To the layman’s eyes, a block of wood holds limited features outside of its typical utilitarian purposes, but to woodturner and master craftsm…
Organizers of “An Appalachian Summer Festival,” announced on June 11 the complete programming calendar for this summer’s revised virtual series.
As the world is in the throes of the worst virus outbreak of this century, the Watauga Democrat looks into its archives to remember another pa…
Easter was a little different for many this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and some Watauga organizations wanted to help brighten the holi…
Born and raised in Boone, local Kyle Sigmon is gearing up to release a full-length album titled “13” on May 13.
The High Country is home to bands and musical talent spanning every genre through a number of decades. In the face of COVID-19 pandemic shutdo…
The academic careers of Appalachian State University professors David Hutchison and Shari Galiardi were on track. Hutchison was the University…
While the St. Paddy’s Day Parade and festivities will be held in Boone on Saturday, March 14, Tuesday, March 17 is when the annual ethnic holi…
In the tradition of many troubadours of the past, guitarist, singer and songwriter Tina Collins has performed in many places across the countr…
Local musician and jewelry maker Kat Chaffin came upon the idea to put together a periodic theatrical rock and soul review while living Atlant…
Sierra Ferrell is a contemporary musician whose outlook and influences hark back to a time long ago. For Ferrell, her retro approach to art is…
Here in the High Country, people travel to our mountains in search of authentic Appalachian roots music, and it is not hard to find as our are…
This will be a stellar weekend for American roots music here in the High Country.
Keller Williams has developed an impressive following in the jamband world and on the concert and festival circuit. Not one to ever stick with…
The group Western Centuries has risen up in the roots music scene in recent years and has received acclaim for its diverse sound and original …
Sometimes, you have to leave the mountains. Life calls, work is pursued and family situations demand it.
Hailing from Michigan, singer, songwriter and guitarist Billy Strings has quickly risen to the top of the American roots music world.
With Christmas in the rear view mirror, hopefully a positive anticipation of a New Year with the cool even number 2020 is building in all of u…
One of the highlights of the holiday season is checking out locally produced Christmas shows. Performed live, onstage in front of an audience …
The folks here in the High Country have proved to be benevolent people through the years. As Christmastime approaches, one way to continue tha…
Appalachian State University has been good about creating hands-on programs and degrees for students that allow them to learn a business in re…
A half a century ago, it was inevitable that the 1960s generation was going to put its mark on American roots music. It is hard to believe, bu…
There are times when one can stand beside Doc Watson’s statue on King Street in Boone during tourist season and overhear curious visitors who …
When it comes to autumn music festivals, there is no venue more naturally appealing in the High Country than Blue Bear Mountain Campground. Th…
The New River Blues Fest is one of the best ways in the High Country to mark the coming changing of the seasons. Lasting only one day from noo…
As the rest of the eastern U.S. recovers from a mid-August heat wave, music lovers will be enjoying cool weather and hot music when jamband ve…
Whether it is a dorm roof, the roof of your house when you were a kid or a proper rooftop establishment in a big city, there is something spec…
The N.C. Songsmiths Concert Series has brought a lot of diverse, interesting and talented musicians to the High Country. The host for the seri…