Appalachian Shine

Appalachia's Contribution to America

Appalachia is still a place of mystery, wonderous beauty and opportunity. It is also one of the most stereotyped places and people in the world. However, the region and people have contributed significantly to our nation and its history and culture. In this episode we talk about a couple of books that defend that point of view and should be on every Appalachian's reading list. 

#Appalachia #Appalachianhistory

Popular Appalachian Writers Adda Leah Davis and Linda Hoagland

Addie Davis and Linda Hoagland spend some time with us to talk about their lives, experiences and how that shaped their writing careers here in Appalachia. 

#AddaLeahDavis #LindaHudsonHoagland #Appalachia #writing #arts #crafts

Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts

Nick DeFord, Program Director at Arrowmont in downtown Gatlinburg, joins us to talk about their community outreach, the classes taught at Arrowmont, and their Legacy program to teach traditional Appalachian arts and crafts throughout the region and nationwide. 

#AppalachianArts #AppalachianCrafts #Arrowmont #GatlinburgTN

More Appalachian Urban Legends

Adam Mason from Kentucky Mysteries drops by to talk some tall tales and legends of these mountains we call home. 

#RedRiverGorge #ScottCountyVA #AppalachianTrail #HellierKY #UrbanLegends #Appalachia #ghost #AppalachianMysteries

How Are Our Churches Surviving During COVID?

We sit down and talk with three pastors about how the pandemic has affected their churches, their membership, and their ability to keep the doors open. Church and faith are such a big part of our Appalachian culture, but many churches in our region may have to close their doors for good. 

#Appalachia #Church #pastors #Bristol #Virginia #Tennessee #faith 

Talking With Appalachian Writers!

Whether you are looking for a regional cookbook, a thriller, a mystery, or something of faithful devotion, you'll find all kinds of options from Appalachian writers. These Guild members talk about the benefits of being part of the regional guild and what they've learned during their time of membership. 

#Appalachia #AppalachianAuthorsGuild #books

The Brown Mountain LIghts

The mysterious lights of Brown Mountain have shown up for hundreds of years and still defy explanation. Are they lights from trains and passing cars? Are they orbs of the supernatural, or are they from another place entirely? This is yet another fascinating Appalachian mystery that even found fame in one of the most popular shows of the past 30 years, the X-Files!

#BrownMountainLights #mystery #mysteriousappalachian #Appalachia #UFOs #orbs #NativeAmericanLegend

Appalachian Business Owners Face Struggles

This pandemic has hurt small businesses all over our nation. Our region already faces economic headwinds w/o the lockdowns. Tune in for this and a bright spot that may lay ahead in for our tourism industry, especially in outdoor recreation.

#Appalachia #outdoors #pandemic #smallbusiness

Ever wonder why the Blue Ridge Mountains are blue?

Have you ever wondered why the Blue Ridge Mountains are blue? Ever wondered if that's a real gold dome on the West Virginia State Capitol Building? Also, a short tribute to Melinda Elswick, one of our founders and board members...and one heck of an amazing sister. 

#Appalachia #COVID #BlueRidgeMountains #WestVirginia #goldendome

www.supportappalachia.org

Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Coming to Bristol, Baby!

In this episode we talk with Mayor Bill Hartley about the coming Hard Rock Hotel and Casino to Bristol, VA. We discuss the economic benefits and what it will mean for the region.

#BristolVA #Virginia #HardRockCasino #Tourism #jobs #gambling #culture