Authentic perspectives on Appalachian music, literature, entertainment, and culture.

Ed Snodderly’s resume includes songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, actor, college teacher, and proprietor of a storied bluegrass club. A native of northeast Tennessee, Snodderly released his first solo album back in 1977. As a songwriter, he’s known for his vivid musings about Appalachia’s lush landscape and rich old-time music culture. Dobro king Jerry Douglas once said Snodderly [...]

Alt-country crooner honors Shel Siverstein Bobby Bare, Jr. had the ultimate music education. Not only did he grow up singing with his country hit-making dad, Bobby Bare, he also had every song he ever wrote critiqued by his dad’s best friend—Shel Silverstein. Although the latter is known best for his quirky contributions to children’s literature, [...]

Living Local on the Road Being a grassroots touring band means long slogs on the highways of America. With that comes limited eating options—usually an endless cycle of fast food outposts at interstate junctions. Despite a rigorous road schedule, Philadelphia-based edgy acoustic outfit Hoots and Hellmouth have decided they can do better. For the past [...]

Think you know New Orleans music? Think again. While the Neville Brothers and Dr. John are true legends of the Crescent City Sound, listen up as one of the Big Easy’s own dishes on five bands that will make you feel a good kind of dirty. Most of these bands don’t travel much, so consider [...]

Chat with Sam Quinn and you’ll find that he is quite witty, armed with a self-deprecating humor that is both charming and engaging. Strap a guitar on him, though, and Quinn metamorphoses, oozing melancholy with every minor chord and quavering lyric. Quinn rose to the forefront of the indie folk scene as a member of [...]

Crazy Heart Director Scott Cooper Celebrates the Film’s Two Oscars Native Virginian and first-time director Scott Cooper was the catalyst behind the film Crazy Heart, adapted from the book by Thomas Cobb. Cooper, raised in the mountains of Southwest Virginia, wrote, produced, and directed the tale of Bad Blake, a washed up country singer whose [...]

Rock poster art first gained popularity in the late 1960s. It’s experiencing a revival today with an emerging crop of talented gig poster artists, whose works earn loyal collector followings and fetch high dollars. The phenomenon was recently captured in the new critically acclaimed documentary American Artifact: The Rise of American Rock Poster Art. Many [...]

See an extensive gallery of Southern Poster Art

Read an excerpt from The Complete Guide to Climbing (By Bike) in the Southeast by John Summerson

Trent Wagler Tours on Two Wheels Take a look at Trent Wagler’s tour schedule and you can see that the talented Virginia-based singer-songwriter is going to be spending a lot of time in the van. In this energy-conscious age, that translates to a lot of carbon emissions. Inspired to lessen his footprint, Wagler and band [...]

Banjo visionary Danny Barnes has worn many labels. In the 90s he pioneered punk-grass in the popular unorthodox string band Bad Livers. He’s scored films for acclaimed director Richard Linklater (School of Rock, Dazed and Confused). He’s been a reliable sideman for Texas troubadour Robert Earl Keen and newgrass ace Tim O’Brien. These days, though, [...]

The Buzz: Nathan Blake Lynn spent four years tearing up the road with jamgrass genre-benders Bawn in the Mash. Now traveling solo, Lynn’s songs are returning to a simpler fashion, built by just a man and his guitar. His latest writing reflects his recent residence on the banks of the Mississippi River, where the spirits [...]

The Georgia Theatre will be rebuilt. Last summer the downtown Athens landmark and iconic independent music venue was gutted by a fire. The cause is still listed by authorities as “undetermined.” Built in the late 1800s, the historic space was once a YMCA and a movie theatre before being turned into a music venue in [...]

The Avett Brothers I & Love & You The Avett Brothers took a jet plane to Malibu and cut their major-label debut with powerhouse producer Rick Rubin. The influence is immediately apparent. The band’s delicately ragged Appalachian-hued punk pop has been polished even further. With all of the hype behind their energetic, foot-stomping live shows, [...]

SEC frat boys from the mid-90s are rejoicing everywhere, because Drivin’ N’ Cryin’ is back! Check out a video of the first single from the Georgia band’s new album Great American Bubble Factory.