Lyrics & Lore Weekend at DreamMore Resort in Pigeon Forge January 26-29, 2017

Enjoy a weekend of hands-on storytelling and music making at Lyrics & Lore Weekend at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort in Pigeon Forge January 26-29, 2017. The International Storytelling Center and the Smoky Mountain Songwriters Festival have partnered to offer this extraordinary weekend for creative souls. As they say, everyone has a story, and on this special weekend you can learn how to tell your own one-a-kind story and discover the song inside yourself. All this with the inspirational backdrop of the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains!

Lyrics & Lore Weekend at DreamMore Resort in Pigeon Forge January 26-29, 2017

During the Lyrics & Lore Weekend, participants will enjoy hearing internationally recognized storytellers and learn the back-stories behind some of today’s and yesterday’s most popular songs.

Lyrics & Lore Weekend kicks off with a Meet & Greet Welcome Reception on Thursday, January 26, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. Guests will have the opportunity to meet and hear from world-renowned storytellers Beth Horner and Bill Lepp. Hands-on workshops include “Find the Song Inside of You” with Michael deBills, “Mining Mermories & Discovering Family Stories,” with Beth Hornerm, and more. Hit songwriters, Keith Anderson, Scott Reeves, Doug Johnson, Bill LeBounty, Brady Seals, Brian White, and Chad Kennedy will also provide writing workshops.

Be sure to register for the free Lyrics & Lore Weekend workshops, matinees and afternoon songwriters showases. Visit Lyrics & Lore Registration to reserve your space now. For more information, please call Smoky Mountain Songwriters Festival at 865-604-9066 or email smswf@yahoo.com.

Guests will also enjoy two concerts as part of the Lyrics & Lore Weekend. On Friday evening at 8:00 p.m. Country music’s Keith Anderson is joined in the round with hit artists Scott Reeves, Bill LaBounty, and Doug Johnson.  Then on Saturday evening at 8:00 p.m. Larry Stewart will perform. Concert tickets for adults are $20 per person; children are $15 each for ages 4-11. Combo tickets can be purchased for adults for $35 each and children for $25 each.

For a complete Lyrics & Lore Weekend schedule of events and to purchase concert tickets online, please visit Smoky Mountains Song Writers Festival. As host location, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort & Spa is offering a special package deal for participants. Visit DreamMore Resort for the special weekend pricing.

More Trails Re-Open in Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Stay Hiking My Friends!

Several trails that have been closed due to the Chimney Tops 2 Fire have re-opened say Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials. Hikers are asked to stay on established trails and be cautious of trail hazards, such as overhead limbs, throughout the park.

More trails re-open in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The popular Gatlinburg Trail, which allows dogs, is again open. Also re-opened are Sugurlands Valley Nature Trail, Huskey Gap Trail, Backcountry campsite #21, and the quiet walkways along Newfound Gap Road between Sugarlands Visitor Center and Newfound Gap.

Please be aware that the following trails and campsites are currently closed due to fire or storm damage: Chimney Top Trail, Ramsey Cascades Trail, Road Prong Trail, Cove Mountain Trail, Sugarlands Mountains Trail from Mt. Collins Shelter to Little River Road, Rough Creek Trail, Old Sugarlands Trail, Twin Creeks Trail, Bull Head Trail, Rainbow Falls Trail, Trillium Gap Trail, Baskins Creek Trail, Grapeyard Ridge Trail from Campsite #32 to Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Noah Bud Ogle Nature Trail, Cove Hardwood Nature Trail, the Sugarlands Horse Concessions Trails, backcountry campsite #11, and Scott Mountain Trail from campsite #5 to Schoolhouse Gap (campsite #6 is open.)

For the latest information on road closures and weather conditions, visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Please note that there is still a burn ban in effect not only for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but also for Sevier and Blount Counties. Campfires nor open grills are allowed in the national park until further notice. 

Snowy Slopes Signal Survival as Ober Gatlinburg Opens to Skiers and Snowboarders on December 16, 2016

It’s always a big deal when Ober Gatlinburg Ski Area opens for the winter season and this year it’s especially sweet because it means the town of Gatlinburg is getting back to normal after last month’s wildfires. Those snowy slopes signal survival as Ober Gatlinburg opens to skier and snowboaders on Friday, December 16, 2016. Some come on and let’s hit the slopes!

Snowy Slopes Signal Survival as Ober Gatlinburg opens to skiers and snowboarders on December 16, 2016

If  you’ve wanted to try snow skiing or snowboarding, now is the time to bundle up and head to Ober Gatlinburg! Five of their ten slopes are now open! And if that’s not your thing, there’s also snow tubing, ice skating, scenic chairlift, aerial tramway, mountain coaster, alpine slide, carousel, wildlife encounter, arcade, restaurants, and shopping. There’s snow much fun at Ober Gatlinburg – it’s absolutely a whole day’s worth!

The wildfires didn’t damage the ski area and amusement park although many homes and businesses on Ski Mountain Road were completely destroyed by the firestorm on November 28. It did take a dedicated team of workers to get the power restored after a substation burned, to resurface the ice rink and slopes after they melted, and clean up debris and minor damage by the high winds so that Ober Gatlinburg could open again to the public.

To help you enjoy your winter adventure at Ober Gatlinburg, we have a few friendly tips for you to enjoy your visit.

  • What to Wear – Dress in layers of performance wear, meaning no cotton, under your snow pants and jacket. You’ll be amazed at how warm you’ll get during activity so you’ll want to be able to add and remove layers. Wear just one pair of socks as snowboard and ski boots have liners. Bring gloves, hat, sunglasses or goggles. You can rent snow pants, jackets and helmets at Ober Gatlinburg.
  • Take a Lesson – If you’ve never skied or snowboarded before you’re required to take a lesson for your safety and the safety of others. The one-hour Ski Class lesson runs about $19 per person and a private lesson at $60. Ski rentals run $20-$25 per person and snowboard rentals run $20-$25 per person.
  • Lift Tickets – One-day ski area tickets cost between $29 to $65 per person depending on session day and time of ski session. Ober Gatlinburg Season Passes are available for $349 per person.
  • Visit Ober Gatlinburg Slope Report to check current conditions.

For more information on all the fun winter activities and pricing, visit Ober Gatlinburg or call 865-436-5423. Ober Gatlinburg is open daily; hours are subject to change depending on weather conditions. 

AJ Bush Homeplace Holiday Open House December 15-17, 2016 | Once-A-Year Opportunity to Tour 1909 Historic Home

If you love historic homes or if you’re a beautiful bean lover, you’ll certainly want to take the opportunity to travel to Dandridge, TN on December 15, 16 or 17, 2016 for the annual AJ and Sallie Bush Homeplace Holiday Open House. This once-a-year opportunity is your chance to visit this lovely home built in 1909 by the founder of the iconic American brand Bush’s Beans. The Holiday Open House will be held from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. each day.

AJ Bush Homeplace Holiday Open House December 15-17, 2016

During this special time of year, the historic homeplace of AJ & Sallie Bush is beautifully decorated for the holidays and visitors are welcome to take a step back in time and enjoy and old-fashioned Christmas. 

Make plans to visit the Bush’s Visitor Center and enjoy a wonderful home-cooked lunch at Bush’s Family Cafe. While you’re there, take in the special holiday tour of the Bush Homeplace just across the road. You’ll be amazed at the all-American history of Bush’s Beans as your tour the Museum and you’ll love shopping in the family’s original General Store founded in 1897.

HeySmokies Insider Tip: If you’re a foodie, or even if you’re not, you gotta try the Pinto Bean Pie. Seriously, if you like pecan pie, you’ll love this original creation from the kitchen of Bush’s Family Cafe! And for the latest and greatest recipes from Bush’s Beans, be sure to become a fan on Facebook!

AJ Bush Homeplace Holiday Open House December 15-17, 2016

Bush’s Visitor Center is housed in the family’s original General Store in Dandridge, TN

For more information, visit Bush’s Visitor Center or call 865-509-3077. Bush’s Visitor Center is open 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Sunday during the winter season. Bush’s Family Cafe is open from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Top Musicians Entertain to Benefit Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains Wildfire Relief Efforts

The country’s top musicians come together to entertain for the benefit of Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains wildfire relief efforts. Dolly Parton and Zac Brown have come to rescue by calling on friends to harness their musical talents for some very good causes. Be sure to check out these two great events this month!

Top Musicians to Benefit Gatlinburg and Smoky Mountains Wildfire Relief

Dolly Parton’s SMOKY MOUNTAINS RISE Telethon for the MY PEOPLE FUND
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
8:00 pm – 11:00 pm EST
Sevier County’s own Dolly Parton has called on her famous friends to come together for a three-hour telethon to raise money for the My People Fund that Parton and her business partners recently created to assist the folks in Sevier County who’ve lost their homes to the wildfires. The My People Fund will provide $1,000 each month for up to six months to families who’ve lost their primary residence whether they be renters or homeowners.

Smoky Mountains Rise telethon performers include: Chris Stapleton, Chris Jansen, Chris Young, Alison Krauss, Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, Cyndi Lauper, Don McLean, Big & Rich, Hank Williams Jr., LOCASH, Alabama, Montgomery Gentry, Lauren Alaina,  Reba McEntyre, Jamey Johnson, Ronnie Dunn and of course, Kenny Rogers.

You may recognize a few folks answering the phones during the telethon: Comedian Henry Cho, Paula Deen and her sons Bobby and Jamie, T.G. Sheppard, Moonshiners’ Mark & Digger, Tim Rushlow, RaeLynn, Larry Gatlin, and Jason Crabb.

The telethon will be nationally-broadcast on Great American County (GAC) network. Smoky Mountain Rise will also be simulcast across muliple radio chains including iHeart Media’s digital and select on-air platforms, Cumulus Media’s NASH Nights LIVE, TuneIn’s Country Roads channel, AXS-TV, RFD and The Heartland Network. Additionally, USAToday.com and USA Today National Networks will live stream the telethon on their affiliate newspaper websites.  The telethon can be seen in the Knoxville viewing area on FOX-43 WTNZ, 10News2, and WBIR.com.

Contributions are tax-deductible and can also be made online at dollywoodfoundation.org or mail to My People Fund c/o Dollywood Foundation, 111 Dollywood Lane, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863. The fund will begin its first distributions to families on December 15, 2016.

“I’ve got so many great friends in the industry, and I’m so proud that they were so ready to step up and help me help my people in the Smoky Mountains through this telethon and the My People Fund, says Dolly Parton. Fellow Tennessean Taylor Swift recently donated $100,000 to the fund for her friend Dolly Parton.  #MyPeopleFund, #someplacespecial

Gatlinburg’s MOUNTAIN TOUGH Music Festival featuring ZAC BROWN BAND 
Saturday, December 17, 2016
705 Parkway, Gatlinburg TN
This day-long outdoor music festival features the Zac Brown Band and friends Sam Bush, Rodney Crowell, Moe Pitney, Jim Lauderdale, Rob Ickes, Sarah Potenza, Derek St. Holmes, Chelle Rose, Jason D. Williams, Randy Kohrs, and Trey Hensley among others. This mini-music festival is free to the public and will be broadcast live via WMOT Roots Radio at Middle Tennessee State University and on a network of statewide and regional radio stations. Music City Roots will webcast the live event worldwide. Although the event in Gatlinburg is free, donations are being accepted on behalf of the East Tennessee Foundation’s Sevier County Community Fund set-up specifically for wildfire relief.

A big thank you to Zac Brown and his lifestyle company Southern Ground for bringing “Cookie” to the Red Cross Shelter at Rocky Top Sports World in Gatlnburg to feed folks in need. “Cookie” is their custom-built commercial kitchen on 18-wheels run by Executive Chef Rusty Hamlin and his culinary team.

mountain-tough-gatlinburg-sevier-county-logo-heysmokiesOther sponsors of the Gatlinburg Mountain Tough Music Festival  are Ole Smoky Moonshine, Yee Haw Brewing Company, Music City Roots, and the Gatlinburg Convention & Visitor Bureau.

To learn how you can help with Sevier County wildfire relief efforts, visit MountainTough.org for volunteer information and more!