Gateway to the Smokies

Joetta Newman Holder is a Kentucky native and a graduate of Morehead State University with a BS degree in Veterinary Technology.

She moved to WNC in 1992 and began her career as a vet tech in Asheville, helped start the Humane Alliance charitable organization in Asheville, and later was a teacher at Asheville Buncombe Tech as well serving as Chairperson for the vet tech program at the college. She is an avid dog lover.

She became active in search and rescue operations in 1994, and in 2015 opened her own business—Mountain Girl Outdoors- a business begun with her late husband, that is devoted to getting more females actively involved in outdoor pursuits such as camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, conservation, and shooting sports.

She with us her passion for animals and how she loves taking pictures pertaining to the outdoors.

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.

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Joseph starts off the show with his usual intro before going into the sponsored message. After the message, Joseph talks about a traditional, Scottish festival he was attending, with concerts and kilts galore. Then, Joseph introduces the guest of the episode, Joetta Newman. Joseph asks her where she grew up in Kentucky and what it was like. She talks about how she got into the outdoors, explaining how she expressed little interest in the outdoors growing up, contrary to who she is now. They transition into Joetta’s veterinarian degree and what she did as a veterinarian before heading to the break.

Returning from the break, Joseph wanted to learn about how Joetta met her late husband, Denver Holder. She recalls it was during her time doing search and rescues that she would volunteer to, as she describes it, train dogs in hide-and-seek. Her most memorable rescue was a lost old man who wanted McDonald's and some love. Joetta then talks about geocaching, a sort of scavenger hunt in which the player would explore the environment using GPS and apps. Joetta depicts her experience in getting over her fear of guns and learning how to shoot. This sparks a discussion on guns and the experiences between the two before going to a commercial break.

Coming back, Joseph asks Joetta how she created her business, Mountain Girl Outdoors. She explains how when she got more involved with the outdoors, more women were also asking about the outdoors so Denver and Joetta started up the business in response. She goes on to describe the different programs they offered, the firearms program becoming more and more popular. Now, they offer outdoors, photography, and more. Joseph switches the conversation to her part in turkey conservation. She explains her role in bringing the turkey population back up and succeeding, now having more restrictions on turkey hunting. She also talks about public events offered by her business, although right now, they only offer classes and private lessons.

Back from the final break, Joseph asked about Joetta’s involvement in her time as a circus photographer. She explains how her friend was a part of a circus, and she was offered to take pictures of them, leading to Joetta traveling with them for a while. Joseph then wanted to know Joetta’s ideal itinerary in Canton. She talks about her ideal breakfast, lunch, and dinner spots along with activities to do in between everything. These can include walks in different parks and ax throwing. They finish off with where they can find Joetta and her business.

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00:00:33.660 –> 00:00:45.120 Joseph McElroy: howdy thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great.

00:00:45.900 –> 00:00:57.720 Joseph McElroy: smoky mountains national park and the surrounding towns this area’s filled with ancient natural beauty deep storied history and rich mountain culture that we explore with weekly episodes.

00:00:58.410 –> 00:01:10.170 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy man of the world but also with deep roots in these mountains my family is living the great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.

00:01:11.130 –> 00:01:17.730 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re going to talk about mountain girls outdoors but first let’s talk about sponsors and things like that.

00:01:18.570 –> 00:01:31.620 Joseph McElroy: So I was here to imagine a place evocative motor courts of the past, the modern and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian few a place for adventure and for relaxation.

00:01:32.310 –> 00:01:45.570 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain where it’s trout stream grill that catches on fire, is he accompanied by fine wine or craft beers imagine a place with old.

00:01:46.740 –> 00:01:50.940 Joseph McElroy: Music world cultural so imagine a place with a.

00:01:53.220 –> 00:02:10.230 Joseph McElroy: Natural Heritage pavilion where they play bluegrass at a speakeasy reminiscent of New York with it played modern means there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.

00:02:11.250 –> 00:02:15.930 Joseph McElroy: Now there’s a bunch of events coming up so I’m gonna go and hit the highlights of it.

00:02:18.000 –> 00:02:29.670 Joseph McElroy: there’s going to be a big holiday party and discovery teeth and it’s going to feature sad and Mrs. Claus coming by around seven o’clock and the children come and.

00:02:30.720 –> 00:02:35.520 Joseph McElroy: tell Santa there what they want for toys will be Christmas music there’ll be eggnog.

00:02:36.540 –> 00:02:54.360 Joseph McElroy: Quote quote special punch but boy there’ll be some heritage goodies desserts and cash bar raffles and prizes a reading of the night before Christmas, by yours truly, so I hope you can make it out on the 18th locals are coming stay with us.

00:02:55.560 –> 00:03:03.000 Joseph McElroy: on December 25th and 6 pm we’re going to have an Appalachian Christmas supper.

00:03:04.290 –> 00:03:14.370 Joseph McElroy: which will feature all the Turkey and ham and all the fixings and you know sweet potatoes green beans that’d be mincemeat pie black rum cake or fruitcake.

00:03:15.300 –> 00:03:26.250 Joseph McElroy: Which are traditional in these mountains other desserts pumps eggnog and a Nice cash bar and there’ll be an after-party at the speakeasy so that’s on December 25 at 6 pm.

00:03:27.930 –> 00:03:31.110 Joseph McElroy: there’ll be a new year’s Eve place in the speakeasy.

00:03:32.160 –> 00:03:47.100 Joseph McElroy: it’s good to have traditional hog gels black eye peas Greens, but in a way you’ve never had them before all right there’ll be a champagne toast cash bar lots of music live music and party favor so come out to see you have a good time it’s 8 pm to 1 am.

00:03:49.590 –> 00:04:03.210 Joseph McElroy: And then save the date I don’t know if you know about it, but in the mountains for many centuries, they used to celebrate Christmas on January six because there was a mix-up or transition from one type of calendar to another.

00:04:04.800 –> 00:04:20.790 Joseph McElroy: And so January six was the date that they would celebrate Christmas on now January 6 also in other traditions is known as a is a all kings day or something like that, but here is called old Christmas so we’re going to have some old Christmas.

00:04:22.110 –> 00:04:29.580 Joseph McElroy: celebrations going on, along with big on Thursday to January six will actually have a look.

00:04:31.980 –> 00:04:35.430 Joseph McElroy: Know like we were called a lecture but I call it like that.

00:04:36.600 –> 00:04:47.640 Joseph McElroy: Discussion by Bob Plott the resident historian here at the motel heritage expert talking about what they used to do for Christmas in math.

00:04:48.720 –> 00:04:55.380 Joseph McElroy: smoky mountains in on the on that Friday we’re going to have probably got some old Christmas storyteller and my son.

00:04:56.790 –> 00:05:07.200 Joseph McElroy: A good storyteller here in these mountains on Saturday night we’ll have Barbecue and music so keep that open and then the big event for January is the Robert Burns.

00:05:08.010 –> 00:05:22.320 Joseph McElroy: dinner that’s going to happen on Tuesday, January 25, which is the traditional day of having a Robert Burns Mr dinner now You might ask what did Robert Burns dinner well Robert Burns was the national poet lower of Scotland.

00:05:23.460 –> 00:05:32.460 Joseph McElroy: Around the time all the Scots Irish people came to the United States, and you know migrating to the mountains of North Carolina and they course really revered and.

00:05:32.820 –> 00:05:43.860 Joseph McElroy: And, and he was also an expert in a lot of the ballads if they would sing you create a lot of them, and he documented the others, so he is a national hero Scotland and.

00:05:44.250 –> 00:05:57.060 Joseph McElroy: It brings a lot of delight to the people in this area, now the burns dinner is traditionally a very raucous revolve with it, you have whiskey tastings and you have.

00:05:57.540 –> 00:06:08.010 Joseph McElroy: Really sumptuous food, you have something called hogs which some people love and some people hey but it’s always worth touching tasting one time in your lifetime is traditional and then there’s toast.

00:06:08.970 –> 00:06:19.380 Joseph McElroy: To the last season than the last season respond back and then there’s music and dancing so it’s a great night it’s very robust and fun entertainment.

00:06:20.340 –> 00:06:28.830 Joseph McElroy: And we’re going to do it now I’ll be wearing a kilt and so some of the other people so you’re welcome to come, but even the days before that starting on the Friday before that 21st.

00:06:29.190 –> 00:06:36.750 Joseph McElroy: we’re going to have Scottish themes events like a whiskey tasting and a concert in the speakeasy Saturday there’ll be another concert.

00:06:37.530 –> 00:06:48.090 Joseph McElroy: In the pavilion, if the weather’s committee otherwise it’ll be up in the lounge will have an on Sunday, with a bonfire historical program by Bob plot.

00:06:49.170 –> 00:06:54.480 Joseph McElroy: And some Scottish ballads by will William Ritter, and then Monday before the bird’s dinner we’re gonna have.

00:06:55.170 –> 00:07:03.030 Joseph McElroy: The program and we asked her Scott’s in North Carolina for presented by Mike Mclean the president of the Haywood county historical society.

00:07:03.510 –> 00:07:13.050 Joseph McElroy: And that should be all a great week of events and fun and you know and it’s great the time so come up to the mountains and cedar and day come to these events in the evening.

00:07:13.590 –> 00:07:19.440 Joseph McElroy: there’s also winter hiking as a tremendous time to visit and see things in the mouth.

00:07:20.370 –> 00:07:31.230 Joseph McElroy: Another sponsor smokies adventure.com information listings about the smoke it wedding venues books trail maps and resources, about the smokies the emphasis.

00:07:31.470 –> 00:07:42.630 Joseph McElroy: Of smokies adventures of outdoor recreation outdoor life events like weddings and adventures, hello, providing information and logic family entertainment events conventions honeymoons in war.

00:07:43.140 –> 00:07:48.150 Joseph McElroy: The goal of this site is to become the leading information portal on smoky mountains, and I think it’s reset.

00:07:49.470 –> 00:08:00.660 Joseph McElroy: So today we have a great guest her name is JoEtta Newman Holder a Kentucky native and she’s in Kentucky today she’s doing this route from Kentucky.

00:08:01.200 –> 00:08:06.900 Joseph McElroy: And a graduate of Morehead State University, with a bs degree in veterinary technology.

00:08:07.590 –> 00:08:24.840 Joseph McElroy: In 2015 she opened a business called mountain girls Outdoor that is devoted to getting more females actively involved in outdoor pursuits such as camping hiking fishing hunting conservation and shooting sports hi Joanna how are you doing.

00:08:25.350 –> 00:08:26.700 JoEtta Newman-Holder: hi just fine.

00:08:27.090 –> 00:08:30.180 Joseph McElroy: yeah it feels cold up there and Kentucky today.

00:08:31.080 –> 00:08:32.850 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Today, very cold yes.

00:08:34.260 –> 00:08:48.570 Joseph McElroy: Usually you’re in Canada, which is not far from Maggie Valley, but now we’re and usually I’m in New York, so now I’m in Maggie Valley and you’re happy so well, we all we’re all living at this multi-dimensional life these days right.

00:08:49.350 –> 00:08:55.170 Joseph McElroy: Definitely yeah so you grew up in sort of an urban setting Kentucky right.

00:08:56.730 –> 00:08:58.140 Joseph McElroy: Where was what city was that.

00:08:58.800 –> 00:09:00.270 JoEtta Newman-Holder: um ashland Kentucky.

00:09:02.220 –> 00:09:04.320 Joseph McElroy: And you didn’t really do a lot outdoors right.

00:09:04.890 –> 00:09:25.890 JoEtta Newman-Holder: No, I grew up basically being in the gymnastics world, so I spent my time in the gym and competing on weekends and that sort of thing and then, when I got a little older into high school I got into the band, and that became my life and.

00:09:27.150 –> 00:09:35.550 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Continued on into college and really didn’t get started in the outdoors until I was in college or after.

00:09:36.120 –> 00:09:55.860 Joseph McElroy: wow you know I saw statistics a statistic that was like there was you know, in terms of girls growing up and boys growing up how often they got the opportunity to be in the outdoors and it’s like almost 20% difference in the opportunities presented to them, right.

00:09:56.040 –> 00:09:59.370 Joseph McElroy: it’s nice sometimes it’s, not even a consideration, it must be difficult.

00:09:59.370 –> 00:09:59.970 Joseph McElroy: thing right.

00:10:00.390 –> 00:10:10.230 JoEtta Newman-Holder: It is and it’s also difficult for females than in later life decide to get involved, they don’t know how or where.

00:10:11.940 –> 00:10:16.980 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And it can be intimidating if, particularly if you’re going into.

00:10:18.990 –> 00:10:24.750 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Not necessarily male-dominated but more males and females.

00:10:26.430 –> 00:10:33.780 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Where they’ve had a chance to do it and growing up, and you haven’t and it can be a little intimidating so.

00:10:35.940 –> 00:10:45.120 Joseph McElroy: Now, did you will talk, I want to get into that we’re going to delve into that a little bit later because that’s what you’re doing and I think it’s potentially interesting, but I want to.

00:10:45.210 –> 00:10:47.550 Joseph McElroy: find out more about how we got here.

00:10:48.000 –> 00:10:49.620 Joseph McElroy: So did you have any.

00:10:51.630 –> 00:10:53.040 Joseph McElroy: interest when you were growing up.

00:10:53.730 –> 00:10:58.590 JoEtta Newman-Holder: um I did, and I would occasionally get to go.

00:11:01.590 –> 00:11:13.590 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Fishing on rare occasions or getting to go on a picnic or I’m here in this area there’s a State Park, that is.

00:11:16.740 –> 00:11:30.630 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Carter caves and we’d go and hype Carter page and go into the cage and that sort of thing, but as a regular occurrence really never got to and.

00:11:31.950 –> 00:11:39.810 JoEtta Newman-Holder: The local girl scouts and that sort of thing weren’t focused on outdoor stuff.

00:11:40.980 –> 00:12:06.900 JoEtta Newman-Holder: If I’d had a chance at that time being boy scouts or something closer to that maybe I would have been more involved in the outdoors but locally our girl scouts and all those types of programs are more geared toward crafting indoor stuff for women and cooking and sewing and.

00:12:07.500 –> 00:12:10.680 JoEtta Newman-Holder: that’s the thing it wasn’t a whole lot of outdoors.

00:12:10.800 –> 00:12:13.770 JoEtta Newman-Holder: opportunity so um.

00:12:14.160 –> 00:12:15.930 Joseph McElroy: I sort of know i’m.

00:12:17.040 –> 00:12:26.550 Joseph McElroy: A very mature age and I could remember that dichotomy about wasn’t girls and boys are in turn careers to do is a pretty dramatic difference in this area.

00:12:27.990 –> 00:12:35.400 JoEtta Newman-Holder: In this area too and I’m probably about your age so it’s very, very similar.

00:12:35.580 –> 00:12:42.900 Joseph McElroy: yeah so so you grew up, we did some things band stuff like that, but you went to Morehead state where you graduated.

00:12:44.580 –> 00:12:48.000 Joseph McElroy: And you’d graduated with a veterinarian technical degree right.

00:12:48.390 –> 00:12:50.220 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Yes, so that was a.

00:12:51.240 –> 00:12:52.680 Joseph McElroy: Very tech, I mean is that, like.

00:12:53.310 –> 00:12:59.250 Joseph McElroy: started, be a lot more technology involved in doing that nary work, and you, you are on a few of the other guard of that.

00:12:59.910 –> 00:13:04.350 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Well it’s more of a nurse.

00:13:05.460 –> 00:13:28.140 JoEtta Newman-Holder: nurse and the field are actually starting to adopt that name but it’s much more than that we do all the radiology we do all the dentistry we do all of the laboratory work we do everything behind the scenes, other than the diagnosis, or the actual treating.

00:13:29.490 –> 00:13:33.870 Joseph McElroy: Just knowing the technology is a pretty intensive course of action now.

00:13:34.470 –> 00:13:36.300 Joseph McElroy: Oh, my God yeah so.

00:13:36.540 –> 00:13:48.720 Joseph McElroy: So you graduated you gotten the job field, and now you are like the Chair of the veterinary technology astral astral bumping Community called bashful welcome fact right.

00:13:48.990 –> 00:13:53.760 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I was I did that for about four years, four or five years.

00:13:54.780 –> 00:14:03.930 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I started out there as an adjunct instructor when the program began, and then eventually moved into the chairperson.

00:14:06.090 –> 00:14:08.760 Joseph McElroy: Well that’s a pretty impressive career path so.

00:14:09.870 –> 00:14:12.210 Joseph McElroy: a fairly short period of time, I think rightly so.

00:14:12.390 –> 00:14:12.780 yeah.

00:14:13.980 –> 00:14:19.560 Joseph McElroy: So you know we’re going to take a break now and we’re talking about your migration to this whole outdoor.

00:14:20.400 –> 00:14:21.210 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Okay, great.

00:16:37.890 –> 00:16:52.650 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with a gateway to the smokies podcast my guest to edit Newman older so Joanna so around 2005 you met and married your late husband right.

00:16:53.130 –> 00:17:11.760 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I did um we met in search and rescue and he was a local and he grew up in the canton area and his upbringing and his experience in the outdoors was very, very, very different than mine.

00:17:12.300 –> 00:17:16.710 Joseph McElroy: I can imagine growing up here, you know you have to get there and what was his name I missed that.

00:17:17.040 –> 00:17:18.030 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Denver boulder.

00:17:18.600 –> 00:17:23.610 Joseph McElroy: Denver holder right so so so it was a.

00:17:24.690 –> 00:17:31.530 Joseph McElroy: Bob targets talk, he said, Bob, you know of course made some of these give me some of the information he said it was a marriage made in heaven.

00:17:33.120 –> 00:17:39.060 JoEtta Newman-Holder: It was it took us a while to get there, we eventually did.

00:17:39.810 –> 00:17:42.780 Joseph McElroy: yeah but you had some hesitation about guns.

00:17:43.470 –> 00:17:44.220 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I did.

00:17:45.450 –> 00:17:54.210 JoEtta Newman-Holder: growing up, I was in even well past college, I was terrified of guns I couldn’t.

00:17:55.380 –> 00:18:05.430 JoEtta Newman-Holder: walk into a sporting good store anything with guns, in the cases, I literally break out in the cold sweat and.

00:18:07.140 –> 00:18:13.980 JoEtta Newman-Holder: It was a really new world to me whenever my husband and I met and.

00:18:15.270 –> 00:18:25.260 JoEtta Newman-Holder: We ended up at that point, realizing that if our relationship was going to go any further then I was gonna have to get used to guns real quick.

00:18:27.510 –> 00:18:34.050 Joseph McElroy: Well, you guys met its search and rescue I mean what got you interested in search and rescue.

00:18:34.770 –> 00:18:46.470 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Well I’m got to the area fell in love with the outdoors and already had love of dogs and training and that sort of thing and so.

00:18:48.150 –> 00:19:00.450 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Through a friend and one dog group ended up getting connected to a search and rescue group in the area and it kind of.

00:19:01.500 –> 00:19:13.590 JoEtta Newman-Holder: fuse the two things that time that I love the outdoors and dogs into one thing and got to do, I like to do on a volunteer basis.

00:19:14.430 –> 00:19:16.890 Joseph McElroy: What is the essence of search and rescue training.

00:19:18.660 –> 00:19:31.320 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Basically it’s I’m trying to get the dog to play a game basically teaching dogs, how to do hide and seek and.

00:19:32.880 –> 00:19:55.830 JoEtta Newman-Holder: The difficult part is actually training the people it isn’t the dogs are really good at the whole game, and if they enjoy it they’re really good at it and it doesn’t take a lot of training for them, but the training on the human side is a lot more intensive and a lot more difficult.

00:19:59.160 –> 00:20:03.270 Joseph McElroy: Now, did you get to go out on some a search and rescue operation.

00:20:03.720 –> 00:20:08.160 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Oh yeah many, many, many yes I’m loved it.

00:20:09.630 –> 00:20:17.310 JoEtta Newman-Holder: always seemed that we got called after dark and more than not, it was raining.

00:20:17.760 –> 00:20:18.390 JoEtta Newman-Holder: So you.

00:20:18.480 –> 00:20:21.690 JoEtta Newman-Holder: got to go try and play around in the dark in the ring.

00:20:22.140 –> 00:20:23.700 Joseph McElroy: What was your most memorable last year.

00:20:24.930 –> 00:20:35.460 JoEtta Newman-Holder: um probably a little old man that had walked away from a nursing home and.

00:20:37.110 –> 00:20:57.420 JoEtta Newman-Holder: We found him and he was so incredibly cold, we found him in a creek and um I was just happy, he was talking to us, but I was trying to getting to talk to me and I didn’t really care what he was saying, as long as he was talking to me, and he ended up proposing.

00:21:02.640 –> 00:21:07.800 Joseph McElroy: that’s nice right yes he’s looking for love, maybe that’s what it out for looking for love right.

00:21:10.020 –> 00:21:19.620 JoEtta Newman-Holder: He wanted to go to McDonald’s and he was out for a while trying to get to McDonald’s and he had always been looking for a woman so.

00:21:22.050 –> 00:21:22.770 Joseph McElroy: There you go.

00:21:24.390 –> 00:21:26.160 Joseph McElroy: So, but your husband probably didn’t agree.

00:21:29.430 –> 00:21:30.030 JoEtta Newman-Holder: With me.

00:21:32.370 –> 00:21:33.780 Joseph McElroy: It was one of those kinds of proposed.

00:21:37.080 –> 00:21:53.490 Joseph McElroy: So, so you, you know you have developed some pretty impressive field, crafts still right is tracking wilderness survival navigational medical medicine, but there was something I saw you learned about GEO caching what is the geocaching.

00:21:53.940 –> 00:22:07.950 JoEtta Newman-Holder: GEO caching is something fun to do outside of search and rescue it in it actually helps with your navigation skills and how to use GPS basically it’s been going on for.

00:22:08.460 –> 00:22:21.270 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Probably 2030 years now, but people set up courses, where you have a starting point, you they give you coordinates are clues.

00:22:22.050 –> 00:22:31.980 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Via GPS that you go to, and if you get to the end of it’s like a scavenger hunt if you get to the end of it there’s typically a.

00:22:32.490 –> 00:22:54.750 JoEtta Newman-Holder: treasure at the end and basically you leave something behind some small token or something behind or there may be a note inside that you add to it or something like that, but it’s a lot of fun to go do it and in the.

00:22:56.280 –> 00:22:58.500 JoEtta Newman-Holder: haywood county area there’s.

00:22:58.710 –> 00:23:00.660 JoEtta Newman-Holder: A lot of.

00:23:02.160 –> 00:23:05.910 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Hidden treasures geocaching.

00:23:06.930 –> 00:23:08.280 JoEtta Newman-Holder: sites to go to.

00:23:08.670 –> 00:23:12.990 Joseph McElroy: or interesting is done, as a game on so.

00:23:13.080 –> 00:23:20.730 JoEtta Newman-Holder: yeah it is it’s basically a game of kind of a cross between hiding and seek and I’m.

00:23:22.830 –> 00:23:24.540 JoEtta Newman-Holder: A scavenger hunt so.

00:23:25.050 –> 00:23:26.010 Joseph McElroy: Is there an APP for that.

00:23:26.190 –> 00:23:28.920 JoEtta Newman-Holder: yeah there’s a lot of Apps actually.

00:23:29.130 –> 00:23:37.650 Joseph McElroy: Really wow yeah something somebody is a visitor could come here and use GEO caching is a fun way to engage with the environment, ready.

00:23:38.100 –> 00:23:38.790 Yes.

00:23:39.810 –> 00:24:05.850 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Definitely, and that was kind of how it was started and people wanting to get out the area or areas and explore and get other people involved, and it was about the same time as GPS has started coming out and getting more popular and affordable and then it just took off from there.

00:24:06.360 –> 00:24:08.130 Joseph McElroy: And what do you think is the best APP for that.

00:24:09.480 –> 00:24:14.100 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Oh, my goodness um there are so many of them now that’s.

00:24:14.460 –> 00:24:20.100 Joseph McElroy: fairly simple for somebody coming to the air that’s just wanted to have it sort of a casual fun experience.

00:24:21.000 –> 00:24:38.610 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Basically, if you go and search geocaching in Haywood county and it will actually bring up different lists of caching sites and you can just choose which one you want to go find your day.

00:24:39.090 –> 00:24:44.490 Joseph McElroy: Oh wow okay cool alright that sounds like a real adventure, I have to.

00:24:45.810 –> 00:24:52.080 Joseph McElroy: I’m now writing that down and they’re going to look that up because that could be great for my guests here, the Meadowlark motel, right.

00:24:52.290 –> 00:25:01.620 JoEtta Newman-Holder: yeah yes and there’s several in Maggie um and there are easier ones are harder ones train wise.

00:25:02.880 –> 00:25:07.680 JoEtta Newman-Holder: there’s actually a couple over on paper Community college campus.

00:25:08.730 –> 00:25:17.010 JoEtta Newman-Holder: So if you’re just getting started and don’t want to go out and get lost in the woods and it’s easy.

00:25:19.200 –> 00:25:23.850 Joseph McElroy: You can do some training, the first day before you go, yes, all right there you go cool.

00:25:25.350 –> 00:25:40.020 Joseph McElroy: So you overcame your fear of guns and you learned all these survival skills so then your husband was an expert in hunting and fishing and target shooting and you took an interest.

00:25:40.710 –> 00:25:42.510 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Oh, I did um.

00:25:43.710 –> 00:25:49.770 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Once we got together and I realized, I was gonna have to come overcome the whole gun issue.

00:25:51.030 –> 00:26:05.130 JoEtta Newman-Holder: He actually brought me a little, and I sat on the couch and literally didn’t open the box for probably the first two weeks and just sat there and touched it and got used to being in there and.

00:26:06.630 –> 00:26:09.570 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Then open the box and shut the box and then start.

00:26:11.640 –> 00:26:17.610 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And finally got the instruction manual out and Dug it by reading it and.

00:26:18.930 –> 00:26:30.870 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Finally, started actually touching the gun itself and then learned how to take it apart, one of my husband’s favorite stories was one night he came home and he said.

00:26:32.460 –> 00:26:34.590 JoEtta Newman-Holder: You got it taken apart now, what are you gonna do.

00:26:37.560 –> 00:26:40.110 JoEtta Newman-Holder: tomorrow night I’ll put it back together tomorrow night.

00:26:42.750 –> 00:26:51.960 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And then, it took me about 18 months before I started shooting and after that, I literally fell in love with it.

00:26:53.370 –> 00:26:54.330 JoEtta Newman-Holder: and

00:26:55.890 –> 00:27:05.820 JoEtta Newman-Holder: It kind of took off from there and I started hunting and coming from an animal care background, it was kind of interesting.

00:27:07.350 –> 00:27:13.410 Joseph McElroy: How did you make that jump from loving animals and animal care into a willingness to shoot.

00:27:14.250 –> 00:27:20.040 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I had always until that point I didn’t want to kill Bambi etc.

00:27:21.390 –> 00:27:43.890 JoEtta Newman-Holder: But once I got into that side of the culture and realized, it was a lot more than just going out and killing an animal and I was going out to do it for actual food and we used that everything that we possibly use of the animal.

00:27:45.210 –> 00:27:54.780 JoEtta Newman-Holder: It was also very, very, very social, not only with other people, but it was something that my husband and I could go out and do together and we really enjoyed it.

00:27:55.530 –> 00:28:07.830 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Because he had grown up hunting and he spent more time outdoors than he did indoors growing up, so it was one more thing that we could do together and we really enjoyed doing together.

00:28:09.660 –> 00:28:13.440 JoEtta Newman-Holder: So I got past that.

00:28:15.720 –> 00:28:27.120 JoEtta Newman-Holder: It was more of an I’m not just going out and aimlessly killing something I’m actually going out and for purpose.

00:28:28.320 –> 00:28:30.900 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And at that time.

00:28:32.160 –> 00:28:38.850 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Beef and chicken were giving me issues, and when I switched to deer meat venison.

00:28:40.050 –> 00:28:41.370 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Those issues went away.

00:28:42.420 –> 00:28:45.120 JoEtta Newman-Holder: So it was a.

00:28:47.550 –> 00:28:49.440 JoEtta Newman-Holder: It was kind of a necessity.

00:28:49.830 –> 00:28:56.250 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And overcame that severe love doesn’t kill.

00:28:57.360 –> 00:29:03.690 JoEtta Newman-Holder: mentality and it’s been it hasn’t been that bad of a journey.

00:29:03.990 –> 00:29:06.120 Joseph McElroy: sounds like you thought about it and then.

00:29:07.980 –> 00:29:19.590 Joseph McElroy: In general Nada is a big gun advocate but I’m not the I grew up here so I’m not like you know, a rabid anti-gun either you know, like you know I know the farmers got it sometimes have a.

00:29:21.600 –> 00:29:26.520 Joseph McElroy: sort of fast shooting gun, you know to take care of codes that are about to kill our livestock me.

00:29:26.580 –> 00:29:39.480 Joseph McElroy: Right and then you know and then there’s been no humankind is to destroy a lot of predators, which means that a lot of the other animals get overcrowded they starve to death, so.

00:29:39.840 –> 00:29:53.700 Joseph McElroy: letting humans, be the predators, they are in certain situations is a necessity because it’s the only alternative, so I, so we have to take a break we’ll come back and we’ll talk about your mountain.

00:29:54.900 –> 00:29:56.070 Joseph McElroy: Mountain girls outdoors.

00:30:01.980 –> 00:30:02.130 JoEtta Newman-Holder: New.

00:32:03.780 –> 00:32:14.130 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Joetta Newman Holder so to add to that.

00:32:15.090 –> 00:32:30.660 Joseph McElroy: So 2005 you met your husband and you were doing little certain random search rescue, but you were by far not involved in Hunting, Fishing, and all this sort of stuff 2015 rolls around and you’re creating mountain girls outdoors tell me how that happened.

00:32:34.620 –> 00:32:36.180 Joseph McElroy: It got to the point that.

00:32:36.600 –> 00:32:39.150 JoEtta Newman-Holder: It got to the point that I was.

00:32:41.010 –> 00:32:51.780 JoEtta Newman-Holder: getting more and more involved in the outdoors and more and more women were wanting to know how to get involved in the outdoors and so.

00:32:52.860 –> 00:33:07.290 JoEtta Newman-Holder: At that time I had left my job at ad tech as the chairperson for the vet tech program and my husband and I decided that start a business for

00:33:08.910 –> 00:33:16.110 JoEtta Newman-Holder: trying to get more women involved in the outdoors kind of evolved and started.

00:33:17.430 –> 00:33:23.430 JoEtta Newman-Holder: getting us thinking about doing it, and so we opened it up and.

00:33:27.270 –> 00:33:31.290 JoEtta Newman-Holder: In hopes of getting more women involved in the outdoors.

00:33:32.610 –> 00:33:33.240 cool.

00:33:35.610 –> 00:33:47.970 Joseph McElroy: And you were what we spent you were focused on like single mothers and young and old, women, and we were trying to introduce outdoor skills and familiarity of firearms about for both sport and protection right.

00:33:48.330 –> 00:34:02.730 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Yes, well, it started out trying to get women in particular involved in the outdoors because we felt that if you get the female and female part of the family involved.

00:34:03.240 –> 00:34:21.330 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Then they’re more likely to participate with the rest of the family, so if they had ways or other female children, and they would also get them out the wars and involved in the outdoors if they were married.

00:34:22.950 –> 00:34:39.900 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And the husband and the boys in the family, like to go outside and hunt fish camp, whatever it happened to be, and she felt a little intimidated or wasn’t as involved as she could be.

00:34:40.920 –> 00:34:58.050 JoEtta Newman-Holder: We were trying to give her white and become more knowledgeable about those things, so they wouldn’t be as intimidated and hopefully get more families outdoors whether was camping or fishing or.

00:34:59.190 –> 00:35:01.530 JoEtta Newman-Holder: farms or whatever it may be.

00:35:03.690 –> 00:35:17.130 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And it kind of evolved from there, we were we did everything and do everything from basic camping land navigation hiking.

00:35:18.600 –> 00:35:46.980 JoEtta Newman-Holder: We did do some fishing whether it’s regular like lake fishing or fly fishing and we started some archery classes and during the process, I became an instructor for multiple firearms and started offering introductory classes for women.

00:35:48.660 –> 00:36:01.710 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Whether or not they wanted to have a gun to protect themselves, or if there was a gun already in the House, and they were terrified of guns like I was.

00:36:02.220 –> 00:36:25.470 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And just wanted to become a little bit more familiar with guns, so they weren’t as terrifying and then it just kind of evolved from there into we were doing more and more firearms classes, then we were a lot of the outdoor classes, we were doing a few outdoor classes, but.

00:36:27.030 –> 00:36:32.280 JoEtta Newman-Holder: It became more and more of a demand for the firearm classes.

00:36:32.760 –> 00:36:33.210 Right.

00:36:34.230 –> 00:36:39.300 Joseph McElroy: So, so you initially had a broke brick and mortar school store, but to hear that right.

00:36:39.720 –> 00:36:41.610 JoEtta Newman-Holder: yeah we ended up.

00:36:43.200 –> 00:36:44.880 JoEtta Newman-Holder: coven kind of did that in.

00:36:45.060 –> 00:36:46.230 Joseph McElroy: yeah we did that.

00:36:48.120 –> 00:36:48.750 Joseph McElroy: And then.

00:36:49.830 –> 00:36:54.030 Joseph McElroy: You know, and 2019, of course, your husband died, which I’m so sorry about.

00:36:54.450 –> 00:36:55.890 JoEtta Newman-Holder: That, thank you, I appreciate it.

00:36:55.950 –> 00:37:00.540 Joseph McElroy: I had my spouse long time die in 2014 so.

00:37:02.790 –> 00:37:13.200 Joseph McElroy: I know it’s impressive that you were able to maintain and build upon a business that you both have created so my Hats off to do that because I wasn’t able to do that.

00:37:15.360 –> 00:37:18.030 Joseph McElroy: So what, what do you offer now.

00:37:19.110 –> 00:37:38.220 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And we still offer a lot of outdoor classes and if somebody is interested in camping or fishing or fly fishing or just hiking getting to know where to go, what do I need to take with my basics.

00:37:39.420 –> 00:37:45.990 JoEtta Newman-Holder: To actually set up trips and we also do.

00:37:48.030 –> 00:37:56.730 JoEtta Newman-Holder: photography type classes and that’s something else that I’ve gotten into recently hardwood heavy is a lot of photography so.

00:37:58.620 –> 00:37:59.730 Joseph McElroy: wildlife photography.

00:38:00.210 –> 00:38:09.540 JoEtta Newman-Holder: A wildlife landscape and in about the last month, a lot of portrait family stuff.

00:38:10.020 –> 00:38:13.050 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And I was doing events.

00:38:13.110 –> 00:38:15.480 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Like Meadowlark and that sort of thing.

00:38:17.040 –> 00:38:18.630 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I was doing.

00:38:20.220 –> 00:38:24.510 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I would go over to Cherokee and do the.

00:38:25.680 –> 00:38:29.550 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Stickball games for stickball gains.

00:38:30.780 –> 00:38:37.110 JoEtta Newman-Holder: full moon I would do a lot of photography dance and their events and that sort of thing.

00:38:39.000 –> 00:38:52.320 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And it’s kind of evolved recently I’ve had a few friends ask me to do some family stuff for a while and it’s I’m starting to get busier and busier.

00:38:53.070 –> 00:39:00.990 Joseph McElroy: Well that’s fabulous so I was reading, you are, you are part of the national wild Turkey federation, what is that.

00:39:01.740 –> 00:39:05.580 JoEtta Newman-Holder: National wild Turkey federation originally was.

00:39:05.970 –> 00:39:06.810 Joseph McElroy: Not only.

00:39:08.010 –> 00:39:08.490 JoEtta Newman-Holder: No.

00:39:09.540 –> 00:39:11.100 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Wrong wild Turkey that.

00:39:12.750 –> 00:39:23.340 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I’m day we’re almost eradicated from most of the US from over honey and.

00:39:25.650 –> 00:39:38.130 JoEtta Newman-Holder: A group of people decided that they wanted to bring back turkeys in the population and over several years it has been very, very successful.

00:39:39.570 –> 00:39:54.090 JoEtta Newman-Holder: in areas like eastern and western North Carolina and Eastern North Carolina and they have populated, to the point that they have been able to open up hunting seasons again.

00:39:56.040 –> 00:40:17.280 JoEtta Newman-Holder: they’re running around all over the place, you can drive down the road we’ll see him on the side we’re very easy going into cow Ricci and they’re all over the place, so they’ve gone from basically almost extinct in some areas to very, very, very, very populous again.

00:40:17.790 –> 00:40:27.600 Joseph McElroy: Now, do you have you also in terms of saving and you also have efforts to you know do hunting is sustainable and.

00:40:27.960 –> 00:40:28.260 Yes.

00:40:29.280 –> 00:40:29.850 JoEtta Newman-Holder: That is.

00:40:30.180 –> 00:40:46.980 JoEtta Newman-Holder: A large part of it is once they get established in the area and they come back into populations that you can sustain hunting is trying to work with local areas state.

00:40:48.090 –> 00:40:50.370 JoEtta Newman-Holder: wildlife trying to.

00:40:52.860 –> 00:40:56.610 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Do it responsibly, so we don’t eradicate them again.

00:40:57.090 –> 00:40:58.860 Joseph McElroy: And they do that over.

00:40:58.890 –> 00:41:02.670 Joseph McElroy: The coyotes become so big prevalent because they.

00:41:05.790 –> 00:41:09.150 Joseph McElroy: Have no history, no meanwhile wild turkeys Is that true.

00:41:10.620 –> 00:41:20.070 JoEtta Newman-Holder: There is some truth to that there they do have a lot of other predators like skunk some possums and.

00:41:20.550 –> 00:41:21.030 Joseph McElroy: Oh, really.

00:41:21.390 –> 00:41:22.080 JoEtta Newman-Holder: yeah and.

00:41:23.430 –> 00:41:30.390 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And there’s a lot of other predators out there and coyotes are a big part of it, but they’re.

00:41:31.410 –> 00:41:39.510 JoEtta Newman-Holder: they’re not as big of a problem as some people think that they are

00:41:41.820 –> 00:41:46.950 Joseph McElroy: . OK cool. So, what is your website for this, the only people who find more information about it?

00:41:48.000 –> 00:41:50.700 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Is mountaingirloutdoors.com.

00:41:51.780 –> 00:41:52.410 Joseph McElroy: What is a.

00:41:53.010 –> 00:41:54.930 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Mountaingirloutdoors.com

00:41:55.350 –> 00:41:59.310 Joseph McElroy: Mountaingirls.outdoors.com and your Facebook page too.

00:41:59.880 –> 00:42:00.900 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah.

00:42:01.110 –> 00:42:04.980 Joseph McElroy: And you have events for the general public, or is it all classes.

00:42:05.760 –> 00:42:06.300 and

00:42:07.500 –> 00:42:19.980 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Right now, it is all basically classes and eventually hopefully we’ll start opening up to doing some.

00:42:21.720 –> 00:42:30.390 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Like some public hikes and things like that, but right now, it is mostly classes and.

00:42:31.650 –> 00:42:39.210 JoEtta Newman-Holder: We will do private classes, we will actually go into the home, on occasion, if a group of.

00:42:41.550 –> 00:43:03.390 JoEtta Newman-Holder: 610 people want to a specific class will actually go to somebody’s home or a business and there’s a couple of businesses around town that have gone and done classes for the entire staff and that sort of thing is either team building or just something fun that they all want to do.

00:43:05.850 –> 00:43:09.960 Joseph McElroy: Are hunting and camping and fishing and that sort of classes.

00:43:10.320 –> 00:43:11.790 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Yes, and.

00:43:13.170 –> 00:43:22.560 JoEtta Newman-Holder: If there’s a group of people that want like a concealed carry class um I will do that for concealed carry as well.

00:43:23.220 –> 00:43:37.650 Joseph McElroy: And if there’s a woman, that is trepidations about getting involved in the outdoors in a way that she’s never been before yeah How would you approach you to start something that would be your first course of action that says they should take.

00:43:39.270 –> 00:43:43.680 JoEtta Newman-Holder: and get room get with somebody that you trust.

00:43:44.700 –> 00:43:49.680 JoEtta Newman-Holder: That was wondering reasons why we started the business was because.

00:43:50.940 –> 00:44:04.710 JoEtta Newman-Holder: A lot of times, particularly with hunting and shooting and those in fishing those types of things it’s so male-dominated that males tend to be a little.

00:44:05.580 –> 00:44:15.960 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Less patient and be a little bit forceful or um I don’t know really how to explain it but.

00:44:16.500 –> 00:44:35.670 JoEtta Newman-Holder: They can be more intimidating and I’ve been in that place of intimidation and just terrified and I understand that and I know that and I will meet somebody where they’re at and not push them past what they can handle or what they’re ready for.

00:44:36.150 –> 00:44:45.900 Joseph McElroy: Okay well we’ll take a break here we’ll come back we’ll talk about some of the areas that you think are great to visit in the mountains here in North Carolina both of honey and then just in general.

00:44:45.990 –> 00:44:46.950 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Alright sounds great.

00:46:48.990 –> 00:47:04.920 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with a gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest Joetta Newman Holder so Joetta before we move on to canton area and things to do in the smokies I know one thing that bothered pointed out to me that.

00:47:07.980 –> 00:47:08.670 Joseph McElroy: pictures.

00:47:10.710 –> 00:47:11.610 Joseph McElroy: where’d that come from.

00:47:12.480 –> 00:47:15.060 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I’m sorry it froze and I.

00:47:15.060 –> 00:47:20.520 Joseph McElroy: Miss so you were working with circuses you’re taking photography photographs of circuits is quite a bit.

00:47:21.270 –> 00:47:42.090 JoEtta Newman-Holder: yeah that was I there was a circus that came in local to Asheville and I befriended a couple of the cast members and started going back over and over and over and taking photos for them and then ended up following them too.

00:47:43.410 –> 00:47:51.720 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Georgia and spent a couple of weeks there with them, so it was a lot of fun.

00:47:51.990 –> 00:47:54.210 Joseph McElroy: You like to take adventures, what was the name of the surface.

00:47:54.810 –> 00:47:56.340 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Then either circus.

00:47:56.670 –> 00:47:57.570 Joseph McElroy: Okay cool.

00:47:59.130 –> 00:48:06.960 Joseph McElroy: So uh yeah we’re managed to survive toby things are going on, do you have any future plans for your business.

00:48:08.010 –> 00:48:12.570 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I’m actually and just trying to keep it up and going.

00:48:14.040 –> 00:48:15.780 Joseph McElroy: Hard these times so that’s good.

00:48:17.130 –> 00:48:17.790 JoEtta Newman-Holder: and

00:48:19.380 –> 00:48:27.720 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I’m excited to expand to the photography side of things so that’s where it’s going at the moment.

00:48:29.160 –> 00:48:41.400 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know when I talk with guests and live in the area I like to find out things that they find interesting where would be a good place for somebody to go view wildlife this area take photographs.

00:48:42.270 –> 00:48:53.220 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And one of my favorite places to go in the area and it’s relatively easy to access the wildlife is.

00:48:54.870 –> 00:48:56.730 JoEtta Newman-Holder: The Coyote Valley.

00:48:57.240 –> 00:49:06.720 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Where there’s a lot of wild turkey’s there’s, of course, squirrels and birds and that sort of thing but you’ve got the elk as well.

00:49:07.830 –> 00:49:22.380 JoEtta Newman-Holder: One of my other favorite places to go is paid code and it’s very, very busy, but if you’re in dissing wildlife chances of getting to see deer in there and that sort of thing is fairly high.

00:49:24.090 –> 00:49:31.200 Joseph McElroy: And when you take people out on the humps or things like that you take you take them out places.

00:49:31.620 –> 00:49:39.060 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I can, and I have done some mentor hunts with the wild Turkey federation.

00:49:40.080 –> 00:49:50.100 JoEtta Newman-Holder: with different chapters that have hosted women-only mentored hunts and I’ve taken women out on those.

00:49:50.430 –> 00:49:50.790 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And that’s.

00:49:51.390 –> 00:49:56.190 Joseph McElroy: Where do you take, where you lose happened to me you don’t mess with your the detail work general areas.

00:49:56.460 –> 00:50:10.740 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And typically the ones in particular that I’ve participated in the past have been more central to and to eastern North Carolina I’m.

00:50:10.860 –> 00:50:12.000 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Down passionately.

00:50:12.690 –> 00:50:22.680 Joseph McElroy: Okay cool um so you know you live in canton, which is part of a wood county and it’s a wonderful place to live.

00:50:22.860 –> 00:50:23.430 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Right yeah.

00:50:23.820 –> 00:50:28.080 Joseph McElroy: I like to talk about an itinerary today no small mountain town.

00:50:29.130 –> 00:50:39.210 Joseph McElroy: With the people who live there for a while, so I mentioned this to you, so you know if you were if somebody came to visit canton Where would you recommend they have breakfast.

00:50:39.840 –> 00:50:55.770 JoEtta Newman-Holder: One of my favorite actress spots it’s a little mom and pop for when the wall is the pioneer it’s actually inclined and not very far outside of communion but that’s one of my favorite breakfast places.

00:50:56.370 –> 00:51:00.630 Joseph McElroy: cool and then after they finish their breakfast which the favorite dishes there.

00:51:01.470 –> 00:51:04.290 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Oh gosh and that’s hard.

00:51:07.230 –> 00:51:07.830 Joseph McElroy: really good.

00:51:08.850 –> 00:51:12.360 Joseph McElroy: Good good biscuits and gravy and all that sort of stuff right but.

00:51:12.390 –> 00:51:12.840 yeah.

00:51:14.070 –> 00:51:17.370 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And I’ll twin Maggie better biscuit.

00:51:17.520 –> 00:51:25.230 Joseph McElroy: Is awesome yeah So if you so if somebody after breakfast Where would you recommend going out have some fun.

00:51:26.460 –> 00:51:35.520 JoEtta Newman-Holder: um depending on what you want to go blue if you just want to go for a drive the parkways are always an amazing place to go for a drive.

00:51:35.910 –> 00:51:44.730 JoEtta Newman-Holder: yeah and it’s it and, again, one of my favorite places to go is down in cattle he valley and that’s kind of.

00:51:46.020 –> 00:51:48.420 JoEtta Newman-Holder: An experience, just to get there.

00:51:48.540 –> 00:51:49.260 In itself.

00:51:53.040 –> 00:51:55.740 Joseph McElroy: in Canada, what is in Canada what’s fun to do.

00:51:56.400 –> 00:52:06.660 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I’m actually in and around Clinton and there’s not a whole unfortunately there’s not a whole lot.

00:52:07.860 –> 00:52:15.960 JoEtta Newman-Holder: To go do during the day, we do have a few nice shops downtown to go visit.

00:52:17.610 –> 00:52:28.440 JoEtta Newman-Holder: We also during, particularly the summer there’s a lot of Nice festivals and picking in the park and.

00:52:28.740 –> 00:52:34.860 Joseph McElroy: Things like that you have a good farmers market there that would be somewhat Saturday Sunday that has music yeah.

00:52:35.100 –> 00:52:43.860 JoEtta Newman-Holder: yeah and it’s expanded recently and they’ve been open like Thursday through Saturday it’s been.

00:52:44.340 –> 00:52:52.020 Joseph McElroy: really nice little like a little market square Mike has gone there and play he really, really does it’s kind of cool it’s kind of Nice.

00:52:52.050 –> 00:52:56.940 JoEtta Newman-Holder: So it is it’s really nice and then.

00:52:58.740 –> 00:53:01.530 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Well, the floods kind of did the park in.

00:53:02.070 –> 00:53:03.540 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And Colin.

00:53:04.680 –> 00:53:07.500 Joseph McElroy: was a perfect little come back yeah but.

00:53:07.830 –> 00:53:15.690 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Once they come back and are cleaned up and it’s the park runs along the river.

00:53:16.260 –> 00:53:17.190 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And it’s a.

00:53:17.280 –> 00:53:19.770 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Really really nice place to walk.

00:53:21.540 –> 00:53:23.940 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Or take the kids and play the.

00:53:24.720 –> 00:53:26.400 Joseph McElroy: Wherever you’re going to do for lunch.

00:53:28.020 –> 00:53:37.260 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Oh there’s a lot of really good lunch places, and I particularly enjoy like the southern porch in canton.

00:53:37.740 –> 00:53:38.400 JoEtta Newman-Holder: and

00:53:38.490 –> 00:53:39.990 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I like Jay rose.

00:53:41.340 –> 00:53:43.050 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Great sandwiches.

00:53:44.760 –> 00:53:52.500 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Oh gosh there’s then just outside the area there are Mexican restaurants and.

00:53:52.890 –> 00:53:57.270 Joseph McElroy: there are lots of great things and how about bear water is a pretty good place right.

00:53:57.570 –> 00:53:58.950 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Oh yeah bad water.

00:54:00.210 –> 00:54:02.940 JoEtta Newman-Holder: it’s another place, that the flood.

00:54:03.240 –> 00:54:08.580 Joseph McElroy: God, but they were early they have a great restaurant and Maggie Valley, to call the bear.

00:54:09.270 –> 00:54:09.780 But.

00:54:10.890 –> 00:54:12.240 JoEtta Newman-Holder: The second place yeah.

00:54:12.630 –> 00:54:13.170 Joseph McElroy: yeah that’s.

00:54:13.830 –> 00:54:14.580 JoEtta Newman-Holder: going out.

00:54:15.420 –> 00:54:16.380 Joseph McElroy: And when they get the kids.

00:54:16.410 –> 00:54:20.970 Joseph McElroy: When they get the canton one back, it will be worthwhile because it’s beautiful, that was a beautiful place that was fun.

00:54:22.140 –> 00:54:23.400 Joseph McElroy: afternoon, what would you do.

00:54:23.550 –> 00:54:25.890 Joseph McElroy: yeah I mean I’m sure similar things but.

00:54:27.420 –> 00:54:30.720 Joseph McElroy: They have some things going on this afternoon that’s worthwhile.

00:54:31.140 –> 00:54:35.010 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I hear rumors that they’re getting ready to open up.

00:54:36.120 –> 00:54:41.220 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Some new shops and possibly an x following disability.

00:54:41.340 –> 00:54:45.510 Joseph McElroy: Oh fabulous all right so something I’ve been talking about doing that Maggie two.

00:54:47.820 –> 00:54:49.440 Joseph McElroy: Extra is a thing to do.

00:54:50.580 –> 00:54:50.700 Joseph McElroy: It.

00:54:52.140 –> 00:54:52.680 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:54:54.240 –> 00:55:03.210 Joseph McElroy: You know I gotta take us down because we’re coming to the end of our time, so if you have one name to shout out for dinner shout it out now.

00:55:04.170 –> 00:55:11.910 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Oh dinner, one of my favorite places for dinner it’s not in canton it’s just outside canton and blue rooster.

00:55:14.340 –> 00:55:18.450 Joseph McElroy: A blue rooster is kind of not I really liked the shrimp and grits they’re really good so.

00:55:19.890 –> 00:55:22.320 Joseph McElroy: It is to the mall but the food is really good.

00:55:22.440 –> 00:55:24.510 JoEtta Newman-Holder: yeah playing land is to die.

00:55:24.510 –> 00:55:31.290 Joseph McElroy: For so any other shoutouts anything any other way you want people to reach out to you in any way.

00:55:32.220 –> 00:55:40.890 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And I just they can reach me via my most likely The easiest way to get me through Facebook.

00:55:42.630 –> 00:55:47.520 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And the websites up and down right now trying to reconstruct it.

00:55:48.990 –> 00:56:04.650 Joseph McElroy: So that’s the mountain girl girls out the mountain girl outdoors webs web Facebook page which you can find things mountain outdoors girl right alright cool Well, this is, I appreciate so much you’ve been on the show and it’s been.

00:56:04.650 –> 00:56:05.730 Joseph McElroy: very interesting.

00:56:06.990 –> 00:56:10.230 Joseph McElroy: This is the been the gateway the smoke podcast

00:56:11.280 –> 00:56:23.220 Joseph McElroy: As we’re every week on talk radio NYC talkradio.nyc, which is a great network of live podcasts right after this one is coffee talk XL, which is a wonderful podcast.

00:56:24.180 –> 00:56:29.850 Joseph McElroy: And you can find more about this podcast on Facebook.com/gatewaytothesmokiespodcast.

00:56:30.150 –> 00:56:40.650 Joseph McElroy: Or you can find all the episodes on smokiesadventure.com click on the gateway to the smokies podcast at the top of the page and you can find out all sorts of information about this podcast.

00:56:40.980 –> 00:56:59.790 Joseph McElroy: Again I’ll see you guys will be in reruns for a few weeks, but after the middle of January we back more live shows again talk, listen to the reruns next week same time six to seven, and thank you for being part of the show today.

Our guest in this episode is Jason Brady, a native of the Caney Fork Community of Jackson County, N.C. He graduated from Western Carolina University with a degree in Electronics Engineering Technology and worked several years for a telecommunications firm in Raleigh, N.C. before returning home for a job at his alma mater.

Jason has worked for the past two decades at WCU and now works in Special Collections for the university – the department he has worked in for the past 13 years. He is also a fine writer and an avid hiker.

Don't miss this fun interview with Jason Brady as he shares with us some interesting stories about his work on the Special Collection for the WCU and his experiences being a historian and archivist.

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.

Joseph begins the show with his usual intro before going into his sponsored message. Afterward, he reads a poem called The Recipe. Introducing the guest, Jason Brady, Joseph asks him what it was like living up in his native county. Jason talks about the tight-knit community and nature walks he would have. He also discusses the origin of his love of history, reading books as a kid and gravitating to history naturally. Joseph then asks him about his electrical engineering degree and what he did with it. Jason describes how the pay and job were enjoyable, but his homesickness overtook him, so he took an opportunity to work in a library back in his hometown before working in special collections in WCU.

Coming back from the break, Joseph asks Jason about the Mountain Heritage Day Festival and if Jason had any play in setting it up. Jason talks about how the pandemic forced the festival to take a break for a year, but come right back the next. Joseph then gets into Jason’s mentor and friend, the historian who got Jason into being a historian himself. Joseph asks him what a typical day looks like for an archivist looks like, and he describes how he is a walking analog historical log for people. Before the break, Joseph brings up how, in the next segment, he wanted to know if Jason knew or if the WCU had any information on Horace Kephart, the man who is credited to be one of the founders of the Smoky Mountain National Park.

Coming back, Joseph asks about other founders of the Smoky Mountains Park, sparking the memory of several influential people such as Kelly Bennett. Jason explains how thousands of photos were discovered of Bennett and how an exhibit of Bennett is being planned. Jason also talks about the different artifacts the WCU collects from archives like photos, letters, or business ventures. He then talks about the thousands of photos that were discovered of Bennett, and the person behind the photographs, a botanist named Wells. Joseph wanted to discuss future plans Jason was planning. He describes how the scanning of the Bennett photos was going to take them some time in addition to trying to identify people in the photos, before making an exhibit of all these photos. They talk about ways to donate artifacts to the WCU through contacts with the university itself or Jason himself. Any materials pertaining to regional history are welcome to the WCU’s collection.

After the break, Joseph asks Jason what kind of dogs and hobbies he may have. Jason characterizes his dogs as enjoying the same things he does like taking hikes and exploring the trails. This brings the discussion to his favorite hikes and trails for people and their pets. Many parts of the park have different rules on the topic of bringing pets so make sure you read the rules beforehand. Joseph then asks about Jason’s ideal itinerary for Jackson County. The day begins with breakfast with coffee, spending time on the parkway, eating lunch at South Philly, and heading to Frog’s Leap for a few drinks or to the best brewery, according to Jason, Innovation. The day concludes with heading to Asheville and underground speakeasies. Finally, Jason finishes off the show with a WCU promotion.

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00:00:36.660 –> 00:00:40.200 Joseph McElroy: hey thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of

00:00:40.620 –> 00:00:51.360 Joseph McElroy: Gateway to the smokies this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains National Park, and the surrounding towns.

00:00:51.990 –> 00:01:00.990 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty with a deep-storied history and rich in cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.

00:01:01.770 –> 00:01:14.490 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy a man of the world but also has deep roots and in this Mountain, my family has been living the great smoky for over 200 years my businesses is in travel, but my heart is in culture.

00:01:15.360 –> 00:01:21.870 Joseph McElroy: today’s podcast we’re talking to a local boy made good, the first let’s hear from some sponsors.

00:01:23.100 –> 00:01:31.290 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place evocative of the motor courts of the past, modern and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian.

00:01:32.580 –> 00:01:45.600 Joseph McElroy: a place for adventure and for relaxation imagine a place where you can fish in the mountain areas trout stream grill the catch on fire, and the company by fine wine or craft beers.

00:01:45.930 –> 00:02:04.980 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place of the old-time music and world cultural sounds imagine a place with mountain heritage food underground speakeasies there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.

00:02:07.110 –> 00:02:18.330 Joseph McElroy: smokies adventure.com smokies are plural adventure singular it’s a site for with information and listings about the smoky mountains, including hiking and.

00:02:19.170 –> 00:02:28.230 Joseph McElroy: wedding venues, and has links to both the trail and resources to help you experience the smokies in an old different way.

00:02:28.710 –> 00:02:46.290 Joseph McElroy: The emphasis of smokies adventures outdoor recreation outdoor life events like weddings and ventures, along with providing information on lodging family entertainment events conventions honeymoons, and more, it is the leading information portal for smoky now.

00:02:48.720 –> 00:02:53.970 Joseph McElroy: it’s good to see you or hear you or be part of your listening experience this week.

00:02:55.380 –> 00:02:57.840 Joseph McElroy: And I’m glad to be back we’ve had a couple of weeks off.

00:02:59.100 –> 00:03:13.110 Joseph McElroy: I got a little poem that’s relevant I think some of the things we’re talking about today and it’s called the recipes via a user online a craft the mermaids I’m not sure, a lot of us to but it’s simple it’s called the resin.

00:03:13.950 –> 00:03:39.360 Joseph McElroy: sweet recipe handed down Chris teen dried fruit perfect eggs golden batter in my aunt’s pyrex bowl but cousin Lucy check the legs, the batter’s too dark she turned left oh hi that’s just the brandy, I could feel my internal over her grave.

00:03:41.400 –> 00:03:43.410 Joseph McElroy: that’s talking about fruit cakes, of course.

00:03:44.910 –> 00:03:51.420 Joseph McElroy: And, as you know, I’m the owner of the Meadowlark Motel we’re going to have some fruit cake coming up.

00:03:52.470 –> 00:04:05.100 Joseph McElroy: You know, have companies have a holiday party for employees and family what the Meadowlark, are we going to have our guests at our company party as well, and every December 18.

00:04:05.460 –> 00:04:17.580 Joseph McElroy: The week before Christmas, we will celebrate with traditional mountain treats like fruitcake and, by the way, you know fruitcake which you know came over with the Scots Irish settlers.

00:04:18.690 –> 00:04:23.130 Joseph McElroy: And, and my wife who’s actually a Trinidadian descent, where they have a similar.

00:04:24.390 –> 00:04:34.830 Joseph McElroy: traditions of Scots Irish coming there she might do a Trinidadian black wrong jake will have mincemeat pies and other treats, we will also.

00:04:35.280 –> 00:04:43.650 Joseph McElroy: serenade wasn’t called carefully when I wrote this poem serenade serenading people in front of the rooms and giving them warm cookies.

00:04:44.100 –> 00:05:00.120 Joseph McElroy: will set, we will send Santa letters to the berries for delivery, this means throw them into the fire and, of course, you have good drinks and use it, but guess who attend free locals can get in $15 will show up as have a good time week for Christmas.

00:05:01.590 –> 00:05:13.110 Joseph McElroy: we’re also the Meadowlark in January I’m very excited about something that we’re gonna be doing two years ago we had what was called a Robert Burns suffers.

00:05:13.650 –> 00:05:25.050 Joseph McElroy: Robert Burns is the poet laureate of Scotland during the essentially the time when we a lot of us got divers coming over to settle in the.

00:05:25.740 –> 00:05:35.070 Joseph McElroy: In the smoky mountains and the rest of the Appalachian and they surely news Robert Burns who’s one of their favorite poets as well.

00:05:35.490 –> 00:05:53.700 Joseph McElroy: And he also was recorded and actually wrote down and also created a lot of balance that was popular to sing at the time that we were the settlers in the smoke in the Appalachians so there’s an annual.

00:05:55.680 –> 00:06:00.270 Joseph McElroy: birthday celebration in Scotland and other places that love is poetry.

00:06:01.500 –> 00:06:15.960 Joseph McElroy: The JET on January 25 of every year, and this is it’s called the burn some supper it’s an institution of Scottish life celebrating the life and work of the national bar scholar.

00:06:16.500 –> 00:06:28.470 Joseph McElroy: it’s a combination of culinary delights pomp and circumstance artistry and entertainment and culminating in a raw rowdy rivaled fun-filled life that is helping you.

00:06:29.040 –> 00:06:35.220 Joseph McElroy: And I don’t feature things like a haggis which is not everybody’s cup of tea, but it’s worth tasting once in a lifetime.

00:06:35.910 –> 00:06:48.180 Joseph McElroy: And it’s going to Meadowlark on January 25 which is my family owns it for many years and we’re known for our hospitality passion for culture and art.

00:06:49.140 –> 00:06:58.920 Joseph McElroy: It will be an evening filled with delicious Scottish food and wine tasting whiskey patients and toasts and all sorts of things, but not only lad that.

00:06:59.520 –> 00:07:14.490 Joseph McElroy: For the four days prior to the event we’re going to be doing many Scottish themes event by Friday, there will be a whiskey tasting in the speakeasy and when we have Scottish artists and residents will be doing music.

00:07:16.620 –> 00:07:20.220 Joseph McElroy: DJ music, then he will also a Saturday created concert.

00:07:21.240 –> 00:07:36.900 Joseph McElroy: With Mike and some of his friends, and that in either the pavilion or in the speakeasy then on Sunday, to be a bonfire historical programs by Bob Plott and more balanced sung

00:07:37.500 –> 00:07:47.490 Joseph McElroy: by an artist named William Ritter, then, on Monday there’ll be a program presented in my MAC Mclean President of the Haywood historical society county historical society.

00:07:48.030 –> 00:07:52.350 Joseph McElroy: about the Ulster Scott North Carolina and then Tuesday night, of course, will be the.

00:07:52.710 –> 00:08:04.290 Joseph McElroy: big involved rockets event that’s called burns dinner, and many of us will be wearing our kills from our family heritage and doing toasts and just having a grand old time.

00:08:04.950 –> 00:08:16.590 Joseph McElroy: So I look forward to seeing you at some of these events that we’re having and, of course, on Christmas Day, we have a Christmas meal for our guests and on the new year’s Eve, we have a wonderful.

00:08:18.210 –> 00:08:23.910 Joseph McElroy: toast and champagne and whatnot in the speakeasy for our guests.

00:08:25.470 –> 00:08:35.640 Joseph McElroy: So today’s podcast we have a wonderful guest his name is Jason Brady and he worked for the past two decades in Western Carolina University.

00:08:36.150 –> 00:08:52.470 Joseph McElroy: And now works, I think, is an intern Chief of special collections from the university, the department, he been working for the past 13 years Jason is a fine writer avid hiker, enjoy spending time with his wife and their beloved dogs Hello Jason.

00:08:54.690 –> 00:08:55.380 Jason Brady: hey there.

00:08:56.760 –> 00:09:00.390 Joseph McElroy: How are you doing today how’s Western North Carolina.

00:09:01.440 –> 00:09:02.070 Jason Brady: Oh it’s great.

00:09:03.450 –> 00:09:04.410 Jason Brady: Great place to be.

00:09:04.770 –> 00:09:13.770 Joseph McElroy: yeah so you grew up in our native of one of the most beautiful communities in our region Caney Fork for what was it like growing up, there is a boy.

00:09:15.210 –> 00:09:25.650 Jason Brady: Well, it was fantastic really um it was much more rural when I was kid lot more agriculture there’s a lot of farming.

00:09:26.820 –> 00:09:28.500 Jason Brady: very tight knit community.

00:09:30.030 –> 00:09:32.880 Jason Brady: It was just a wonderful place to be a kid.

00:09:34.050 –> 00:09:38.340 Joseph McElroy: What were some of the things that you enjoy doing in Caney fork when you were growing up.

00:09:39.960 –> 00:09:47.370 Jason Brady: We used to go on what we call a creek walks we just take off up the creek just walking in the Caney Fork.

00:09:47.490 –> 00:09:48.750 Jason Brady: it’s about river.

00:09:50.700 –> 00:09:51.180 Jason Brady: I spent.

00:09:52.740 –> 00:09:59.040 Jason Brady: More than a little time in the cane break New York a fork in front of our house.

00:10:01.230 –> 00:10:05.370 Jason Brady: actually spent a little bit of time in the tobacco fields nearby to

00:10:07.440 –> 00:10:13.950 Jason Brady: We really it was a really special place to be as a kid.

00:10:14.280 –> 00:10:16.170 Joseph McElroy: sort of idyllic right yeah.

00:10:16.230 –> 00:10:18.000 Joseph McElroy: Absolutely cool.

00:10:19.170 –> 00:10:19.590 Joseph McElroy: and

00:10:20.850 –> 00:10:33.900 Joseph McElroy: Did you start did you have any interest in history and that sort of stuff when you were a kid in that area that’s things piqued your interest that you can look back and say that’s maybe more so my thought processes came from.

00:10:34.860 –> 00:10:35.970 Jason Brady: I did um.

00:10:37.200 –> 00:10:52.350 Jason Brady: I read a lot as a kid and gravitated towards history, but I always just saw it as an interesting thing is a hobby I never pictured some sort of career path.

00:10:53.610 –> 00:10:59.160 Joseph McElroy: I guess Oh, you know a lot of people don’t when they when you say exciting history people somebody’s gonna be a lawyer.

00:11:00.480 –> 00:11:00.900 Jason Brady: Right.

00:11:01.050 –> 00:11:07.290 Joseph McElroy: Right yeah it’s not necessarily the most obvious lawyer, Professor so.

00:11:08.580 –> 00:11:14.850 Joseph McElroy: So you went to Western Carolina University and you graduated in 1999.

00:11:16.230 –> 00:11:19.620 Joseph McElroy: With a degree in electronics electrical engineering.

00:11:22.260 –> 00:11:29.250 Joseph McElroy: And then you hit it off with a big city north of Raleigh, the capital of North Carolina how did you get into like to.

00:11:30.600 –> 00:11:32.190 Joseph McElroy: end an area, what did you do there.

00:11:33.090 –> 00:11:35.700 Jason Brady: Well, I don’t know, I was always I’m.

00:11:37.230 –> 00:11:43.500 Jason Brady: Always bit math and science, and that was the height of the tech boom, you know.

00:11:43.860 –> 00:11:44.340 Jason Brady: That was.

00:11:44.670 –> 00:11:54.360 Jason Brady: That was what people were doing, and the money was great and they were hiring people straight out of college for pretty obscene amounts of money.

00:11:55.830 –> 00:12:02.070 Joseph McElroy: raised a few million dollars right in 1999 and I raised a bunch of money at the coffee I know all Well back crazy.

00:12:04.230 –> 00:12:08.850 Jason Brady: It was wild yeah so I didn’t think I’d missed the mountains that much.

00:12:09.990 –> 00:12:16.650 Jason Brady: I just they just never crossed my mind, because I guess if you grow up in a place you just don’t really.

00:12:17.700 –> 00:12:23.040 Jason Brady: You don’t really truly appreciate it for what it is, but I did once I got down there.

00:12:23.760 –> 00:12:26.070 Joseph McElroy: And how long have you worked on it.

00:12:27.060 –> 00:12:28.080 Jason Brady: About a year and a half.

00:12:28.440 –> 00:12:32.070 Joseph McElroy: right and it really got me was like that’s enough for me.

00:12:32.940 –> 00:12:39.060 Jason Brady: yeah pretty much I like the work, the work was once I got to know what I was doing.

00:12:40.110 –> 00:12:43.080 Jason Brady: I enjoyed the word, but I just.

00:12:43.800 –> 00:12:45.780 Joseph McElroy: reprogramming are you doing.

00:12:46.590 –> 00:12:47.160 Jason Brady: I was doing.

00:12:47.940 –> 00:12:51.450 Jason Brady: I was doing fiber-optic communications, I was doing.

00:12:53.760 –> 00:13:01.410 Jason Brady: I was working for one of the major long-distance carriers and network providers in the country.

00:13:03.390 –> 00:13:06.900 Jason Brady: It was challenging and it was interesting but.

00:13:08.100 –> 00:13:13.200 Jason Brady: I really I miss my family and I missed this place an awful lot so.

00:13:15.270 –> 00:13:18.150 Joseph McElroy: An opportunity to have that opportunity.

00:13:19.170 –> 00:13:25.470 Jason Brady: Well um I got an opportunity to come back actually started working at Western again.

00:13:26.880 –> 00:13:31.800 Jason Brady: And I worked in the library when I was a student at Western.

00:13:33.120 –> 00:13:33.630 Jason Brady: and

00:13:34.680 –> 00:13:36.240 Jason Brady: Always miss the library to.

00:13:37.650 –> 00:13:40.650 Jason Brady: library it’s just a wonderful place to be so.

00:13:41.760 –> 00:13:43.500 Jason Brady: When I came back I worked.

00:13:45.420 –> 00:13:50.010 Jason Brady: I’ve worked for several departments in the library, but I spent quite a while and catalog.

00:13:51.840 –> 00:13:55.800 Jason Brady: But then the opportunity arose in special collections.

00:13:56.370 –> 00:14:02.070 Joseph McElroy: Oh, and of course that’s a lot of us digital so you have a pretty good familiarity with that.

00:14:02.910 –> 00:14:04.080 Jason Brady: Right exactly.

00:14:04.800 –> 00:14:10.260 Jason Brady: And I worked as I worked in special collections with George Brazil when I was a student.

00:14:10.590 –> 00:14:11.100 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:14:12.030 –> 00:14:13.530 Jason Brady: I was already in so.

00:14:14.040 –> 00:14:22.620 Joseph McElroy: cool so when we come back we’re going to break now we’ll talk more about the roles and His story and special questions like that.

00:16:39.210 –> 00:16:46.950 Joseph McElroy: It is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Jason Brady.

00:16:48.150 –> 00:16:57.510 Joseph McElroy: So Jason your Western Carolina has been the director of the special digital collections at WCU.

00:16:58.920 –> 00:17:01.740 Joseph McElroy: know I guess all your historian and activists.

00:17:02.880 –> 00:17:10.980 Joseph McElroy: But you know I want to there’s something that I wanted to get you to know as first, is that there’s a huge event that happens related to.

00:17:11.280 –> 00:17:22.560 Joseph McElroy: where you are every year, so one of the top 10 events in the southeast I think festivals, with the Western Carolina university mountain heritage day, are you involved in planning or playing an active role in that.

00:17:23.820 –> 00:17:42.300 Jason Brady: Not a whole lot um I have a lot of great memories of going to it when I was a kid and when we when they put that on we always have a large influx of folks come into special collections, who were interested in our region’s history.

00:17:43.680 –> 00:17:51.720 Joseph McElroy: That now you do you ever do any yeah exhibits there during the day or any kind of programs involving festival.

00:17:52.680 –> 00:17:54.270 Jason Brady: The library does sometimes.

00:17:55.530 –> 00:18:06.900 Jason Brady: We play a supporting role to the mountain heritage Center if they need photographs historic photographs or anything else we’re kind of behind the scenes are.

00:18:07.680 –> 00:18:10.020 Joseph McElroy: It really is an awesome festival isn’t it.

00:18:11.040 –> 00:18:12.090 Jason Brady: It really is.

00:18:13.320 –> 00:18:23.340 Jason Brady: That was one of those things that as a kid you just never missed mountain heritage day it was always something on the calendar.

00:18:24.060 –> 00:18:30.930 Joseph McElroy: And yeah last year was canceled, where it was bad no was it last year 40,000 computers over the years we’ve been encoded.

00:18:32.250 –> 00:18:36.960 Joseph McElroy: But it was back right after going after code restrictions, replacing it was incredible right.

00:18:37.440 –> 00:18:38.760 Jason Brady: yeah it sure was.

00:18:39.840 –> 00:18:47.070 Jason Brady: It was it’s it was good to see it come back yeah they had that they thought it was best to take a year off.

00:18:49.320 –> 00:18:51.690 Joseph McElroy: They do a virtual right.

00:18:52.530 –> 00:18:57.480 Jason Brady: I don’t think so um I don’t believe I don’t think there was.

00:18:58.800 –> 00:19:10.470 Joseph McElroy: So let’s get back to you all right, you mentioned George Brazil, who was like what was the director of, especially the WC Center for like 30 some years right.

00:19:11.190 –> 00:19:13.920 Jason Brady: yeah north of three decades yeah he was.

00:19:14.940 –> 00:19:18.330 Joseph McElroy: Historical icon another local boy you work with them.

00:19:18.390 –> 00:19:23.640 Jason Brady: Oh yeah uh yeah I was George’s assistant for about 10 years.

00:19:25.170 –> 00:19:34.830 Jason Brady: And George George is definitely he’s an accomplished historian, especially, especially for local history, he just.

00:19:35.880 –> 00:19:37.350 Jason Brady: he’s amazing.

00:19:37.920 –> 00:19:41.100 Joseph McElroy: Right and you work with when you were in school that right.

00:19:41.850 –> 00:19:45.660 Jason Brady: I did I worked, I worked with I worked for George when I was a student as well.

00:19:45.900 –> 00:19:49.140 Joseph McElroy: But inspired you from the get-go that’s why you came back probably.

00:19:49.980 –> 00:19:59.490 Jason Brady: it’s a big part of it he’s a good friend to and George George is just he’s so knowledgeable and he’s just so generous.

00:20:01.440 –> 00:20:03.660 Jason Brady: I learned I learned so much from George.

00:20:04.470 –> 00:20:10.200 Joseph McElroy: yeah that’s really cool to have a mentor like that to get to really start your career.

00:20:11.460 –> 00:20:15.780 Joseph McElroy: But after he retired you worked as an interim director for.

00:20:17.790 –> 00:20:34.440 Jason Brady: Well I’m actually we had a merger, especially in digital collections and librarian who ran the digital collections part became the library and especially digital collections and when she left, I became an interim head of special and digital collections.

00:20:35.040 –> 00:20:37.230 Joseph McElroy: cool and hopefully that will change to be.

00:20:40.440 –> 00:20:42.270 Joseph McElroy: yeah it’s a that I get.

00:20:43.590 –> 00:20:45.450 Jason Brady: She actually we hired we.

00:20:45.690 –> 00:20:46.710 Jason Brady: we’ve hired.

00:20:46.920 –> 00:20:47.580 Joseph McElroy: So, really.

00:20:47.820 –> 00:20:52.590 Jason Brady: I don’t have to do that stuff anymore I get to work with the materials now.

00:20:54.510 –> 00:20:54.960 Jason Brady: yeah.

00:20:55.200 –> 00:21:12.060 Joseph McElroy: yeah one of the things I worked at IBM right when I first started my career as a young guy and I loved program I love programming, but then they promoted me started promoting it up the chain I got to be cheaper where nothing was the chief program was just an administrator.

00:21:12.270 –> 00:21:14.010 Joseph McElroy: I cant he doesn’t Program.

00:21:14.520 –> 00:21:24.360 Joseph McElroy: I could not stand it I ended up quitting I could not stand was a big job and I could not stand it I just that is just literally drove me NUTS yeah yeah.

00:21:24.900 –> 00:21:27.630 Jason Brady: I’m with it that’s exactly how it is.

00:21:27.720 –> 00:21:31.440 Jason Brady: Either vastly prefer to interact with.

00:21:32.790 –> 00:21:39.990 Jason Brady: The donors and the users of our materials and the materials themselves.

00:21:40.020 –> 00:21:48.450 Joseph McElroy: yeah now anytime I’ve ever been got smart as close to being like, I have to be the administrator of doing this stuff is like that, not for me at.

00:21:49.380 –> 00:21:58.860 Joseph McElroy: The be a business owner is your you finally you get to be the top of thing choose what parts are doing so I do the parts of actually involved doing stuff.

00:22:01.890 –> 00:22:08.370 Joseph McElroy: So it’s a very special collection, that is a great honor actually it is perpetuating a bunch of George’s legs.

00:22:09.540 –> 00:22:11.910 Joseph McElroy: What are your earliest challenges with it.

00:22:13.440 –> 00:22:25.590 Jason Brady: Well, the first major challenge of losing George is losing George I mean the amount of information that he carries around with him is just staggering.

00:22:27.690 –> 00:22:29.580 Jason Brady: And really.

00:22:31.290 –> 00:22:42.570 Jason Brady: Keeping keeping contact with the organizations and individual people who are such good friends of special collections I’m.

00:22:44.550 –> 00:22:47.190 Jason Brady: Keeping a good personal relationship with these folks.

00:22:48.330 –> 00:22:50.550 Jason Brady: You know they know George so.

00:22:52.950 –> 00:22:54.600 Joseph McElroy: yeah they’re not George.

00:22:55.620 –> 00:22:56.850 Jason Brady: George exactly.

00:23:00.090 –> 00:23:07.350 Jason Brady: You know, we do our best, but that was a that’s one of those losses that you just don’t take easily.

00:23:07.740 –> 00:23:13.530 Joseph McElroy: yeah you can’t you can’t reproduce it yet that you have to build your own legacy in a different way.

00:23:13.890 –> 00:23:15.090 Jason Brady: Right exactly you.

00:23:15.090 –> 00:23:15.480 Joseph McElroy: have to.

00:23:15.570 –> 00:23:21.480 Jason Brady: You have to build those relationships with folks, and I mean it’s wonderful we’ve got great folks it’s.

00:23:22.890 –> 00:23:29.970 Jason Brady: But he was he like I said he was George’s very generous and he introduced me to all sorts of people.

00:23:31.380 –> 00:23:33.720 Jason Brady: In the years before his retirement oh.

00:23:34.440 –> 00:23:35.910 Joseph McElroy: Just so I could be helpful.

00:23:36.300 –> 00:23:39.150 Joseph McElroy: And you got to direct the appendix for one of those great books right.

00:23:40.080 –> 00:23:56.820 Jason Brady: yeah he and may Claxton did a book on Horace Kephart’s writings it was published by the University of Tennessee press and I got to write the appendix that describes HoraceKepharts library books that are in his library.

00:23:57.540 –> 00:24:00.330 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah you have any other writing credits that you like.

00:24:02.160 –> 00:24:09.780 Jason Brady: um no not really I write a bunch of finding aids like sure.

00:24:13.050 –> 00:24:22.620 Joseph McElroy: yeah well listen before it took me until I was in my 40s to actually do anything but technical writing, but then I got into poetry and other things I started.

00:24:23.100 –> 00:24:33.900 Joseph McElroy: doing some things and found I liked it like my credits before say 45 or you know the reasons why Q theory is working for blah blah blah.

00:24:36.600 –> 00:24:39.540 Joseph McElroy: But you know, the people in the world would find interesting.

00:24:41.670 –> 00:24:46.320 Joseph McElroy: So what is the typical day like for professional historical archivists.

00:24:46.980 –> 00:24:47.910 For this as well.

00:24:49.110 –> 00:25:06.810 Jason Brady: they’re there they very um I take in new collections are all I’ll be describing old collections I’ll be doing space management, working with donors and mostly helping people find answers to their questions.

00:25:08.610 –> 00:25:13.230 Joseph McElroy: Or if you’re sort of like analog Internet.

00:25:14.100 –> 00:25:18.300 Jason Brady: yeah pretty much it’s it kind of feels like that sometimes.

00:25:18.330 –> 00:25:18.840 Right.

00:25:19.920 –> 00:25:24.180 Joseph McElroy: And you just have to back yourself up a little digital information yeah.

00:25:24.210 –> 00:25:24.990 Jason Brady: yeah right.

00:25:25.680 –> 00:25:29.880 Joseph McElroy: Your digital memory bank, do you think it’s like one of the first chips that are provided.

00:25:31.080 –> 00:25:32.940 Joseph McElroy: An index of lots of information.

00:25:35.070 –> 00:25:50.760 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah so you know you we did a Kephart’s festival at the Meadowlark smoky mountain Heritage site and you really assist us with some displays and programs that were incredible I really appreciate it, thank you.

00:25:52.320 –> 00:26:03.030 Joseph McElroy: And you know, the question I would think you’re like what should count your department parallel universes special collections has to be world’s foremost Kephart culture right.

00:26:04.740 –> 00:26:08.730 Jason Brady: I would like to think so I can’t imagine that anybody could be better.

00:26:09.930 –> 00:26:10.440 Jason Brady: We have.

00:26:11.850 –> 00:26:15.210 Jason Brady: Enormous collection that haveKephart’s

00:26:17.040 –> 00:26:24.660 Jason Brady: Information his his his personal possessions, when he passed his library his journals photographs.

00:26:25.800 –> 00:26:29.340 Jason Brady: drive drafts of writing works and so forth.

00:26:30.540 –> 00:26:32.550 Jason Brady: it’s it’s a large collection and.

00:26:33.990 –> 00:26:45.330 Jason Brady: After that, we’ve received collections of family correspondence and all sorts of other things from Libby Kephart Hargrave he’s great-granddaughter.

00:26:45.540 –> 00:26:48.870 Joseph McElroy: Oh, oh wedding dress you bought that too.

00:26:48.900 –> 00:26:49.740 Jason Brady: Others right.

00:26:50.490 –> 00:26:52.170 Joseph McElroy: Yes, exactly yeah.

00:26:52.200 –> 00:27:03.780 Jason Brady: yeah so our Kephart’s collection is just fantastic and much of the collection is honored by our digital projects online.

00:27:04.920 –> 00:27:05.940 Joseph McElroy: Oh well, for those.

00:27:07.200 –> 00:27:20.250 Joseph McElroy: Listening Horrace Kephart don’t know already talked about it but or kat bar was one of the quote quote-unquote original founders or inspirations for the great smoky mountains National Park.

00:27:21.660 –> 00:27:32.070 Joseph McElroy: And he’s also quite an interesting character, with a really intense personal story that creates lots of.

00:27:33.510 –> 00:27:40.200 Joseph McElroy: claim, as well as lots of controversies so it’s nice to have a lot of information about him.

00:27:41.610 –> 00:27:51.720 Joseph McElroy: So we’re gonna take a break, when we come back we’ll talk about some of the other founders that she might have some you know some info in the collection of the smoky mountains.

00:27:56.520 –> 00:27:57.510 Jason Brady: Most of our.

00:29:58.920 –> 00:30:09.720 Joseph McElroy: This is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back to the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Jason Brady you have you know other founders of the.

00:30:10.290 –> 00:30:21.720 Joseph McElroy: Of the great smoky mountains artifacts and information there that special collections and WCU like George lots of Japanese photographer he’s an interesting guy right.

00:30:22.590 –> 00:30:24.900 Jason Brady: Oh yeah absolutely always.

00:30:25.410 –> 00:30:27.390 Joseph McElroy: And I think you’re pretty elaborate.

00:30:28.830 –> 00:30:31.050 Joseph McElroy: Collection about him right.

00:30:31.500 –> 00:30:35.910 Jason Brady: yeah it’s uh it’s also the things that were in his possession when he died.

00:30:36.330 –> 00:30:42.360 Joseph McElroy: Oh wow but you know what I really learned about you Kelly better photo archives.

00:30:43.980 –> 00:30:45.000 Joseph McElroy: Recently right.

00:30:45.720 –> 00:30:47.460 Jason Brady: Yes, very exciting.

00:30:48.540 –> 00:30:54.870 Jason Brady: it’s a large photo archive taken by the Bryson city pharmacist Kelly minute.

00:30:55.230 –> 00:30:58.890 Joseph McElroy: Can you tell us a little bit about him and was it contribution or.

00:30:59.460 –> 00:31:01.680 Jason Brady: Oh gosh we don’t have time.

00:31:02.040 –> 00:31:02.430 Oh.

00:31:05.580 –> 00:31:16.260 Jason Brady: He was a State Senator he was a state representative, he was mayor of Bryson city, he was the sole pharmacist, besides his father and his brother.

00:31:18.240 –> 00:31:24.660 Jason Brady: Besides his father opens the first pharmacy in the area in Bryson and city and.

00:31:27.210 –> 00:31:29.130 Jason Brady: Kelly was.

00:31:31.080 –> 00:31:42.930 Jason Brady: Is intensely involved in all sorts of civic things he was he was it everything is his photographs are any indication he took photographs of all sorts of things like.

00:31:44.700 –> 00:31:50.340 Jason Brady: athletic events scrap metal drives from World War Two.

00:31:51.480 –> 00:31:54.000 Jason Brady: He took thousands of photographs.

00:31:54.090 –> 00:31:58.020 Joseph McElroy: But it ended up being an amateur historian, etc.

00:31:59.070 –> 00:31:59.730 Jason Brady: yeah he was.

00:32:00.090 –> 00:32:02.700 Joseph McElroy: pencil with an intense documentation.

00:32:03.780 –> 00:32:08.220 Jason Brady: yeah and he really knew what he was doing to his photographs are just.

00:32:09.780 –> 00:32:11.220 Jason Brady: brilliantly executed.

00:32:12.660 –> 00:32:19.830 Joseph McElroy: wow you know bomb plot, you know Bob’s video is that he works with these that general manager of ours Meadowlark smoky mountain here is.

00:32:20.460 –> 00:32:34.500 Joseph McElroy: The new Mr. Bennett is a boy, and I visited roast or off of it, he bumps are the grapes and milkshakes and now you’ll never forget the side as Bennett he knows a sort of good marketing there right.

00:32:35.460 –> 00:32:38.520 Jason Brady: yeah It really is, and I doubt it’s wrong.

00:32:39.270 –> 00:32:41.760 Jason Brady: it’s he’s it’s serious.

00:32:43.620 –> 00:32:54.060 Joseph McElroy: So, so he said he took a lot of photographers lot of photographs and he did he took photographs of Horrace right you got some of his photos of Horrace Kephart.

00:32:54.300 –> 00:32:55.320 Jason Brady: Oh yeah.

00:32:56.100 –> 00:32:59.820 Jason Brady: It was amazing at the first just the first run-through.

00:33:01.050 –> 00:33:05.370 Jason Brady: There was were a dozen new photographs of Horrace Kephart that we hadn’t seen.

00:33:06.690 –> 00:33:07.050 Jason Brady: and

00:33:08.100 –> 00:33:20.280 Jason Brady: that’s uncommon I haven’t I’ve only seen one in my career I’ve only seen one previously unknown photo of Horrace Kephart of her and all sudden there’s 12 hours.

00:33:20.640 –> 00:33:22.230 Jason Brady: Day turns out there’s even more.

00:33:23.490 –> 00:33:31.050 Jason Brady: And we haven’t been through all of them, yet so yeah there are tons of new photos of Horrace Kephart in this.

00:33:31.770 –> 00:33:44.190 Joseph McElroy: And then there’s an interesting guy Bob wanted me to ask you about Jack Code Covert, who is a supposed train Boxer about Malfoy referred to him as the practice not What was it, what was the what was this story.

00:33:45.750 –> 00:33:52.380 Jason Brady: He is not from the area but came here when he was a young man and was a.

00:33:54.330 –> 00:34:11.520 Jason Brady: Timberman and land speculator and he was at during the 20s and early 30s he was probably the wealthiest man in the far western counties of North Carolina.

00:34:12.840 –> 00:34:22.290 Jason Brady: And just uh there are so many good stories about jack he and the thing about the stories are when you see photographs on.

00:34:23.340 –> 00:34:29.220 Jason Brady: The person that’s described in the stories or you can tell it’s it’s him.

00:34:30.360 –> 00:34:32.760 Jason Brady: He just comes across in the photos.

00:34:34.110 –> 00:34:37.830 Jason Brady: There, there are some pretty good photos of jack in the.

00:34:38.400 –> 00:34:39.810 Joseph McElroy: photos really matter.

00:34:41.760 –> 00:34:43.260 Jason Brady: Not not not too many.

00:34:44.190 –> 00:34:44.790 Jason Brady: Too many.

00:34:46.200 –> 00:34:47.520 Joseph McElroy: But enough to give a picture.

00:34:48.120 –> 00:34:50.430 Jason Brady: yeah enough to get a picture of jack.

00:34:51.720 –> 00:34:52.050 Jason Brady: The.

00:34:53.220 –> 00:35:01.830 Jason Brady: Always presence, the gar that’s just either dangling from his lips or his fingers and never let.

00:35:04.830 –> 00:35:05.460 Joseph McElroy: So how many.

00:35:06.480 –> 00:35:07.590 Joseph McElroy: How many photos are involved.

00:35:08.280 –> 00:35:10.050 Jason Brady: I don’t have an exact number but.

00:35:12.060 –> 00:35:17.280 Jason Brady: We haven’t done them all it’s it’s I think it’s probably somewhere between three and 4000.

00:35:17.850 –> 00:35:20.580 Joseph McElroy: wow and are you planning an exhibit soon.

00:35:22.110 –> 00:35:32.070 Jason Brady: we’re hoping to have a small exhibit up in our reading room in special collections now but we’re currently going through a swap.

00:35:33.270 –> 00:35:38.610 Jason Brady: Our online content management system is being updated we’re completely redoing it.

00:35:39.900 –> 00:35:51.990 Jason Brady: So we’re having to hold off on some new content on the website until that’s finished and once that’s finished yeah I think I think we’re going to do some.

00:35:53.550 –> 00:35:53.970 Joseph McElroy: don’t.

00:35:54.030 –> 00:35:56.520 Joseph McElroy: know you don’t have yet a big unveiling.

00:35:56.520 –> 00:35:57.270 Joseph McElroy: plan right.

00:35:58.170 –> 00:35:59.100 Jason Brady: No, not yet.

00:36:00.690 –> 00:36:03.090 Jason Brady: We don’t even have them all scanned yet so.

00:36:04.410 –> 00:36:15.840 Jason Brady: we’ve got the first couple thousand scanned and they’ve started going online, but it’s it’s so exciting to see these things it’s just their old but they’re new.

00:36:18.030 –> 00:36:22.980 Joseph McElroy: So you know photos are not only part of what to do, but you also have oral.

00:36:24.690 –> 00:36:38.460 Joseph McElroy: History as well that was really that you use our interviews conducted by the Western North Carolina tomorrow or have you to use black oral History project as part of 100 library special data collection.

00:36:41.100 –> 00:36:45.360 Joseph McElroy: What a fascinating glimpse and experience with African Americans Carolina

00:36:46.170 –> 00:36:48.960 Jason Brady: yeah it’s neat it’s a neat project.

00:36:50.130 –> 00:36:57.240 Jason Brady: Those interviews are they’re all online now and they are they’re really worth a list.

00:36:57.540 –> 00:36:58.920 Joseph McElroy: They they really are.

00:36:59.490 –> 00:37:00.690 Jason Brady: We also collect.

00:37:01.920 –> 00:37:03.690 Jason Brady: letters and.

00:37:05.340 –> 00:37:11.100 Jason Brady: ledger’s business records all sorts of historical materials about the area.

00:37:14.910 –> 00:37:17.280 Joseph McElroy: yeah I think it’s interesting that you discover.

00:37:18.690 –> 00:37:26.670 Joseph McElroy: You know, things that you discover and are able to find this was read this interesting story that you found.

00:37:27.780 –> 00:37:35.160 Joseph McElroy: There was a bunch of photos that appeared in the printed brochure called a remarkable for of the great smoky mountains by.

00:37:36.270 –> 00:37:44.910 Joseph McElroy: By brochure by PWL and published in the 20s and 30s, but you can see these photographs in masses collection.

00:37:45.150 –> 00:37:47.700 Joseph McElroy: So you try and do they really long to you.

00:37:49.110 –> 00:37:55.170 Jason Brady: Right yeah we didn’t know who had taken them and they were in masses.

00:37:56.250 –> 00:38:03.270 Jason Brady: possessions, when he died, and I was doing really it just mundane.

00:38:04.380 –> 00:38:17.700 Jason Brady: Improving inventory kind of work and discovered I I was flipping through this obscure pamphlet and recognize these photographs and.

00:38:19.620 –> 00:38:29.370 Jason Brady: just put a bunch of connections together real fast, but yeah barge Whittier Welles was a botanist at North Carolina State University and provided the photographs for this.

00:38:29.760 –> 00:38:39.690 Jason Brady: This brochure is a remarkable floor of the great smoky mountains and I don’t know how George Masa wound up with the originals but he did.

00:38:40.290 –> 00:38:42.630 Joseph McElroy: And how do you determine who took the.

00:38:44.070 –> 00:38:44.790 Joseph McElroy: figure that out.

00:38:45.360 –> 00:38:45.750 well.

00:38:47.970 –> 00:38:57.090 Jason Brady: First it was he’s credited in the brochure well is credited in the brochure, and then I just started looking at.

00:38:58.770 –> 00:38:59.490 Jason Brady: Other known.

00:39:00.990 –> 00:39:09.210 Jason Brady: works by wells on North Carolina state university’s website and there was no mistaking it was definitely wells.

00:39:11.550 –> 00:39:13.590 Jason Brady: But yeah that was.

00:39:14.610 –> 00:39:16.170 Jason Brady: That was exciting actually.

00:39:17.880 –> 00:39:24.090 Joseph McElroy: That would be exciting, I mean it’s like you know you discover a mystery, in a sense, right.

00:39:25.440 –> 00:39:31.770 Jason Brady: yeah we never knew exactly what these were and there was always lots of speculation, because.

00:39:32.310 –> 00:39:45.960 Jason Brady: They have primitive photoshop these photographs these original somebody has taken a very, very fine paintbrush and lighten the lights and dark and the darks with these photos and they’re beautiful they’re just there.

00:39:47.520 –> 00:39:53.880 Jason Brady: But, but they did that to up the contrast so that they would reproduce well in this brochure and.

00:39:56.490 –> 00:39:57.480 Jason Brady: We always just.

00:39:58.590 –> 00:40:04.650 Jason Brady: a lot of speculation wasn’t they were just art pieces, but it was just preeminent photoshop well.

00:40:04.920 –> 00:40:05.370 cool.

00:40:06.420 –> 00:40:14.940 Joseph McElroy: So are there any other projects you’re working on at the at the at the collections department, they got planned for the future, you can tell us about.

00:40:15.480 –> 00:40:20.280 Jason Brady: Well we’ve had a lot of great donations in the last couple of years.

00:40:21.390 –> 00:40:24.420 Jason Brady: We have been adding them to the digital collections.

00:40:25.530 –> 00:40:26.790 Jason Brady: as fast as we can.

00:40:28.170 –> 00:40:31.230 Jason Brady: And those collections.

00:40:32.790 –> 00:40:34.410 Jason Brady: Many of them are actually.

00:40:35.490 –> 00:40:37.110 Jason Brady: A lot of them are from swine county.

00:40:38.190 –> 00:40:45.330 Jason Brady: we’ve been working closely with the friends of the Bryson city cemetery to identify people in these photographs.

00:40:47.100 –> 00:40:47.550 Jason Brady: and

00:40:48.870 –> 00:40:58.980 Jason Brady: The photos that are coming for the digital collections that are that’s really exciting stuff the French fry photography and.

00:41:00.030 –> 00:41:05.010 Jason Brady: The IK Stern’s photography and of course Kelly Bennett.

00:41:08.040 –> 00:41:16.380 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah we’re uh yeah it’s been interesting for us and taking them in the motel and we have process of family transitioning things.

00:41:16.710 –> 00:41:22.110 Joseph McElroy: And we found lots of clothes from the 60s and 70s of roadside culture in the mountains, because you know we.

00:41:23.010 –> 00:41:29.190 Joseph McElroy: Meadowlark motels have been around for a long time and it’s really interesting going through all this ancient.

00:41:29.730 –> 00:41:38.010 Joseph McElroy: yeah things to see how life is a change that things are similar I think different what’s the out but what’s happened is a lot of information in there, you know we created to do.

00:41:38.430 –> 00:41:50.280 Joseph McElroy: roadside motel roadside we create a new site for the hotel based upon a picture of the original sign that we happen to find from the like the 60s in school.

00:41:52.380 –> 00:42:01.020 Joseph McElroy: yeah so if somebody wanted to donate something to Western Carolina university how do they go about doing it.

00:42:02.430 –> 00:42:04.710 Jason Brady: Well, they can contact us directly.

00:42:06.360 –> 00:42:08.160 Jason Brady: You can go to.

00:42:11.100 –> 00:42:21.900 Jason Brady: westerns website and follow the quick link to the library and then go to special in digital collections and there’s a sidebar on our website that.

00:42:22.950 –> 00:42:29.670 Jason Brady: says donating your collection and you can just visit that or you can contact me directly.

00:42:31.020 –> 00:42:37.770 Jason Brady: At my email address, which is Jay Brady that’s [email protected]

00:42:38.430 –> 00:42:46.140 Joseph McElroy: Is there any particular types of photos or collections or particular historical period you’re looking for an hour be excited to get.

00:42:47.190 –> 00:42:47.550 Jason Brady: i’m.

00:42:48.570 –> 00:43:08.760 Jason Brady: Not in particular we’re always open to any materials that pertained to regional history and that’s that’s not just Jackson county it’s or Western Carolina University is located, but it’s all the Western counties were very interested in the cultural and.

00:43:10.800 –> 00:43:16.350 Jason Brady: All the history of the region, so if you have letters.

00:43:17.460 –> 00:43:19.350 Jason Brady: or photographs or.

00:43:20.820 –> 00:43:27.000 Jason Brady: Business ledgers or anything pertaining to a place in this area we’re interested in.

00:43:27.540 –> 00:43:36.840 Joseph McElroy: cool well you know we’re gonna take a break now, when we come back we’ll talk about what’s current in this area that you like, and things you know things that you find exciting and interesting.

00:43:37.920 –> 00:43:38.430 Joseph McElroy: All right.

00:43:39.120 –> 00:43:39.480 Jason Brady: All right.

00:45:41.340 –> 00:45:56.640 Joseph McElroy: Audi this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Jason Brady hey Jason that that commercial right reporter about pet lovers of mine that you’re a dog lover what kind of dog do you got.

00:45:57.810 –> 00:46:00.750 Jason Brady: I have four Brittany’s.

00:46:01.380 –> 00:46:04.350 Joseph McElroy: And what you do anything with every just enjoy.

00:46:06.120 –> 00:46:11.070 Jason Brady: I basically just try to keep up with them and keep them from killing themselves.

00:46:13.980 –> 00:46:15.510 Joseph McElroy: You have any other hobbies like that.

00:46:16.890 –> 00:46:19.590 Jason Brady: No pretty much that that keeps me busy.

00:46:21.360 –> 00:46:26.100 Jason Brady: They like the same things I do so it’s a natural fit.

00:46:27.210 –> 00:46:29.250 Joseph McElroy: You go you take them hiking quite a bit.

00:46:30.240 –> 00:46:34.260 Jason Brady: yep every chance I get but not often enough to save them.

00:46:34.950 –> 00:46:39.750 Joseph McElroy: What are some of the favorite hiding places people take a dog with them to go.

00:46:40.890 –> 00:46:44.280 Jason Brady: Well, I don’t have any favorites to speak of.

00:46:45.300 –> 00:46:48.840 Jason Brady: I go all over Nana Halen national forest.

00:46:50.100 –> 00:46:50.520 Jason Brady: and

00:46:51.930 –> 00:47:08.610 Jason Brady: Really, if I was to recommend some places for folks you can just hit the parkway and most of the scenic overlooks the parking areas there are trail ads there’s no shortage there are all kinds of places to go.

00:47:09.060 –> 00:47:17.970 Joseph McElroy: So just getting a car and then go someplace on the parkway and go to go to seem to go blue there’ll be a trailhead there, and you just go yep.

00:47:18.000 –> 00:47:18.690 Jason Brady: pretty much.

00:47:18.840 –> 00:47:19.230 Joseph McElroy: Well it’s.

00:47:19.350 –> 00:47:21.480 Jason Brady: it’s very that’s the best.

00:47:21.930 –> 00:47:22.200 One of the.

00:47:23.280 –> 00:47:23.700 Jason Brady: Nice.

00:47:23.850 –> 00:47:25.530 Joseph McElroy: And, most of them are dog-friendly right.

00:47:27.660 –> 00:47:30.120 Jason Brady: Within with it right at the beginning.

00:47:31.860 –> 00:47:37.290 Jason Brady: If you’re within the bounds of the blue Ridge parkway you have to be leashed but otherwise yeah.

00:47:37.920 –> 00:47:45.000 Joseph McElroy: yeah cool about the great smoky national archives that have dogs in on the trails and hiking in there.

00:47:45.720 –> 00:47:46.830 Jason Brady: They have rules.

00:47:48.630 –> 00:47:49.080 Jason Brady: Careful.

00:47:49.830 –> 00:47:52.020 Joseph McElroy: You said that the rules.

00:47:53.880 –> 00:48:04.350 Jason Brady: You got to be careful about that you got some trails it’s okay to have dogs on a leash but that’s why I spend more time in the national forests.

00:48:05.010 –> 00:48:14.850 Joseph McElroy: Okay cool all right so visitors, be aware that look up the rules of the great smoky mountain National Park, which ones yeah.

00:48:16.500 –> 00:48:17.040 Joseph McElroy: Right.

00:48:17.310 –> 00:48:21.600 Joseph McElroy: yeah So do you do you live in Caney Fork now.

00:48:22.260 –> 00:48:27.960 Jason Brady: No, I don’t I got an opportunity to to buy a home from family members.

00:48:30.240 –> 00:48:32.190 Jason Brady: Close by in cali.

00:48:33.630 –> 00:48:46.620 Joseph McElroy: Cali right yeah so you can just like best Western Carolina university is Hillsborough still a manager that’s a real marquee name for people love it a really good experience.

00:48:47.460 –> 00:49:00.120 Joseph McElroy: yeah one of the things I’d like to talk to my guests about is an active area for somebody who’s visiting your area now what would you do for breakfast Where would you go afterward, with different lives let’s walk, would you be willing to walk through that.

00:49:00.840 –> 00:49:07.140 Jason Brady: Sure um well, one of the fixtures in silver for breakfast is a coffee shop.

00:49:09.270 –> 00:49:14.700 Joseph McElroy: coffee shop is great that sounds like a place i’ve got to go what’s your favorite food there.

00:49:16.080 –> 00:49:22.080 Jason Brady: they’ve got everything, basically, I mean it’s a classic diner kind of situation.

00:49:23.160 –> 00:49:23.760 Jason Brady: Whatever you want.

00:49:24.360 –> 00:49:24.960 Joseph McElroy: And what.

00:49:25.620 –> 00:49:27.870 Joseph McElroy: What do you do, what would you do after breakfast.

00:49:29.100 –> 00:49:30.540 Jason Brady: Oh well.

00:49:35.280 –> 00:49:40.470 Jason Brady: My standard answer is you set up the woods, but you know that’s what I always do.

00:49:40.980 –> 00:49:45.600 Joseph McElroy: Oh yes, what would you recommend the guests visit what’s The thing that should see in the morning.

00:49:46.800 –> 00:49:48.060 Jason Brady: Well um.

00:49:49.770 –> 00:49:53.100 Jason Brady: You definitely want to spend some time on the parkway.

00:49:54.690 –> 00:50:00.630 Jason Brady: that’s that’s you’re never going to run out of time up there that’s a wonderful place to go.

00:50:02.550 –> 00:50:03.120 Jason Brady: And then.

00:50:04.950 –> 00:50:05.400 Jason Brady: You know.

00:50:06.420 –> 00:50:11.790 Jason Brady: You can always make your way back down to civilization for lunch.

00:50:13.710 –> 00:50:16.440 Jason Brady: And I like South of Philly.

00:50:17.490 –> 00:50:22.050 Jason Brady: In the Jackson Plaza the in the Plaza and silver where.

00:50:23.640 –> 00:50:28.230 Jason Brady: The movie theater and ABC store or at.

00:50:29.760 –> 00:50:33.720 Jason Brady: South Phillies great place for lunch sandwiches.

00:50:35.310 –> 00:50:36.210 Joseph McElroy: philly cheesesteak.

00:50:36.870 –> 00:50:38.040 Jason Brady: yep they sure do.

00:50:38.460 –> 00:50:38.880 Jason Brady: A lot of.

00:50:40.530 –> 00:50:41.970 Joseph McElroy: belly was known for its effects.

00:50:44.040 –> 00:50:45.030 Jason Brady: it’s a good place.

00:50:47.610 –> 00:50:49.200 Jason Brady: And i’m.

00:50:50.940 –> 00:50:55.260 Jason Brady: Something later on, if you feel like something special.

00:50:56.970 –> 00:51:05.070 Jason Brady: The frogs leap in Waynesville is wonderful I haven’t gotten over there recently but.

00:51:06.930 –> 00:51:11.700 Jason Brady: All the times I’ve been there it’s just been very special, though.

00:51:12.510 –> 00:51:20.910 Joseph McElroy: And if you were someone somebody do something afternoon, what would you tell them you take that trade out of Hillsborough or what would you ever do.

00:51:21.060 –> 00:51:24.120 Jason Brady: Oh sure yeah that’s always a good thing to do.

00:51:25.140 –> 00:51:27.840 Jason Brady: And while you’re waiting, you can go to the innovation station.

00:51:28.320 –> 00:51:29.280 Jason Brady: yeah those were.

00:51:30.780 –> 00:51:31.410 Jason Brady: Which is.

00:51:33.930 –> 00:51:38.100 Jason Brady: Innovation let’s face it, this is the best brewery in western North Carolina.

00:51:41.460 –> 00:51:43.980 Joseph McElroy: boogeyman bear water by good disagree with you.

00:51:45.120 –> 00:51:45.900 Jason Brady: There free to.

00:51:46.110 –> 00:51:46.830 yeah.

00:51:48.120 –> 00:51:59.520 Jason Brady: Now innovations they’re great they’ve got three locations they’ve got the one in Hillsborough the innovation station there’s one on Main Street and Silva and there’s also wanted Western.

00:52:00.870 –> 00:52:05.760 Jason Brady: They have a smaller location in noble hall

00:52:06.270 –> 00:52:10.170 Joseph McElroy: that’s pretty cool then that evening what’s the best place to get some anything.

00:52:12.660 –> 00:52:15.270 Jason Brady: I’m probably not the best to ask for that.

00:52:17.130 –> 00:52:18.240 Joseph McElroy: What are you heard.

00:52:18.660 –> 00:52:20.520 Jason Brady: I don’t get out much but I’m

00:52:21.990 –> 00:52:23.790 Jason Brady: Actually, a Asheville.

00:52:24.930 –> 00:52:26.100 Joseph McElroy: Oh gosh was always.

00:52:26.160 –> 00:52:27.270 Joseph McElroy: A good place to go for that.

00:52:27.480 –> 00:52:28.080 stuff.

00:52:29.700 –> 00:52:33.870 Jason Brady: But I’m sure there are some venues around here.

00:52:35.970 –> 00:52:36.510 Jason Brady: I just.

00:52:37.650 –> 00:52:39.090 Jason Brady: I’m a homebody in the evening.

00:52:39.600 –> 00:52:42.390 Joseph McElroy: Well I’ll recommend the speakeasy at the Meadowlark Motel.

00:52:44.160 –> 00:52:44.880 Jason Brady: There you go.

00:52:45.150 –> 00:52:47.160 Jason Brady: There you go right to check that out yeah.

00:52:47.580 –> 00:52:58.020 Joseph McElroy: underground speakeasy so cool so I appreciate you being the guest, is there any other shoutouts and want to give any kind of Facebook social media want to mention or.

00:52:59.820 –> 00:53:02.610 Joseph McElroy: Anything that you want to promote that last minute it’s happening.

00:53:04.140 –> 00:53:05.550 Jason Brady: i’m just just.

00:53:07.080 –> 00:53:09.900 Jason Brady: appreciation for for Western and.

00:53:11.940 –> 00:53:14.910 Jason Brady: enabling us to do what we do, oh.

00:53:15.480 –> 00:53:21.180 Joseph McElroy: Well, I appreciate it it’s been good it’s been a good, very good time talking with you.

00:53:21.900 –> 00:53:39.420 Joseph McElroy: know this podcast is part of the talk NYC radio network and then every week, they have multiple daily live talks shows about different aspects of culture and media and business and life.

00:53:40.290 –> 00:53:55.650 Joseph McElroy: Right after this one is usually a pretty good podcast about, and you know, being in New York and things to do in New York, so I recommend you stick around and listen to the show afterward it’s a great thing and listen to other shows on this network.

00:53:57.750 –> 00:54:02.820 Joseph McElroy: I want to mention that Meadowlark motel is going on a weekday getaway special.

00:54:03.810 –> 00:54:12.300 Joseph McElroy: Which is visit Maggie Valley in the heart of the great smoky for three nights getaway arriving on Sunday or Monday and you’ll get one night three.

00:54:12.870 –> 00:54:22.440 Joseph McElroy: it’s a great opportunity to really explore the mountains winter is actually a special time when you walk through the hiking trails.

00:54:23.040 –> 00:54:29.820 Joseph McElroy: You can get better views because there are no liens and your way you get some spectacular views of the mountains.

00:54:30.180 –> 00:54:41.310 Joseph McElroy: And now’s a really good time for its sort of a quiet time right now, so you can get trails and it’s very quiet and you can really have a sort of exam experience smoking’s at this time of year I love it.

00:54:42.480 –> 00:54:52.020 Joseph McElroy: So come on a visit us to do that, you find out more about this podcast that gateway to the smokies. fun, we have a newsletter you can subscribe to there.

00:54:52.500 –> 00:55:09.090 Joseph McElroy: And also it’s all the previous podcasts and alignment and the videos that we did we also have a Facebook page facebook.com/gatewaytothesmokiespodcast, where we will this, is broadcast live every Tuesday from six to seven.

00:55:10.530 –> 00:55:21.750 Joseph McElroy: So you know, be sure to visit that we’re going to have probably one more live podcast this month and its reruns and then come back at the end of January, the whole new.

00:55:22.470 –> 00:55:30.960 Joseph McElroy: a whole new program of podcasts We look forward to having you here so again Tuesday’s six or seven I’ll see you next week.

00:55:32.040 –> 00:55:35.610 Joseph McElroy: appreciate your listening to us ciao.

In this episode, our host Joseph Franklyn McElroy interviews Pam Meister, Director of the Mountain Heritage Center at Western Carolina University, she has an impressive resume working with elite museums and historical organizations such as the Atlanta History Center, the Charlotte Museum of History, and the Upcountry History Museum in high-level management positions, as well as a long career at WCU in various leadership roles.

Pam is well known for her work with one of the most popular and largest Heritage festivals in the Southeast, Mountain Heritage Day, held annually in late September at WCU.

In this episode, Joseph and Pam will discuss the many fascinating stories of the Western North Carolina Heritage Center.

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.

Segment 1

Joseph opens up with the usual show intro and after the sponsored message, introduces the guest, Pam Meister. They get into the origin of Mountain Heritage Day before Joseph starts off the interview by asking Pam if she got into her dream of being in theater. She talks about how she got to see rehearsals, behind the scenes, and her first Broadway musical then talks about how instead of wanting to be a performer, she always wanted to be a producer of sorts. She loved the idea of costume designing, art directing, and stage managing more than the thought of dancing and acting on stage. Joseph asks what Pam’s career was looking like right out of college, and she depicts her first year out of college working as the navy merchandise manager and a helper on Saturday Night Live.

Segment 2

The show comes back to Pam’s museum career and how she got into it. Pam describes her desire to expand her career from running the stage to running the entire theater, so she got in contact with the University of Georgia to learn how to run theaters. Pam got an offer to manage an outdoor festival and this got her connected to multiple museums. She quit her job at a dance company and then got an offer to work in a museum and ended up becoming the executive director of that museum. Pam then describes what it takes to work at a museum, the passion to teach and celebrate history, and the want to preserve culture were the main parts in her opinion. Pam gets another offer to open a museum, and she talks about trying to learn the technology that came with it in a quick time before it opened.

Segment 3

After the break, Pam’s job at the Western North Carolina Heritage Center is brought up, and she describes getting a phone call from the director at the time who offered her a job to teach kids and create programs. She accepted and worked in this position before becoming the director. Joseph exclaims that he is impressed with the cultural diversity Mountain Heritage Day possesses. Pam describes how the festival wanted to educate African Americans, Cherokee, and other cultures of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. The goal of the Heritage center is to build bridges and celebrate local cultures.

Segment 4

After the final break, they get into some of Pam’s upcoming projects involving new programs and exhibits and digitizing over a thousand photographs of a famous photographer. They finish off the episode with the future of the heritage center, what to expect from it, and where to find it.

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00:03:15.300 –> 00:03:18.330 Joseph McElroy: howdy thanks for joining us this week episode

00:03:18.360 –> 00:03:26.850 Joseph McElroy: of the gateway to the smokies this podcast about America’s most visited National Park.

00:03:27.180 –> 00:03:39.330 Joseph McElroy: The great smoky mountains national park and surrounding towns, this area is filled with ancient natural beauty and deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with the weekly episode.

00:03:39.810 –> 00:03:57.570 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy a man of the world, but also a deep roots in these mountains my family is living the great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture. today’s podcast is about Western Carolina University’s mountain heritage Center.

00:03:58.650 –> 00:04:01.140 Joseph McElroy: But first let’s talk about our sponsors.

00:04:02.280 –> 00:04:12.960 Joseph McElroy: So imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past, yet modern and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian feel a place for adventure and for relaxation.

00:04:13.530 –> 00:04:22.800 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catches on fire and needs to be accompanied by fine wine or craft beers.

00:04:23.220 –> 00:04:40.110 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place of the old-time music and world cultural sounds imagine a place with the amenities of an old country and there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure start with where you stay.

00:04:41.820 –> 00:04:48.360 Joseph McElroy: smokiesadventures.com plural on the smokies singular on the adventure.

00:04:48.840 –> 00:04:57.030 Joseph McElroy: Information and listings about the smokies you have hiking and wedding venues books trail maps and resources.

00:04:57.480 –> 00:05:08.040 Joseph McElroy: And guides for hiking in the mountains, the emphasis of the smokies adventurous outdoor recreation outdoor life events and adventures long providing information on lodging.

00:05:08.310 –> 00:05:15.900 Joseph McElroy: Family entertainment events conventions honeymoons in more it’s going to become the leading information portal of the smoky mountains.

00:05:18.300 –> 00:05:26.910 Joseph McElroy: a couple of several upcoming events for the Meadowlark motel that you might be wanting to be aware of is we’re gonna have an Appalachian thanksgiving meal on

00:05:28.350 –> 00:05:38.520 Joseph McElroy: thanksgiving featuring traditional American fare but also having things like game meat Chilean butternut squash stuffed with vegetarian entrees.

00:05:39.840 –> 00:05:55.140 Joseph McElroy: You know coconut cream pie banana pudding you know elderberry cranberry sauce all sorts of good stuff we’re also going to have a campfire Christmas before Christmas on December 18 and then coming up on January 25.

00:05:55.800 –> 00:06:13.050 Joseph McElroy: Week-long celebration leading to a dinner on January 25 celebrating the Scottish poet Robert Burns and the traditional Robert Burns celebration, which is the event of a revolving rocket is if I can say so myself and not to be missed.

00:06:14.580 –> 00:06:15.270 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:06:19.800 –> 00:06:30.390 Joseph McElroy: our guest today is Pam Meister all right, who is the director of the Western Carolina mountain heritage Center in

00:06:30.870 –> 00:06:36.120 Joseph McElroy: Western Carolina University Kellaway North Carolina she is has a long history as a

00:06:36.870 –> 00:06:56.130 Joseph McElroy: As the top of organizations have multiple museums and colleges in the southeast she’s also one of the co-founders of the mountain heritage day which usually ends of the last week of September, which is one of the southeast top premier music and heritage events Hello Pam.

00:06:57.390 –> 00:06:58.050 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: I Joseph.

00:06:58.800 –> 00:07:04.230 Joseph McElroy: How are you doing, how did I do in that biocide somehow they erased the bio here, so I had to do it from memory.

00:07:05.310 –> 00:07:17.280 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: walks not bad, except that I was not the Co-founder of mountain heritage day actually started in 1974 with the inauguration.

00:07:18.030 –> 00:07:29.100 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: The new Chancellor, Harold cottoned Robinson, who was a proud native of a bandana North Carolina and decided that he didn’t just want a pokey old.

00:07:29.850 –> 00:07:41.430 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Academic procession to celebrate his inauguration as Chancellor he wanted a good old fashioned how down with Barbecue and square dancing and music.

00:07:43.470 –> 00:07:44.850 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: They decided to do it.

00:07:44.970 –> 00:07:50.220 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Ever after and the only year they ever missed since then was 2020.

00:07:50.790 –> 00:07:51.900 Joseph McElroy: Oh wow well.

00:07:53.790 –> 00:07:55.350 Joseph McElroy: 2020 whatever happened.

00:07:55.440 –> 00:07:59.250 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: yeah really, really, but yeah so I can’t claim to flight to.

00:08:00.870 –> 00:08:05.250 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: founding that one but boy I have really enjoyed working on it for the.

00:08:06.060 –> 00:08:09.270 Joseph McElroy: I just know I just claimed it for you so.

00:08:10.560 –> 00:08:13.110 Joseph McElroy: The part where you deny it, and then you can own it forever all right.

00:08:13.290 –> 00:08:13.740 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: All right.

00:08:15.990 –> 00:08:23.820 Joseph McElroy: So you grew up in Louisiana and then went to the College at the University of new New Orleans for you got a BA in theater.

00:08:24.300 –> 00:08:35.700 Joseph McElroy: And then undergraduate school at the University of Georgia, where you got an MFA in arts management, so let me add, I know you’re a museum professional but did you ever get to pursue your interest in theater.

00:08:36.300 –> 00:08:45.030 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Oh yeah absolutely I actually got serious about theatre, when I was 15 years old, and in New Orleans there was.

00:08:45.660 –> 00:08:56.130 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: a really good regional repertory theater you know, there was a set of regional theaters that were founded in the mid-70s and so.

00:08:57.030 –> 00:09:01.200 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: They had a teenage volunteer program and I was involved with that.

00:09:01.590 –> 00:09:10.710 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And we did you know any kind of work they threw at us and, in return, they, let us in on rehearsals and things like that, and so.

00:09:10.950 –> 00:09:21.150 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: got to see the workings of a fully professional theatre from behind the scenes very early and you know it was strange I was inspired with theater.

00:09:21.570 –> 00:09:34.710 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: I remember vividly going to see my first broadway roadshow in New Orleans which was Man of La Mancha and oh man, you know the saying the impossible dream, and it was Jose Farrar.

00:09:34.740 –> 00:09:35.430 In that role.

00:09:36.840 –> 00:09:37.620 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: is like.

00:09:39.960 –> 00:09:52.560 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: You know I never really wanted to be up there on that stage singing my impulse was this theater stuff is really important, I want to make it happen, I think it was a born producer.

00:09:52.770 –> 00:10:11.070 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: So never you know was much you know, a performer and my career aspirations, when I was at university of Georgia, were to work as a stage manager and a theatrical designer and costumer and I really did that and.

00:10:11.790 –> 00:10:23.220 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: No both did pay jobs, actually, you know, one of the ways I made money when I was in college was working in the costume shop so I’m pretty good seamstress to this day, I must say.

00:10:24.450 –> 00:10:35.250 Joseph McElroy: We know I can I mean I started out doing some theater in Durham North Carolina and ended up doing some on the stage in Philly and I even got to do some performances in New York City way.

00:10:35.730 –> 00:10:44.010 Joseph McElroy: Today, well, I never was anything my claim to fame is I got to do performance and CBD bees and the kitchen sort of performance art sort of stuff but they’re pretty.

00:10:44.190 –> 00:10:46.350 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Well that’s that sounds like lots of fun.

00:10:46.980 –> 00:10:55.680 Joseph McElroy: But you know, the biggest thing that I know is that a good stage manager is indispensable for production right it’s like.

00:10:56.820 –> 00:11:02.100 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: That organizational skills and that kind of make people do what you need them to do.

00:11:03.180 –> 00:11:08.670 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: really well in a lot of facets of the performing arts and also in the museum so since he’s

00:11:11.100 –> 00:11:16.950 Joseph McElroy: Be in business to if you don’t have that one person that coordinates all the traffic you just.

00:11:17.850 –> 00:11:23.160 Joseph McElroy: you’re just going nowhere, so what was your big first job out of college.

00:11:23.400 –> 00:11:23.730 hey.

00:11:25.050 –> 00:11:36.240 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: This is pretty funny I went to work for New Orleans has a pretty are did at the time, a pretty big military presence, I went to work for.

00:11:36.960 –> 00:11:46.950 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: The naval air station as their visual merchandising manager and again the design skills there, so I was in charge of.

00:11:47.580 –> 00:12:03.750 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Their post exchange all of their store decor and display, and there was a small print shop and I had an employee that I supervised, and so we did all of the store decoration and display and.

00:12:04.200 –> 00:12:14.910 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: We also did special events for the stores like Santa Claus and the Easter parade and stuff like that, so it was a pretty cool job and.

00:12:15.810 –> 00:12:30.270 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: A nice thing about it, too, is that they sent me to the Brooklyn navy yard to learn for like a week and a half course in the window display and you know.

00:12:30.270 –> 00:12:47.820 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Managing patient and all that kind of stuff and what happened with that were I also you know, this is what you do when you’re 21 years old right yeah so I have a day job I have an evening job where I’m moonlighting at a local dinner theater and remember this is like 1977.

00:12:48.000 –> 00:12:49.980 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: The inner theater’s work and.

00:12:51.030 –> 00:12:51.930 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And so i’m.

00:12:53.100 –> 00:13:06.630 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: The wardrobe person at the dinner theater the grapevine I hear that this you know kind of upstart TV show has decided to come to New Orleans during mardi gras.

00:13:07.470 –> 00:13:15.900 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: To do their first television special and they were looking for local crew members well that upstart TV show was Saturday night live.

00:13:17.490 –> 00:13:35.880 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: season and so it’s Mardi grass and here comes chevy chase and John Belushi and Lorraine Newman, the whole Radner and you know they’re like you know typical TV movie people the world’s going to stop for them will in New Orleans mardi gras don’t stop for anybody.

00:13:36.120 –> 00:13:44.130 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: know so they turn out for the local P, and I was hired you know to be a crew member, so I took vacation time.

00:13:44.430 –> 00:13:53.220 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: From my day job, and you know when to work for Saturday night live in my biggest attraction was being a native daughter.

00:13:53.430 –> 00:14:04.800 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: I knew my way around the French Quarter, and of course, they block off the streets, where the mardi gras parades and they couldn’t get their equipment through and stuff and I could also take them to the nearest bar, which is very important to that group.

00:14:05.010 –> 00:14:05.940 Joseph McElroy: Oh, very important.

00:14:06.990 –> 00:14:10.320 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Anyway, we had a great time I loved.

00:14:10.410 –> 00:14:22.470 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Working with Saturday night live, and you know got be kind of chummy with them and they said well you know what’s next for you and I said Well, this is exciting I’m going to the Brooklyn navy yard to learn how to dress mannequins.

00:14:22.740 –> 00:14:26.400 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And they said hey we’ll give you tickets to our next show in New York.

00:14:28.440 –> 00:14:37.260 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: to New York, I had tickets to the Saturday night live show, and I remember the kinks were the band that played.

00:14:37.290 –> 00:14:38.850 Joseph McElroy: For that oh my God you got a great.

00:14:39.630 –> 00:14:44.070 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And so that was my best first year out of work experience.

00:14:44.100 –> 00:14:46.830 Joseph McElroy: that’s an incredible first year.

00:14:46.830 –> 00:14:57.480 Joseph McElroy: Experience everybody dreams, to have that kind of experience, you know SNL for this day is you know even from then on to this day it’s like one of the most impossible tickets to get right so.

00:14:58.140 –> 00:15:14.100 Joseph McElroy: yeah so that’s amazing and my wife got to play on Saturday night live and I had an impossible job to get tickets there, but I somehow managed to do it within a week’s notice, but it was like I had to pull in every favor string I got my life.

00:15:15.510 –> 00:15:17.340 Joseph McElroy: yeah side things in blood.

00:15:18.540 –> 00:15:28.290 Joseph McElroy: To get some tickets onto their so, but so you know we’re going to take a break right now right, and when we get into your museum professional.

00:15:29.550 –> 00:15:31.110 Joseph McElroy: Alright sounds good.

00:15:31.470 –> 00:15:32.130 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: sounds great.

00:17:48.210 –> 00:18:04.410 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest Pam Meister so Pam when did you after SNL and after the Brooklyn navy yard when did you end up getting into the museum professional career.

00:18:05.220 –> 00:18:22.650 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Well, it was a while later after that year and in New Orleans, I decided, I was going to blow pokey all New Orleans and go to Hollywood so I went there for a year and worked, but I really missed the south, and so, when did my way back and.

00:18:23.400 –> 00:18:32.040 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: ended up reconnecting with my mentors from University of New Orleans who had moved on to the University of Georgia, because by that time.

00:18:32.280 –> 00:18:40.920 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Working out in Los Angeles, and it was strange, you know movie capital of the world, I worked in live theater the entire year I was there and.

00:18:41.520 –> 00:18:51.870 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: When I was doing that you know, looking around at the theater I was working in and going, you know I’d really like to run this theater I bet I could run this theater and not just the stage.

00:18:53.190 –> 00:19:05.220 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: wonder how I could do that maybe there’s a college program that would teach me to do that, so I was checking out colleges and you know talking to them about, but you know this was the dark ages and there were very few.

00:19:06.210 –> 00:19:09.630 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: You know theater management program arts management programs.

00:19:10.260 –> 00:19:24.780 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: So I was back in New Orleans and like said reconnecting with my mentors who had moved on to Georgia and they said, well, what are you up to you, and I said I’m trying to find a college program where I could learn to run theaters and they said to pay on guessing what we want.

00:19:25.470 –> 00:19:36.690 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: A program like that here at the University of Georgia and basically we need a guinea pig how’d you like to come on you can be a graduate assistant, and you know will pay for your education.

00:19:37.020 –> 00:19:37.980 Joseph McElroy: And suck.

00:19:39.210 –> 00:19:39.660 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: A lot.

00:19:42.420 –> 00:19:50.220 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: So I went to the University of New Orleans and did that MFA which included.

00:19:50.940 –> 00:19:51.540 Joseph McElroy: George right.

00:19:51.630 –> 00:20:03.090 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: internship at the alliance theatre in Atlanta, and you know got to use my stage management skills and things like that, basically, worked all over the place.

00:20:04.350 –> 00:20:19.140 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And when he graduated I had amongst the things I’ve done at the University of Georgia was taken a tutorial about grants writing and wrote a grant to the National Endowment for the arts basically as practice.

00:20:19.770 –> 00:20:31.530 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: For they had at that point in time an arts management fellowship program and I was finishing up my graduate career in Italy because I had a studies abroad program.

00:20:31.890 –> 00:20:41.850 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And they wanted theatre components, and so I was able to stage manager for an Italian theatre company and Cortana Italy.

00:20:43.350 –> 00:20:51.420 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: back from that and boom, there was a letter from the National Endowment for the arts saying we tried to get hold of you, but we were told you in Europe.

00:20:52.350 –> 00:21:05.280 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: You want to fellowship and so, once again, you know Pam goes yeah I would love to do that, so, then I went to Washington DC and spent the year with the National Endowment for the arts, which was really neat.

00:21:06.750 –> 00:21:07.230 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: and

00:21:08.520 –> 00:21:24.840 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: How that year for the first time are near North Carolina Senator Jesse Helms was attempting to abolish National Endowment for the arts, so I thought you know, maybe it’s time to move on and get a job let’s see what we can do.

00:21:26.040 –> 00:21:48.630 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: ended up back in Atlanta through connections I’ve made with the alliance managing a modern dance company the Carl Ratcliffe dance theater so I did that from 1981 to 1985 and managing modern dance company in Atlanta which back in the early 80s was still pretty conservative place.

00:21:49.890 –> 00:22:04.500 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: A kind of a burnout job, and so, when my old buddies at the University of Georgia called and said guess what Pam we’re going down to Jekyll island GA to run an outdoor musical comedy festival how’d you like to come over.

00:22:06.270 –> 00:22:16.830 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Here, once again, you know that can you, is there a thread in this, I am always the one people offer me these crazy propositions and I always say yes.

00:22:18.750 –> 00:22:19.080 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: So.

00:22:19.350 –> 00:22:20.640 Joseph McElroy: you’re very good at improv.

00:22:20.910 –> 00:22:21.360 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: let’s go.

00:22:23.910 –> 00:22:38.820 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: and run and run and outdoor company and It so happened that the theater you know Jekyll island has a national historic landmark district, it was owned by a group of ultra-rich people.

00:22:39.720 –> 00:22:46.680 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: You know, William Rockefeller Joseph Pulitzer JP Morgan people like that, with these little cottages there.

00:22:47.460 –> 00:22:57.570 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And so the actors, for the company or house in one of the historic buildings, and so one of the things I was in charge of.

00:22:57.960 –> 00:23:09.060 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Keeping this historic building pristine and not letting the actors mess it up, and so I became had a closing cordial relationship with the museum director there.

00:23:09.420 –> 00:23:18.180 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Who introduced me to a neighboring museum director who had a museum in way cross Georgia, which is like.

00:23:18.600 –> 00:23:22.530 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Not quite an hour’s drive inland from the coast there.

00:23:22.860 –> 00:23:32.370 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And at the end of the summer, because I had quit my job with the dance theater to take this and was just you know kind of in denial about oh God, I need to get my resume out what am I going to do.

00:23:32.730 –> 00:23:40.860 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And so we’ll Martin the way cross museum director said hey why don’t you come work for me and I said bill.

00:23:41.520 –> 00:23:51.240 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: I love museums, but you know I’m a performing arts person I know anything about museums, he said, you have an MFA in arts management it’s those skills that.

00:23:51.990 –> 00:24:09.870 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: I need and also your personality, I think the last person he worked with he didn’t get along too well, he said, I know you I know we can work together harmoniously come to a cross you’ve never lived in a really small town or worked in a museum, this will be fun guess what Pam said.

00:24:10.710 –> 00:24:12.300 Joseph McElroy: Yes, yes, yes.

00:24:14.130 –> 00:24:26.550 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And I know kind of pre looking at your questions that you were asking about the culture shock that I didn’t have any culture shock about coming to the mountains because I had come to the mountain so lie.

00:24:26.850 –> 00:24:30.180 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: But real culture shock in way cross Georgia.

00:24:31.440 –> 00:24:36.840 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: yeah yeah I mean that’s the kind of place where if they’re polite to you, they say.

00:24:37.950 –> 00:24:45.240 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And what is your church home and polite to you, they say, do you call Jesus Christ your savior.

00:24:47.850 –> 00:24:48.300 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Just like.

00:24:50.010 –> 00:24:54.240 Joseph McElroy: Very culture, I grew up sort of in that environment, I come from America is very small.

00:24:54.270 –> 00:24:55.470 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Town and air yeah.

00:24:55.680 –> 00:24:58.620 Joseph McElroy: I understand, but then so now you’re in the museum world.

00:25:00.600 –> 00:25:01.170 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: world.

00:25:01.200 –> 00:25:09.120 Joseph McElroy: And you go through a few places right and you ended up Executive Director of the South Carolina a country museum.

00:25:09.720 –> 00:25:14.820 Joseph McElroy: And you know what I found you co-created a presentation at this South Carolina federation and museums called.

00:25:15.120 –> 00:25:26.550 Joseph McElroy: leadership and museums directors words of wisdom it and the brief was to write a brief was the role of museum directors change as quickly as the prerequisites for the job.

00:25:26.970 –> 00:25:38.370 Joseph McElroy: So what What did you talk about that, and how is it different now, what is the what, what are the challenges you faced and skills and training that are that have served you well over the years.

00:25:39.120 –> 00:25:40.710 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Well, you know.

00:25:42.270 –> 00:25:45.900 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: the world has, as you know, profoundly changed.

00:25:45.990 –> 00:25:47.070 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: The past.

00:25:47.130 –> 00:26:02.130 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: few years I mean it is a whole new ballpark right now, but when you get right down to it, you know, particularly I think people who work in museums and all people, not just directors, but.

00:26:02.460 –> 00:26:14.580 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: I am firmly convinced that everybody who really resonates with museums and is happy working in them is a lifelong learner you have to go oh Goody I’m going to learn something new today.

00:26:15.660 –> 00:26:29.820 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: I think everyone who works in a museum has to really believe in the museum’s mission which is usually some variation of.

00:26:30.810 –> 00:26:37.470 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: We want to preserve history and culture, we want to connect with our Community.

00:26:37.740 –> 00:26:49.350 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: We want to enrich and serve our community, and we want to educate, I think you know that’s all of that kind of thing we’re all just big old do-gooder do-gooders at heart.

00:26:49.770 –> 00:27:01.020 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And we’re fascinated with learning new things, and we want other people to be fascinated along with us now when you get to the museum director set of skills.

00:27:01.920 –> 00:27:16.500 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: You know you really there are some museum directors, maybe, who are not people persons, but mostly you have to be a connector you have to be a leader, you have to be a negotiator.

00:27:18.210 –> 00:27:20.130 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And you have to have a lot of energy.

00:27:22.830 –> 00:27:29.220 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know when you were also at the I think that I think there were a lot of things you are pre-staging in your time at the.

00:27:29.490 –> 00:27:36.120 Joseph McElroy: That museum, because you had some other quotes I thought I thought they were all interesting you were quoted online talking about.

00:27:36.780 –> 00:27:45.210 Joseph McElroy: South Carolina country show saying we want to show how engaging and entertaining and also thought-provoking a museum can be.

00:27:45.840 –> 00:27:54.150 Joseph McElroy: So I mean I think that’s a little different the or that early on, you know, going from showing knowledge to actually thinking about in terms of.

00:27:54.900 –> 00:28:08.040 Joseph McElroy: Engagement entertains and maybe in some cases if God exists that accessing this day that the spectacle, but whatever it’s were you making that and whether and how does that subsequently become more a part of your career.

00:28:08.520 –> 00:28:09.420 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Well i’m.

00:28:10.620 –> 00:28:27.930 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: A little background about the upcountry history museum, I came to that museum five months before the museum was scheduled to open the building had been built for five years and then the people who were planning ahead sticker shock about what.

00:28:28.110 –> 00:28:42.630 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Professional design museum exhibits cost and it took them several years to get the money to put together a set of exhibits which they did in conjunction with historians, but not any practicing.

00:28:42.930 –> 00:28:57.420 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: museum professionals and so they’re getting close to opening and they kind of realized Oh, we need somebody to like hire staff and tell us how to operate this thing and.

00:28:58.200 –> 00:29:12.120 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: You know kind of activate the machine so enter tam with another crazy proposition and I thought you know I’ve never opened a museum before this would be an interesting challenge I didn’t sleep for about a year.

00:29:13.020 –> 00:29:26.310 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: But it was like a real fast track and I have something I’m not sure if this will show up, but I have a picture of the Atrium of this museum can use.

00:29:26.790 –> 00:29:32.100 Joseph McElroy: yeah we can get it, and if you send me the picture I’ll put it up on the website all right.

00:29:32.310 –> 00:29:39.900 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Okay, well, it is it’s the most dramatic museum you’ve ever seen it looks like a stage set, and actually.

00:29:40.110 –> 00:29:52.020 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: They hired this fabulous lighting design firm where all of the principles came out of the theater world, and so the lighting and the idea was that you walked into this Atrium.

00:29:52.320 –> 00:30:04.020 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And there would be a sound and light show that would take you in like three and a half minutes through 300 years of upcountry South Carolina history, it was.

00:30:05.640 –> 00:30:13.380 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: amazing, and so I came in in time to help that crew get that thing activated and it had.

00:30:14.100 –> 00:30:31.080 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Like couldn’t be computer activated and things like that, and so it had some built-in drama going on, also there were these really beautiful sculptural statues throughout the museum, the one in that particular picture there’s a pig drover coming around.

00:30:31.080 –> 00:30:34.950 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Because of wagon road those through that area.

00:30:36.210 –> 00:30:37.530 Joseph McElroy: So you really.

00:30:38.190 –> 00:30:45.210 Joseph McElroy: You really were able to manage that whole aspect of pre-making it engaging and.

00:30:45.270 –> 00:30:45.990 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: It really.

00:30:47.820 –> 00:30:48.840 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: spoke to me, but they.

00:30:49.590 –> 00:31:02.640 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: did a very good job of kind of forging a path through the whole thing, but what I did you know after you know learning in recruiting staff and all of us, learning how to work this technology.

00:31:03.540 –> 00:31:16.230 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: was some of the programmings, we did my favorite programming Joseph and you will love this too is this museum was just crying for a kid sleepover.

00:31:16.380 –> 00:31:18.030 Joseph McElroy: wow yes.

00:31:18.900 –> 00:31:20.730 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: ebbets came to life.

00:31:20.820 –> 00:31:22.110 Joseph McElroy: There you go I my kids.

00:31:22.260 –> 00:31:24.540 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: love that so we did that.

00:31:24.720 –> 00:31:25.500 wow.

00:31:26.640 –> 00:31:37.920 Joseph McElroy: We have to take a break, now that gives me a wonderful image and aspiration when we go away and when we come back we’re going to talk about the get into the mountain heritage stuff.

00:33:45.030 –> 00:33:54.690 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Pam Meister so Pam we got to fast forward you.

00:33:55.260 –> 00:34:13.140 Joseph McElroy: went through the Atlanta History Center and then you were the President and CEO of the Charlotte Museum of history, among many other wonderful accomplishments in the museum industry so when what question was asked of you that you said yes to the brought to you to Western Carolina University.

00:34:15.540 –> 00:34:20.610 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Well, at that point in time, I was back in Atlanta.

00:34:21.780 –> 00:34:30.750 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: At the Atlanta History Center creating a new business model for the regional museum association.

00:34:31.560 –> 00:34:42.450 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And so, had an office at the Atlanta History Center and was in touch with people all over the southeast and had a phone call one day.

00:34:42.780 –> 00:34:54.810 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: From Scott Filial who was then the director of the mountain heritage Center and who I had known through professional development activities.

00:34:55.380 –> 00:35:04.260 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Through the southeastern museum’s Conference, so he called and said hi Pam how you doing and I said I’m doing great you know where we’re working on.

00:35:04.830 –> 00:35:14.130 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: You know, moving this regional association into the Atlanta History Center and working out a management agreement and it’s going really well.

00:35:14.430 –> 00:35:26.190 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And he said, well, I have a favor to ask of you, I really need to feel a key position and need your help, and I said sure no problem, you know s EMC has a great job board.

00:35:26.460 –> 00:35:33.990 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: We can get that out there, and you know send it out to you know music professionals in the 12 southeastern states and he said no.

00:35:34.680 –> 00:35:44.220 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: I really want your personal connections, let me tell you about this job we are looking for a curator for their mountain heritage Center.

00:35:44.550 –> 00:35:50.490 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: and proceeds to tell me that it’s all about developing exhibits and working with students.

00:35:50.820 –> 00:35:58.200 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Well, the last thing on my career wish list was to have a job, because by this point in time.

00:35:58.470 –> 00:36:08.460 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: I had taught in several museum studies programs in Charlotte and in the Atlanta area, and I really loved working with students and, of course.

00:36:08.730 –> 00:36:23.730 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: At all the various museums, I worked, I had supervised intern so I really wanted to be involved with training the next generation as a big part of my job, instead of just sort of a sideline, and so I was thinking about it, and then I thought.

00:36:24.690 –> 00:36:27.870 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Maybe I shouldn’t say it to Scott and so.

00:36:28.560 –> 00:36:39.420 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: That I thought about it and then he said Oh well, shoot why now hey Scott, you know how would you what would you say, do you think it’s a conflict of interests, given that you know we know each other, we work together.

00:36:39.600 –> 00:36:45.090 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: If I applied for that job he’s like oh my God apply for it right now so.

00:36:47.370 –> 00:37:06.240 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: I did so, I went to the mountain heritage Center not as Director, but as curator my idea being I’m going to leave all that boring administrative stuff behind and just do the stuff that I think is most fun in the world, creating exhibits in.

00:37:06.300 –> 00:37:06.990 In teaching.

00:37:08.940 –> 00:37:09.720 Joseph McElroy: To do stuff.

00:37:10.890 –> 00:37:14.670 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: That well that worked for a good four years.

00:37:15.420 –> 00:37:26.520 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And then Scott, unfortunately, had some health challenges and really felt that he needed to step down and just go back into full-time faculty work.

00:37:26.790 –> 00:37:38.400 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: So boom, I became interim director and I kept being an interim director in interim director and, finally, they said Pam we would really like to meet you.

00:37:42.450 –> 00:37:42.900 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: said.

00:37:43.860 –> 00:37:49.560 Joseph McElroy: So you the mound heritage Center puts on that we already talked about it, the mountain heritage Day, which was going on.

00:37:49.860 –> 00:37:51.030 Joseph McElroy: 74 so I guess.

00:37:51.030 –> 00:37:58.560 Joseph McElroy: You took the Mount Heritage Center took over that responsibility and it’s like well the top 20 events in the southeast with.

00:37:58.980 –> 00:38:15.510 Joseph McElroy: Live entertainment hundred 30 plus food and craft vendors tons of activities and kid stuff and performances and demonstration this demonstrating SAB South southern Appalachian mountain culture and it’s typically held last weekend of September is always free to the public right.

00:38:15.780 –> 00:38:16.890 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: that’s Nice.

00:38:17.070 –> 00:38:25.830 Joseph McElroy: So what are you involved in planning that and how, what does involvement, putting it all is it a big.

00:38:26.640 –> 00:38:35.970 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: It is a big deal and it’s a university-wide event over the years it’s really changed a lot, you know.

00:38:36.570 –> 00:38:48.210 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Back in 2014 mountain heritage day had its 40th anniversary, and so I created an exhibit about the history of mountain heritage day so.

00:38:48.720 –> 00:38:57.780 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: It started out, you know back in cotton Robinson stay with him pulling together a steering committee of faculty and staff at the university.

00:38:58.050 –> 00:39:12.630 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Who, then you know kind of spread it out and made it happen with the help of a lot of Community volunteers and sponsors to and then over the years it shifted to.

00:39:13.290 –> 00:39:20.130 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Management when I very first came in the mountain heritage Center really was sort of the lead entity.

00:39:20.430 –> 00:39:44.820 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And there was a position on our staff called mountain heritage day coordinator and that’s what that person did was just year-round, or mountain heritage day but, in the course of my end I just had my 11th anniversary with Western Carolina university yesterday it’s been a.

00:39:45.360 –> 00:39:47.940 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: graduation yeah yeah so.

00:39:49.500 –> 00:40:01.860 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: In the course of my tenure there it’s shifted to the university administration had evolved so that there was this whole office of special events under the university chief of staff.

00:40:02.190 –> 00:40:13.860 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And so the main coordination of the festival, including like the sponsorships and a lot of the logistics.

00:40:14.370 –> 00:40:26.670 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: shifted over to them, but the mountain heritage Center still to this day, is very, very involved in the performers the demonstrators.

00:40:27.600 –> 00:40:39.120 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: All of the activities that go on a mountain heritage and also another thing that we are totally involved in, now is the mountain heritage awards as well.

00:40:39.600 –> 00:40:54.420 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Of course, is something that I just love so much that every year we publicly acknowledge a person and in position for some very special aspect of cultural preservation that’s great.

00:40:54.810 –> 00:41:03.930 Joseph McElroy: I also love that you involve you know it’s not just about Scotch Irish settlers it’s also about the Cherokee and African American cultures and other cultures.

00:41:05.160 –> 00:41:10.620 Joseph McElroy: What are the types of what you know you mentioned, we kind of types of things that you do to represent that diversity.

00:41:11.400 –> 00:41:19.230 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And you know again that’s been built in there from the very, very beginning, which I think is absolutely wonderful.

00:41:19.500 –> 00:41:30.090 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: One of the things that really me away when I first started hearing about the festival was the fact that they have Cherokee stickball games smack in the middle of the festival and.

00:41:30.480 –> 00:41:45.450 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: You know, really serious competitive games and they have a narrator there who explains what’s going on, and you know, we have also always had, of course, who wouldn’t I mean the Cherokee.

00:41:45.540 –> 00:42:00.660 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: crafts, people are amazing are just amazing, and you know if you have craftspeople of that caliber sitting basically on your doorstep, of course, you would invite them to.

00:42:02.460 –> 00:42:06.330 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: The festival and same thing with.

00:42:06.990 –> 00:42:20.580 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: African American Community Members because, although the percentage of African American residents longtime residents of this region it’s maybe not as great as it would be like down in the coast.

00:42:20.880 –> 00:42:33.450 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: But these are people who have been here, their families have been here for hundreds of years and they have fabulous history and traditions and food to share.

00:42:34.020 –> 00:42:36.270 Joseph McElroy: Things well I read a thing, where you talked.

00:42:36.270 –> 00:42:38.880 Joseph McElroy: about the history of Barbecue right.

00:42:39.180 –> 00:42:44.190 Joseph McElroy: I am Barbecue, as we know, it would not exist without African American men.

00:42:45.450 –> 00:42:46.470 Joseph McElroy: right because.

00:42:47.850 –> 00:42:49.500 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: pit masters yeah.

00:42:49.980 –> 00:42:52.080 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: yeah and again it’s one of those you know.

00:42:52.740 –> 00:43:03.810 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: grilling meat over a slow fire is multicultural activity, you can find this in several different cultures, but certainly the American manifestation.

00:43:04.110 –> 00:43:16.770 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: has to do with southern African Americans and it’s spread out from there, and you know I for 1 am very grateful for that tradition but yeah my friends at.

00:43:17.160 –> 00:43:27.540 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Scotts creek liberty Baptist church we’re back at this year’s mountain heritage day with their fish right, so we have that and we had fat Calhoun’s.

00:43:28.740 –> 00:43:33.120 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Indian fry bread from Cherokee how again, you know we are.

00:43:34.140 –> 00:43:35.760 Joseph McElroy: Well you’re doing well, so.

00:43:35.760 –> 00:43:38.700 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: speaks to a lot of us, so the mountain heritage day as.

00:43:38.700 –> 00:43:44.520 Joseph McElroy: Part of actually a bigger thing, which is the West, the Mountain Heritage Center at Western Carolina University.

00:43:45.630 –> 00:43:51.750 Joseph McElroy: And what is, do you think the overall mission of the whole Center.

00:43:52.800 –> 00:44:06.330 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: I can tell to you exactly what mountain Heritage Center is a museum of Appalachian history and culture which we sell it to collect and preserve.

00:44:06.720 –> 00:44:21.750 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And what we do with that stuff is we connect people with local history we build bridges between the university and the Community and we serve as a cultural resource for the region that we are and what we do.

00:44:22.320 –> 00:44:31.560 Joseph McElroy: That you know I’m impressed I’ve read a couple of things that really impressed me because you not only celebrate hairs but you also challenge the heritage right, like, for example.

00:44:32.460 –> 00:44:38.070 Joseph McElroy: You had an exhibit titled rightfully ours women’s suffrage in western North Carolina.

00:44:38.520 –> 00:44:46.680 Joseph McElroy: Which feature three parts, focusing on the national struggle for voting rights local suffragists and on capping notice and, at the time, you said.

00:44:47.040 –> 00:45:01.530 Joseph McElroy: The women’s suffrage movement ultimately became a State rights issue, you cannot talk about the movement without taking talking about the reconstruction of Jim crow laws and the racist aspects of this movement that’s really a strong statement.

00:45:02.520 –> 00:45:11.280 Joseph McElroy: that’s even more about that it’s not as that you know celebrates what we’ve done but also challenges, what happened.

00:45:12.450 –> 00:45:13.320 Joseph McElroy: Right so.

00:45:14.970 –> 00:45:25.950 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: There is equal, you know celebration and challenge because you know, once the 19th amendment was passed the very first female.

00:45:26.970 –> 00:45:57.000 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: State Senator and state legislator came from Western North Carolina you know our first Senator was guilt nurtured deals McKee from Hillsborough and then Silva North Carolina and our first general assembly Member from the House side was Lillian XM Clement who from bumpkin bum can.

00:46:00.720 –> 00:46:01.710 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Say bank account.

00:46:02.640 –> 00:46:05.760 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And she was also before she you know.

00:46:05.820 –> 00:46:22.230 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: went into politics, she was a lawyer and was passed the law bar with the highest score of one in her entire class was the first woman to hang out your shingle without male partners so.

00:46:22.620 –> 00:46:23.640 Joseph McElroy: We have to take a break.

00:46:25.230 –> 00:46:34.800 Joseph McElroy: I have to mention that my grandmother was the first woman broker in western North Carolina, but I have a government of papers at the time and stuff like that, but.

00:46:35.460 –> 00:46:45.120 Joseph McElroy: We have to take a break now, and when we come back we’ll finish up a little bit more about some of the exhibits and then what’s your ideas of things to do in the mountains.

00:48:46.440 –> 00:48:59.940 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest is PamMeister so Pam you were kind enough to help us install a traveling set of panels on the plot pounds history at our own.

00:49:00.570 –> 00:49:04.410 Joseph McElroy: meadowlark smoky mountain heritage Center and I really want to thank you for that.

00:49:05.520 –> 00:49:08.490 Joseph McElroy: You had a big show about the plot House why did that happen.

00:49:10.560 –> 00:49:21.300 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Again, that was a little right before my time I, unfortunately, was not the one to collaborate with Bob on that wonderful exhibit.

00:49:21.630 –> 00:49:28.920 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: that my colleague, Peter, who is still there was involved with that, as was the previous curator and.

00:49:29.550 –> 00:49:52.320 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: You know that is a fabulous exhibit and I really loved it when the plot fest was going full tilt at the Maggie valley festival fairgrounds because that inspired us to create a version of that exhibit which was designed you hang on a chain-link fence, so we would take our last.

00:49:52.950 –> 00:49:54.750 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Day of the exhibit.

00:49:55.080 –> 00:50:12.060 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: hanging on the fence real early in the morning of that festival and then all the plant hound owners would come and sit their dogs in front of the exhibit and take selfies with the dog and we just love that so much now there is audience engagement for you.

00:50:12.150 –> 00:50:12.870 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah.

00:50:12.990 –> 00:50:14.370 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Well, you know we’re gonna have.

00:50:14.550 –> 00:50:29.880 Joseph McElroy: The Plott fest reunion, we had the first one this year we’re going to have it again the first week of June and we’re actually going to have the UK see judging of pot house, but you made a traveling show out of the auto out of that.

00:50:31.590 –> 00:50:32.310 Joseph McElroy: going on.

00:50:32.580 –> 00:50:36.810 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Yes, and it’s really popular at other festivals and.

00:50:37.380 –> 00:50:45.060 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: You know bomb plot is a total example of the incredible local resources we have around here.

00:50:45.330 –> 00:51:04.560 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And how invariably generous people are about sharing their family traditions their specialized knowledge and then we try to serve as a platform for these wonderful people in these wonderful traditions and get it out there in the world, and so.

00:51:05.280 –> 00:51:09.570 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: That exhibit has a long and happy life, and I think it’s going to keep going for a lot.

00:51:09.840 –> 00:51:10.980 Joseph McElroy: of people enjoy people.

00:51:11.250 –> 00:51:19.800 Joseph McElroy: love it, we have our version of it, the panels really are popular at the motel so you’re a self-proclaimed Boris Kephart fanatic.

00:51:21.120 –> 00:51:23.820 Joseph McElroy: And you guys have created your own.

00:51:25.020 –> 00:51:32.580 Joseph McElroy: I mean you, you actually helped us with a little clip art festival, and he brought over that wedding dress have kept parts wife, which was spectacular.

00:51:33.840 –> 00:51:34.110 Joseph McElroy: and

00:51:35.340 –> 00:51:41.520 Joseph McElroy: Again, thank you for that, but you also have a CAP our archive of it, the Western Carolina university what’s what is that.

00:51:41.580 –> 00:51:56.850 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: what’s the night, actually, that is run by our next-door neighbor’s hunter libraries department of special collections and that archive is well the people in Ithaca might.

00:51:58.170 –> 00:52:11.460 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: not agree with me, but it’s the best-kept archive in the world because it contains 27 horoscope hearts original notebooks he kept these journals.

00:52:11.790 –> 00:52:22.950 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: In his own handwriting which is amazing, and you know put all sorts of notes and photographs and clippings and things like it’s extraordinary.

00:52:23.910 –> 00:52:34.500 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: get a record of his time here in the mountains and just his thought processes as he was working on all his articles and.

00:52:35.130 –> 00:52:50.820 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: it’s pretty amazing and, since then, of course, our relationship with the CAP heart family and the CAP heart foundation is very cordial, and so they keep finding with this and donate to Western Carolina University.

00:52:51.600 –> 00:53:02.790 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: We love it, so the mountain heritage Center is the custodian of the objects, because when he passed away so suddenly in that automobile accident.

00:53:04.080 –> 00:53:14.850 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: His executor who was his friend local businessman Stearns you know saw to it that many of these things were preserved and.

00:53:15.330 –> 00:53:31.620 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: given to Western Carolina University and really have enough kept part things of objects I’ve done two exhibits now over the course of the years I’ve been there, where we actually recreated counterparts campsite because we have.

00:53:32.010 –> 00:53:34.740 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: This fabulous Hence we have a champion.

00:53:35.760 –> 00:53:47.820 Joseph McElroy: Yes, these are things people enjoy coming to see I know very much and now you’re also another founder of the smoky mountains you’re digitizing the photography of Kelly Bennett what is that can be available for everybody to see.

00:53:48.330 –> 00:53:53.280 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Well, you know, again, that is special collections and.

00:53:53.910 –> 00:54:12.900 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Kelly Bennett was, I think the pharmacist in Bryson city and an extremely talented amateur photography and any street photographer and an extremely prolific one that collection they haven’t given me an exact number but it’s multiple thousands of images.

00:54:13.170 –> 00:54:23.130 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And remember from that that kept our weekend there were a dozen new images of Horus Kepler that had.

00:54:23.580 –> 00:54:44.190 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: ever seen before critically, he was wearing a suit in most of them, which was amazing you know that’s not the case that we have in the collection, at this point in time so there’s an excellent website called Horace counterpart revealing an enigma that is on the hunter library.

00:54:46.230 –> 00:55:06.240 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: You know web page for the university and if people will just Google that title Horace Kephart revealing an enigma they’ll get to it, and it has an amazing array of photographs images and high-quality photographs of the objects that we own as well, so that’s.

00:55:07.260 –> 00:55:12.180 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Speaking to the fellow Kepler fanatics out there, look that one.

00:55:14.040 –> 00:55:23.070 Joseph McElroy: quickly we’re getting close to the end here what’s next for you, and how do people find out about you and and and and the collections.

00:55:24.870 –> 00:55:33.780 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Mountain heritage Center is moving right along, we still have our river cane Renaissance exhibit up right now, which is something that.

00:55:34.230 –> 00:55:48.270 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: melds biology ecology cultural traditions and some really fabulous river cane artifacts to talk about the history of ever Kane its cultural importance to native people.

00:55:48.630 –> 00:56:01.920 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: and ecological importance of it today is a flood barrier so that’s up right now to the end of the year, it goes on tour for two and a half years so it’ll be around in North Carolina.

00:56:02.610 –> 00:56:16.080 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Next year, we have two months of an African American artist and Miller Woodward’s works, and then we move on to quilts we have a fabulous.

00:56:16.650 –> 00:56:35.610 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: collection and so we’ll have quotes up march through August and then next fall we move back to discussing native people were having an exhibit a traveling exhibit is coming to us called away from home native American boarding school stories with.

00:56:37.320 –> 00:56:37.710 Joseph McElroy: A very.

00:56:37.950 –> 00:56:39.390 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Big lineup for next year.

00:56:39.660 –> 00:56:53.550 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And again, we are also on the way to your website and again mhc.wcu.edu will get you to the mountain heritage center’s website.

00:56:53.850 –> 00:56:58.020 Joseph McElroy: and any any any Facebook page or anything for you, for you personally.

00:56:58.170 –> 00:57:02.340 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: I’m not for me personally, but the mountain heritage Center has.

00:57:02.880 –> 00:57:15.330 Joseph McElroy: Great well, I want to thank you for being on this show and it’s been a pleasure, having you I look forward to seeing you at heritage events it’s part of our heritage to be involved with that.

00:57:15.360 –> 00:57:19.050 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: yeah I will be down the road to come and see you in Maggie’s belly and.

00:57:19.230 –> 00:57:20.100 Joseph McElroy: sounds good.

00:57:20.940 –> 00:57:22.470 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Come see us someday too.

00:57:23.550 –> 00:57:38.730 Joseph McElroy: So this is the gateway to the smokies podcast you can find more about us a gateway to the smokies dot fun or at the see live streams to this on Facebook facebook.com so as a gateway to the smokies.

00:57:39.780 –> 00:57:58.860 Joseph McElroy: podcast I want to mention that was on the October 31, 2021, issue of the front page of the Charlotte observer talking about me in the Meadowlark so get yourself over to the website and read about it’s a really wonderful story, I think you know, a timely thing about covid and hospitality.

00:58:01.050 –> 00:58:08.550 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is carried on the talk radio.NYC network.

00:58:08.910 –> 00:58:21.630 Joseph McElroy: This is a great network of live podcasts 24 hours a day, and it has some really interesting lots of very cultural and political and business interests.

00:58:21.840 –> 00:58:27.030 Joseph McElroy: the podcast after this is about New York City, in turn, going to visit New York City so.

00:58:27.270 –> 00:58:39.120 Joseph McElroy: I would love for you to stick around and listen to the next podcast and catch us next week from six to seven on Tuesday night for another great podcast episode of gateway to the smokies Thank you.

Our guest in this episode is Brandon Johnson, a native of Lenoir, N.C. now living in Asheville, N.C., where he is the Program Manager for the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, an organization that preserves and promotes the natural and cultural heritage of the North Carolina mountains and foothills.

He formerly worked as an English Literature instructor at Mars Hill College and is a graduate of both Mars Hill and Appalachian State University.

Brandon is also a skilled musician, luthier, and writer.

Joseph Franklyn McElroy sits down with Brandon Johnson to discuss visiting Blue Ridge National Heritage Area which is rich in history.

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.

SHOW NOTES:

Segment 1

Joseph starts off with his usual intro before getting into the sponsored message. After the message, he talks about the beautiful fall colors in the Smokies that peak around this time of year. After, he opens the floor for a special guest, Brandon Johnson, before asking Brandon what got him into being a musician. Brandon describes a few significant people such as the bands he listened to, a fiddle repairman, and other influences such as watching the fall-colored leaves while listening to bluegrass. Then, Brandon talks about the process of making his upcoming album, and some of the behind-the-scenes. Joseph shifts the conversation to how Brandon got into the writing business, and Brandon depicts his early life of writing short stories as a kid, some of which he still has.

Segment 2

Coming back after the break, Joseph gets right into it by asking Brandon about his writing career, and some special influences that stuck with Brandon. Brandon remembers a multitude of stories he read as a kid, but one particular story stood out. It was a story about a tall man which made him cry after reading it because it described him perfectly, and he felt heard from it. Following this, Joseph wanted to talk about Brandon’s thesis and what he calls “social energy,” or the creation of connections among the works of others. Brandon elaborates saying that many books pulled material from other books prior to them, and these new books go on to influence future works. From this, one could draw a lineage of literature, almost like a family tree. This isn’t limited to literature as the same concept can be applied to music and visual arts. 

Segment 3

After the commercials, Joseph noted Brandon’s fiddle collection and asked if woodworking was the cause. Brandon conceded that he got into woodworking from watching someone take apart and repair a fiddle, making him curious to do the same. He started by small repairing fiddles, evolving to creating his own and selling them, to expanding into other instruments. Afterward, the two began discussing what the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area's goal is and how it achieves this purpose. Brandon explains that the goal is to educate people on the culture and heritage behind the Appalachians through a variety of programs like the traditional music or hiking trails people once walked on. Following this, Brandon divulges some of the venues he played at, the podcast he works on, and how the podcast helped him expand as a writer.

Segment 4

After the final ad break, Joseph wanted to talk about Brandon’s opening line to one of his books and the story behind it. Then came time for Brandon to make his ideal itinerary. He lists off many breakfast spots, hiking trails, restaurants for lunch, golfing places, and dinner restaurants before ending the show with Brandon’s social media platforms and where you can find him.

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00:02:54.390 –> 00:02:54.960 Joseph McElroy:Howdy!

00:02:55.050 –> 00:02:59.820 Joseph McElroy: Thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies.

00:03:00.630 –> 00:03:09.270 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park, and the surrounding areas and towns.

00:03:09.690 –> 00:03:18.030 Joseph McElroy: these areas are filled with ancient natural beauty deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.

00:03:18.600 –> 00:03:29.850 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklin McElroy man of the world, but also a deep roots in these mountains my family’s lived in the great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.

00:03:30.540 –> 00:03:38.100 Joseph McElroy: today’s podcast is about the Blue Ridge National Heritage areas and some of the music trails and other things related.

00:03:39.030 –> 00:03:49.500 Joseph McElroy: But first let’s talk about our sponsors now imagine a place evocative of the motor courts of the past modern vibrant with a Chic Appalachian feel.

00:03:49.920 –> 00:03:56.640 Joseph McElroy: A place with a country inns amenities and services, a place for adventure and relaxation.

00:03:57.060 –> 00:04:05.700 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers.

00:04:06.150 –> 00:04:19.320 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place for the old-time music world cultural sounds, there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.

00:04:22.230 –> 00:04:30.600 Joseph McElroy: smokiesadventure.com smokies is plural adventure singular is the place to go to get information and listings about the smokies.

00:04:31.380 –> 00:04:43.890 Joseph McElroy: and focuses on outdoor recreation outdoor life events like weddings and adventures, along with providing information on lodging family entertainment events conventions honeymoons, and more.

00:04:44.550 –> 00:04:58.050 Joseph McElroy: You can go there to get trail maps and hiking guides and information to help you enjoy your adventures in the smoky mountain its goal is to become the leading information portal on the smoky mountains.

00:04:59.310 –> 00:05:00.000 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:05:01.290 –> 00:05:12.000 Joseph McElroy: we’re in the middle of leaf season down and down in the mountains here smoky mountains we’re just about reached a peak now but it’s going to be going again going on this weekend and for the next week.

00:05:12.870 –> 00:05:19.080 Joseph McElroy: To go see the really the brightest colors you can see, in god’s country and.

00:05:19.830 –> 00:05:26.010 Joseph McElroy: So I recommend everybody, not miss this chance to the end of October and November 1st week in November, seems to be when things are going to.

00:05:27.000 –> 00:05:42.840 Joseph McElroy: hit the top of it we have expected it earlier, but it seems like it got delayed, so I was just down there it’s beautiful and I recommend everybody go out to Maggie valley go to the Meadowlark Motel or just anywhere in the Western North Carolina and see those beautiful colors.

00:05:44.730 –> 00:05:45.330 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:05:46.650 –> 00:05:54.750 Joseph McElroy: I have a wonderful guest today his name is Brandon Johnson, he is a native of Lenoir North Carolina he’s now living in Asheville

00:05:55.380 –> 00:06:05.280 Joseph McElroy: Where he is the Program Manager for the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, he formerly worked as English Literature and Appalachian Culture Instructor at Mars Hill College.

00:06:05.910 –> 00:06:17.400 Joseph McElroy: Not only is he a scholar of Appalachian culture, but he also has hands-on experience with leading traditional music and crafts and never, such as the bluff mountain festival Hello Brandon.

00:06:19.110 –> 00:06:21.120 Brandon Johnson: Hey there, Joseph, thanks for having me.

00:06:21.390 –> 00:06:24.660 Joseph McElroy: I’m sure I’m glad you’re like to see all those fiddles in the background, there.

00:06:25.200 –> 00:06:28.320 Brandon Johnson: Sir, yes, Sir we’re coming to you live from the shop here.

00:06:29.130 –> 00:06:36.600 Joseph McElroy: So you grew up in North Carolina that’s another small town like Maggie Valley, what is it what is its claim to fame.

00:06:37.440 –> 00:06:46.080 Brandon Johnson: When nor was the furniture capital of the South, for many years and lots of people still have that recollection but there’s not a whole lot of it there anymore.

00:06:46.800 –> 00:06:58.110 Brandon Johnson: Some of the original companies like Bernhard are still there, working, but most of that got shipped overseas with NAFTA in CAFTA and that’s kind of the.

00:06:59.340 –> 00:07:01.950 Brandon Johnson: The core of the past, there are lots of ways.

00:07:02.940 –> 00:07:09.540 Joseph McElroy: craft furniture industry develop your artisan furniture or anything like that to take advantage of the reputation.

00:07:09.960 –> 00:07:26.430 Brandon Johnson: it’s where the so there’s some I know like there’s a hardwood flooring company that moved into one of the factories and there’s some other you know kind of small niche furniture companies moved in focus on, you know American made products and designs and stuff like.

00:07:26.700 –> 00:07:27.600 Brandon Johnson: That so there’s.

00:07:28.560 –> 00:07:30.570 Joseph McElroy: Google, set up a server farm didn’t they.

00:07:31.530 –> 00:07:37.680 Brandon Johnson: Did you Google security force was bigger than one or PD I know at one point so.

00:07:38.580 –> 00:07:41.010 Joseph McElroy: But you know you’re nothing interesting situation.

00:07:41.550 –> 00:07:57.000 Joseph McElroy: So you’re a part of the north part of the foothills of the blue ridge, and the smokies when there’s a lot of great music in that region and likely happy valley fiddler’s convention to those traditions inspire you to become a musician.

00:07:58.080 –> 00:08:02.850 Brandon Johnson: It did, you know I didn’t really lay into the music until I was in college, but I.

00:08:03.990 –> 00:08:05.220 Brandon Johnson: learned enough guitar.

00:08:06.330 –> 00:08:13.500 Brandon Johnson: My dad plays guitar and bass and sings a lot, so I learned enough from him in high school my joke is not to forget it.

00:08:14.550 –> 00:08:21.510 Brandon Johnson: And then, so I went I really started learning in college, but I definitely attended a happy valley fiddlers Convention.

00:08:22.830 –> 00:08:31.560 Brandon Johnson: In the early to mid well, I’d say the mid to late 2000s, and they haven’t added the past two years, so I’m currently the reigning mandolin champion.

00:08:33.630 –> 00:08:33.990 Joseph McElroy: there’s.

00:08:35.340 –> 00:08:36.960 Joseph McElroy: A three a three year crown.

00:08:37.620 –> 00:08:40.500 Brandon Johnson: three-year crown yeah I’ve been fortunate to win it twice, I think I wanted in.

00:08:41.640 –> 00:08:54.210 Brandon Johnson: 2014 and in 2019 So if I went again I can’t compete anymore, but my joke, is that I have a job and house and kids and I can’t practice to keep up with high school kids and more so.

00:08:55.770 –> 00:08:56.370 Brandon Johnson: It looks like.

00:08:57.030 –> 00:09:00.060 Joseph McElroy: So besides your dad who is your other influences on music.

00:09:01.260 –> 00:09:09.180 Brandon Johnson: Oh well, so more of my influences the music came from over here I’m coming to you from North Asheville pretty much we reveal Stoney knob area.

00:09:10.230 –> 00:09:21.600 Brandon Johnson: I have to remember arvo freeman who passed away last week was a good friend of mine and a teacher, I took lessons from him for about six weeks or six months use me a couple of years ago, but I really.

00:09:23.250 –> 00:09:37.050 Brandon Johnson: I picked it up from a lot of musicians around here Roger how is a guy in Mars hill that I got to know when I was going to college and Mars Hill and he repaired fiddles which are kind of part of how I got to do this, but he.

00:09:38.220 –> 00:09:44.610 Brandon Johnson: heard him play a tune called squirrel hunters at the blue mountain festival one time and it made me want to play the fiddle.

00:09:44.880 –> 00:09:49.740 Brandon Johnson: it’s a really great fiddle tune it’s a little different than some of the others, you might see my here.

00:09:50.130 –> 00:09:58.830 Brandon Johnson: And so I said well Roger would you teach me to play that I think I’m gonna get a fit on he said, I will and so that’s kind of one of the key moments that really put me on the fiddle and.

00:10:00.120 –> 00:10:03.780 Brandon Johnson: I just you know kind of got into it in college a lot.

00:10:04.800 –> 00:10:06.390 Brandon Johnson: I started listening to nickel creek.

00:10:08.610 –> 00:10:14.730 Brandon Johnson: And that kind of pulled me back in I remember, we talked about it kind of as a seismic shift in the traditional music world.

00:10:15.810 –> 00:10:23.640 Brandon Johnson: The nickel creek came out and the O brother where art thou album came out around the same time, in the early 2000s, and kind of revitalized interest in.

00:10:23.940 –> 00:10:34.770 Brandon Johnson: bluegrass and traditional and old-time music and my family bought a nickel creek album and oh brother or their album in the same trip to Barnes and noble I remember that distinctly so it was kind of like a.

00:10:35.790 –> 00:10:36.360 Brandon Johnson: You know, a.

00:10:37.440 –> 00:10:44.130 Brandon Johnson: supernovas going off for something for me, at least not I was driving around today actually I’m fortunate enough to get to take the parkway to work.

00:10:45.180 –> 00:10:54.570 Brandon Johnson: And so the leaves are doing great up there, and I was remembering I heard one of the moments I really knew I loved music, I was listening to nickel creek my family was going.

00:10:55.110 –> 00:11:05.850 Brandon Johnson: From blowing rock to banner alkaline to 21 right under the link oh viaduct on the parkway and that was the first time I’d ever really is just probably early 2000s really ever.

00:11:07.050 –> 00:11:14.490 Brandon Johnson: fell in love with the way the edges of maple leaves turn orange say you have that orange and green together, and I remember.

00:11:14.880 –> 00:11:25.080 Brandon Johnson: That visual very distinctly and listening to nickel creek on that drive and that’s kind of to me to where the moments I can trace it all back to of how I really dug in.

00:11:25.470 –> 00:11:39.810 Joseph McElroy: Oh yes, that’s nice actually you know both the visual and audio cues to bring back a memory and actually also instill a passion for something right definitely yeah.

00:11:41.160 –> 00:11:46.290 Joseph McElroy: So your dad wasn’t bluegrass or he was a musician but not in.

00:11:47.550 –> 00:11:52.080 Brandon Johnson: yeah my dad played electric bass and southern rock bands in Spartanburg.

00:11:53.070 –> 00:11:54.570 Brandon Johnson: I think he kind of he laid off of that.

00:11:55.830 –> 00:11:59.190 Brandon Johnson: People hate my dad’s not really a partier as such, so he.

00:11:59.460 –> 00:12:02.970 Brandon Johnson: Has not super into the bar scene, he loved the music, but he didn’t like where he

00:12:02.970 –> 00:12:07.710 Brandon Johnson: played, and he was a huge Marshall Tucker band fan.

00:12:08.490 –> 00:12:16.590 Brandon Johnson: band fan, and when I think it was a toy called well there were rumors in Spartanburg my dad was going to replace him.

00:12:16.650 –> 00:12:16.980 In March.

00:12:18.420 –> 00:12:23.430 Brandon Johnson: But my dad said he couldn’t have hung with him in the studio he probably could have on stage that didn’t happen, however.

00:12:25.050 –> 00:12:31.200 Brandon Johnson: My dad traded in an amp for an acoustic guitar and that’s kind of the one I learned on.

00:12:32.730 –> 00:12:34.740 Joseph McElroy: You didn’t learn a lot of southern rock then.

00:12:36.450 –> 00:12:45.900 Brandon Johnson: You know a little bit my when I was learning really kind of starting to play out at first, I would we play some john Denver my dad is huge john Denver, and I remember it was like.

00:12:46.980 –> 00:12:52.860 Brandon Johnson: A massive day of mourning, and our family when john Denver died, but so you know that music really.

00:12:54.270 –> 00:13:03.810 Brandon Johnson: Powerful you know I think some of the first music you ever hear, is not to go to Thomas Wolfe but it kind of is encoded in you, and when you hear it, it does.

00:13:04.980 –> 00:13:16.650 Brandon Johnson: sync things to you so Thomas or John Denver and James Taylor and Billy Joel some of those that my parents listened to you, I hear that and I getting kind of you to know, takes me back to a different place in time.

00:13:17.730 –> 00:13:20.940 Joseph McElroy: So, so do you play in a band now.

00:13:22.980 –> 00:13:37.560 Brandon Johnson: I do not, I played in a band until about early 2019 and I played in several bands since I’ve been here in Nashville, but I have a five-year-old boy and an 11-week old boy, which are occupying.

00:13:38.670 –> 00:13:39.900 Joseph McElroy: sort of prevents tours.

00:13:39.900 –> 00:13:46.410 Brandon Johnson: yeah yeah That being said, I have, I do have an album in the works.

00:13:47.580 –> 00:13:56.130 Brandon Johnson: Under my name, it’d be a Brandon Johnson album that was kind of my father’s day present my wife, what do you want for father’s day and I said oh just a weekend.

00:13:56.580 –> 00:14:09.720 Brandon Johnson: She was pregnant, we were awaiting our second son, and I said just a weekend to go make this happen so I’ve got a good really good friend who’s got a good recording setup, and so we cut most of it, I think there are a couple of things left to do and mixing and mastering and stuff so.

00:14:10.260 –> 00:14:17.910 Joseph McElroy: there’s some good bluegrass and then you know labels in Asheville it’s like it’s got some of them I know the.

00:14:18.990 –> 00:14:24.930 Joseph McElroy: Some of the people associated balsam range are also involved with something there too yeah.

00:14:25.290 –> 00:14:32.220 Brandon Johnson: yeah yeah mountain home music organic records really great company really at the forefront of bluegrass.

00:14:33.030 –> 00:14:36.660 Brandon Johnson: And, as some people would call it blue graph to Jason music these days.

00:14:38.190 –> 00:14:40.200 Joseph McElroy: Do you know William Ritter?

00:14:40.440 –> 00:14:41.220 Brandon Johnson: I do yeah.

00:14:41.280 –> 00:14:47.370 Joseph McElroy: OK cool he’s ever had him I had him on the show and he’s actually coming up to play at the Meadowlark for some couple of times.

00:14:47.760 –> 00:14:54.000 Brandon Johnson: yeah that’s a great will and I both went to APP state to get our masters and he was, I think, maybe a year after I was so we.

00:14:54.390 –> 00:15:03.690 Brandon Johnson: We kind of cross paths a little bit we’ve gotten to know each other, a little bit after that I really respect his music and his you know devotion to CS particular and still.

00:15:03.690 –> 00:15:09.240 Joseph McElroy: yeah he’s uh he’s up there, so it’s not too far from where you are right.

00:15:09.300 –> 00:15:10.410 Brandon Johnson: No, Sir, sir.

00:15:11.340 –> 00:15:11.940 cool.

00:15:13.290 –> 00:15:23.040 Joseph McElroy: So, so that that music is a passion, but you ended up getting into academia and writing what was the.

00:15:24.180 –> 00:15:35.460 Joseph McElroy: We only have a minute before we go for the break, so I want to continue this after this, but what would you say is the first thing the first moment when you decided you wanted to do a little bit of writing.

00:15:37.290 –> 00:15:48.420 Brandon Johnson: Well, I remember writing as a kid writing down some stories and my grandmother told me when I was probably four or five there, I do have actually recorded stories, I wrote when I was four or five.

00:15:48.570 –> 00:16:03.630 Brandon Johnson: Oh, but I didn’t I wasn’t really aware of that, so I got kind of into college and actually did some poetry writing it in a nice little bit of fiction in high school, I really fell in love with some particular poetry, which we can follow up on there, but it’s.

00:16:04.830 –> 00:16:10.110 Brandon Johnson: yeah it kind of it started early I guess my family likes to talk and tell stories, so I think that was just part of it.

00:16:10.620 –> 00:16:12.270 Brandon Johnson: Part of me that I couldn’t escape.

00:16:12.750 –> 00:16:28.440 Joseph McElroy: cool well you know my quicks poetry stories I’ve actually written poetry too and but I’ve been more performative than any kind of formal training or anything like that, but I, my claim to fame is I’ve had my poetry published on the jumbotron and Times Square.

00:16:29.910 –> 00:16:31.050 Brandon Johnson: that’s a pretty good claim.

00:16:31.050 –> 00:16:37.980 Joseph McElroy: There yeah so any way we’re gonna take a break we’ll talk more about your academic and writing career.

00:16:39.060 –> 00:16:39.360 Joseph McElroy: off.

00:18:54.180 –> 00:19:10.530 Joseph McElroy: So this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Brandon Johnson so Brandon you, you get into college and you, you get into academia, even though you studying music you decided to become a.

00:19:12.870 –> 00:19:14.070 Joseph McElroy: Creative writer right.

00:19:14.670 –> 00:19:17.310 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah it’s.

00:19:17.340 –> 00:19:24.780 Brandon Johnson: was always kind of my ambition, more so than teaching, but you kind of gotta do when you get to the other, at least in my way.

00:19:25.860 –> 00:19:31.710 Joseph McElroy: I see that did you, I see that you have a lot of involvement with the Thomas Wolfe literary awards.

00:19:32.010 –> 00:19:34.740 Joseph McElroy: From yes, Caroline is like the Chair of the awards.

00:19:34.740 –> 00:19:35.940 Joseph McElroy: Committee and things and.

00:19:37.080 –> 00:19:42.120 Joseph McElroy: Was was was a Thomas a focus of your academic career or your early writing.

00:19:42.540 –> 00:19:54.510 Brandon Johnson: most definitely I read, I read Thomas Wolfe for the first time, I think it was 2007 maybe, and it was really is hugely impactful for me.

00:19:55.680 –> 00:19:59.160 Brandon Johnson: A as a young man from Western North Carolina.

00:20:00.690 –> 00:20:07.080 Brandon Johnson: You know very much a rural place some education, not a time definitely not healthy.

00:20:08.490 –> 00:20:21.480 Brandon Johnson: You know, he was kind of one of us did it so he was a big you know, a figure for me it’s might look to and lots of writers I’ve heard you know Fred Chapel and RON rash talk about Thomas within that same way.

00:20:23.040 –> 00:20:34.110 Brandon Johnson: So I read him and I read look over an angel for the first time and its kind of like what the hell and then read it subsequently and I really kind of caught a groove with it and started to understand it.

00:20:35.610 –> 00:20:43.680 Brandon Johnson: And so yeah he always and, interestingly enough I’m a little grown a little bit, but we’re about the same size physically.

00:20:44.580 –> 00:20:55.980 Brandon Johnson: He was like six and a half to 50 and I’m about an inch taller than that but where there’s a cut out of him at the Thomas Wolfe house and I’ve got a picture, Stan of the society because we’re kind of the same size and.

00:20:57.210 –> 00:20:59.190 Brandon Johnson: He actually wrote a short story called.

00:21:00.510 –> 00:21:10.050 Brandon Johnson: Gulliver is the story of a tall man, I remember, I was sitting in a coffee shop in Nashville reading and I just broke out in tears because he described my life to me.

00:21:10.560 –> 00:21:20.160 Brandon Johnson: And the whole premise was that people get caught up in someone who’s tall into being tall and ask questions like how’s the weather up there, and did you play basketball and all.

00:21:20.670 –> 00:21:23.670 Brandon Johnson: things which you know I’d heard 8 million times in my life.

00:21:24.900 –> 00:21:30.180 Brandon Johnson: and Thomas was very much like you know what matters in life is the smallest thing that you just barely remember.

00:21:30.810 –> 00:21:31.860 Brandon Johnson: here and there, and so.

00:21:31.920 –> 00:21:41.940 Brandon Johnson: Just kind of exploded on me and he said we, I think, have a lot in common in some ways, and of course, he was brilliant and much more prolific than I am, but.

00:21:43.740 –> 00:21:46.080 Brandon Johnson: yeah it was always there, and so I kind of.

00:21:47.580 –> 00:21:51.180 Brandon Johnson: wrote my master’s thesis on Thomas Wolfe Ts Eliot and Ecclesiastes.

00:21:53.460 –> 00:21:54.870 Joseph McElroy: Word the second yeah.

00:21:54.900 –> 00:21:55.530 yeah.

00:21:57.180 –> 00:22:02.910 Brandon Johnson: I never really read them in class that much so it was kind of the thing I had to pursue myself and.

00:22:04.590 –> 00:22:11.070 Brandon Johnson: And I’ve taught him really going on my way to teach him and literature classes that I’ve taught and it’s been a real honor to work with.

00:22:11.490 –> 00:22:25.740 Brandon Johnson: The women’s diamond legacy and Thomas Wolfe memorial to do a Thomas Wolfe short story book club and so I’ve been a discussion leader at that for probably five or six years now and it’s a good half.

00:22:26.190 –> 00:22:32.550 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know he’s very interesting me I’m also a tall back I’m a little bit heavier than you guys.

00:22:33.810 –> 00:22:37.560 Joseph McElroy: But I’m almost I’m like six-five and a half, so you know up there.

00:22:37.890 –> 00:22:41.370 Joseph McElroy: And I was born and raised in western North Carolina and then I went to New York City.

00:22:41.460 –> 00:22:43.140 Joseph McElroy: You know and finance success here.

00:22:43.170 –> 00:22:43.650 Brandon Johnson: More like.

00:22:43.680 –> 00:22:44.280 Joseph McElroy: pretty much.

00:22:45.720 –> 00:22:53.280 Joseph McElroy: Now you did a presentation for the Appalachian studies, association and you said, where you said is Thomas Wolfe Appalachian.

00:22:53.700 –> 00:22:55.860 Joseph McElroy: What did you decide for that presentation.

00:22:56.010 –> 00:22:59.250 Brandon Johnson: Well, first of all, I do have to say I’ll pronounce it Appalachian.

00:22:59.370 –> 00:23:01.560 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know there’s a lot of people.

00:23:01.560 –> 00:23:01.710 That.

00:23:02.880 –> 00:23:15.900 Brandon Johnson: there’s a lot of talk about that, but I broke that down into a couple of kind of areas to look at it so Thomas Wolfe is is not Appalachian in a sense of what most of what he writes about is not said, an Appalachian.

00:23:16.530 –> 00:23:28.110 Brandon Johnson: The part of most of his writing is an Appalachian Asheville, which is an urban center as opposed to a rural space, which is at Appalachian literature is pretty much is usually set in.

00:23:29.040 –> 00:23:38.070 Brandon Johnson: And also there’s a guy I can’t remember his name right now Jedediah Evans, I think, in Australia that just wrote a book about Thomas Wolfe and I reviewed it.

00:23:38.520 –> 00:23:47.310 Brandon Johnson: And I realized in that review that Thomas Wolfe kind of looks forward instead of looking backward so his nostalgia is nostalgia for longing for warning for.

00:23:47.670 –> 00:23:58.050 Brandon Johnson: Discovering something in the future and not for the past so that’s kind of counterintuitive to the way a lot of people exist and think in Appalachian writing.

00:23:59.610 –> 00:24:09.450 Brandon Johnson: So in those ways, he’s not in a very strict geographic since he is because he’s from actual his family’s from here, he does he wrote a novel.

00:24:10.140 –> 00:24:25.230 Brandon Johnson: called the hills beyond that he didn’t finish actually before he died that followed the family of Zebulon Vance, who was a wartime Governor of North Carolina he’s been a lot of discussion about Zebulon Vance, who is a well documented racist now they’ve taken down advance monument national.

00:24:26.430 –> 00:24:39.330 Brandon Johnson: But the novel followed his family and spent time in rural spaces, so there are some Appalachian situations and Thomas will also have an interesting relationship with race and how we portrayed racing as work.

00:24:41.070 –> 00:24:51.570 Brandon Johnson: And I think part of that was the urban nature of what he wrote so it’s really I said something smart and clever like sometimes yes, sometimes no or something.

00:24:54.000 –> 00:24:55.620 Joseph McElroy: You didn’t do it for the final solution.

00:24:55.620 –> 00:25:04.920 Joseph McElroy: But you know the Appalachians, but I still say Appalachian because actually, I grew up saying it, but I see that I have a problem because I always spell it an I and instead of.

00:25:06.480 –> 00:25:07.590 Joseph McElroy: Because I did that.

00:25:08.790 –> 00:25:09.180 Joseph McElroy: But.

00:25:12.180 –> 00:25:19.560 Joseph McElroy: the Appalachians are or are not some you know uniform group of people, you know.

00:25:20.040 –> 00:25:22.230 Joseph McElroy: You know, only people I was many people fought on the.

00:25:22.230 –> 00:25:35.340 Joseph McElroy: side of the Union is as the confederacy back in the day I mean it’s a fractious lot and I kind of classic and all sorts of different approaches to live in and thinking things.

00:25:35.790 –> 00:25:44.010 Joseph McElroy: You know, one of the things we’re doing with the Meadowlark Motel smoky mountain heritage Center it’s I like that what you said about Thomas Wolfe is that it’s focused on.

00:25:44.460 –> 00:25:52.860 Joseph McElroy: An astrologer for the future right is that it’s like bringing What was really wonderful and creative and interesting from the past, but you know, in a way that’s.

00:25:53.910 –> 00:25:58.620 Joseph McElroy: targeted towards the future right and the growth of that so.

00:25:59.820 –> 00:26:03.450 Joseph McElroy: Now I didn’t read the have your I didn’t read your whole thesis but.

00:26:05.430 –> 00:26:06.480 Brandon Johnson: I read a little bit of the as.

00:26:06.510 –> 00:26:07.200 Brandon Johnson: i’ll forgive you.

00:26:09.630 –> 00:26:20.430 Joseph McElroy: And you, you said something really yeah it was interesting to me this you focus on the idea of social energies mean other that was created by two other.

00:26:22.110 –> 00:26:25.680 Joseph McElroy: You know, you know people before you have with their names you’ll know them.

00:26:26.880 –> 00:26:40.200 Joseph McElroy: That the create connections between authors and then work and sort of draw a line of you know, between authors and what they’re working about, and can you tell me a little bit more about that.

00:26:40.740 –> 00:26:47.040 Brandon Johnson: yeah it comes free squarely out of the new historicist literary theory and Stephen green-black.

00:26:48.420 –> 00:26:54.240 Brandon Johnson: I believe he was the author of the main text I use to kind of ground that in theory.

00:26:55.410 –> 00:26:59.820 Brandon Johnson: And so the idea is that social energies flow throughout everything that’s written.

00:27:00.480 –> 00:27:08.490 Brandon Johnson: And so the idea, it really the whole thing came to me it really started some of the first literature ever loved was the love song jail for Prufrock.

00:27:08.940 –> 00:27:15.450 Brandon Johnson: But Ts Eliot and I were really attracted to that because it had echoed Ecclesiastes used in lots of places.

00:27:16.050 –> 00:27:21.630 Brandon Johnson: And you know I grew up in a very religious household and I think that.

00:27:22.110 –> 00:27:31.440 Brandon Johnson: Reading the Bible and understanding the symbolism of the Bible and figure language of the Bible really kind of set me up to think in a literary way as I got older.

00:27:32.370 –> 00:27:41.040 Brandon Johnson: But, so I realized, you know okay well Ts Eliot talks about Ecclesiastes ease and then when I dug into Thomas Wolfe he pulled straight out of Ts Eliot’s poems.

00:27:42.060 –> 00:27:47.760 Brandon Johnson: flow softly sweet Tim’s you know straight out of the wasteland April is the cruelest month.

00:27:49.020 –> 00:27:58.860 Brandon Johnson: So it was kind of like okay something’s happening here because the wolf is pulling from Elliot’s point from Ecclesiastes and then the wolf is also using please yeah I see so.

00:27:59.580 –> 00:28:06.540 Brandon Johnson: The argument is essentially you know Ts Eliot read Ecclesiastes he’s influenced in this way and then we’ll Fred Elliott.

00:28:06.900 –> 00:28:11.820 Brandon Johnson: who had also read Ecclesiastes used and then that influence will find a different way, so you could draw lineage.

00:28:12.330 –> 00:28:22.050 Brandon Johnson: From throughout the centuries, through those texts and how they’ve influenced one another, so what’s in the idea is that once something is written it’s part of literature.

00:28:22.650 –> 00:28:33.600 Brandon Johnson: And so it influences literature period and you can’t really escape the influence of any particular thing because you don’t know what the person who wrote what you’re reading is read in the past.

00:28:34.050 –> 00:28:45.510 Joseph McElroy: So when people invent a word or phrase or something and it catches on they actually create a sort of mortality that has a lineage it goes down through centuries, and you know, maybe even young’s.

00:28:45.960 –> 00:28:46.800 Joseph McElroy: Exactly yeah.

00:28:46.980 –> 00:28:55.530 Joseph McElroy: And and and you and it’d be interesting to network mapping on that to see if you can lineages I mean it’d be interesting like do they can.

00:28:56.400 –> 00:28:57.930 Joseph McElroy: Create lineages with DNA it.

00:28:59.100 –> 00:29:02.130 Joseph McElroy: seems to me, you should be able to create lineages with literature too

00:29:03.390 –> 00:29:10.470 Joseph McElroy: I was wondering if that would also apply to other things besides just the written word, it seems to me that that would be in the arts as well.

00:29:11.340 –> 00:29:12.450 Brandon Johnson: As a reference percent.

00:29:12.900 –> 00:29:17.340 Joseph McElroy: And not marks but also visual arts is referencing it all the way you know you’re pulling stuff.

00:29:17.760 –> 00:29:32.100 Joseph McElroy: back, but you know, then I started thinking oh man it’s probably even in the things like politics, you know, ideas and phrases used in politics, you know, probably have a lineage of that sort of social energy as well.

00:29:32.700 –> 00:29:38.730 Joseph McElroy: Absolutely as a really cool concept, I really liked I like getting into that source stuff.

00:29:39.630 –> 00:29:39.990 yeah.

00:29:42.210 –> 00:29:43.020 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:29:44.190 –> 00:29:45.600 Joseph McElroy: So you.

00:29:47.430 –> 00:29:51.000 Joseph McElroy: you’re getting back a little bit in the music and the stuff that you’re doing.

00:29:52.860 –> 00:29:56.910 Joseph McElroy: You know I have been to the bluff mountain festival in hot springs North you.

00:29:56.910 –> 00:29:57.450 Brandon Johnson: Have.

00:29:58.020 –> 00:30:11.730 Joseph McElroy: Actually, have, believe it or not, I just like to go to the hot springs getting those hot tubs right it’s a nice lunch or and the festival is a lot of fun, a lot of dancing and everything else hello, are you, festival director.

00:30:12.750 –> 00:30:29.640 Brandon Johnson: I love I’m still the best red dress started in 2014 I was co-director in 2014 and so I’ve been doing it since and I started as an intern with Amanda’s county arts Council of with I did do the bottom scholarship it at Marshall college.

00:30:31.050 –> 00:30:44.610 Brandon Johnson: And so I started working kind of as an intern for the festival, and then I ended up directing it, which is really one of the really big honors of my life its festival it’s been going for a quarter-century now.

00:30:46.050 –> 00:31:01.800 Brandon Johnson: And it’s really unique and how I got started, and so it carries on dance traditions balancing traditions barreling traditions storage storytelling traditions in hot springs, which is a really cool and unique place.

00:31:02.550 –> 00:31:03.600 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah it’s good it’s.

00:31:04.230 –> 00:31:05.610 Joseph McElroy: A tiny little town.

00:31:05.820 –> 00:31:08.640 Joseph McElroy: it’s got some nice little restaurants there, and you know Nice.

00:31:08.640 –> 00:31:09.840 Brandon Johnson: resort, and they have a.

00:31:09.960 –> 00:31:11.580 Brandon Johnson: New brewery and your.

00:31:13.200 –> 00:31:14.310 Brandon Johnson: pillow grew and brewing.

00:31:14.700 –> 00:31:24.930 Joseph McElroy: And then you can go rafting there and then, of course, I got the rattler the motorcycle ride it’s really great to go to get there from Maggie Valley, so all right.

00:31:24.990 –> 00:31:27.420 Brandon Johnson: let’s take a break one of two towns yeah.

00:31:28.830 –> 00:31:30.570 Brandon Johnson: towns with the Appalachian trail goes through.

00:31:31.020 –> 00:31:31.470 yeah.

00:31:32.820 –> 00:31:38.280 Joseph McElroy: So when we get back we’ll talk more about the music and then the blue Ridge national heritage Area.

00:34:16.200 –> 00:34:32.580 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with a gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Brandon Johnson so Brandon I see that you also make musical instruments you meant you create an effect, some of those are Those are some of your feelings behind you right.

00:34:33.030 –> 00:34:39.660 Brandon Johnson: yeah these two right here or build and I’ve worked on a parent some of those others there yeah.

00:34:40.410 –> 00:34:41.280 Joseph McElroy: I have yes.

00:34:42.120 –> 00:34:46.590 Brandon Johnson: it’s well it really kind of came together with a couple of things I.

00:34:47.850 –> 00:34:55.980 Brandon Johnson: We bought our first house and I built some shelves and it was the first time I ever really worked in wood and I kind of like that my mom’s.

00:34:56.610 –> 00:35:09.510 Brandon Johnson: Father his name is kitty Carlisle was lived in ducking Caroline was a woodworker had a great shop in our Member he would always just whip up toys for me out of the shop, and that was cool and then.

00:35:10.740 –> 00:35:15.930 Brandon Johnson: I had I was working on the Lunsford festival at Marshall university and my friend Roger how.

00:35:16.800 –> 00:35:30.990 Brandon Johnson: repetitive fiddle have a really great influential fiddler from Western North Carolina and I was there as we kind of video and talked about it so that was the first time ever so many that you take the top off of which is something to see it’s pretty violent and scary.

00:35:32.610 –> 00:35:36.450 Brandon Johnson: If you’ve never seen it before and so all those things kind of happened about the same time.

00:35:39.660 –> 00:35:41.100 Joseph McElroy: But we lost a little bit.

00:35:46.530 –> 00:35:48.960 Joseph McElroy: So brandon is temporarily.

00:35:49.200 –> 00:35:49.740 Brandon Johnson: myself.

00:35:49.830 –> 00:35:51.870 Joseph McElroy: and the other is we lost you for a second there.

00:35:51.900 –> 00:35:53.490 Brandon Johnson: Oh yeah okay.

00:35:53.850 –> 00:35:57.690 Joseph McElroy: So you were violent you ripping apart the violin.

00:35:59.820 –> 00:36:05.430 Brandon Johnson: yeah Reuben making one apart so just kind of seeing what that looked like and how it went and

00:36:05.730 –> 00:36:13.950 Brandon Johnson: I thought well you know, maybe, maybe I should try this and I found one for sale on craigslist for $20 and ask Roger to help me go through it and we did and.

00:36:14.580 –> 00:36:28.830 Brandon Johnson: Then I just started buying cheap instruments off eBay and fixing them and trying to sell them and that’s made enough money to buy the wood to build one and found a good book and just took a lot of time and then have kind of been off to the sense of the race.

00:36:29.610 –> 00:36:32.190 Joseph McElroy: As a fiddle, the only thing you build anything else.

00:36:33.510 –> 00:36:45.300 Brandon Johnson: I am currently building a cello to solve for a very good friend of mine, which is a five-string Baroque instrument it’s between a Viola and cello and it’s actually held across your chest and played like this.

00:36:45.390 –> 00:36:50.640 Brandon Johnson: Oh, and I have plans to build an f5 mandolin like the classic bluegrass mandolin to.

00:36:51.210 –> 00:36:52.410 Joseph McElroy: Everyone, you would play.

00:36:53.100 –> 00:37:06.510 Brandon Johnson: yeah I kind of I don’t have f5 I have a different model and if I was kind of looking for them, and I have this thing where it’s like I want this new instrument, but I probably can’t I shouldn’t buy it because I can probably just build it.

00:37:06.540 –> 00:37:06.840 So.

00:37:10.740 –> 00:37:17.400 Joseph McElroy: I, you know I do a little bit of stuff on the side in terms of creativity I’m an artist as well, so Sometimes I get into that.

00:37:18.240 –> 00:37:27.000 Joseph McElroy: thing like we have the motel and putting art and you know that I create into a lot of the rooms and we want to do, art to go faster and about it all by anybody else’s want to do it myself.

00:37:29.370 –> 00:37:30.060 Joseph McElroy: anyway.

00:37:31.170 –> 00:37:38.280 Joseph McElroy: So let’s talk about you’ve left the academic world downright you’ve taken a full-time job as sort of a big dream job at the.

00:37:38.760 –> 00:37:56.250 Joseph McElroy: Blue Ridge national heritage area, which is an organization that preserves and promotes the natural and cultural heritage of the North Carolina mountains and felt foothills How would you describe what the national heritage area does achieve its missing.

00:37:57.090 –> 00:38:13.800 Brandon Johnson: So we seek to you know to sustain and promote the country, those are the kind of two words that really my in my mind, and I have him in the person at the organization that’s really the most tied into the culture in terms of practice and study.

00:38:15.000 –> 00:38:23.220 Brandon Johnson: So, but we really it’s a really cool organization so then a national heritage is a Congressional designation so Congress has designated that this area.

00:38:23.760 –> 00:38:26.490 Brandon Johnson: The culture of Western North Carolina is important to the.

00:38:27.360 –> 00:38:37.740 Brandon Johnson: To the country, and so we, we have a grants program so matching grants program that we pair with different projects that fit our mission so, for example, we.

00:38:38.070 –> 00:38:53.190 Brandon Johnson: We funded the Cherokee Silbury exhibit it’s on display right now, the museum of the Cherokee Indian we’ve funded a be pollinator pathway we funded signage for a heritage barn display.

00:38:54.540 –> 00:39:02.790 Brandon Johnson: So lots of different things, and we have a trail cultural trails are really kind of our main program so the blue Ridge music trails and blue Ridge craft trails and I’m the.

00:39:03.270 –> 00:39:12.510 Brandon Johnson: program manager for those programs, and so the music Charles is all about connecting people to live, music and the musical heritage of Western North Carolina traditional music.

00:39:12.930 –> 00:39:19.710 Brandon Johnson: And the crowds is about getting visitors to craft, so we want to connect people who are interested in craft with makers.

00:39:20.310 –> 00:39:31.350 Brandon Johnson: arts organizations and galleries, where they can find the authentic handmade 3D craft in western North Carolina have been in Center for craft back centuries into you know Cherokee civilization.

00:39:32.460 –> 00:39:38.190 Brandon Johnson: And so it’s been known, particularly in the 20th century in the 21st century is a real craft Mecca for lots.

00:39:39.210 –> 00:39:45.840 Brandon Johnson: And so I get to drive around and talk to craft people and take pictures and write about and put it online it’s pretty awesome.

00:39:46.410 –> 00:39:48.420 Joseph McElroy: So that’s like the newest program right we had.

00:39:48.540 –> 00:39:49.350 Joseph McElroy: Leslie Hart.

00:39:50.220 –> 00:39:53.820 Joseph McElroy: out here before I guess the public publicity for that right.

00:39:54.420 –> 00:39:56.580 Brandon Johnson: yeah she’s our communications manager.

00:39:57.060 –> 00:40:06.330 Joseph McElroy: So that’s the newest program but it sounds like it’s gonna be a nice success about the music one is well established now right.

00:40:07.020 –> 00:40:08.820 Brandon Johnson: yeah it’s close to 10 years old now.

00:40:09.210 –> 00:40:10.680 Joseph McElroy: And how many venues to have on there.

00:40:11.820 –> 00:40:23.640 Brandon Johnson: it’s well over 200 and so it’s kind of hard to track down because if somebody comes to us with a one-time event will put them on, and you know, promote that event.

00:40:24.720 –> 00:40:35.190 Brandon Johnson: And then say you know, maybe they don’t have an event again but it’s a core of over 200 and kind of expanding as events and venues or concerts happened in different places.

00:40:35.730 –> 00:40:48.360 Joseph McElroy: we’re pretty proud to metal Arc smoky mountain Heritage Center is now on there we’ve had several you know bluegrass events this summer plans and several more next year.

00:40:48.990 –> 00:40:53.850 Brandon Johnson: yeah I hate I couldn’t get down to that bluegrass camp, with their and their necks and Eric Ellison as.

00:40:54.120 –> 00:41:06.570 Joseph McElroy: Well, as those great yeah and then the the the concert they put on that night was like real like old-time you know when you’re growing up in the mountains, you know people would get together.

00:41:06.990 –> 00:41:09.780 Joseph McElroy: And really great musicians and they’d have a party.

00:41:10.110 –> 00:41:17.970 Joseph McElroy: And that’s where they would the band, they would just come together and start playing and they know the songs that they play they know it needs to be some somebody would know how to call it sometimes.

00:41:18.390 –> 00:41:23.700 Joseph McElroy: And you know it’d be ad hoc but it’d be beautiful great music and it was just like that old-timey feel.

00:41:24.780 –> 00:41:26.640 Brandon Johnson: Like in the purest sense yeah.

00:41:26.730 –> 00:41:43.920 Joseph McElroy: Absolutely oh yeah I was like, and of course you know we have sort of a rustic you know stage with a fireplace beside it, you know cement floor, and so it actually felt really authentic to me, I was like it was like I was gone back to going back 40 years.

00:41:45.120 –> 00:41:52.140 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah 45 years and there, but that, but you know still happening around these mountains.

00:41:52.530 –> 00:41:52.920 Joseph McElroy: So how.

00:41:53.580 –> 00:41:55.830 Joseph McElroy: So how do you find the venues, are they find you.

00:41:57.420 –> 00:42:10.860 Brandon Johnson: um well, so a lot of them are established, and you know we have a contact that they can go to we have a website, we have a Facebook about the weekly newsletter and a podcast that we do with that so.

00:42:11.820 –> 00:42:19.590 Brandon Johnson: You know people can just reach out to us if they have a traditional music event, they want to talk about our website blueRidgemusicnc.com

00:42:20.190 –> 00:42:37.890 Brandon Johnson: leverage music trails on Facebook and the podcast is called down the road on the Blue Ridge music Charles of North Carolina it airs bi-weekly on www. FM that’s been a real pleasure to work on and a new format of writing that I’ve kind of adapted to learn more about.

00:42:38.610 –> 00:42:41.190 Joseph McElroy: cool are you writing the podcast content.

00:42:41.700 –> 00:42:50.940 Brandon Johnson: yeah work with Laura boosting your she’s our consultant great musician herself and we kind of come up with those ideas and bounce back and forth, and she actually does the voiceovers.

00:42:52.440 –> 00:42:55.680 Brandon Johnson: And so, but yeah that’s been it’s been cool to you know.

00:42:56.910 –> 00:42:57.690 Brandon Johnson: To try to tell you.

00:42:57.780 –> 00:42:59.550 Joseph McElroy: can definitely do and it’s very creative.

00:43:00.060 –> 00:43:02.520 Joseph McElroy: yeah have you been to all the venues or.

00:43:03.720 –> 00:43:04.350 Joseph McElroy: Most of them.

00:43:04.380 –> 00:43:21.390 Brandon Johnson: I have, I have I’ve played it a fair number of the venues and music trails I’ve not I couldn’t check off all of them I’ve seen concerts at lots of them now I’ll tell you in terms of the craft trails I’ve visited probably more than probably 150 craft trail sites.

00:43:22.080 –> 00:43:23.160 Brandon Johnson: Last year and a half.

00:43:24.540 –> 00:43:26.280 Brandon Johnson: So I have been to most of those.

00:43:28.530 –> 00:43:33.060 Joseph McElroy: But what any favorite stick out in your mind, these are the craft rails or the music.

00:43:34.770 –> 00:43:43.950 Brandon Johnson: Well uh definitely in terms of venues I grew up well I grew up in college, I went to the Gray eagle a ton and Asheville.

00:43:44.250 –> 00:43:45.060 Joseph McElroy: Which is not a.

00:43:45.450 –> 00:43:47.730 Brandon Johnson: People know about the grateful, but it’s a great spot.

00:43:49.260 –> 00:43:59.760 Brandon Johnson: there’s a place downtown called five walnut downtown Nashville I should say it’s a wine bar with a really cool small space, but they open up the windows and summer.

00:44:00.810 –> 00:44:01.560 Brandon Johnson: who bought.

00:44:02.700 –> 00:44:16.260 Brandon Johnson: The lunchroom festival at Mars hill named after basketball marlins for and the bluff mountain festival or two really central things to me I played it both of those and a rooster love and I was interim director Glenn’s festival one year.

00:44:17.670 –> 00:44:30.300 Brandon Johnson: For its 50th anniversary year so I’ve kind of really grown up musically playing it for lunch or festival was some great friends of mine, and so, of course, the Meadowlark motel.

00:44:32.250 –> 00:44:32.760 Brandon Johnson: as well.

00:44:34.680 –> 00:44:44.730 Joseph McElroy: Maybe it was you know the value that has been famous for music for a long time right yeah ebbs and flows, but it’s growing is the wrong backup a lot right now.

00:44:45.420 –> 00:44:54.060 Brandon Johnson: yeah definitely yeah yeah I was at the smoking bluegrass festival with a booth at fiddles actually this past weekend and.

00:44:54.810 –> 00:45:03.720 Brandon Johnson: Solved long-range unspoken tradition and the crew brothers and then the dirt Nicholson band was going up the road elevated about a distillery that even so there’s there’s great stuff happening.

00:45:03.810 –> 00:45:08.490 Joseph McElroy: For sure oh yeah and yeah so no I.

00:45:10.200 –> 00:45:21.960 Joseph McElroy: went to the flea market a couple of weeks a few weekends ago and they actually had a bluegrass planet in a little gazebo there and I hadn’t seen that in 20 years so it’s it’s kicking back in.

00:45:23.070 –> 00:45:24.210 Brandon Johnson: Yes, Sir, yes, sir.

00:45:24.900 –> 00:45:31.650 Joseph McElroy: yeah so um so you manage the craft trails and manage the traditional artist directory as well.

00:45:32.160 –> 00:45:40.260 Brandon Johnson: yeah I work with that that’s something that’s going to be a bigger part of my role next year because we’ve been so focused on the craft show build but.

00:45:41.070 –> 00:45:49.050 Brandon Johnson: yeah I’ve used the traditional artist directory to book events and to teach classes and so it’s a real honor to get to work on that now.

00:45:50.070 –> 00:45:59.610 Joseph McElroy: I mean it has really great people on there, and I recommend is a resource for anybody looking for all sorts of traditional crafts and music and.

00:45:59.880 –> 00:46:12.090 Joseph McElroy: storytelling artists to do for events and reference, for you know books or whatever it’s just yeah really I really think you guys have done a completely admirable job with that.

00:46:13.980 –> 00:46:15.150 Joseph McElroy: Okay, so a project.

00:46:15.990 –> 00:46:22.320 Joseph McElroy: So we got to take a break and we’ll come back and we’ll finish off we’ll finish up with some of your favorite things to do in the mountains.

00:46:23.610 –> 00:46:23.820 Brandon Johnson: or.

00:46:53.220 –> 00:46:56.640 uninformed about menopause and how it impacts your life.

00:48:26.700 –> 00:48:38.700 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Brandon Johnson so Brandon you wrote a short story on the still.

00:48:39.420 –> 00:48:58.020 Joseph McElroy: called the journey called other delights and I liked your opening line, it was a man needs a few things to be consistent in life, so he doesn’t blow away one of those things for me is Saturday breakfast at Maxwell friendlies so with Mexico friendly a real place.

00:48:58.590 –> 00:49:00.180 Brandon Johnson: it’s based on a real place.

00:49:00.270 –> 00:49:01.500 Joseph McElroy: And what’s that real place.

00:49:02.100 –> 00:49:05.130 Brandon Johnson: That real place is called Clarence is friendly lunch.

00:49:06.150 –> 00:49:12.990 Brandon Johnson: And I guess it’s it would be considered, probably in witness North Carolina which is right around Lenore.

00:49:14.100 –> 00:49:24.750 Brandon Johnson: tried to cross the street from small furniture factories and I grew up going there Clarence was really cool guy and I think he’s going out of business now he’s out some health issues but.

00:49:25.200 –> 00:49:38.160 Brandon Johnson: We would go I went to work with my parents in the summertime, and so we would eat lunch break and go there and he would give me a quarter every time we went so I could get something out of his machines in front of the restaurant.

00:49:41.340 –> 00:49:49.020 Joseph McElroy: that’s fantastic I mean it’s nice that you’re able to memorialize some of the things that are been meaningful in your life now.

00:49:50.310 –> 00:50:05.250 Joseph McElroy: I like to take a to give guests, to give a little itinerary I mentioned it to you, so that people listen to this is sort of you know guide to where they might want to go traveling to hear could have some you know some real touchpoints to go to so.

00:50:06.480 –> 00:50:18.750 Joseph McElroy: yeah it goes through breakfast lunch blah blah blah blah, you know things so what you live in the Asheville area, so you know and around, so what would be your Maxwell friendlies breakfast place in the Asheville area.

00:50:19.770 –> 00:50:30.900 Brandon Johnson: Well, I really love breakfast so if it’s not my mom’s breakfast, which is great, it would be my number one would be Tartan in Lindvall North Carolina.

00:50:31.920 –> 00:50:42.240 Brandon Johnson: it’s Tartan like the Scottish Highland clan pattern, you can bounce heart and mugs I’ve got several I’ve got one on the bench over there with particular tartans on them.

00:50:42.870 –> 00:50:53.310 Brandon Johnson: it covers the menu is a newspaper from the Highland games which happened just very close to their own grandfather’s mountain property.

00:50:54.450 –> 00:51:04.200 Brandon Johnson: And so, but it’s pretty straight-up breakfast it’s not they have some gentle nods to Scottish fair but it’s more just kind of straight-up good southern country breakfast.

00:51:05.340 –> 00:51:18.900 Brandon Johnson: there’s a place actually right across the street from my house here called stony knob CAFE which has an incredible Sunday brunch you’ve it’s kind of thing where you’ve got to get there at like 945 or you’re going to be waiting an hour.

00:51:20.190 –> 00:51:24.420 Brandon Johnson: I really love, a place downtown just outside of downtown Nashville called five points.

00:51:25.440 –> 00:51:28.680 Brandon Johnson: it’s what it could be right out of luck homered angel in terms of.

00:51:29.700 –> 00:51:37.860 Brandon Johnson: The kind of greasy spoon kitchen diner you know you can sit at the counter and watch the cooks and they’ve got like a treatment you.

00:51:38.790 –> 00:51:58.050 Brandon Johnson: So it’s it literally where five streets come together it’s called five points and then there’s also a place in Mars hill called the wagon wheel, which is a like a good country down-home place and then a place in we reveal come times you may tell I’ve done my research on.

00:51:58.050 –> 00:51:58.740 Joseph McElroy: breakfast you.

00:51:58.770 –> 00:52:00.300 Brandon Johnson: You like breakfast you should.

00:52:00.990 –> 00:52:03.570 Joseph McElroy: You should check out POPs place and Maggie Valley.

00:52:04.590 –> 00:52:06.300 Brandon Johnson: like that, and of course, joey’s yeah.

00:52:07.110 –> 00:52:12.060 Joseph McElroy: So if you are after breakfast what would be your favorite hike.

00:52:13.680 –> 00:52:18.660 Brandon Johnson: favorite hike well, we took the other day, a couple of weeks ago we went to the craggy pinnacle.

00:52:20.190 –> 00:52:31.260 Brandon Johnson: And there’s a hike I think it’s just over a mile it’s not incredibly strenuous, but it is kind of appeal and it had been raining a lot, so we were kind of walking through a creek most of the time, but you get to I think it’s.

00:52:31.860 –> 00:52:38.430 Brandon Johnson: 5800 feet at the top, and you have great views down into the Black Mountains it’s in the black mountains pretty close to Mitchell.

00:52:39.900 –> 00:52:53.700 Brandon Johnson: And that’s a cool height right off the parkway and then also like so I spent a lot of time in Mars Hill and my life Bailey mountain is kind of the dominating peek around Mars Hill and there’s they’ve just.

00:52:55.500 –> 00:53:00.810 Brandon Johnson: there’s a like a conservation group that bought a farmstead to create a new.

00:53:00.840 –> 00:53:03.690 Brandon Johnson: trail up to Bailey mountain and it’s about a Three Mile.

00:53:03.690 –> 00:53:14.460 Brandon Johnson: a hike that is a fairly strenuous appeal to the top of Bailey mountain let’s present some really incredible use of Madison county right that’s just a few minutes outside of downtown Mars Hill and.

00:53:14.850 –> 00:53:16.530 Brandon Johnson: I would definitely suggest that.

00:53:16.800 –> 00:53:25.500 Joseph McElroy: Assuming you don’t do a nice picnic lunch, the top which we always recommend and you came back down Where would you go for a nice little lunch.

00:53:27.240 –> 00:53:35.580 Brandon Johnson: Oh man, so my absolute favorite lunch place is called Centerville luncheonette and it’s in North Asheville just too.

00:53:36.240 –> 00:53:47.340 Brandon Johnson: Maybe two miles or so from where I am and it’s actually my neighbor that runs it he’s from Queens and it’s modeled after the luncheonette diner that was in his neighborhood where he grew up.

00:53:48.990 –> 00:53:49.650 Brandon Johnson: In so it.

00:53:50.370 –> 00:53:50.940 Joseph McElroy: looks like.

00:53:51.810 –> 00:53:56.220 Brandon Johnson: yeah yeah so it’s you know just good grilled sandwiches and.

00:53:57.300 –> 00:54:09.720 Brandon Johnson: They do have a nod to like Carolina hamburgers with slaw and Chilean onions and stuff like that, but you know good chicken parm sandwich and Jeff salad and stuff like that, but yeah they’re.

00:54:10.140 –> 00:54:13.830 Brandon Johnson: grilling ham and cheese and hamburgers and tater tots are hard to beat.

00:54:14.070 –> 00:54:21.300 Joseph McElroy: Now, assuming you haven’t worn yourself out from hiking that this is where would you go is a good place to go golf and I know you’re a golfer.

00:54:22.050 –> 00:54:30.300 Brandon Johnson: yeah yeah I would suggest, I really like a black mountain golf club, which is a little bit east of Asheville not too far off about 40.

00:54:31.320 –> 00:54:36.390 Brandon Johnson: I think their claim to fame is like a 747-yard par six.

00:54:37.710 –> 00:54:51.510 Brandon Johnson: Which is a pretty sharp dogleg with some crazy downhill lies it’s more difficult than it should be, but it’s good it’s a good course we have to hit a good array of shots and have to have a good short game.

00:54:52.380 –> 00:55:05.730 Brandon Johnson: So I really like that I also love growth, you know, I have to bring in literature stuff F Scott Fitzgerald spent the summer of 1935 and they both barking and he was off the wagon with liquor so he was drinking like 30 beers a day.

00:55:06.660 –> 00:55:23.730 Brandon Johnson: So there’s some great history and growth bark and the courses and old Donald Ross course it’s all don Ross is a golf designer from a doesn’t know that it’s designed like close to 500 courses in the east coast of the country and so it’s got all the characteristic.

00:55:23.760 –> 00:55:24.690 Joseph McElroy: Raw so it’s.

00:55:25.530 –> 00:55:28.800 Brandon Johnson: For me, it’s gorgeous yeah it’s unbelievable.

00:55:29.070 –> 00:55:38.700 Joseph McElroy: I assume you didn’t need it, one of the restaurants and the grove bug park in which is there, wonderful places and I advise you go try those out where else would you go get a nice dinner.

00:55:39.900 –> 00:55:43.980 Brandon Johnson: I’m going to kind of take the touristy thing here and I’m going to say current a.

00:55:44.910 –> 00:55:55.860 Brandon Johnson: Which is run by chef katie button has a beard award nominee Spanish tapas which is really incredible and then lo Monet’s, which is another restaurant.

00:55:56.490 –> 00:56:06.930 Brandon Johnson: downtown Asheville they there so vj sampler is incredible last time we went my wife’s pregnant, so we couldn’t eat this a VJ which kind of killed me, but I will still go back.

00:56:07.230 –> 00:56:08.280 Joseph McElroy: And maybe those are.

00:56:09.570 –> 00:56:10.650 Brandon Johnson: Little monet’s.

00:56:10.710 –> 00:56:17.370 Joseph McElroy: Monet’s okay my life well my wife loves of each one of our favorite things to do is go to BT so we’ll have to check that out.

00:56:17.430 –> 00:56:20.580 Joseph McElroy: yeah well, I appreciate you being on the show today.

00:56:20.640 –> 00:56:22.050 Brandon Johnson: it’s been wanting to have him in.

00:56:22.350 –> 00:56:27.930 Joseph McElroy: Any other do you have some social media some ways, people can follow you anymore other shout outs that you want to do.

00:56:28.500 –> 00:56:42.570 Brandon Johnson: yeah I have, I have my Instagram for the violins is at bj J violins so if you’re interested, you can check that out or email me at being Jay Johnson f5 at Gmail COM.

00:56:43.020 –> 00:56:51.510 Brandon Johnson: If you want to know more about the blue Ridge national heritage area blues music Charles with witchcraft rails, you can email me at [email protected].

00:56:51.870 –> 00:57:03.690 Brandon Johnson: And so, definitely check out BlueRidgeheritage.com blueRidgemusicNC.com, and BlueRidgecrafttrails.com for more information on what are my day job is I call it.

00:57:04.050 –> 00:57:07.020 Brandon Johnson: yeah well, I look forward to a great honor to have that job.

00:57:07.710 –> 00:57:10.020 Joseph McElroy: I look forward to seeing you in the Meadowlark some time.

00:57:10.110 –> 00:57:11.190 Brandon Johnson: Right, yes, sir.

00:57:11.430 –> 00:57:14.010 Joseph McElroy: Alright cool so close it up.

00:57:15.390 –> 00:57:27.570 Joseph McElroy: To find out more about this podcast you can go gateway to the smokies Doc fun, we have a newsletter you can sign up to get notified of other upcoming podcasts.

00:57:28.770 –> 00:57:41.550 Joseph McElroy: You and, of course, we have a Facebook page called facebook.com slash gateway to the smokies podcast where this is a live stream with video the zoom Stream is as is streamed out on there.

00:57:43.380 –> 00:57:58.680 Joseph McElroy: You can this podcast is part of a talkradio.NYC, which is a live podcast station, and that is in New York City, and it goes out with live podcasts every day.

00:57:59.250 –> 00:58:11.100 Joseph McElroy: That is really interesting and very diverse, ranging from you know the spiritual and divine to practical business to tourism in New York City and, in fact.

00:58:11.490 –> 00:58:24.840 Joseph McElroy: The podcast evolves this one is about visiting New York City and I recommend you listen to it, so you can get a nice balance between rural mountain adventure and a city skyscraper venture.

00:58:26.670 –> 00:58:38.700 Joseph McElroy: And come visit me at both because I live in both worlds, and I thank you all for coming next week, we will have another great show every Tuesday is from.

00:58:39.420 –> 00:58:47.760 Joseph McElroy: from six to seven, we have a new expert and the culture of the smoky mountains adventure coming here and

00:58:48.330 –> 00:58:54.780 Joseph McElroy: check-up to go to the middle of motel calm to find out new current special servicing the mountains right now we have a.

00:58:55.200 –> 00:59:08.700 Joseph McElroy: weekday special you come in on Sunday or Monday night stay three nights where I get one of those free the middle or motel calm and it’s been a pleasure, being a part of this podcast my guest Brandon Johnson, thank you, sir.

Our special guest in this episode is Vesna Plakanis, she and her husband Erik, are Owners and Operators of one of the oldest and most highly respected guides and tour services in the Great Smoky Mountains, “A Walk in the Woods” located in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

The award-winning company was formed in 1998 and has been featured in multiple publications and on television networks including among others, Outside, Backpacker, National Geographic, Shape, Women’s Health and the Discovery Channel, Travel Channel, and PBS. Vesna and her husband, both dedicated Environmentalists, along with their daughter and beloved pets reside in their 90- acre Eco-Camp in the mountains of East Tennessee.‍

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.

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The show begins with Joseph’s introduction of the show and his beer for the episode. He then goes into the sponsored message before describing the autumnal experience in the Smokies, and the leaves turning into their vibrant fall colors. He introduces special guest Vesna Plakanis, then asks Vesna when she began foraging. Her foraging beginnings started with her mother and her mother’s French background. This segways into the discussion of the different countries Vesna lived in throughout her life. Saudi Arabia, France, and Iran are just a few examples. They go further into Vesna’s life and her college days, the time when she met her husband, Eric. She elaborates on how they began dating and the immediate connection she had with him through their love of nature and the outdoors. Joseph asks when her love of the Smokies began, and she describes it as a “love at first sight” deal when she saw the fall colors of the Smokies.

The show returns with the recounting of Eric’s 10-day vision trip as he went backpacking for 10 days in the Smokies to discover himself. After coming back, Eric describes his vision of how he wanted to educate people on the Smokies and everything it has to offer. Vesna and Eric got together to make a business plan to take people on tour guides of the mountains. She depicts her first tour trip with just a singular customer to how her business grew into what it is today. Joseph asks her how she got from point A to point B with her business. “A family-orientated vision and supportive staff” was all she needed. Joseph shifts the conversation into Vesna’s and Eric’s historian and survivalist side, and why they wanted to learn. Vesna explains that historical culture was very important to her and the survivalist tendencies naturally come from years of being outdoors. They get into Vesna’s love of storytelling, and she tells a Cherokee story of how the Appalachian mountains were made.

Coming back from the ad break, Joseph gets into bears and bear encounters. Vesna talks about a time when she was leading a group of backpackers, and a small bear came up and tried to eat their food. She managed to scare it away and protect the backpacks from the clutches of hungry bears. Vesna gets into the bear protection training she received as a safety precaution. The main thing she learned was that bears didn’t understand boundaries and to show boundaries to them, yelling, throwing objects, and, occasionally, setting off fireworks works like a charm. The conversation pivots to the Coronavirus and how it affected her business. She lost a major part of her customers which damaged the business, but were able to limp along. Moving on, they get into Vesna’s experience with testifying in Congress as an advocate against factory pollutants. One day, Vesna and Eric experienced ozone-induced asthma attacks which helped her testify against TVA to get rid of their plants that were polluting the air. Joseph then asks Vesna about the awards she received, and she goes into Eric’s “Best Tour Guide” award as their crowning achievement. They begin to talk about the services her company provides before getting into the commercials.

Back after the final ad break, Joseph asks her what the customers’ favorite tours and car tours were. Waterfalls, mountain peaks, and caves are just a few her customers love. They also offer classes on wildlife, historical cultures, and general nature knowledge. She describes her favorite area to hike in that has everything anyone can ask for. Beautiful wildlife, lush forests, and rich history behind the area. To end everything off, Vesna talks about future products that will be offered by the company and where the audience can find her.

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00:00:36.210 –> 00:00:39.810 Joseph McElroy: hey thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of

00:00:40.170 –> 00:00:50.250 Joseph McElroy: gateway to the smokies this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountain national park, and surrounding towns.

00:00:50.580 –> 00:00:59.430 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty and deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.

00:00:59.880 –> 00:01:12.990 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family’s lived in the great smoky mountain for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.

00:01:13.620 –> 00:01:28.770 Joseph McElroy: today’s podcast is about breaking trails of the smokies today’s beer is by the Bronx new brewery now use can’t leave as a double IPA it’s just a second time I’ve done it on the show, but I liked it so.

00:01:31.980 –> 00:01:39.180 Joseph McElroy: I do it I’m going to North Carolina more next time we have a lot of great craft beers and the mountains of North Carolina.

00:01:41.010 –> 00:01:52.950 Joseph McElroy: But first, I want you to imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past, yet modern and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian feel it please for adventure and for relaxation.

00:01:53.430 –> 00:02:03.840 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish and amount inheritance trout street grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers.

00:02:04.380 –> 00:02:20.190 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place with all-time music and world cultural south, there is no other place like the Meadowlark motel and Maggie valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.

00:02:21.720 –> 00:02:32.730 Joseph McElroy: Now I will also when you want to find out information about the smokies you need to go to smokies adventure.com that’s plural smoky singular adventure COM.

00:02:33.210 –> 00:02:43.050 Joseph McElroy: It has lots of information and lets listings about the smoking’s about hiking about guides for hiking about trail maps and outdoor resources.

00:02:43.320 –> 00:02:58.770 Joseph McElroy: The emphasis of smoky advanced smokers adventure is outdoor recreation outdoor life events like weddings and adventures, along with providing information and lodging family entertainment events conventions, I mean rooms and more.

00:02:59.790 –> 00:03:03.840 Joseph McElroy: Its goal is to become the leading information portal of the smoky mountain.

00:03:06.210 –> 00:03:17.880 Joseph McElroy: So Hello guys, how are you doing so, this is the peak, this is the big tourist season for the smoky mountains because now we’re getting into fall colors they’ve just started.

00:03:18.510 –> 00:03:28.890 Joseph McElroy: And then 2021 which we’re in now you want to be soaking in all the beautiful fall colors that you need, I think everyone should do at least once.

00:03:29.460 –> 00:03:39.600 Joseph McElroy: it’s worth the peace and tranquility of the views are worth the trip Now I will not, not to mention all the things that you do all the here because everybody’s opening everybody to do with it.

00:03:41.760 –> 00:03:46.380 Joseph McElroy: I just read the recent fall report about what’s happening right now.

00:03:47.580 –> 00:03:58.170 Joseph McElroy: And so we’re actually expecting the leaves turn to the cool girl gorgeous fall colors and higher elevations around mid-mid-October, but now.

00:03:58.860 –> 00:04:12.570 Joseph McElroy: continue in the lower elevations until mid-November, so the fall foliage is going to be most vibrant, while the temperatures are in the 70s during the day and dropping the 40s at night, which they are now starting to do.

00:04:13.140 –> 00:04:22.710 Joseph McElroy: So you really can think of, but I, you know I would say that you know, right now, at the motel we’re seeing like everybody booked up right now, this weekend next weekend.

00:04:23.040 –> 00:04:32.490 Joseph McElroy: But you know the last weekend of October and the first one, where we had a November there’s still lots of availability and I think that’s going to be the peak that’s what this is saying there’s going to be the peak.

00:04:32.790 –> 00:04:41.070 Joseph McElroy: So you know get out there and grab your place to come out and see something that’s just spectacular natural wonders of the world.

00:04:42.810 –> 00:04:47.580 Joseph McElroy: So our guest today is Vesna Plakanis

00:04:49.410 –> 00:04:49.890 Joseph McElroy: How you doing.

00:04:51.120 –> 00:04:52.950 Vesna Plakanis: Great Thank you how are you doing.

00:04:53.400 –> 00:04:57.810 Joseph McElroy: Fine, so I forgot I forgot to read your bio let me do that real quick.

00:04:58.950 –> 00:05:09.660 Joseph McElroy: So you and your husband Eric are owners and operators of one of the oldest and most highly respected guides and tour services in the great smoky mountains, to call the walk in the woods.

00:05:10.020 –> 00:05:16.980 Joseph McElroy: And it’s located in Gatlinburg Tennessee now you are an award-winning company that was formed in 1998.

00:05:17.400 –> 00:05:28.620 Joseph McElroy: And you’ve been featured in multiple publications and on television networks, including among others outside backpacker National Geographic shaped women’s health and the discovery channel.

00:05:29.070 –> 00:05:45.510 Joseph McElroy: The travel channel and PBS you and your husband are both dedicated environmentalists along with your daughter and beloved pets who reside on a 98 or ECO camp in the mountains of East Tennessee so welcome back I’m glad to have you here.

00:05:45.930 –> 00:05:47.430 Vesna Plakanis: Thank you it’s great to be here.

00:05:48.780 –> 00:06:01.020 Joseph McElroy: So first off, I was doing a little research, I like to find out a little bit about the people coming on the show, so I read that you are a forger as a child was a common activity in your child in your family.

00:06:02.130 –> 00:06:16.050 Vesna Plakanis: um well my mother is French, and so we certainly you know went out the into the yard and to the good kind of local fields and was and pick mushrooms and herbs things like that, and then.

00:06:16.650 –> 00:06:31.620 Vesna Plakanis: my grandmother was a full-on I was depression era farmer, and you know back in those days you had to make do with everything and so she really taught me a lot about like what to do with weeds and.

00:06:32.760 –> 00:06:43.950 Vesna Plakanis: house and having you know dandelion fried dandelion and you know dandelion salad, and so you know learned about these things are a very, very young age.

00:06:44.370 –> 00:06:46.110 Joseph McElroy: Is that where you grew up in Iowa.

00:06:47.040 –> 00:06:50.670 Vesna Plakanis: No, I am what my husband calls an international met mutt.

00:06:52.710 –> 00:06:54.750 Vesna Plakanis: I grew up all over the world, actually.

00:06:55.110 –> 00:06:59.220 Joseph McElroy: Oh really well yeah give me some examples of where you live.

00:06:59.700 –> 00:07:07.860 Vesna Plakanis: Well, I was born in Germany, my mother’s French, so I spent some time in France lived in Iran and Saudi Arabia.

00:07:08.070 –> 00:07:09.300 Joseph McElroy: Oh, my gosh oh.

00:07:10.140 –> 00:07:11.400 Vesna Plakanis: This little bit of every place.

00:07:11.880 –> 00:07:13.500 Joseph McElroy: And when did you come to the United States.

00:07:13.950 –> 00:07:28.500 Vesna Plakanis: Well, on and off from the time I was too, so my dad is a midwesterner, and so we actually they lived in Minnesota when he was growing up and so Minnesota was kind of our landing pad and we’d come to go back and forth to Minneapolis area.

00:07:28.920 –> 00:07:35.250 Joseph McElroy: I see and during all this traveling around the world, and you get to do a lot of hiking and outdoor activities.

00:07:36.150 –> 00:07:43.590 Vesna Plakanis: um well when I lived in Saudi Arabia, I was actually in the girl scouts and we would camp out on sand dunes.

00:07:47.730 –> 00:07:48.210 Vesna Plakanis: Oh.

00:07:48.630 –> 00:07:51.090 Joseph McElroy: wow we know, I was.

00:07:52.320 –> 00:07:57.060 Joseph McElroy: You know, being in the content marketing business that Saudi Arabia is actually done this whole you know.

00:07:57.450 –> 00:08:08.460 Joseph McElroy: thing to try to be more tourist-friendly destination, and so they were approaching us about doing some content marketing for that and I got into researching them, and while there was a lot of problems with the I didn’t want to deal with at the end of it.

00:08:09.750 –> 00:08:23.520 Joseph McElroy: It really is a beautiful place for outdoor activity as a lot of amazing you know biking trails and our desert rallies and yeah so there’s a there’s quite an eye-opening and what, in which you can do.

00:08:24.480 –> 00:08:33.330 Joseph McElroy: So oh you’re so you’ve had a great journey so, but you, you went off to college you got a communications degree right and you had a career in television.

00:08:33.810 –> 00:08:42.000 Vesna Plakanis: I did yep marketing maybe you know just the whole nine yards, I was everything from advertising to copywriting to the producer.

00:08:43.140 –> 00:08:45.060 Vesna Plakanis: newscaster all of it.

00:08:45.600 –> 00:08:47.610 Joseph McElroy: wow where did you do that.

00:08:48.810 –> 00:08:50.280 Vesna Plakanis: in Illinois and Knoxville.

00:08:50.880 –> 00:08:51.600 Joseph McElroy: Okay cool.

00:08:52.080 –> 00:08:56.010 Vesna Plakanis: and actually Atlanta I worked for the Olympics in 96.

00:08:57.360 –> 00:09:01.260 Joseph McElroy: Well, that must have been an interesting time the bomb scare and every day right.

00:09:03.510 –> 00:09:17.490 Joseph McElroy: So your husband Eric is also had a different career he’s your partner right, so he was an accountant right and then, and then presumed a few fields, right here, but what did you guys meet.

00:09:18.510 –> 00:09:25.260 Vesna Plakanis: um well actually he was living in Atlanta, and I was living in Knoxville and he was dating a friend of mine.

00:09:29.190 –> 00:09:31.860 Joseph McElroy: Okay, now we get into the Peyton place to her.

00:09:36.270 –> 00:09:46.950 Vesna Plakanis: And I asked her if it was okay if I called um but we were instantly you know, there was a connection there as soon as we met so I didn’t steal him.

00:09:48.150 –> 00:09:48.780 Joseph McElroy: All right.

00:09:49.680 –> 00:09:55.080 Joseph McElroy: yeah that’s great well know the psychic connection yeah just created that was weird.

00:09:58.470 –> 00:10:09.720 Joseph McElroy: So, so do you remember you I mean you obviously developed some sort of a bond around nature, I think because you made a career right like instantly from the beginning.

00:10:11.130 –> 00:10:16.530 Vesna Plakanis: I think both of us just loved you know the natural world and when we met, it was just kind of a.

00:10:17.370 –> 00:10:29.550 Vesna Plakanis: kismet um but no I was growing up in Minnesota, even though I was in Minneapolis you know, we had woods in our backyard, I was at it in school at the time.

00:10:30.090 –> 00:10:47.430 Vesna Plakanis: Were they kind of had experimental things in you know in public high schools, and so we had a required outdoor education program and so from the time I was 12 years old, we had a climbing wall, we went camping when we were you know kids you know in sixth grade that was like required.

00:10:48.720 –> 00:10:55.260 Vesna Plakanis: And so I just really got into the natural world and moved around a lot, I was kind of a lonely kid.

00:10:56.070 –> 00:11:03.900 Vesna Plakanis: So it was very natural for me to just go out into the woods and find that solace and then Eric grew up in.

00:11:04.380 –> 00:11:08.790 Vesna Plakanis: New Jersey right on the New Jersey New York state line and ma.

00:11:09.240 –> 00:11:16.470 Vesna Plakanis: Which is right off the Appalachian trail, and so you know he played in the woods, this whole you know childhood to and so both of us just.

00:11:16.680 –> 00:11:24.570 Vesna Plakanis: Love nature and this is what we love to do, and then, when he and I got married we actually went backpacking and camping through Maui for two weeks.

00:11:24.810 –> 00:11:29.670 Joseph McElroy: wow so that’s so for the weekend go you started your bonding over that.

00:11:30.120 –> 00:11:39.120 Joseph McElroy: yeah so when did so you live in Knoxville imagined, and he was in Atlanta Atlanta so did you have your first experience of the smokies together or separately.

00:11:39.600 –> 00:11:48.990 Vesna Plakanis: know I lived in Knoxville for several years, so I worked at the TV station and we used to go up you know, to the park and you know to go camping and do picnics and go hiking and.

00:11:50.040 –> 00:11:58.140 Vesna Plakanis: So now I fell in love with the smoky mountains, when I was in college and my mom and my stepfather had lived in Knoxville.

00:11:58.740 –> 00:12:09.480 Vesna Plakanis: And it just moved down when I started college, so I came downfall break once and just I just remember falling in love coming over the Kentucky border.

00:12:10.140 –> 00:12:21.360 Vesna Plakanis: And it was fall and just the colors were so vibrant and magical and because I moved around so much, I never really felt at home anywhere instantly.

00:12:22.830 –> 00:12:25.380 Vesna Plakanis: Like it just got under my skin, I felt at home.

00:12:26.280 –> 00:12:36.690 Joseph McElroy: And then, according to your website your husband went on a 10-day vision quest in the smokies which then really sort of set you on a path right to have a shared passion.

00:12:37.290 –> 00:12:44.220 Vesna Plakanis: yeah we really Atlanta, and both in corporate America and we’re like oh God I don’t want to do the rest of my life and.

00:12:45.240 –> 00:12:53.430 Vesna Plakanis: So we were having these you know little picnics in downtown Atlanta we’re like you know, we really should do something like homestead and Alaska.

00:12:55.620 –> 00:12:59.070 Vesna Plakanis: sounds crazy and we’re vegetarian, so what would we eat and.

00:13:01.320 –> 00:13:11.070 Vesna Plakanis: One day we after one of these little picnics you know kind of vision, you know, like fantasy picnics we went into a coffee house and picked up a magazine.

00:13:11.490 –> 00:13:18.240 Vesna Plakanis: About a woman who left corporate America and started training under this naturalist school in North Georgia.

00:13:18.840 –> 00:13:29.490 Vesna Plakanis: And she actually left her job and went lived off the land were like this sounds really cool so we started taking classes from this guy in medicine bow and.

00:13:29.970 –> 00:13:41.460 Vesna Plakanis: that’s really sparked our interest in goddess kind of thinking about getting in this direction and then yeah Eric went on his 10-day backpacking vision quest and came down we picked him up and he’s like know what we’re gonna do.

00:13:43.440 –> 00:13:48.660 Joseph McElroy: There we go so we’re gonna take a break down and when we come back we’re going to talk about what you did.

00:16:04.230 –> 00:16:12.240 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with a gateway to the smokies podcast my guest is Vesna Plakanis

00:16:12.720 –> 00:16:24.390 Joseph McElroy: So you were telling you that you had your husband come down from the mountain after 10 days vision quest and he had a vision of what you guys were going to do what was that vision, what do you guys do.

00:16:26.490 –> 00:16:32.010 Vesna Plakanis: Well, this is the most visited National Park in the country and a lot of people don’t go.

00:16:32.460 –> 00:16:44.310 Vesna Plakanis: More than half a mile you know from the parking lot and he really saw that kind of on his 10-day backpacking trips when you come out and to the parking areas and people would be like where did you just come from.

00:16:45.270 –> 00:16:56.700 Vesna Plakanis: His dirty mouth man, he was you know isn’t backpacking for days so when he came out of the woods after that 10-day backpacking trip, he said, you know I really feel like.

00:16:57.180 –> 00:17:05.820 Vesna Plakanis: People, we need to educate people, we need to get them out there and get them excited about what makes a split place I’m so very special.

00:17:07.020 –> 00:17:19.350 Vesna Plakanis: And so we started to kind of do a business plan on, you know how we would create a guide service, and you know how would we would be more education-oriented, so we didn’t want to take people from point A to Point B.

00:17:20.220 –> 00:17:25.440 Vesna Plakanis: You know, we really wanted people to be immersed and experience what makes the smokies.

00:17:25.890 –> 00:17:43.170 Vesna Plakanis: So very special but also you know, hoping that that would kind of filter out into the greater world so people could understand that you know we are part of this beautiful planet and that was kind of a lofty goal but that’s what we set out to do.

00:17:43.800 –> 00:17:48.060 Joseph McElroy: And how long did it take you when when when was that the vision quest.

00:17:48.690 –> 00:18:01.050 Vesna Plakanis: it was I guess in the summer of 96 so it took us a couple of years to sort of save money and figure out what you know the direction we wanted to take and exactly where we wanted to live.

00:18:01.980 –> 00:18:07.920 Joseph McElroy: And you started your business and what was your first, what do you make sure.

00:18:09.450 –> 00:18:18.630 Vesna Plakanis: So our first money it’s really actually funny because she came back last year um but you know we started out into like outfitters.

00:18:19.320 –> 00:18:32.100 Vesna Plakanis: You know, got to know, everybody that Chamber of Commerce, you know T-shirts, we thought we would walk through the streets of Gatlinburg with our brochures and T-shirts and people would magically stop this and go oh take us for a hike that didn’t happen.

00:18:34.620 –> 00:18:46.950 Vesna Plakanis: Through a very good friend of ours, who helped us with our website, and you know the Chamber of Commerce people eventually started finding us so our very first adventure was going up to Andrews bald.

00:18:47.310 –> 00:18:55.500 Vesna Plakanis: Which right now, by the way, his peak colors are gorgeous so bald is actually a high mountain meadow.

00:18:56.010 –> 00:19:12.660 Vesna Plakanis: Andrews bald is over 5000 feet in elevation and so you got this big wide open gorgeous natural space with you know just see after see you know of mountains and we took one woman both Eric and I.

00:19:14.760 –> 00:19:16.290 Vesna Plakanis: $14.

00:19:20.160 –> 00:19:23.370 Joseph McElroy: He made sure he had a good time for that $14

00:19:25.320 –> 00:19:33.420 Vesna Plakanis: The cute thing is she came back I think last year and hired us again she brought some friends and she said, you know I think I was your very first customer.

00:19:38.010 –> 00:19:39.990 Joseph McElroy: Two owners came along with theirs.

00:19:50.100 –> 00:19:50.670 Vesna Plakanis: From there.

00:19:51.600 –> 00:19:55.440 Joseph McElroy: Well that’s it, you know it’s impressive longevity I mean a small business.

00:19:56.490 –> 00:20:09.780 Joseph McElroy: yeah so it’s 98 yeah that’s what 23 years rightmost small businesses fail within the first five years right, so the IUCN you’re always I’m always looking for.

00:20:10.710 –> 00:20:21.390 Joseph McElroy: better ways to do things I took a look at your website and you have an incredible you know variety of things that you offer you also I looked at, so you have this incredible diversity of.

00:20:22.140 –> 00:20:39.420 Joseph McElroy: the roster of guys of all ages and genders, and all very clearly talented you have like history, you know people with history degrees and former park Rangers and things So what do you how did you build that roster of guys.

00:20:42.000 –> 00:20:47.460 Vesna Plakanis: just getting to know people were very we made friends with people in the park service.

00:20:48.330 –> 00:20:57.510 Vesna Plakanis: Our daughter actually between I think for junior and senior year interned at the park and that’s actually how we got one of our first.

00:20:57.870 –> 00:21:03.840 Vesna Plakanis: guides who’s been with us forever our historian Sam um and then we just built a reputation, you know.

00:21:04.140 –> 00:21:17.040 Vesna Plakanis: Gatlinburg is a very small town, even though we get so many people there are only 4000 people in Gatlinburg and so you pretty much know everybody, you know you bump into people all the time at the grocery store and so just by getting to know people.

00:21:17.640 –> 00:21:26.790 Vesna Plakanis: And I think we also have a reputation, as you know, family-oriented business, and that makes people very comfortable when they come to work for us, you know we’re very.

00:21:28.290 –> 00:21:40.440 Vesna Plakanis: Clear about mentoring and helping to expand our guides and so you know there are certain things that we want from our staff, they have to be wilderness first responders which we will pay for.

00:21:41.220 –> 00:21:50.790 Vesna Plakanis: We also promote you know outside larger you know, education if people want to become naturalist certified naturalist you know we help with that with scholarships.

00:21:51.360 –> 00:21:59.460 Vesna Plakanis: So we’re very supportive in that respect, and we also you know any given time in our office you might have.

00:21:59.970 –> 00:22:10.050 Vesna Plakanis: a toddler running around or five dogs, or you know, last week we even had a one-month-old baby, because one of our guides just had a baby or one of our staff.

00:22:10.530 –> 00:22:19.110 Vesna Plakanis: um you know, so I think we just try to be a very supportive kind of family environment, even though we now have 30 people on our staff we just we still have that core.

00:22:19.590 –> 00:22:25.110 Joseph McElroy: cool no I was, I was pleasantly surprised so, but you know.

00:22:25.170 –> 00:22:27.030 Joseph McElroy: You and your husband combined have.

00:22:27.720 –> 00:22:32.700 Joseph McElroy: Seven years of outdoor experience and you say most of that your husband Eric stuff.

00:22:39.990 –> 00:22:42.660 Vesna Plakanis: Just the two of us did biking and.

00:22:44.340 –> 00:22:55.200 Joseph McElroy: So, but you are also not only a hikers mature expert survivalist, and a historian, so you were in marketing, he was an accounting you had a vision quest came up here.

00:22:55.530 –> 00:23:04.350 Joseph McElroy: So, how did you learn about the different plants and tracking and you know survivalism and how did you go about becoming experts have back.

00:23:05.100 –> 00:23:12.870 Vesna Plakanis: um well, a lot of it was when we first started taking those classes from the naturalist school and in North Georgia.

00:23:13.380 –> 00:23:23.850 Vesna Plakanis: And that’s run by a man named mark Warren medicine bow and he teaches that kind of primitive skills but based on what the Cherokee used to teach and what the turkeys to use.

00:23:24.450 –> 00:23:31.410 Vesna Plakanis: And so, that was a natural way for us to really start learning about the local natives of the area and.

00:23:32.010 –> 00:23:42.630 Vesna Plakanis: I love history, you know, having traveled all over the world I’m very into cultures and understanding how you know people you know things move together, and you can have.

00:23:43.260 –> 00:23:52.800 Vesna Plakanis: You know people moving into an area without understanding the environmental, you know issues and what they’re dealing with and the Scotch Irish you came down here and.

00:23:53.190 –> 00:24:00.900 Vesna Plakanis: The fact that the Appalachian mountains are you know, part of a chain that goes, all the way to Scotland and so when people settled here it felt familiar.

00:24:01.290 –> 00:24:10.890 Vesna Plakanis: So I think it’s just a natural thing when you are a guide in this area, you know to sort of put all those pieces together and where we’re as rich.

00:24:11.640 –> 00:24:24.780 Vesna Plakanis: in human history, as we are in diversity, where the most biodiverse place in the world, north of the tropics we also have the largest collection of human artifacts in any national park in the country, so it all goes really hand in hand.

00:24:25.350 –> 00:24:25.980 wow.

00:24:27.330 –> 00:24:33.150 Joseph McElroy: yeah I was reading about you guy’s depth of knowledge and, of course, you know Bob Plott who’s.

00:24:33.840 –> 00:24:41.820 Joseph McElroy: Who helps me with this program is also a pretty fine historian and understanding the smoke as well just has high things to say about you guys.

00:24:42.420 –> 00:24:49.830 Joseph McElroy: But I also understand you’re really great storyteller so I’m looking forward to hearing some of your stories, so you know a lot about the Cherokee and.

00:24:51.000 –> 00:24:58.620 Joseph McElroy: And the European settlers they know how did you know is that something that’s important on your picking people out.

00:24:59.490 –> 00:25:07.710 Vesna Plakanis: Oh yeah We very much whenever and even as we’re mentoring and training, these new guides you know, one of the things we really try to emphasize is that.

00:25:08.010 –> 00:25:19.440 Vesna Plakanis: You know you’re not just going, and this is a tree, and this is that you know you’re really trying to weave something together, and I was an English major before I became kind of been.

00:25:20.400 –> 00:25:23.730 Vesna Plakanis: into communication which I guess is all part of the same thing.

00:25:24.540 –> 00:25:35.190 Vesna Plakanis: But I really look at being a guide as being a storyteller you know it’s an art it’s you know you’re introducing characters and you’re introducing a plot, and you know, then there’s drama.

00:25:35.550 –> 00:25:43.230 Vesna Plakanis: And then, at the end you know the you’re bringing it all together, and this is such a natural place to tell these wonderful stories.

00:25:43.830 –> 00:25:45.930 Joseph McElroy: what’s it what’s a favorite story you tell.

00:25:47.160 –> 00:25:47.460 Vesna Plakanis: Oh.

00:25:50.160 –> 00:25:51.960 Vesna Plakanis: got a lot of um.

00:25:53.100 –> 00:25:55.440 Joseph McElroy: Quick what we felt like.

00:25:57.300 –> 00:26:02.580 Vesna Plakanis: Well let’s see, let me so so what I love about this one, this is the Cherokee creation story.

00:26:03.300 –> 00:26:13.890 Vesna Plakanis: And what I love about that is that somehow they had this understanding of how these mountains were really created that you know we used to have an ocean here and the story goes that long ago.

00:26:14.430 –> 00:26:23.820 Vesna Plakanis: This with the earth was just this big blue globe and there was nothing but water and all the plants and animals lived in the sky vault and the animals were giant animals.

00:26:24.240 –> 00:26:36.390 Vesna Plakanis: And as time went on population expanded and there wasn’t a lot of room and so they looked down at this place, which was the late, great blue globe and they said, maybe we can move down there, but all they saw was water.

00:26:36.930 –> 00:26:42.900 Vesna Plakanis: And so they sent the little water beetle, who was a great swimmer down to explore, to see if he could find some land.

00:26:43.230 –> 00:26:54.540 Vesna Plakanis: And he went down this web that had been spun by a spider and he went down and he started to swim and look for the earth and he couldn’t find any so we don’t down and he found some mud he brought them.

00:26:54.840 –> 00:27:08.580 Vesna Plakanis: up and, as he brought it up, it expanded into our earth and it was too soft was money, so we went back up and he told everybody, and so the animal sent grandfather buzzard gigantic bird to look for dry land.

00:27:09.030 –> 00:27:26.670 Vesna Plakanis: And he was a big bird and he skipped flu and he flew in his wings were so gigantic but, after a long time he could only find that money got so tired and, as he flew and not more tired his giant wings hit the earth and made valleys and when he brought it back up they made mountains.

00:27:26.880 –> 00:27:36.060 Vesna Plakanis: And after a while, nothing but mountains and valleys and the animal said to come back and he did, and that is how he created the Appalachian mountains.

00:27:36.330 –> 00:27:38.130 Joseph McElroy: Oh, a great culture

00:27:40.470 –> 00:27:41.670 Vesna Plakanis: buzzard that’s right.

00:27:42.000 –> 00:27:59.640 Vesna Plakanis: And if I have time just finish it real quick the sun thought it was so beautiful that the sun took a trip she went from east to west and, as she went over she was so in love with this area, and she dried it all up and all the animals and plants were able to come down to the.

00:28:00.840 –> 00:28:12.030 Joseph McElroy: the fabulous day I love that story, so I want to talk more about stories and more about bears when we come back.

00:28:12.360 –> 00:28:12.720 Okay.

00:30:51.300 –> 00:31:01.320 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Vesna Plakanis

00:31:02.100 –> 00:31:09.480 Joseph McElroy: You know, when people come to visit the motel or talk to me up here, even up here in New York, about the smoky mountains ask

00:31:09.840 –> 00:31:15.600 Joseph McElroy: You know where to start asking a little bit about things they asked about wildlife and they always ask about two things now.

00:31:16.170 –> 00:31:22.890 Joseph McElroy: used to be always about the black bears, and now they talk about else, of course, as well because it’s become somewhat famous.

00:31:23.610 –> 00:31:34.080 Joseph McElroy: When you’re out there I’m sure you had some bear counters on the trails and you know men been what almost a quarter-century now do you have any interesting tour stories about that.

00:31:35.640 –> 00:31:47.220 Vesna Plakanis: um well you know I’ve always been run into them once in a while, especially different times of the year, I did have a group that I was taking out a four-day backpacking trip and.

00:31:47.910 –> 00:31:57.720 Vesna Plakanis: was hearing, I sound kind of you know, on the shelter around the shelter and you know, in the middle of the night kept getting up didn’t see anything.

00:31:58.830 –> 00:32:09.120 Vesna Plakanis: And then I heard a Jingle Jingle Jingle and ran out to the place where you hang your backpack so you know there’s a steel cable pulleys you hang your backpack.

00:32:09.510 –> 00:32:23.280 Vesna Plakanis: And there was this little yearling I’m not a very big bear that was trying very, very, very hard to shake and get our backpacks you know down off those hooks and I was able to you know kind of chase them away and.

00:32:25.020 –> 00:32:34.290 Vesna Plakanis: And, but apparently some of the Appalachian Trail thru-hikers I’m assuming it’s the same one later saw the same little bear.

00:32:35.250 –> 00:32:45.810 Vesna Plakanis: You know, actually trying to learn how to unhook it so he was trying very hard to kind of work on that hug so he can hook back up backpack so bears are incredibly smart.

00:32:46.110 –> 00:32:57.300 Joseph McElroy: wow wait no reason I ask is that I read that you got training with a bear expert, known as the bear whisper his name is Steve Sir all right.

00:32:58.440 –> 00:33:01.170 Joseph McElroy: And what was the What would it be training abilities.

00:33:01.800 –> 00:33:08.400 Vesna Plakanis: So actually Steve Cyril was on animal planet for a while, I think it was a show called the bear whisper.

00:33:10.380 –> 00:33:24.660 Vesna Plakanis: The park and the town of Gatlinburg of back in August around the year 2000 we’re really trying to understand you know how to operate as a gateway Community you know because bears don’t understand boundaries.

00:33:25.560 –> 00:33:30.840 Vesna Plakanis: And so, when you know when the smells are coming from you know the restaurants and.

00:33:31.320 –> 00:33:45.600 Vesna Plakanis: Food season is maybe not so great, you know master crop in the park is not so plentiful or is that in-between time before all the NUTS start falling you know the bears will kind of start coming out and they’ll get into trash will get into you know.

00:33:46.440 –> 00:33:56.550 Vesna Plakanis: they’ll go over to cabins restaurants and things like that so Gatlinburg hired this expert Steve to come and talk to.

00:33:57.060 –> 00:34:10.410 Vesna Plakanis: You know people who are working in the National Park, so we were part of sponsored by the American humane society, and we were part of a group that spent an entire weekend with Steve really learning how to live with bear and.

00:34:11.400 –> 00:34:23.430 Vesna Plakanis: There are basically it’s called a nonlethal bear version technique which includes noise Biggers hate noise, so you know you hear about wave your arms and yell.

00:34:24.030 –> 00:34:34.170 Vesna Plakanis: But there are other steps to that you know, throwing things because they don’t understand you know that that concept of something being thrown at them.

00:34:34.530 –> 00:34:46.890 Vesna Plakanis: and extreme cases, and of course you as a guide or you know, a person in the park can’t do this but I’m like if you have it around your House and our eco-camp, we set off fireworks and it’s.

00:34:48.390 –> 00:35:00.030 Vesna Plakanis: A coughing dog same thing and so it’s all these ways to teach bears that there is a separation and then, once they get to the place that they need to be.

00:35:00.570 –> 00:35:18.180 Vesna Plakanis: You give them silence so you’re really, really, really loud like that bear that you know I saw that was trying to work with that the backpack on the cables bunch of noise and scream and act like idiots and then as soon as they get to a location where it’s Okay, for them to be quiet.

00:35:18.840 –> 00:35:19.380 Vesna Plakanis: And then just.

00:35:19.590 –> 00:35:24.480 Vesna Plakanis: A dog, you know they’re like oh OK, I can be here, but I can’t be here and it’s.

00:35:26.580 –> 00:35:28.590 Joseph McElroy: So you train them that’s pretty cool.

00:35:30.630 –> 00:35:40.710 Joseph McElroy: So um you know you know this has been an interesting time with a pandemic, and you know, in the mountains I’ve had to experience that I put in a.

00:35:41.610 –> 00:35:54.930 Joseph McElroy: vaccine mandate has a little bit of trouble with that got written up in the papers about you know how I ended up having to clean rooms, how is it how’s the pandemic affected your your your business and how have you responded.

00:35:56.580 –> 00:36:09.750 Vesna Plakanis: Last year was a struggle, you know the park closed down for three months, with good reason, um so it was a shift, we lost a lot of our staff only because we didn’t know when we were going to open back up again.

00:36:10.620 –> 00:36:19.590 Vesna Plakanis: Our major client is rei and they’re about 7060 to 70% of our business that rei stopped operating last year.

00:36:19.620 –> 00:36:20.880 All together know.

00:36:22.200 –> 00:36:35.730 Vesna Plakanis: That we had no adventure programs so that really hurt, but you know we pivoted we I was lucky our daughter, who is now an adult living in Boston she was actually working with the.

00:36:37.050 –> 00:36:45.540 Vesna Plakanis: Center for global health and security at Harvard and so she was kind of able to give us a heads up and let us know what was happening.

00:36:46.290 –> 00:36:56.220 Vesna Plakanis: Before a lot of other people did, and so we started putting protocols in place and rewriting our handbook and all that and, and you know, we were able to limp along.

00:36:56.790 –> 00:37:07.350 Joseph McElroy: And now all your guides and all your programs are all very safe and for a cove and all that sort of stuff, which is, I think, important to let people know.

00:37:08.520 –> 00:37:18.060 Joseph McElroy: There is a way to make everything you know secure for people, I mean, like you, we mentioned offline the safety of the.

00:37:18.690 –> 00:37:32.820 Joseph McElroy: In hospitality is paramount right so and we both believe in that I think that’s great you know I’m also you know, I was reading, you know the Meadowlark motels were the only three pine rated.

00:37:33.930 –> 00:37:36.930 Joseph McElroy: Lodging facility west of Asheville.

00:37:38.310 –> 00:37:53.790 Joseph McElroy: it’s the state of North Carolina is ecological we know how high you are rated and things like that, so I see that you’re you are here you’re a superstar and environmental issues you survived testified before Congress or 2016, can you tell us about that.

00:37:56.430 –> 00:38:12.120 Vesna Plakanis: So it goes way back to actually the MID-2000s when both my husband and I had ohs what turned out to be ozone-induced asthma attacks, as we were hiking and leading groups and.

00:38:12.960 –> 00:38:30.270 Vesna Plakanis: The air quality was so bad that they were warning people not to go out into the mountains, and so you know we never had that before we didn’t understand what it was so we became came part of a class-action lawsuit against TBA.

00:38:31.530 –> 00:38:45.300 Vesna Plakanis: To you know help to have them add scrubbers and take a lot of their very old ancient polluting smokestacks offline so eventually they actually ended up closing.

00:38:46.650 –> 00:38:51.090 Vesna Plakanis: Power plants that were so bad, and they had been grandfathered in.

00:38:51.570 –> 00:38:58.950 Vesna Plakanis: And then you know we helped with a lot of other environmental groups to force tba to add scrubbers to all of their smokestacks.

00:38:59.220 –> 00:39:11.940 Vesna Plakanis: So the air quality and the plant life, as a result, went from you know being hazardous sometimes and only seeing you know, five, six miles 10 miles to now you’re seeing.

00:39:12.510 –> 00:39:26.040 Vesna Plakanis: On an average day you know 60 miles or more, and you know it’s not uncommon to have you know 200 mile visibility days, and so I when the EPA was looking at.

00:39:26.520 –> 00:39:39.060 Vesna Plakanis: You know, strengthening these you know regulations, I was invited to go to DC and was able to tell my story about what it was like to have an.

00:39:40.110 –> 00:39:40.980 Vesna Plakanis: asthma attack.

00:39:42.000 –> 00:39:55.440 Joseph McElroy: wow wow looks great so I really appreciate that work because I’m very adamant about, yeah we got to be preserving these, I mean the reason the smokies were created in the first place was because of.

00:39:56.340 –> 00:40:08.670 Joseph McElroy: You know, concerns for deforestation and the smoky so you know you know, ecology environmental issues are sort of the fundamental aspect of the founding of the smokies.

00:40:10.380 –> 00:40:19.950 Joseph McElroy: You live in out and speaking of eco you live in an acre piece of heaven knows the Eco camp that’s what I read on your website, but what does that mean.

00:40:21.270 –> 00:40:39.060 Vesna Plakanis: Well, we have a 90-acre piece of property that is surrounded by national park and we also have an eco-camp there, and so there are some off the grid, you know kitchen and bathrooms and you know 10 platforms and things like that, and so we’re very lucky it’s a beautiful piece of land.

00:40:39.390 –> 00:40:40.050 In cosby.

00:40:41.580 –> 00:40:43.260 Joseph McElroy: Is not clapping right it says.

00:40:45.000 –> 00:40:45.480 Joseph McElroy: Nothing.

00:40:45.660 –> 00:40:46.200 yeah.

00:40:48.930 –> 00:40:56.340 Joseph McElroy: So ECO-friendly Clamping everybody out there, we got the source for that right that’s cool that’s really cool.

00:40:57.660 –> 00:41:00.900 Joseph McElroy: Now you’ve won numerous awards, I saw that you’re in award-winning.

00:41:02.760 –> 00:41:05.340 Joseph McElroy: Current company what tell me about some of the words that you want.

00:41:06.870 –> 00:41:14.310 Vesna Plakanis: Well, the one we’re most proud of is in 2012 my husband one top guide for rei adventures for rei.

00:41:14.850 –> 00:41:25.950 Vesna Plakanis: And you know that’s against you know that’s a worldwide honor, and so we were actually able to go out to Seattle and there was a big ceremony, and he spent a whole week with other guides from around the world.

00:41:27.450 –> 00:41:29.160 Vesna Plakanis: And so that was pretty exciting.

00:41:30.210 –> 00:41:30.840 Joseph McElroy: Oh cool.

00:41:31.170 –> 00:41:31.920 Vesna Plakanis: yeah yeah.

00:41:32.550 –> 00:41:36.000 Vesna Plakanis: yeah we got up to guides that were rei top guides.

00:41:36.300 –> 00:41:36.750 I really.

00:41:38.160 –> 00:41:40.770 Joseph McElroy: So so So what are.

00:41:42.390 –> 00:41:46.080 Joseph McElroy: Some, what are the some, what are the some of the top tours and people can take with you.

00:41:47.640 –> 00:41:58.650 Vesna Plakanis: I well it really depends on the time of year like right now we have a fall color tour that’s obviously very popular and we’ll kind of chase the leaves and take people out to you know where the best spots are.

00:41:59.730 –> 00:42:00.930 Vesna Plakanis: we’re also.

00:42:02.010 –> 00:42:10.350 Vesna Plakanis: we’re very family-oriented so the kind of one that’s near and dear to my heart is our program called exploring nature with children.

00:42:10.860 –> 00:42:26.640 Vesna Plakanis: And you know kids are so overscheduled and there you know, on their phones and all that so it’s an opportunity to just get them out and get them dirty and playing in the mud, and looking for bugs and you know eating wild foods under supervision, of course.

00:42:27.810 –> 00:42:35.640 Vesna Plakanis: And you know it’s always such a hit so anything that’s kind of family-oriented where we can get the kids out there is near and dear to my heart.

00:42:36.630 –> 00:42:41.100 Joseph McElroy: That three-year-old twin toddler so you got something for them.

00:42:42.960 –> 00:42:46.620 Vesna Plakanis: Actually, exploring nature with children is perfect for them.

00:42:46.680 –> 00:42:47.340 They really.

00:42:48.600 –> 00:42:58.560 Vesna Plakanis: Oh yeah we’re looking for salamanders we’re playing in the streams, you know they’re just splashing around and they’re having a ball, yeah that’s that is a great height for kids.

00:42:58.680 –> 00:43:02.730 Joseph McElroy: All right, well then next time I bring him down, we have to set that upright.

00:43:04.860 –> 00:43:07.470 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah cool so um.

00:43:08.520 –> 00:43:14.550 Joseph McElroy: What besides the kid’s tours, yeah I mean you’re driving towards things like that, but what I.

00:43:15.360 –> 00:43:24.930 Joseph McElroy: actually have to take a break now, but I want to talk about a little bit more of what you offer in terms of tours and what people interesting in the mountain smokies might find interesting to do.

00:45:30.510 –> 00:45:42.330 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with my guest Vesna Plakanis in the gateway to the smokies podcast so.

00:45:44.610 –> 00:45:51.060 Joseph McElroy: we’re talking about tours and things that do what are some of the favorite hikes that your customers long ago.

00:45:52.650 –> 00:45:54.300 Vesna Plakanis: Everybody wants to see a waterfall.

00:45:56.190 –> 00:46:00.930 Vesna Plakanis: Know we’re always doing waterfall Doers and we have some very waterfall tours we like to take people that.

00:46:01.680 –> 00:46:15.780 Vesna Plakanis: The less popular ones where there’s not you know gazillion other people um you know, to see the tops of the mountains, people are really into the history of the area, and so we have a lot of historic tours that are very popular.

00:46:16.800 –> 00:46:22.770 Vesna Plakanis: I actually just taught a class on wild edibles and medicinal plants, the other day, and those are always fun.

00:46:23.160 –> 00:46:33.330 Vesna Plakanis: And you know we have burgers on staff so kind of depends on what people are into, and also with the seasons, you know what what is the season ringing and right now the season is bringing colors.

00:46:33.630 –> 00:46:46.950 Vesna Plakanis: we’ve had a lot of rain, so any water hike is just gorgeous so you know opera elevations I think I mentioned Andrews bulb that’s one of my favorites, and this is the time to be there because it’s just everything’s peeking up there.

00:46:47.580 –> 00:46:52.860 Joseph McElroy: So do you leave for did end up doing the cooking or cooking classes things like that.

00:46:54.780 –> 00:46:56.460 Vesna Plakanis: I have in the past, yes.

00:46:57.480 –> 00:47:09.180 Vesna Plakanis: Oh, usually what I do is what you know we’ll have like a kind of a classroom setting where I’ll teach people how to identify plants and I usually bring a few things for people to try depending on what’s going on in the season.

00:47:09.630 –> 00:47:24.450 Joseph McElroy: I have an interest in talking about that because I’m putting in a camp kitchen at the Meadowlark and we want to do some interesting classes like that, so that could be a way to you know people come to get a taste and then go up in the mountains and actually find this stuff.

00:47:28.230 –> 00:47:28.800 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:47:30.390 –> 00:47:36.090 Joseph McElroy: So what this is always a good question I like to put a little competition into this now.

00:47:36.810 –> 00:47:51.480 Joseph McElroy: You have the Tennessee side of the smokies and the North Carolina the silence folkies what are your favorite what’s your favorite Pike and Tennessee side and which one’s your favorite icon North Carolina side and which one is better and I hit hit hit on the North Carolina.

00:47:55.170 –> 00:47:57.330 Vesna Plakanis: Okay that’s put me on the spot, but.

00:47:58.950 –> 00:48:06.120 Vesna Plakanis: I will preface this by saying you know the smokies, as I mentioned, are the most biodiverse place in the world in the temperate zone.

00:48:06.570 –> 00:48:17.100 Vesna Plakanis: And every season is different, every week is different and so really every hike is going to be different, but I have to say my personal favorite.

00:48:17.760 –> 00:48:28.410 Vesna Plakanis: In Tennessee is the Ramsey cascade and Ramsey is so special because it’s deep in the woods there’s not a lot of other trails back there.

00:48:28.770 –> 00:48:35.460 Vesna Plakanis: you’re hiking by this gorgeous gigantic body of water with lots of whitewater and little cascades.

00:48:35.910 –> 00:48:42.720 Vesna Plakanis: And you’re going through some old settlement areas because, as we mentioned people used to live in these mountains before it became a park.

00:48:43.170 –> 00:48:54.630 Vesna Plakanis: And then all of a sudden you get into this old-growth section of the park and one of the things that makes us so biodiverse, is that we contain so much old-growth forest and about.

00:48:55.470 –> 00:49:07.890 Vesna Plakanis: Two and a half miles and you start getting into these massive trees and lush mosses and during wildflower season you don’t shoot the entire health sides are painted and wildflowers.

00:49:08.370 –> 00:49:21.540 Vesna Plakanis: And you know you get in these trees that would take six to seven people to put their arms around I mean that you just can’t beat that’s an amazing variance to see that, and then it ends up at this gorgeous giant waterfall.

00:49:22.590 –> 00:49:27.510 Vesna Plakanis: So I really love that hike that’s actually the very first time I took my husband on when we were first dating.

00:49:28.560 –> 00:49:35.850 Vesna Plakanis: To get them excited about the smokies and then I’d have to say, probably in North Carolina I really love the Cataloochee area

00:49:36.420 –> 00:49:44.100 Vesna Plakanis: So there’s a lot of really neat especially this time of year, you know hiking up the pretty hollow gap and seeing some of the views.

00:49:44.640 –> 00:49:58.110 Vesna Plakanis: And in the springtime seeing all the wildflowers have held bald right now and it’s the all the gorgeous you know fall colors, but when makes Cataloochee so special is especially in October, you get to hear the elk bugling

00:49:58.800 –> 00:50:01.320 Vesna Plakanis: Yes, eating season so.

00:50:03.090 –> 00:50:16.500 Joseph McElroy: Experienced upfront and personal the wildlife that is so famous for the smokies yeah that’s cool people can do a hike you, you are also offered cartoonish right.

00:50:17.070 –> 00:50:19.230 Joseph McElroy: So what would you say, would you say, is the best.

00:50:19.290 –> 00:50:20.670 Joseph McElroy: And most popular cartoon.

00:50:22.500 –> 00:50:34.650 Vesna Plakanis: Well, everybody loves kids cove you know if they’ve never even been to the parking lot of times kids they go to kids cove could actually be its own national park it’s under 3 million visitors a year kids code is beautiful because it’s this.

00:50:35.040 –> 00:50:46.950 Vesna Plakanis: Big wide open area that is a giant sinkhole and so you have lots and lots of you know expansive views you’re surrounded by mountains and it’s also very historic so you get a lot of.

00:50:47.280 –> 00:51:00.330 Vesna Plakanis: The old cabins and barns and cemeteries and old mills thumb that show people what it used to be like when the European you know settlers lift here and then prior to that it’s got some Cherokee history.

00:51:01.110 –> 00:51:12.000 Vesna Plakanis: So that’s a super popular one we like to go to at certain times of the year because otherwise it gets very, very crowded and going on the weekend, unfortunately, gets to be a little prohibitive but that’s a popular one.

00:51:12.480 –> 00:51:18.930 Vesna Plakanis: And then we’ve got another one that we take them up into the upper elevations all the way up to Clemens Dome so they can kind of see.

00:51:19.170 –> 00:51:30.150 Vesna Plakanis: All the different ecozones from you know the lower elevation thick woods up until the upper elevations when you’re in a Canadian zone forest so it’s really fun to see that cool.

00:51:30.420 –> 00:51:43.500 Joseph McElroy: So you’ve worked with Bob developing the Meadowlark smoky mountain heritage Center tours, can you tell me what those and heights, can you tell me what those two additional products are, and I think they’re gonna be available, starting in November right.

00:51:44.160 –> 00:51:57.330 Vesna Plakanis: Yes, so we’re excited I love working with Bob he’s been wonderful um I think what we’re gonna do is we’re going to start with an upper elevation hike and we’re also going to be doing something that’s very historic in nature.

00:51:58.620 –> 00:52:11.190 Vesna Plakanis: In the smoke one area of the park and smoke month has a lot of layers in history it’s got a waterfall but it’s also got an old CCC camp it’s got.

00:52:11.580 –> 00:52:28.200 Vesna Plakanis: Some of that area was logged there were settlers living there you drive by the kind of lefty Visitor Center, which is a working farm and you also get to see the elk, and so I think that’ll be a really nice kind of you know introduction into that side of the mountain.

00:52:28.650 –> 00:52:37.050 Joseph McElroy: that’s fabulous so if people want to find out more about you and to book tours with you, what where would they go what would they do.

00:52:38.040 –> 00:52:55.020 Vesna Plakanis: So our website is a walkinthewoods.com and you can you know to see all of our tours we have a lot of North Carolina tours we have you know everything from short easy walks to multiple night backpacking trips, or they can just give us a call.

00:52:56.070 –> 00:53:04.770 Vesna Plakanis: You know so, either way, is fine with us, and probably want to look at our website, first because it’ll give you a whole variety get you to understand what we do.

00:53:05.370 –> 00:53:06.480 Joseph McElroy: Any social media.

00:53:07.500 –> 00:53:09.330 Vesna Plakanis: we’re on Facebook and Twitter.

00:53:10.440 –> 00:53:18.240 Joseph McElroy: All right, well, I really appreciate you being on our show today I’m glad to be doing some things with you too it’s gonna be wonderful.

00:53:19.680 –> 00:53:36.450 Joseph McElroy: I think there are lots of opportunities for people to experience the mountains, I love having both you know, the ability to be outdoors in a physical sense but also the ability to do something fairly quickly in a tour, so thank you so much has been terribly enlightening for me.

00:53:38.370 –> 00:53:46.470 Joseph McElroy: And then, so I want to mention that we are on the talkradio.NYC network.

00:53:47.580 –> 00:53:51.540 Joseph McElroy: Which is a network of a lot of live podcasts.

00:53:52.950 –> 00:53:58.890 Joseph McElroy: And I recommend it for anybody to listen, we have a wonderful show coming after us about New York.

00:54:00.030 –> 00:54:01.560 Joseph McElroy: And it’s.

00:54:03.000 –> 00:54:11.970 Joseph McElroy: Something that everybody should take an opportunity to listen to at the meadowlark you know like I mentioned before we’re having a.

00:54:13.170 –> 00:54:24.900 Joseph McElroy: looks like a late-season fall peak so we’re actually offering weekday get-away specials if you come in on Sunday or Monday and you stayed three days you get one night free.

00:54:26.310 –> 00:54:31.140 Joseph McElroy: So it’s a really wonderful way to get in to see the fall.

00:54:31.680 –> 00:54:43.050 Joseph McElroy: colors when there’s not a lot of people necessarily coming, and you know the Meadowlarkmotel.com and just book a room for three days starting on Monday or Sunday or Monday and you’ll get that special.

00:54:43.440 –> 00:54:53.190 Joseph McElroy: it’s been a pleasure being on this show with you and I look forward to seeing you next week, we always have our podcasts on gateway the smokies.fun

00:54:54.480 –> 00:55:12.870 Joseph McElroy: live broadcasts are always on there, as well as on our Facebook page facebook.com/gatewaythesmokies podcasts and next week, we will have from six to seven again another show and so it’ll be something that I look forward to seeing you, thank you very much.

In this episode, our special guest is Garret Woodward, an Award-winning, Journalist, Author, Events promoter, and Musician now living in Waynesville, N.C. A native of upstate New York. Woodward was a college track star and after graduating with a degree in Journalism, worked across the country in a variety of journalism jobs before becoming a weekly Columnist for the Smoky Mountain News in 2012 and later also a Columnist for Smoky Mountain Living magazine. Best known for his interviews with musicians and compelling human-interest stories, Garret is also the author of two books and is a regular contributor to Rolling Stone magazine while also promoting live music events with his own newly formed company. 

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.

SHOW NOTES:

Segment 1

Joseph starts off this week’s episode by introducing himself and reading off the sponsored message from Smokies Adventure. After the sponsored message, Joseph introduces a special guest, Garret Woodward, and they discuss their alcoholic drinks for the hour. The topic of Garret’s upbringing is brought up and Garret describes his experiences in his early years living near the Adirondacks compared to when he moved South near the Smokies. Garret explains how his life didn’t change drastically due to the people boring striking similarities, like their love of bluegrass and the mountain culture in both areas. After the break, Joseph wants to delve deeper into Garret’s journalism career.

Segment 2

After the commercials, Joseph wanted to know why Garret traveled all the way to Europe and Garret explains that he wanted to learn more about his ancestry and a little more about the person he was named after, his ancestor who left for America during the potato famine. Joseph shifts Garret to the discussion of Garret’s music journalism career and how he started out. He originally wanted to be a DJ, but through a coincidence and a pinch of luck, landed a much-needed internship at a music magazine where he learned how to write for a magazine, and get his first taste of journalism.

Segment 3

After the break, Joseph asks Garret why he decided to move to the Smokies in the first place, and it was due to a recession in the economy when Garret, who was then freelancing as a music journalist, knew he needed a full-time job. After sending out applications, he landed a job in Smoky Mountain News writing columns. It was then when Joseph wanted to explore Garret’s decorated writing career, like his award-winning column about bluegrass music, and the story behind the now famous title of Garret’s book If you can’t play then get off the F******* Stage.

Segment 4

They come back to the final segment to talk about Garret’s recommendation for the best live music concerts/festivals. After that, they trade stories of random pedestrians arguing with them about their favorite music or drinks. Once that was all said and done, Joseph asks Garret to create the ideal itinerary for people visiting North Carolina, discussing all the best places to eat breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, grab some coffee, and the best activities to do in between every meal.

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00:02:47.190 –> 00:02:51.510 Joseph McElroy: howdy thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of

00:02:51.930 –> 00:03:00.570 Joseph McElroy: gateway to the smokies this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains National Park.

00:03:01.020 –> 00:03:11.790 Joseph McElroy: And surrounding towns this area filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history and a rich mountain culture that we explore with the weekly episode.

00:03:12.510 –> 00:03:25.980 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family is living the great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.

00:03:27.060 –> 00:03:32.310 Joseph McElroy: today’s podcast is titled finding a new home in the smokies through stories and songs.

00:03:33.540 –> 00:03:46.290 Joseph McElroy: First, let me tell you a little bit about our sponsors imagine a place evocative of the motor courts of the past and modern and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian feel.

00:03:46.830 –> 00:03:59.130 Joseph McElroy: a place for adventure and for relaxation imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain Heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wines or craft beer.

00:03:59.970 –> 00:04:11.160 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place with old-time music and world cultural sounds and an old storyteller sitting around the fire talking to you about things in life.

00:04:11.670 –> 00:04:23.580 Joseph McElroy: There is no other place like the Meadowlark motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay. Go to MeadowlarkMotel.com to find out more.

00:04:25.230 –> 00:04:25.590 Joseph McElroy: and

00:04:28.320 –> 00:04:37.260 Joseph McElroy: If you’re looking for information about the smokies look no further than smokiesadventure.com that’s smokies plural adventure.com.

00:04:37.650 –> 00:04:42.300 Joseph McElroy: where you can find information about hiking and wedding and venues and books.

00:04:42.690 –> 00:04:56.460 Joseph McElroy: And trail maps and resources, the emphasis of smokies adventurous outdoor recreation outdoor life events like weddings and adventures, along with providing information and lodging entertainment.

00:04:56.820 –> 00:05:04.230 Joseph McElroy: Events conventions honeymoons and more The goal of this site is to become the leading information portal of the smoky mountains.

00:05:06.210 –> 00:05:16.890 Joseph McElroy: So welcome everybody I’m here today we’re gonna have a nice little conversation, as I do, every time I’m open it up a craft beer sometimes it’s from North Carolina sometimes it’s from New York, this time.

00:05:17.280 –> 00:05:24.840 Joseph McElroy: Is from the Bronx Brewery in New York City, and it is you can’t you now use can’t leave.

00:05:26.640 –> 00:05:34.170 Joseph McElroy: cheers, now I just saw that it is 10.1% So if I get a little funny but, at the end of this show.

00:05:36.750 –> 00:05:39.060 Joseph McElroy: you’ll know what you know the reason they’re at.

00:05:41.010 –> 00:05:43.320 Joseph McElroy: So either.

00:05:44.790 –> 00:05:45.210 Joseph McElroy: I have.

00:05:46.350 –> 00:06:00.330 Joseph McElroy: got a new guy new guests there today his name is Garrett Woodward and he is an award-winning Journalist, Author, Events Promoter, and musician now living in Haywood County and Waynesville North Carolina.

00:06:00.870 –> 00:06:11.640 Joseph McElroy: He is a weekly Columnist for the smoky mountain news since 2012 and later he was also a columnist for the smoky mountain living magazine.

00:06:12.690 –> 00:06:27.960 Joseph McElroy: Yes, known for his interviews with musicians and compelling human interest stories is also the author of two books and as a regular contributor to Rolling Stone magazine, and, while also promoting live music with his own company.

00:06:28.980 –> 00:06:30.510 Joseph McElroy: Hello Gary how you doing.

00:06:30.840 –> 00:06:33.150 Garret Woodward: hey man, how you doing thanks for having me here.

00:06:33.570 –> 00:06:36.660 Joseph McElroy: I’m doing good and you’re drinking a beer too what you drinking.

00:06:37.320 –> 00:06:44.940 Garret Woodward: Well I’m drinking a beer and solidarity of my native North country which is a moose head Lager.

00:06:45.570 –> 00:06:52.860 Garret Woodward: All right, people forget, although it’s a big beer it’s actually Canada’s oldest and biggest independent brewery.

00:06:53.310 –> 00:06:55.980 Joseph McElroy: Really so it’s the craft beer theoretically.

00:06:56.340 –> 00:07:01.500 Garret Woodward: One of the only it’s one of the only beer companies in Canada that’s not owned by Molson or a bad.

00:07:04.080 –> 00:07:08.640 Joseph McElroy: So you grew up in upstate New York not too far from Canada right so.

00:07:10.860 –> 00:07:12.690 Garret Woodward: I grew up in Canada.

00:07:13.170 –> 00:07:16.260 Joseph McElroy: wow That was a very small town right.

00:07:16.740 –> 00:07:25.860 Garret Woodward: extremely small, to put it in reference, we were the big town up there, but we were probably about the size of Bryson City North Carolina, which is about.

00:07:26.370 –> 00:07:35.220 Garret Woodward: 1800 people, so I grew up in a cow town in northern Adirondacks I always say you hit a golf ball for my childhood home and hit Quebec.

00:07:35.910 –> 00:07:45.870 Garret Woodward: And yeah born and bred there until I got out of high school my dad was an immigration officer for the US Government, he was the one that decided if you come in and out of the border.

00:07:46.380 –> 00:07:53.460 Garret Woodward: which was tough, because when I was a teenager and we would go to Quebec to drink beers because it’s 18 to drink, he would be the one I’d come through.

00:07:54.090 –> 00:07:55.800 Garret Woodward: If I can come back to America.

00:07:57.150 –> 00:08:02.940 Garret Woodward: This is true, this really happen, it would be him in the booth saying is that my son back there in the back of that car.

00:08:07.020 –> 00:08:07.320 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:08:08.040 –> 00:08:10.410 Garret Woodward: Make sure he gets home his mom’s gonna be really mad.

00:08:13.830 –> 00:08:15.180 Garret Woodward: cool feature up there too.

00:08:16.050 –> 00:08:21.360 Joseph McElroy: So the culture, so you know you said it was near the Adirondacks here in the Adirondacks right.

00:08:22.800 –> 00:08:23.610 Joseph McElroy: yeah go.

00:08:24.180 –> 00:08:34.740 Garret Woodward: Champlain Valley Northern Adirondacks my whole existence revolves around places like Plattsburgh new york’s Saranac lake placid Tupper lake line mountain.

00:08:35.250 –> 00:08:39.030 Garret Woodward: all the way up to the border and then you know Burlington Vermont was right there.

00:08:39.780 –> 00:08:50.730 Garret Woodward: 30 minutes south of US was Burlington Vermont and then 45 minutes north of US was Montreal Quebec So for me in a cow town, I had to have the world’s greatest cities within an hour of me.

00:08:51.750 –> 00:08:59.130 Joseph McElroy: So that that was a mountain culture right so, is it defined the similarities between it and the smokies.

00:08:59.610 –> 00:09:04.110 Garret Woodward: Well, a lot of people don’t realize that, in essence, like it’s kind of the same mountain chain.

00:09:04.140 –> 00:09:11.070 Garret Woodward: I mean there are considered the northern Appalachians but it depends, who you ask some people won’t claim it but.

00:09:12.090 –> 00:09:19.200 Garret Woodward: It looks very similar Western North Carolina looks very similar to upstate New York, the people are very similar.

00:09:19.770 –> 00:09:29.220 Garret Woodward: It doesn’t matter what your background is your religion or your political affiliation, the only question that remains is, are you a good person or a bad person.

00:09:29.610 –> 00:09:43.470 Garret Woodward: that’s all people care about up there and that’s all people care about down here, you know, are you here to compliment, and I say that with the letter E, not the letter I, are you here to compliment the Community or here to compliment the Community or are you here to just.

00:09:45.570 –> 00:09:49.560 Garret Woodward: You know absorb it and not contribute, you know but.

00:09:49.650 –> 00:09:54.990 Garret Woodward: yeah that’s it that’s a big thing for me in this area, reminds me a lot of where I grew up the people are incredible and.

00:09:55.560 –> 00:10:10.410 Garret Woodward: And up there, it was definitely mountain culture when I’m home, all I do is the same thing I do down here, which is go hike go swim and freshwater lakes and go find live music at some bar on the corner, so my life has not changed that much since I moved down here.

00:10:10.920 –> 00:10:13.740 Joseph McElroy: The rubric was bluegrass and country music big up there.

00:10:14.400 –> 00:10:27.600 Garret Woodward: It is but it’s different like it’s funny is I grew up one town over from where the Gibson brothers are from and they’re very, very popular award-winning bluegrass band.

00:10:28.260 –> 00:10:40.500 Garret Woodward: And they grew up, they were farm kids that were you know, a generation ahead of me but also 10 miles down the road So when I was growing up, they were always playing the local.

00:10:41.100 –> 00:10:48.390 Garret Woodward: You know maple syrup festivals, and all the things that go on up there ice fishing tournaments all that stuff and then.

00:10:49.140 –> 00:11:04.680 Garret Woodward: You know they become nowadays, one of the marquee bluegrass men’s in the United States to which they actually just put out an album that was produced by Darren our back or the black keys the last album he called them up and produced it but what’s so funny is.

00:11:06.390 –> 00:11:20.250 Garret Woodward: When when you talk to the Gibson brothers about it when they play in upstate New York, people are like oh my God you’re keeping the high lonesome sound going, and then when they come down Appalachia people are like oh you guys came close.

00:11:22.920 –> 00:11:30.930 Garret Woodward: Like they’re considered traditional bluegrass in New York, but they’re considered like progressive bluegrass in North Carolina and.

00:11:31.980 –> 00:11:36.210 Joseph McElroy: bluegrass mafia around here you better not introduce something new right I.

00:11:36.210 –> 00:11:48.840 Garret Woodward: know it, but it’s so cool is because I cross paths with them a lot when they’re in Nashville or you know they’re always at the IBM a’s which are this Thursday in Raleigh the international bluegrass music association award show and.

00:11:49.950 –> 00:11:57.150 Garret Woodward: it’s funny because I in the south, I don’t really have any personal connections down here with anybody that’s from up there, so when I run into them.

00:11:57.630 –> 00:12:08.340 Garret Woodward: They know that they know everything, and I know everything about where we’re from and what we’re about so we always end up hanging out and having a couple of beers and just you know chewing the ball, a little bit about the north country.

00:12:10.680 –> 00:12:18.810 Joseph McElroy: So so you’re a writer, but you started, you were sort of a track star at Quinnipiac University weren’t you.

00:12:19.740 –> 00:12:25.770 Garret Woodward: yeah well, I was a track star in high school, but then, when you get to college you realize that everyone’s a track star that goes to college.

00:12:27.450 –> 00:12:35.280 Garret Woodward: So we got a rock star yeah you got you go from top dog in your hometown to you might make the team in college, you know.

00:12:37.200 –> 00:12:41.460 Joseph McElroy: What spurred you that into journalism in history was it because you weren’t a good track star.

00:12:42.390 –> 00:12:44.970 Garret Woodward: And I still run every day, by the way.

00:12:45.030 –> 00:12:51.450 Garret Woodward: I have a six-and-a-half-year-long streak of running every day, which is crazy.

00:12:52.620 –> 00:12:54.600 Garret Woodward: It was initially was to.

00:12:55.680 –> 00:13:03.360 Garret Woodward: spite my father because he’s a huge runner he got me into running he’s an older guy he’s turning 80 this year and.

00:13:03.900 –> 00:13:15.030 Garret Woodward: And I’m 36 and he was older when I was born and he ran you know Boston marathon 20 times, he was one of those guys in the 60s and 70s, that kind of was the start of the running boom and.

00:13:16.650 –> 00:13:22.470 Garret Woodward: I was talking to him, it was actually I was in New York City, I was staying with some friends for new year’s Eve in.

00:13:23.520 –> 00:13:34.290 Garret Woodward: In Greenpoint Brooklyn and I didn’t have usually I would run one-day mount bike one day hike one day that’s always been my routine just kind of you know to cross-train.

00:13:34.740 –> 00:13:43.200 Garret Woodward: And I love to exercise and I’m one of the few people that like I really like to exercise that it’s my Zen zone but, just like live music and writing.

00:13:44.370 –> 00:13:56.220 Garret Woodward: So he told me he I told him I’d run like six days in a row when I was in New York because I didn’t have anything else to do so, I just ran every day it was like six days in a row that’s nothing I ran 100 days in a row I don’t think you’ll ever do that.

00:13:57.810 –> 00:13:58.890 Garret Woodward: Now i’m at a.

00:14:00.000 –> 00:14:02.220 Garret Woodward: I think I’m at like 1800 days in a row.

00:14:02.550 –> 00:14:03.150 well.

00:14:04.350 –> 00:14:09.030 Garret Woodward: No, but it’s like to really you know shove, the point home to the old man.

00:14:10.380 –> 00:14:18.150 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know, I think that this is code started I think I’m having a drink 400 days in a row or stuff like that.

00:14:18.960 –> 00:14:20.190 Garret Woodward: I hear you buddy I hear you.

00:14:22.200 –> 00:14:24.720 Joseph McElroy: We all get on the street sometimes so.

00:14:26.610 –> 00:14:42.300 Joseph McElroy: So you know, so how did you well, I think there’s a further discussion here because you know, one of the things I noticed when you made that joke complimentary that’s an irony, you know that is that’s a better joke than a joke that only a writer would.

00:14:44.370 –> 00:14:45.060 Joseph McElroy: You make.

00:14:46.290 –> 00:14:53.400 Joseph McElroy: So I want to get more into your journalism and your and your and your writing career when we come back.

00:14:54.810 –> 00:14:55.980 Joseph McElroy: After this break.

00:17:12.210 –> 00:17:27.690 Joseph McElroy: Oh, this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest is Garret Woodward who is trying to destroy his own computer equipment by boring too much beer fast into a cup.

00:17:30.210 –> 00:17:31.440 Joseph McElroy: Did you save your equipment they’re.

00:17:32.280 –> 00:17:32.910 I’m good.

00:17:34.140 –> 00:17:35.070 Garret Woodward: or bad it’s not.

00:17:35.160 –> 00:17:35.940 Then saved.

00:17:38.490 –> 00:17:50.430 Joseph McElroy: hey you know, they say, like 150 million years ago there was this giant continent that comprise the United States and in Europe and others, and there was a giant.

00:17:50.910 –> 00:17:59.250 Joseph McElroy: mountain range dawn up that that when the continent split apart those mountain ranges split apart and one part of it ended up being the Appalachians.

00:17:59.940 –> 00:18:10.440 Joseph McElroy: And the other part, ended up being over in Europe, and now they have an international Appalachian trail that connects them to together virtually and part of that goes into Scotland and Ireland.

00:18:11.400 –> 00:18:26.580 Joseph McElroy: Now I saw that after college, you went to county Ireland county Kerry and Ireland, so how did you end up there, and did you find those which county is the most mountainous region in our the do you find those mountains similar to.

00:18:28.290 –> 00:18:31.950 Garret Woodward: Well, no trees, they English toral the trees down to build the homes.

00:18:32.670 –> 00:18:33.180 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know.

00:18:33.570 –> 00:18:35.460 Joseph McElroy: The day they didn’t have trees around here either.

00:18:35.850 –> 00:18:47.550 Garret Woodward: yeah they so I actually I was at did it was a semester abroad in college, but I was it was a host family it wasn’t like you were with a bunch of like you.

00:18:48.000 –> 00:18:57.300 Garret Woodward: You weren’t in an American institution or American college with American professors, you were in I was with a host family with five other students for.

00:18:57.930 –> 00:19:07.740 Garret Woodward: four and a half, five months when I was 20 years old, and the reason that it was a big deal to me was my full name is Garrett Kevin Woodward.

00:19:08.220 –> 00:19:14.820 Garret Woodward: and Garret Kevin was the first person for my family to come over to America during the potato famine, so I was named after him.

00:19:15.570 –> 00:19:24.570 Garret Woodward: And it’s always been a dream of mine to go there and when the opportunity came up through Quinnipiac they actually have a direct portal to Ireland.

00:19:25.110 –> 00:19:42.960 Garret Woodward: they’re really big with Irish humanities it’s just a big part of the school, which was amazing of a coincidence that the school actually had a property in Ireland, where they had a host family that you could stay with for five months, and so I jumped on it, and it was in County Kerry.

00:19:44.190 –> 00:19:54.450 Garret Woodward: right out right next to the Dingle peninsula and what was so cool was it was a life-changing experience I recommend anybody if you can figure out where your family’s from.

00:19:54.900 –> 00:20:03.930 Garret Woodward: What town they’re from to go there because it’s one of those experiences that you can’t explain the idea of like time doesn’t exist kind of thing like it’s all.

00:20:04.140 –> 00:20:07.830 Garret Woodward: circle and what was crazy was I’d always heard that.

00:20:09.960 –> 00:20:24.690 Garret Woodward: My family had a pub in County Carlo the town of Boris only like 600 people and I’d heard the Cabinet pub is still there is the exact pub that my ancestor Garrick hasn’t left.

00:20:26.790 –> 00:20:31.980 Garret Woodward: The exact pub and I was like I wonder if it’s still there and it’s still there it’s still a pub.

00:20:32.160 –> 00:20:34.920 Joseph McElroy: Oh, that was spine-tingling right yeah.

00:20:35.340 –> 00:20:42.060 Garret Woodward: yeah it was a pub with a thatched roof it had been there over 150 years and it was still called the Cabinet pub.

00:20:42.660 –> 00:20:53.940 Garret Woodward: So, being the runner that I am I brought my running clothes and I went for a jog around the Community my parents actually met me there because we all wanted to track it down and.

00:20:54.870 –> 00:21:04.530 Garret Woodward: My dad went for a run around one side of the town, I went for a run around the other and we circled back and had got us with my mom in that bar that pub and it was.

00:21:06.090 –> 00:21:09.600 Garret Woodward: Like not to sound cheesy but man, it was a really cosmic experience.

00:21:10.440 –> 00:21:13.410 Garret Woodward: The exact room that your ancestor left for America.

00:21:14.910 –> 00:21:17.940 Garret Woodward: In Europe, like How crazy, is that you know but.

00:21:18.600 –> 00:21:19.050 Joseph McElroy: You know I.

00:21:20.250 –> 00:21:29.190 Joseph McElroy: mean I can go around Haywood county and I can find the things that my ancestors a bit and yeah like old fox hunting cabins and things I get a little bit of that.

00:21:30.060 –> 00:21:45.810 Joseph McElroy: yeah kick it right there so um so you after college you embarked upon this fabulous journalism career so so how did you get into music journalism right.

00:21:46.470 –> 00:21:56.940 Garret Woodward: I since day since I’ve been cognizant as a human being, my life has revolved around music I’ve always been obsessed with it I’ve always loved it.

00:21:57.780 –> 00:22:09.630 Garret Woodward: Well, the second I was old enough to go to concerts I would beg my parents to bring me to shows every weekend the second I got a car and a license I never was home.

00:22:10.290 –> 00:22:10.590 Joseph McElroy: I mean.

00:22:11.370 –> 00:22:17.580 Garret Woodward: You know, I was the 12-year-old kid begging my mom to drop me off at the rock show every weekend I wanted to go see concerts.

00:22:18.090 –> 00:22:27.120 Garret Woodward: And when I was 16 and got a license I worked at McDonald’s That was my first there’s the only job you can get on the border McDonald’s or you work at the Marina and lake Champlain that’s it.

00:22:27.870 –> 00:22:40.470 Garret Woodward: And I spend every dime I made at McDonald’s on gas and concert tickets in its really hasn’t changed since I largely think I became a journalist, I didn’t have to pay for concert tickets.

00:22:42.330 –> 00:22:46.200 Garret Woodward: I think about how much money I’ve not spent on concert tickets.

00:22:48.870 –> 00:22:52.020 Garret Woodward: music has always been my life like it’s always been something that.

00:22:52.260 –> 00:22:58.650 Joseph McElroy: was just that was inevitable than ever there was your journalism was going to be available to be.

00:22:58.680 –> 00:23:00.780 Garret Woodward: I fell in love I fell into journalism.

00:23:00.900 –> 00:23:03.930 Garret Woodward: I plan on being a journalist, to be honest with you.

00:23:05.760 –> 00:23:09.540 Garret Woodward: I’ve always looked at live music as one of the most sacred.

00:23:10.710 –> 00:23:22.470 Garret Woodward: experiences, you can have as a human being is being a room of strangers and having this communal experience that transcends anything you know you can be in a room full of.

00:23:22.470 –> 00:23:26.940 Garret Woodward: people that are completely different of where they’re from what they do, who they are, what they’re about.

00:23:27.750 –> 00:23:35.490 Garret Woodward: But they’re all they’re facing the same direction, looking at something and and and just in anticipation of the magic.

00:23:35.970 –> 00:23:43.440 Garret Woodward: And that’s the thing I do I chased the magic, you know that that one moment every show where you’re just like I’m so glad I’m here right now and.

00:23:44.190 –> 00:23:57.750 Garret Woodward: Even as a kid that I’m like an old soul man, even as a kid I knew that 12 years old, I always thought that, and when I was in high school, this is how I fell into journalism, so I wanted to be an MTV VJ.

00:23:58.170 –> 00:23:58.920 My dream was.

00:24:00.270 –> 00:24:05.550 Garret Woodward: I wanted to be Carson Daly I wanted to be on total request live, I wanted to be.

00:24:06.780 –> 00:24:15.870 Garret Woodward: broadway I wanted to be on the second floor I wanted to host yarrow and I wanted Carson Daly job I still want Carson Jill his job he’s on the today show now.

00:24:15.930 –> 00:24:16.620 But yeah.

00:24:18.090 –> 00:24:29.010 Garret Woodward: So when I was a senior in high school, a friend of mine my mom’s friend from high schools daughter worked at MTV to which was crazy, because where I grew up a lot of people don’t leave that area.

00:24:29.580 –> 00:24:42.090 Garret Woodward: If you have dreams and it’s not pursuing them I love it up there, but people have dreams and they don’t chase them and most people don’t leave my town, and I said I’m bouncing out of here and.

00:24:42.750 –> 00:24:52.590 Garret Woodward: When I was a senior I’d found out that this friend of his daughter my mom’s friend worked at MTV too, and she brought me into the tiro studios in 2002.

00:24:53.280 –> 00:24:56.520 Garret Woodward: Right now, is the biggest show on MTV at that point in.

00:24:57.450 –> 00:25:06.420 Garret Woodward: As long gone well, I think it came back actually but, at the time it was huge to get 1000 people in Times Square, just to watch every broadcast I mean it was wild.

00:25:06.930 –> 00:25:14.310 Garret Woodward: And I got to walk around the studios and I said, this is why I want to do with my life, so I ended up at Quinnipiac because they have a really good broadcast journalism Program.

00:25:15.150 –> 00:25:23.430 Garret Woodward: And then I was kind of pursuing that and then when I had to get an internship my junior year I couldn’t find anything.

00:25:24.060 –> 00:25:30.270 Garret Woodward: When I went back to New York for spring break I had to get an internship by the time I came back from spring break or else I couldn’t graduate.

00:25:30.990 –> 00:25:51.390 Garret Woodward: And so I went to a music festival in Lake placid New York, it was called snow down, it was SN he for the band mo so snow down and I ran into a friend of mine who was my aunt’s ex-boyfriend and he’s is kind of cosmic looking dude big white beard he got me.

00:25:52.650 –> 00:25:54.780 Garret Woodward: got me to the grateful dead when I was nine years old.

00:25:55.170 –> 00:25:55.530 hey.

00:25:58.440 –> 00:26:06.510 Garret Woodward: I ran into him at the festival, this is spring break I had two days to find an internship I had called every radio station on every TV station.

00:26:06.930 –> 00:26:13.710 Garret Woodward: For the summer internship when I was back in Plattsburgh nobody called me back everyone said we’d have we have nothing for you.

00:26:14.400 –> 00:26:22.650 Garret Woodward: So I was, I was like I’m going back to Connecticut to college in two days and I don’t have an internship and I ran into him at the show on Saturday night I’d be back in college Monday.

00:26:23.130 –> 00:26:32.610 Garret Woodward: I ran into him Saturday night at the show in Lake placid and I told him what was going on, he goes well, this is kind of funny a friend of mine who owns a music magazine is here tonight.

00:26:33.270 –> 00:26:45.960 Garret Woodward: I know you’re not a writer, but as you should talk to me, probably get you an internship so I ran into the guy that night and he said so, what do I get to do just say that you did stuff and sign a piece of paper, and I said yeah that’d be.

00:26:45.960 –> 00:26:49.440 Garret Woodward: Great that’d be really great I really need this internship.

00:26:49.980 –> 00:27:00.960 Garret Woodward: And so I was able to fudge my way through it, even though it wasn’t TV or radio my journalism Professor said it was okay because it was a magazine so.

00:27:02.130 –> 00:27:07.890 Garret Woodward: I had no experience with creative writing at all or any kind of magazine writing and.

00:27:08.730 –> 00:27:20.940 Garret Woodward: I jumped on it and that summer I started interning at this music magazine in Burlington Vermont state of a mind music magazine, it was a physical magazine is beautiful magazine taught me everything I learned everything I know about journalism now I learned there.

00:27:21.630 –> 00:27:30.240 Garret Woodward: hasn’t changed every single thing it was it was great it was one of those old school music magazines, where they would give you like a six-page bread, where you can really.

00:27:30.270 –> 00:27:34.890 Garret Woodward: dive into like he could really, really nerd out on artists and.

00:27:36.180 –> 00:27:45.450 Garret Woodward: The editor there Mike McKinley gave me the internship and then about a month into it all, I was doing was like dropping off boxes of magazines at dive bars and.

00:27:46.260 –> 00:27:53.760 Garret Woodward: Helping transcribe interviews and then he said, do you ever want you want to write, for us, I don’t know how to write and he goes well.

00:27:54.750 –> 00:28:04.260 Garret Woodward: Are you gotta do is just tell the truth, like, how do you really feel about this thing like what What if you, what do you feel about this album when you feel about this artist, what do you actually feel yeah.

00:28:04.710 –> 00:28:08.820 Garret Woodward: He said that’s all you gotta do is just say that, and then so that’s where it started.

00:28:09.240 –> 00:28:11.730 Joseph McElroy: And then that’s a great way to.

00:28:11.730 –> 00:28:14.340 Joseph McElroy: start a career is to get you to know that kind of.

00:28:14.970 –> 00:28:22.170 Joseph McElroy: talent yeah falling into it and then having some mentors there to help you that you know and being in a place where you can actually get a rich.

00:28:23.010 –> 00:28:32.610 Joseph McElroy: Experience with their lead you to be able to travel, you know I noticed that you travel early on to a lot of places, but then, what interests me as you went to burning man.

00:28:33.630 –> 00:28:34.200 Garret Woodward: place.

00:28:34.920 –> 00:28:43.710 Garret Woodward: Twice where did you go I went in 2008 and 2009 I actually have I don’t know if you can see it get a burning man tattoo right there.

00:28:46.410 –> 00:28:48.720 Joseph McElroy: You go to into the series.

00:28:50.160 –> 00:28:53.790 Joseph McElroy: I’ve done my thing that’s cool another burner all right.

00:28:54.150 –> 00:28:58.830 Garret Woodward: Good on you man, you know it’s a lot different now I don’t know if I never go back.

00:28:59.370 –> 00:29:03.540 Joseph McElroy: I don’t know you know even then it was getting pretty big it’s like 30,000 I was there, but.

00:29:04.380 –> 00:29:04.740 Garret Woodward: For me.

00:29:05.610 –> 00:29:10.020 Joseph McElroy: to share some stories, you have to come over to the motel I got some real good Bernie man.

00:29:12.930 –> 00:29:15.990 Garret Woodward: There now there’s Internet and cell service I don’t know how I feel about that.

00:29:16.410 –> 00:29:29.640 Joseph McElroy: yeah we know when I put in a satellite to my my my my my vehicle, I have one of these original one original sets I had Internet before anybody in Bernie MAC.

00:29:30.030 –> 00:29:30.810 Garret Woodward: You might only.

00:29:30.900 –> 00:29:32.520 Garret Woodward: a person that could call out of there.

00:29:32.790 –> 00:29:40.890 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah I could call, and I could I was doing a newsletter couldn’t do images and heavy media at the time, but I can do some stuff but.

00:29:42.360 –> 00:29:42.960 Joseph McElroy: anyway.

00:29:44.250 –> 00:29:52.230 Joseph McElroy: I’ll have to have another conversation about all those travels that’s pretty good so but let’s get the Haywood county we’re about to you know go to a break.

00:29:53.460 –> 00:29:58.140 Joseph McElroy: So when we come back, I want to talk about your intro to the smoky mountains, yes.

00:32:36.660 –> 00:32:52.350 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest here Woodward Garrett yeah yeah Bob and made us a list of about 100 questions we’ve gone through three of them are they.

00:32:53.670 –> 00:32:54.660 Garret Woodward: Bob is that.

00:32:55.800 –> 00:33:10.020 Joseph McElroy: you’ve you’re good at talking, you know there’s no wonder, you became a journalist, you can write a story man is just a few words you yeah a few questions and ma’am you’re off on a novel yeah.

00:33:10.500 –> 00:33:12.180 Garret Woodward: that’s that Irish blood.

00:33:14.610 –> 00:33:15.720 Garret Woodward: sparing the same.

00:33:16.140 –> 00:33:18.270 Joseph McElroy: sure you can do it, everyone has a podcast.

00:33:18.630 –> 00:33:19.920 Garret Woodward: I was gonna say is that.

00:33:20.700 –> 00:33:26.910 Garret Woodward: No vulgarity all vulgarity aside, when I was younger my father I don’t know if you ever watched that 70 show.

00:33:28.710 –> 00:33:34.050 Garret Woodward: My father was like red foreman still is, but tough love tough to read kind of guy.

00:33:35.430 –> 00:33:44.250 Garret Woodward: never really said much like if you had the best day of your life as I would I would break a school record and he’d be like did you puke at the finish line I said no.

00:33:45.510 –> 00:33:47.190 Garret Woodward: He didn’t run hard enough.

00:33:47.820 –> 00:33:51.600 Joseph McElroy: yeah my dad was an old mountain man, I had that same.

00:33:51.600 –> 00:33:52.380 Joseph McElroy: sort of dad.

00:33:52.740 –> 00:34:01.950 Garret Woodward: yeah so So when I got out of high school, I was, like all right, I get my diploma and I’m walking out of the auditorium from the.

00:34:02.850 –> 00:34:10.710 Garret Woodward: ceremony and he walks up to me and I’m like God is the moment it’s going to tell me he’s proud of me, this is the moment and he walks up to me.

00:34:11.430 –> 00:34:19.200 Garret Woodward: He doesn’t extend his hand he just looks at me right now, and he goes well, he graduated high school you’re bullshitting and you’ve come from a long line of bullshit.

00:34:20.940 –> 00:34:21.930 Garret Woodward: And he’s walked away.

00:34:24.150 –> 00:34:25.800 Garret Woodward: That was him telling you I love you.

00:34:27.750 –> 00:34:33.150 Joseph McElroy: said, your identity, be the same identity So there you go he’s being a father.

00:34:33.480 –> 00:34:34.470 Garret Woodward: I know I know.

00:34:35.790 –> 00:34:39.150 Joseph McElroy: So um let’s talk about the smokies how’d you end up here.

00:34:40.680 –> 00:34:43.110 Garret Woodward: um desperation, but I love it here.

00:34:45.660 –> 00:34:55.230 Garret Woodward: Right after I got out of college, I worked out in my favorite places in the world Jackson hole Wyoming I was living out there as a journalist when I was 22 years old and then.

00:34:56.370 –> 00:35:05.070 Garret Woodward: When the economy tanked I ended up back in New York freelancing covering music festivals for a while and then around the spring of 2012.

00:35:06.210 –> 00:35:18.210 Garret Woodward: I needed to get a full-time job again that was the gig I really needed to get back into it, I was just on the road hustling it was rough when the economy tanked, especially as a journalist, it was rough out there.

00:35:19.710 –> 00:35:20.010 Garret Woodward: I.

00:35:21.330 –> 00:35:32.940 Garret Woodward: I applied for 100 jobs and 30 days so three to four applications a day I was mailing out physical applications to every newspaper that was hiring in June of 2012.

00:35:33.990 –> 00:35:45.840 Garret Woodward: I was applying for jobs in Omaha Nebraska Sarasota Florida, you know Santa Barbara California just anything I just really wanted to be back into a full-time gig instead of just you know.

00:35:47.100 –> 00:35:53.370 Garret Woodward: Whatever I could piecemeal together and I applied to the smoky mountain news and the next day.

00:35:53.940 –> 00:36:08.580 Garret Woodward: The boss, the publisher Scott McCloud who started the newspaper who still my boss, and one of my best friends, he called me up and he was a little apprehensive he’s like would you really moved down here from New York really like your stuff and I said man I just really wanted.

00:36:11.790 –> 00:36:12.060 Garret Woodward: and

00:36:13.350 –> 00:36:17.310 Garret Woodward: I’ve been asked before but I’ve never been in sight unseen I came here.

00:36:18.120 –> 00:36:22.170 Joseph McElroy: wow well how do you how did you find acceptance here.

00:36:23.160 –> 00:36:24.510 Garret Woodward: How did I find acceptance.

00:36:24.930 –> 00:36:25.710 Garret Woodward: I mean, I think.

00:36:26.610 –> 00:36:41.700 Garret Woodward: The biggest thing was not being full of shit like I sincerely like the people I talked to I’m a history buff I’m a history nerd I’m an old soul it’s just what’s in my DNA is talking to people.

00:36:42.990 –> 00:36:50.970 Garret Woodward: Especially in Haywood county, as you know, I’ve always felt that if you don’t give people the time of day you’re not going to last long around here.

00:36:52.110 –> 00:37:08.190 Garret Woodward: You know, like I walked out mainstream and mainstream Waynesville is four blocks, but it might take me 40 minutes because I’ve had 20 people stop me to say hello, or by the way, I have a story idea or I read your column what was that about you know.

00:37:09.030 –> 00:37:17.280 Joseph McElroy: I think I think it’s still got it, yeah this whole area is got this immense amount of still small the small town charm.

00:37:19.290 –> 00:37:25.830 Joseph McElroy: yeah even though it’s you know there’s been changes over the years, still is still wonderful so let’s talk about your writing.

00:37:27.150 –> 00:37:36.240 Joseph McElroy: I mean you have a really great regular column that’s you know, really, I think a lot of ways, you speak with a lot of souls searching and.

00:37:36.720 –> 00:37:54.270 Joseph McElroy: And thinking about things and I recommend anybody read your columns but you have also written some things I think you’ve won awards you run you, you want the North Carolina Press Association Award for a cover story called the state of women in bluegrass so tell me what.

00:37:54.270 –> 00:37:56.160 Joseph McElroy: Is the state of women in bluegrass.

00:37:56.730 –> 00:38:06.150 Garret Woodward: Well, so all the years I’ve been reading about bluegrass which I lived before I moved here, but when you move here becomes part of your life, thankfully, you know I I love bluegrass.

00:38:06.630 –> 00:38:12.030 Garret Woodward: it’s at the core of everything you know they’re there wouldn’t be rock and roll or would it be country music without bluegrass.

00:38:12.630 –> 00:38:29.400 Garret Woodward: If you really look into it and it’s The more I learn about it, the more questions I have and I noticed about maybe possible disparities between male and female performers and so I decided to kind of do like a state of things kind of thing, where it was about.

00:38:31.890 –> 00:38:41.670 Garret Woodward: I interviewed about five or six female bluegrass musicians from small and unknown to some of the biggest stars in the country.

00:38:42.180 –> 00:38:50.460 Garret Woodward: You know Randy and get in and Claire lunch, I mean really get it from Carolina chocolate drops, and I mean she’s won Grammys she’s won everything I mean she’s she’s you know.

00:38:50.910 –> 00:38:57.630 Garret Woodward: One of the biggest names in Americana music and then her and Claire lynch who’s won multiple IBM awards.

00:38:58.110 –> 00:39:06.480 Garret Woodward: And then, all the way down to eight counties Danielle bishop, who at the time was you know, an up and coming female artists and it was more about.

00:39:07.140 –> 00:39:19.740 Garret Woodward: You know where do we stand, right now, and this was in 2015 you know this is before a lot of things kind of change in the realm of like disparities but are things that still need to change, but the.

00:39:20.760 –> 00:39:29.850 Garret Woodward: kind of overarching question was you know if you lead if you’re a female leading a bluegrass man, how do you feel about where you’re at in the industry in the genre.

00:39:30.330 –> 00:39:38.910 Garret Woodward: And also part of like an old boys club and a lot of ways, and so I learned a lot, you know and a lot of times in that process with that story.

00:39:41.130 –> 00:39:44.700 Garret Woodward: Unless I had posed the question they wouldn’t have said anything you know they would.

00:39:45.990 –> 00:39:52.680 Garret Woodward: You know, push forward hell or high water get it done, but what I sat down and kind of dug below the surface.

00:39:53.730 –> 00:40:00.570 Garret Woodward: I got some really not surprising sadly not surprising answers about you to know discrimination about.

00:40:01.830 –> 00:40:03.030 Garret Woodward: You know hey little ad.

00:40:03.960 –> 00:40:04.590 Garret Woodward: You know this is.

00:40:05.550 –> 00:40:07.170 Joseph McElroy: My car I.

00:40:07.230 –> 00:40:19.170 Joseph McElroy: don’t even have a chance to read that I’m a go look up that story so who do you think are the top women bluegrass and Western going now who do.

00:40:20.640 –> 00:40:20.910 Joseph McElroy: I mean.

00:40:21.030 –> 00:40:24.420 Garret Woodward: yeah bluegrass is a pretty flexible word these days.

00:40:27.180 –> 00:40:42.810 Garret Woodward: there’s the aggressive bluegrass is neo-traditional but in terms of Western Carolina I mean real-deal bluegrass like real deal traditional Darren and Brooke Aldridge me Brooke Aldridge is four times in a row, and the reigning.

00:40:43.980 –> 00:40:48.210 Garret Woodward: Female vocalist of the year at the IBM is and she’s from every county North Carolina.

00:40:48.990 –> 00:40:54.630 Garret Woodward: She just played rock fest last week up in Wilkes Barre oh she’s amazing she’s just want to see these people you’re meeting your life.

00:40:55.230 –> 00:41:08.790 Garret Woodward: boys have a songbird Darren and Brooke Aldridge I mean she’s blowing up and it’s that’s more of a traditional thing, but then, when you look kind of the bluegrass blues roots kind of thing you got you to know Amanda and platinum honey cutters and things like that and.

00:41:11.460 –> 00:41:19.320 Garret Woodward: what’s the other 100 hill rose, I think, too, but yeah it’s just he can’t throw a rock around here that hit the bluegrass musician yeah.

00:41:20.160 –> 00:41:30.420 Joseph McElroy: So another bluegrass you actually wrote a book in your debut novel right, I want to make sure I hit some of your highlights here because we’re running out of time we haven’t hit.

00:41:31.380 –> 00:41:31.860 Garret Woodward: Well, I guess.

00:41:31.890 –> 00:41:33.000 Garret Woodward: Clearly we have to do this.

00:41:34.200 –> 00:41:35.910 Joseph McElroy: A 10th of what you do.

00:41:37.500 –> 00:41:38.220 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:41:38.460 –> 00:41:39.000 Garret Woodward: You don’t get.

00:41:41.340 –> 00:41:43.380 Joseph McElroy: Your debut work.

00:41:45.780 –> 00:41:53.640 Joseph McElroy: Was the I love this title knew him to tell me what it means you can’t play get off the stage right.

00:41:53.880 –> 00:41:55.410 Joseph McElroy: The opposite say stay.

00:41:55.920 –> 00:42:00.750 Joseph McElroy: aggressive Western North Carolina and beyond what was the meaning of that title yeah.

00:42:01.200 –> 00:42:02.100 Garret Woodward: Well, so.

00:42:03.510 –> 00:42:08.190 Garret Woodward: I was kicking around the idea of putting together a bluegrass book free for a couple of years.

00:42:09.210 –> 00:42:19.200 Garret Woodward: I had all these interviews, together with you know legends of North Carolina Raymond Fairchild Steve Sutton Carol best balsam range.

00:42:19.920 –> 00:42:24.900 Garret Woodward: Just everybody mountain hard all these great bluegrass musicians and I was sitting all this material.

00:42:25.440 –> 00:42:31.680 Garret Woodward: And there was so much of it, I told my boss, you know we really we had a few too many beers at a Christmas party and I said, you know.

00:42:32.340 –> 00:42:39.810 Garret Woodward: Next year, be kind of grave put a bluegrass book with all this stuff we’ve been sitting on, and I was still conducting interviews during that.

00:42:40.350 –> 00:42:51.750 Garret Woodward: whole year after the summer and I was interviewing Bobby Osbourne from the Osbourne brothers rocky top and Ruby I mean those are legendary bluegrass songs I mean.

00:42:51.810 –> 00:42:52.140 State.

00:42:53.760 –> 00:43:01.320 Garret Woodward: And you know Bobby I was when I was on his tour bus in been blossom Indiana at the Bill Monroe bluegrass hall of fame jam very.

00:43:02.010 –> 00:43:13.350 Garret Woodward: Covering Raymond Fairchild for Maggie valleys induction bluegrass often and I was interviewing Bobby and I said, you know what is it about this, music and being up there, and he goes.

00:43:14.430 –> 00:43:17.850 Garret Woodward: damn it soon, if you can’t play get off the friggin stage.

00:43:18.120 –> 00:43:18.990 And he didn’t say free.

00:43:21.780 –> 00:43:33.540 Garret Woodward: So, when he said that when he said if you can’t play get off the stage I was like you know that’s the title it’s a little aggressive of title, but it was on purpose because it makes you kind of stop and I had people that were kind of.

00:43:34.680 –> 00:43:38.040 Garret Woodward: up to my craw about it, the same it was too aggressive.

00:43:39.660 –> 00:43:41.340 Joseph McElroy: aggressive, but you did do.

00:43:41.610 –> 00:43:42.060 Joseph McElroy: I love it.

00:43:42.570 –> 00:43:57.300 Joseph McElroy: Maybe it made me think man it’s like yeah that’s a good title yeah bluegrass and a lot of ways are gotta you know a little bit an outsider status in this United States and in some ways, you know.

00:43:58.290 –> 00:44:05.130 Joseph McElroy: mainstream culture, and so you know it’s like, but the people who do it love it and do it for a reason because they love it right.

00:44:05.190 –> 00:44:06.570 Joseph McElroy: Well, I want to be good that.

00:44:06.810 –> 00:44:16.680 Garret Woodward: They take it so seriously, and you know Raymond Fairchild who you know you know you know very well before he passed, I mean he’s an icon and Maggie Valley.

00:44:17.730 –> 00:44:32.850 Garret Woodward: He told me, and I believe them he always talked about how bluegrass bands like a team of horses, that if one falls, all of them fall, so if you’re up there you’re up there, and you gotta pull your way, just like a horse in a team of horses and if you don’t do it.

00:44:34.980 –> 00:44:35.760 Garret Woodward: Why do you up there.

00:44:38.670 –> 00:44:41.190 Joseph McElroy: Do you have any other books you got any other books.

00:44:42.060 –> 00:44:44.220 Garret Woodward: I am working on a rock and roll book right now.

00:44:45.330 –> 00:44:46.170 Garret Woodward: Ah.

00:44:46.380 –> 00:44:47.730 Joseph McElroy: yeah I am stone.

00:44:48.870 –> 00:45:03.000 Garret Woodward: yeah I have so many interviews over the years, with rock legends that I’ve always loved and people that I’ve pursued and it’s a little bright over here sorry the sun, all of a sudden just popped up in my window but.

00:45:04.860 –> 00:45:11.580 Garret Woodward: They yes I’m working on a rock and roll book this winter to hope to hopefully get out in the spring, but it’s you know I’d.

00:45:12.330 –> 00:45:16.470 Joseph McElroy: love to bring you back on that love to bring you back on to talk about it, oh.

00:45:17.970 –> 00:45:18.570 Garret Woodward: yeah.

00:45:18.690 –> 00:45:19.080 glass.

00:45:20.370 –> 00:45:20.850 Joseph McElroy: Program.

00:45:21.660 –> 00:45:24.030 Garret Woodward: it’s a really great program I’m definitely coming back.

00:45:26.820 –> 00:45:40.830 Joseph McElroy: Okay we’re taking a break down we’ll come back we’ll talk a little bit about your knowledge of what’s interesting in Haywood county and the Western North Carolina and then how another thing like.

00:47:45.420 –> 00:48:06.660 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with a gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Garret Woodward so Garrett, I imagine you’ve done just about every music event festival and concert in the smoky mountains area, so what is the number one place people should not miss.

00:48:07.500 –> 00:48:08.910 Garret Woodward: In terms of live music.

00:48:09.660 –> 00:48:10.620 Joseph McElroy: Live music.

00:48:12.120 –> 00:48:20.370 Garret Woodward: Definitely merle fest that is that just happened last weekend, that is, the premier Americana blue grassroots festival in the country.

00:48:21.090 –> 00:48:21.780 Garret Woodward: More not.

00:48:22.920 –> 00:48:34.560 Garret Woodward: it’s four days of the world’s best musicians and the world’s best up and coming musicians at the works Community college campus that 80,000 people there over four days.

00:48:35.850 –> 00:48:54.210 Garret Woodward: Last weekend, Sergio Simpson, Margo Price, Sam Bush band Sierra Feral Charlie Crockett balsam range from Haywood county and it’s just incredible it’s a huge celebration, other than that you know anything and astral Asheville right now is one of the hottest music scenes in the United States.

00:48:54.630 –> 00:48:57.840 Joseph McElroy: If I mean music and food right, yes, like.

00:48:58.290 –> 00:48:58.560 Garret Woodward: Beer.

00:48:58.620 –> 00:49:01.080 Joseph McElroy: Music food beer beer yeah.

00:49:01.890 –> 00:49:05.160 Garret Woodward: I mean we’re not gonna lie to you man we’re spoiled out here.

00:49:06.900 –> 00:49:19.380 Garret Woodward: I mean what I want to go see a show do I want to try a new brewery do I want to go to a new art gallery do I want to try this great restaurant or do I want to go hike and disappear into the woods it’s all within an hour of my apartment you know.

00:49:20.310 –> 00:49:28.410 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know I come to Maggie valley every weekend right for the motel but you know to spend the rest of my

00:49:28.920 –> 00:49:42.210 Joseph McElroy: life in New York City, and you know, one of the things that I don’t have to suffer for is craft beer, the quality is on par down there with anything in the world that I’ve ever.

00:49:42.480 –> 00:49:45.120 Joseph McElroy: Of course, I knew it as well right yeah.

00:49:45.450 –> 00:50:02.820 Garret Woodward: Yes, yes man, you know I wrote, I wrote a cover story about seven years ago about the history of moonshine in Western North Carolina for the spoke about news and, to this day, seven years later, I still have random moonshiners walk up to me at parking lots.

00:50:04.290 –> 00:50:10.800 Garret Woodward: bars at grocery stores saying you think you’ve had the best follow me to my car and then they give me a job.

00:50:11.370 –> 00:50:12.570 What happens to this day.

00:50:14.520 –> 00:50:18.690 Joseph McElroy: that’s good right now I have people walking up to me at

00:50:19.710 –> 00:50:24.900 Joseph McElroy: the grocery stores and not happy with me because I put them Maxine mandated at the motel.

00:50:28.260 –> 00:50:31.080 Joseph McElroy: Did it for ethical reasons, not political, but so.

00:50:32.190 –> 00:50:32.730 Joseph McElroy: People.

00:50:33.630 –> 00:50:36.930 Garret Woodward: But anyway, John doesn’t kill a covid it right cuz.

00:50:36.930 –> 00:50:37.740 Joseph McElroy: I know right.

00:50:38.130 –> 00:50:40.200 Garret Woodward: Great I would be all over that.

00:50:41.340 –> 00:50:50.250 Joseph McElroy: is already great rock and roll places our concerts are things, something that’s not you would just not even think about is the smoky mountains.

00:50:51.120 –> 00:50:53.490 Garret Woodward: Well, in terms like bands or venues.

00:50:54.630 –> 00:50:55.650 Joseph McElroy: or a concert or a.

00:50:55.650 –> 00:51:03.750 Joseph McElroy: festival or anything that you would just say hey This is something that’s fantastic new world-class that you would not expect in the snow.

00:51:03.810 –> 00:51:08.070 Garret Woodward: Well, I mean in terms of rock and roll there’s.

00:51:09.180 –> 00:51:17.550 Garret Woodward: festivals in braveheart and Asheville this weekend is the French broad river fest which is kind of like a reggae root.

00:51:18.630 –> 00:51:25.200 Garret Woodward: rock and roll American festival up in hot springs, which you know is two towns up from Waynesville.

00:51:26.430 –> 00:51:34.470 Garret Woodward: Who oh nine French broad river fest that that one is very eclectic it’s not the normal run of bill bands that you see rolling through.

00:51:35.010 –> 00:51:43.980 Garret Woodward: Some of the festivals out here, most of the stuff west of Asheville it’s bluegrass roots-oriented unless you go to the casino, I mean there’s a lot of really great bands.

00:51:44.760 –> 00:51:52.860 Garret Woodward: That next weekend three dark nights playing there and then in December Dionne Warwick plan like random stuff like that yeah.

00:51:53.460 –> 00:51:53.850 Garret Woodward: yeah.

00:51:54.270 –> 00:51:59.670 Garret Woodward: 30 minutes from downtown now you valley go see three dog night up in the casino.

00:52:00.840 –> 00:52:01.320 Which is great.

00:52:04.110 –> 00:52:13.950 Joseph McElroy: So I’m gonna million play questions about where you would think are great things to do, and you probably have a lot of no’s we definitely have to have you back on, so we can pick your brain but.

00:52:14.400 –> 00:52:24.990 Joseph McElroy: let’s do the itinerary what What would you do let’s talk about Waynesville North Carolina and where, would you eat breakfast in the morning, if you recommend somebody coming there where would you tell them to go.

00:52:25.380 –> 00:52:37.260 Garret Woodward: Well, first and foremost, I will say that Western North Carolina is a pick your own adventure book, I have the shortest attention span known to humanity, I was only going to live here for six months that was nine and a half years ago.

00:52:38.160 –> 00:52:38.670 Garret Woodward: I have.

00:52:38.910 –> 00:52:47.460 Garret Woodward: I have never been bored in this town, I have never been born in this board in this county and I’ve never been bored in western North Carolina if you’re bored here you’re boring.

00:52:47.820 –> 00:52:53.760 Garret Woodward: Because that’s a great man there’s so much going on outside your front door if you can’t have fun here I don’t know why you’re here.

00:52:55.290 –> 00:53:05.520 Garret Woodward: You know, and for Waynesville I mean I love breakfast-wise, I mean on an average day beach mountain, the new spot hazelwood neighborhood of Waynesville.

00:53:05.970 –> 00:53:13.650 Garret Woodward: I love beach mountains have a huge menu the food’s great it’s very plentiful, they only opened about six months ago but they’ve already taken.

00:53:14.040 –> 00:53:20.220 Garret Woodward: The breakfast and heard of it, I haven’t been there, so I’m gonna go there, go there very soon, so what would you do in the morning after.

00:53:20.340 –> 00:53:21.420 Joseph McElroy: The meal.

00:53:21.930 –> 00:53:24.120 Garret Woodward: After I have a food coma leaving beach mountains.

00:53:25.380 –> 00:53:31.140 Garret Woodward: You know that the water and whole have actually the best brunch and Haywood county, in my opinion.

00:53:32.370 –> 00:53:44.490 Garret Woodward: The legendary watering hole they actually have bluegrass musicians play in the afternoons on Sundays Sunday brunch huge portions of food and then you got what’s the one in megabyte POPs has really good.

00:53:46.170 –> 00:53:48.870 Joseph McElroy: They got that shrimp and grits it’s unbelievable yeah.

00:53:48.990 –> 00:53:58.260 Garret Woodward: Oh yeah and if you jump over the Ridge in the silver, which is not far away, you have loose in the rye, which is a gourmet breakfast spot I love Lucy in there I’m in.

00:53:59.700 –> 00:54:02.370 Garret Woodward: Line potatoes for the hash browns.

00:54:03.630 –> 00:54:13.530 Garret Woodward: But then, after you eat a big breakfast you know you gotta have some coffee, I would go to orchard coffee downtown Gainesville it was ranked the number for coffee spots in the United States.

00:54:14.010 –> 00:54:14.370 Joseph McElroy: By.

00:54:15.330 –> 00:54:16.830 Garret Woodward: Like food and wine magazine.

00:54:17.100 –> 00:54:20.460 Joseph McElroy: wow coffee we’re oh my God.

00:54:21.390 –> 00:54:35.040 Garret Woodward: it’s right across from the courthouse in Waynesville it was ranked by food and wine magazine the guy that owns it my buddy capital is the owner and he is a two time United States latte champion I didn’t know that that existed.

00:54:35.370 –> 00:54:36.090 Okay.

00:54:37.230 –> 00:54:47.850 Garret Woodward: he’s known as one of the best latte makers in the United States and it’s at the corner of Main Street and depot so right where the tipping point used to be, which is now sauce and then.

00:54:48.450 –> 00:54:50.880 Joseph McElroy: You just taught me something listen I didn’t even know.

00:54:50.970 –> 00:54:51.810 Joseph McElroy: I didn’t even know.

00:54:53.970 –> 00:54:54.300 Joseph McElroy: I would.

00:54:55.470 –> 00:54:57.330 Garret Woodward: say the roaster on beans on site.

00:54:57.870 –> 00:54:59.730 Joseph McElroy: wow wow.

00:55:00.120 –> 00:55:00.420 Joseph McElroy: All right.

00:55:01.680 –> 00:55:03.960 Joseph McElroy: let’s do a quick lunch and a click afternoon.

00:55:05.280 –> 00:55:09.960 Garret Woodward: Quick lunch oh man threw me on the spot there I love.

00:55:11.010 –> 00:55:24.510 Garret Woodward: The patio downtown Waynesville church tree depot burgers are amazing ham patty Hincapie delicious Fries, oh third Bay filling station they used to be the old mechanic shop there on the corner of.

00:55:25.380 –> 00:55:27.990 Garret Woodward: Good oh it’s amazing the food’s amazing.

00:55:30.030 –> 00:55:31.560 Garret Woodward: third day filling station.

00:55:33.090 –> 00:55:41.010 Garret Woodward: The best gourmet sandwiches and soup for lunch and downtown Waynesville you got a little time you got a little extra cash in your pocket go to the suite on in.

00:55:41.220 –> 00:55:42.870 Garret Woodward: that’s always been my favorite spot.

00:55:43.080 –> 00:55:44.670 Joseph McElroy: is always good that’s good for.

00:55:46.080 –> 00:55:58.590 Garret Woodward: Privacy public, but then for me in the afternoon I’m going hiking man I’m going out into the Cataloochee valley I’m going to go to mount sterling sunburst go swimming at sunburst down there are 215 the tough life man.

00:55:59.940 –> 00:56:11.430 Joseph McElroy: Tough life alright so we’re going to call it quits here so tell me how people can follow you get in touch with you or keep track of what you’re doing or buy your books.

00:56:12.420 –> 00:56:22.080 Garret Woodward: Well, so my Instagram is Garrett G A R R E T K and then the last name Woodward W O O D W A R D Garret K Woodward that’s my Instagram

00:56:23.160 –> 00:56:39.570 Garret Woodward: email [email protected] all spelled out, I mean I read for all these travel stuff that we do with the newspaper, so if you have any questions get ahold of me I’m always down to point people in the right direction, I love living here come on down.

00:56:39.720 –> 00:56:48.090 Joseph McElroy: Alright cool well Thank you so much has been a wonderful interview and definitely have to get the other again because there are a million questions and things to talk about.

00:56:48.510 –> 00:56:49.830 Garret Woodward: That we didn’t do any better real

00:56:49.830 –> 00:56:51.210 Garret Woodward: pleasure, I really appreciate the.

00:56:51.210 –> 00:56:51.870 opportunity.

00:56:53.550 –> 00:57:04.050 Joseph McElroy: So this is the gateway to the smokies podcast you find out more about us a gatewaytothesmokies.fun we’re on the talkradio.NYC network

00:57:04.920 –> 00:57:15.480 Joseph McElroy: there are some great shows on this network following this one is about New York City and tourism there so come to come to talkradio.NYC and listen to some of the great shows.

00:57:16.680 –> 00:57:28.590 Joseph McElroy: I want to mention the Meadowlark motel This is my new once in a while call to action is having weekday getaway specials through December 31.

00:57:28.980 –> 00:57:42.510 Joseph McElroy: And it’s going, you can visit Maggie valley in the heart of the great smokies go see the great colors of the trees and leaves and get a Union three-night getaway price for the.

00:57:42.990 –> 00:57:58.290 Joseph McElroy: getaway package for the price of two that’s good Tues Sunday through Tuesday or Monday through Wednesday and you get King room spa rooms cabins and cottages reach out to eight to 828 9261717 speak to Boyd.

00:57:58.740 –> 00:58:14.880 Joseph McElroy: they’ll get your reservation again eight to 828 9261717 speak to Boyd, and thank you we’ll see you next Tuesday from six to seven for another great show and I won’t be drinking another 10% on the show because of the boy.

00:58:18.330 –> 00:58:18.930 Garret Woodward: Thanks man.

In this episode, our host Joseph Franklyn McElroy interviews Don Hendershot, a Naturalist, Freelance Writer, Biological Consultant, and Natural History (primarily birding) Tour Guide. His column, The Naturalist Corner ran for more than 20 years. He was also a regular contributor to Smoky Mountain Living Magazine plus has written for Southeast Discovery (Southeastdiscovery.com), Native American Journal, Our State, and covered the BP Gulf Oil Spill for examiner.com. He just published, with Smoky Mountain News – A Year from the Naturalist’s Corner Volume I, a collection of columns. And he contracts with the USDA Forest Service to do bird surveys every spring (since 2004.)

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.

SHOW NOTES:

Segment 1

We start off the show with Joseph McElroy introducing the show and himself before going into a sponsored message. After the message, Joseph brings up where he has been recently and his drink of choice for the episode, and then introduces the special guest, Don Hendershot. Joseph asks Don how he ended up in Haywood County, and Don recounts his journey through divorce, ocean jobs, and how business guided him to the mountains. Joseph then inquires why Don started writing, and Don describes the peer pressure from friends and family to not write, but an opportunity to write for a job presented itself and he took it. To finish off the segment, Joseph brings up a specific article Don wrote about the truth behind “dangerous” animals like bears and alligators, and a little behind the scenes about it.

Segment 2

They come back from the ad break with stories about close calls with alligators. Joseph interjects with his own story with a close encounter with a bear, and Don takes that momentum and comes in with a bear story of his own. This transitions the conversation to tips on how to deal with a bear encounter in the wild, with additional tips on how to distinguish black bear feces from grizzly bears. The conversation shifts to cougars in the Smokies and the possibility of their extinction before having to go to the commercial break.

Segment 3

Once the ad break finishes, Joseph brings up all of Don’s achievements and journalistic awards about the conservation of nature and asks Don what his opinions were on the wildfire state of California. Don explains the serious issue and consequences of the forest fires, such as birds changing their migration patterns and animals going higher in the canopy to escape the heat. They talk about the little things people can do to help with environmental conservation, like leaving a smaller carbon footprint and looking to renewable energy resources. They switch topics to a recent book Don wrote, A Year from the Naturalist’s Corner Volume I, and what Don’s plans are for his future volumes. Don also describes his process and themes in his columns from the Naturalist’s Corner.

Segment 4

They begin the final segment with Don’s hobby of bird watching and how the pandemic has hindered it. That led to the topic of Don’s programs he sees over, like tree identification and nature watching (every animal, not just birds), and his favorite moments from certain sessions he led. Don also lends a helpful tip on how to differentiate between a similar pair of bird species found in the Smokies. They end off this week’s show with how to get in contact with Don and where to find his Book.

Our special guest is Patrick Womack, a Presbyterian Minister and Native of Haywood County, now serving as Teaching Pastor of Bay Presbyterian Church in Bonita Springs, Florida.

He is a graduate of Western Carolina University and the Reformed Theological Seminary and has been a full-time Pastor since 1992. Patrick is also a renowned local historian and a superb storyteller who has produced many historical works for his family and friends.

He enjoys writing, hiking, hunting, and fishing in his spare time. Joseph McElroy and Patrick will talk about Cataloochee Valley in the Smokies.

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.

---------------------------------------------------

SHOW NOTES:

Segment 1

Joseph McElroy starts off the show by introducing himself, his relationship with the Smokies, and his drink of choice for the hour. After talking about an upcoming apple festival, McElroy introduces Patrick Womack and asks him a few questions about his upbringing and how he ended up in the Church he works in today. They then go into greater detail about the mentors Womack had throughout his life and how they affected him. Womack recounts his experiences with his grandparents and a terminally ill man and the wisdom they imparted onto him. They finish off the segment with depictions of a few funny stories from their times and sharing a few laughs

Segment 2

They return in segment 2 to talk about Womack’s vintage jeep and how he came to own it. They discuss why Womack feels a connection with history and how it came to be. Afterward, Womack describes a few stories that happened in the valley of Cataloochee, such as how they could dip a tray into the river and pick up a trout for dinner and the reaction of the people when they learned that they had to move due to the government.

Segment 3

They return to talk about the most beautiful spots in the Smokies and the Cataloochee valley that Womack hiked through. The conversation shifts from that to how Womack got into ministry. Originally, he didn’t think he was the type to be a preacher, but he first thought about it after running for school president and realizing he could do public speaking well (or as his grandma called it, making a talk). Next, Womack summarizes the history of tiny Indian towns in Haywood County after their territory was pushed West.

Segment 4

When they come back, McElroy starts off asking why Womack doesn’t drink and a few recommendations for barbeque, including in New York. Finally, McElroy asks what a day in Womack’s life looks like, discussing the best places for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and things to do between them according to Womack.

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00:02:52.590 –> 00:02:53.490 Joseph McElroy: howdy.

00:02:53.580 –> 00:03:08.400 Joseph McElroy: Welcome to the gateway to the smokies podcast this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park and the surrounding towns these areas filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history, and rich mountain culture that we explore with the weekly episode.

00:03:12.690 –> 00:03:21.210 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy, a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains

00:03:21.480 –> 00:03:26.820 Joseph McElroy: My family is living the great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.

00:03:27.360 –> 00:03:44.700 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re gonna talk about a little history of Cataloochee Valley and other things about life in the smokies but first will talk about our sponsors now imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past at modern and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian.

00:03:45.870 –> 00:03:59.130 Joseph McElroy: a place for adventure and for relaxation imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill then catch on fire eat accompanied by fine wine craft beer.

00:03:59.910 –> 00:04:08.880 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place of the old-time music and world cultural sale, there is no other place like Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina.

00:04:13.320 –> 00:04:15.600 Joseph McElroy: Your smoky mountain adventure starts, with where you stay.

00:04:16.980 –> 00:04:27.330 Joseph McElroy: I want to mention that today I’m having a nice beer called soul nation from innovation brewery in Silver North Carolina they say that this particular.

00:04:27.930 –> 00:04:37.290 Joseph McElroy: brand this particular vintage is a unique IP a result of service collaborative community and it’s brought together by lovable beer and tea.

00:04:38.940 –> 00:04:49.440 Joseph McElroy: The beverage is a beverage like no other that exemplifies the manifestation of people working together so food or you can practically taste the Rainbow.

00:04:50.280 –> 00:04:58.560 Joseph McElroy: it’s actually quite good I don’t I find it to be very IPA not too fruity, but I think that there’s a nice flavor to it so.

00:04:58.830 –> 00:05:09.150 Joseph McElroy: This is what I’m drinking today, you know that the mountains have lots of breweries, I think that Asheville alone has like 38 breweries so it’s a great place to come and sample the fruits.

00:05:13.860 –> 00:05:17.850 Joseph McElroy: All the things that are going to make you a hoppy beer.

00:05:19.410 –> 00:05:29.790 Joseph McElroy: Coming up in Waynesville in October is a festival that I recommend you all go to it’s on October 16 is the annual apple harvest festival.

00:05:30.330 –> 00:05:40.110 Joseph McElroy: And it’s in its 34th year of operation it’s a fun family-friendly festival and it’s owned and operated by the Haywood county chamber of commerce.

00:05:40.410 –> 00:05:50.070 Joseph McElroy: And they take over the streets of downtown way enjoy fill it with almost 200 arts and crafts booth food concessions music partners and more.

00:05:50.490 –> 00:05:58.980 Joseph McElroy: We have a lot of street dances in Waynesville and that’s been going on since I was a kid and they do more street dances with this festival.

00:05:59.580 –> 00:06:09.990 Joseph McElroy: There be local apple grows and set up on the street to sell delicious mountain-grown apples that have a vast variety and there’ll be many vendors are selling apple cider.

00:06:16.650 –> 00:06:26.400 Joseph McElroy: That is October 16 in Waynesville North Carolina and it’s not too far from Maggie Valley, where you can state the Meadowlark motel and come visit Waynesville for that event.

00:06:26.820 –> 00:06:33.330 Joseph McElroy: So today’s episode I mentioned is back Cataloochee Valley and I had somebody here that’s been quite a bit in the history of that.

00:06:34.260 –> 00:06:45.810 Joseph McElroy: His name is Patrick Womack, he is a Presbyterian minister and a native of Haywood County who’s now serving as a teaching pastor of Bay Presbyterian church and Bonita Springs Florida.

00:06:46.380 –> 00:06:54.780 Joseph McElroy: He’s a graduate of Western Carolina for University and the reformed theological seminary and has been a full-time pastor since 1992.

00:06:55.380 –> 00:07:10.590 Joseph McElroy: he’s also a renowned local historian and superb storyteller imagine as a ministry probably is who’s produced many historical works for his family and friends and enjoys writing, I think.

00:07:14.670 –> 00:07:15.090 Joseph McElroy: Doing.

00:07:16.830 –> 00:07:18.180 Patrick Womack: doing well, thank you, Joseph.

00:07:18.600 –> 00:07:19.410 Joseph McElroy: Patrick you doing good.

00:07:20.040 –> 00:07:21.630 Patrick Womack: Everyone joining the show.

00:07:22.200 –> 00:07:24.510 Joseph McElroy: So you’ve only been in Florida for about a year right.

00:07:25.170 –> 00:07:26.370 Patrick Womack: that’s right just over a year.

00:07:26.820 –> 00:07:31.980 Joseph McElroy: So how are you serving mostly time in Waynesville how’d you end up in Florida lately.

00:07:33.120 –> 00:07:40.140 Patrick Womack: Well that’s a that’s an interesting story course born and raised in Haywood county and stay there until graduating from Western.

00:07:40.770 –> 00:07:49.380 Patrick Womack: With the Mississippi to seminary and then I was in the Charlotte area for about 18 years before coming back to Wayne’s world a pastor my home church for about 10 years and then.

00:07:49.770 –> 00:07:58.620 Patrick Womack: This church contacted me out of the blue, and that began a conversation, and after a lot of prayer and consideration we with the load up and moving to Florida.

00:07:59.040 –> 00:08:00.750 Patrick Womack: yeah it’s been a blessing.

00:08:01.020 –> 00:08:02.010 Joseph McElroy: With the warm weather.

00:08:04.320 –> 00:08:14.310 Patrick Womack: Well I’ll tell you what it was nice back in January in February, seeing all those snow pictures when I was sitting out on the back porch sipping on the Fruit Punch and just watching world.

00:08:16.500 –> 00:08:19.710 Joseph McElroy: This is sort of you know you’re working retirement right.

00:08:21.540 –> 00:08:21.990 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:08:22.230 –> 00:08:24.810 Patrick Womack: Well, in my line of work, I don’t know about retirement.

00:08:25.020 –> 00:08:32.100 Joseph McElroy: I know that’s what I’m saying you’re not going to quit, so this is your people retire in Florida, so I thought it might be your work and retire.

00:08:35.700 –> 00:08:36.990 Patrick Womack: here to teach them how to drive.

00:08:37.290 –> 00:08:37.650 yeah.

00:08:39.450 –> 00:08:46.620 Joseph McElroy: so well, this is a first for our show where you’re the first ordained Minister that we’ve had as a guest.

00:08:47.550 –> 00:08:51.510 Joseph McElroy: So I’ll try to be a good behavior but I don’t think I’ve started off really very well.

00:08:53.550 –> 00:08:56.460 Joseph McElroy: So so we’re in Haywood county where you raised.

00:08:57.360 –> 00:08:59.940 Patrick Womack: raised on the high creek, my mom and dad.

00:09:01.170 –> 00:09:14.520 Patrick Womack: will normally team Jean and Charlie Wyoming settle upon the head of high creek built House there and what’s known as Ochsner cove so I grew up there and then between it and my grandparents place on plot creek That was my tramping around.

00:09:19.470 –> 00:09:27.150 Joseph McElroy: Is it say yeah those are nice areas to grow up and I remember growing up as well, what are your fondest memories of growing up here in a boot camp.

00:09:28.050 –> 00:09:40.410 Patrick Womack: Oh, I don’t know just blessed to have a wonderful family mom and dad really loved us and took care of us, and so I had free range of our property up there on the high creek and I love being in the woods and then.

00:09:41.010 –> 00:09:45.120 Patrick Womack: We were within a couple of miles and my mom’s parents bill and Natalie Winchester.

00:09:46.080 –> 00:10:01.290 Patrick Womack: And so I had a lot of good have a lot of good memories of doing farm work and just tramping around there, I really it’s just being with family growing up my dad’s mother live close by, and we were just really blessed to be around a lot of really good people.

00:10:02.130 –> 00:10:05.970 Joseph McElroy: I thought you were gonna say coming up to just go and see me and your brother wrestling.

00:10:07.410 –> 00:10:10.530 Patrick Womack: that’s on the list, but you know you tell me, we only have so much time.

00:10:16.830 –> 00:10:26.550 Joseph McElroy: So you know I am I understand you know the plot, I see to be on the show, and he told me a little bit about you and I knew that I knew of us, I remember sort of remember you coming up watching us.

00:10:26.580 –> 00:10:35.700 Joseph McElroy: uracil so, but he said he mentioned that you were fortunate you felt that you were fortunate to have some great older mentors when you were a boy, can you tell us a little bit about them.

00:10:36.360 –> 00:10:49.650 Patrick Womack: Oh yeah, of course, in addition to my parents who obviously were key in my life grandparents and our grandfather, especially or she graduated high school and my brother Dan and he can tell you as much as I can but.

00:10:51.060 –> 00:10:59.430 Patrick Womack: Paul was just a tremendous influence and all of our lives, we spent a lot of time in the garden tobacco patch hayfield and.

00:10:59.940 –> 00:11:10.020 Patrick Womack: Just was a kind compassionate gracious person to be around and I just loved hearing him talk about growing up and I don’t know why that we’re just interested in that, from an early age.

00:11:10.350 –> 00:11:10.830 huh.

00:11:11.880 –> 00:11:12.360 Joseph McElroy: What kind of.

00:11:16.440 –> 00:11:28.140 Joseph McElroy: Food here my grandfather find scrape you know, and you go out the FAR and you get to pick blackberries or wild strawberries, and you get to see the cows, you can maybe get lucky enough to cut back a.

00:11:30.000 –> 00:11:30.690 Patrick Womack: lot of that.

00:11:30.960 –> 00:11:44.310 Joseph McElroy: Right and be part of that whole you know, a real rural amount of experience, so I think there is a great deal of mentorship and just that sort of wisdom of the land right.

00:11:45.120 –> 00:11:55.890 Patrick Womack: Absolutely, and you know what not only him, but it was a lot of neighbors around us now that I look back, people who came in my grandmother’s stores he ran high creek grocery their own high creek and.

00:11:56.430 –> 00:12:05.640 Patrick Womack: A lot of older folks came there and then a distant cousin Alan hi who was he had a terminal cancer non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

00:12:06.240 –> 00:12:14.490 Patrick Womack: And he spent a lot of time with me, we would sit out on his front porch and he just told me all kinds of stories, and so there was just a lot of people who fed into my

00:12:14.700 –> 00:12:15.360 interest.

00:12:18.630 –> 00:12:19.260 Joseph McElroy: That.

00:12:20.520 –> 00:12:25.950 Joseph McElroy: How do you, what do you think how would What would you say is that was the biggest impact in later life.

00:12:27.180 –> 00:12:36.420 Joseph McElroy: yeah what how did they teach you away living that they give you some wisdom that you just take us through your whole life that you remember as being like really impactful.

00:12:37.350 –> 00:12:43.260 Patrick Womack: Oh yeah definitely um you know, and my grandfather, especially, along with my parents, of course.

00:12:44.430 –> 00:12:51.900 Patrick Womack: was just a good example it wasn’t always things that were said it was just noting the way that he and they were respected.

00:12:52.710 –> 00:13:03.960 Patrick Womack: Among the people in the Community, and you know that guess that sort of put a desire in me to kind of thing I’d like to be like that when I grow up now still think that when I grow up, I would still like to be like them.

00:13:05.400 –> 00:13:20.130 Patrick Womack: And so, watching them and just seeing that that kind of sound solid integrity and standing in the Community was was meaningful for me, for some reason it just made an impression on me but otherwise just all kinds of wisdom.

00:13:21.150 –> 00:13:28.200 Patrick Womack: That they used to dispense you know along the way, best we could talk about that all evening I suppose.

00:13:28.410 –> 00:13:37.680 Joseph McElroy: I suppose yeah we know when I would go visit my grandfather my dad would open up talk about stories from the beginning, the funny stories I don’t remember.

00:13:38.010 –> 00:13:42.750 Joseph McElroy: If you had some of them it’d be one about my grandfather going out trying to shoot a musket and end up.

00:13:43.200 –> 00:14:02.880 Joseph McElroy: Forgetting to take out the stick and you know and then shoot the stick out in the sheet stick get the squirrel and then another one about you know my dad I think it was a tall tale fallen into the river and getting up with the 12 fishing this past.

00:14:05.640 –> 00:14:08.040 Joseph McElroy: Do you have Do you remember the funny stories from.

00:14:08.220 –> 00:14:18.390 Patrick Womack: That time that you grow it kind of hit me on the spot, but yeah I can think about some have Paul said he his father he’s talked about a fellow who was building a wagon and they came along and.

00:14:18.960 –> 00:14:31.080 Patrick Womack: And they were watching him and he was working on the wagon they had he taken a piece of charcoal and mark to be the letter b on both ends of the wagon man and they asked him said what in the world that for and he said.

00:14:31.560 –> 00:14:37.770 Patrick Womack: let’s so I can tell one from the other he said it’s me from before and before behind so I’ll know how to put it on the chassis.

00:14:44.130 –> 00:14:52.560 Patrick Womack: Also may recap are talking about a fellow who was coming through frog Level one time and they had that old bridge there across ritual and create near were the how a meal was.

00:14:53.520 –> 00:14:56.520 Patrick Womack: And the boy hit the side of the bridge and it.

00:14:57.180 –> 00:15:09.270 Patrick Womack: hurling through the windshield of the whole model T and E skidded on the pavement or the gravel out there and just nearly took all of his clothes off and they said what in the world happened, he said he admitted to it, he said, well, I got into some dandelion one.

00:15:09.990 –> 00:15:15.780 Patrick Womack: He said that was coming up the street there, and he said look like they were three bridges, so he said I just took the one in the middle.

00:15:23.160 –> 00:15:29.730 Joseph McElroy: Well, now that’s just the that’s the stories of our youth I really appreciate growing up with them.

00:15:30.240 –> 00:15:39.570 Joseph McElroy: So we’re gonna take a break, right now, when we come back we’re going to talk a little bit more about you got a vintage jeep and other couple interesting things I think we will talk about.

00:15:40.050 –> 00:15:40.470 Okay.

00:18:01.290 –> 00:18:14.310 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy turned to learn how to use the tools of my tray here, but this is the gateway to the smokies podcast and I have my guests here, Patrick Womack. So Patrick.

00:18:15.990 –> 00:18:16.470 Joseph McElroy: In.

00:18:19.740 –> 00:18:24.960 Joseph McElroy: History a little you know spirituality a little any number of things, but I think.

00:18:26.100 –> 00:18:31.890 Joseph McElroy: You have something that represents both in a way, you have your own a www.twovintagejeep right.

00:18:33.900 –> 00:18:44.730 Patrick Womack: yeah it’s a 1946 CJ to a so technically it’s a civilian G that the previous owner painted to look like an army G but it’s made all out of surplus parts.

00:18:45.390 –> 00:18:48.120 Joseph McElroy: And why did you how did you end up with that, why did you part.

00:18:49.590 –> 00:18:51.660 Patrick Womack: I just always wanted an old jeep and so.

00:18:51.660 –> 00:18:58.740 Patrick Womack: yeah just started looking for one and a guy had it in a garage down in Fort mill with that I looked at it anyway ended up buying it.

00:18:59.310 –> 00:19:00.750 Joseph McElroy: Did you restore yourself.

00:19:01.380 –> 00:19:05.070 Patrick Womack: No, it was good to go I’ve done very little to it.

00:19:05.700 –> 00:19:07.410 Joseph McElroy: And you have any other vintage vehicles.

00:19:08.340 –> 00:19:12.570 Patrick Womack: No that’s pretty much it lets you kind of 2012 Honda accord.

00:19:13.980 –> 00:19:15.270 Joseph McElroy: call that I call it vintage.

00:19:20.880 –> 00:19:22.140 Joseph McElroy: Sport vehicle right.

00:19:23.880 –> 00:19:24.840 Joseph McElroy: i’m sorry what was then.

00:19:25.110 –> 00:19:30.540 Joseph McElroy: So I said I said, there must be some historic, there must be some pleasure and having a historic vehicle.

00:19:31.050 –> 00:19:39.660 Patrick Womack: Oh, I love drama yeah yeah it’s just you know it’s simple and reminds me of a simpler time and it’s just a fun number.

00:19:40.920 –> 00:19:43.050 Joseph McElroy: So we have Alex McKay.

00:19:44.250 –> 00:19:56.370 Joseph McElroy: Okay, I was a previous guest the local historian here, so you to have a lot of now, I think, similar interest what did you become interested in local history.

00:19:56.820 –> 00:20:03.540 Patrick Womack: Well, first of all, let me say Alex is bonafide so it makes me feel better to know you’ve had some legitimate knowledgeable guests on here.

00:20:05.370 –> 00:20:18.720 Patrick Womack: I don’t know I just kind of was born with this crazy idea and I want to know old things I really cannot explain it can think back in my earliest childhood just liked hearing about old stuff and.

00:20:19.320 –> 00:20:20.850 Patrick Womack: have just carried it through life with me.

00:20:24.420 –> 00:20:37.650 Joseph McElroy: mm hmm and you haven’t you come up you know deep roots connections in this in this in this county and the families here like the plot family who the plot brought you on here, you know Hello Hello has your family been around here.

00:20:38.340 –> 00:20:39.840 Patrick Womack: So, on my mother’s side.

00:20:40.860 –> 00:20:49.050 Patrick Womack: About eight generations her grandmother was cooler before she married a Winchester and the McClure’s moved into Haywood county.

00:20:49.950 –> 00:21:03.900 Patrick Womack: sometime in the last decade of the 1700s and then the wind Chester’s have been in a wood county since 1829 1830 and then a number of other family names Hawkins Ochsner.

00:21:04.920 –> 00:21:06.120 Patrick Womack: Just several.

00:21:07.320 –> 00:21:16.740 Joseph McElroy: that’s nice to have those deep connections with, especially when you talk about history, so you know how you sell yourself short but I call you an expert His story it’s about.

00:21:21.000 –> 00:21:22.200 Joseph McElroy: valley of Cataloochee

00:21:23.670 –> 00:21:29.730 Joseph McElroy: it’s stored and beautiful it’s National Park, can you talk about your connection with that.

00:21:30.510 –> 00:21:44.760 Patrick Womack: Yes, I can initially my connection came through my aunt who married Harley Caldwell, who was the last person born up there among those old families, maybe not 1938 he was born 1937.

00:21:45.240 –> 00:21:56.220 Patrick Womack: So his parents were still living in my childhood and even though, what I wouldn’t directly relate to them about marriage called the memo and that ball Caldwell Jarvis and bonnie Caldwell.

00:21:56.820 –> 00:22:09.900 Patrick Womack: And that was my initial connection, but then I also do have a family connection, my great grandmother whitener was a hall in she was born there in Cataloochee

00:22:10.980 –> 00:22:29.070 Patrick Womack: And the whole family which it’s settled in just after the civil war, my great great great grandfather John Wesley hall moved in after in some form or fashion, fighting with the Union, he moved out of East Tennessee into the valley in the 1860s so that’s my direct to.

00:22:30.150 –> 00:22:34.290 Joseph McElroy: yeah and then you got asked to be.

00:22:36.300 –> 00:22:42.840 Joseph McElroy: The interviewer for a local project that interview, a lot of the descendants right.

00:22:43.200 –> 00:22:49.860 Patrick Womack: Yes, so I moved back to Waynesville in 2010 when my own church called me to be the pastor.

00:22:50.490 –> 00:22:58.380 Patrick Womack: And immediately well pretty soon after moving back became involved in Haywood county’s historical and genealogical society.

00:22:58.920 –> 00:23:08.880 Patrick Womack: And they had the idea of trying to do these interviews of the last generation of Cataloochee because we only have a handful of people, they have to were actually born in the valley.

00:23:10.020 –> 00:23:20.580 Patrick Womack: So I became involved in that project to doing those interviews and then that developed into a documentary that was sponsored jointly by that organization and Western Carolina University.

00:23:26.820 –> 00:23:30.210 Joseph McElroy: And you really interesting people that you interviewed on that documentary.

00:23:30.810 –> 00:23:42.810 Patrick Womack: Oh wonderful people you know I think Mr. Paul woody, for example, who born, I guess 1920 or thereabouts on a little Cataloochee

00:23:43.320 –> 00:23:58.050 Patrick Womack: just listening to him tell stories about being born their own woody creek and how his mother on evenings when she had not had a chance to prepare supper could just go out with a dishpan and dip a massive trout out of the creek with a dish fan.

00:23:58.680 –> 00:23:59.880 Patrick Womack: and have enough for supper.

00:24:01.020 –> 00:24:02.910 Patrick Womack: And just a whole host of other.

00:24:02.910 –> 00:24:05.400 Joseph McElroy: folks that had to be a little bit tall too

00:24:07.020 –> 00:24:12.810 Patrick Womack: know you know if you read how abundant the trout used to be in those streams.

00:24:13.860 –> 00:24:22.380 Patrick Womack: yeah Turkey George Palmer going to last bottom creek and catching 200 trout course Turkey George did tend to you know.

00:24:23.070 –> 00:24:33.840 Patrick Womack: inflated numbers, a little bit, but they are others who testified of the amount of trout that run those streams I really don’t bout that story at all I think it’s entirely credible that she did that.

00:24:34.620 –> 00:24:42.330 Joseph McElroy: yeah well, I mean that would be a wonderful existence just go out and dip it in and pull out your trout having for dinner because they’re good to eat.

00:24:43.560 –> 00:24:44.970 Joseph McElroy: I’ve always had to work to catch.

00:24:45.660 –> 00:24:47.430 Patrick Womack: yeah they’re not like that now.

00:24:47.520 –> 00:24:52.590 Joseph McElroy: No they’re not like that out anybody else that told you to story that you remember that’s really good.

00:24:53.310 –> 00:24:54.750 Patrick Womack: Oh, there is a host of them.

00:24:55.920 –> 00:24:56.580 Patrick Womack: I can.

00:24:58.200 –> 00:25:06.810 Patrick Womack: You know, think about Raymond called will, who was born and raised there and what’s now Palmer Cree back in the older generation, it was known as Indian Creek and.

00:25:07.380 –> 00:25:15.690 Patrick Womack: You know, he talked about the old grist mill and his father operated there and how somebody in the Community gotten the idea that.

00:25:16.200 –> 00:25:22.650 Patrick Womack: He had told on them because they would come in there, and you know the millstones were close together to make cornmeal.

00:25:23.130 –> 00:25:33.000 Patrick Womack: And sometimes people would slip in there at night and spread those stones out a little bit to crack corn so that they could use it to this still liquor and they had done that, and.

00:25:34.080 –> 00:25:40.380 Patrick Womack: Raymond said somebody got the idea that his father Jarvis and informed on them, because the revenue or showed up so.

00:25:40.740 –> 00:25:48.720 Patrick Womack: They were in there one-day Millen and somebody slipped up behind his dad and knocked him in the head knocked him out, but he said his dad just laughed about anyone any big deal.

00:25:50.790 –> 00:25:57.570 Patrick Womack: And, and then he had a cousin who took an electricians correspondence course through a school in Chicago.

00:25:58.110 –> 00:26:03.300 Patrick Womack: Who figured out how to rig up a little mag neato and he put it on that grist mill.

00:26:03.780 –> 00:26:14.880 Patrick Womack: And it produced enough electricity They ran a power cord down to their house just about a quarter of a mile away and they were able to run a couple of lights and radio off of that little generator on their wrist meal so.

00:26:15.240 –> 00:26:17.070 Joseph McElroy: It must have starred with Community man.

00:26:20.520 –> 00:26:21.480 Patrick Womack: That was a cool story.

00:26:25.980 –> 00:26:31.020 Joseph McElroy: an interview that there were they a little wistful about not being about that hope that that that Valley.

00:26:31.770 –> 00:26:38.490 Patrick Womack: You know, it was a mixture, they were folks who remembered very well being angry and bitter about having to move off that.

00:26:39.030 –> 00:26:48.150 Patrick Womack: Most of them, you know so on as a mixed blessing, they said, you know, we had to give up our land, but you know the lands been preserved at least we can go back to it now and it hasn’t been developed.

00:26:50.490 –> 00:26:59.850 Patrick Womack: Remember it’s funny this just jumped in my head, there was one fellow who had negotiated pretty hard with his property and he finally got a check.

00:27:00.510 –> 00:27:10.440 Patrick Womack: From the government for his land and they were making plans to move out and he got angry, his wife, because she was supposed to take the check to Waynesville and deposit in the bank.

00:27:11.010 –> 00:27:17.670 Patrick Womack: And that was going to be what they used to bother next farm to live on well she’d gotten busy and didn’t take it.

00:27:18.330 –> 00:27:31.290 Patrick Womack: And he was all upset about that, but then he found out later had she taken that check the Waynesville the bank had gone out of business, it went broke and had she did it, they would have lost everything.

00:27:31.560 –> 00:27:32.550 Joseph McElroy: Oh, my goodness.

00:27:33.570 –> 00:27:36.390 Patrick Womack: Joseph that story that came out after the depression, you know the great.

00:27:38.070 –> 00:27:48.630 Joseph McElroy: wow yeah no, it was an interesting time they’re moving out things are happening pretty bad at that time and you know made room for the great smoky mountain National Park right.

00:27:49.020 –> 00:27:52.560 Joseph McElroy: I mean I don’t know how many people, I guess, we started talking about explaining it, but the.

00:27:52.560 –> 00:28:07.620 Joseph McElroy: Cataloochee, one of the most beautiful places to visit and the great smoky mountains National Park, and it was inhabited up until the well probably a long time ago by the territory and then more recently by old.

00:28:08.490 –> 00:28:20.820 Joseph McElroy: Old mostly Scotch Irish settlers up until the 30s when they were paid to leave after some negotiations to help create.

00:28:24.090 –> 00:28:27.360 Joseph McElroy: So there were a lot of decisions around leaders any left.

00:28:28.680 –> 00:28:30.450 Joseph McElroy: You know if there’s a descendant left.

00:28:32.820 –> 00:28:33.510 Patrick Womack: Of.

00:28:34.830 –> 00:28:38.700 Joseph McElroy: Cataloochee Valley, are those people you interviewed, are there any I’m still living.

00:28:39.030 –> 00:28:48.450 Patrick Womack: there’s just a handful left and the only ones who are left now there are very few that actually have a living memory of being there.

00:28:49.230 –> 00:28:52.080 Patrick Womack: our so-called will would be one who remembers it from childhood.

00:28:52.860 –> 00:29:05.220 Patrick Womack: But when Raymond call will pass away a couple of years ago, I think he was probably the last one you actually remembered farming and doing actual work and taking capital up on those Ridge tops that generation is pretty well going.

00:29:05.790 –> 00:29:11.970 Joseph McElroy: But, did you go up and visit quite a bit when you were doing this, you know some of the hiking trails or anything up in the couch about.

00:29:12.330 –> 00:29:30.480 Patrick Womack: Oh I’ve hiked every trail I have gone off-trail I’ve found because the trails under their name aren’t necessarily the ones that the people used and so I’m trying to locate all of those old trails and home places that I possibly could have to scour that valley from one end to the other.

00:29:31.680 –> 00:29:39.630 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know, it was a great place to go up back in the day didn’t church group fill their camp up there, and have revivals and things like that they still do today.

00:29:40.590 –> 00:29:44.280 Patrick Womack: I’m not sure I do know that they were selling to the Greek campground and do that.

00:29:44.640 –> 00:29:47.670 Joseph McElroy: yeah I remember that back in the day yeah.

00:29:48.720 –> 00:29:54.810 Joseph McElroy: But it was you know it’s a lovely place around here so what’s your favorite hiking trail up there.

00:29:56.220 –> 00:30:02.490 Patrick Womack: Oh, it depends on what day you asked me, probably, all in all, I enjoy most going up Palmer creek.

00:30:04.050 –> 00:30:17.220 Patrick Womack: Pretty hollow trail, and then on up you know toward last bottom creek the tops of those ranges those are probably the go-to places I like to get up high as fast as I can, so you know elation.

00:30:17.880 –> 00:30:21.360 Joseph McElroy: There you go well, we come back we’ll talk a little bit more about.

00:30:24.780 –> 00:30:29.700 Joseph McElroy: Some other things that you might have done of interest to our audience okay.

00:33:13.140 –> 00:33:21.750 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Patrick Womack so Patrick.

00:33:24.810 –> 00:33:35.910 Joseph McElroy: I really want to paint a picture for our audience about how beautiful Cataloochee Valley is such a great place to visit is there any other special places in your heart up there.

00:33:36.780 –> 00:33:38.580 Patrick Womack: Oh yeah I mean the whole area.

00:33:39.660 –> 00:33:56.040 Patrick Womack: I love to go up to the end of the valley and go up by the old woody house and you know the rough creek trail and then everything on Caldwell Fork is great and wonderful hiking to go to, what they call the booger man trail named after a man named Robert Palmer who.

00:33:57.090 –> 00:34:04.620 Patrick Womack: Who was called booger man and his childhood that he’ll most of the property that that trail encompasses that’s a great wall, you can go through there and see some large timber.

00:34:05.130 –> 00:34:12.960 Patrick Womack: And some good views and some old stone fences that are still in place and yeah that’s a great place to go.

00:34:13.560 –> 00:34:17.820 Joseph McElroy: What are some of the there are some old buildings up there to what’s your which ones are your favorite old buildings.

00:34:18.540 –> 00:34:21.480 Patrick Womack: There are in a course being pastor unnaturally.

00:34:22.350 –> 00:34:28.380 Patrick Womack: Churches, you know Palmer Chapel united Methodist, not just because it’s a charity I’ve got some good memories.

00:34:28.680 –> 00:34:35.220 Patrick Womack: sitting in there during the homecoming services that are held each year and in childhood sitting up there with Jarvis Caldwell.

00:34:35.700 –> 00:34:41.790 Patrick Womack: Who back in the day led the singing and the worship services, I will remember sitting next to him, and even though he was.

00:34:42.210 –> 00:34:48.180 Patrick Womack: The grandfather my first cousin he would introduce me as his youngest grandson that always made me feel good, even though, what.

00:34:48.930 –> 00:35:01.710 Patrick Womack: And then, of course, over and little catalog it got a hike to get in there, but the Baptist church that that Community is known as Ola back in the day, but little Cataloochee church that’s a great place to go to and I love to do that.

00:35:02.520 –> 00:35:05.520 Joseph McElroy: I’m a great picnic around those places are yeah.

00:35:05.610 –> 00:35:09.300 Patrick Womack: yeah anyway there’s a great place yeah.

00:35:09.780 –> 00:35:21.930 Joseph McElroy: Well it’s time for viewing season and for the alpha and Cataloochee about now September, you know, so we actually had to outcome down Soco road.

00:35:26.250 –> 00:35:29.580 Joseph McElroy: This Sutton’s antique store recently so.

00:35:30.930 –> 00:35:37.290 Joseph McElroy: I started out to do Cataloochee valley where’s the best place to go view Elk in Cataloochee Valley

00:35:37.980 –> 00:35:52.050 Patrick Womack: Oh, those upper fields undoubtedly go up by the old ranger station sometimes you’ll find some there, but most of them are up in those fields either below Palmer Chapel or just above as you, you know get all of the gravel parts of the road.

00:35:52.530 –> 00:35:56.580 Joseph McElroy: um any advice on how to view them anything that you shouldn’t do.

00:35:56.940 –> 00:35:58.380 Patrick Womack: yeah keep your distance.

00:35:59.970 –> 00:36:11.220 Patrick Womack: You know those elk seem pretty tame you know, and you get pretty close to them, but you know those are big powerful animals, you know what a tangle it’s one of those things you got one on one with an lt we’re not going to come out well so.

00:36:11.280 –> 00:36:14.130 Joseph McElroy: No, no, I don’t think those are some of that.

00:36:14.670 –> 00:36:14.880 yeah.

00:36:16.530 –> 00:36:23.610 Joseph McElroy: So uh you know you read this DVD right about the great yeah we’re people get caught.

00:36:25.890 –> 00:36:28.170 Patrick Womack: You know, having been away for over a year now.

00:36:29.220 –> 00:36:44.040 Patrick Womack: not exactly sure I know that Teague super at going into Maggie valley used to keep them on and blue rage books generally had some otherwise you know contact somebody with a would historical genealogical society.

00:36:44.460 –> 00:36:48.630 Joseph McElroy: All right, um have you written any books about this area.

00:36:48.840 –> 00:37:00.120 Patrick Womack: No, no, people tell me, I need to write books I just don’t have time I’ve got all kinds of notes and stuff that I referred to you, but maybe one of these days I’ll get organized enough.

00:37:00.180 –> 00:37:13.320 Joseph McElroy: I kept thinking that you had the same thought I kept saying he must have written the book and I was looking for and I couldn’t find one so yeah I think that’s a destiny right there I think that’s something that’s telling me, you need to write a book right okay.

00:37:14.700 –> 00:37:16.680 Joseph McElroy: you’re now retired in Florida so.

00:37:19.860 –> 00:37:22.800 Joseph McElroy: Take your time and write that book, we want to hear about right.

00:37:24.300 –> 00:37:26.520 Patrick Womack: like an ascended what I posted this thing I can.

00:37:26.580 –> 00:37:32.910 Patrick Womack: I can see several former teachers and professors reaching for lay locks with that thought coming up so we’ll see.

00:37:35.430 –> 00:37:40.680 Joseph McElroy: Well yeah speaking of Florida ministry, I mean what what what led you to the ministry, I mean.

00:37:42.330 –> 00:37:42.840 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:37:43.470 –> 00:37:47.190 Patrick Womack: Good question well you know, I was raised in the church by our parents.

00:37:47.820 –> 00:37:54.660 Patrick Womack: brought us up in a wonderful way, and so I was in worship in Sunday school growing up at he’s an only Presbyterian church, but I never gave any thought to being a preacher.

00:37:55.170 –> 00:38:03.480 Patrick Womack: People would say something to me was a kid you know mama dress this up, but a little time on me or something somebody would say you look like a preacher I didn’t like that very well.

00:38:04.290 –> 00:38:10.920 Patrick Womack: But it was actually my junior year in high school and 11th grade, I decided to run for student body President.

00:38:11.580 –> 00:38:24.630 Patrick Womack: And for the first time I got up in front of a big group of people and it’s my grandmother used to say, made a talk I got up and made a campaign speech and I said something like you know ask not what your school can do for you, but you know and.

00:38:25.980 –> 00:38:27.120 Patrick Womack: Anyway, I won I won.

00:38:27.120 –> 00:38:27.900 Patrick Womack: Pretty easily.

00:38:27.960 –> 00:38:37.020 Patrick Womack: And I remember walking out of the auditorium that day and I didn’t hear an audible voice, but I had this inner conviction that was like what are you going to do with it.

00:38:37.890 –> 00:38:46.980 Patrick Womack: And it scared me but that began a process in which I realized if I could get in front of people and talk, I had to ask myself what was I going to do with it and so.

00:38:48.030 –> 00:38:55.590 Patrick Womack: yeah just through a process of prayer and talking to people that I had a lot of competency in eventually narrowed down to Gospel Ministry.

00:38:56.610 –> 00:38:59.850 Joseph McElroy: that’s great and you’ve been doing it since 1992 right.

00:39:00.570 –> 00:39:08.310 Patrick Womack: Yes, full time I preach my first sermon in June of 1986 I was only 19 years old and I told him more than I need but.

00:39:09.360 –> 00:39:12.810 Patrick Womack: I’ve been trying to do it, since then, I tell people when I grow up, I want to be a preacher.

00:39:14.040 –> 00:39:14.460 Joseph McElroy: I knew.

00:39:16.860 –> 00:39:17.490 Joseph McElroy: me to.

00:39:18.540 –> 00:39:19.950 Joseph McElroy: I’ll preach about beer, though.

00:39:29.160 –> 00:39:44.160 Joseph McElroy: I mean you guys actually will not put your sermons and you really good at it, so I was pretty impressed I love your church down to Florida you got that backdrop of the water and everything it’s really nice and it’s a beautiful beautiful scene yeah.

00:39:44.760 –> 00:39:49.980 Patrick Womack: So somebody asked me if we baptize people back there I tell no that’s a gator pit for people.

00:39:52.260 –> 00:39:53.400 Joseph McElroy: Is that the burden late.

00:39:55.980 –> 00:39:57.840 Joseph McElroy: I wonder, I wonder where that was.

00:40:01.440 –> 00:40:03.450 Patrick Womack: No it’s a pretty setting it really.

00:40:03.510 –> 00:40:11.760 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah so So do you also do some talks on the history of the Cataloochee valley right.

00:40:12.390 –> 00:40:13.440 Patrick Womack: yeah here in their.

00:40:14.910 –> 00:40:21.210 Patrick Womack: Education Alex McKay course a good friend of mine who’s done so much research I’m so grateful for that guy.

00:40:21.840 –> 00:40:30.510 Patrick Womack: He has been instrumental in me speaking and a couple of occasions, and then you know just to hear, and they are when I get a chance it’s one of my favorite things to talk about so I love to do it.

00:40:33.810 –> 00:40:38.490 Joseph McElroy: Go any place you got it is there any plans on it in the future, or just, just as it comes up.

00:40:38.820 –> 00:40:41.040 Patrick Womack: Just as it comes up I don’t really have anything specific.

00:40:41.190 –> 00:40:51.600 Joseph McElroy: In the future, you have you I know you said you had written the books, but what books would you recommend to people to read about Cataloochee valley and the history of.

00:40:52.680 –> 00:40:52.890 Joseph McElroy: The.

00:40:54.360 –> 00:40:57.690 Joseph McElroy: spray smokies or other things related to visiting here.

00:40:58.350 –> 00:40:59.280 Patrick Womack: Oh wow.

00:41:00.780 –> 00:41:11.460 Patrick Womack: You know the book on Cataloochee that’s been my go-to is as long out of print it Cataloochee last settlement of the smokies by Elizabeth powers in mark Hannah.

00:41:12.780 –> 00:41:23.460 Patrick Womack: that’s just some good narrative history there and, of course, had a call Well Davis was a good friend of mine has appreciated, you know much of what she said.

00:41:24.660 –> 00:41:32.640 Patrick Womack: Actually, I think the book on Cataloochee has yet to be written and I frankly honestly don’t think I’m the person to do it, I.

00:41:32.640 –> 00:41:33.390 Patrick Womack: Think there’s.

00:41:33.870 –> 00:41:40.410 Patrick Womack: Some people out there, I hate to drop names, but there’s a guy named Linda Noland who could do this.

00:41:40.980 –> 00:41:42.450 Patrick Womack: sounding job with.

00:41:50.340 –> 00:41:51.270 Patrick Womack: Otherwise.

00:41:52.410 –> 00:41:54.150 Patrick Womack: You know, books on Haywood county.

00:41:55.260 –> 00:42:01.170 Patrick Womack: written by William Clark Medford WCAllen they are just some really good go-to works.

00:42:24.060 –> 00:42:25.770 Patrick Womack: And then thinking about others that.

00:42:27.480 –> 00:42:32.160 Patrick Womack: You know others that are written on oh Michael from his has written you know a good one.

00:42:39.270 –> 00:42:41.250 Patrick Womack: Are we back Thank you muted.

00:42:41.400 –> 00:42:41.910 Joseph McElroy: hey I.

00:42:45.780 –> 00:42:49.740 Joseph McElroy: think it was me got kicked off, I think that you are you’re still alive I hope so.

00:42:51.330 –> 00:42:52.470 Joseph McElroy: that’s the first me.

00:42:53.370 –> 00:42:53.670 Oh.

00:42:54.720 –> 00:43:01.860 Joseph McElroy: Well I’m glad you kept explaining the books and stuff I’ll have to listen to the recording to find out what she said.

00:43:03.330 –> 00:43:07.530 Patrick Womack: it’s okay I didn’t I didn’t name any of this kind of going over things I wish were written.

00:43:08.940 –> 00:43:15.030 Joseph McElroy: Are there any other historical projects you’ve done in Haywood county or that that might be of interest.

00:43:16.110 –> 00:43:24.960 Patrick Womack: Well, not really I mean one of the talks that I got to make was that the old Haywood county courtroom where I talked about high creek and plot creek and.

00:43:25.980 –> 00:43:28.200 Patrick Womack: i’ve also i’ve also done.

00:43:29.220 –> 00:43:37.260 Patrick Womack: an interview on the history of son Luke which is you know bullet balsam gap along the old highway there’s just a lot.

00:43:37.290 –> 00:43:42.420 Joseph McElroy: of rich history summarize the history is there a way to summarize that for people with some new.

00:43:43.410 –> 00:43:44.280 Patrick Womack: Well son Luke.

00:43:45.420 –> 00:43:52.680 Patrick Womack: You know, was one of the earliest areas settling Haywood county wants the Indian boundary was pushed further West and.

00:43:53.820 –> 00:44:03.240 Patrick Womack: You know just a lot of formative family settled in there farmed it, of course, when the highway came through in the 1960s that changed the whole nature of the place but.

00:44:04.710 –> 00:44:11.430 Patrick Womack: You know they had a school and church and it was a thriving Community there just like Cataloochee

00:44:11.550 –> 00:44:17.970 Joseph McElroy: Cataloochee was it one time yeah that’s what sort of surprising, you know you see the mountains today, and you know you go through the.

00:44:18.420 –> 00:44:26.100 Joseph McElroy: The great smoky mountains and you see Maggie Valley see you see some townships like ironed up and cattle crabtree and things like that.

00:44:26.460 –> 00:44:35.160 Joseph McElroy: Do you don’t realize there were actually a lot more of these little townships in the mountains and what would come of them be totally gone and some are semi preserved.

00:44:36.630 –> 00:44:45.660 Joseph McElroy: You know, there was history now recently my dad was telling me about the others just flooding, he said Maggie Valley, to have a lot more flooding because there used to be.

00:44:46.170 –> 00:44:58.080 Joseph McElroy: farmland at all, now that you know that one of the reasons they created the great smoky mountains is because the mountains are going bald and they wanted to you know, keep that natural beauty and tack.

00:44:59.400 –> 00:45:13.620 Patrick Womack: yeah my grandfather remembered when much of plot creek was underwater after pretty severe flooding was probably 1916 one, but I think that was a direct result of the heavy logging in the upper end of that creek or just didn’t have anywhere to go.

00:45:14.250 –> 00:45:21.810 Joseph McElroy: yeah all right well we’re gonna take a break now, and when we come back let’s talk about a few of your favorite places in Hayward camp.

00:45:22.230 –> 00:45:22.590 Okay.

00:45:54.090 –> 00:45:56.160 pools, and how it impacts on your life.

00:47:26.250 –> 00:47:34.830 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Patrick Womack so Patrick.

00:47:35.160 –> 00:47:44.280 Joseph McElroy: And I’ve been sitting here drinking and savoring this beer is called soul vision, which I did not pick because you save souls, but it’s kind of ironic that’s the name of it.

00:47:50.550 –> 00:48:00.900 Joseph McElroy: I wonder if it’s okay to ask a Presbyterian Minister he has a favorite place to have a cold beer, and I know you don’t drink, you told me that earlier, but this is the only place it’s your parishioners like to go to.

00:48:02.430 –> 00:48:04.740 Patrick Womack: You know I honestly don’t know.

00:48:07.530 –> 00:48:11.520 Patrick Womack: it’s just not anything I’ve done, I mean promise years ago that I wouldn’t drink enough.

00:48:13.440 –> 00:48:16.170 Patrick Womack: You know I know there are a number of places around the people enjoy going to.

00:48:16.680 –> 00:48:19.620 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know the hazelwood smokehouse right.

00:48:20.490 –> 00:48:24.900 Joseph McElroy: yeah it’s been called, one of the top 20 Barbecue places in the nation.

00:48:25.410 –> 00:48:26.190 Joseph McElroy: And he’s got a.

00:48:26.460 –> 00:48:36.870 Joseph McElroy: beard he’s got a wonderful sauce and I really love that place and they have the best craft brew so now, you know the answer to say there were to go with hazel yeah.

00:48:36.960 –> 00:48:46.770 Patrick Womack: Well hey and need a plugin bbq we had two couples from our church here Medina springs that wound up in western North Carolina both of them went to he went smokehouse and thoroughly enjoyed it.

00:48:47.190 –> 00:48:57.570 Joseph McElroy: yeah it’s I had some friends from New York City that had that sort of low yes to this thing going on, but I love it too, you know I love, all I love down-home and I love to do.

00:48:59.220 –> 00:49:09.390 Joseph McElroy: But they thought it was the best thing they’ve ever had to and they actually ordered and keep ordering the Barbecue sauce yeah, so it is definitely.

00:49:10.860 –> 00:49:19.890 Joseph McElroy: a fabulous place so you know I like to ask my guests about the itinerary so you lived in the hazelwood Waynesville area for a.

00:49:20.400 –> 00:49:37.800 Joseph McElroy: Good while so you know we’re trying to entice visitors to come out and experience, our culture here so I’d like to ask about a day itinerary that you might go and do in that area, so if somebody is a wake-up and more than one a good place to go to breakfast Bourbon they go.

00:49:38.490 –> 00:49:46.410 Patrick Womack: Well, I like beach mountain hazelwood Community it is located, where the old hazelwood drugstore used to be and I grew up going in there, eating.

00:49:46.890 –> 00:49:55.530 Patrick Womack: lunch in the afternoon is getting a cheeseburger and so just out of sentimental reasons I like to go there, but the food is really good I’ve been there twice it’s it open it’s.

00:49:55.620 –> 00:49:57.900 Joseph McElroy: it’s good so what’s their signature dessert.

00:49:58.950 –> 00:50:09.240 Patrick Womack: Oh I’m not sure what that would be they are eggs bacon grits pancakes everything seems to be good, they have a brunch menu so.

00:50:09.630 –> 00:50:10.080 Joseph McElroy: cool.

00:50:10.470 –> 00:50:13.530 Joseph McElroy: And then, what after breakfast where would somebody go to have a little bit of.

00:50:13.530 –> 00:50:13.890 fun.

00:50:15.450 –> 00:50:26.220 Patrick Womack: Well, I mean I just enjoy going uptown looking for something to do you know for sentimental reasons as much as anything I just loved it, you know Mainstreet love to go to the mass general store and take out things they are just.

00:50:26.280 –> 00:50:31.590 Joseph McElroy: enjoy walking around that’s wonderful Main Street so hazel’s now part of Waynesville which.

00:50:31.770 –> 00:50:33.270 Joseph McElroy: we’ve grown up, they were too little.

00:50:33.270 –> 00:50:36.660 Joseph McElroy: different cities, but now hazelwood is just as it is now I.

00:50:37.830 –> 00:50:41.040 Joseph McElroy: guess a township or something inside of Waynesville.

00:50:41.250 –> 00:50:50.340 Patrick Womack: yeah it’s just yeah It is simply a part of Waynesville so you know right across from each mountain you’ve got you got smoky mountain roasters you’ve got.

00:50:51.360 –> 00:50:52.470 Patrick Womack: Blue Ridge books.

00:50:53.940 –> 00:50:54.210 Joseph McElroy: Not.

00:50:54.240 –> 00:50:57.630 Patrick Womack: You got a soap company right there, I mean there’s a lot right there and then.

00:50:58.200 –> 00:51:03.570 Joseph McElroy: Then you have to mainstream the waves on there’s that’s just that’s a whole day of entertainment right there.

00:51:05.400 –> 00:51:06.900 Joseph McElroy: Where would you start to have lunch.

00:51:07.980 –> 00:51:14.520 Patrick Womack: Well, of course, he does I’m a hometown boy so most at home and a little bit of time I’ve got my goatee blaze Ammons drive yeah.

00:51:15.090 –> 00:51:18.330 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah I remember that my dad you know built that place.

00:51:18.600 –> 00:51:28.290 Patrick Womack: Oh OK OK Okay, you know go in there, getting a hot dog and chuckwagon I mean I meet my lenten buddy Carolyn Greg that’s just aren’t go to meeting place so.

00:51:28.290 –> 00:51:30.120 Joseph McElroy: I still do dry, you know you can.

00:51:30.390 –> 00:51:33.690 Joseph McElroy: drive without him up to your window it’s like an old-fashioned drive it.

00:51:34.170 –> 00:51:35.610 Joseph McElroy: come right up to when you take.

00:51:35.610 –> 00:51:37.020 Joseph McElroy: Your order it’s really cool.

00:51:37.320 –> 00:51:41.370 Joseph McElroy: And it’s country food, but it’s like country food done really well it’s.

00:51:41.370 –> 00:51:59.130 Joseph McElroy: Country fast food did really well there’s not a thing there that you can’t buy, that is not good all right, and while you know I’m trying to eat healthily and you know and everything else and it’s not exactly the most healthy food it’s the best-tasting food you’re going to have.

00:51:59.430 –> 00:52:01.590 Patrick Womack: not exactly healthy, but it is good.

00:52:01.920 –> 00:52:05.610 Joseph McElroy: yeah and then what would you do in the afternoon to have a little fun.

00:52:06.990 –> 00:52:10.350 Patrick Womack: Well, of course, you know I’m happy to go hiking somewhere, but.

00:52:10.980 –> 00:52:20.340 Patrick Womack: You know I love to get up on the parkway my wife and I were able to do that our last trip up, and you know just they are in Waynesville you can be at the highest point on the Blue Ridge parkway.

00:52:20.970 –> 00:52:33.360 Patrick Womack: Within 30 minutes and or we have it water on so you know those are I’m more inclined to find something to do outside than I am, you know shopping or looking at something around town.

00:52:33.660 –> 00:52:47.400 Joseph McElroy: Well it’s sort of the purpose of this podcast is talk about the outside experience to hear the adventures, you have I mean you can have wonderful Colin air experiences, and you know, entertainment and everything else, but at the end of the day, you know it’s.

00:52:52.950 –> 00:52:55.710 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah I’m still there.

00:52:56.010 –> 00:53:00.000 Joseph McElroy: yeah So what about dinner, where is it Where would you.

00:53:00.000 –> 00:53:02.430 Joseph McElroy: recommend somebody go to have a nice dinner here around here.

00:53:03.660 –> 00:53:16.200 Patrick Womack: You know, of course, we love burgers church street depot is a good go-to place for us, we do enjoy going there or ordering out from there, wait there recently, and you know sweet onions, a good place to go to.

00:53:17.610 –> 00:53:22.680 Patrick Womack: You know, not of course again being hometown boy I’m just as apt to wind up the clouds is anywhere so.

00:53:24.300 –> 00:53:35.250 Joseph McElroy: requires is the plastic old guider I mean it’s been around for 100 years but what sweet, I mean I think is a is a great recommendation I mean that’s got some real chefs involved with it.

00:53:35.730 –> 00:53:48.720 Joseph McElroy: And it does some really different takes on classic country foods, but with some modern twist to it, I just, but it still serves the big portions man.

00:53:50.970 –> 00:53:59.010 Joseph McElroy: that’s emblematic of Haywood county food you get a big plate of food, but it’s really good it’s got some twists that I think are fantastic.

00:54:00.390 –> 00:54:05.550 Joseph McElroy: So after you finish this wonderful meal Where would you settle down a little entertained.

00:54:08.070 –> 00:54:12.750 Patrick Womack: While you’re talking to one of the biggest homeboys you’re gonna have.

00:54:14.100 –> 00:54:16.440 Joseph McElroy: Oh we’re not talking TV or, and I mean there’s got it.

00:54:16.440 –> 00:54:28.080 Patrick Womack: So no I mean I enjoy sitting out on the porch hard our daughter, who still lives there in town, she has a wonderful porch to sit on upon high creek so you know separate properties.

00:54:28.290 –> 00:54:29.130 Joseph McElroy: And I think that’s.

00:54:29.430 –> 00:54:35.250 Joseph McElroy: Actually, a good point because you know I stood out in front of the motel here when I’m here and just look at about.

00:54:35.610 –> 00:54:36.240 Joseph McElroy: You know.

00:54:36.480 –> 00:54:48.150 Joseph McElroy: If there’s a certain peace and serenity just looking out, you know saying hi to friends or walking by you know or people even people that you don’t know the way back to you.

00:54:48.600 –> 00:55:03.060 Joseph McElroy: yeah right and it’s a sort of essence of like a Community experience and aesthetic experience at the same time because nobody look that isn’t beautiful right so.

00:55:04.350 –> 00:55:10.500 Joseph McElroy: I agree with that 100% So how do people find out more about your historical efforts.

00:55:11.550 –> 00:55:18.870 Patrick Womack: Well, you know posting some videos on Facebook, which are very amateur it pretty much consistently having an iPhone and drop on.

00:55:20.520 –> 00:55:33.210 Patrick Womack: You know I like to tell stories I’m trying to preserve stories and since I haven’t been disciplined enough to write them down I’ve been doing these videos so you know if you look up Patrick J Womack on Facebook, he probably will find some little something there that.

00:55:34.410 –> 00:55:38.580 Patrick Womack: will ever make its way beyond there but anyway, give them an idea of what I know.

00:55:39.090 –> 00:55:47.730 Joseph McElroy: Go and your church, I mean for people to go there for service I just for the beauty of it, where do they go find out more about your church.

00:55:48.150 –> 00:56:00.750 Patrick Womack: Well, of course, that’s a bait pres benita.com like, and you know to look that up online or you know to come to visit us down here on tammy me traveling but Ada sprains just off of it.

00:56:01.920 –> 00:56:02.970 Patrick Womack: On Bay drive.

00:56:03.330 –> 00:56:04.890 Joseph McElroy: And what’s your church and hazel.

00:56:06.060 –> 00:56:19.380 Patrick Womack: hazel and Presbyterian church the pastor there Steve Museo and I actually graduated seminary together he’s a good friend and a wonderful preacher and that’s a good congregation so I certainly encourage people to check it out cool.

00:56:19.560 –> 00:56:29.910 Joseph McElroy: Well, thank you for being on this show sharing your insights into Haywood county and Cataloochee Valley, and I want to thank you very much for being here.

00:56:30.270 –> 00:56:31.830 Patrick Womack: Well, I appreciate it, thank you.

00:56:32.730 –> 00:56:46.260 Joseph McElroy: Alright, so we are part of the talkradio.NYC network, which is a network of live podcasts all week long we are always on Tuesdays from.

00:56:46.740 –> 00:57:00.420 Joseph McElroy: Six to 7 pm were followed by a good show about New York so stick around listen to that show talks about visiting New York, so you go from rural North Carolina to much Paul to New York and complete.

00:57:01.500 –> 00:57:10.980 Joseph McElroy: Experience of the world, so to speak, I recommend that you find out the other podcasts on this network here some of the commercials we have a wide diversity.

00:57:11.910 –> 00:57:20.400 Joseph McElroy: Of shows on this and I think it creates a great experience so listen to you can find out more about this show it.

00:57:21.300 –> 00:57:31.650 Joseph McElroy: At the gateway to the smokies that fun where there’s an email subscription you can sign up to get more information about the show but also previous podcasts are.

00:57:32.520 –> 00:57:44.790 Joseph McElroy: The videos are streamed as well as audio and various articles that you can read and sometimes we also have some of the books and things of our guests up there, that you can find out more information about.

00:57:46.470 –> 00:57:47.970 Joseph McElroy: I have.

00:57:50.190 –> 00:57:59.400 Joseph McElroy: Hubspot is the picture that smokiesadventure.com, which is a leading portal for information about visiting the smoky mountains.

00:57:59.790 –> 00:58:04.620 Joseph McElroy: It presents information about outdoor adventures indoor adventures family entertainment.

00:58:05.430 –> 00:58:20.790 Joseph McElroy: You know, from a TV the waterfall doing the hiking the anything that you might want to do in the mountains and it has a lot of roadmaps and travel guides and books that you can buy to help make your experience in the smokies much more fulfilling.

00:58:21.600 –> 00:58:24.930 Joseph McElroy: I want to thank you for being on the show and I’ll see you next Tuesday.

00:58:24.960 –> 00:58:31.980 from six to 7pm.

Our special guest in this episode is Erin Mahoney, she is the fourth generation of the Mahoney Clan to own and operate one of the family restaurants. She descends from a long line of Hospitality Industry Entrepreneurs and currently Owns and Manages J Arthurs Steakhouse – a Maggie Valley landmark for more than 32 years. In addition to running a successful business, Erin is a longtime advocate for positive growth in Maggie Valley.

Joseph and Erin will talk about Food adventures in the Smokies. Don't miss this great Episode! 

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.

SHOW NOTES: 

Segment 1

Joseph starts off by thanking the sponsors and giving a message from the sponsors. He discusses an apple festival that's coming up in the Smokies in Renville and reads a poem by Mary Oliver that encapsulates this feeling of the festival and Maggie Valley itself. Joseph introduces his guest for today's episode, Erin Mahoney, she owns and operates J Arthurs Steakhouse, and comes from a family of Hospitality Industry Entrepreneurs. Joseph and Erin discuss their past, and how Joseph was close to Erin’s grandfather as well. Erin discusses her journey across the country, as well as her journey through the hospitality industry. Joseph and Erin discuss how long Erin has been in Maggie Valley and what brought her there from Florida. Erin discusses her first job in the family business, and how she would wash dishes in the restaurant. She continues to discuss her father’s time in the restaurant industry and how he was a natural at it.

Segment 2

The two discuss how Erin’s mother stepped up in the restaurant after her father passed away young. Her mother took the helm of the restaurant and was able to keep it running even in her grief. Erin explains how her parents didn’t want her to follow the family and go into the hospitality industry, as it is not the best industry and it's a path that is difficult, but Erin was always drawn to it. Erin explains why she was drawn to the hospitality industry and why she enjoys it, even though it was not the path her parents wanted her and her siblings to take. Erin explains that her secondary education was in psychology and social work, and even though hospitality was originally out of her wheelhouse, she is incredibly grateful to be in this industry. Erin explains her ideology in hospitality and how she tries to follow her father’s way of running a business. Erin continues by explaining how her restaurant has evolved over the years, and that for her business to continue to be successful she needs to change with the world around her. Her example is how the original draw to the restaurant was the steak, but now it is more of a family restaurant.  

Segment 3

The two talk about the actual physical building of Erin’s restaurant, which was built by Joseph’s father. Joseph discusses the high ceilings in the restaurant, as well as the model train that runs throughout the entirety of the restaurant. Erin says how whenever the train isn’t running in the restaurant the customers notice immediately even though it is just a small detail of the restaurant. The two discuss the small details within the restaurant and how they’re important, and how Erin appreciates that they are important to the customers and staff alike. Joseph discusses how the masonry within Erin’s restaurant was done by Cherokee people, who were hired to do the work by Joseph’s father because of their extreme mastery in stonework, which he was unable to find in any other masons. Joseph continues by saying how each of the men who were hired to do the masonry in the restaurant signed their work with their personal signature. Erin continues off this point saying how she loves finding the signatures all over the restaurant. The two discuss events held in the restaurant and how Erin operates these events. 

Segment 4

Joseph and Erin discuss how Erin’s restaurant appeared in the film Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri, and how this appearance came to be. Erin discusses how she was not aware of what she signed up for as it was very long hours, but she found it very rewarding and enjoyed it immensely. Erin also brings up how several customers she’s had since the movie premiered wanted to sit at certain tables just like in the movie. Joseph brings up how he wants to create a tour of Maggie Valley of all of the film locations, as many films had been filmed within the area. The two discuss the future of Maggie Valley, and what Erin expects for the town’s future. The two also discuss breakfast and lunch spots in Maggie Valley.

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00:03:05.520 –> 00:03:08.010 Joseph McElroy: Welcome to the gateway to the Smokies

00:03:08.070 –> 00:03:13.710 Joseph McElroy: podcast this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park.

00:03:14.130 –> 00:03:28.140 Joseph McElroy: The great smoky mountains national park and the surrounding towns these areas are filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history and rich mountain culture that we explore with weekly episodes.

00:03:28.560 –> 00:03:39.360 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy a man of the world, but also with deep roots in this mountain, My family has lived in the great smokies for over 200 years.

00:03:41.310 –> 00:03:50.730 Joseph McElroy: My business is in travel, but my heart is in culture and today we’re going to talk about Creating new life and food in the smokies but first let’s hear from our sponsors.

00:03:52.290 –> 00:04:01.410 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place evocative of motor courts in the past, yet moderate and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian feel.

00:04:01.830 –> 00:04:18.180 Joseph McElroy: a place for adventure and for relaxation imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain here and its trout stream grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers imagine a place that old-time music and world cultural sell.

00:04:19.290 –> 00:04:33.690 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place across from the world-famous family restaurants, there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley, North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts, with where you stay.

00:04:35.460 –> 00:04:39.330 Joseph McElroy: So hi everybody we’re going to talk about a little bit of food in.

00:04:40.650 –> 00:04:44.250 Joseph McElroy: The mountains, I was gonna mention that we have.

00:04:46.050 –> 00:04:54.930 Joseph McElroy: In Haywood county and apple harvest festival coming up and it’s really sort of a big thing it’s in downtown Waynesville on October 16.

00:04:55.380 –> 00:05:01.470 Joseph McElroy: And it’s an annual event and then this year is it’s the 34th year it’s been an operation.

00:05:01.980 –> 00:05:08.580 Joseph McElroy: it’s a very fun family-friendly festival and it’s it is presented by the Haywood County chamber of commerce.

00:05:09.030 –> 00:05:22.950 Joseph McElroy: And what they do is they take the streets of downtown Waynesville and fill it with 200 vendors of arts and crafts and food concessions and then they have music and cloggers and more and.

00:05:24.030 –> 00:05:26.460 Joseph McElroy: I got my motel phone sitting right here.

00:05:27.720 –> 00:05:35.220 Joseph McElroy: And and local apple growers set up on the street to sell delicious mountain-grown apples have a vast variety.

00:05:36.240 –> 00:05:40.110 Joseph McElroy: In addition, many vendors will make apple cider.

00:05:41.760 –> 00:05:53.340 Joseph McElroy: cake pies and other really great, so I think your head-on, down to Waynesville area come stay at the middle or motel and Maggie valleys and go to the festival on October 16.

00:05:54.750 –> 00:06:12.330 Joseph McElroy: So when I was prepping for this show you know I had to go back to my past little bit think about things, and you know, recently, of course, you know my mother died and yeah I got the thing about her, and you know this right now is it is Blackberry time in.

00:06:13.530 –> 00:06:22.140 Joseph McElroy: In Maggie and Haywood County and the gentleman that smoky mountains in general, so I was looking for a poem that.

00:06:22.680 –> 00:06:40.530 Joseph McElroy: That was, you know reminiscence of all that, and I am I just found one online by a woman named Mary Oliver and you know I’d like to read this poem somewhere so it’s about blackberries because you know blackberries or something my mom made this wonderful.

00:06:42.270 –> 00:06:53.100 Joseph McElroy: cobbler and never if anybody’s ever asked me what is my favorite dessert it’s always been my mom’s Blackberry cobbler followed by my grandmother’s a lemon meringue pie or a.

00:06:54.420 –> 00:07:01.110 Joseph McElroy: Banana pudding or coconut pie, to the way August is the title of the phone.

00:07:02.010 –> 00:07:18.930 Joseph McElroy: When the blackberries hang rolling in the woods and the brambles nobody owns I spent all day among the high branches reaching my rip arms thinking of nothing cramming the black honey of summer into my math.

00:07:19.710 –> 00:07:34.920 Joseph McElroy: All day my body accepts what it is in the dark creek that runs by there is this thick part of my life darting amongst the black belts, the leaves there is this happy tongue.

00:07:37.590 –> 00:07:41.460 Joseph McElroy: So my guests today

00:07:42.510 –> 00:07:51.780 Joseph McElroy: it’s Erin Mahoney, who is the fourth generation of the Mahoney clans to own and operate, one of the family restaurants.

00:07:52.170 –> 00:08:00.750 Joseph McElroy: she descends from a long line and hospitality industry, entrepreneurs and currently owns and manages J Arthur steakhouse.

00:08:01.080 –> 00:08:11.820 Joseph McElroy: Maggie valley landmark for more than 32 years, in addition to running a successful business and as a devoted mother and longtime advocate for positive growth and Maggie Valley Hello Erin.

00:08:12.270 –> 00:08:13.080 Mike Ogletree: Hi how are you Joseph.

00:08:13.950 –> 00:08:19.650 Joseph McElroy: I’m doing all right, so how long have we known each other, we were trying to figure that outright.

00:08:20.700 –> 00:08:21.300 Mike Ogletree: earlier.

00:08:21.780 –> 00:08:25.080 Joseph McElroy: yeah, it has to be over 40 years.

00:08:25.920 –> 00:08:36.420 Joseph McElroy: 40 almost 40 years alright, so I met Erin and she was, I think three years old, four years old, about that about the age my daughter now.

00:08:37.650 –> 00:08:38.070 Joseph McElroy: and

00:08:38.490 –> 00:08:40.500 Joseph McElroy: I would pick you up with your show.

00:08:46.050 –> 00:08:46.470 Joseph McElroy: I was.

00:08:47.940 –> 00:08:52.020 Joseph McElroy: Great friends with your grandfather are tearing it right, he was a he was the.

00:08:53.520 –> 00:08:54.990 Mike Ogletree: world of your family.

00:08:55.140 –> 00:08:57.180 Mike Ogletree: And yes, absolutely.

00:08:57.780 –> 00:09:01.680 Joseph McElroy: yeah I remember he took me and her by brother down to.

00:09:03.420 –> 00:09:18.030 Joseph McElroy: Miami or la fort Lauderdale or wherever yeah and we got to go fishing on a boat in the sea, for the first time and I caught a big giant fish and it turns out, it was like it just to like a car.

00:09:24.720 –> 00:09:25.050 Mike Ogletree: Okay.

00:09:25.440 –> 00:09:31.890 Joseph McElroy: So so so where did that, where did your family’s history of restaurant start.

00:09:32.790 –> 00:09:37.800 Mike Ogletree: Well, my grandfather started in Helen deal in Florida and.

00:09:38.820 –> 00:09:42.240 Mike Ogletree: You know, then my dad kind of came into the picture and.

00:09:44.010 –> 00:09:50.730 Mike Ogletree: They opened up the restaurant in West palm beach in 1970 which is you know, still have it sooner than my time, but.

00:09:53.610 –> 00:10:02.580 Mike Ogletree: After that, it kind of things just spent about we open that restaurant 1970 and then we came up here and met your family my grandparents used to vacation up here.

00:10:03.060 –> 00:10:20.970 Mike Ogletree: and fortunately your parents were the first people that they’ve met I came into contact with and really connected with them, and you know I don’t need to tell you the story like we ended up your dad built our health and your dad built our business and.

00:10:22.320 –> 00:10:35.430 Mike Ogletree: The rest is kind of history that was 1986 we moved from West palm beach in 1996 to pump city Florida, which is where we are now, and you know, and here we are.

00:10:36.030 –> 00:10:40.260 Joseph McElroy: Now, was it was the name of the restaurants that info Marino’s was that right.

00:10:40.500 –> 00:10:42.570 Mike Ogletree: It was Maniros but now the original.

00:10:42.750 –> 00:10:44.580 Mike Ogletree: My grandma.

00:10:44.790 –> 00:10:49.680 Mike Ogletree: mother’s name was felt a little bit differently spelled Manireo

00:10:51.090 –> 00:11:08.010 Mike Ogletree: And they dropped the I so it’s Manero ma n er os, which is what you know, which is what the restaurant was named in Fort Lauderdale and Allendale beach and the restaurant in West palm beach and now currently and Stewart and just west of Stewart and Palm city.

00:11:09.360 –> 00:11:15.150 Mike Ogletree: And then, of course, jr there’s kind of a tribute to my grandfather James Arthur and started kind of the whole Program.

00:11:16.230 –> 00:11:16.590 Mike Ogletree: cool.

00:11:16.950 –> 00:11:19.680 Joseph McElroy: So you went out and.

00:11:21.060 –> 00:11:24.180 Joseph McElroy: You want the world, but now you’re Maggie Valley, how long you been.

00:11:25.440 –> 00:11:28.350 Mike Ogletree: I’ve been here for about 25 years.

00:11:29.790 –> 00:11:34.080 Mike Ogletree: And I didn’t think I hadn’t planned on being here that long but it just kind of.

00:11:34.920 –> 00:11:48.960 Mike Ogletree: Maggie valley kind of stole my heart, years ago, after the culture shock of coming from South Florida to Maggie Valley North Carolina and I kind of adjusted and you know this is where I’ve made my home and my family and.

00:11:50.010 –> 00:11:53.520 Mike Ogletree: I don’t know that I would be live anywhere else by the choice to be honest, again.

00:11:54.330 –> 00:12:05.100 Joseph McElroy: We know my mom came from Fort Lauderdale my dad told the story for writing over the mountain the to see him, while he was sick and then they have on a farm and.

00:12:05.700 –> 00:12:21.240 Joseph McElroy: And I end up area, and you know, and she never thought she’d live in the Maggie Valley, but she ended up loving Maggie Valley, been a fixture Maggie valley now and then the rest of her life here, so you know never want to do anywhere else.

00:12:22.860 –> 00:12:30.120 Mike Ogletree: understand this is something that you know first like I said it was just it was very it was just very different lifestyle.

00:12:30.180 –> 00:12:37.380 Mike Ogletree: But I mean it’s just it’s a wonderful lifestyle and that the benefits definitely outweigh the negatives here.

00:12:38.430 –> 00:12:40.950 Joseph McElroy: So what was your first job in the family.

00:12:42.180 –> 00:12:53.520 Mike Ogletree: So my first job was washing dishes at Maneros in South Florida, and it was funny because I used to you know invite friends over on the weekends for sport and my dad would.

00:12:54.150 –> 00:12:58.320 Mike Ogletree: Have us be good to the restaurant and wash we’d all work in the dishwasher in the dish pit.

00:12:59.040 –> 00:13:09.030 Mike Ogletree: And you know, he would pay us a little bit of money here and there, but you know, eventually, I thought well I’m not gonna have any friends left because they come over here I’m gonna go and wash dishes at the restaurant.

00:13:10.320 –> 00:13:11.880 Mike Ogletree: But you know they just kept coming back.

00:13:12.120 –> 00:13:21.300 Mike Ogletree: They kept coming back and and and you know funny like a lot of those a lot of my friends ended up at an older age, of course, it was more.

00:13:21.690 –> 00:13:34.950 Mike Ogletree: of just something to keep us busy on of trouble at that time, but oddly enough, like a lot of those people that my friends ended up working you know when they were 15 16 17 18 that kind of thing at the restaurant.

00:13:36.540 –> 00:13:40.860 Mike Ogletree: So it was um it was different definitely different but.

00:13:42.390 –> 00:13:45.540 Mike Ogletree: You know now looking back on it now, I greatly appreciate it.

00:13:52.620 –> 00:13:53.220 Mike Ogletree: I would say.

00:13:56.160 –> 00:14:01.950 Mike Ogletree: is definitely you know, like Okay, you can only stay at this part of the dishwasher and you can’t touch X y&z.

00:14:02.250 –> 00:14:04.920 Mike Ogletree: However, it was still you know you were still working and you’re.

00:14:04.920 –> 00:14:09.360 Mike Ogletree: Still sweating your tail off and just kind of yeah I mean.

00:14:09.780 –> 00:14:15.030 Joseph McElroy: I think I think my dad started having a sweep it is construction sites, around nine years old do.

00:14:16.110 –> 00:14:23.550 Mike Ogletree: Sure, I remember your dad used to take my brother at an early age heavy equipment.

00:14:25.980 –> 00:14:28.290 Mike Ogletree: You know that’s where they started to you know.

00:14:29.550 –> 00:14:31.020 Mike Ogletree: yeah yes.

00:14:31.890 –> 00:14:40.080 Joseph McElroy: You know he’s what is he at three years old, and he already was showing on in Henry the backhoe he has his back yes.

00:14:41.610 –> 00:14:42.150 Mike Ogletree: Yes.

00:14:42.360 –> 00:14:45.030 Mike Ogletree: Absolutely absolutely that’s where.

00:14:45.390 –> 00:14:45.960 Mike Ogletree: that’s where.

00:14:46.230 –> 00:14:46.590 Mike Ogletree: I draw.

00:14:49.020 –> 00:14:51.270 Joseph McElroy: The three years old he’s 83 years Sheldon.

00:14:56.700 –> 00:15:00.510 Joseph McElroy: yeah you don’t remember your dad John Mahoney died too young.

00:15:01.920 –> 00:15:08.340 Joseph McElroy: I remember him being bigger than the restaurant here in Maggie Valley was.

00:15:09.660 –> 00:15:13.350 Joseph McElroy: Originally working industry or both of them working industry.

00:15:13.770 –> 00:15:20.850 Mike Ogletree: know they both did my dad started working for my mother’s father, so my grandfather.

00:15:22.410 –> 00:15:28.440 Mike Ogletree: The you know when they were in Allendale and he was just kind of a natural at it and.

00:15:29.760 –> 00:15:39.000 Mike Ogletree: You know, it just developed and it grew into where he kind of I don’t want to say you took over because he definitely takes over my grandfather had a huge you know.

00:15:39.690 –> 00:15:45.960 Mike Ogletree: Just a huge presence in the restaurant in our restaurant anyway, but it was just it was a really.

00:15:46.920 –> 00:15:53.910 Mike Ogletree: Dynamic combination with the two of them and yeah they ended up opening the restaurant and in West palm beach in 1970 and.

00:15:54.750 –> 00:16:06.960 Mike Ogletree: They had a great working relationship, which was really kind of you know that I don’t really know how to explain it but they worked well together and my dad was a natural and my grandfather just loved it and.

00:16:07.980 –> 00:16:09.750 Joseph McElroy: I remember that dynamic.

00:16:10.200 –> 00:16:17.640 Joseph McElroy: yeah take a little bit, we have to take a break and then we’ll come back we’ll talk a little bit more about your family history and then we’ll get into the current day of.

00:16:18.930 –> 00:16:20.610 Joseph McElroy: Maggie valley and restaurant is.

00:16:21.510 –> 00:16:22.230 Mike Ogletree: It sounds great.

00:18:37.980 –> 00:18:44.550 Joseph McElroy: This is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Erin Mahoney

00:18:50.010 –> 00:19:02.760 Joseph McElroy: I’m drinking promote a local museum, you know Boucher right it’s in it’s going to be a great place in Waynesville and I’m drinking balsam brown ALE, so I just thought I’d give a shout out it turns out it’s really good.

00:19:03.990 –> 00:19:12.300 Joseph McElroy: So um your father, unfortunately, died young and your mom sort of step into this place and she.

00:19:12.840 –> 00:19:25.350 Mike Ogletree: Yes, she did he died at 55 and my mom and I was you know his head always supported my father and her dad in this industry and.

00:19:26.430 –> 00:19:39.630 Mike Ogletree: She really just kind of you know she had she did most of the bookwork and most of the office staff while he was alive and when he passed she really just kind of took the helm and.

00:19:41.340 –> 00:19:45.600 Mike Ogletree: You know, it was you don’t know the strength that people have.

00:19:45.600 –> 00:19:54.720 Mike Ogletree: until something some sort of tragedy I think occurs, and she really, really has led us in the right direction for the past 25 plus years.

00:19:55.620 –> 00:20:03.780 Joseph McElroy: yeah I mean, I would say that you know you know my grandmother used to tell the story that when she first came to Haywood County she had to get her husband.

00:20:04.140 –> 00:20:10.860 Joseph McElroy: to actually get opened the baby characters a bike wouldn’t give her as a business owner and woman business owner, the Bank but.

00:20:11.190 –> 00:20:26.040 Joseph McElroy: You know, and it may be improved since that but, even when your mom took over, it must have been a challenge, being a woman business over owner in Maggie valley Haywood county I mean to this day it’s probably much better, but it was probably a challenge.

00:20:26.250 –> 00:20:36.330 Mike Ogletree: Absolutely, I think that um, yes, but you know, fortunately, you know she had always been very she was she’s always been a very strong force.

00:20:36.870 –> 00:20:48.390 Mike Ogletree: In our business and our family life and with her children, I think she’s always been a very strong person and just a driving force behind this I mean, I think that it was kind of a natural flow.

00:20:50.310 –> 00:20:50.760 Mike Ogletree: You know.

00:20:50.850 –> 00:20:52.680 Joseph McElroy: We didn’t have a choice, his brothers were strict.

00:20:53.070 –> 00:20:53.640 Mike Ogletree: Yes.

00:20:53.850 –> 00:20:54.690 yeah absolutely.

00:20:56.010 –> 00:20:58.650 Joseph McElroy: If she is your father wants you to follow the family tradition to

00:21:00.960 –> 00:21:01.380 Mike Ogletree: No

00:21:02.430 –> 00:21:21.360 Mike Ogletree: My both my brothers were just kinds of naturals and they still are, but you know my dad always said, you know just get out, this is not, you know, this is not a great industry it’s it’s tough and like I think it’s time for today than it was back then, you know.

00:21:22.440 –> 00:21:30.960 Mike Ogletree: However, I’m grateful for it and I’m grateful for the lessons the LIFE lessons I’ve learned, and then you know the people I’ve met, I think that.

00:21:32.130 –> 00:21:40.980 Mike Ogletree: I’m very, very grateful, however, it was definitely not the path that either one of them like for me or any of my siblings, to be honest with you.

00:21:41.820 –> 00:21:45.540 Mike Ogletree: But you know I mean, I think that you’re just kind of drawn to it when it’s something you grow up in.

00:21:46.740 –> 00:21:48.030 Mike Ogletree: I don’t know how you can avoid it.

00:21:48.300 –> 00:21:50.400 Mike Ogletree: Really, you know it’s your life.

00:21:51.030 –> 00:22:03.060 Joseph McElroy: Well, I took over the motel because I had a sense of you know, having a desire to be in the hospitality business, I mean I’m a computer guy right, and then a marketing guy and.

00:22:03.750 –> 00:22:13.290 Joseph McElroy: I ended up marketing for travel, so there was a little bit of relationship there, but you know when it became obvious that it was time for the motel to transition.

00:22:13.740 –> 00:22:29.100 Joseph McElroy: You know I sort of had to step upright, and you know, and I almost felt an obligation to it, I mean I I saw it as an opportunity, but I was also like this is my family legacy and it needs to continue, did you feel any of that sort of thing.

00:22:29.340 –> 00:22:34.560 Mike Ogletree: Well, absolutely I mean especially my father passed to it’s like you know you think.

00:22:35.640 –> 00:22:47.130 Mike Ogletree: At some point, you have to come to terms with you know, this is what I have this is what has supported me my entire life, this is what has put me, you know through school or whatever it has been whatever it was the challenges and.

00:22:48.000 –> 00:23:02.010 Mike Ogletree: The strides whatever it has been at some point, you have to say, well, I can’t just turn around and turn my back on this planet, I mean, like you, you know it, you breathe it and you live it it’s just it’s kind of the natural flow of

00:23:03.810 –> 00:23:18.630 Mike Ogletree: I think I think there was no other option for any of us really my sister is the only one who’s not in the restaurant business she’s an attorney but um you know, I think that I don’t have an obligation but it’s like a commitment.

00:23:19.020 –> 00:23:21.330 Mike Ogletree: You know this is like this is what has brought us here.

00:23:21.780 –> 00:23:34.140 Mike Ogletree: And it’s been fairly good to us, you know, up till now it’s like, how can you turn your back on something like that, whether you whether it’s what you truly you’re passionate about.

00:23:36.150 –> 00:23:41.070 Mike Ogletree: or not, I think it was just I don’t want to say obligation, but it was just the drive there.

00:23:42.060 –> 00:23:46.320 Joseph McElroy: Well, what I mean you know it’s a, but I think I also said that you had.

00:23:49.800 –> 00:23:56.130 Joseph McElroy: For you got back into the restaurant and what we’re doing where we were where did you go before you came back to.

00:23:57.240 –> 00:23:57.780 Mike Ogletree: study.

00:23:59.700 –> 00:24:06.210 Mike Ogletree: psychology social work in Spanish so was completely not it was out of the realm of.

00:24:09.960 –> 00:24:12.750 Mike Ogletree: What I want to do with my expertise my passion, but.

00:24:13.950 –> 00:24:17.460 Mike Ogletree: I am very grateful, is been very, very.

00:24:20.580 –> 00:24:29.970 Mike Ogletree: forgiving to me, this has been you know I mean, I think that, like this industry you just you learn so many life skills that you would never expect to learn.

00:24:31.830 –> 00:24:49.110 Mike Ogletree: You know, and you come in you, you cross paths with walks of life that you never thought that she would ever so I think that, for that reason, I’m grateful for it and I don’t know that I would have chosen a better path, to be honest with you at this point.

00:24:52.860 –> 00:25:10.650 Joseph McElroy: So I’m sure you know, the what was the how much is the business model, what was the original purpose of the millionaire oh restaurants that then became the j arthurs where they’re similar to the different what I’ve learned and what does it evolve to today.

00:25:14.940 –> 00:25:16.800 Mike Ogletree: I think that there’s a lot of history.

00:25:18.060 –> 00:25:24.900 Mike Ogletree: You know, especially going back to Arizona and Arizona Allendale even in West palm beach there’s a lot of just.

00:25:25.860 –> 00:25:38.730 Mike Ogletree: You know I mean just the people that will pass through our doors and the kind of connection that we that especially my father would make with people you know for years.

00:25:39.390 –> 00:25:50.190 Mike Ogletree: he had a connection with the Atlanta Braves and we serve them lunch and dinner and catered all their food for at the in West palm beach.

00:25:52.080 –> 00:25:53.550 Mike Ogletree: And you know, like I just.

00:25:54.930 –> 00:26:03.060 Mike Ogletree: I think that it’s he was a unique person, and I think that he really paved the path pave the path for us, for his children.

00:26:04.770 –> 00:26:21.090 Mike Ogletree: In that way, and you know, he said, an example and I think that for the most part, we try to follow that model or that example of just you know you know excellent hospitality and just you know good food consistent food and good service like I just think you know.

00:26:22.350 –> 00:26:31.050 Joseph McElroy: What are you famous for being more of a stake in the primary place and then I think you’ve evolved into being a real family place right.

00:26:31.470 –> 00:26:44.460 Mike Ogletree: Yes, yeah yeah originally like I think that primary was probably the draw However, it is, it has changed a little bit um, you know as good as the primary job is, I think that.

00:26:45.090 –> 00:26:56.160 Mike Ogletree: You know you have to evolve or change, you have to grow with with with how the world changes, and now you know the economy changes around you, you have to just kind of everything is very fluid in this market and.

00:26:57.690 –> 00:27:12.270 Mike Ogletree: I think we’re just trying to keep the best of our history and what is it what we had what did we hung our hat on in the past and try to move forward into you know, in the next several years I think it’s just it’s a very fine line.

00:27:13.650 –> 00:27:24.150 Mike Ogletree: But you know you get I get people that you know they’ll come in and they’ll say oh, this is, you know, this is the gorgonzola salad is the same as it was 25 years ago, except the wooden bowl.

00:27:24.210 –> 00:27:35.130 Mike Ogletree: You know, and of course, you can’t serve in one bowl anymore, but you know just things like that, and like that, is the kind of motivation that that just keeps us going I think every day and.

00:27:37.200 –> 00:27:48.060 Joseph McElroy: We don’t go there, I go there, quite a bit now and I love that you know, of course, the framework, the stakes are great, but you also introduced you know, local things like a rainbow.

00:27:51.360 –> 00:27:53.940 Joseph McElroy: And and barbecued ribs.

00:27:55.650 –> 00:27:56.130 Joseph McElroy: Right.

00:27:56.970 –> 00:28:13.110 Joseph McElroy: So you’ve incorporated a lot of local culture into your family-oriented food and it’s much more than it’s not it’s, not even a steakhouse anymore, I mean yeah I think the original the original.

00:28:14.220 –> 00:28:24.720 Joseph McElroy: The original design was sort of like a would have a family-friendly steakhouse and now it’s you know it’s it’s even it’s an even broader array right it’s like.

00:28:24.990 –> 00:28:30.870 Mike Ogletree: Absolutely absolutely well, I think that you know I mean the only reason that the biggest.

00:28:32.040 –> 00:28:40.290 Mike Ogletree: You know our biggest push is our community in the surrounding area and the people who support you, you know I mean, I think that you.

00:28:41.370 –> 00:28:45.840 Mike Ogletree: You have to do what people want I mean you have to you know and.

00:28:46.950 –> 00:28:53.100 Mike Ogletree: You have to evolve, or you have to change, I mean you have to move with times, or else you know you’re I think you’re going to get left behind.

00:28:53.760 –> 00:29:09.630 Mike Ogletree: So I mean and, like our biggest support is our local community in the surrounding area and any you know anything that we can do to help our Community can do to help us, I think, is absolutely a necessity, especially in this day and age, you know I mean.

00:29:12.870 –> 00:29:15.030 Joseph McElroy: So you produce a sports bar.

00:29:16.320 –> 00:29:19.410 Mike Ogletree: We have somewhat of a sports bar.

00:29:20.730 –> 00:29:23.760 Mike Ogletree: You know I mean we have we try to promote.

00:29:25.440 –> 00:29:37.320 Mike Ogletree: Local events we try to promote regional events that kind of thing, but you know which we try to have just a casual area in one side of the restaurant just for people who like that type of thing you know I mean.

00:29:38.850 –> 00:29:40.650 Joseph McElroy: Are you usually hear some noise that’s really.

00:29:40.980 –> 00:29:49.530 Mike Ogletree: We do have music, we do have we have we’ve had we have usually we have only had lb and then we have a band.

00:29:49.620 –> 00:29:50.790 That includes ld.

00:29:51.810 –> 00:30:02.790 Mike Ogletree: Which is just unbelievable they’re both unbelievable but we’ve had him for about four or five years that’s something my mother brought in about I guess now yeah I guess about five or six years ago and it’s just.

00:30:03.540 –> 00:30:12.840 Mike Ogletree: it’s been great you know I mean it draws a little bit more than people who might not necessarily want to eat dinner but might like to listen to music and have a drink so.

00:30:14.490 –> 00:30:15.360 Joseph McElroy: Let me just say.

00:30:15.540 –> 00:30:20.370 Joseph McElroy: The drinks are lonely I was there two nights ago and I had a really great old fashion.

00:30:22.080 –> 00:30:27.120 Joseph McElroy: No yeah I could I could it says J Arthur has an excellent bar.

00:30:28.680 –> 00:30:39.420 Joseph McElroy: So when we come back we’ll take a break and we talk a little bit about you know J Arthur’s in the Community and in the industry and Maggie Valley.

00:30:39.720 –> 00:30:40.350 Mike Ogletree: that sound good, sounds great.

00:33:19.140 –> 00:33:26.100 Joseph McElroy: This is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Erin

00:33:27.270 –> 00:33:27.960 Joseph McElroy:Erin

00:33:28.320 –> 00:33:29.490 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:33:29.700 –> 00:33:37.290 Joseph McElroy: You know I think one of the best things about your restaurant and I’m totally biased, because my boss, the father built this the physical.

00:33:39.930 –> 00:33:43.140 Joseph McElroy: Building can you describe it for the people that are listening.

00:33:44.340 –> 00:33:52.440 Mike Ogletree: Well most people say in and if it’s theater this is gonna sound really ignorant, but unless you will say it’s a large Cedar, Kevin.

00:33:54.630 –> 00:33:55.140 Mike Ogletree: But it.

00:33:56.310 –> 00:34:03.600 Mike Ogletree: it’s just a beautiful building, I mean it’s just like that you know your dad built our House too, and this is everything about it is just perfect and.

00:34:05.010 –> 00:34:17.580 Mike Ogletree: I know that it is, it was made in its time, it was built in, as time and but I mean like there’s nothing I would change about it, I don’t think.

00:34:18.000 –> 00:34:20.430 Mike Ogletree: That you know, obviously the inside decor needs to be a.

00:34:20.610 –> 00:34:23.790 Mike Ogletree: Little updated as we need to change with times, but like.

00:34:25.260 –> 00:34:29.820 Mike Ogletree: Yes, I mean there’s there I don’t think there was anyone else that that could have done anything better with.

00:34:30.150 –> 00:34:31.080 With our House you don’t.

00:34:32.220 –> 00:34:51.510 Joseph McElroy: To tell a couple of stories about it, one is is those you know it’s got these huge you know it’s like huge giant ceilings right here, but these are scale that is rare to do right so it’s like it’s so area it’s all would but it’s so area it’s not like you’re.

00:34:54.660 –> 00:34:59.880 Joseph McElroy: Doing like this it wouldn’t Wonderland right you got a little train that goes around that.

00:34:59.940 –> 00:35:15.540 Mike Ogletree: Well, yes, yes, and I can tell you anytime in the if the train is not running over you know the training is under construction or whatever might need to be done as people notice it, I mean those are details that I think that people come there for.

00:35:17.010 –> 00:35:18.420 Mike Ogletree: You know and.

00:35:20.520 –> 00:35:24.180 Mike Ogletree: That has been it’s been that way for years, like since since since we’ve started.

00:35:25.470 –> 00:35:29.310 Mike Ogletree: there are just certain things that like I think you expect to see it places it’s like.

00:35:29.760 –> 00:35:35.340 Mike Ogletree: And when you don’t see them you’re kind of miffed I mean people, especially people who have been coming here for years and years.

00:35:35.730 –> 00:35:49.050 Mike Ogletree: And people who came in here as children, and then they the next generation comes along they want to bring their children and something’s not right it’s like we’re the trains, why are they not working, you know I mean and like that’s a big deal.

00:35:49.500 –> 00:35:50.160 Mike Ogletree: Oh no.

00:35:51.390 –> 00:35:54.000 Mike Ogletree: You know there’s definitely an A.

00:35:54.060 –> 00:35:55.080 lot of nostalgic.

00:35:56.580 –> 00:35:57.120 Joseph McElroy: Wonderful.

00:35:58.830 –> 00:36:08.670 Joseph McElroy: yeah wonderful for Christmas and don’t you get me having a largest indoor Christmas tree and least Haywood county but maybe.

00:36:08.670 –> 00:36:09.150 Joseph McElroy: Also North Carolina

00:36:09.420 –> 00:36:14.730 Mike Ogletree: yes, yes, I feel like Of course, I think I’m going to say that we have the biggest Christmas tree.

00:36:15.120 –> 00:36:27.720 Mike Ogletree: But you know I feel like it rivals sometimes a rival it definitely rivals the Biltmore House you know, last year we had the first tree we had, and we had to change it out after about 10 days.

00:36:28.860 –> 00:36:37.710 Mike Ogletree: ago we changed it out and it was just outstanding it was even better than I imagined the first time and it’s just one of those things that people you know I mean like.

00:36:38.220 –> 00:36:49.740 Mike Ogletree: People come to the restaurant, a lot of times, not only for the food and for the hospitality, but for just for that nostalgia for that this is how good it feels you know this is how I felt.

00:36:50.130 –> 00:36:56.580 Mike Ogletree: When I was you know 10 or 15 years ago, how I felt, and so I want my kids to feel you know, so I think that.

00:36:57.600 –> 00:37:03.180 Mike Ogletree: there’s a lot to be said for that and we take a lot of pride in that you know I mean I even though it’s a few times a year.

00:37:03.780 –> 00:37:16.080 Mike Ogletree: um I think that people remember that and I can’t tell you how many people come in, they say oh, you know this is either bigger or smaller you know, whatever it might be but um it just.

00:37:16.830 –> 00:37:26.670 Mike Ogletree: It makes a mark on my soul and makes you know that, like those are the things that that are important, you know and then there are the things that we need to keep up with.

00:37:27.480 –> 00:37:30.330 Joseph McElroy: And you have these two giant fireplaces in there right.

00:37:30.810 –> 00:37:37.470 Joseph McElroy: Yeah and you know I don’t know if that told you, the story, but you know at the time he employed.

00:37:38.760 –> 00:37:52.290 Joseph McElroy: rock mason’s that were Cherokee Indian right and people don’t know that a lot of Cherokee Indian when they were building the one of the parkway was building the blue Ridge Parkway was being built, they actually brought it.

00:37:55.170 –> 00:38:01.710 Joseph McElroy: To missions to build the rock the rock works for bridges and things like that, but.

00:38:02.760 –> 00:38:07.920 Joseph McElroy: But they have assistance and they used because there’s a lot of things in Cherokee they use Cherokee assistance.

00:38:08.220 –> 00:38:18.390 Joseph McElroy: For the all, a lot of the Cherokee learn how to do really great art-rock rock work like Italian medicines, so that employ those for you know the high end stuff that he.

00:38:18.990 –> 00:38:34.530 Joseph McElroy: Employed them for high-end stuff that he did, and so he employed them for the record in your restaurant, but you know, one of the things that was a sort of a semi-secret is that every chair every rock bass and had their own signature.

00:38:34.680 –> 00:38:35.100 yeah.

00:38:36.750 –> 00:38:45.150 Joseph McElroy: Maybe an animal they put into design or the rockwork or maybe they balanced giant triangle different once you remember, which one that they.

00:38:45.750 –> 00:38:47.220 Mike Ogletree: Had on we had.

00:38:47.460 –> 00:38:53.850 Mike Ogletree: We have to arrowheads actually like the two arrowheads one of each fireplace and.

00:38:54.090 –> 00:38:54.600 Mike Ogletree: That.

00:38:54.750 –> 00:39:01.830 Mike Ogletree: Was I can’t remember the gentleman’s name, but my gosh she’s so talented but it’s at the very top of both of

00:39:02.580 –> 00:39:19.920 Mike Ogletree: The tune of the inside of the chimneys would you know the rock work and then there’s I find the one arrowhead very easily in the lounge and the dining room it’s a little more difficult, but I mean the work is so intricate it’s just amazing It really is amazingly cool.

00:39:20.550 –> 00:39:26.100 Joseph McElroy: um how was your reception into Maggie Valley, with the restaurant first opens.

00:39:28.020 –> 00:39:37.860 Mike Ogletree: um I think you know, I was, I was much, much younger that time, so I think a lot of that I probably didn’t pick up on but um I know that.

00:39:40.020 –> 00:39:44.910 Mike Ogletree: You know, to make your mark anywhere, you have to really do your time, and you have to.

00:39:45.330 –> 00:40:00.720 Mike Ogletree: You have to do your own work and make your mark and just be as good as you can be and support your community, and I think that it was probably I would say it was probably tough back then, but I mean I like I said, I think that.

00:40:03.090 –> 00:40:03.420 Mike Ogletree: Might.

00:40:03.720 –> 00:40:05.190 Joseph McElroy: be the kid what everybody over.

00:40:05.940 –> 00:40:14.400 Mike Ogletree: This do is whenever you ever but you know, it was a bit of a higher-end type thing I would say, at first, even then, and.

00:40:15.090 –> 00:40:27.210 Mike Ogletree: I just think maybe there was some resistance, but I mean, I think that you know hard work and persistence and like you know consistency, I think, pays off a lot and in, even so, you know you’re.

00:40:28.380 –> 00:40:30.630 Mike Ogletree: you’re going to make mistakes, but I think that like.

00:40:31.950 –> 00:40:35.850 Mike Ogletree: there’s a lot to be said for longevity and.

00:40:37.350 –> 00:40:42.420 Mike Ogletree: You know, consistency and just commitment to our Community, and I think that that’s.

00:40:43.230 –> 00:40:55.500 Mike Ogletree: Where we are at this point, I think that you know we have to stick together, we have to, we have to do our own work in our Community and just continue to better ourselves every day and people around us as well yeah.

00:40:55.800 –> 00:41:10.350 Joseph McElroy: I know that you have another beautiful balcony area where you get private dining and then you have yeah both of the dining room and the sports club area, you get a lot of events that come there that the red.

00:41:11.910 –> 00:41:12.300 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:41:12.480 –> 00:41:28.230 Mike Ogletree: yeah we got a lot of we get a lot of why we get several you know wedding receptions or rehearsals dinners and then we also do in a car tour groups there’s recent there have been more tour groups this area.

00:41:29.580 –> 00:41:37.470 Mike Ogletree: We had a, for example, this past weekend, we had a corvette tour group coming through, but you know it’s all walks of life it’s just.

00:41:39.330 –> 00:41:44.370 Mike Ogletree: We do we were very blessed in that area because we have the space to do it and.

00:41:44.970 –> 00:41:50.070 Mike Ogletree: And for sure we have the staff at this point to do it to you know I mean it’s just um.

00:41:50.460 –> 00:41:56.790 Mike Ogletree: Any of these groups like they like the one that was here and, to be honest with you, other than outside of last year and the year before.

00:41:57.240 –> 00:42:03.480 Mike Ogletree: I’m not necessarily I don’t can’t say that I specifically remember, other than going back and looking at it, but.

00:42:04.230 –> 00:42:19.110 Mike Ogletree: They said, you know we’ve been coming here for 1618 years which you know that that is a huge deal to me it means very much to me that someone that a group of 40 50 60 70 people comes back, year after year after year and.

00:42:19.680 –> 00:42:20.310 Joseph McElroy: That kind of.

00:42:20.460 –> 00:42:22.680 Joseph McElroy: You know I had somebody posts on Facebook.

00:42:24.180 –> 00:42:26.550 Joseph McElroy: Pictures of their honeymoon in the 60s at the.

00:42:26.550 –> 00:42:27.660 Mike Ogletree: dealer yes.

00:42:28.110 –> 00:42:28.530 Right.

00:42:30.120 –> 00:42:30.720 Mike Ogletree: Wonderful.

00:42:31.080 –> 00:42:38.160 Joseph McElroy: And I have people come by and say we’ve been coming every year for 14 years right yeah, so it is it’s like.

00:42:38.910 –> 00:42:39.900 Mike Ogletree: Every time.

00:42:40.260 –> 00:42:54.360 Joseph McElroy: yeah so you a lot of businesses and Maggie valley and even the surrounding areas and haven county did not do, particularly well after 2012 and ghost town sort of clothes for good, how did you do.

00:42:57.750 –> 00:42:58.440 Mike Ogletree: Well, I mean.

00:43:00.060 –> 00:43:15.600 Mike Ogletree: It was very difficult it was a huge shift, you know I mean you had to wear you know, in the past, not you couldn’t necessarily hang your hat on that, but you know you had people here because of that town and they were kind of.

00:43:17.490 –> 00:43:26.040 Mike Ogletree: They were here and they would say, and they will eat I mean it was a huge challenge I shouldn’t sugarcoat it, it was a huge challenge.

00:43:26.520 –> 00:43:30.300 Mike Ogletree: And it’s still has been you know it’s like, how can we.

00:43:30.990 –> 00:43:38.520 Mike Ogletree: bring people to our area we need to draw them because you know like used to we didn’t have to draw the families and because we had you know.

00:43:38.880 –> 00:43:47.460 Mike Ogletree: We had hot wheels and water bugs we had ghost town, we had the magic waters ever in Cherokee we had you know I mean there’s a lot of like historic things that went on here.

00:43:48.540 –> 00:43:59.400 Mike Ogletree: That we just didn’t really have to make too much of emotion, to get them to come here, you know, we had trout ponds, we had water slides we have like a lot of stuff for families and this is fabulous what I mean.

00:43:59.670 –> 00:44:09.030 Mike Ogletree: I feel like this is an area where families come because they feel like it’s safe and it’s fun and it’s a good vacation for their you know for everyone and.

00:44:09.900 –> 00:44:19.980 Mike Ogletree: So you know I think we had to be a little more strategic and it was tough for several years and it still is tough every day is tough but, like, I think that the more that we can just.

00:44:21.450 –> 00:44:35.010 Mike Ogletree: promote our you know the people that we work with and we work among you know and the natural beauty of our area, I think that um I mean we can’t hang your hat on someone else’s business forever you really can’t.

00:44:35.280 –> 00:44:40.470 Joseph McElroy: and listen we weren’t just ghost hunters also mountain culture mountain heritage.

00:44:40.560 –> 00:44:40.950 Mike Ogletree: you’re right.

00:44:41.250 –> 00:44:53.190 Joseph McElroy: A lot of giving and that’s what we’re promoting yeah mountain cultural heritage and having music and food and different things, and you know we saw a lot of families this year I don’t know if you saw but the swimming pool.

00:44:53.190 –> 00:44:54.750 Joseph McElroy: yeah the US.

00:44:59.340 –> 00:45:07.110 Joseph McElroy: More these handsome young people were using it, so it was a sea change this year in terms of you know.

00:45:08.790 –> 00:45:19.140 Joseph McElroy: We still have the nostalgic crowd, but we also started getting people that just want to experience the now and enjoy culture authentic right.

00:45:19.530 –> 00:45:20.730 Mike Ogletree: Absolutely, yes.

00:45:20.820 –> 00:45:26.730 Joseph McElroy: yeah cool and I love being able to say somebody says, where do you go to go get some neat so I’ll look across the street.

00:45:28.470 –> 00:45:29.850 Joseph McElroy: yeah that’s pretty cool.

00:45:31.140 –> 00:45:37.020 Joseph McElroy: So, to come back with our final segment, I want to talk about how you guys got to be in a famous movie.

00:45:37.860 –> 00:45:39.000 Mike Ogletree: Okay, that sounds great.

00:47:42.960 –> 00:47:51.750 Joseph McElroy: hey this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with a gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Erin Mahoney so Aaron.

00:47:53.250 –> 00:47:56.400 Joseph McElroy: So you know watching a movie one day.

00:47:58.800 –> 00:48:08.430 Joseph McElroy: And all of a sudden, I see frogs and I go oh my God it’s J Arthur’s restaurant I recognize it like it was my backyard, my home I.

00:48:09.660 –> 00:48:13.950 Joseph McElroy: was three what three billboards out of what was the name million.

00:48:14.610 –> 00:48:15.690 Mike Ogletree: Evans Missouri.

00:48:15.840 –> 00:48:18.300 Joseph McElroy: Evans Missouri to how did that come about.

00:48:19.380 –> 00:48:24.570 Mike Ogletree: Well um they kind of just solicited us and asked.

00:48:26.520 –> 00:48:31.710 Mike Ogletree: asked if they could use our building it was you know, of course, it was in season, it was like in June.

00:48:33.960 –> 00:48:38.040 Mike Ogletree: And we kind of went back and forth, and you know they did some filming over in Silva.

00:48:39.660 –> 00:48:49.290 Mike Ogletree: And they were kind of on the fence, whether they were going to use us or not, and it was very quick, it was about 10 days before they said Okay, we need to this day and.

00:48:50.280 –> 00:48:56.640 Mike Ogletree: You know, all of a sudden, there were a bunch of trailers and everything’s set up in the parking lot the restaurant and.

00:48:57.870 –> 00:48:58.920 Mike Ogletree: It was.

00:48:59.040 –> 00:49:16.260 Mike Ogletree: It was a little tough because it was an all-day thing, and you know they use the fire department as kind of a staging area and they asked if we had any people that would like to be walk-ons are staying whatever they call them standards that kind of thing.

00:49:18.480 –> 00:49:26.220 Mike Ogletree: However, we don’t know that we knew were signing up for because it was you know, it was very, very long hours, of course.

00:49:27.930 –> 00:49:44.130 Mike Ogletree: No air conditioning and it was multiple you know multiple scenes with a lot of different food men prepared and that kind of thing it was so rewarding it was just it was just amazing like Of course I don’t know that anyone thought it would be as huge as it was.

00:49:45.900 –> 00:49:46.650 Mike Ogletree: But it was great and.

00:49:47.760 –> 00:49:50.010 Joseph McElroy: Independent movie that was gonna be yes.

00:49:50.670 –> 00:50:04.380 Mike Ogletree: Right exactly right and, to this day, I have people that will that you know I have customers that will come in and they’ll say, well, we want to sit in this table we’re going to see exactly where they said, like Where do they say and what did they do, and who did you know and.

00:50:05.640 –> 00:50:06.720 Mike Ogletree: I just remember.

00:50:08.280 –> 00:50:10.650 Mike Ogletree: It was just very, very.

00:50:13.080 –> 00:50:26.610 Mike Ogletree: mean just the local people that came out to support the movie and the filming of the movie and who you know who want to just be involved, whether they were on screen or not it was just incredible like the support, I guess, I should say.

00:50:26.820 –> 00:50:27.150 well.

00:50:28.350 –> 00:50:37.440 Mike Ogletree: It was just it was wonderful and even to this day, you know we have a couple of posters inside the building let’s say either people will be like Oh well, this is where they sat or you know.

00:50:37.950 –> 00:50:45.150 Mike Ogletree: Oh, my gosh I didn’t know this was filmed here, you know, and then you kind of set the scene, and people can kind of see it and it just brings them back a little bit, which is nice.

00:50:46.830 –> 00:50:47.070 Joseph McElroy: I mean.

00:50:47.460 –> 00:50:49.530 Joseph McElroy: People over here that was filmed over there and it’s.

00:50:50.250 –> 00:50:50.610 Mike Ogletree: I mean.

00:50:51.270 –> 00:50:57.390 Joseph McElroy: It helps you know it’s like everything little story X built in the story of their experience I call it.

00:50:59.580 –> 00:51:00.450 Mike Ogletree: What do you call it.

00:51:01.980 –> 00:51:10.830 Joseph McElroy: study but normal tourism experiences so does it make the memories flashbulb memories, so all little things add to that’s another one.

00:51:11.220 –> 00:51:22.860 Joseph McElroy: In fact, we’re probably we’re starting some tours for that’ll originate from the metal art and one of them will be like the movies, you know we’re movies, are shot, yes, you get a lot of movies shot in this area.

00:51:24.000 –> 00:51:25.740 Joseph McElroy: So that would be kind of cool.

00:51:25.950 –> 00:51:27.690 Joseph McElroy: Absolutely yeah.

00:51:28.170 –> 00:51:30.180 Joseph McElroy: Absolutely yeah.

00:51:30.390 –> 00:51:31.140 Mike Ogletree: yeah it was a great.

00:51:31.170 –> 00:51:46.920 Mike Ogletree: It was a great experience and so thrilled that you know that was that we were able to do that and just you know before that like years ago we had, I mean I guess the most before that, prior to that the only thing we had uncle ben’s at one point shot a commercial.

00:51:46.950 –> 00:51:49.290 Mike Ogletree: did a commercial at the restaurant you, these are kitchen.

00:51:51.240 –> 00:51:52.170 Mike Ogletree: But that you know.

00:51:52.440 –> 00:51:53.070 Mike Ogletree: The outside of.

00:51:53.730 –> 00:51:58.020 Joseph McElroy: Food that you know Maggie Maggie valley and Haywood County so.

00:52:00.780 –> 00:52:05.460 Joseph McElroy: Out of wide-open spaces, that people can do big things here right.

00:52:05.700 –> 00:52:06.090 Like well.

00:52:07.530 –> 00:52:07.920 Mike Ogletree: As a

00:52:07.980 –> 00:52:08.550 Mike Ogletree: plan ahead and.

00:52:09.390 –> 00:52:10.860 Mike Ogletree: You know I mean.

00:52:11.910 –> 00:52:12.510 Mike Ogletree: Yes.

00:52:12.960 –> 00:52:13.740 Joseph McElroy: No, I.

00:52:14.880 –> 00:52:22.620 Joseph McElroy: yeah there’s like you know you come around here you don’t know that there’s like a way up in the mountains or there’s a five-star place called the swag.

00:52:23.550 –> 00:52:34.860 Joseph McElroy: yeah or you have a great you have an idea, you can get it a world-class prime rib you know a place in the valley, or even stay and experience Grammy award-winning musicians.

00:52:36.720 –> 00:52:37.050 Mike Ogletree: yeah.

00:52:37.680 –> 00:52:38.910 Joseph McElroy: roadside motel.

00:52:38.940 –> 00:52:39.960 Mike Ogletree: Right yes right.

00:52:41.250 –> 00:52:48.120 Joseph McElroy: So you know it’s a wonderful place to visit So where do you think Maggie valleys heading now.

00:52:49.470 –> 00:52:51.780 Joseph McElroy: I didn’t think what is it what is it becoming.

00:52:54.720 –> 00:53:04.080 Mike Ogletree: I think that we are, we are just growing up, I think that you know um I think are unique this kind of defines us like I think that.

00:53:05.100 –> 00:53:19.080 Mike Ogletree: There are so many different intricate places around this area that like that you wouldn’t expect around the corner and you know what I think the more unique, we are, the more we put ourselves on the map and.

00:53:20.850 –> 00:53:27.630 Mike Ogletree: We just you know, I think that we just need to continue to evolve and we need to continue to.

00:53:28.920 –> 00:53:36.060 Mike Ogletree: I don’t want to say go with the flow that sounds so routine, but I think that, like we, we need to be able to be fluid because.

00:53:38.070 –> 00:53:48.930 Mike Ogletree: We need to survive and we’ve survived with, I think that we have survived some pretty crappy times I hate to say you know, I think that we’ve had some really low times in this area, and I think that.

00:53:49.140 –> 00:53:50.610 Mike Ogletree: You know, we bounce back.

00:53:51.270 –> 00:53:52.350 Joseph McElroy: from somebody the ghost.

00:53:53.490 –> 00:53:55.890 Joseph McElroy: ghost town might be coming back what do you think about that.

00:53:56.190 –> 00:54:02.790 Mike Ogletree: Well, I mean I have high hopes for this and I’ve always had high hopes for that like I have so many fond memories there it goes down.

00:54:03.270 –> 00:54:08.040 Mike Ogletree: But at the same time, I think that you know we all need to do our own work, and we need to like.

00:54:08.760 –> 00:54:22.680 Mike Ogletree: grow together as a community and just move forward like God, I hope that they hope that that would be the best thing for this area, but you know I don’t think that we should stay awake at night and and and think that we’re gonna.

00:54:24.600 –> 00:54:26.310 Mike Ogletree: know we have so many good things around.

00:54:27.180 –> 00:54:28.890 Joseph McElroy: motorcycle Museum in the world.

00:54:31.620 –> 00:54:32.010 Joseph McElroy: music.

00:54:32.040 –> 00:54:35.820 Mike Ogletree: And we have a stellar puzzle room, we have.

00:54:36.180 –> 00:54:41.790 Joseph McElroy: yeah we are we have southernmost ski resort and in the United States.

00:54:42.810 –> 00:54:45.720 Mike Ogletree: You know within like we have a lot of natural beauty to

00:54:45.810 –> 00:54:46.290 Mike Ogletree: me like.

00:54:47.070 –> 00:54:55.680 Mike Ogletree: there are just so many things that like draw people in this area like I don’t think that we should just expand our horizons all of it and just keep on.

00:54:56.190 –> 00:54:59.910 Joseph McElroy: So I didn’t have time to go through full of its itineraries.

00:55:03.000 –> 00:55:05.220 Joseph McElroy: At least you know, the food industry.

00:55:06.240 –> 00:55:10.230 Joseph McElroy: Where would somebody go for breakfast and where would somebody go for lunch in this area.

00:55:10.680 –> 00:55:19.890 Mike Ogletree: Well, I would definitely go if I were going to get a breakfast I’m good either POPs like outstanding or in for breakfast.

00:55:21.030 –> 00:55:32.880 Mike Ogletree: I would go to my favorite like my favorite view in this area is a mountain air in my gosh is outstanding like you know I mean you have to have some time but I mean it is well worth it.

00:55:33.330 –> 00:55:41.250 Mike Ogletree: And then, like the sandwich shop next door to your business is like the best sandwich you can get in this area like.

00:55:42.210 –> 00:55:48.660 Joseph McElroy: A sandwich shop, is it got unbelievable I mean the other day, I said that sandwich shop I would eat out in New York City.

00:55:49.140 –> 00:55:50.550 Mike Ogletree: Yes, yeah.

00:55:52.290 –> 00:55:53.190 Joseph McElroy: Even better than that.

00:55:53.580 –> 00:55:54.300 Joseph McElroy: yeah no.

00:55:54.360 –> 00:55:55.740 Mike Ogletree: You wouldn’t you absolutely.

00:55:56.220 –> 00:55:56.820 I mean like.

00:55:58.050 –> 00:56:00.300 Joseph McElroy: So we’re running out of time, so what.

00:56:03.960 –> 00:56:04.590 Joseph McElroy: about you.

00:56:07.020 –> 00:56:08.070 Mike Ogletree: i’m saying if you’re.

00:56:08.490 –> 00:56:12.330 Joseph McElroy: With people finding out more about you were really out of time, so I just want to.

00:56:12.570 –> 00:56:19.530 Mike Ogletree: do absolutely like it, you can contact me at the restaurant and JArthursrest@ gmail.com

00:56:20.970 –> 00:56:21.870 Mike Ogletree: or our website.

00:56:23.460 –> 00:56:26.670 Mike Ogletree: jarthurrestaurant and yeah.

00:56:27.390 –> 00:56:30.450 Joseph McElroy: Why you have social media that you follow the people should follow.

00:56:31.830 –> 00:56:36.360 Mike Ogletree: I just adjust the restaurant but of course Facebook is just the restaurant.

00:56:37.350 –> 00:56:42.510 Joseph McElroy: Alright cool well, thank you very much for being on the show all right.

00:56:42.780 –> 00:56:47.100 Mike Ogletree: Thank you I’m honored yeah happy to do it again, we can talk about something else just.

00:56:47.280 –> 00:56:51.990 Joseph McElroy: All right, yes we’ll talk about talking about feels fishing or quilting or something.

00:56:53.640 –> 00:56:57.420 Joseph McElroy: I just saw your children are very involved in the art side like to find out more.

00:56:57.870 –> 00:56:58.890 Mike Ogletree: Very artistic.

00:56:59.100 –> 00:57:01.020 Joseph McElroy: yeah there’s you know things that.

00:57:01.530 –> 00:57:02.580 Maybe for next time.

00:57:05.850 –> 00:57:25.650 Joseph McElroy: yeah cool um this has been a wonderful show and we’re going to have another show next week, as we do every week Tuesdays from six to seven you find out more about us at the gateway to the smokies.fun or even Facebook, a gatewaytothesmokiespodcast.

00:57:26.730 –> 00:57:33.720 Joseph McElroy: We are on the talkradio.NYC network, which has a lot of live podcasts.

00:57:34.740 –> 00:57:46.050 Joseph McElroy: And one of which is a New York podcast that follows after this it talks about you know, tourism and things to do in New York, so I think you should watch that but it’s got a wonderful network with the live podcast.

00:57:47.760 –> 00:57:49.170 Joseph McElroy: I am

00:57:50.760 –> 00:58:01.200 Joseph McElroy: you know the I have a site called smokiesaadventure.com if you.

00:58:04.830 –> 00:58:12.240 Joseph McElroy: have information about traveling the smokies places to do and there’s a whole area from Tennessee to North Carolina to all the way up to

00:58:12.840 –> 00:58:30.120 Joseph McElroy: Virginia down to Georgia, and you know it’s got roadmaps it’s got books it’s got itineraries and I love you visit there so I’ll see you next week, thank you very much, as the gateway to the smokies podcast with Erin Mahoney and your host Joseph Franklyn McElroy.

00:58:30.390 –> 00:58:31.140 Mike Ogletree: Thanks Joseph.

Today's guest of Gateway to the Smokies Podcast is Charles Humphrey III, a Grammy Award-winning Songwriter, Producer, and Musician. Currently leading his own group – the Songs from the Road Band – Humphrey was a charter member of the acclaimed Steep Canyon Rangers for 15 years and performed around the world.

Aside from being a musician, he is also an expert fly-fishing guide and endurance runner. Joseph and Charles will talk about Music on the Fly (fishing) in the Smokies.

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.

Segment 1

Tonight’s show starts off with special announcements from tonight’s sponsors. Then host Joseph introduces a special guest Charles Humphrey III. Charles introduces himself and how he got into, to begin with back in middle school and how it followed him through college and after. He explained how music helped him through a transitional time in his life and how blessed he felt because of it. 

Segment 2

Coming back from the break, Joseph brings out a quote from a magazine coverage from Charles and his bluegrass band. Charles explains bluegrass and the significance of this quote. With his band, Charles wants to spread joy to his audience through his music. He talks about the record label that he founded and shares the story of how it was named. Before the break, Charles talks about fly fishing and how he finds it very meditating. He loves doing it with others and connects it to his songwriting, in that he loves collaborating with others as well. He talks about some of his favorite songwriting collaborations. 

Segment 3

This segment of tonight’s episode talks about a songwriting Bootcamp that Charles is partnering up with in order to create a community of new and old songwriters to get together and create music. A great opportunity for new writers to meet and learn from more experienced writers and for older writers to collaborate with each other and get fresh new ideas. The conversation goes back to fly fishing, where Charles talks more about his favorite locations to fish. He drops ways to contact Charles and his company in order to find out more about trout ventures and other fly fishing-related questions. 

Segment 4

Charles starts the last segment with a small story. He then goes through his go-to places to visit that he recommends to visitors. He gives great taco place recommendations and parks to visit. The podcast ends with Host Joseph announcing more special events and announcements from sponsors.

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00:03:18.480 –> 00:03:30.480 Joseph McElroy: hey welcome to the gateway to the smokies podcast this podcast is about America’s most visited national parks great smoky mountains National Park in the surrounding towns.

00:03:30.960 –> 00:03:39.810 Joseph McElroy: these areas are filled with ancient natural beauty and deep-storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.

00:03:40.320 –> 00:03:52.440 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family is living the great smoky for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.

00:03:53.340 –> 00:04:00.510 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re talking about music and fly fishing and the mountain of the smokies but first will tell you about our sponsors.

00:04:01.710 –> 00:04:05.460 Joseph McElroy: So I want you to imagine a place evocative of motor courts

00:04:08.310 –> 00:04:14.880 Joseph McElroy: of the past modern and vibrant with the Chic Appalachian feel a place for adventure and for relaxation.

00:04:15.300 –> 00:04:24.330 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on the fire, eat accompanied by the fine wine or craft beers of this area.

00:04:24.690 –> 00:04:39.450 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place of old-time music and world cultural sounds there is no, there is no other place like Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.

00:04:40.560 –> 00:04:42.930 Joseph McElroy: we’re at the Meadowlark Motels actually having a.

00:04:44.580 –> 00:04:53.490 Joseph McElroy: Traditional mountain heritage event, this weekend called traditional skills and naturalist weekend it’s going from Friday to Sunday.

00:04:53.910 –> 00:05:04.800 Joseph McElroy: And they’re going to talk about ginseng in the mountain and granny medicine herbs and explore the law of the mountains and we know lectures and wanderings entertaining.

00:05:09.900 –> 00:05:12.060 Joseph McElroy: Music seven o’clock on.

00:05:13.530 –> 00:05:25.650 Joseph McElroy: William Ritters some Scottish Highland heritage music for Mike Ogletree and Saturday there’ll be wildflowers and native plants of Appalachian with the tour guide them naturalist Adam Bigelow who’s on this show.

00:05:26.190 –> 00:05:32.850 Joseph McElroy: we’re going to have the healing powers in the history of ginseng with novelists and naturals Jim Hamilton.

00:05:33.930 –> 00:05:37.290 Joseph McElroy: there’s going to be medicinal herbs and granny medicine with.

00:05:38.910 –> 00:05:48.690 Joseph McElroy: Herbal naturalists and there’s gonna be a program by Tyson Sampson the claim charity naturalist and historian and lecture.

00:05:49.620 –> 00:05:58.260 Joseph McElroy: there’s gonna be an afternoon of woods wandering and discussions, we met with them now naturalist tour guide lecturer and author Abby Artemisia

00:05:59.190 –> 00:06:06.480 Joseph McElroy: there’s gonna be an heirloom seed discussion with acclaimed naturalist historian farmer and musician William Ritters who was on this show.

00:06:10.080 –> 00:06:16.680 Joseph McElroy: me needing more like on Sunday morning as you’re leaving their mission Gospel music and bluegrass.

00:06:17.280 –> 00:06:29.880 Joseph McElroy: You know inspired music and so it’s gonna be a great weekend go to Meadowlarkmotel.com look at the smoky mountain heritage Center to find out information about getting tickets are just coming stay at the hotel all the guests go free.

00:06:31.560 –> 00:06:46.260 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re talking like I said we’re talking about music and fly fishing and we have a great guest Charles Humphrey III is a grammy award-winning songwriter-producer and musician and owner of Lucks Dumpy Toad records.

00:06:47.220 –> 00:06:59.940 Joseph McElroy: And aside from his talents as a musician Charles is also an expert fly fishing guide and an endurance runner and resides with this family in Asheville North Carolina Hello, Charles.

00:07:00.270 –> 00:07:01.590 Charles Humphrey: hey Joseph how you doing buddy?

00:07:01.950 –> 00:07:03.270 Joseph McElroy: I’m doing pretty good.

00:07:03.840 –> 00:07:06.480 Charles Humphrey: Some on the show it’s an honor to be here.

00:07:09.360 –> 00:07:28.380 Joseph McElroy: happy to be honoring me actually I appreciate, you know the I’ve looked at your work and you really are tremendous you know you have a tremendous resume frankly, but you grew up in Greenville North Carolina which is out East I think that’s where ECU is right, yes.

00:07:29.430 –> 00:07:32.100 Joseph McElroy: And, and you love ball sports and.

00:07:32.100 –> 00:07:37.290 Joseph McElroy: What surfing, and you attended and UNC-Chapel hill I put on my do cat now.

00:07:38.040 –> 00:07:38.880 Charles humphrey: Oh, please.

00:07:43.860 –> 00:07:44.670 Charles humphrey: nobody’s perfect.

00:07:44.940 –> 00:07:47.880 Joseph McElroy: nobody’s perfect I got the same thing to say about you, but.

00:07:49.980 –> 00:07:58.440 Joseph McElroy: But you did study classical bass there so I’ll give you a pass you put on the sophisticated like a little bit.

00:08:00.780 –> 00:08:07.410 Joseph McElroy: and international studies and you focus on economics and Latin America, and your plan was certain.

00:08:09.660 –> 00:08:19.080 Joseph McElroy: Costa Rica, so he wrote Grammy award-winning musician living in Asheville North Carolina so my big question is, why did you pick the smoky mountains living.

00:08:20.250 –> 00:08:22.830 Charles Humphrey: Well, the music brought me here for sure.

00:08:23.520 –> 00:08:26.700 Charles Humphrey: it’s a rich cultural area and.

00:08:26.790 –> 00:08:34.710 Charles Humphrey: I’ve been playing music full time since college and it brought me to Asheville there’s a lot to learn there’s a lot of shares a lot of places to perform.

00:08:35.040 –> 00:08:42.600 Charles Humphrey: A lot of inspiration and these mountains and it’s also easy to get in other markets, you know, six, eight hours in any direction you can be in a.

00:08:43.080 –> 00:08:48.570 Charles Humphrey: New musical market so it’s a good place to base if you’re traveling musician as well, but.

00:08:48.990 –> 00:09:00.540 Charles Humphrey: Always love the beach I always grew up like say fishing and surfing there, but I absolutely fell in love with the mountains made in my home, you know get to running and fishing and music and I can’t imagine living anywhere else now.

00:09:01.500 –> 00:09:07.800 Joseph McElroy: And for those of you listening, whether you going to visit here, it just made a major a major point you’re probably with it.

00:09:10.050 –> 00:09:22.290 Joseph McElroy: it’s easily of getting to know right it’s one of the natural wonders of the planet, but you can get here within a few hours, a lot of cases so Charles you know you mentioned, you had a.

00:09:23.610 –> 00:09:32.130 Joseph McElroy: You have a really great resume and we’ll talk a little bit more about it, but when you were a kid were you into music, did you have your own band growing up or something like that.

00:09:33.090 –> 00:09:39.720 Charles Humphrey: I started music in middle school in the orchestra, mainly as a way to get out of class.

00:09:40.680 –> 00:09:49.830 Charles Humphrey: And started on violin and transition to the upright bass didn’t play in high school, I was more into sports and then my freshman year college.

00:09:50.370 –> 00:09:54.630 Charles Humphrey: First week, I was there I had this dream that I was in Carnegie Hall and my buddy Pearl.

00:09:55.140 –> 00:10:05.430 Charles Humphrey: Who we used to cut up with on the upright bass section and middle school showed me how to play the upright bass I started to remember and all these things I’d learned years ago it was like a life-changing dream.

00:10:05.790 –> 00:10:18.540 Charles Humphrey: The very next day, I went out and signed up for classical bass lessons just on my own at the university, and then it turns out, you know, several years later, one of my first gigs touring around.

00:10:19.740 –> 00:10:24.270 Charles Humphrey: With Steve Martin, we actually got to play Carnegie Hall, so it was a dream come true, I thought that was kind of cool.

00:10:26.640 –> 00:10:29.220 Joseph McElroy: It is nice when your childhood dreams come true.

00:10:30.420 –> 00:10:32.040 Joseph McElroy: What was that was as.

00:10:32.040 –> 00:10:32.460 Charles Humphrey: far as.

00:10:32.850 –> 00:10:36.690 Charles Humphrey: As far as growing up with music, though, you know, I was around a lot of country music.

00:10:37.230 –> 00:10:48.960 Charles Humphrey: From my grandfather and that extensive music collection and then, in my dad and I have a younger sister, and if we were misbehaving in the car the punishment was he’d put on our stuff wants across Texas because we hated it.

00:10:49.650 –> 00:10:53.700 Charles Humphrey: And that was our punishment, but I kind of learned to love that awesome.

00:10:56.340 –> 00:11:09.030 Joseph McElroy: So you in college, you did form some friends and relationships with friends you end up creating you know your claim band is the steep Canyon Rangers and you’re with a few.

00:11:10.950 –> 00:11:11.730 Joseph McElroy: years.

00:11:12.750 –> 00:11:20.160 Joseph McElroy: And you but you all started that in college, I mean that’s sort of interesting for you to be cut, did you feel like you are a professional musician in college?

00:11:20.880 –> 00:11:32.460 Charles Humphrey: I think a lot of bands that start out in college start out as friends and have a good launchpad because people come from different backgrounds and people are looking for things to do you know I think that’s a classic story.

00:11:33.540 –> 00:11:38.520 Charles Humphrey: But I’ve really had to work at my craft of music and songwriting especially to hone it.

00:11:38.910 –> 00:11:52.200 Charles Humphrey: To a place and put in your time and travel and learn the business side of things, as well as the performance to truly become professional but it’s always been fun and you know if you’re doing something you love, they say you never work a day in your life.

00:11:52.680 –> 00:12:00.870 Joseph McElroy: Where you know, then you decided to go out and explore your own creativity and different venues.

00:12:02.160 –> 00:12:08.850 Joseph McElroy: And that must have been a difficult decision to do that’s like a life transition right, so you went.

00:12:10.920 –> 00:12:19.860 Joseph McElroy: out and bought thing that was in your youth and then you started approaching middle age let’s say you were in middle age approaching it and you.

00:12:20.640 –> 00:12:29.160 Joseph McElroy: And you really you know went out developed other creative venues other things that you’re doing was it difficult to make that transition for you?

00:12:30.420 –> 00:12:40.770 Charles Humphrey: Well songs from the road band started in 2004 as a recording project based around me Mark Schema can say important who are still in the band kind of been the core.

00:12:41.220 –> 00:12:49.230 Charles Humphrey: And we’ve always supplemented it with friends and other local all-stars to put out it started as a recording band, where we would just.

00:12:49.470 –> 00:12:57.270Charles Humphrey: record songs and share them with the world and then about five or six years ago, we had the opportunity to put the band on the road full time, so we did that.

00:12:57.780 –> 00:13:09.360 Charles Humphrey: And it’s been very rewarding in 2019 we played over 200 shows in one year we’re really beating down the road and then, as everyone knows, covert hit not put the brakes on everything.

00:13:09.870 –> 00:13:20.940 Charles Humphrey: And that was a time of transition for me I’d always a song or it and a lot of it was virtual that during that time, I think I wrote like 140 songs all co-written with other people.

00:13:21.300 –> 00:13:31.410 Charles Humphrey: From right here, where I’m sitting now just like this on a zoom meeting and also opened up the opportunity to become a professional fishing guide, which is something that has always been pursued as a hobby before.

00:13:31.980 –> 00:13:38.070 Charles Humphrey: So there were some Those are some of the blessings of the strange times we’ve been coming through recently.

00:13:39.030 –> 00:13:51.060 Joseph McElroy: So you know I wanted to ask you a question about the name of the band I’m always fascinated by names, a new called it, you guys call it songs from the road, a road band.

00:13:51.570 –> 00:13:52.530 Charles Humphrey: Is there you know.

00:13:52.590 –> 00:13:59.160 Charles Humphrey: it’s an interesting story, the first record was just called songs from the road, because they were songs that I’ve written by traveling the road.

00:13:59.610 –> 00:14:06.120 Charles Humphrey: And then we kept making records, so it kind of became songs on the road band, by default, and then we would title the different records.

00:14:06.510 –> 00:14:17.580Charles Humphrey: So I don’t think I ever truly got a chance to just sit down and think of, hey what really cool band name would be make this band extremely popular nobody’s ever heard of it so.

00:14:17.940 –> 00:14:21.540 Charles Humphrey: We might have missed the button identity but that’s where the name came from.

00:14:22.410 –> 00:14:35.760 Joseph McElroy: Well it’s interesting because you just mentioned, you went on the road 200 times right, so you sort of name your band the brand that you are living it’s all kind of authentic you’re like an authentic brand.

00:14:36.210 –> 00:14:36.900 Charles Humphrey: Right yes.

00:14:36.960 –> 00:14:40.890 Charles Humphrey: We are the troubadours we have probably slept on your couch or.

00:14:42.270 –> 00:14:53.520 Charles Humphrey: Your van or bus or train or plane and inspire it’s an inspiring way of life it’s a hard way of life, I don’t think I ever want to go back to doing that many shows a year.

00:14:53.790 –> 00:15:03.120Charles Humphrey: yeah we’re kind of stepping back and trying to you know to stay relevant in certain markets work on the records and play the festivals and in bigger venues.

00:15:04.050 –> 00:15:10.800 Joseph McElroy: Well cool so um we’re going to take a break, right now, when we come back we’ll talk more about your music and then we’ll get into that fly fishing.

00:15:12.090 –> 00:15:14.220 Charles Humphrey: yeah man let’s do it sounds good to talk about.

00:17:33.060 –> 00:17:43.050 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Charles Humphrey III so Charles.

00:17:44.280 –> 00:17:55.860 Joseph McElroy: I was reading on your website and there was a quote, that said that your band songs from the road band are considered the epitome of a new grass band so tell me what is new grass.

00:17:56.970 –> 00:18:04.500 Charles Humphrey: Man, you know that’s an interesting question I guess well bluegrass is a relatively new form of music started in 1946 with

00:18:05.100 –> 00:18:14.610 Charles Humphrey: Bill Monroe and the other first-generation pioneers like the Stanley brothers and Earl Scruggs and there was a band that came along, new grass revival and they seemed a little.

00:18:15.570 –> 00:18:16.320 Joseph McElroy: little different.

00:18:16.350 –> 00:18:26.340Charles Humphrey: Little more aggressive style play covers, and you know they were considered just you know, for the time just groundbreaking and I’ve always been one of my favorite bands still are.

00:18:27.180 –> 00:18:35.010 Charles Humphrey: And you go back and listen to that stuff now and it’s almost like it sounds traditional compared to some of the new stuff that’s coming out, I mean you’ve got pioneers like.

00:18:36.630 –> 00:18:42.870 Charles Humphrey: Green sky bluegrass and billy strings that are using acoustic instruments, but basically playing rock and roll and.

00:18:43.260 –> 00:18:49.110 Charles Humphrey: Turning people on to bluegrass I’ve never even heard of the genre which is good for everyone, you know the.

00:18:49.590 –> 00:18:59.310 Charles Humphrey: a rising tide raises all the boats and we kind of fall somewhere in between there we’ve got a deep respect for traditional music and incorporated it into our sound.

00:18:59.760 –> 00:19:14.610 Charles Humphrey: As well as bringing in outside of music and doing it in a style and our records have typically been more traditional than the live show, sometimes in the live show we will incorporate or big lights and.

00:19:14.970 –> 00:19:26.670 Charles Humphrey: Our favorite crowd to play for are just people that love music not people that are there to see 30 bands that are all considered the same random music, which is fine, too, so.

00:19:27.960 –> 00:19:37.050 Charles Humphrey: I guess it’s based around the songwriting and the harmony singing and the improvement in providing solos within the format of the song.

00:19:37.890 –> 00:19:42.840 Charles Humphrey: So I don’t know what’s new grass what’s old grass, but.

00:19:43.320 –> 00:19:54.300 Charles Humphrey: You know we’re trying to bring something new to it and keep the music alive basically spread joy through music make people happy, let them forget about their everyday worries and when they’re spending their hard-earned money to see some loud music.

00:19:55.140 –> 00:20:11.580 Joseph McElroy: I love that I mean you know, I think that the essences you know are there’s joy bluegrass that this catching I motel we play when people come in there’s bluegrass play, and you know you see people just light up with it.

00:20:12.060 –> 00:20:12.480 Charles Humphrey: That is a.

00:20:13.440 –> 00:20:14.460 That is a great spot.

00:20:16.320 –> 00:20:20.520 Charles Humphrey: Is it right there on the river and Maggie valley it’s really nice but.

00:20:20.970 –> 00:20:25.080 Joseph McElroy: cool so you know I’ve had a number of bluegrass musicians come through here.

00:20:26.160 –> 00:20:35.430 Joseph McElroy: You know, one or two of them, I mentioned that you know the that there’s real deep respect for tradition, but sometimes it becomes also.

00:20:36.240 –> 00:20:48.810 Joseph McElroy: a hard and fast rule that somebody actually uses the phrase there’s a bluegrass mafia out there that won’t you won’t let you introduce new things do you find that sometimes sort of the stuff that you guys want to do to do it’s hard to introduce.

00:20:49.380 –> 00:20:54.360 Charles Humphrey: Well, not anymore, I mean I’ve been doing this for 25 years, and you know played.

00:20:54.810 –> 00:21:07.830 CharlesHumphrey: upright bass for 20 of that now I’m playing electric bass and I don’t feel like I have to prove anything anybody, but I will tell you this, when I was young man fought like hell, to get into that traditional scene and once I got there, I felt like hell, to get out of it.

00:21:12.390 –> 00:21:13.260 Joseph McElroy: To get to do.

00:21:14.880 –> 00:21:15.270 Charles Humphrey: I was.

00:21:15.390 –> 00:21:16.470 Joseph McElroy: I was just fishing with.

00:21:16.500 –> 00:21:17.250 Charles Humphrey: My good buddy.

00:21:18.660 –> 00:21:22.320 CharlesHumphrey: David Long yesterday, and he was like Charles you remember the first time we met.

00:21:23.100 –> 00:21:39.300 Charles Humphrey: I was like not really tell me to remind me and he said, we were at this festival, I was playing with the wildwood valley boys and the Stanley brothers were there, Jim and Jesse were there Ralph Stanley was there I was like the man it’s awesome I forgot to know about that.

00:21:40.320 –> 00:21:43.590 Charles Humphrey: We told him that line he had about the same reaction as you.

00:21:45.750 –> 00:21:53.700 Joseph McElroy: well know it’s true, I think that a lot of times you know when you’re young you really work to get into acceptance in a certain area and then all of a sudden, you realize.

00:21:54.090 –> 00:22:03.690 Joseph McElroy: boy it’s constraining me from what I really want to do well, so I’m glad you mentioned it to make your way out there because you’re doing some great work now.

00:22:03.720 –> 00:22:06.690 Charles Humphrey: Well, you know we like to have a foot in all places.

00:22:07.650 –> 00:22:13.080 Joseph McElroy: So you, yeah I mean you doing all this stuff touring writing setting out went out, you know all that.

00:22:17.460 –> 00:22:23.310 Joseph McElroy: You wrongs right, I know you did a lot of the important songs in the past that you’ve been done for.

00:22:24.750 –> 00:22:32.310 Joseph McElroy: You also started a record label what it looks Luckscdumpy toad records represent and what’s the name stands for.

00:22:32.670 –> 00:22:33.930 Charles Humphrey: yeah that’s a good question.

00:22:35.190 –> 00:22:40.050 Charles Humphrey: Another one of those situations where maybe not enough time was put into selecting the name.

00:22:41.790 –> 00:22:49.800Charles Humphrey: Well, I had that first song from the road band record coming out and it was about to be released and I was having to register all the songs I didn’t have time.

00:22:50.430 –> 00:23:02.370 Charles Humphrey: to vet the names there’s a kind of a timeline with when you’re choosing your publishing company names, where you turn in what your top choices are, and if it’s already taken you didn’t get it.

00:23:03.810 –> 00:23:06.750 Charles Humphrey: And I was pretty sure that name hadn’t been taken.

00:23:09.570 –> 00:23:10.500 Charles Humphrey: It was just someone.

00:23:11.760 –> 00:23:14.880 Charles Humphrey: Saying my best friend from childhood had.

00:23:16.380 –> 00:23:18.420 Charles Humphrey: made up when night when I was visiting him in.

00:23:18.420 –> 00:23:26.520 Charles Humphrey: Wilmington North Carolina and I was like I have no idea what that means, but it’s kind of fun to say I was like nobody else has ever thought of this I’m going to put this out.

00:23:27.060 –> 00:23:33.750 Charles Humphrey: As the publishing company which became the record label for a lot of independent releases and that’s the story behind the name.

00:23:33.990 –> 00:23:40.770 Joseph McElroy: All right, well it’s as good as any right yeah sometimes it over-intellectualizing names make them on fox.

00:23:42.570 –> 00:23:44.820 Joseph McElroy: So we’re located national.

00:23:45.360 –> 00:23:51.690 Charles Humphrey: Live right here in West Asheville North Carolina to two children spends a lot of time in North Carolina.

00:23:52.350 –> 00:24:02.910 Charles Humphrey: And then, with the fishing, I’m traveling a whole lot with high trout is the name of the company I’ll work with and we got in North Georgia Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee.

00:24:03.390 –> 00:24:11.700 Charles Humphrey: So there’s a lot of getting up at 5 am and driving two or three hours to be on the River by sunrise and fishing all day and drive them back, but boy do I love it.

00:24:12.150 –> 00:24:14.370 Joseph McElroy: yeah Well, no, I mean.

00:24:18.180 –> 00:24:22.320 Joseph McElroy: With diverse passions is, I think.

00:24:23.460 –> 00:24:34.650 Joseph McElroy: it really you know, makes the life that you want to leave because you know, you can have some access discussing notable endeavors and some of them are big successes, but some are successes for yourself.

00:24:35.040 –> 00:24:47.130 Joseph McElroy: And those are purchases important absolutely is there any success that you’ve had just for yourself, you know related to say fishing with your you know it’s you know talk about a lot that you really feel proud of.

00:24:49.680 –> 00:24:51.690 Charles Humphrey: Well I’ve taken a lot of leaps of faith.

00:24:53.310 –> 00:25:05.130 Charles Humphrey: a few years ago I bought a saltwater boat and pitched a lot in oriental North Carolina and enjoy doing stuff like that for the old drum and black drum and speckled trout and.

00:25:06.720 –> 00:25:14.640 Charles Humphrey: flounder and all kinds of stuff and really made some good friends over at endurance seafood that Bruno family their commercial fisherman and area and he.

00:25:15.210 –> 00:25:30.600 Charles Humphrey: kind of showed me how to Tom on hanging on the net and do some net fishing and a record with a recreational license just trying to it came from a love of the area and wanting to learn about the fishing industry there and then you know, going from.

00:25:31.650 –> 00:25:41.160 Charles Humphrey: Primarily 99% euro nipping fly fishing style to undertaking the drift boat and guiding from the boat and have people float.

00:25:42.000 –> 00:25:44.880 Charles Humphrey: You know that was a leap of faith to and really enjoyed that so.

00:25:45.360 –> 00:25:58.770 Charles Humphrey: I think, whenever I try something new that I don’t know about I kind of go all-in on it and just try to learn as much as I can spend as much time about it, and then, when you when it comes kind of second nature, you start to feel comfortable with it, I think that’s a personal success.

00:26:00.330 –> 00:26:15.540 Joseph McElroy: Is there um do you find you know fly fishing in a way, is almost meditative and you’re on the River by yourself and then I imagine that songwriting most of the time to sort of a meditative by yourself, is there a relationship, but you find his way thing.

00:26:17.760 –> 00:26:30.030Charles Humphrey: was just by yourself, but I actually prefer to do both with other people, I mean I love fishing with other people have as much fun as watching somebody who’s just learning or someone catches it personal best fish.

00:26:30.780 –> 00:26:39.420 Charles Humphrey: just watching them meet one of their goals is doing it myself because I kind of gets the fish all the time, so I love seeing other people do it, and when it comes to songwriting I really like to co-write.

00:26:39.900 –> 00:26:50.580 Charles Humphrey: Because you get this camaraderie kind of like you and I are doing here we’re doing this show we’re working off each other we’re going off our first impressions and so you’re creating something out of nothing and you’ve got.

00:26:51.360 –> 00:26:57.000 Charles Humphrey: More first impressions to filter and shape into a song that you both can be proud of, so.

00:26:57.690 –> 00:27:08.280Charles Humphrey: You know there’s maybe the guy out there who only fishes by himself and only uses one dry fly and only matches the hatch and you know, whatever but there’s also people that like to fish together so.

00:27:08.550 –> 00:27:12.480 Charles Humphrey: I think you can get out of it, what you put into it or shape it to what you want it to be.

00:27:13.170 –> 00:27:15.840 Joseph McElroy: cool yeah that reminds me there was a big.

00:27:19.230 –> 00:27:25.290 Joseph McElroy: thing where there’s a guy that was and somewhere in the South who asked that he couldn’t find.

00:27:26.700 –> 00:27:33.960 Joseph McElroy: Somebody to go fishing with him and he got an overwhelming response from guys all over the South to be his fishing buddy.

00:27:34.260 –> 00:27:43.230 Joseph McElroy: And they didn’t care that he was gay, so it was a really heartwarming thing to see you know and counter to what you know, sometimes the southern stereotype is.

00:27:44.310 –> 00:27:50.310 Joseph McElroy: You know because it seems that you know fishing crosses all boundaries and all yeah I think.

00:27:50.310 –> 00:28:01.830 Charles Humphrey: Fishing and music bring people together in general, just like you say crossing boundaries or however you want to look at it different lifestyles kind of the same thing that experience I’ve had with the ultra running to.

00:28:02.370 –> 00:28:02.760 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:28:03.060 –> 00:28:13.380 Charles Humphrey: You have people going out there running these you know marathons 50 K 50 miler event 200 miler events and they come from all walks of life, you know all.

00:28:14.040 –> 00:28:18.300 Charles Humphrey: Just nobody’s alike, but they had this one thing in common, which is ultra running.

00:28:18.960 –> 00:28:24.810 Charles Humphrey: And they’re usually pretty decent people because they have at least enough discipline to train their body to build accomplish a goal like that.

00:28:25.140 –> 00:28:33.840 Charles Humphrey: And once you get out there and meet him for the first time and you’re suffering together, you have this like instant bond, and you just make all these great friends from different walks of life.

00:28:34.410 –> 00:28:49.290 Charles Humphrey: And that’s another great thing about the smoky mountains in this area is that just like there are thousands of miles of great trout streams of all varieties of fishing and styles of trout they’re equally as many mountains trails and places to run an explorer.

00:28:50.580 –> 00:29:01.380 Joseph McElroy: So I’m sensing the common theme you love co-creation right and now so cool who is who’s your favorite co-writers.

00:29:02.250 –> 00:29:08.280Charles Humphrey: And Jim Lauderdale sure people have heard of him the King of broken hearts and.

00:29:09.420 –> 00:29:13.620 Charles Humphrey: Right, a lot of a guy in Nashville Marty Datsun we’ve had some success we’ve got to.

00:29:14.100 –> 00:29:26.550 CharlesHumphrey: be a Nick dolphin a road and I wrote a song it’s been that number one for five weeks in a row now and the bluegrass today grass account a chart it’s a single that’ll be our upcoming record from songs to the roadman titled Amarillo blue.

00:29:27.690 –> 00:29:31.590 Charles Humphrey: Sean camp Charlie Chamberlain feel Barker.

00:29:33.480 –> 00:29:34.650 Tom use.

00:29:36.390 –> 00:29:39.540 Charles Humphrey: there are so many people who are right with me I’m sure I’m leaving some names out but.

00:29:39.930 –> 00:29:42.720 Joseph McElroy: who happen to read with it, wrote, with it’s you want to write with.

00:29:43.800 –> 00:29:48.930 Charles Humphrey: Oh man that’s a good question you know I kind of want to write with whoever sells a lot of records.

00:29:53.880 –> 00:29:56.160 Joseph McElroy: Right I’ll let them do all the writing and I’ll take credit.

00:29:58.170 –> 00:30:02.670 Charles Humphrey: that’s the ticket man I’ll tell you, listeners, right now if you want to get cuts right with the artist.

00:30:03.750 –> 00:30:04.200 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:30:05.430 –> 00:30:13.200 Joseph McElroy: that’s the secret all right when we come back let’s explore more about your efficiency in your long-distance endurance stuff, which are all both incredible.

00:30:13.560 –> 00:30:14.760 Charles Humphrey: sounds good let’s do.

00:30:18.780 –> 00:30:21.060 Joseph McElroy: manacles and how it impacts your life.

00:32:47.670 –> 00:32:59.730 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Charles Humphrey the third so Charles I would be remiss, not to mention that.

00:33:00.420 –> 00:33:11.100 Joseph McElroy: you’re planning, along with Bob plot, who is the general manager of the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center an exciting new songwriter camp.

00:33:12.180 –> 00:33:12.900 Charles Humphrey: We are.

00:33:12.960 –> 00:33:20.880 Charles Humphrey: Bob Bob and I’ve been talking a lot about that and we’re very excited about it, he had he shares and enthusiasm for all things.

00:33:21.810 –> 00:33:25.050 Charles Humphrey: Relating to the culture of Western North Carolina and love songwriting.

00:33:25.530 –> 00:33:32.550 Charles Humphrey: And so I jumped at the opportunity to host an event such a beautiful place where you’ve got the built-in lodging and venue and everything.

00:33:32.910 –> 00:33:40.950 Charles Humphrey: And we think that’s going to happen in the spring, potentially April and there’s a good chance that you’ll see me and some other people like.

00:33:41.610 –> 00:33:48.300 Charles Humphrey: Potentially Jim Lauderdale Sean Camp and we’ll bring in a handful of writers and lodge them and feed them and.

00:33:48.630 –> 00:34:03.660 Charles Humphrey: and work with them and share stories and show them how the recording process works talk about song pitching jam together, do you know guitar swaps and it’s going to be a really neat opportunity for people that love the craft of songwriting.

00:34:04.410 –> 00:34:09.750 Joseph McElroy: cool and I think you’re, you said you might be setting up a little studio to do some put together something rather there.

00:34:10.080 –> 00:34:16.230 Charles Humphrey: yeah you know I think it’s important for these people to see the process of our work tape or a DEMO tape might be made.

00:34:16.680 –> 00:34:26.550 Charles Humphrey: So we’ll definitely let everybody get a taste of that as well, and you know I’m sure there’ll be some songs born out of being at the camp and the writers out of there, which is always exciting.

00:34:27.330 –> 00:34:29.940 Joseph McElroy: Now, everything is mostly just for real aspiring.

00:34:31.080 –> 00:34:34.860 Joseph McElroy: songwriters are serious fans of aficionados be.

00:34:34.980 –> 00:34:36.360 Joseph McElroy: Man, well, I think.

00:34:36.420 –> 00:34:45.420 Charles Humphrey: Any level would be welcome, you know just with a range of talent, we have there obviously everyone could get something out of it, but you know it could just be like.

00:34:47.130 –> 00:34:50.970 Charles Humphrey: I don’t know, to me it would be like going to Disney world as a songwriter you know.

00:34:51.900 –> 00:35:04.590 Charles Humphrey: Work with people that caliber and such a neat location, I mean it could be a total beginner or could be an accomplished songwriter that you know, I was looking for a getaway and wants to be around some great people and create some music.

00:35:05.400 –> 00:35:14.610 Joseph McElroy: I think that being involved in the creative process, and even if you don’t actually have professional ambitions, is one of the most beautiful experiences, you can have.

00:35:15.630 –> 00:35:19.560 Joseph McElroy: In terms of you know, finding some life experiences.

00:35:21.450 –> 00:35:23.010 Joseph McElroy: Absolutely, well, I know.

00:35:24.660 –> 00:35:29.880 Charles Humphrey: People that love music or one to one to learn how to write or are just curious about it.

00:35:30.180 –> 00:35:39.660 Charles Humphrey: I mean everybody’s got a story everybody’s got inspiration everybody could have input and when you’re co-writing you know you draw on the strength of your other writers and it may be somebody that

00:35:40.230 –> 00:35:48.300 Charles Humphrey: Are you know got 50 number one hits or maybe somebody is their first time but they’ve got a great story about their grandma grandpa and it could turn into a great song.

00:35:49.020 –> 00:35:54.630 Joseph McElroy: cool and you know we have a nice little trust string right there on the property called the.

00:35:54.630 –> 00:35:58.440 Charles Humphrey: Job man, I saw that I saw that is a nice little trout stream.

00:35:58.470 –> 00:36:04.290 Joseph McElroy: it’s about inherently strong so maybe you can one of the brakes could be taking people out there, doing some fly fishing right.

00:36:05.160 –> 00:36:07.890 Charles Humphrey: Absolutely, that is a wonderful area, the country to find.

00:36:08.280 –> 00:36:20.310 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah so you have actually been you’ve mentioned it before, but you become quite an expert, I mean people talk about it you’re an expert in fly fishing and actually in guided tours around the North care.

00:36:24.060 –> 00:36:27.000 Joseph McElroy: How did you what spurred that decision.

00:36:27.540 –> 00:36:31.230 Charles Humphrey: Well, Dan Sasser who started high trout gods.

00:36:32.550 –> 00:36:40.470 Charles Humphrey: contacted me on the recommendation of a mutual friend, that is a guide and fly shop owner in western North Carolina.

00:36:41.010 –> 00:36:48.240 CharlesHumphrey: And we hit it off right off the BAT you know we really got along really shared a passion and a common vision of not just.

00:36:48.660 –> 00:37:00.720 Charles Humphrey: You know run an efficient business, but making it an experience and focusing on education and really you know, making it something special for the people that come out there, you know and.

00:37:01.650 –> 00:37:19.350 Charles Humphrey: it’s just been a blessing to work with him and work with somebody that that is so enthusiastic about fishing and so knowledgeable and they want to teach the euro style of fishing, which some people call it tight line nymph thing or contact name thing and basically.

00:37:20.550 –> 00:37:26.520 Charles Humphrey: you’re not making big cast like brad Pitt and the river runs through it you’ve got a long lightweight rod.

00:37:27.180 –> 00:37:33.630 Charles Humphrey: With thin line hardly indicator and small bugs and you’re working on getting a perfect dead drift the full these fish.

00:37:33.960 –> 00:37:39.390 Charles Humphrey: These huge fish, you know they probably two or 300 of these tiny, tiny bugs all year round.

00:37:39.720 –> 00:37:46.290 Charles Humphrey: And by not using corks and bombers and all this other stuff you’re not scaring them and you’re kind of dissection the river and then you look into these.

00:37:46.590 –> 00:37:57.600 Charles Humphrey: Beautiful fish and have a chance to land them properly, we teach people how to do that and then how to handle them and hopefully release them to be called another day and it’s.

00:37:58.470 –> 00:38:04.800 Joseph McElroy: what’s big for trout at the spot these trout streams in the mountains.

00:38:04.980 –> 00:38:09.960 Charles Humphrey: Well it’s interesting and we do everything you know, some people want to go up into the mountains and catch.

00:38:12.420 –> 00:38:19.080 Charles Humphrey: wild fish or you know fish that have been born in the river and they love these colors of the beautiful.

00:38:19.560 –> 00:38:27.420 Charles Humphrey: rainbows and rookies and rounds, which can be smaller fish but just as rewarding because you know they were born in the wild know beautiful colors and.

00:38:28.380 –> 00:38:42.150Charles Humphrey: Then there are areas of the rivers that are stocked with massive fish and there are some areas that are wild fisheries and then there are some areas that are privately managed waters and so we’ll do whatever the client wants to do and I love it all.

00:38:42.180 –> 00:38:44.850 Joseph McElroy: So I don’t want to offend any group of fishermen by.

00:38:44.850 –> 00:38:52.560Charles Humphrey: Saying one size fish one style of the fishing one you know this or that it’s better than the other, we love it all will do whatever they want to do.

00:38:52.920 –> 00:38:56.040 Charles Humphrey: But I do have an affinity for fishing in North Georgia.

00:38:56.520 –> 00:39:12.870 Charles Humphrey: Which is some of the private managed waters and the fish are very large they’re huge and it’s an opportunity for someone who’s never caught a large trout to go out there and learn how to properly land efficiently a lifetime on lightweight tackle.

00:39:13.560 –> 00:39:13.980 Joseph McElroy: and

00:39:14.190 –> 00:39:21.720 Charles Humphrey: And you’ll get to do it a lot, the whole day long so that way you know if you’re back in your wild stream and you took the biggest fish you ever call you’ll know how to land them and not just.

00:39:21.720 –> 00:39:23.640 break them off and it’s.

00:39:25.140 –> 00:39:30.450 Joseph McElroy: At the Jonathan creek park I caught a 2222 inch fish rainbow once.

00:39:30.750 –> 00:39:31.200 So.

00:39:32.310 –> 00:39:33.240 Charles Humphrey: That little creek.

00:39:33.330 –> 00:39:41.670 Joseph McElroy: That was big I was yeah was it, you know it’s an interesting creek get stock but also has great little brown trout in there, but an ass right.

00:39:41.940 –> 00:39:42.450 Joseph McElroy: that’s.

00:39:42.780 –> 00:39:55.290 Charles Humphrey: What I’ve been fishing a lot over and Eastern Tennessee and because it’s so hot now in western North Carolina you don’t want to fish in temperatures are areas where the fish are going to get stressed out from catching them.

00:39:55.710 –> 00:40:04.020 Charles Humphrey: In the water being too low temperature is too high, so we’ve been fishing a lot and damn released waters over in Tennessee where the water stays cold year-round.

00:40:04.920 –> 00:40:14.820 Charles Humphrey: And that’s Another advantage of being able to get people on the boat too is you can fish in the middle of the summer, where the waters are still fishing well and they’re healthy you’re not going to hurt the fish.

00:40:15.270 –> 00:40:20.640 Joseph McElroy: Now you’re planning on know, maybe doing a fly fishing camp over the middle there.

00:40:20.970 –> 00:40:22.170Charles Humphrey: we’re going to do that we’re going to work.

00:40:22.170 –> 00:40:30.120 Charles Humphrey: With Bob plot and have high trout involved and we’re going to do some areas of education, where we.

00:40:30.810 –> 00:40:35.790 Charles Humphrey: Teach all things to fly fishing and then we’re going to take the people and go out and put them on the water and just have a.

00:40:36.360 –> 00:40:50.160 Charles Humphrey: Big old time catching fish and telling lies and maybe have some music and videos or something wind up the night campfire, maybe it’s that’s going to be another great event for the community for people that are interesting and fly fishing.

00:40:50.850 –> 00:40:55.920 Joseph McElroy: So how can people find more about this trout these trout ventures that you take people on.

00:40:56.520 –> 00:41:05.850 Charles Humphrey: High trout.com where you can contact the company through the website through Instagram through Facebook, you can also contact me.

00:41:06.210 –> 00:41:21.750 Charles Humphrey: Directly all the information and rates, with the exception of private or fees are on the website, and we would love to entertain you like we have guaranteed adventure guaranteed education and I like to say a high chance of catching quality fish.

00:41:23.040 –> 00:41:24.600 Charles Humphrey: But you know you can’t control the weather and you.

00:41:24.600 –> 00:41:25.530 Joseph McElroy: can’t control the bike.

00:41:25.710 –> 00:41:27.390 But I want to talk about this done.

00:41:29.070 –> 00:41:43.260 Joseph McElroy: So I want to talk about this, I read, I want, I want to talk about this, I read that you were inspired by Christopher McDougall’s bestseller born to run and then you’ve now become active directory or What was it about that book, then what and what do you do.

00:41:45.000 –> 00:41:51.060 Charles Humphrey: I mean I got into it totally by mistake I picked that book up into the in the airport and changed my life.

00:41:52.140 –> 00:42:00.450 Charles Humphrey: You know it’s about his experience running with this tribe of natural born runners down in Mexico and they were on barefoot it’s about these toe shoes and.

00:42:00.810 –> 00:42:12.780 Charles Humphrey: went out and ran like seven or nine miles, I was like oh wow this is amazing and sells like oh i’m going to do a marathon I could never do that well, eventually, I found out that if you’re running around here toe shoes aren’t going to cut it because there’s a lot of rocks.

00:42:12.810 –> 00:42:13.440 Joseph McElroy: So I got it.

00:42:15.090 –> 00:42:21.930 Charles Humphrey: I did a marathon and I thought I was going to finish in like five hours or something I ended up doing it, and like three and a half, I had no idea.

00:42:22.590 –> 00:42:38.490 CharlesHumphrey: And so I did another one and I had to go faster than the first one, and after the second one, I was like hold on a second this running fast stuff is for the birds i’m never doing this, I want to see how far I can go not how fast, I can go, so I went from marathon to.

00:42:39.840 –> 00:42:51.030 Charles Humphrey: mile or 224-hour race 200 miler eventually got into the lottery of the Western states endurance run, which is kind of like the super bowl of ultra running they have.

00:42:51.780 –> 00:42:57.150 Charles Humphrey: A certain number of pro spots and then a small number of people are getting buy raffle and you run.

00:42:57.540 –> 00:43:08.670 Charles Humphrey: From squaw valley to auburn California, to the Sierra Nevada mountains and it’s 100 miles a year I did it the first it was over 100 degrees, the whole way in this first 16 miles of it was snow.

00:43:09.060 –> 00:43:18.270 Charles Humphrey: It was a very good challenge, to say the least we’re going along and jumping in these rivers, just to keep our body temperature down which, of course, leads that.

00:43:18.660 –> 00:43:28.590 Charles Humphrey: Your shorts rubbing on your legs and all kinds of chafing and crazy stuff but I managed to make it through and that was one of the highlights of my running career.

00:43:29.550 –> 00:43:39.090 Charles Humphrey: The other thing I like about the running as we mentioned touched on it before was the Community but we’ve been able to give back to the Community, a little bit like I’m the race director for.

00:43:39.870 –> 00:43:51.180 Charles Humphrey: A 50 K ultramarathon that happens in North Carolina and benefits the candidate Foundation, which is the nonprofit of Oskar blues and they do a lot of things like.

00:43:51.750 –> 00:44:01.140 Charles Humphrey: trail maintenance flood relief tunes ambassadors, the band, and I get help them get instruments to kids in schools that need them and.

00:44:01.770 –> 00:44:13.800 Charles Humphrey: We have not done the hullabaloo 50 K, the past two years, because the forest service has not been doing permits out of safety concerns, but we hope that it will be back in November of 2022.

00:44:14.310 –> 00:44:20.940 Joseph McElroy: wow well how do you find that internal what is the training like, how do you manage to do that.

00:44:23.820 –> 00:44:24.960 Charles Humphrey: You run a lot.

00:44:25.410 –> 00:44:29.340 Charles Humphrey: The biggest thing without you know just talking too much is.

00:44:29.700 –> 00:44:36.330 Charles Humphrey: you’re going to train for long-distance you don’t have to go out and run that distance before you just have to simulate what it feels like to run.

00:44:36.990 –> 00:44:47.400 Charles Humphrey: That deep in the race, so if I was going to train for something crazy like that 100 mile or even more a lot of the stuff I’ve done what wasn’t even advanced so just kind of local routes that local runners like to do.

00:44:48.060 –> 00:44:59.850 Charles Humphrey: The key is to do a back to back run we say you’ll go out and run 20 miles and then the next day go out and do the second the same amount and that second day you’re running on very tired legs and that simulates what it’s.

00:44:59.880 –> 00:45:00.660 Joseph McElroy: Like to run.

00:45:00.810 –> 00:45:15.750 arlo humphrey: You run 60 7080 or 90 miles and once you can train your body to operate in those conditions, then it’s just a matter of staying hydrated and fueled and you just if you can you know not to get sick, you can just keep going it’s not like you get exponentially more tired.

00:45:16.140 –> 00:45:21.870 Joseph McElroy: yeah what what what’s the best trail in the smoky mountains for somebody wanted to be a long run.

00:45:24.000 –> 00:45:33.240 arlo humphrey: My favorite Western North Carolina running adventure, is something that was started by Adam hill.

00:45:33.870 –> 00:45:43.530 arlo humphrey: And he calls it, the pixel this run is when you run from mount pigs good amount Mitchell and you just take the mountains to see the trail the whole way 68 miles.

00:45:44.040 –> 00:45:49.740 arlo humphrey: And it is a beast of a run I mean it really is a challenge, and you know it’s kind of an accomplishment.

00:45:50.520 –> 00:46:02.520 arlo humphrey: If you live in this area as a runner say that you’ve completed that route and one effort and that’s my favorite probably one of my favorite ones around here, but there are thousands or livery are so many great places to run.

00:46:03.090 –> 00:46:09.450 Joseph McElroy: cool well we come back, I want to finish up a little bit about you and then and the things you’re doing in the future, thanks, Joseph.

00:47:13.890 –> 00:47:14.400 Most of the.

00:48:43.500 –> 00:49:01.200 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my esteemed guests Charles Humphrey the third so Charles before I go too much further right this one, I saw this little you know almost like an aside, on your resume.

00:49:01.590 –> 00:49:02.010 Joseph McElroy: That says.

00:49:02.520 –> 00:49:08.910 Joseph McElroy: you’re in an honorary Kentucky colonel, how did that happen that’s like a really great thing.

00:49:09.510 –> 00:49:28.380 arlo humphrey: yeah man, that was a nice little feathered having the hat, I was traveling with a group of musicians down on the delta queen riverboat and I met a horse guy he gives her talks about horse racing he bets on horses I’ve been to the Kentucky Derby with him.

00:49:28.380 –> 00:49:39.150 arlo humphrey: His name was Jim playful and we Evidently, we made a great impression on him that week, and he told the governor that these guys had to be Kentucky kernels.

00:49:39.510 –> 00:49:55.770 arlo humphrey: So we all got asked to be Kentucky kernels based on our time on the delta queen riverboat we spent with him, and it has been a lifelong friendship and you know going to the Kentucky Derby and being a part of that was a great experience as well, so.

00:49:57.060 –> 00:50:03.150 arlo humphrey: It just happened out of chance and out of luck just making friends, you know a lot of things.

00:50:03.210 –> 00:50:05.040 Joseph McElroy: A lot of time in life is just it’s just.

00:50:05.760 –> 00:50:07.440 arlo humphrey: I mean, it really is it’s kind of like.

00:50:07.800 –> 00:50:08.790 arlo humphrey: Who, you know.

00:50:12.210 –> 00:50:17.970 arlo humphrey: talk to people, be a good person be a nice person get back to the Community and work hard good things will happen.

00:50:18.840 –> 00:50:26.490 Joseph McElroy: So you know there’s shows a little bit of a travelogue so I mentioned this earlier and you live in West asheville which I think is an interesting play.

00:50:28.530 –> 00:50:39.990 Joseph McElroy: Yes, it’s changed ask you has become very it’s very it’s got its got a restaurant there low I love called jog on which you know as yes excellent food it’s got.

00:50:41.100 –> 00:50:51.480 Joseph McElroy: Good yeah So if I like to ask what is a day diet day I itinerary and we don’t have a lot of time, but you know what Where would you send somebody to breakfast and West Asheville.

00:50:53.550 –> 00:50:56.910 arlo humphrey: Oh, you either have to go to sunny point CAFE or biscuit head.

00:50:57.180 –> 00:50:59.460 Joseph McElroy: Oh, you got a boat I love those places.

00:50:59.790 –> 00:51:12.330 arlo humphrey: toss up yeah but you know it really the lines going to probably be too long at both yeah and so you’d have to go somewhere else which.

00:51:12.780 –> 00:51:19.200 Joseph McElroy: where’s now in West Asheville an early girl, which has got a pretty good and they don’t have a big line and.

00:51:21.240 –> 00:51:24.840 arlo humphrey: it’s hard to go wrong Those are the two most popular ones, though yeah.

00:51:26.520 –> 00:51:26.850 Joseph McElroy: And then.

00:51:29.190 –> 00:51:31.980 Joseph McElroy: To do unless actually bring the morning.

00:51:33.270 –> 00:51:37.980 arlo humphrey: Well, most of my mornings are wake up before the sun comes up and leaving West asheville.

00:51:39.420 –> 00:51:41.100 Joseph McElroy: go up go out somewhere right yeah.

00:51:41.190 –> 00:51:48.810 arlo humphrey: i’ve been to Tennessee drive into Maggie valley driving tuck a CG driving to prove are driving to.

00:51:49.410 –> 00:51:51.570 Joseph McElroy: A place to get to a lot of things yeah.

00:51:51.870 –> 00:51:52.740 arlo humphrey: But I.

00:51:52.830 –> 00:52:03.930 arlo humphrey: I do live here, I do have children, my son, and I really like to go to the retro arcade, which is a pinball arcade and video games he really enjoys that which is kind of a neat thing to have in the neighborhood.

00:52:05.040 –> 00:52:06.360 Joseph McElroy: And where would you take him Luxton.

00:52:08.160 –> 00:52:11.790 arlo humphrey: Where would he go to lunch, well, I like.

00:52:13.320 –> 00:52:29.130 arlo humphrey: I like the wings at Westfield pub pretty good pizza mines got a good salad I like the whale is a nice bottle shop friend of mine owns that place it’s right next door to Zia Taqueria, which is a nice Mexican.

00:52:29.130 –> 00:52:29.820 place.

00:52:32.580 –> 00:52:38.040 Joseph McElroy: It so that’s good you give me some good options about the afternoon, what would you spend the afternoon with your son.

00:52:39.390 –> 00:52:46.560 arlo humphrey: um you might go tubing down the French broad river or go over to carrier park and.

00:52:47.910 –> 00:52:49.290 arlo humphrey: play on the playground.

00:52:50.490 –> 00:52:53.640 arlo humphrey: Where I’m like that maybe he’s really into the video games.

00:52:54.840 –> 00:52:58.110 Joseph McElroy: And then you drop your son off to your grandma or whatever.

00:52:58.980 –> 00:53:01.800 arlo humphrey: He was he’ll want to go to orbits DVD.

00:53:02.940 –> 00:53:03.810 Joseph McElroy: comic book.

00:53:04.140 –> 00:53:05.340 arlo humphrey: Video rental shop.

00:53:05.880 –> 00:53:13.740 Joseph McElroy: loves that place it’s a really cool store and now you drop the sun off with the grandma or babysitter whatever you and your wife go to out for dinner, where do you take her.

00:53:14.970 –> 00:53:18.330 arlo humphrey: Well, my girlfriend it also is kind of jargon.

00:53:18.990 –> 00:53:19.530 Joseph McElroy: Sorry yeah.

00:53:19.830 –> 00:53:21.810 arlo humphrey: he likes to start triggering plate there.

00:53:22.320 –> 00:53:22.950 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah.

00:53:23.970 –> 00:53:24.480 Joseph McElroy: Where else.

00:53:24.570 –> 00:53:29.160 arlo humphrey: We go Bullen beggars Nice, I think we just got a gift certificate.

00:53:29.220 –> 00:53:30.390 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah we’re.

00:53:30.540 –> 00:53:33.240 arlo humphrey: Currently a in asheville.

00:53:35.160 –> 00:53:37.230 arlo humphrey: But we cook a lot of the House, too.

00:53:38.490 –> 00:53:41.940 arlo humphrey: yeah Asheville is amazing, the culinary experiences here really great.

00:53:42.810 –> 00:53:49.050 Joseph McElroy: And then the evening places or there’s too many to mention right in terms of where to go with the evening.

00:53:49.440 –> 00:53:52.050 arlo humphrey: Oh yeah like loud music and stuff like that we’ve.

00:53:52.050 –> 00:53:52.260 Joseph McElroy: got.

00:53:52.980 –> 00:53:57.420 arlo humphrey: That always going to hear, like the Gray eagle and Asheville music call and.

00:53:59.130 –> 00:54:05.070 arlo humphrey: there’s just Egypt, the best thing to do is get the local paper and see if there’s something going on, you you’re interested in and give it a shot.

00:54:05.910 –> 00:54:12.120 Joseph McElroy: So so what’s in your future I mean what plans do you have I guess you got a new album may be coming out.

00:54:12.150 –> 00:54:20.070 arlo humphrey: What else you yeah we’ve released three singles off of it so far hope to have the record finished by the first quarter of next year.

00:54:20.610 –> 00:54:32.250 arlo humphrey: The fall efficiencies in is about to fire back up, which is October and November so we’re taking a lot of reservations, for the private water and then all the other days will be filled up with public water.

00:54:33.840 –> 00:54:36.390 arlo humphrey: Wade and float trips.

00:54:37.980 –> 00:54:44.790 arlo humphrey: I’m going to go do some fishing for old drum and September going to go to the beach for a week and thanksgiving and fish.

00:54:45.210 –> 00:54:56.490 arlo humphrey: On the coast, with some family and then you know we kind of get into the holidays, but I’m so ready for the fall the leaves are starting to change it’s just a little bit warm and safe just hanging out a little.

00:54:56.580 –> 00:54:57.180 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:54:57.270 –> 00:55:01.380 arlo humphrey: I still getting 8590 where I’m ready for you know 7580.

00:55:03.270 –> 00:55:08.490 arlo humphrey: very excited about the fall she’s going to be great fishing the band’s got some neat.

00:55:09.090 –> 00:55:17.100 arlo humphrey: Things coming up, we host a festival in Johnson city called stone fluff so that’s October 8 and ninth and just today, we announced Asheville winter grass.

00:55:17.340 –> 00:55:30.900 arlo humphrey: which we host it’s at one World War brewing West and that’s the first weekend in December, the fourth and fifth I believe it’s a Saturday Sunday will be us performing with special guests Jim Lauderdale and Andy Buckner, but if you visit songs to the road band.

00:55:30.930 –> 00:55:32.850 Joseph McElroy: calm to see all the musical.

00:55:32.850 –> 00:55:41.340 arlo humphrey: events, but there are some things we’re very excited about we’re going to kind of close the year out, strong and look forward to the releasing the new record next year cool.

00:55:41.580 –> 00:55:45.930 Joseph McElroy: I have a follow How do people follow you what did they get where’s the best way.

00:55:46.050 –> 00:55:59.760 arlo humphrey: Well, if you can find my name Charles Humphrey the third you can find me on Facebook or Instagram you can find the band songs from the road band calm, you find the fishing company at high trout calm.

00:56:00.660 –> 00:56:11.700 arlo humphrey: I’m pretty easy to find honest people can kind of figure out where I’m going to be throughout the band schedule and the fishing so it’s no secret I’m not hiding out for anybody.

00:56:11.940 –> 00:56:16.380 Joseph McElroy: All right, well you know, Charles this has been one of the most fun interviews i’ve had I’ve enjoyed.

00:56:16.470 –> 00:56:18.300 arlo humphrey: traveling on Joseph I really appreciate it’s.

00:56:18.300 –> 00:56:19.410 Joseph McElroy: been a pleasure talking to you.

00:56:19.650 –> 00:56:20.100 arlo humphrey: I can’t we.

00:56:20.490 –> 00:56:24.840 arlo humphrey: can’t believe we’ve been on here for an hour, it seems like we just been talking for about five or 10.

00:56:24.840 –> 00:56:28.080 Joseph McElroy: minutes good it’s been a very good conversation, so thank you.

00:56:31.740 –> 00:56:39.930 Joseph McElroy: check out this cup there’s a podcast that is also sponsored by smokies adventure smokies plural adventure singular dot com.

00:56:40.320 –> 00:56:49.470 Joseph McElroy: And it’s an outdoor focused on outdoor recreation, along with music and entertainment and it provides information on logic family entertainment events conventions honeymoons and more.

00:56:49.740 –> 00:56:59.610 Joseph McElroy: The goal of that site is to become the only information portal on the smoky mountains, if you need mounts maps, you need guides if you need information I’m exploring a smoky mountain area that’s the place to go.

00:57:00.660 –> 00:57:15.780 Joseph McElroy: We are part of the talk radio dot NYC network, which is a network that provides a lot of live podcasts about various subjects, one after this explores the city of New York, where I.

00:57:16.290 –> 00:57:29.940 Joseph McElroy: split time between North Carolina and New York is it you know so it’s a great podcast a balance here your urban with your rural areas and gets a full picture of life in these united.

00:57:31.980 –> 00:57:33.630 Joseph McElroy: States, which is the one place to live.

00:57:34.980 –> 00:57:46.710 Joseph McElroy: Thank you all for being here next week we’ll have Erin Mahoney on the gateway to the smokies podcast who is part of fourth-generation restaurant tours in North Carolina.

00:57:47.640 –> 00:57:55.770 Joseph McElroy: With the fabulous family restaurant that’s pretty famous in the area and she’ll talk about the restaurant business and food business in North Carolina.

00:57:56.610 –> 00:58:07.140 Joseph McElroy: You can find more about this podcast at the gateway to the smokies dot fun or facebook.com slash gateway to the smokies podcast and I look forward to seeing you next week.

00:58:08.610 –> 00:58:15.000 Joseph McElroy: from six to seven on talk radio dot nyc on Tuesday night Thank you and thank you Charles.

00:58:15.480 –> 00:58:16.620 arlo humphrey: Thanks Joseph.