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Tennessee Fall Homecoming at Museum of Appalachia ending after 38 years

Posted at 12:33 pm December 8, 2017
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Tennessee Fall Homecoming Howard Tuggle

Photo courtesy Museum of Appalachia

 

The Tennessee Fall Homecoming at the Museum of Appalachia in Norris is ending after 38 years.

The festival, which started in 1980, has grown to the point that it now requires more than three thousand hours to plan, promote, and execute, a press release said.

“Homecoming was an enormous investment for a museum of our size,” said Stephen Dean, chair of the museum’s board of directors. “If we lost a day of attendance due to weather, we simply could not make it up. Even if a homecoming was successful financially, the amount of time and effort invested simply wasn’t justifiable. We have to be responsible for the entire museum’s operation.”

The festival started in 1980 as a one-time event to recognize, display, and celebrate the disappearing music and culture of the Southern Appalachians, but grew over the years into a multi-day event attended by tens of thousands of people annually, the press release said.

The 38th and final Homecoming, held this past October, was one of the museum’s most well-received events, the press release said. It introduced all-new evening concerts featuring artists like Lee Ann Womack and The SteelDrivers. As a result, this year’s Fall Homecoming boasted record-breaking attendance and attracted new visitors. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, Front Page News, Nonprofits, Top Stories Tagged With: Appalachian artifacts, Appalachian Heritage, culture, Elaine Meyer, John Rice Irwin, Museum of Appalachia, music, southern Appalachians, Stephen Dean, Tennessee Fall Homecoming

Country singer Lee Ann Womack to headline Tennessee Fall Homecoming this weekend

Posted at 4:18 pm October 4, 2017
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Lee Ann Womack

Lee Ann Womack

 

Award-winning country music singer Lee Ann Womack will headline this weekend’s Tennessee Fall Homecoming festival at the Museum of Appalachia in Norris.

The Tennessee Fall Homecoming is one of the region’s largest and most authentic music and folk festivals. It will be held Friday, October 6, through Sunday, October 8, at the Museum of Appalachia.

For its 38th annual event, the Museum is featuring an all-new Family Day and an evening concert series with award-winning artists, a press release said.

Genre-bending ensemble The SteelDrivers will play the first evening show on Friday, October 6, the press release said. Womack will perform on the evening of Saturday, October 7, along with Jerry Douglas’s bluegrass supergroup, The Earls of Leicester, the release said.

Homecoming will continue to feature dozens of musicians performing during the daytime, including Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Steve Gulley & New Pinnacle, Chris Jones & the Night Drivers, Flashback, Terry Baucom’s Dukes of Drive, Leroy Troy, Jimbo Whaley & Greenbrier, Jeff Brown & Still Lonesome, and many more, the press release said. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Arts, Community, Entertainment, Front Page News, Music, Top Stories Tagged With: Appalachian dancing, Appalachian history and culture, Chris Jones & the Night Drivers, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Flashback, Jeff Brown & Still Lonesome, Jerry Douglas, Jimbo Whaley & Greenbrier, Lee Ann Womack, Leroy Troy, log snigging, mule jumping contest, Museum of Appalachia, old-time mountain demonstrations, Steve Gulley & New Pinnacle, Tennessee Fall Homecoming, Terry Baucom's Dukes of Drive, The Earls of Leicester, The SteelDrivers

Tennessee Fall Homecoming this weekend at Museum of Appalachia

Posted at 10:27 am October 6, 2016
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Tennessee Fall Homecoming Musicians

File photo courtesy Museum of Appalachia

Tennessee Fall Homecoming is this weekend at the Museum of Appalachia in Norris.

The historic three-day festival is scheduled from Friday, October 7, to Sunday, October 9. It’s the 37th annual Tennessee Fall Homecoming.

It’s one of the nation’s largest, most authentic music and folk festivals, a press release said. It features more than 70 musicians performing on four outdoor stages.

“Each year, tens of thousands of music fans come to enjoy concerts spanning many genres—including bluegrass, country, gospel, and Americana music,” the press release said.

The music lineup for this year’s event includes: [Read more…]

Filed Under: Arts, Community, Entertainment, Front Page News, Music, Top Stories Tagged With: Appalachian dancing, basket weaving, blacksmithing, crafts, Dale Ann Bradley, David Holt and Josh Goforth, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, Flashback, Flatt Lonesome, Jeff Brown and Still Lonesome, Junior Sisk and Rambler’s Choice, Kenny and Amanda Smith, Larry Cordle, Leroy Troy, Lonesome River Band, Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper, Mountain Faith, Museum of Appalachia, music and folk festival, Phil Leadbetter, Pioneer Village, Ralph Stanley II, Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out, sassafras tea making, sorghum and lye soap making, Steve Gulley and New Pinnacle, Tennessee Fall Homecoming, The Church Sisters, The Grascals

2016 Tennessee Fall Homecoming lineup announced

Posted at 12:38 pm April 9, 2016
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Museum of Appalachia Wilson Barn Stage

A performance at a previous Fall Homecoming at the Museum of Appalachia near Norris. (Submitted photo)

 

The Museum of Appalachia has announced the music lineup for its 37th Annual Tennessee Fall Homecoming from October 7-9.

High-profile artists scheduled to appear include 20-year Homecoming veteran, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver—an IBMA Hall of Fame Member and 2016 Grammy-Nominated artist; Mountain Faith, semi-finalists on Season 10 of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent”; Lonesome River Band, Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Bluegrass and Banjo award-winners; and seven-time IBMA Vocal Group of the Year award-winners, Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out.

One of the nation’s largest, most authentic music and folk festivals, Homecoming features more than 70 musicians performing on four outdoor stages, a press release said. Each year, tens of thousands of music fans come to enjoy concerts spanning many genres—including bluegrass, country, gospel, and Americana music. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, Entertainment, Front Page News, Meetings and Events, Music, Nonprofits Tagged With: Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, Lonesome River Band, Mountain Faith, Museum of Appalachia, Phil Leadbetter, Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out, Tennessee Fall Homecoming

Tennessee Fall Homecoming at Museum of Appalachia this weekend

Posted at 9:24 am October 8, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Tennessee Fall Homecoming Leroy Troy

Photo courtesy Museum of Appalachia

NORRIS—The annual Tennessee Fall Homecoming at the Museum of Appalachia in Norris this weekend will feature more than 70 musicians, authentic mountain and pioneer demonstrations, and dozens of artisans showcasing and selling handmade goods.

It’s a beloved and historic three-day event, organizers said.

This year, the Homecoming Marketplace, where festival-goers browse heritage arts and crafts from artisans showcasing their skills on site, has been selected as a feature representation of Tennessee Craft Week. Tennessee First Lady Crissy Haslam will be making a special appearance on Friday afternoon from 2:30-4 p.m. to promote Tennessee Arts programs.

The featured music lineup for this year’s event, now in its 36th year, includes the Del McCoury Band, multiple Grammy and International Bluegrass Music Award recipient and Bluegrass Hall of Fame member; previous two-time IBMA Entertainers of the Year and Vocal Group of the Year, the Gibson Brothers; and the multiple Grammy- and Dove-nominated band, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, also a 7-time IBMA Vocal Group of the Year and Bluegrass Hall of Fame Member. Also returning to the Tennessee Fall Homecoming this year is the legendary Larry Sparks, who was just inducted into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame at the 2015 IBMA awards. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Arts, Community, Dancing, Entertainment, Front Page News, Meetings and Events, Music, Nonprofits, Top Stories Tagged With: Appalachian, artisans, arts, Balsam Range, Boxcars, buck dancers, cloggers, Crissy Haslam, Dale Ann Bradley, Del McCoury Band, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, Elaine Meyer, Fall Homecoming, Gibson Brothers, Homecoming Marketplace, Josh Goforth, Junior Sisk and Rambler’s Choice, Kenny and Amanda Smith, Larry Sparks, Museum of Appalachia, music, pioneer demonstrations, pioneers skills, Southern, Tennessee Arts, Tennessee Craft Week, Tennessee Fall Homecoming

Museum of Appalachia announces line-up for Tennessee Fall Homecoming

Posted at 3:14 pm August 14, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Museum of Appalachia Wilson Barn Stage

A performance at a previous Fall Homecoming at the Museum of Appalachia near Norris. (Submitted photo)

Submitted

NORRIS—The best bluegrass, gospel, and old-time music in the South will resonate across the beautiful grounds of the Museum of Appalachia this coming October 10-12. This year’s line-up includes more than 70 national, regional, and local musicians performing on five unique outdoor stages throughout the pastoral museum setting.

In celebration of 35 years of this award-winning festival, organizers have put together the strongest lineup in event history, including Grammy award winner and multi-talented Marty Raybon and Full Circle, International Bluegrass Music Association male vocalist of the year Junior Sisk and Ramblers Choice, Jeff Brown and Still Lonesome, Grammy-nominated Della Mae, “Entertainers of the Year” and “Vocal Group of the Year” The Gibson Brothers, and the multi-award winning group Lonesome River Band.

Appearing again this year are Grammy-nominated Blue Highway, “Broadcaster of the Year” Chris Jones and the Night Drivers, the award-winning Darrell Webb Band, the highly recognized Blue Moon Rising, Grits and Soul, Jesse Gregory and Faultline, and the legendary Paul Williams and the Victory Trio. Joining these top artists is one of the most successful bluegrass bands of all time, seven-time International Bluegrass Music Association “Vocal Group of the Year” with multiple Grammy and Dove award nominations and IBMA Hall of Fame inductee Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, Entertainment, Music, Nonprofits, Top Stories Tagged With: arts and crafts, bluegrass, demonstrations, Fall Homecoming, Gospel, Museum of Appalachia, music, old-time music, Tennessee Fall Homecoming

Despite federal shutdown, Museum of Appalachia still open, Fall Homecoming happening

Posted at 9:06 am October 7, 2013
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Museum of Appalachia Wilson Barn Stage

Despite the federal shutdown, the Fall Homecoming is still happening this weekend at the Museum of Appalachia near Norris. (Submitted photo)

Despite the federal shutdown, the Museum of Appalachia near Norris is still open, and the 34th annual Tennessee Fall Homecoming is happening this weekend, officials said.

The Fall Homecoming is scheduled from Friday, Oct. 11, to Sunday, Oct. 13. It will feature more than 400 traditional musicians, singers, cloggers, and buck dancers, a press release said.

It said the three-day Homecoming is one of the nation’s largest, most authentic music and folk festivals.

“Each day, all day, musicians perform on five unique stages, filling the air with bluegrass, old-time, Southern gospel, and Americana music,” the release said. “Homecoming includes historic demonstrations of mountain skills, Revolutionary War and Civil War encampments, and a large arts and crafts fair featuring authentic Appalachian artisans. Pinto beans cooked over an open fire, home-made ice cream, Dutch oven cobbler, sassafras tea, and barbecue are some of the southern delicacies available for purchase.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, Music, Top Stories Tagged With: Americana, arts, Blue Highway, Blue Moon Rising, bluegrass, Brand New Strings, buck dancers, Chris Jones and The Night Drivers, cloggers, crafts, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, encampments, Fall Heritage Day, Fall Homecoming, federal shutdown, folk festival, mountain skills, Museum of Appalachia, music, musicians, old-time, pioneer activities, Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out, singers, Smithsonian Affiliate Museum, Southern gospel, Tennessee Fall Homecoming, The Box Cars, The Dale Ann Bradley Band, The Grascals

Guest column: Oak Ridge should consider a homecoming

Posted at 4:33 pm December 9, 2012
By Leslie Agron 5 Comments

Homecoming. No, not the Wildcats. I know the ‘Cats Homecoming was in October.

But scattered all across this planet are multiple generations of our native Oak Ridge sons and daughters. Almost to a man (or woman), they recall their youth in Oak Ridge very fondly. There is another whole army of scientists and technicians who reluctantly moved on after working in Oak Ridge because their careers demanded it. They, too, almost universally remember their years in Oak Ridge oh so fondly! That’s an outstanding record. Trust me, not every place is quite so fondly remembered.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Guest Columns Tagged With: homecoming, Oak Ridge, Tennessee Fall Homecoming

Tennessee Fall Homecoming starts Oct. 12 at Museum of Appalachia

Posted at 1:15 pm October 5, 2012
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

The Tennessee Fall Homecoming at the Museum of Appalachia next weekend will feature several award-winning bands making their first appearances, a press release said.

The new bands are Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, Larry Sparks & The Lonesome Ramblers, Bobby Osborne and Rocky Top Express, and Darin & Brooke Aldridge. They will join hundreds of traditional musicians, singers, and buck dancers for the three-day event, the press release said.

The 33rd annual Tennessee Fall Homecoming is scheduled from Oct. 12-14 at the Museum of Appalachia in Norris. It’s one of the nation’s largest and most authentic music and folk festivals, and it features musicians performing all day on five outdoor stages.

They fill “the air with traditional mountain, folk, bluegrass, Gospel, and vintage country tunes,” the press release said.

The Homecoming also includes demonstrations of mountain skills, a large craft fair featuring authentic Appalachian artisans, and traditional Southern “comfort” foods.

The press release said Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out have “created a new and exciting tradition in modern bluegrass music.” The band has garnered more than 50 industry awards, including seven consecutive IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) awards for Vocal Group of the Year and Moore’s two IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year trophies.

Larry Sparks and The Lonesome Ramblers formed in 1969, and the band has remained “true to its roots for more than 40 years, playing bluegrass and Gospel music with an honest, straightforward style,” the release said. Sparks’ awards include the IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year and induction into the Bill Monroe Bluegrass Hall of Fame.

Also debuting at Homecoming are Darin and Brooke Aldridge, ”Sweethearts of Bluegrass” and one of the best duos on today’s acoustic scene, the release said. They were nominated in 2011 as Emerging Artist of the Year by the IBMA and as gospel group, album, and song of the year by the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music (SPBGMA).

Here’s more information from the press release:

The 2012 festival lineup includes Leroy Troy, returning after a year’s absence. Well known as an old-time banjo player, he delights audiences with his comic routine. A regular weekly guest star on Marty Stuart’s RFD TV series, he records with the Tennessee Mafia Jug Band and has played at the Grand Ole Opry. Other returning performers include multiple award-winner Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver; Dixie Gray, a Homecoming favorite with stunning harmonies; Dobro master Johnny Bellar; Paul Williams & The Victory Trio; Ramona Jones; Dale Jett of the famous Carter Family; Tom Brantley & Missionary Ridge; Summertown Reunion Band; Blue Moon Rising; Brand New Strings; Dismembered Tennesseans; and the Lantana Drifters.

Student Heritage Day, with special interactive programs for schoolchildren, will be Thursday, Oct. 11. This day of music, games, and learning is designed for public and private school groups, home-schooled groups, and individual parents and children. Three-day Homecoming tickets include admission to Student Heritage Day.

The Museum offers a picturesque backdrop for the annual festival, with dozens of historic log buildings, display halls filled with authentic artifacts, and gardens and farm animals surrounded by split-rail fences. All Homecoming proceeds further the Museum’s mission to preserve Appalachian history and heritage. A nonprofit organization since 2002, the Museum is an official affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.

For Homecoming tickets, call (865) 494-7680 or buy tickets online at www.museumofappalachia.org. The Museum is located on I-75 at exit 122, then one mile east.

Filed Under: Arts, Community, Music Tagged With: Bobby Osborne and Rocky Top Express, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Larry Sparks & The Lonesome Ramblers, Museum of Appalachia, Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out, Tennessee Fall Homecoming

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Public Notice: NNSA announces no significant impact of Y-12 Development Organization operations at Horizon Center

AVAILABILITY OF THE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE OFFSITE HOUSING OF THE Y-12 DEVELOPMENT … [Read More...]

ADFAC seeks contractors for five homes

Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties (ADFAC) is a non-profit community based agency, … [Read More...]

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AVAILABILITY OF THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE OFFSITE HOUSING OF THE Y-12 DEVELOPMENT … [Read More...]

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