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If you were around the Charlottesville music scene in the ’90s, you’re definitely familiar with Baaba Seth. The world jam outfit was one of the region’s most popular bands throughout the decade—mixing a potent ensemble concoction of funk, jazz, rock, African rhythms, and Latin grooves. The high-energy sound was put to good use during the [...]

In the spirit of complete disclosure and unrepentant bias, I must admit to being an unabashed Trent Wagler fan.
Adrienna Valentine, the 2009 release from Wagler and Jay Lapp, last year earned the distinction of being, at any given moment, the record most likely to be found in my CD player and it was, by [...]

Around the turn of the twentieth century, Moses H. Cone, who earned his fortune by becoming the “Denim King,” purchased extensive acreage at what is now milepost 294 along the Blue Ridge Parkway near Blowing Rock, North Carolina, to develop his personal mountain kingdom. For hikers, the most outstanding changes Cone and his wife, Bertha, [...]

Last week during some eleventh-hour Christmas shopping, I stopped at Whole Foods (aka Whole Paycheck), where I spent my newborn son’s first year of college tuition on a light lunch at the hot bar and four organic bananas. As I made my way to the cash register, I spotted a free sample table being mobbed [...]

Daylight hours are fewer, breezes chillier, and the sun doesn’t pack the warmth it did a few months ago. Time to head to the beach! However, I’m not talking about some sand you can drive to. No, you’re going to tramp miles, but once you reach this place you’ll enjoy a solitude that is almost [...]

Get to your local ski shop and get the gear ready—the Southern ski season is upon us. Temps are going to drop as the end of the week approaches with snow expected in the Virginias. Snowshoe Mountain already has the guns blazing and lifts will start running this Saturday, December 5. The same goes for [...]

Levon Helm will be driving Dixie down to the Dreaming Creek Stage this summer. The iconic drummer from The Band has been announced as an initial headliner of FloydFest, which will take place July 22-25 in its usual beautiful setting just off the Blue Ridge Parkway near Floyd, Va. Now rolling as a solo act, [...]

In many people’s opinions, Breaks Interstate Park, on the Virginia/Kentucky border, has the most beautiful and dramatic setting of all of the commonwealth’s state-run recreational facilities. Blessed with an abundance of hemlocks and rhododendron, it’s perched on the edge of Russell Fork Gorge, the largest canyon east of the Mississippi River.

My choice outing, which makes [...]

Start making plans for how you’re going to bring in 2010. Here’s a list of New Year’s Eve shows in the region:

Avett Brothers – Thomas Wolfe Auditorium – Asheville, N.C.
Larry Keel’s Mountain Music Family Circus – Grey Eagle – Asheville, N.C.
Toubab Krewe – Orange Peel – Asheville, N.C.
Widespread Panic – Phillips Arena – Atlanta, Ga.
Band [...]

Two canoeists saved in James

Runner will attempt half-marathon wearing gas mask

Bill Wilson has to be mighty proud of his boys. After their early 20 something wanderings took them all over the country, Wilson brothers James, Sam, and Abe returned to their native Charlottesville in 2005, formed Sons of Bill with friends Brian Caputo and Seth Green, and commenced to taking their country-tinged rock and roll [...]

Eagle populations steadily climb

Hikers, mountain bikers, hunters, campers, family picnickers, bird watchers, wildflower enthusiasts, and others have been attracted to Massanutten Mountain ever since the forest service obtained the land in the early 1900s. Thanks to volunteers with the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club who completed a multi-year trail construction project on Massanutten Mountain in 2001, there is now [...]

Famous road gets new race