Christmas in the Smokies

Bluegrass Festival set for Dec. 9-12, 2015

You’ll be sure to get into the holiday spirit when you visit the Christmas in the Smokies Bluegrass Festival, set for 4 p.m. Wed. Dec. 9 – 11 p.m. Sat., Dec. 12 at the Smoky Mountain Convention Center in Pigeon Forge.

The event will be hosted by hit bluegrass act Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road. Jordan, known as the “Lady of Tradition” in bluegrass, has fronted Carolina Road for more than 15 years. The group has done more than 100 performances throughout North America at more than 60 major festivals.

Their recent hits include “A Light in the Window Again” and “That’s Kentucky.”

The festival will also feature Eddy Raven; Marty Raybon and Full Circle; Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver; James King Band; Steve Dilling and Sideline; Paul Williams and Victory Trio; Bobby Osborne and Rocky Top Xpress; Goldwing Express; Joe Mullins and The Radio Ramblers; Bluegrass Mountaineers; Gentlemen of Bluegrass; Remington Ryde; Williamson Branch; Jesse Alexander Band; Terry Baucom and The Dukes of Drive; Tim White, host of Song of the Mountains Show; Jerry Butler from the Dollywood Show; Jimbo Whaley and Greenbrier; and Audie Blaylock and Redline.

Raven is a world-wide known artist known for his Cajun-influenced country music. His hits include “I Got a Mexico,” “Shine, Shine, Shine” and “I’m Gonna Get You.”

Raybon was the lead singer of hit country band Shenandoah and has had multiple No. 1 singles. Raybon and Full Circle’s most recent album is “The Back Forty,” released in 2013.

Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver have 40 albums to their credit, and Lawson was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame. Their hits include “Little Mountain Church House,” “There’s a Light Guiding Me” and “The Handmade Cross.”

James King is known as the “Bluegrass Storyteller.” His hits include “Just As the Sun Went Down” and “A Few Old Memories.”

Steve Dilling and Sideline play a variety of bluegrass. Their hits include “Mountain Girl,” “Kentucky Country Home” and “Little Willie.”

Paul Williams and Victory Trio’s second self-produced recording “Old Ways and Paths” was nominated for a Grammy in 2000 in Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Album.

Bobby Osborne has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1964. His songs include “I’ve Seen It All” and “Man From Rosine.”

The Goldwing Express is made up of three brothers and their father. A segment of their performance is dedicated to their Native American heritage.

Joe Mullins and The Radio Ramblers are described as “an energetic mix of bluegrass and gospel music, professional presentation, inventive instrumental work, a wide variety of arrangements and tasteful, down-home humor.”

Bluegrass Mountaineers features Larry Efaw, who began playing the mandolin at age 7.

Gentlemen of Bluegrass features Danny Stanley on lead vocals and guitar; J.C. Rowland on tenor vocals and mandolin; Tom Langdon on resonator guitar and baritone vocals; Greg Penny, bassist and vocals; and Randy Smith, banjo and vocals.

Remington Ryde has performed more than 100 shows each year around the United States and Canada.

Williamson Branch is a family band that plays bluegrass, country and gospel and even clog dance.

The Jesse Alexander Band features Jesse on the fiddle, mandolin and vocals; dad Andy on banjo; mother Susan on upright bass; and friend Luke Parsnow on guitar.

Terry Baucom has played banjo since he was 10 years old and was one of the founding members of Boone Creek with Ricky Skaggs, Jerry Douglas and Wes Golding.

Jimbo Whaley is a singer and songwriter from Pigeon Forge who helped lead his band to become International Bluegrass Music Association Emerging Artist of the Year Nominee for two years in a row.

Audie Blaylock and Redline’s latest album “Hard Country” includes the hit “A Natural Thing.”

Tickets for the event range from $30 – $115. For the schedule of performances and more information, visit www.bluegrasschristmasinsmokies.com.

Where to Stay

Need a place to stay? Look no further than Gnatty Branch Village! No one else in the Smokies treats their guests finer. Give us a call at 1-888-711-0087 to reserve your cabin today!