Pigeon Forge Celebrates Music of the Mountains at ´StringTime in the Smokies

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (August 2009) -- Mountain music claims many modifiers—driving, soulful, plaintive, lively, joyful—and StringTime in the Smokies in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., adds another: free.

Five diverse bands are scheduled for the two-night festival, Aug. 14 and 15 (Friday and Saturday). The Aug. 14 performance is at Old Mill Square, and the Aug. 15 event is at Patriot Park. Guests are invited to bring blankets and lawn chairs for festival seating.

The lineup:

Aug. 14 (7 p.m. start)—The Knoxville-based, four-member Wild Blue Yonder; Gary "Biscuit" Davis and Company, whose namesake is the only three-time National Banjo Champion; and Timberwoods, which recorded its first CD in the studio of bluegrass and country legend Tom T. Hall.

Aug. 15 (6 p.m. start)—Timberwoods; Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper (Cleveland has six Fiddle Player of the Year Awards and two Instrumental Albums of the Year Awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association); and SteelDrivers, a band that blends bluegrass, country, soul and other contemporary influences in a fusion that Vince Gill has called "an incredible combination."

StringTime in the Smokies is on the official calendar of the 75th anniversary of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is the sixth Pigeon Forge-sponsored event with that recognition.

Performers´ information and other StringTime in the Smokies details are available at www.MyPigeonForge.com/StringTime or by calling 865-429-7350. General information about visiting Pigeon Forge is available at www.MyPigeonForge.com or by calling toll-free 1-800-251-9100.

(Writer Adkinson, who can't hit a lick on any stringed instrument, helps Pigeon Forge promote its tourism.)