2024 marks the end of a decade of creating murals and public art projects that tell the story of Johnson County's musical heritage. This year, we plan to unveil Appalachian Elixir, the final mural in the Musical Heritage series. Make plans now to join us Labor Day weekend to celebrate Johnson County's heritage arts and music.
Friday, August 30 Buskin' on Main6-9pm A showcase of local and regional acoustic talent playing up and down Main Street, Mountain City. Good friends, good music, and good eatin'.
Saturday, August 31 Musical Heritage Homecoming Tour Mural Unveiling in Downtown Mountain City: Appalachian Elixir The JAM (Junior Appalachian Musicians) Band and the Long Journey Home House Band will share the stage for the unveiling of the new mural honoring Johnson County's musical heritage. Musical Heritage Tour Hear the music of Johnson County's legendary musicians played by the "keepers of the true vine."
Sunday, September 1 2 - 4:30pm *Sunday Singing at Heritage Hall Theatre Hear old-time gospel music performed by the Front Porch Pickers, the Price Family, the Potter Family, Narrow Road and others. This event traditionally includes a jam session ending with the singing of "Will the Circle Be Unbroken." Event maps will be available at the Johnson County Center for the Arts at 127 College Street, Mountain City, TN and Johnson County Welcome Center. All events are free to the public. We look forward to seeing you!
Between now and Labor Day weekend, you can visit the Musical Heritage Mural mile in downtown Mountain City or watch these virtual segments from previous years.
In a typical year, You can hear clawhammer banjo played on the front porch of the Clarence "Tom" Ashley homeplace, Buskin' on Main Street with an outdoor film. A new mural is unveiled each year and the hills come alive with the sounds of Old Time and Bluegrass! BUT the last two years have been anything but typical. What do you do when life gives you lemons? Make good old fashioned lemonade, of course! Below, you'll find the segments that were produced in 2021.
Be sure to stop by and take your picture in the new mural. Whether you grew up singing "I'll Fly Away" or you're singing it for the first time, we are glad you're part of the picture!
The plan was to bring you a virtual Sunday Singin' via Facebook live from the Pickin' Porch. Several of the musicans are either sick or quartantined or couldn't make it for other reasons. So instead, we compiled some memories from past Sunday Singings. These are not professionally recorded. But then again, that's not the point. We hope this makes someone smile who needs it today.
Johnson County's Heritage Arts and Music Celebration is proudly sponsored by:
East Tennessee Foundation Johnson County Community Foundation Tennessee Arts Commission Johnson County Center for the Arts Quality Furniture Johnson County Arts Council Danny Herman Trucking Danny Herman Johnson County Community Theater Johnson County Bank Farmers State Bank Maymead Heritage Hall Johnson County Center for the Arts Bob and Minnie Miller Joe Dean Ashley Russell and Kathy Love Mike and Temple Reece The Town of Mountain City Johnson County Senior Center Mountain City Funeral Home Positive Thinkers TVA Mountain Electric The Ralph Stout Family Karla Prudhomme Gary South Smith & Cockett Quality Furniture