Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales in Gatlinburg

Back by popular demand, Gatlinburg's 4th annual presentation of Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales™ begins in downtown Gatlinburg on June 12, 2009 and will run through August 8. Tunes & Tales is a summer-long street performance event featuring costumed musical performers, storytellers and artisans portraying time periods as far back as 1800.

This popular eight-week event truly highlights one of Gatlinburg’s greatest assets – the walkability of the community – and provides guests with an interactive, educational and entertaining experience the whole family can enjoy.

The collection of personalities and performers arrive nightly at 5 p.m. in the center of town. Visitors witness a magical transformation of sidewalk to stage as the characters disperse along the downtown Parkway for an evening of entertainment and storytelling until 10 p.m. As many as 18 nightly acts perform throughout the evening.

Special for the 2009 season, characters will salute the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Great Smoky Mountains National Park as costumed characters Mark Pedro, portraying a Civilian Conservation Corps member of the 1930s and Ginger Brown, portraying a local schoolteacher of the 1930s, provide insights into the beginning of the most visited national park in our National Park System. Quiltin’ Annie, portrayed by Sabrina Gray, will demonstrate hand quilting techniques as she tells stories about the home economics of our region’s past.

Traditional and bluegrass music will be performed throughout downtown Gatlinburg during the event, along with storytellers, costumed characters, crafters, and cloggers featured each evening.

Two traditional mountain music duos will entertain with a variety of instruments as Booger Town Gap, as well as Suzie Reynolds and Steve Mayfield, perform songs dating back to the very early days of Gatlinburg. The pure and rustic music and folk-like lyrics tell stories of the joys and tribulations of life of the early pioneer families.

Since Gatlinburg is the birthplace of the famous bluegrass tune, “Rocky Top”, Tunes & Tales features traditional bluegrass bands each night playing favorite bluegrass standards. All performances are free and happen all along the Parkway, seven nights a week until August 8 making every evening a special event in Gatlinburg.

The Holloway Sisters Band from Lenoir City, Tenn., Southern Skye from Pineville, Ky., The Beagles from Lenoir City, Steve Brown & Hurricane Ridge from Newport, Tenn., Laycee Lee Mack & Granite Station from Clinton, Tenn., and Sevier County’s own Woods Brothers, Gary Hughes Band, and Hammer & Strings will provide the rich sounds of bluegrass music in various locations around Gatlinburg.

And of course, watch out for the most famous of local characters - Zeno the Gatlinburg BearTM - as he and his Ranger friend make surprise appearances to greet our welcome guests and to pose for family photos.