LONG JOURNEY HOME 2024
"Appalachian Elixir"
"Appalachian Elixir"
This year marks the tenth anniversary of Long Journey Home, Johnson County’s Heritage Arts and Music Celebration. Each year this tiny mountain town comes to life with stories and songs that honor the iconic Old Time mountain music style that shaped country music as we know it. The three-day festival spans Labor Day Weekend August 30th, 31st, and September 1st.
This year’s Long Journey Home festival events include:
On Saturday, August 31st, the Musical Heritage Homecoming Tour begins with the unveiling of the newest addition to the Mural Mile in Downtown Mountain City. This new mural, Appalachian Elixir, gives a nod to Clarence “Tom” Ashley’s early career as a medicine show huckster. Roy Acuff credited Tom with “showing him the ropes of show business” during their years together in Dr. Hauer’s Medicine Show in the 1930’s. Next up is a visit to the Clarence “Tom” Ashley home place where you’ll hear musicians perform right on his front porch, including Kenny Price and Jerry Moses who perform in Ashley’s iconic clawhammer banjo style. Bring a chair or a blanket, kick back in the shade, and enjoy an evening of outdoor music.
Tour maps may be picked up at the Center for the Arts and other local businesses. The Musical Heritage Mural Mile and Long Journey Home were made possible in part through funding from East Tennessee Foundation, Johnson County Community Foundation, and Tennessee Arts Commission as well as the generosity of community members. To learn more, visit www.longjourneyhome.net.
“It’s about as real as it gets. If you were wondering whether authentic Appalachia still exists, look no further.”
For more information, please contact
Cristy Dunn at 423-957-6346
[email protected]
This year’s Long Journey Home festival events include:
- Buskin’ on Main, a showcase of local and regional acoustic talent playing up and down Main Street on the evening of Friday, August 30th.
- The unveiling of Appalachian Elixir, a new mural honoring Clarence “Tom” Ashley and other Johnson County musicians who shaped the development of country music, on August 31st.
- The Musical Heritage Homecoming Tour showcasing authentic Old-Time music played on the front porches of the iconic musicians who shaped early country music by musicians who still carry on the legacy of true mountain music - August 31st.
- A traditional Sunday Singin’ at Heritage Hall Theater featuring authentic old time gospel music on September 1st.
On Saturday, August 31st, the Musical Heritage Homecoming Tour begins with the unveiling of the newest addition to the Mural Mile in Downtown Mountain City. This new mural, Appalachian Elixir, gives a nod to Clarence “Tom” Ashley’s early career as a medicine show huckster. Roy Acuff credited Tom with “showing him the ropes of show business” during their years together in Dr. Hauer’s Medicine Show in the 1930’s. Next up is a visit to the Clarence “Tom” Ashley home place where you’ll hear musicians perform right on his front porch, including Kenny Price and Jerry Moses who perform in Ashley’s iconic clawhammer banjo style. Bring a chair or a blanket, kick back in the shade, and enjoy an evening of outdoor music.
Tour maps may be picked up at the Center for the Arts and other local businesses. The Musical Heritage Mural Mile and Long Journey Home were made possible in part through funding from East Tennessee Foundation, Johnson County Community Foundation, and Tennessee Arts Commission as well as the generosity of community members. To learn more, visit www.longjourneyhome.net.
“It’s about as real as it gets. If you were wondering whether authentic Appalachia still exists, look no further.”
For more information, please contact
Cristy Dunn at 423-957-6346
[email protected]
Fred Price, Clarence "Tom" Ashley, and Clint Howard in the 1960s
|