In 2016, fans of the reality TV series “The Voice” cheered for award-winning, top-charting singer Billy Gilman. America watched as he rose in the competition to eventually snag the second-place spot as the Season 11 runner-up. As part of Team Adam Levine, Gilman showed off his fondly remembered, country-steeped singing chops but also ventured into new territory as a performer.   Viewers recalled Gilman due to his stunning early successes as a top-charting artist. In 2000, an 11-year-old Gilman released “One Voice,” which skyrocketed in sales. It landed on the Billboard Top 40 chart ..read more

Hot dogs are entrenched in America’s culinary history as an iconic ballpark, picnic, and cookout favorite. While hot dogs are often associated with iconic cities like New York and Chicago, they have also found a place in the hearts and palates of Appalachians, who have put their unique spin on classic food. In Appalachia, hot dogs are more than just a convenient meal—they are a cultural phenomenon. These hot dogs feature regional variations in toppings and condiments, each reflecting the local flavors and traditions of the area. West Virginia The West Virginia-style hot dog is one of the mos ..read more

The two halves of Illinois-based Americana duo The Bashful Youngens had never met before but immediately recognized a sort of magic that happened when they made music together. It was happenstance, but they chanced upon what appeared to be a perfect fit.   “We’ve grown more fond of this story over the years because the more we think about it after telling it, the more it seems it was destined to happen,” explained “Youngen,” Carrie Chandler. “We both grew up about only 20 minutes from each other in neighboring small central Illinois towns. It wasn’t until a college party at a mutual frien ..read more

A bluegrass band that takes its name from a root vegetable can’t be all serious. But it’s not just the playful attitude of The Ruta Beggars that makes people take notice. The band, formed by Berklee College of Music students during their first week on campus, is known for sophisticated harmonies, robust instrumental solos, and incorporating country swing and big band influences in their highly entertaining sets. “The selling point for our live show is not just the music being great,” says guitarist and founding member Micah Nicol. “The thing that we really specialize in is creating a show tha ..read more

With a background in business and a passion for guitars, Thomas Ripsam found his dream job as the president and CEO of C.F. Martin and Co., based in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. Thomas grew up in a home filled with music in Ulm, Germany, located in the southern part of the country between Stuttgart and Munich. “My first musical memory is listening to Elvis playing an acoustic guitar and Scotty Moore, who played an electric Gibson ES-295 guitar in Elvis’s backup band.” Thomas learned to play the guitar as a teen and even played in a band, but by the time he got to college, he was serious about his ..read more

  In 1973, a group of forward-thinking folks concerned about the risk of losing their cultural heritage came together to form the Augusta Heritage Center. “They were concerned that there was not a structure in place to protect that heritage,” says Seth Young, the executive director of the Augusta Heritage Center. “Without that, the knowledge existed only in people’s heads. There was no internet in 1973. If someone passed away, it would be like a library burned. Because of that, people were highly energized to form a structure for preserving their cultural heritage.” The Center now provi ..read more

The city of Del Mar, California, with a population of around 4,000, is a hotbed of cultural activity thanks to the efforts of the Del Mar Foundation. The foundation continues to grow, with a mission to promote civic pride and cohesiveness, acquire and preserve open space, improve beaches and parklands, raise and grant funds, and sponsor diverse cultural programs and community events in Del Mar. Founded in 1982, the Del Mar Foundation (DMF) is the community’s oldest nonprofit organization. Betty Wheeler is a Del Mar Foundation board member and the immediate past president. She got involved wit ..read more

When a group of like-minded bluegrass aficionados got together fifty years ago in Minnesota, chances are they never dreamed the organization they founded would be what it is today. The Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Association (MBOTMA) started with a newsletter and now has a membership of over 700 people, with a monthly magazine and three major festivals presented each year. Ross Willits serves as the organization’s executive director, a position it seems he was destined to hold. “I have a Ph.D. in theatre history like most other bluegrass artists,” he jokes. Ross ran theatres and no ..read more

Good things are happening in Elkins, West Virginia, as the Augusta Heritage Center, home of the state’s largest music and arts educational program, joins forces with local businesses to revitalize the community. Recently moving its headquarters from Davis & Elkins College to the historic Wilt building located at Davis Avenue and Third Street downtown, Augusta’s new location will host events that include live performances, symposiums, cultural sessions, and dances. Seth Young, the center's executive director and CEO, is honored to lead the program that ignited his passion for the heritage ..read more

On Monday nights, the bluegrass jam is the place to go in Ferrum, Virginia. The sounds of old-time and bluegrass music fill the air at the Blue Ridge Institute and Museum (BRIM) on the campus of Ferrum College.    “We have all kinds of events here throughout the year,” says Bethany Worley, the executive director of the BRIM. We are a major venue on the Crooked Trail, Virginia’s music heritage trail.”    Founded in 1973, the Blue Ridge Institute and Museum was created by Ferrum College to document, interpret, and present the folk heritage of the Blue Ridge region. Over the ..read more