Music, music, music

Heiskell,  TN

After going to Dollywood yesterday, I got to thinking.  In our time here in Tennessee and during our stay in North Carolina we have been privileged to attend several functions involving music.

Our first was in Brasstown, NC at a folk center where a gentleman performed singing folk songs and playing "mountain" instruments.  Next we attended a glass blowing demonstration where a duo also sang folk songs, many of them written by themselves.   The night before we left NC we went with another couple to Old Fort, NC.  Every Friday night there is a blue grass jam session.   Several different groups played for about a half hour each.  Most of them quite good, one not so much.   That is when we left.

Here at the Raccoon Valley Escapees Park they have a jam session every Thursday night and Sunday afternoon.   People camping in the park can perform but most of the performers come from the surrounding area.   We have attended every one.  Now, if only there was room for some dancing!

So yesterday we went to Dollywood.  The month of October they have their Gospel Festival.  But first things first.  I read that if you bought your tickets online this month you got a free buffet.  Naturally this was our first stop in the park. It was really very good.

Being properly nourished, it was off to see some shows.    The most popular attraction was Guy Penrod.  If you have seen the Gospel group The Gaithers either on TV or at one of their live performances, you will recognize Guy.   He put on quite a show and gave a meaningful message on the importance of relationships.

The next show was a musical called Sha-Kon-O-Hey!   They said this is the Cherokee word for blue mountains.  

While waiting to take the train ride around the park, we watched the squeezing of sap from sugar cane. Appears the horse does most of the work.

Then it was a ride on the Dollywood train powered by a steam engine.

This one is for my blogging friend Sam:

Two more gospel groups.  The first one is called 4 the Lord and the other one is Tribute Quartet.

We also spent time in the Dolly Museum.  This museum holds her trophies, pictures of her with other stars, childhood belongings, clips of TV shows and movies and lots and lots of outfits.   No photography allowed.

By this time it was 5:00, one hour before closing so we hiked back to the truck.  We stopped at Golden Corral for another buffet.   BTW, sometime during the night my jeans SHRUNK!