Mountain Memories No. 2: A Mountain Christmas

The series, which opened with “Mountain Memories No. 1: A Hazelwood Gathering” in November, continues Friday, December 13, with “Mountain Memories No. 2: A Mountain Christmas”.

In the spirit of radio variety shows of years past, each Mountain Memories performance follows a loose theme, but together they promote traditional Southern Appalachian culture in an accurate and positive way through music, dance and storytelling.

Mountain Memories No. 2: A Mountain Christmas, features, along with Plott, Balsam Range member Darren Nicholson and his son Taylor; singer, storyteller and North Carolina Folk Heritage Award recipient Bobby McMillon and talented musician and storyteller William Ritter.

The Plott family has deep roots in Haywood County, and Bob, an award-winning historian, will guide guests through a program rich in mountain Christmas tradition, featuring Ritter, an expert at the old 12 days of Christmas and Breakin'up Christmas mountain traditions that are unique to the region, and McMillon, who has a collection of old holiday songs and transitions that are unique to Madison County. The father and son Nicholson duo are developing an acoustic-themed set for the show, and will accompany Ritter and McMillon.

More about the performers:

Bobby McMillon has appeared at the Smithsonian’s Festival of American Folklife, the A. P. Carter Memorial Festival, national storytelling conferences, and the Festival for the Eno, where the stories and music of his family members from Cocke Co., TN and Yancey Co. found broad appeal.

Bakersville native and Western Carolina University graduate William Ritter plays banjo, fiddle, guitar, and other “stringed things.” With interests that lie in the direction of old apple trees and mountain humor.