope you have enough beer!” We pointed out our HydroFlasks, which we’d filled up with our favorite flavors of campsite refreshment. The climb was a challenge, but the promise of chilled beverages offered plenty of motivation. At Bennet Gap, we pushed up some rooty stairs and rode a final mile to the three-sided shelter we’d call home for the night. Boberts set up his hammock inside, and I pitched my tent in the grass. While Boberts expertly built a fire, I tied parachute cord to a rock and hurled it—for what felt like an hour—until I could barely lift my arm and we finally had a bear bag. Camp chores complete, we lounged in hammocks and sipped on ice cold Oskar Blues beers. The next morning, we pumped water from a nearby spring and broke camp. T H E A U T H O R A N D B O B E R T S N AV I G AT E T H E N O R T H C A R O L I N A B A C K C O U N T R Y.

From the junction, we rode west on the excellent Buckhorn Gap Trail. We zipped along smooth dirt single-track with the occasional loose cobble section, passing through fern forests and tree tunnels. Continuing onto South Mills Trail, we followed an idyllic mountain stream. Then we joined the scenic unpaved Yellow Gap Road. And if riding gravel is supposedly boring, then please just bore us for the rest our lives, thank you. Then we coasted at top speed, wind whipping past, downhill to North Mills Campground. We’d originally planned to camp here and ride out to the Sierra Nevada Brewery that evening. But after 50 miles in 36 hours, the thought of an extra 16 miles gave us cyclist-inheadlights looks. Instead, we wisely filled our water bottles from a spigot and turned up a nearby gravel road. Three miles later we made a primitive camp on Bad Fork. The hammocks went up, we plopped inside, and spent the evening hours staring at forest canopy and listening to our screaming legs—I mean, a burbling creek. Our third and final day was the best yet, even though it started with us pushing our heavy bikes up the Bad Fork trail. And yes, from there we rode the Blue Ridge Parkway for a few miles

in the wrong direction, but eventually we caught the error. Then we dropped into Bent Creek Experimental Forest. The only forestry research we conducted was how fast can we ride flowy singletrack on loaded mountain bikes. The answer was fast. We ended our trip riding surface streets to Asheville, where Boberts’ med-school buddies joined us. After a brief check-up, they pronounced us medically sound, welcoming us back to civilization like we were visiting dignitaries who didn’t have showers in our home country. Apparently, 80 miles was the perfect length for a first bike-packing trip. So, off we went on our celebration. We started with IPAs at UpCountry Brewing, while we figured out which brewery to visit next. Probably All Sevens, followed by Oyster House, and perhaps The Whale, Cellarist, and/or Archetype? We discovered visiting all six would only take a few miles of riding on Haywood Road—but we’d probably limit ourselves to three stops. We hoped this was realistic for a half-day brewery tour. Ours was just a three-day trip, but it felt like a week of fun. And speaking of a week, next time we might just extend the trip and ride it twice.

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This is Lynchburg. The LYH Outdoor Enthusiasts Guide Lynchburg, Virginia is home to triathletes and marathoners who hone their skills on our 40 miles of urban trails, the rolling waters of the James River and the steep climbs of the Blue Ridge Mountains. On May 23rd, test your limits during the 12th Annual Storming of Thunder Ridge cycle ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Come early and warm up with other activities in our Outdoor Enthusiasts Guide. #travelconfidently lynchburgvirginia.org

BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS

Use your camera phone to scan QR code for our LYH Outdoor Enthusiasts Guide

THE STUDIO

CREATIVE COMMUNITY

REINVENTING THE WHEEL WITH NEVADA TRIBBLE BY ELLEN KANZINGER

A BICYCLE CAN BE USED FOR ANY

number of tasks—from transportation and deliveries to recreation, it’s a versatile tool. For Nevada Tribble, it’s a part of her art. Tribble, a fiber artist and sculptor, started working on her sewing bicycle in college. Sewing has always been a part of her life as she made and mended her clothes throughout the years. But it wasn’t until she started working part-time at the sewing shop in her hometown of Elkins, W.Va., and learned about free motion quilting that she began to see sewing as a drawing tool. If you’re having trouble picturing how a sewing machine could replace a pencil or pen, Tribble says to, “Imagine drawing, except you’re holding a pencil still and moving a piece of paper underneath it.” As she started experimenting with the sewing machine, needle, and thread on paper, Tribble knew she wanted to be able to do more drawing from life and observation. However, unlike paper and pencil, a sewing machine requires a power source— something not easily available when working outside. “My first idea was to somehow get an extension cord to my car to power one,” Tribble said. “That seemed a little too dangerous.” Enter the bicycle. With the help of a professor, Tribble rigged an old sewing machine from the mid-1900s to the back of her bike. After taking the motor out, she connected the machine to the back wheel with a system of belts. Now, she can walk the bike to wherever she’s planning to draw that day, put down the stand to lift up the back wheel,

TRIBBLE CAPTURES THE ICONIC RHODODENDRON SHAPE WITH HER SEWING BICYCLE AND CUTTING S H A P E S O U T O F PA P E R .

and pedal in place to make the needle go up and down. It’s a lot more of a physical process than sitting at a machine on a table. “It’s not like biking up a hill or anything,” Tribble said. “It just involves more full body movement. It’s a little trickier because you’re kind of hunched over the back of the bike and balancing.”

The Technique

Most of Tribble’s pieces start with making paper, a practice she took up in order to have more control over her supplies and final product. By making the paper herself, she could more easily dictate things like color, size, and thickness. Starting with pulp she buys from a

paper studio, Tribble then processes it with a drill mixer and suspends the ground-up pulp in water. Using a screen, she collects the pieces into the shape and size she wants before setting it out to dry. Tribble’s in the process of buying a Hollander beater, a machine that would allow her to process her own pulp from gathered plant fibers, giving her control over every step of the paper.

Sewing on paper rather than fabric gives Tribble more command over her final piece. “I can cut out really complicated shapes and not have to worry about fraying edges,” she said. Tribble also discovered that before the paper dried, she could mold it around objects to create more threedimensional pieces. “Once you start one thing, it opens another door and another door, and leads you to different possibilities,” she said.

A Gathering of Neighbors

Taking all she’s learned about making paper, sewing on paper, and molding paper, Tribble’s most recent projects explore themes of hope and community. In “Around the Block,” Tribble uses her sewing bicycle to draw portraits of life in quarantine. Having just moved

“By bringing the bike out and making the work in the place that it’s about, I get to engage with the community as I’m doing it.” back to Elkins at the beginning of the pandemic, she wanted to explore her feelings around returning and finding her place within the community again. In many ways, it’s about how a community endures over time and the ways in which we all struggle to feel like we fit in. She captures neighbors sitting on their porches or taking walks past her house, waiting for those moments of interaction. “By bringing the bike out and making the work in the place that

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it’s about, I get to engage with the community as I’m doing it,” Tribble said. “It feels like a really satisfying circle of interaction.” The reaction to her bike is one of her favorite parts of the work. Neighbors on foot will stop and ask questions, allowing her to engage with the community on a personal level. People in cars will do a double take as they’re driving past once they realize it’s no ordinary bike. “I think that the key to solving a lot of big societal issues that we have is building really strong communities,” Tribble said. “I’m observing a strong community on a micro level and daydreaming about how that could be applied in other ways. I hope it encourages people who live anywhere to think about the best parts of their community.” Tribble’s second quarantine project is “Paper Potluck,” a series

of paper molds of borrowed dishes combined with oral and written stories. She started by thinking about who she would invite to a potluck in real life, and then asked those people to participate. “I was missing that feeling of a shared meal,” she said. “So being able to gather these stories and memories from people has felt like a way to experience that when we can’t do it in the current moment.” In a year filled with a lot of pain, loss, and anger, artists and audiences alike turned to art for peace, and sometimes answers. “Some of the time, I like to make this work when I’m feeling the least hopeful because making the art as an act reminds me of all of the good things around me,” Tribble said. “Art is kind of a compass or way pointer. It can point either to the problems that we need to solve or it can point to the good things that could potentially develop into solutions.” As we look to start gathering in person again in the coming months, Tribble’s work is a reminder of the important role that community will play in the recovery process.

Watch Scan the QR code with your phone to see Tribble’s sewing bicycle in action. Video by Braiden Maddox

" F R I D AY " B Y T R I B B L E , P A R T O F H E R "AROUND THE BLOCK" SERIES.

You can find more of Tribble’s work at NevadaTribble.com or on Instagram @nevada.wv.

M AY 2 0 2 1 | B LU E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

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FORGET PARIS (FOR NOW) Local Landscape Offers Hopeful Reassurance During a Milestone Celebration BY JULIA GREEN

LONG BEFORE I LEARNED THE WORD

coronavirus, I had a plan for my 40th birthday last March: I’d be in Paris. I was going to take long walks in the city my grandmother had inhabited as a young woman, whose footsteps I’d followed when I was in my 20s, hungry for adventure, culture, romance. I wanted to sit at cafes, drinking espresso, watching the well-dressed natives go by, and duck into patisseries with windows full of delicate desserts. I would revisit art museums whose Impressionist paintings inspired me when I was younger, and take day trips to Versailles to walk through the orange grove and Monet’s garden, full of weeping willows he painted over and over. And I would eat lots and lots of cheese. Instead, I celebrated in Carrboro,

North Carolina, whose nickname is Paris of the Piedmont. It’s a sweet little town with bike lanes, roaming chickens, an elementary school with a bilingual program. It’s got a food co-op with a big lawn known as Carrboro’s front porch, where (in the Before) you could get a plate of food or a bottle of wine and spend the day under the shade of huge trees, catching up with friends or just reading a book. Carrboro is above all a friendly place, one that values community. We do a lot of waving. On my big day, I went for a hike in the woods with a friend, the creek running high from a long, rainy winter. We talked about her job search, out of state opportunities, how long it had been since we’d seen our families, what it would feel like to hug people again. The wind moved through the bare, budding trees as we wondered what the future would bring. I was feeling the pandemic exhaustion along with fear of how much was behind me, my life half over, if I’m lucky. Western culture considers time linear—the past behind us, the future ahead—as well as in capitalist terms: we can save time, waste time, and borrow time, just as we would money. In English, we can race the clock or beat it. Time flies, and it can also catch up with us, its scarcity one of the challenges of aging. I’ve spent a lot of the last year in

those woods, falling into the habit of doing the same out and back over and over. That day we detoured, taking side trails I didn’t usually travel, following instinct and whim rather than a welltrodden trajectory. Time has warped in the last year, and perhaps that’s what TH AT DAY WE DETOURED, reminded me of an TAK IN G S IDE article I read years ago TRAILS I DIDN ’ T US UALLY TRAVEL, about the Aymara, an FOLLOWIN G indigenous people IN S TIN CT AN D who live in the Andes WH IM RATH ER highlands of Bolivia, TH AN A WELLTRODDEN Peru, and Chile, whose TRAJECTORY. language describes the past as in front of them, while the future and its unknowns are behind them. Some elders simply don’t talk about the future, believing that nothing useful could be said about that vast terrain of uncertainty. Younger speakers, however, who also speak Spanish are beginning to shift their conception of time, to include the more Western frame of future ahead, past behind. We ended up walking in circles. It was pleasant and reassuring. There is a subtle sense of satisfaction and safety when you come upon a crossroads and, after a few moments of scanning the path, the trees, the sky, you realize: Oh, I’ve been here before. I know where I am—who I am. I got this far

and I can make it further. In the last year, I’ve hung my sanity on the cyclic conception of time more common to Eastern cultures, the movement of the Earth around the sun and the rotation of the seasons telling me more than any calendar notification what time or day it might be. After hiking, pizza was ordered; friends filled the backyard, appearing with bottles of wine under their arms, brandishing platters of extravagant desserts they’d made in my honor. We lit a fire. We ate and drank and laughed as the smoke curled toward the sky. Spring is the season of hope, the phase of possibility, when we plant our seeds and wait to see what will grow. The white blooms of dogwood and pear trees canopy the streets. Red, purple, and yellow blooms turn the landscape into one Monet might have enjoyed painting. I still want to go to Paris, but I wonder what more I could be looking for besides this—vast expanses of tall, tall trees where the birds nest and I can walk for hours, a patio to sit with friends as we watch the fire, to marvel at the time we’ve lived, to theorize about the unknowable future, certain only that spring will bleed into summer, which will bleed into fall. That in a year’s time, it will once again be my birthday, wherever I am.

M AY 2 0 2 1 | B LU E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

fresh tunes, fresh air T H E PA N D E M I C D E C IM AT E D T H E L I V E M U S I C I N D U S T R Y. N O W, A T P O D S H O W S , D R I V E I N S , A N D S M A L L F E S T I VA L S , PERFORMERS ARE MAKING A RE TURN TO OUTDOOR STAGES IN THE SOUTH.

BY ALLI MARSHALL

BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS

The Blue Ridge Music Issue 2021

Outdoor venues host spring and summer concerts.

backyard came with the property at One World Brewing West, in West Asheville, N.C. “Our place is kind of tucked away,” says Lisa Schutz, who owns the brewery and venue with her husband Jay. Prior to Covid-19 closures, Schutz, who books all the music for One World West, had hosted a weekly show, in collaboration with a local radio station, on an outdoor stage. “I saw how much people loved being outside at our space,” she says. So, when indoor events were stalled, Schutz decided to move all of the music outside. While it’s no secret that music fans love open-air shows—that’s a large part of why summer festivals have been so successful—most venues focus on indoor concerts for their main offerings. The Grey Eagle, in Asheville, often hosted patio shows in the early evening. The free happenings provided entertainment to diners at the venue’s taqueria and gave lesserknown bands a chance to get a foot in the door. The last year changed much of life as we know it, though, and outdoor performance spaces grew in importance. “Outdoor events have become a necessity,” says Liz Tallent, owner and manager of concert hall the Orange Peel and new event space Rabbit Rabbit, both in Asheville. Tallent is also active in the National Independent Venue Association whose members all across the country are seeking open-air spaces to hold events. “You see lots of cities, lots of neighborhoods, lots of business communities changing policies … and also changing expectations in terms of encouraging and wanting to be able to host more things outdoors,” she says. “It’s a way to support venues, musicians, and the local economy.” The Grey Eagle’s owner, Russ Keith, had already expanded and refined his venue’s patio stage before Covid-19 hit. After two months of complete shutdown, “It became apparent we had to pivot in some regard,” says talent buyer Jeff Whitworth. “We were in the advantageous position where we had a space ready to go.” The 56-person capacity of The Grey Eagle’s patio, when following socially distanced seating protocols, is just 10 percent of the venue’s indoor standing room capacity. But, says Whitworth, “We knew there was demand for it.” Whitworth and Schutz have had to rethink booking tactics over the last year, too. For Whitworth, it meant focusing on bands who could sell out the small shows. For Schutz, it meant drawing from a local and regional pool or artists who didn’t have to travel far. And while both venues’ schedules are booked through early summer, the future remains unclear. “Nobody knows what will come [in terms of public health and safety], so I have to be a bit more judicious with my calendar,” says Whitworth. “Everybody seems to be eyeing late summer/early fall as a return to somewhat-normalcy.” ( L E F T ) A C O N C E R T AT T H T C AV E R N S A B O V E G R O U N D A M P H I T H E AT E R IN TENNESSEE. PHOTO BY ERIKA GOLDRING | THE FESTY (RIGHT) WILL HOST 150 REGIONAL CONCERTS. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE FESTY

But for now, with indoor capacities still limited, fine weather upon us, and festival options reduced for another season, outdoor stages are where it’s at. Salvage Station in Asheville’s River Arts District recently reopened with a fully open-air operation, including multiple outside bars, a large performance stage, and an array of pod-seating areas. Mobile venues have showcased creative initiative, such as the Bandwagon, a flatbed truck-turnedstage, by Weaverville, N.C.-based Velleca Metalworks. And drummer Jeff Sipe’s Corona Killers outfit played parking lots around Brevard, N.C., last summer, from the back of a pickup truck. Rabbit Rabbit was originally slated to open last June. Nationally touring bands were booked and a few shows sold out in advance, “but by early summer it was pretty evident things weren’t going to return to normal in 2020,” Tallent remembers. “We had to pivot and reimagine how we’d use the space. We intended to open it daily with a great bar and food trucks. We were intending to set up cool seating areas and fun, interactive

Outdoor Shows in the Blue Ridge by Jedd Ferris The live music landscape is gradually expanding, making a comeback mainly via socially distanced pod shows. With plenty of wide-open spaces in the Blue Ridge, here’s a look at some of the venues hosting spring concerts around the region.

THE FESTY Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina

The Festy is a decade-old festival that is a popular mainstay in the Blue Ridge region, but last fall event organizers pivoted to hosting a series of socially distanced pod concerts at a winery in central Virginia. That series will multiply exponentially this year, holding approximately 150 shows in three different states. From the spring through the fall, outdoor concerts will be held at Chisholm Vineyards near Charlottesville, Va., Lake Eden in Black Mountain, N.C., and Woodlands Nature Reserve in Charleston, S.C. Tickets for the family-friendly shows will be sold in two-, four-, and six-person pods that are distanced from each other by at least six feet. Upcoming shows include David Wax Museum and Molly Tuttle in Charlottesville on May 8 and May 29, respectively. Dynamic troubadour Martin Sexton will play Charleston on June 4, Black Mountain June 5, and Charlottesville on June 6. thefesty.com

DE VILS BACKBONE BREWERY’S SPRING CONCERT SERIES Virginia

Located deep in the central Virginia Blue Ridge, near the base of Wintergreen Resort, Devils Backbone’s Basecamp Brewery in Nelson County is set on a sprawling property with plenty of space to hold socially distanced outdoor shows. In May the brewery will start a spring concert series that will feature walk-in shows in pods that can hold between two and 10 people.

Featuring Pigeons Playing Ping Pong • Lettuce

the

wood brothers • the infamous stringdusters

tauk • big something • the werks • moon hooch arlo mckinley

funk you • empire strikes brass • fletcher’s grove

magnolia boulevard • buffalo wabs & the price hill hustle 49 winchester • joslyn & the sweet compression • the kind thieves • black garlic • the wright ave • barefuzz

groundhog gravy • the settlement • abby bryant & the echoes emma’s lounge • reliably bad vintage pistol • will jones matt mullins & the bringdowns • andrew adkins

jake dunn & the blackbirds • paul johnson & corey lee mcquade

Wednesday Night @ the Lost Paddle dr. bacon • the mighty good times

tickets on sale now!

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M O U N TA I N L A K E LODGE

BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS

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Come enjoy Virginia’s best craft beer with live musical performances! May 22nd, 2021 | 12 pm - 5 pm For more information please call: 540-626-7121 Limited tickets available, purchase today at: www.mtnlakelodge.com

The Blue Ridge Music Issue 2021

Outdoor Shows in the Blue Ridge (cont'd) Masks will be required when attendees are outside pods and all food and brews must be pre-ordered. Confirmed shows include Mt. Joy on May 14, Moon Taxi on May 22, and Big Something with Too Many Zoos on May 29. dbbrewingcompany.com

CONC ERTS AT BONNAROO FA R M Tennessee

things like slides, swings, and Cornhole.” Although the space was conceived as a fully outdoor venue, the need for a seat for each visitor — as per Covid restrictions — meant the capacity was reduced to 30 percent. And, due to cold weather, Rabbit Rabbit was closed for most of January. But the future looks brighter: “My hope is to be open seven days a week,” Tallent says. “We’re working on partnerships [such as with] the Chamber of Commerce and nonprofits. We’re talking to the Asheville Downtown Association about how Rabbit Rabbit can be helpful to them with some smaller events.” The venue will also host movies and silent discos, though, “I suspect it will be July or August before it makes sense to do the big shows,” Tallent says. Rabbit Rabbit can hold 3,500-plus concert attendees when running at full capacity. The Orange Peel is now in its sixth year of hosting outdoor events. Though that venue has no outside space of its own, it was an early adopter of booking shows at other properties, such as The Meadow at Highland Brewing. Success with those concerts led to the desire for a home base for open-air offerings, and so Rabbit Rabbit was conceived. “We’ve gotten pretty comfortable with putting on outdoor concerts,” Tallent says. One consideration: “Sound travels differently outside. Rabbit Rabbit will be a responsible neighbor. ”Being a good neighbor is also on Schutz’s mind. “Back in the day, we had people coming, but it was way late

D R I V E - I N S H O W S A R E H O S T E D AT M A R Y L A N D ' S F R E D E R I C K F A I R G R O U N D S . P H O T O B Y J E S S E F A AT Z

in the evening. Sound had been an issue at one point,” she says of indoor shows. The move to the venue’s back deck and yard area meant scheduling events for afternoons and early evenings. It’s been a win: “Now the neighborhood is more enjoyable. It’s way better for all of us to do early stuff.” Upcoming events include the Still Grateful After All These Beers festival on June 5. “People love being outside. Fresh air, openness,” Schutz says. Live music has long been a passion for her, and booking One World’s outside stage is “a good expansion for me from what I’ve been doing.” While venues are taking different approaches to scheduling concerts, appealing to a range of musical tastes, one thing that talent buyers agree on: Outdoor stages are here to stay. Even as indoor spaces reopen, fresh-air shows will continue to be an important part of the entertainment roster.

Car Tunes: Drive-In Concerts Continue

lectronic musician Marc Rebillet was among the first artists in the U.S. to tour post-shutdown last year. He embarked on a series of drive-in concerts in June, including an early stop at Hounds Drive-In Theatre, a movie venue in Kings Mountain, N.C. Other artists, venues, and promoters followed suit, turning sites such as fairgrounds and former country clubs into drive-in concert locales. Before Covid, “I’m not sure that I’d heard of a drivein concert,” says Dave Champagne, owner of Pisgah AVL, an audio, video, and lighting company serving

The massive Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival is set to make a comeback over Labor Day weekend, but ahead of that the 700-acre farm where the fest is held will be used to host a series of socially distanced pod concerts. Catch bluegrass phenom Billy Strings on May 28, Jon Pardi on May 29, and a threenight stand with the Avett Brothers on July 2, 3, and 4. Tickets are being sold in four-person, distanced pods, and attendees are encouraged to bring their own blankets and chairs to get comfortable in their designated space.

COL A CONC ERTS AT C O L U M B I A S P E E DWAY ENTERTAINMENT CENTER South Carolina

At Columbia Speedway Entertainment Center, concert attendees are grouped in distanced “coves” that can hold up to eight people, and at least four tickets must be purchased in a single transaction. Safety measures include contactless entry and masks required when attendees are outside of their coves. Acts performing include Shovels and Rope on May 1, Mt. Joy on May 15, and Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit on September 2. colaconcerts.com

CONC ERTS AT THE C AV E R N S Tennessee

The Caverns usually hosts underground shows—literally. The subterranean venue M AY 2 0 2 1 | B LU E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

The Blue Ridge Music Issue 2021

western North Carolina. “We received a call from the Asheville Music Hall. They were looking for some bids for their drive-in series. We were happy to be along for the ride.” Pisgah AVL had long set up outdoor events. For the drive-in concerts, “We added video screens with cameras so [audiences] could see the bands from farther away,” says Champagne. “It’s pretty similar to regular outdoor shows, it’s just that the listening area is larger and longer.” The Asheville Music Hall series took place in Waynesville, N.C. and the Grey Eagle launched its own drive-in concert lineup in nearby Maggie Valley, also in collaboration with Pisgah AVL. “The experience was cool and unique in that it kind of created a festival experience,” says Whitworth. He likens drivein shows to car camping: The fun of being outside without having to hike your stuff in for three miles. And, while initially the Grey Eagle staff wasn’t sure how the car concert experience would be received, Whitworth says it went really well. The biggest reason for doing it, he adds, “Wasn’t about profit and loss as a business. It was about keeping our head above water and staying relevant.” Both Whitworth and Champagne acknowledge that the higher ticket sales potential of standing-room shows and festivals will ultimately spell the end of drive-in concerts (at least as a go-to option). But for now, those shows are very much part of the live music itinerary. The plan for 2021 is “really similar to last year, just starting earlier,” says Champagne. This season will also bring the addition of non-car pod-seating shows at some venues, “to offer comfort on various levels,” says Whitworth.

POP-UP CAMPERS FILLED TENT C I T Y AT F L O Y D F E S T I N 2 0 1 9 . T H E V I R G I N I A F E S T I VA L R E T U R N S T H I S SUMMER. PHOTO BY RICH COX/ COURTESY OF FLOYDFEST

Drive-In Tunes Park your car and tune into the sounds. At these regional drive-in shows, you can get your live music fix in a nostalgic setting under the stars.

Grounds this spring. Big Something performs with Too Many Zoos on May 28, and more shows will be announced. thegreyeagle.com

Drive-In at Maggie Valley Festival Grounds

ROANOKE, VA.

MAGGIE VALLEY, N.C.

After a successful fall season, drive-in shows will return to the Maggie Valley Festival

Berglund Center DriveIn Shows The parking lot of Roanoke’s Berglund Center Coliseum is being used this spring to host a slate of drive-in concerts, which are priced per

BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS

vehicle. Dynamic Alabama soul-rock outfit St. Paul & Broken Bones takes the stage on May 26. roanokelive.com

Showtime at the Drive-In Concert Series FREDERICK, MD.

Last fall Maryland's Frederick Fairgrounds became the site of a successful drive-in concert series that will continue throughout the spring. Parking spaces

are limited to five guests, and all attendees must be masked when outside of vehicles. Upcoming shows include Goose on May 4, Grateful Dead tribute act Dark Star Orchestra on May 14, 15, and 16, and the Wood Brothers on June 6. showtimeatthedrivein.com

Rural Hill Drive-In Shows HUNTERSVILLE, N.C.

Rural Hill, a historic site

and nature preserve near Charlotte, holds a scenic 265 acres that's perfect for parking and hearing some live jams. Car passes are available for up to four passengers, and upcoming shows include Mt. Joy on May 11, St. Paul & Broken Bones on May 25, and the Wood Brothers on June 10. maxxmusic.com

Socially Distanced Drive-In Shows at Atlanta Motor

Speedway HAMPTON, GA.

Last year the sprawling infields of speedways around the South were used to host drive-in shows. Down in Atlanta, there are two more on the schedule with Umphrey’s McGee taking the stage on May 1 and Big Gigantic playing the same Georgia speedway on May 8. Vehicles can have a maximum of six people. collectivpresents.com

The Blue Ridge Music Issue 2021

festivals moving forward F

estivals are part of the fabric of Blue Ridge culture. From traditional gatherings like the Old Fiddlers’ Convention, which is approaching its 85th year, to newer favorites like FloydFest, the region is typically full of vibrant music galas. But last year, like so many things during the relentless hardship and loss of 2020, festivals completely vanished. Now the fest calendar is still light, but many organizers are plotting cautious comebacks for the spring and summer, with broader hopes of full-capacity events being targeted for the fall. FloydFest, one of the region’s biggest festivals planning to proceed with summer dates in July, will allow fewer music fans than usual and put in place new safety measures like temperature checks. “We’ve reduced capacity by a significant amount, and as the country keeps reaching vaccination milestones we think we’ll be ready by July,” says Brian Swenk of Across the Way Productions, which produces FloydFest. “We feel like we’re going to have a safe and successful festival.” Others are holding off a little longer, as popular events like Merlefest and Bonnaroo are being moved to September. But it’s apparent that as more arms get jabs, more sounds will be coming from stages. The information on the following festivals was up to date as of mid-April when we went to press. But since the pandemic is still an evolving situation, visit the event websites as they get closer for possible changes, including dates and safety protocols.

LEAF RETREAT M AY 13-16

BL ACK MO U N TA I N, N.C.

LEAF is a beloved music and culture festival that takes place twice a year at the scenic Lake Eden in Black

A L L I S O N R U S S E L L P E R F O R M S AT T H E B R I S T O L R H Y T H M A N D R O O T S REUNION. PHOTO BY EARL NEIKIRK/COURTESY OF THE BIRTHPLACE OF COUNTRY MUSIC

Outdoor Shows in the Blue Ridge (cont'd) WITH LIMITED AT TENDANCE AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS, LIVE MUSIC BASHES ARE MAKING A CAUTIOUS RETURN.

BY JEDD FERRIS

has become a well-known destination where acts perform for 1,200 people in a large southeastern Tennessee cave. Last fall, after sounds had been dormant for most of 2020, venue organizers found a way to adapt and started hosting shows on a large hillside above Big Mouth Cave. A four-night stand by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit was particularly successful, and this spring what’s now known as the Caverns Above Ground is holding one of the largest concert series in the South. Attendees receive temperature checks and watch bands play from two-, four-, or six-person pods. Upcoming shows include Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors on May 2, a two-night stand with Goose on May 8 and 9, Margo Price on May 28, and two shows by Mandolin Orange on June 5 and 6. thecaverns.com

GR ASSROOTS LIVE AT S H A KO R I H I L L S CONCERT SERIES North Carolina

In the Triangle area of North Carolina, the Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance is a beloved institution, with events usually taking place in the spring and fall. While organizers are planning for the autumn event to take place (October 7-10), this spring they are pivoting to a pod-based concert series. Acts to catch at the Shakori Hills Community Arts Center in Pittsboro include Del McCoury Band on May 8, Yonder Mountain String Band on May 15, Galactic on May 22, and two nights with Donna the Buffalo on June 11 and 12. shakorihillsgrassroots.org

B CHORD BREWING CONCERT SERIES Virginia

As the name suggests, the folks at B Chord Brewing really dig music, so they often bring bands to perform at their park-like grounds in the foothills of the Blue Ridge in Loudon County, Va. With plenty of space to spread out on the brewery’s lawn, you can catch Yonder Mountain String Band performing two nights on July 3 and 4. On Memorial Day Weekend the brewery will also host DelFest Lite, a smaller version of the annual bluegrass bash DelFest (moved to September) that will feature the Del McCoury Band, Seldom Scene, Sierra Hull, and a handful of other fast-picking acts. bchordbrewing.com • M AY 2 0 2 1 | B LU E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

The Blue Ridge Music Issue 2021

T H E AV E T T B R O T H E R S P E R F O R M AT M E R L E F E S T, W H I C H W I L L R E T U R N IN SEPTEMBER. PHOTO BY MICHAEL FREAS/COURTESY OF MERLEFEST

Mountain. While plans are in the works for the fall festival (October 14-17) to resume with its usual format, the annual spring fest is taking place as the reducedcapacity LEAF Retreat, welcoming only one-fifth of the normal amount of attendees for live music, arts workshops, and panel discussions. The event is for LEAF members only. THELEAF.ORG

DOMINION ENERGY RIVERROCK M AY 14-16

RI CH M O N D, VA .

Riverrock normally brings big crowds to Richmond’s Brown’s Island for a long weekend of music and adventure. But this year organizers are instead offering a series of small-scale comps and races to continue the annual celebration of Richmond’s outdoor scene. Offerings on the James River and surrounding trails include a mountain bike time trial and kayak boater cross, as well as trail races with distances between 5K and a half-marathon. Plus, live music will still be part of the programming, with pop-up performances taking place in and around the James River Park System. RIVERROCKRVA.COM

NEW RIVER GORGE FESTIVAL M AY 14-16

OA K H I L L, W.VA .

Ace Adventure Resort will launch a new festival this month to celebrate the New River—one of the oldest rivers in the world and a prime outlet for recreation in the Mountain State. The three-day event will mix live music, camping, and adventure, with opportunities

BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS

to paddle, climb, and mountain bike. Acts on the bill include the Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band and Travers Brothership. ACERAFT.COM

TRAIL DAYS M AY 14-16

DA M ASCUS, VA .

Trail Days is a popular festival that celebrates hiking culture and has been held in the tiny southwest Virginia town of Damascus—“Trail Town, USA”—since 1987. A big family reunion for Appalachian Trail thru-hikers from different generations, the fest features gear booths, talks by A.T. legends of yesteryear, live music from regional roots acts, and plenty of displays of Trail Magic—with locals providing food and gear repairs for hikers currently on the trail. Safety modifications will be announced. TRAILDAYS.US

River Gorge, will feature sets by Lettuce, the Infamous Stringdusters, the Wood Brothers, Pigeon Playing Ping Pong, and more—totaling 25 bands over three days. Outdoor adventure is also a big component of this fest, with onsite access to whitewater rafting, zip lining, and climbing. MOUNTAINMUSICFESTWV.COM

LOST ART MUSIC FESTIVAL J U N E 12

D O U G L ASVIL L E, GA .

FORWARD FESTIVAL

An impressive lineup of roots-music acts will perform at this new event in the Georgia countryside. Catch sets by St. Paul and the Broken Bones, Shovels & Rope, the War and Treaty, and Ben Nichols of Lucero, all playing throughout the day at Foxhall Resort. Safety is a big priority at this festival, with attendees required to show proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test within 48 hours of entry. Also, the event’s 1,100acre site will only be filled to 20 percent of capacity.

M AY 28-3 0

LOSTARTMUSICFEST.COM

L A FAYE T TE, GA .

Forward Festival will take place at Cherokee Farms, a spacious 245-acre property in the Blue Ridge foothills of north Georgia. Catch sets by Oliver Wood, Grass is Dead, Jon Stickley Trio, and Kyle Tuttle Band. FORWARDMUSICFESTIVAL.COM

MOUNTAIN MUSIC FESTIVAL J U N E 3-5

OA K H I L L, W.VA .

Mountain Music Festival is plotting a big comeback for its seventh running in June. The event, taking place at Ace Adventure Resort in West Virginia’s New

BACK HOME FESTIVAL J U N E 25 -27

N E W M A RTI N SVIL L E, W.VA .

This free, three-day festival is slated to return to downtown New Martinsville in late June. Organizers have stressed that they’re monitoring local case counts and will only be moving forward if it’s safe to do so. But as of press time, the event has sets scheduled by more than a dozen acts, including Sam Bush, Melvin Seals and JGB, and the Larry Keel Experience. BACKHOMEFESTIVAL.COM

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but the big fest on the campus of Wilkes Community College will move to September this year, instead of its usual running date in April. MERLEFEST.ORG

The Blue Ridge Music Issue 2021

WATERMELON PICKERS’ FEST SEP TE M BER 16-18

BERRY VI L L E, VA .

Organizers of the long-running Watermelon Park Festival are unveiling a new name using a new location, the Clark County Fairgrounds, for their seventeenth annual event. One thing that won’t change, though, is high quality of bluegrass acts on the festival bill, as bands performing include the Infamous Stringdusters, Charley Crockett, Town Mountain, and Bad Livers. The headliner is a special ensemble assembled by banjo ace Bela Fleck called My Bluegrass Heart, featuring Michael Cleveland, Sierra Hull, and Brian Sutton. WATERMELONPICKERSFEST.COM

DELFEST SEP TE M BER 23-26

RED WING ROOTS J U LY 9-11

MT. S O LO N, VA .

This family friendly festival is hosted by beloved Virginia string band the Steel Wheels at the scenic Natural Chimneys Campground in the Shenandoah Valley. The planned return will be contingent on state regulations, and a lineup announcement is scheduled for early May. REDWINGROOTS.COM

MASTER MUSICIANS FESTIVAL

J U LY 16-17 S OM ERSE T, K Y. This Kentucky roots-based festival—blending Americana, bluegrass, country, and indie folk—has become a regional mainstay in its 25-plus years of existence. Lineup includes Blues Traveler, the Steeldrivers, Devon Gilfillian, Kelsey, Waldon, and Morgan Wade, plus a special Friday-night tribute to the late John Prine by home state favorites the Wooks. MASTERMUSICIANSFESTIVAL.ORG

FLOYDFEST J U LY 21-25

FLOYD, VA .

Set on a beautiful 80-acre mountain plateau right off the Blue Ridge Parkway, Floydfest features one of the best curated music lineups in the region—mixing national mainstays with regional up and comers on the rise. The long-running festival will operate at reduced capacity this year to accommodate social distancing and include additional safety measures, including temperature checks and hand-washing stations. Acts performing on the festival’s nine stages include the Avett Brothers, Billy Strings, Old Crow Medicine Show, Goose, and Molly Tuttle. FLOYDFEST.COM

FRONT PORCH FEST SEP TE M BER 2-5

S T UA RT, VA .

This small, family-friendly festival takes place at Spirit

BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS

Haven Farm, a spacious, 130-acre site in Patrick County, Va. The event’s Labor Day Weekend return will feature a deep roster of mainstay regional acts, including Toubab Krewe, the Nth Power, Big Daddy Love, and the Wooks. FRONTPORCHFEST.COM

4848 FESTIVAL SEP TE M BER 3-5

SN OWSH O E, W.VA .

After a well-received debut in 2019, this emerging festival at Snowshoe Mountain Resort is poised for a comeback in September. Bands play on two stages at the resort’s Mountaintop Village, and between acts attendees can paddle Shavers Lake or ride the winding network of downhill mountain bike trails. Greensky Bluegrass will headline two nights, with more acts to be announced soon. 4848FESTIVAL.COM

BRISTOL RHYTHM AND ROOTS REUNION

BRIS TO L, TEN N . Every fall the small Southern city celebrates this lineage of roots music through a lively street fest that incorporates artists from many generations. This annual gala features a range of acts from national headliners to regional upstarts to down home Appalachian pickers playing along the bustling main drag of State Street, which runs along the Tennessee/Virginia border on more than 20 stages. This year the festival is plotting a big return for its 20th anniversary with performances by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Tanya Tucker, Blackberry Smoke, and Yola. BRISTOLRHYTHM2021.COM SEP TE M BER 10 -12

MERLEFEST WI L K ESBO RO, N.C.

SEP TE M BER 16-19

Merlefest is one of the country’s preeminent Americana festivals, started by late icon Doc Watson to honor his son and fellow musician Merle, who predeceased him. Details, including an artist lineup, are still forthcoming,

CUM BERL A N D, M D.

Bluegrass legend Del McCoury and his sons in the Travelin’ McCourys host this popular string bash in the mountains of western Maryland. It’s normally held on Memorial Day Weekend, but the McCoury clan is waiting until September this year, in the hopes of hosting a safe fall festival. In the meantime, a smaller, socially distanced fest dubbed DelFest Lite will take place at B Chord Brewing in northern Virginia on May 28-30 with sets from Del, the Travelin’ McCourys, Seldom Scene, the Gibson Brothers, and other ace pickers. DELFEST.COM

LOCKN’ MUSIC FESTIVAL O C TO BER 1-3

A RRI N GTO N, VA .

Not many details have surfaced yet about this jamcentric festival, which is set to return in early October in the Blue Ridge foothills of Arrington, Va. Last year the event was supposed to be a celebration of Phil Lesh’s 80th birthday, so expect a heavy dose of Grateful Dead offshoots. LOCKNFESTIVAL.COM

FRENCH BROAD RIVER FESTIVAL H OT SPRI N GS, N.C .

O C TO BER 1-3

This low-key river bash was started more than two decades ago by a group of local western North Carolina boaters with great taste in music. In its 20plus years the paddler party has remained one of the region’s favorite small fests, staying relatively intimate at the Hot Springs Campground. This year the event has moved from its normal spring weekend to the fall; details still forthcoming. FRENCHBROADRIVERFESTIVAL.COM

ROOSTER WALK REUNION O C TO BER 8-10

M A RTI N SVI L L E, VA .

The Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival usually takes place every May at the scenic Pop’s Farm in Martinsville, Va. Remaining cautious, organizers have decided to cancel the event again this year, instead opting to host a three-day festival in the fall (October 8-10) called Rooster Walk Reunion at the same site. Details are still to be announced. There will also be two days of socially-distanced pod concerts at Pop’s Farm on May 28 and 29. Onsite camping will be available. ROOSTERWALK.COM

F A N S W I L L R E T U R N T O F L O Y D F E S T T H I S J U L Y. P H O T O B Y A M Y G R AY / COURTESY OF FLOYDFEST

Isn’t it about time you got back to making memories?

There is something about the sound of strings that come together when musicians riff deep in roots of bluegrass, jazz, and blues, against the mountain backdrop, a flowing Potomac River, and the star-filled open sky. Let the music of DelFest inspire you to get back to making memories in the mountainside.

Visit MDMOUNTAINSIDE.COM/DELFEST. The music returns September 23-26, 2021. Photo Credit: Brad Kuntz Photography

Your Parks Your adventures

| 800-933-PARK (7275) | www.virginiastateparks.gov | Know Before You Go — Recreate Responsibly

BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS

THE YEAR THAT MUSIC

persevered BY ELLEN KANZINGER

Musicians of the Blue Ridge look back on a year without in-person performances as the promise of a return to live shows and festivals grows.

he sound check was one of the last items on the list before the doors opened to the Grey Eagle and Fireside Collective hit the stage for their CD release party. The Ashevillebased quintet had just finished dialing in everything for the show when North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper issued an executive order banning gatherings of more than 100 people. Although they had spent months putting "Elements" together, the band made the difficult decision to cancel the night’s event. It was March 14, 2020 and there were 23 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state. Jesse Iaquinto, a mandolinist and vocalist for the band, told everyone not to worry about it; they’d be back at it by the end of April. “I stayed optimistic for a while,” he said. “That changed after many months.” Talk to any musician about 2020 and you’ll hear tales of canceled tours, delayed records, loss of income, and a complete lifestyle change. “The biggest challenge of this whole thing has been just not knowing where we’re going to be in three months,” Iaquinto said. “For us, we typically plan six months to a year in advance. I think a lot of bands are just sitting and waiting to see what happens.”

“The biggest challenge of this whole thing has been just not knowing where we’re going to be in three months.”

Wish You Were Here On Stage

S C O T T T. S M I T H . P H O T O BY BRAIDEN MADDOX

Nowadays, with most music streaming online and album sales tough to come by, touring is the bread and butter for many bands. As the main source of income and main avenue for promoting an album, a canceled show can hit hard. Chamomile and Whiskey spent 2019 recording their third album, putting a lot of time, money, and effort into the process and preparing for a big year on the road. Soon after their annual St. Patrick’s Day show at Virginia’s Jefferson Theater was canceled, everything else followed. “It was a 60 to 0 kind of thing,” said founding member, guitarist, and songwriter Koda Kerl. “Suddenly everything’s gone.” The first few weeks were hard as the band adapted to the new situation. But as the pandemic went on, they stayed busy on the creative side of things. “It’s probably been one of the most fruitful periods for us as a band and me as a writer,” Kerl said. “When you’re on tour a lot and you’ve got other responsibilities, you get back home and you just feel like laying around.” After more than a year at home, he already has the songs for M AY 2 0 2 1 | B LU E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

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D AV I D WA X MUSEUM. PHOTO BY T R I S TA N W I L L I A M S

the band’s next record as they start to look forward. Kerl also spent the unexpected down time renovating a cabin his brother built into a studio. “Right now, I’m up in the woods in Nelson County digging an outhouse,” he said. “I don’t think that ever would have happened if I didn’t have this big pause. It certainly helps with my mental health and keeping my head straight a little bit throughout all this.” Still, the band is eager to get back on stage. “It’s such a unique profession where your ego is so tied into the way you make a living,” Kerl said. “We all love to walk out to a bunch of fans cheering for us or calling for an encore. It’s the best feeling in the world…If you have a chance to play for people who want to hear you, hear your art, it's a lucky thing and you should really cherish it.” Other artists echoed that sentiment. As the lead vocalist of Joslyn & The Sweet Compression, a sevenpiece R&B band from Kentucky, Joslyn knows how to get crowds going. But performing live isn’t just something she does for the fans; it’s a space where she gets to shine as a musician. “You don’t realize the small things you might take for granted till you can’t do it,” Joslyn said. “You might not have noticed how much you really do need that outlet and energy. For me, it’s like plugging into a charger to get refueled.” With that release gone, she started painting and relearning how to do scales on her keyboard. “I just found other ways to have an outlet artistically,” Joslyn said. The band was able to get into the studio and record an album, helping them feel like they were working towards something in a year when music felt frozen in time.

Video Killed the Radio Star But Saved 2020

When tours and shows were canceled, many artists quickly pivoted to virtual shows as a way to connect with fans and earn some money. Some were all in, like Suz Slezak and David Wax of David Wax Museum, who were doing three online shows a week the first few months of the pandemic. Although they’ve now scaled it down to one show a week, the duo found the move to virtual felt like a natural step. “It was like the only thing left,” Slezak said. “It felt like a lifeline to our fans.”

They also started a Patreon, a membership program that gives fans access to additional content. “We’ve toured with our kids; they’ve seen our family grow; we’ve played in people’s homes,” Slezak said. “The Patreon has felt like this natural extension of this community that we’ve built.” Depending on the level of membership, fans can hear new music first, access Zoom hangouts on topics like mental health and private online shows, and listen to early drafts of old songs. For the first time in years, Slezak and Wax are settled in a home with their children, enjoying sleeping in the same bed every night. “When you’re in the current and it’s fast moving, you just swim and you keep up,” Slezak said. “As soon as that stops, there’s just such relief that I didn’t even know I would have. If you’re offered a gig, you say yes even if it means flying all night to get there and then flying back the next morning.”

“Now we’ve seen what home can be and how creative home can be,” Slezak said. “We never had that chance before. I feel committed to having a different balance.” Having gotten into a rhythm playing their live shows from home, Slezak said she doesn’t think they’ll go back to the same intense touring schedule they’ve been keeping for the last 10 years. “Now we’ve seen what home can be and how creative home can be,” she said. “We never had that chance before. I feel committed to having a different balance.” Other artists, like Devon Gilfillian, shied away from the live streams because it couldn’t compare to a live performance. “People want music badly, but watching it through a screen, for me, is the last thing I really want to do,” he said. “Unless you are doing something insane in this performance. If you’re going to be on TV, show me some movie magic.” Instead, Gilfillian focused on the creation side of music. Using programs like GarageBand and Logic, he started learning how to produce his own music, taking ownership of all the sounds that go into a track.

M O R G A N WA D E . P H O T O B Y D AV I D M C C L I S T E R

He also decided to re-record Marvin Gaye’s essential album, "What’s Going On," in the wake of George Floyd’s death and seeing the role instruments played at subsequent protests. “The fact that no one actually listens killed me, put a knife in my chest,” he said. “I was weeping and angry. In that moment, I decided that I wanted to cover all of it. Listening to that album, for me, it was therapy. It was also insane to me how prophetic the words were and are, and how 50 years later they mean so much more.” Collaborating with artists like Jasmine Cephas Jones, Kyshona Armstrong, and Joy Oladokun to record every track, 100 percent of proceeds from the album were donated to the Equity Alliance in Tennessee to fight voter suppression. One of the few virtual shows Gilfillian did in 2020 was his “There’s An Election Going On” live stream concert with proceeds M AY 2 0 2 1 | B LU E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

Miles and Miles of Pure Nature —Warren County, Pennsylvania—

What do we have in Warren County, Pennsylvania that you do not have where you live? Allow us to answer a question with a question: what do you want in an outdoor recreation vacation? Visitors and locals alike love to go hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, boating, swimming, kayaking, camping, four-wheeling, golfing, snowmobiling, walking, shopping, wining and dining, birding and learning. Finally, if one needs yet another reason to visit, we have it for them—how about just relaxing? Many cities in the U.S. are full of noise…distractions… confusion…chaos. We don’t allow those things here, and we welcome visitors to leave those negatives behind and welcome our positives into their world. Sometimes they want to stay forever. That feeling is allowed and encouraged. We aim to please around here. We don’t like to brag (we are about to brag

anyways) but we have the 2017 Pennsylvania River of the Year running right through our county. It’s the Allegheny River, and as the saying goes…it’s real, and it’s spectacular!! Would you believe us if we told you we have two Pennsylvania Rivers of the Year? We also boast the 2015 River of the Year: It’s the Conewango Creek!! If you are looking for a slower paddle or float, then the Conewango Creek is your best option. Want to pick up the pace and get out into more wide-open space? Then by all means get out on the Allegheny River. We have more than two rivers around here. Depending on CDC restrictions and travel restrictions of course, we plan on celebrating the Kinzua Country Tango Race (fitness racers, Google it…trust us!); The Pennsylvania State Championship Fishing Tournament in Tidioute, PA; Johnny Appleseed Festival in Sheffield, PA;

The Kinzua Heritage Festival in Russell, PA; The Warren County Farmers’ Market every Saturday morning; The Fourth of July Parade; and yes, in case you were wondering, we’ve heard that the Warren County Fair in Pittsfield, PA is on pace to return in 2021 for a week in August. Which season is the best season to visit Warren County? All four of them, of course. Check out the calendar at wcvb.net throughout the year so you can pick a time to visit based upon your preferences. A frosty white blanket is available many winter days, while fall foliage lights up our hillsides every October. The summers? Well…they speak for themselves. Come see us soon.

814-726-1222 | info@wcvb.net | 22045 U.S. Route 6 | Warren, PA 16365

also benefiting the advocacy group. With performances by Grace Potter, the War and Treaty, and Jason Isbell, among others, it was a full-scale production. “The season of no live music is coming to an end soon, and I think that’ll make it even sweeter when we get back on stage,” Gilfillian said.

JOSLYN & THE SWEET COMPRESSION. PHOTO BY D WAY N E L L O Y D

Getting By With a Little Help From My Friends

Learning how to deal with loss, especially on a global scale, doesn’t come easy. Learning how to adapt and reframe your mindset is a difficult process. Many musicians talked about finding new outlets or professional help to work on those skills. Morgan Wade had wanted to try therapy before the pandemic but felt it wasn’t a possibility since she was always on the road. Although in-person sessions weren’t happening, she started seeing a therapist virtually. “That has helped me a lot,” she said. “I think we could all benefit from having somebody outside of our family or friend circle to be able to speak with and relay those things.” Wade also spent more time outside, exploring the area around her home in southwest Virginia. “I didn’t realize how lucky I am,” she said. “I’m living out in the country where I’m able to go outside and walk. So I would find the beauty in the small things that normally I wouldn’t pay any attention to. I could have sat there mad I couldn’t go do other stuff, but I had more than what other people had in different areas.”

“I’m living out in the country where I’m able to go outside and walk. So I would find the beauty in the small things that normally I wouldn’t pay any attention to." For Lydia Luce, last year started with a tornado that tore through her home city of Nashville, Tenn., at the beginning of March. Still reeling from that experience, Luce, like the rest of the country, soon found herself in lockdown. With her sophomore album release delayed, she found comfort in her friends and community, as well as talking about her anxieties out loud. “I’ve only really been doing therapy consistently for the last two years, but that’s been something that gets me through everything,” Luce said. “From week to week, things might change but having that consistent check-in is really great.” As many others discovered, she also found healing in getting to do things she couldn’t with such a busy schedule. “My partner and I started a garden, and that got us outside with summer,” Luce said. “We got a puppy, and that really helped with the joy part.” Safely leaving the house to hike and spend time outside to reflect and turn everything off was also important.

A Change Is Gonna Come to the Music Industry

So what do artists think the music industry will look like as they start booking live shows again? While large, indoor gatherings will probably be one of the last things to open back up, they are seeing more festival producers and venue managers thinking about innovative ways to put on in-person events. “A lot of venues are converting to outdoor shows, A) by necessity in order to run shows and B) in some cases, they’re going to continue to do this in the summer, COVID or no COVID, because they figured out their cap doubles,” said Marty Charters, guitarist and songwriter for Joslyn & The Sweet Compression. “We fit 300 people inside; we can fit 750 people outside. So once they make a few structural changes, they could do this.” More room outside to sell more tickets could help some venues recoup part of their losses from the past year. Still, not every venue is able to make that transition easily with many not surviving the financial toll COVID-19 took on their bottom line. “Some will be gone for good; others have held on but will be struggling,” Charters said. “There’s definitely a new outlook with regard to the financial deals. Venues, and even festivals who lost a lot of money, blown sponsors, and advertising money wasted, it’s all scaled down.” This is something that could have a trickle-down effect on musicians and bands looking to book dates. “When a venue or festival has taken a beating and are lucky to be around, the deals they're making with you now are significantly less artist-friendly than they used to be,” Charters said. “You want to be upset with

the toll it’s taken on you, yet you really can’t argue with them because they’ve taken a beating.” In many cases, he said the band has had to settle for deals that weren’t nearly as attractive as they used to be because everyone is trying to survive. Others, like folk artist Scott T. Smith, hope to see a transformation in how the music industry operates. “If having COVID and being in COVID Land has taught me anything, it’s that none of what we were doing before was working,” Smith said. “We were consuming so much at such a high rate. We were gathering and spending so much money. So many raw materials were going into making these tours happen.” Instead, he says, it’s time to think about the industry from a sustainability perspective and how artists can move forward with a responsibility to this earth. One place Smith suggested starting with is merch. “Going forward, when artists release projects, there’s no need to make something until it’s ordered,” he said. “Make merch that matters. Make t-shirts out of recycled material. Work with companies that are doing small batch, made-to-order merchandise.” This is something he hopes all musicians will start thinking about critically as they think about touring again. “To ignore the wake-up call that COVID has been for us as a society is to practice denial, is to practice insanity,” Smith said. “At this point, we’re crazy to think that we can keep doing it the way we were before and it’s going to be okay.” Check out BlueRidgeOutdoors.com throughout the month of May to read more in-depth interviews with each of the artists featured here. You can also hear new music from each artist on our Spotify playlist, The Year That Music Persevered. M AY 2 0 2 1 | B LU E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

Photo © Stephen Matera

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A M O U N TA I N B I K E R R I D E S THROUGH THE ENCHANTED FOREST SECTION OF CARVINS COVE. PHOTO BY JARED LADIA | VISIT VIRGINIA'S BLUE RIDGE

Pitch a Tent and Ride Still not ready for a long flight and an extended stay in a hotel? Load up your bike, head into the woods, and pop a tent at one of these top pedal-ready camping destinations in the Blue Ridge. B Y E R I C J . WA L L A C E

ast year bike sales broke records and camping found renewed popularity as a safe escape. With that in mind, we’ve combined both and scoped out the perfect spots where you can ride some sweet Southern singletrack by day and sleep under the stars by night.

Virginia Stokesville Campground, Mt. Solon

The Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition and U.S. Forest Service have spent 25-plus years and more than $500,000 transforming the North River District of the George Washington National Forest into an MTB mecca. Former pro racer and renowned trailbuilder Thomas Jenkins

has spearheaded the installation of more than 40 miles of fast and fun single and doubletrack. The groundbreaking system helped nearby Harrisonburg win designation as an International Mountain Biking Association bronzelevel Ride Center in the early 2010s. Routes carry you into the Alleghany Mountains and some of the highest MTB terrain in the state. Peaks at Reddish, Bother and Flagpole Knobs bring 4,100plus feet of elevation, panoramic views of the Shenandoah Valley—and shredworthy, 2-mile-long descents. The 140-acre private campground is located about 20 miles southeast of Harrisonburg on the North River at the base of the Shenandoah Mountain Range. The farm-like property is picturesque, heavily wooded and features 103 sites—including some RV spots and a handful of cabins. Amenities include access to trailheads, bathrooms, hot showers, a small camp store, and a big swimming hole. Primitive camping starts at $15. stokesvillecampground.com

Carvins Cove, Roanoke

In the late 1990s, Carvins Cove Natural Reserve was home to little more than a municipal reservoir and a sliver of the Appalachian Trail. An ambitious partnership between the city, New River Valley Bicycle Association, and other organizations brought major changes. Today, the 12,500-acre area boasts an 80-mile network of mountain biking

trails centered around the 2,500-foot ridgeline of Brushy Mountain. The headliner is a beastly 7-mile-long flow trail, Rock & Roll, presently the longest of its kind in the U.S. Better still, the Cove sits just 10 miles from downtown Roanoke and was recently connected to the city’s awardwinning Greenway system—including 15 miles of purposebuilt MTB trails at Mill Mountain Park. This and other bike-friendly policies led IMBA to name Roanoke the East Coast’s third silver-level Ride Center in 2018 (there are currently just FA M I L Y C A M P I N G AT E X P L O R E PA R K . P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F R O A N O K E C O U N T Y PA R K S , R E C R E AT I O N & T O U R I S M | 16 in the world). VISIT VIRGINIA'S BLUE RIDGE Unfortunately, the Cove isn’t camper friendly. Instead pitch your tent across town near the Blue West Virginia Ridge Parkway at Explore Park. The Blackwater Falls State Park, 1,100-acre preserve is situated along Davis the Roanoke River and offers high-end state park type amenities ranging from Tucker County and the tiny 675-person bathhouses to an adventure ropes town of Davis have long been hubs of course to an onsite brewpub. And did we the Eastern Panhandle mountain biking mention 9-plus miles of purpose-built scene. The area is nestled high in the MTB trails? Primitive sites start at $20. Alleghany Mountains and studded Find trail maps and information at with 4,000-foot peaks and ridgelines. playroanoke.com M AY 2 0 2 1 | B LU E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

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BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS

Meanwhile, the Monongahela National Forest and two state parks comprise nearly 75 percent of county lands. The latter have been working with regional bike clubs and the state’s National Interscholastic Cycling Association league to overhaul trails since 2017. Blackwater Falls State Park now rests at the center of a 34-plus-mile system. Canaan Valley Resort State Park is located 20 miles away and offers another 19 miles of trails—including a pump track and six miles of new, bike-park-quality routes. The scenic Alleghany Mountain Trail passes through rare high-elevation red spruce forests, past cranberry bogs and countless trout streams, and connects the two parks. But the fun doesn’t stop there. The county is brimming with bike-friendly recreation areas. Little Canaan Wildlife Management Area, for instance, holds another 16 miles of trails alone. Blackwater Falls is our go-to basecamp for exploration. The 2,358acre park features a 60-foot waterfall, bathhouses and awesome primitive camping along its namesake river. Sites start at $17 a night. wvstateparks.com/ park/blackwater-falls-state-park

North Carolina W. Kerr Scott Reservoir, Wilkesboro

This 1,475-acre manmade lake and its six surrounding wildlife management areas offer some of the most iconic mountain biking in the Southeast. Located 30 miles west of Boone in the Yadkin River Valley between the Blue Ridge and Brushy Mountain ranges, it’s home to more than 40 miles of purposebuilt MTB trails. All were designed and installed by the Brushy Mountain Cyclists Club since 2002. The area makes the most of a cluster of 1,500-foot peaks and ridgelines, and features three main riding areas—Dark Mountain, Overmountain Victory Trail, and Warrior Creek. The latter is the most progressive and features a killer 12-mile loop with ripping downhill segments where, beyond the opening climb and a few uphill punches, you’ll barely have to hit the pedals. Connectors and a brief road ride make it possible to combine the three areas for a gnarly 33-mile loop. The route’s backcountry beauty and countless bermed curves (OVT’s main loop features more than 100 alone), drops, jumps, rock gardens, and wooden features landed it on the list of IMBA Epics in 2011.

Mulally and company have since added a second riding area with two machine-built beginner routes and a trio of fast and flowy rides for intermediates. But most visitors come for the challenge of taking on some of the gnarliest downhill burners around. An open-back truck shuttles riders to trailheads at the summit of 3,200-foot Toddy Mountain throughout the day. The machine-built, 16-trail network is peppered with loads of features, brings nearly 20 miles of riding, and vertical drops of 2,150 feet. Trail crews are constantly making improvements and additions, so expect something new each year. While tent camping is available onsite, it’s essentially festival-style in an open field. If you’re looking for woodsy privacy and quiet, Rock Hollow Campground is located a mere six miles away. Primitive sites start at $25. rockhollowcampground.com

Georgia Mulberry Gap Adventure Basecamp,

E P I C T R A I L S AWA I T AT W I N D R O C K PA R K . P H O T O BY JACK RICE/COURTESY OF P I P E R C O M M U N I C AT I O N S

There are three camping areas around the lake, but we prefer Warrior Creek. It’s less popular among the boating and swimming crowd, and many of its 60 sites are tucked away in wooded nooks near creeks. A primitive spot with electric hookups is $20 a night. recreation.gov/camping/ gateways/461

Yogi in the Smokies, Cherokee

In terms of MTB basecamps, the town of Cherokee is hard to beat. The seat of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ 56,000-acre Qualla Boundary lays at the southern terminus of the Blue Ridge Parkway, sandwiched between Great Smoky Mountains National Park to the north and the Nantahala National Forest to the south. Simply put, the natural beauty is stunning. Better still, Cherokee is home to Fire Mountain Bike Park. The resortstyle system is located a mile from downtown, features about 14 miles of pro-grade trails, dozens of wooden features—and won’t cost you a dime to ride. Highlights include half-mile-long, feature-packed progression trail, Skilly, and 2-mile doubletrack rollercoaster, Kessel Run. The latter brings 2,000 feet of vertical descent and is peppered with high berms, rhythm sections, dozens

Ellijay of tabletops, and a handful of wood features. After hitting the park, proceed to iconic rides at Lake Fontana. The scenic preserve is less than 25 miles away and home to the 42-mile-long Tsali Loops trail, an IMBA epic. For camping, we like Yogi in the Smokies. This 150-site gem is located 10 miles north of downtown Cherokee on the outskirts of its namesake National Park. Pitch a tent on the banks of the Raven Fork of the Oconaluftee River or rent a cabin. Amenities include a pool, camp store, and hot-water bathhouses. Primitive sites from $33. jellystonecherokee.com

Tennessee Windrock Park, Oliver Springs

Co-owned and designed by pro racer and former national champion, Neko Mulally, Windrock was purpose-built for enthusiasts by enthusiasts. The 550-acre park is the outgrowth of a private, 73,000-acre MX, ATV, and jeep destination in the rural Cumberland Mountains. It gained recognition after launching in 2017 with nine trails that ranged from advanced to extreme in difficulty.

The best mountain biking in Georgia is found 80 miles north of Atlanta in the southern Cohutta Mountains near the 2,500-person town of Ellijay. There, the North Georgia Mountain Bike Association has made northern portions of the 335-mile-long Pinhoti National Recreation Trail the backbone for a network of incredible rides. Numerous loops deliver riders deep into the Chattahoochee National Forest, passing through rhododendron thickets and hemlock forests to 3,500-plusfoot ridgelines with long, fantastic descents. The crown jewel is an epic 43-mile circuit that links eight MTB trails via a series of short connectors. It begins on the edge of the 36,977-acre Cohutta Wilderness, passes through Fort Mountain State Park, and ends near the town of Chatsworth. Expect tons of modern flow interspersed with occasional technical sections, creek crossings, and climbs to the next downhill thriller. Mulberry Gap Adventure Basecamp is located 13 miles northwest of Ellijay and offers camping, cabins, bathhouses, and shuttle service for area trailheads. Chef Ginni Taylor dishes out family-style breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and craft brews in a large lounge and dining area called The Barn. The vibe is like an Appalachian Trail hostel made a baby with a Vermont ski resort. Primitive camping from $19 a night. mulberrygap.com

M AY 2 0 2 1 | B LU E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

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Beaverdam Falls, photo by Beau Bryan

Camping Southeast the

A Charming Getaway to Alleghany Highlands, Va.

PHOTO BY JOSHUA ANDERSON COURTESY OF UNSPLASH

W h e t h e r y o u p r e f e r a c o as t al a d v e n tu r e or a m oun t ai n o us g e t aw ay, c h e c k o u t o u r r ou n d u p o f t h e b e s t c am p i ng o p ti o n s i n t h e r e g i o n. F r o m q ui e t b ac kc o u n tr y s i te s a n d f a m i l y - fr i e n d l y c am p g r o un d s to th e b e st of c ar c am p i ng and g l am p i n g , w e’ v e g o t a s po t f o r e v e r y t y p e o f ad v e n tu r e r. Pl e a s e c h e c k w i t h l o c at i o n s p r i o r to t r a ve l t o m ake s u r e i t i s s afe to v i s i t o r u se t h i s g ui d e t o p l an f ut ur e tr i p s w h e n w e c a n al l b e t o g e t h e r ag ai n.

For beautiful mountain views, endless outdoor recreation opportunities, and unique camping locations, get away to the Alleghany Highlands of Virginia for time away from the crowds. Beaverdam Falls Outdoor Recreation & Camping is a new glamping venue with several scenic campsites. Sleep beside the 40-foot Beaverdam Falls as the creek tumbles into the basin below at the “Top of the Rock” site. Three other campsites provide a quiet spot among nature while the cottage on site offers a more traditional night of lodging with a kitchen, air conditioning, and heat. Explore the 60-acre property, including viewing the falls from the rope bridge, private trout fishing, and swimming in the cool mountain waters. Experience more of the outdoors with a bike ride on the Jackson River Scenic Trail or a picnic beside Humpback Bridge. As one of the six original Virginia parks, Douthat State Park is a classic camping spot surrounded by stunning scenery. Of the 87 tent and RV sites, Lakeside Campground is a favorite among visitors for its views of the water while Whispering Pines remains open all year and Beaver Dam is perfect for equestrian camping. An additional 32 cabins and three lodges provide space for larger groups wanting to enjoy the park together with kitchens and beds. While staying at the park, make sure to hike or bike the more than 40 miles of trails, ranging from easy to difficult, fish the lake for stocked trout, and swim at the beach area. Don’t forget to head into the nearby town of Clifton Forge for delicious eateries, fun shops, and evening entertainment. Get back to the camping basics at the Morris Hill Campground. Sitting on a ridge above Lake Moomaw, you’ll be surrounded by George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. Sit around the fire-ring roasting s’mores before climbing into your tent or RV for the night. During the day, the 2,500-acre lake invites you to jump in, fish for trout, and paddle the shoreline. There’s plenty of hiking and biking spots easily accessible from the campground while the Jackson River offers more miles for fly fishing and paddling. Plus, it’s just a short drive to Covington for a walk through downtown or out to the overlook at Falling Springs Falls off Route 220. No matter where you choose to set up camp for the night, discover what makes it Uniquely Alleghany when you visit this charming Virginia mountain community for yourself. VisitAlleghanyHighlands.com

Cleveland RiverBend Campground, photo by JChumbley, MC Images

Stay at a water-front cabin at Wilderness Presidential Resort. Photo courtesy of the resort.

A Riverside Stay in Russell County, Va.

Find Your Camping Spot in Spotsylvania County, Va.

Known as one of the most biodiverse areas in the world, there’s no better place to spend a night out in nature than beside the Clinch River in Russell County, Va. Cleveland RiverBend Campground is a quiet getaway, perfect for the laid back camper. With both RV and primitive sites available, you can choose how you sleep. Amenities include restroom and shower facilities, as well as electric, water, and an onsite dump station for RVs. From the campground, access the walking trail and boardwalk that connects to Town Park via a suspension bridge. For more outdoor excursions, try the three-mile trail out to Tank Hollow Falls at Cleveland Barrens Natural Area Preserve or get on the river at one of the nearby boat slips. Plan your upcoming trip around a local festival to experience the music, food, and culture of southwestern Virginia. From guided canoe trips and hikes to festival food and local craft drink tastings, Clinch River Days, scheduled for June 4-5, is an annual tradition highlighting the rare and endangered freshwater mussels that call the scenic river home. Or visit the following weekend and celebrate all things bluegrass, country, rock, and gospel music at the Lebanon Cedar Fest, scheduled for June 12-13.

From outdoor recreationists to history and wine enthusiasts, Spotsylvania County, Va., offers a picturesque landscape for a relaxing getaway. Whether you’re looking for solitude or more luxurious accommodations, there’s a camping option to fit your style. If you’re looking to stay close to the water, Lake Anna State Park has something for everyone. Depending on who you’re traveling with, reserve one of the traditional campsites or try out the yurts, cabins, lodges, or bunkhouse on site. Spend your days exploring 15 miles of trails, swimming in the lake, and fishing for largemouth bass before turning in for the night. Families of all ages will love staying at the Wilderness Presidential Resort. Bring your own RV or tent for the night or book a lakeside cottage or cabin for cooking space and a personal bathroom. On site amenities include two lakes with boat rentals, mini-golf, an adventure course, escape room, and more. Just off I-95, the Fredericksburg/Washington DC South KOA has RV sites, tent sites, and cabins for travelers to rest their heads. With a pool, bike rentals, and fishing on site, as well as easy access to historical sites, an amusement park, and great food, it’s a great spot to settle in for the night or the week.

ExperienceRussell.com

VisitSpotsy.com

Sunset over the Blue Ridge Mountain. Photo by Sam Dean, courtesy of the McDowell County Tourism Authority

A Four-Season Destination in McDowell County, N.C. Regardless of the season, the Blue Ridge Mountains shine in McDowell County, N.C. Numerous campgrounds make it an ideal location for those who prefer to stay close to the action. Within Pisgah National Forest, Curtis Creek Campground is an idyllic spot beside a refreshing trout stream. The primitive sites are a short walk to miles of trails. Just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, two campsites offer a quiet place to set up for the night. Crabtree Falls Campground, located at Milepost 339.5, features 81 tent and RV sites with easy access to the 70-foot waterfall while Bear Den Campground, located at Milepost 324.8, offers camping options or cabin rentals with an onsite fishing pond and trails. Fall asleep to the sounds of the river at Catawba Falls Campground or enjoy the views of Mount Mitchell from Sky Island Retreat. Cool off during the summer at Hidden Creek Camping Resort, featuring a lake, creek, pool, and water slide for a full day of fun, while spring and fall are the best times to pack your tent or stay in one of the bunk lodges at Camp Grier. A number of RV parks, including Buck Creek Campground, Mountain Stream RV Park, Mountain Paradise Campground, and Tom Johnson Campground, provide a laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere

with plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the setting. Surrounded by 70,000 acres of national forest, the steep slopes of the escarpment create ideal conditions for mountain biking and hiking. Be sure to check out Woods Mountain Trail, a 26-mile loop that crosses the Mountain to Sea Trail, and Snook’s Nose, a trail for the experienced hiker with long-range views from Green Knob Lookout Tower. Stop by Flavors on Main or Old Fort Outdoors for any gear you might have left at home or maps of the area. The Old Fort Ride House rangers also provide expert trail details and info. At the end of the day, unwind at a restaurant in Marion, including Marion Wing Factory, Toonez Chop House, Burrito Bros, McDowell Local, and Crabby Abby’s Bar & Grill. Don’t miss The Feisty Goldﬁsh, a funky retro arcade and bar, or the Spillway Bridge, a music hall and bar supporting regional artists. Walk downtown Old Fort or catch an outdoor performance at the Mountain Gateway Museum. Hillman Beer is the perfect spot to swap stories and grab a beer before heading back to your campsite for another night in the mountains of McDowell County. BlueRidgeTraveler.com | 828-668-4282

Hiking False Cape State Park

The Best Coastal Campgrounds in Virginia Beach, Va. Perfectly located at the sweet spot where the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean meet, the vibrant city of Virginia Beach attracts visitors of all ages with its flourishing culinary scene, rich history, and variety of outdoor adventures. Experience everything from the lively and bustling Town Center district to remote areas surrounded by nature when you visit coastal Virginia. Camping is the perfect way to get the most out of your beach retreat. Fall asleep to the sounds of the bay at First Landing State Park. With over 200 tent and RV sites, plus a number of cabins and yurts, it’s just a short stroll across the boardwalk to reach the beach. Hike or bike 20 miles of trails through bald cypress swamps, lagoons, maritime forests, and shoreline at Virginia’s most-visited state park before turning in for the night. The more adventurous camper will enjoy the solitude and undeveloped coastline at False Cape State Park. The four primitive campgrounds located on Back Bay and the ocean require anywhere from a five to eight mile hike or bike from your car. Inexperienced campers and young children are not recommended due to the remote nature of the sites. The Virginia Beach KOA Holiday is the perfect base camp for all your activities in the area, featuring RV sites, tent sites, and cabins, plus onsite amenities that include two swimming pools, a zipline course, bike rentals, a giant jumping pillow, and more. Spend the night by a private beach at North Landing Beach RV Resort and Cottages. In addition to planned activities, like weekend movie nights and holiday cookouts, explore the extensive marshes and streams around the river with canoe, kayak, and paddleboard rentals. With over 1,000 sites ranging from basic to the full hook up with cable, Holiday Trav-L-Park has something for every kind of camper. Plus, with

beach parking, four pools, and live music, there’s plenty to keep you busy during the day. Stay at any of the campgrounds for easy access to all the outdoor adventures Virginia Beach has to offer. The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium is an exciting way to experience the area from above as you travel a network of tree-top trails. When you’re done flying through the air, head inside the aquarium for a variety of coastal habitats and over 300 species. If you forgot your swimsuit or beach shoes at home, Surf & Adventure Co. can hook you up with all your gear needs while in town. They also rent beach equipment, bikes, kayaks, surfboards, and paddleboards so you don’t have to cram everything into the car. Book one of their tours or surf lessons to get the most out of your time at the beach. Take advantage of the miles of coastline and beautiful weather with a meal at one of several waterfront restaurants in town. Serving up everything from tacos to flatbread pizza, The Back Deck Bar & Cafe lives up to its name as a place to relax with a beautiful view while Calypso Bar & Grill features ramen on Mondays, an all-day raw bar, and delicious cocktails. Tulu Seaside Bar & Grill and Lager Heads Restaurant have some of the best and most creative burgers in town. A trip to the coast wouldn’t be complete without a stop at one of the area’s iconic seafood restaurants. For the freshest catch, Steinhilber’s, Chix on the Beach, Catch 31 Fish House & Bar, Rudee’s Restaurant, Rockefeller’s, and Ocean House Waterfront Seafood Restaurant serve up local dishes with top notch outdoor seating options. Get a taste for the sweet life by the water on your next camping trip to Virginia Beach. VisitVirginiaBeach.com/Outdoors

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PRESERVING THE PIEDMONT BLUES THROUGH E FF O RTS O F FO UNDATI O NS A N D YO UNG A RTI STS, THIS R EG I ONA L FO R M O F M USIC IS STAYING A LIVE A ND STI LL FINDING A N AUD IE NCE . BY ALEX MCCARTHY

SOMETIMES, ALL IT TAKES IS A THUMB

and forefinger for Alvin “Little Pink” Anderson to be with his father again. Anderson, 66, is the son of late blues guitarist Pink Anderson, who died in 1974. There are times when Little Pink picks up an acoustic guitar and gets into what he calls a “zone,” where he feels like he’s alongside his father again. “The best zone in the world is when subconsciously you kind of drift back into the past while you’re performing,” Anderson said. “Sometimes, I can see me and him sitting there playing together.” That’s the power of Piedmont blues, a style of guitar playing that’s often passed down through generations of a family. The style has waned in popularity as the years have gone by, and as the giants of the genre have died. Artists and enthusiasts are doing what they can to preserve the genre through a two-pronged approach — honoring the past while finding ways to connect with modern listeners. Piedmont blues (also referred to as East Coast blues or Southeastern blues) originated in the Piedmont region of the East Coast, which stretches roughly from Atlanta to Richmond, Va. It is instantly recognizable by the fingerpicking pattern. The acoustic guitar serves as percussion, bass, and melody as the player’s thumb strums the lower strings for the bassline and the other ALVIN "LITTLE PINK" ANDERSON. PHOTOGRAPH BY T I M D U F F Y / M U S I C M A K E R F O U N D AT I O N

BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS

fingers play the melody. This rhythmic plucking often creates a percussive slapping. The fingerpicking style takes years of practice to master. Many Piedmont players, such as Anderson, start playing as very young children. Anderson said he started playing by the time he turned four, and was playing alongside his father at shows by the time he was five. Willie Leebel, president of the Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation, said Piedmont played a vital role in early American music. Listening to it, you can hear hints of ragtime, folk, blues, and bluegrass. “I think it’s part of our American heritage,” Leebel said. Organizations such as the Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation and the Music Maker Relief Foundation are doing their part to breathe life into acoustic blues. Music Maker is a nonprofit that financially supports aging or struggling blues artists to allow them to continue to make music. The Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation is named for a legendary Piedmont player who died in 1998. When Edwards died, the foundation was formed to give his friends and fans a place to keep playing Piedmont blues. The foundation provides workshops and concerts at its venue, called Archie’s Barbershop, in Hyattsville, Maryland. The majority of people who show up for these events are older, Leebel said. Most younger players he’s met are interested in contemporary and electric blues. One of the major reasons it’s hard for people to get into the style is that it’s hard to teach yourself the fingerpicking technique if the muscle memory isn’t

ingrained from a young age. “The fingerstyle is very intricate or difficult for some people,” Leebel said. “Generally, blues is easy to play. Piedmont is probably the most difficult style of blues to work with.” The COVID-19 pandemic had an unexpected effect — it actually gave the foundation a chance to reach more people. The in-person jam sessions had to stop for safety reasons, so the foundation started holding them

virtually. Now, players from all around the country settle in front of their webcams and start picking. Leebel said it’s been fascinating to meet people from all over who share the same passion for acoustic blues. He said the foundation will certainly continue to do virtual events even after the world returns to normal after the pandemic. One of the out-of-town attendees is Elly Wininger, a member of the New York Blues Hall of Fame. Wininger, who lives in Woodstock, New York, has tuned in for a couple jam sessions and has enjoyed seeing everyone learning and collaborating. Wininger said Piedmont is far from dead. It might sound different now than it used to, but she said that’s a good thing. It’s all about making the music real now, she said. “To me, ‘keeping it alive’ means interpreting and making it

relevant now,” Wininger said. “There are people who are doing that, and I think that’s exciting.” Artists such as 24-year-old Jontavious Willis are prime examples. The Georgia native has earned praise from well-known blues artists including Taj Mahal for the way he can replicate the sounds and feeling of early blues. He ties the past to the present, connecting original themes of Jim Crowera blues lyrics and applying them to the current state of social justice and the Black Lives Matter movement. Willis was one of a handful of young blues players who created the #RobertJohnsonChallenge in 2020, encouraging people to learn songs by Johnson, a famed Delta blues musician. The challenge was meant to help people understand Johnson better and see him in a more human light as opposed to just a scratchy voice from the past. Anderson also believes that honoring the past is vital, but can relate to younger artists as they search for their own voices. He said he hasn’t been fond of most people’s attempts to modernize the music, as he doesn’t feel like many presentday songwriters truly understand the blues. “I really don’t think it’s dying,” Anderson said, “but I think it’s stuck.” At the same time, Anderson has spent his whole life interpreting music in his own fashion. Though his father taught him how to play the guitar a certain way, he also encouraged him to take his own path. Anderson took that lesson to heart, making a name for himself as an electric blues player in addition to his acoustic roots. “He taught me that everybody, every musician is an individual,” Anderson said. “And he used that to take that step on your own. I can ride his coattails, but only so far. That was the lesson, and to have some individuality, your own mind.” Perhaps the future for Piedmont blues, or any form of music, is rooted more in individuality than in anything. Whether you’re playing with people via Zoom call or strumming alone or playing a sold-out concert, as long as the music is authentic and coming from somewhere within you, it can never truly die.

REIMAGINING SUSTAINABLE LIVE MUSIC THE PANDEMIC PUT EVERYONE’S LIVES IN A BLENDER. Few industries were incapacitated more than the live music universe. Pandemic or not, the live music industry was ripe for a reboot. The model had been bending for a while, and was due for a solid break. Concerts were failing at being sustainable: economically, experientially, environmentally. The literal and figurative squeeze was nauseating: artists struggling to survive, fan pocket books getting taxed, venues overly packed.

Bucolic outdoor venues with generous spacing, low impact infrastructures, and zero single-use plastics Limited capacity, intimate performances with a focus on comfort and convenience Band collaborated promotion and profit sharing with zero ticket fees Partnerships with regional conservation and sustainability non-profits, driven by surveying audience and artist interests High-Production value livestreams with unique programming to enticing fans to skip long drives for comfy couches

It was time to reimagine things. Enter FESTY. Our 14 shows last fall proved we can prevail in the face of a pandemic. Now, by partnering with the Conservation Alliance, and adding two more eco-friendly venues, we’re showing the industry that success and sustainability is a model for success rather than lip service or an oxymoron. We hope you’ll join us this summer as we roll out our reimagined live music experience.

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THE WILDEST H OW TO SAVE TH E SO U T H ’ S DEEPE ST, DARK EST SECRET BY WILL HARLAN

WHAT’S THE WILDEST SPOT ON

the map? As an outdoor writer for two decades, I’ve been asked this question a lot. Yes, most of the largest swaths of wildlands in the U.S. are out West, but there are still a few pockets of wild places in the overcrowded East. And they aren’t necessarily where you might expect. Some would argue that the wildest spot is a rugged, remote mountain in the Smokies or the Monongahela, or perhaps a wild river gorge like the Chattooga or Linville, or a classic wilderness area like Shining Rock or Dolly Sods. The South’s newest wilderness— Upper Bald River Wilderness Area, nestled deep in East Tennessee—is certainly a strong candidate, too. Others might suggest a wild seashore like Cape Lookout or Cumberland Island. But I would point to a bowl of blackwater in rural south Georgia, of all places. It wasn’t where I expected to find vast wildness, either. I was just tagging along on a canoe trip with some college friends twenty years ago when I found myself surrounded by towering old-growth cypress, 12-foot alligators, and one of the largest freshwater wetland ecosystems in the world: the Okefenokee Swamp. The 438,000-acre Okefenokee Swamp is about the farthest you can get from the lights, roads, and noise of civilization. I have never felt more alive than in a canoe at night in the Okefenokee. I have never seen so many stars splattered across the sky. I have never felt so engulfed by the vastness of a wild place. The Okefenokee is the largest wildlife refuge in the East—a 700-square-mile sanctuary for rare and endangered species, including wood storks, sandhill cranes, red-cockaded woodpeckers, gopher tortoises, and over 13,000 alligators. The Okefenokee is also a federally designated Wilderness, a Dark Sky Park, a National Natural Landmark, a Wetland of International Importance, and the largest blackwater swamp in the country. The swamp has a deep cultural history, too. It was one of the last Seminole strongholds and provided refuge for African Americans escaping slavery. The Okefenokee has been named to the UNESCO G E O R G I A ' S O K E F E N O K E E S WA M P H O L D S O N E O F T H E L A R G E S T F R E S H WAT E R E C O S Y S T E M S I N T H E W O R L D . P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F GETTY IMAGES

It is one of the most beloved and biologically diverse wildlands in the world—and now it’s also one of the most endangered. World Heritage Site tentative list; other World Heritage sites in the U.S. include the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone. It is one of the most beloved and biologically diverse wildlands in the world—and now it’s also one of the most endangered. A mining company has proposed a massive project beside the Okefenokee that jeopardizes its waters and wildlife. Three years ago, Twin Pines Minerals announced plans for a 12,000-acre, $300-million titanium mining operation adjacent to the Okefenokee. In response, dozens of local, state, and national organizations teamed up to create the Okefenokee Protection Alliance, which collectively represents over five million members. They helped generate nearly 70,000 public comments opposing the mining project. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, which manages the Okefenokee, also expressed opposition to the proposed mine. As a result, Twin Pines temporarily scaled back its proposal to an initial 740-acre project, but it still intends on pursuing an additional 8,000-acre mining operation. Twin Pines plans to mine for titanium ore, which is found in heavy mineral soils across the Southeast. Twin Pines claims that the mine is vital to national security because titanium is a metal used in aircraft, but 90% of titanium in the U.S. is used to make white pigments for plastic, paint, and toothpaste, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. To extract titanium, Twin Pines will gouge deep

pits into the dam-like rim of the swamp basin, which could cause groundwater to leak from the refuge. Lower water levels could destroy habitats and lead to an increased risk of wildfires. The mining will also remove the impermeable, hardpan layer of soil that underlies the site, which could permanently disrupt the swamp’s hydrology and drainage. Twin Pines says that soil will be returned once the titanium ore is extracted, but the hardpan layer will be irreversibly ruptured. In addition, the mining operation could release mercury and other contaminants into groundwater and surface water. And it will be pumping over 1.4 million gallons of water daily, drawing down water levels across the region. During the permit process, the Trump administration stripped Clean Water Act protections from wetlands. Currently, all that stands in the way of Twin Pines and its Okefenokee mining project are permits from Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division (EPD). This spring, Georgia EPD will decide whether to approve or deny Twin Pines’ mining permits. Previously, Twin Pines has been cited for dozens of environmental violations, including unauthorized toxic discharges into wetlands in Florida. Public comments are being accepted right now, and anyone can submit comments (email comments to TwinPines.Comment@ dnr.ga.gov.) Does all this sound familiar? For many, Twin Pines’ proposal dredges up memories of DuPont’s plan to mine adjacent to the Okefenokee in the 1990s. A similarly massive public outcry grabbed national headlines, prompting then-Secretary of State Bruce Babbitt to visit the Okefenokee in 1997. “The idea of compromising integrity of this wildlife refuge for the color of toothpaste is inconceivable," Babbitt said afterward. DuPont withdrew its mining proposal. No one imagined that the mining industry would propose another project in nearly the same spot 20 years later. But life is full of surprises—and so is the swamp. On my first visit to the swamp 20 years ago, when the first mining project was proposed, I expected to arrive at a dark, dreary bog; what I found was a light-filled oasis of life. It left a lasting imprint, and afterward, back in my college dorm, I wrote my very first advocacy letter, which began with the predictably impassioned plea: “Save the Swamp! Don’t mine the Okefenokee.” I will be writing a similar letter again this month. Maybe you will, too. Now more than ever, this powerful, pristine, and primordial place—this wildest spot on the map—needs a deluge of love letters to save it. Learn more at protectokefenokee.org. Email your comments on the proposed mining to TwinPines. Comment@dnr.ga.gov.) M AY 2 0 2 1 | B LU E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

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in strawberry fields forever. This May, it’s all about getting your life back in motion. Take a road trip to Chesapeake, Virginia, where strawberry fields go forever. Where small moments become lifelong memories. Set up camp and let the hiking, biking and paddling through scenic panoramas commence. Keep things fresh with farmers’ markets, “today’s catch” menus and local breweries. Plan your perfect getaway and let the moments begin. VisitChesapeake.com 888-889-5551

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BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS

NEW ARRIVAL F O RMER TEX AS G U I TA R K I N G R E D D VO LK A ERT MOV E S TO T H E B LU E R I D G E B Y E R I C J . WA L L A C E

REDD VOLKAERT IS A GUITARIST’S guitarist.

Revered as a master of honkytonk, country blues, and western swing, he’s backed up superstars like Merle Haggard, Dwight Yoakam, and Charlie Pride, and shared the stage with six-string gods like Albert Lee, James Burton, Eric Johnson, and Ted Nugent. “With Redd, there’s something about the attitude he has when you see him play live— you can’t believe the combination of [styles] he infuses into his playing,” Brad Paisley told Vintage Guitar Magazine in 2005. He featured Volkaert on the 2008 barnburner, “Clusterpluck,” which appeared on his album, “Play,” and won a Grammy for Best Country Instrumental Performance. The two have since played full shows together a couple times a year. “Redd is one of my biggest heroes,” Paisley went on to say. “He really shaped the way I play.” Volkaert shocked the musical world in late 2019 when he announced his 20-year reign as guitar king of Austin, Texas, was ending. He and his wife were leaving the “Live Music Capital of the World” to live on a small farm near the Blue Ridge Mountains in Galax, Virginia. “I’d been gigging six, seven nights a week since I was 17, and loved most every darn minute of it,” says Volkaert, 63, who spent 11 years in Nashville prior to moving to Austin around 2000. Before that, it was 5 years in L.A. “My wife and I decided it was time to slow things down and spend more time piddling around with our horses.” Why Galax? Volkaert was introduced to the area while performing with longtime collaborator Bill Kirchen at the 2019 Wayne C. Henderson Music Festival & Guitar Competition, held annually at Grayson Highlands State Park. “I was blown away by how beautiful it was,” says Volkaert. “It reminded me of Maine, but without those crazy winters.” The couple had been considering moving for a few years. They’d looked at places near Santa Fe, New Mexico, but promptly shifted gears. Within weeks, they’d flown into Charlotte, rented a car, and started looking for properties in the mountains near Damascus.

“We spent a few weeks driving around, just enjoying the scenery,” says Volkaert. “We fell in love with the whole darn region and decided this is where we wanted to live our next chapter. So, we bought a place and moved in January 2020.” The couple picked Galax for a number of reasons. Foremost was the gorgeous natural landscape and affordable land. Second was proximity to educational picking scenes centered around Henderson’s School of Appalachian Arts, the Galax Fiddlers’ Convention, and the Blue Ridge Music Center. “Now that I’m an old guy, teaching has a certain appeal,” says Volkaert, who recently filmed a pair of hour-long instructional videos for online guitar learning center, TrueFire. “It’s a joy to sit down with talented young players that’re hungry to learn. I’ve been nuts about the guitar since I was 10 years old; I like to tell myself I’ve picked up at least a few things worth passing along since then.” That said, Volkaert has no intentions of retiring. He’s already formed a trio with standup bass phenom and former Jefferson Center artistic director, Dylan Locke, and drummer Nick Falk, who’s toured with Molly Tuttle and the Wood Brothers. The group quickly nabbed a Thursday night residency at the Floyd Country Store, a rural venue renowned for its historic weekly bluegrass jamboree and ability to attract stars like Bela Fleck, Susan Tedeschi, and Sam Bush. Bookings at FloydFest followed. “Of course, the pandemic upended all that,” says Volkaert. The group has streamed some live performances from the Country Store and that’s about it. But when the world returns to something like normal? “I’d like to feature a different fourth player every week until we find somebody to fill the spot on a more permanent basis.” Volkaert also plans to do multi-night runs in cities like Roanoke, Winston-Salem, and Asheville, and work the regional festival circuit. Meanwhile, he’ll continue to tour nationally with the Twangbangers, his band with Bill Kirchen and pedal steel virtuoso, Joe Goldmark. “I’m in too deep to quit,” says Volkaert, with a laugh. “If I get my way, I’ll die with a [telecaster] in my hands.”

Essential Listening Even guitar gods started somewhere. Here, Redd Volkaert shares five albums that helped mold his sound and tells us why he loved them. And did we mention he went on to play with all but one of the following artists? Jimmy Bryant & Speedy West, “Two Guitars Country Style” “As a kid, I was blown away by Jimmy’s playing. He does it all! After 53 years of trying to steal his licks and figure that stuff out—mostly to no avail—I’m still amazed.” Johnny Winter, “Johnny Winter And” “This album really turned my head around. Here was a blues guy with an unreal voice that was such an amazing and innovative player. He took blues guitar to a far more severe, rocking level of mastery.” Roy Nichols, “The Instrumental Sound of Merle Haggard’s Strangers” “To me, I thought Roy Nichols [known for being Merle Haggard’s lead guitarist] played like Don Rich, just way jazzier and with a fatter sound. I’ve tried most of my life to emulate his style, tone, and sound. So, it was a dream come true for Merle to hire me after he passed. To stand where Roy once stood was the greatest honor I could imagine.” Eldon Shamblin, “Guitar Genius” “When I first heard him on Bob Wills’ records, I instantly wanted more. I prayed he’d put out some solo instrumental music and boy was I happy when I found this and another album called “Swonderful.” In addition to Eldon, they feature greats like Joe Venuti, Curly Chalker, and Jethro Burns. This is pretty jazzy stuff with tons of grownup chords I still can’t seem to figure out—but holy cow!”

VOLKAERT HAS FOUND A NEW MUSIC COMMUNITY IN THE V I R G I N I A M O U N TA I N S . P H O T O B Y T O D D V. W O L F S O N

Chet Atkins, “The Atkins & Travis Traveling Show” “As a teen, Chet Atkins took me to a whole new world of respect and admiration for the guitar, and the goofy nuts that can’t help playing them until they die. Here, he sounds like Merle Travis, but with a smoother and more intricate style that takes the listener to another place. It left a [then-aspiring] guitar player like myself feeling humbled.”

THE GOODS

LIV INTRIGUE X E+1

BIKES

SPRING CYCLE The trails and gravel roads are calling—so we give you our picks for the bikes you have to try this season and the gear to help you get out there. B Y D O U G S C H N I T Z S PA H N

Cannondale

Scalpel Carbon SE2

Our favorite mountain bike of 2021 checks off all the right boxes. Light and supple— thanks to the carbon frame and Cannondale’s sturdy Horst link pivots that eschew bearings and cut weight—it absolutely engages on the ups, making it ideal for big rides and competition. But this 29er is not just a racer; it can suck up the downhills with 120mm of cushy suspension and geometry meant to bomb technical terrain. A built-in seat dropper and tubelessready rims complete the package. Best of all, it rings up at a sane price for this level of performance and a robust SRAM componentry package. $4,000; cannondale.com

Liv

Intrigue X E + 1

Women-specific bike brand Liv introduced this electric mountain bike in the fall and it delivers all the performance and fit that has wowed us in its non-electric offerings. As it does with all its bikes, the brand designed the frame using input from a wide range of women riders and did not skimp on the performance aspects, with a 150mm Fox front fork and Shimano Diore componentry. It’s also juiced with an EnergyPak Smart 625wh battery that will run up to 190 kilometers depending on the assist settings. Skeptical about an e-bike? Hop on it and you will want it. $5,850; liv-cycling.com

Reeb

Lickskillet

Meet the stallion that will take you on long, ragged adventures all year long. The Lickskillet is a surprisingly comfortable gravel grinder designed to take on steep, ugly terrain. Built in the U.S.A. (so you won’t encounter the problems foreign-made brands are having with supply chains), it offers enough

clearance to run a stout 700c x 45mm tire and a steel frame that will endure the pounding of the worst dirt roads in the South. Want something a little different? Reeb will work with you on custom paint jobs and frame and componentry upgrades. $4,699-$7,699

Osprey Seral 4L

The fanny pack is back and better than ever for biking. With 4 liters capacity this butt bouncer (well, honestly it’s built not to annoy you by swiveling around midride) can haul all you would stuff in a backpack for a big outing but doesn’t cramp your style on your shoulders and is easy to access midride. Oh, and it houses a water bladder. Bonus: The

pack features sustainable, Bluesign-approved nylon. $75; ospreypacks.com

MountainFlow

Eco-Wax All-Weather Bike Lube

MountainFlow made a name for itself (and kicked butt on Shark Tank with its eco-friendly ski waxes. Now, the brand has moved that know-how into bike lubes that don’t leave harmful chemicals wherever you ride (and all over you). The all-weather version is versatile and provides plenty of lubrication even on wet rides. $14; mountainflow.com

Sweet Protection Traiblazer MIPS

Even if you have been called thickheaded, your noggin deserves the best protection you can give it when you hop on your bike. MIPS is a technology that actually minimizes the chance of concussion by mitigating the way the helmet reacts when your skull hits a hard object. Sweet’s four-piece construction ensures the helmet is stronger in critical spots and lighter in others so that you can count on it—but it won’t cramp your style. $180; sweetprotection.com CANNONDALE SCALPEL CARBON SE2

Salsa

Timberjack GX Eagle 29

Ignore those who might snub their noses at a hardtail; this bike is damn fun. Its slack geometry and 130mm front fork make it easy to chew up steep, techy stuff, and that stiff back end absolutely tears up the climbs. There’s a beauty to riding a hardtail, and Salsa designed the Timberjack for those who don’t want all the added worries and tech of rear suspension. And the SRAM Eagle componentry gives you a lot of bang for the buck in the factory build at this price. $2,499; salsacycles.com 46

BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS

SWEET PROTECTION TRAIBLAZER MIPS OSPREY SERAL 4L SALSA TIMBERJACK GX EAGLE 29

MOUNTAINFLOW ECO-WAX ALLWEATHER BIKE LUBE

REEB LICKSKILLET

THE OUT AND BACK

RIDING LESSONS

GETTING RAD Youth—and fun—revived on a bike. B Y G R A H A M AV E R I L L

IT’S HARD TO OVERSTATE THE IMPACT

that the BMX movie RAD had on me as a kid. If you missed this critically misunderstood gem when it was released in 1986, let me recap it for you: Underdog BMX wunderkind Cru Jones defies all odds and takes on the corporate stooge pro BMXers in an insanely difficult race called Helltrack, winning a $100,000 purse and proving to his mother that being good at BMX is more important than taking the SATs. There’s also a bike dance scene in a school gym with a young Lori Loughlin. That’s not a typo. She was dancing. On a bike. So, yeah, RAD was kind of a big deal to a 10-year-old kid trying to figure out his place in the world. Not that I was some sort of enthusiastic BMXer as a kid. I wasn’t really into biking. I had a bike. I rode it occasionally, but it wasn’t my thing. I was into baseball, digging holes in my backyard, and stockpiling arms in anticipation of Russia’s inevitable invasion (Red Dawn was also a seminal film in my development). Looking back on my childhood now, I realize there was so much I missed out on. I played a lot of sports. I ran constantly. But as far as adventure goes, my early childhood education subsisted of going camping once a year with my church group and playing war in the backyard. I’m not blaming my parents. I’m sure they tried. My brothers were in the Scouts. They went to summer camp. They were all sorts of adventurous. I just wasn’t interested. I wore gloves when I played outside because I didn’t want to get my hands dirty. It’s OK to laugh. I knew I was a little off. I remember once, when I was maybe 10, I decided I should climb a tree because it seemed like something kids ought to do. I set my mind on a big pine tree in our backyard, hugged it, and tried to shimmy up to the first layer of branches, maybe six feet off the ground. It was the same tree that my dad once hung a hammock from, and I ended up impaling the underside of my arm on a rusty hammock hook. When I tried to drop down from the tree I just hung

W H E N H I S F AV O R I T E M O U N TA I N B I K E TRAILS WERE CLOSED, THE AUTHOR AND HIS SON TOOK TO RIDING BMX AT T H E L O C A L S K AT E PA R K .

there. Dangling. I can still feel the hook tugging at my underarm. At the time, the incident seemed to solidify my notion that the outdoors wasn’t for me. I hoped I wouldn’t have to climb any trees when the Russians invaded. I’ve spent the last three decades doing my best to make up for my misspent childhood, dabbling in every kind of adventure sport possible. But I’ve managed to stick to the endurance side of things, mostly riding my bike for a really long time. But riding with style? Like, tricks where the tires leave the ground? I wish. Which brings me back to RAD, a childhood obsession that has only deepened as I’ve grown into an “adult.” When I was a kid, I watched the stuntmen do 360s and backflips on their tiny bikes and knew I would never be able to do the things that I saw in that movie. I couldn’t even bunny hop. Fast forward 30 some odd years and into a global pandemic when the majority of my favorite mountain biking trails were shut down, and I found myself at the neighborhood skatepark with my kids, confronting my bike skill inadequacies all over again. With the trails shut down, this concrete jungle full of deep bowls, half pipes, and rails, was the most interesting place we could ride our bikes. So, we started riding it, tepidly at first, pedaling

our mountain bikes around the edges of the park, picking lines that wouldn’t get in the way of the more avid BMXers out there, all of whom seemed to have developed serious vaping habits and tattoos at an early age. Even though the park was less than a mile from our house, and most of its inhabitants were on bikes, the skatepark was a foreign landscape, with unorthodox terrain and customs. My age alone made me a fish out of water. The fact that I was riding a full suspension mountain bike with 27.5” wheels only solidified the notion B UT I WAS DRAWN TO THE that I didn’t belong. S K ATEPARK . Why weren’t these THE S TY LE other bikers wearing OF RIDIN G IS FLUID AN D THE Camelbaks? Weren’t OPPORTUN ITY they concerned with FOR CREATIVITY IS LIMITLES S . hydration? And where was all the Lycra? But I was drawn to the skatepark. The style of riding is fluid and the opportunity for creativity is limitless. My son loved the skatepark too. So, he got a BMX bike for Christmas, which just happened to have a geometry that would fit a 6’3” adult. A coincidence, I assure you. And when he goes to school, I steal his bike and take lunch breaks at the skatepark, riding sinuous loops through the pool and doing my best to not look like an idiot on the half pipe. And make no mistake: I do look like an idiot. The bike is tiny—miniature

20-inch wheels and a compact frame— they’re built for throwing around dirt tracks and concrete parks. It’s definitely a “fat guy in a little coat” situation. And I’m not good at it. I’m stiff and awkward. I can barely air out of the pool and my bunny hop isn’t much better than when I was 10 and dreaming about doing backflips like Cru Jones in RAD. But I’m getting better. Every ride inside the pool feels a little more natural and I feel less and less out of place in that foreign landscape. I’m already trying to figure out what flavor vape I’m going to get addicted to. And that’s the point of all this. Not only do I get to correct some mistakes of my youth, but I’m convinced I’m forging a brighter future as well. Getting better at BMX will help me get better on the mountain bike. The more I ride the concrete jungle, the more comfortable I am riding dirt. I’m better at table tops now. I no longer look at drops or kickers as obstacles—they’re features that I can tinker with. Biking isn’t just about doing cardio anymore. It’s about having fun. I’m not going to be riding Helltrack anytime soon and I’m probably not good enough to put any corporate stooge pro bikers in their place, but it feels good to learn something new as an adult. I think the 10-year-old version of myself hanging on that hook would be proud.

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PERSPECTIVE

INDIVIDUAL IMPACT

KITCHEN SCRAPS How Learning to Compost Spiraled Into a Personal Climate Crisis BY ELLEN KANZINGER

FROM INSIDE MY COMPOST CONTAINER, THE KITCHEN

scraps mock me. The rotting apple core reminds me that time is running out, and I’m not doing enough. The cracked egg shells tell me I am fragile, and that there are dozens of problems that need to be solved. The scattered pepper seeds inform me all is lost, and it’s time to give up. Their collective taunts reach my ears as I feel the familiar tightening in my chest, a warning of the panic attack about to come. Composting wasn’t supposed to be hard. All I needed to do was collect my food waste in the silver, odor-controlled compost crock on my kitchen counter and take it to the community collection bin once a week. It was supposed to be a balm for my anxiety, not another contributing factor. You see, my anxiety feeds on seemingly insurmountable problems, both large and small, by keeping me up at night, consuming my thoughts, and draining me of energy. When my anxiety gets out of control and my thoughts start spiraling toward the absolute worst possible outcome, I try to break down the problem to more manageable steps. When that problem is COLLECTING KITCHEN SCRAPS FOR THE COMPOSTING BIN. PHOTO BY ELLEN KANZINGER.

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something like the all-encompassing climate crisis we are facing, it’s hard to know where to start. Since the pandemic has confined me to working and sleeping in the same 150 square feet, I decided to look around my space and focus on reducing my personal waste. Composting wasn’t the only thing I did. I started using period underwear to reduce my personal hygiene waste. But at $109 for five pairs, that’s not a reasonable solution for a lot of people. It’ll take about three years for that investment to pay off in what I usually spend on tampons and pads. Better for the environment? Yes. Accessible to all? No. I tried to keep track of how much plastic I was using but quit after a week because HOLY SHIT everything comes in plastic. Here’s the bummer of it all. This still doesn’t feel like enough—not even close to all the things I could be doing to reduce my impact on the environment. These are all privileged actions I can take because I have one full-time job that pays a living wage, I don’t have kids or parents whose care I am responsible for, and I have access to stable housing, food, and healthcare. All of the changes I make to my lifestyle, all of the letters I write and petitions I sign, all of the money I donate mean nothing on their own. And it’s true, my actions alone won’t stop the burning

of fossil fuels, remove pollutants from our waterways, or halt deforestation—but is it enough for one person? Is the commitment and willingness to change, adapt, and innovate in each person sufficient? The climate crisis won’t start sometime in the future when the global average temperature reaches two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. We will be around to see the effects because it’s happening right now. It’s changing weather patterns, forcing people from their homes, and making people sick. It’s happening to those who don’t have the money or resources to escape a system built on racism, sexism, and genocide. Just in writing all of that, my anxiety has skyrocketed. When I think about all the things we need to change about our society—the policies we must implement, the need to radically transform what we value as a society, and the shift in the way we care for one another—how can it not feel hopeless? The thing I hate the most about my anxiety is that it makes me a pessimist. I like big ideas and goals, but my anxiety tells me there are too many years of destruction, extraction, and isolation to ever get over. Worst of all, it tells me that I am alone. So that day, staring into my compost container, it all hit. In one moment, I understood that my efforts have not been enough, and yet there is so much out of my control. Alone in the apartment, my hands shook, my heart raced, and my lungs struggled to let air in. When the panic attack abates, I pick my wrung out body up off the floor. I remind myself that recognizing weaknesses and blind spots is a humbling process. It’s easy to let the guilt and frustration prevent you from trying. In these moments, when I am tangled up inside myself, I try to think about the drop off where I take my kitchen scraps every week. Being part of a city-wide program to collect compost reminds me that fighting the climate crisis takes all of us. Every time I open the lid to that community collection bin and see all of the other kitchen scraps, I feel a little less alone. I don’t know anyone else in the program, but each bag in the communal bin represents another household. I think about the environmental justice and climate leaders—people far more brilliant and committed to combating climate change than I am—who have shown us how we can transform our society into one that lives with the Earth rather than takes from it. I think about my mom, who gifted me the counter container for my scraps. She composted on and off as I was growing up. She would keep it up for a while until the demands of a working mother’s life would inevitably interrupt, requiring the time be spent elsewhere. Now she’s back to composting, filling up her counter container for my dad to lug out to the tumbler in the backyard. Will the two of us, mother and daughter, have the power to reverse the effects of climate change through our compost bins? No, and it would be misleading and conceited of me to say otherwise. But I have to believe that each one of us can make a significant impact in our community, no matter how many people we are able to reach. Otherwise, my anxiety wins; the fear and bitterness triumphs. I cannot let myself be buried by the weight of uncertainty and inaction. But I can ask myself, in the end, will I have done enough?

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Who I'm Learning From We all consume information in different ways. Below are a few resources that have helped me understand the many nuances of the climate crisis, recommended ways to get more involved, and made me feel a little less alone.

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the powerful forces that have led to this worldwide emergency and perpetuated myths about the effects of a warming world.

centuries of genocide and trauma, these individuals and organizations demonstrate the healing power of culture, land, and food.

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Reading about climate change can be downright depressing, but this collection of hopeful essays and poetry offers a blueprint for a new world we can create together, covering everything from housing and transportation to food sovereignty and the very words we use to talk about these issues.

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TRAIL MIX

FRESH TUNES

OUR FAVORITE SONGS IN MAY

AMY HELM'S NEW ALMBUM I S C A L L E D " W H AT T H E F L O O D L E AV E S B E H I N D . ” P H O T O B Y EBRU YILDIZ

Tune in to BRO's Trail Mix playlist of new music, mainly focusing on independent artists from the South. In May we’re highlighting new tunes from Amy Helm and Hiss Golden Messenger, plus a collaboration between songwriting ace John Hiatt and progressive bluegrass outfit the Jerry Douglas Band. B Y J E D D F E R R I S A N D D AV E S T A L L A R D

John Hiatt and the Jerry Douglas Band “All the Lilacs in Ohio”

Songwriting giant John Hiatt went to Nashville’s famed RCA Studio B with ace string outfit the Jerry Douglas Band to record his latest album “Leftover Feelings.” Anchored by an earworm chorus, album standout “All the Lilacs in Ohio” combines Hiatt’s narrative mastery and knack for rustic melody as it unravels through the vivid memories of a loner lamenting unrequited love. Hiatt’s craggy vocals are livened by the mesmerizing dobro work of Douglas—a 14-time Grammy winner—who takes a wild solo before the song’s final chorus. —J.F.

The Steel Woods “All Of Your Stones”

Still reeling from the unexpected loss of founding member Jason “Rowdy” Cope in January, few bands are carrying heavier stones right now than the Steel Woods. Undeterred, the band carries on, releasing “All of Your Stones” as a tribute to their fallen brother this month. The title track, an ode to love

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lost and building on the past, finds the band as tight as ever, offering their best contributions yet to the Southern rock songbook in the face of deepest tragedy. —D.S.

Amy Helm “Breathing”

Helm—daughter of the late, legendary drummer Levon Helm of the Band— embraces a retro soul direction of the lead single from upcoming album “What the Flood Leaves Behind.” Propelled by funky horn lines and a dance-inducing beat, “Breathing” is a succinct track that makes a plea for mutual understanding through an infectious groove. Helm recorded her latest at her father’s studio in her native Woodstock, N.Y., with help from an impressive cast of collaborators, including producer Josh Kaufman and singer-songwriters Erin Rae and Maty Gauthier. —J.F.

Bowerbirds “Moon Phase”

In the nine years since this North Carolina indie-folk outfit released its last album, “The Clearing,” singer-

songwriter Phil Moore split up with his romantic partner and artistic collaborator Beth Tacular. As he carries the Bowerbirds forward on the new record “Becalmyounglovers,” Moore sounds like he’s still searching for answers after the breakup, especially in the contemplative “Moon Phase,” an earthy track punctuated by emotive fiddle that is full of questions about the permanence of lost love. —J.F.

Graham Sharp “Truer Picture of Me”

Truest love comes from those who know our deepest selves, the people we are beyond the images and anecdotes we share on social media. Graham Sharp, longtime banjoist for Grammy-winning bluegrass outfit Steep Canyon Rangers, delves deeply into this warts-and-all notion of love on the title track from his new debut album, his somber tenor resonating with the hope that those we love will love us back, even when our shortcomings are crystal clear. —D.S.

Hiss Golden Messenger “Sanctuary”

Following 2019’s Grammy-nominated “Terms of Surrender,” Hiss Golden Messenger—the freewheeling vehicle for the songs of North Carolina’s MC Taylor—is back with a new album, “Quietly Blowing It,” next month. “Sanctuary,” a breezy backroads ramble, offers empathy in response to the fear, vitriol, and loss (including a callout to

the late John Prine) of the past yearplus. “You want to move/ You want sanctuary,” Taylor sings in laid-back drawl, tapping into our feelings with a comforting ease. —J.F.

The Pine Hill Haints “Satchel Paige Blues”

When the Pine Hill Haints play, the ghosts of early Sun Records recording sessions and smokey Delta juke joints are conjured up to shake their bones. Supernatural sounds are only appropriate for a band named after a cemetery. On “Satchel Paige Blues,” longtime singer Jamie Barrier’s raspy vocals soar over washtub bass and solo snare to continue the quarter century tradition of squawk box punk rockabilly that the Alabama quintet has cultivated. —D.S.

BIll & the Belles “Happy Again (I’ll Never Be)”

All that’s missing when you spin a track from Bill & the Belles is the hiss of a 78 in the background. The Birthplace of Country Music Museum’s Farm & Fun Time radio showcase channels vintage old-time radio groups that frequented the Grand Ole Opry or the Ozark Jubilee in their heydays. “Happy Again (I’ll Never Be)” is a classic down-on-your-luck tale, driven by plucky piano, banjo, and fiddle, that will have you gathered ‘round the old Zenith for a listen. —D.S. To hear these songs and more, follow the Blue Ridge Outdoors’ Trail Mix playlist on Spotify.

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Articles inside

THE OUT AND BACK

PERSPECTIVE

THE GOODS

PICKER’S CHOICE

PITCH A TENT RIDE

ESSAY

HOW TO SAVE THE OKEFENOKEE SWAMP

LIVE MUSIC RETURNS OUTDOORS

BLUE RIDGE MUSICIANS PERSEVERE

REVIVING THE PIEDMONT BLUES

EXPLORE

THE STUDIO