Blount County bluegrass musicians Jeff Barbra and Sarah Pirkle host the monthly musical program “Behind the Barn” at Bluetick Tavern in Downtown Maryville, and they’re involved with teaching music and fostering appreciation for Appalachian culture and tradition via programs for young people at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center.
Newgrass musician Sam Bush is a perpetual journeyman.
After his initial exposure to his father’s country and bluegrass record collection, he was inspired to pick up a mandolin at age 11 and subsequently traveled with his father to the inaugural Roanoke, Virginia Bluegrass Festival.
Delicious wines in a beautiful setting: That’s the Sip TN Foothills Wine Festival in a nutshell.
“We want folks to come out, have a great time, and discover just how good our local wines really are,” said Yardley Sawyer, General Manager of Cades Cove Cellars, one of the wineries involved.
Had he been pursuing his current profession in 1984, Don McMillan might have been able to vie for a lead role in that classic (?) comedy “Revenge of the Nerds.” The film became known as the geeks’ coming out of sorts, one that proved that even the nerdiest among us can compete with the cool kids.
“That brought us up for awhile, but then Steve Urkel brought us down,” McMillan jokes. “Nerds came out of the woodwork. Then Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates, who were huge nerds, got very rich, and proved that nerds were cool. The world got turned upside down with the tech revolution.”
Though it may be after the fact, McMillan continues to prove that nerds have come into their own. A former chip designer, he’s made his mark courtesy of his unique PowerPoint-driven comedy, which entertains audiences possessing all levels of intelligence capability and know-how, regardless of specific technical expertise.
David Dwyer gets recognized quite a bit while traveling around town. One might suspect it’s due to an extensive acting resume, but more often than not, the connection isn’t quite that clear.
“People come up to me all the time, and their most common comment is something to the effect of ‘Where do I know you from? You look so familiar, but I can’t quite place you…” he says.
Granted, one could attribute that to a certain celebrity status. After all, even the biggest names in show biz are frequently confused for someone entirely different. Yet in Dwyer’s case, a certain ambiguity seems to pervade nearly every encounter. He’s been mistaken for a long-lost classmate, a fleeting acquaintance and someone whose frame of reference is entirely amiss.
Blount County offers a unique array of cover bands. Granted, the term “cover band” doesn’t always convey the kind of respect these outfits may otherwise deserve. However when it comes to the following Blount County bands, there is a credibility that’s clearly compelling.
They also command a distinct diversity. Here are five of Blount’s best.
1. Cats Away
Cats Away consists of three seasoned musicians who bring a unique blend of styles to the stage. With a repertoire that includes Western Swing, Jazz, Bossa Nova, popular film scores, fiddle tunes, and the sound of traditional country, Cats Away strives to be both diverse and creative.
