Like a lot of people, I love music. Not so much the canned pop you
sometimes find on the radio, but the authentic, down-home, live music kind. Pigeon
Forge, Gatlinburg and the surrounding area have an amazing variety of
music venues year 'round and most are free. To mention a few of my
favorites...

In January there's Appalachia Fest with traditional mountain music you
maynot hear anywhere else, with music from the likes of Tim O-Brien, Riley
Baugus, and Boogertown Gap - talk about down-home

July is great too - the outdoor Patriot Festival in Patriot Park is a
blast(along with the fireworks)! This past July 4th it included the
StarJam 2008 free concert. We had Good Charlotte, Metro Station, American Idol's
Ace Young, Boys Like Girls and others. They put on an incredible show! This
year the weather was plenty warm, so the PF fire department provided regular
"showers" to help keep us cool.

If you're around here in August, be sure to visit "Stringtime in the
Smokies" here in Pigeon Forge. Every year it has some of the best
Bluegrass music around - live, right here! Did I mention it's FREE?
The Hackensaw Boys, Steep Canyon Rangers, Jimbo Whaley, and Timberwinds
are just a few of the artists (don't forget Jammin' at the Old Mill every
afternoon during the festival).

By the way, as you're driving into and around town, check out WDVX
(89.9FM). It's a great radio station I love listening to in my truck - they
provide airtime to a lot of fantastic regional talent.

See you up front!
Jim Large
Accomm by Sunset Cottage