Seth Mulder & Midnight Run at the 2021 Bluegrass Christmas in the Smokies (12/1/21) – photo © Bill Warren
Lorraine Jordan’s tenth Bluegrass Christmas in the Smokies opened in the Sevierville, Tennessee Convention Center on Wednesday evening, December 1.
Lorraine’s father, Royce, and Raleigh DJ and Lorraine’s Coffee House MC, Doug Whitely are sharing the festival stage duties. Royce turns 90 years young in February and is as spry as ever. We know where Lorraine gets her energy from!
GBS Sound has set up their sound equipment for the weekend. Dave and Traci Chichester are one of the in-demand sound companies.
A big crew of volunteers are keeping the festival running smoothly. Lorraine’s daughter, Susanna, keeps the ticket area running well.
Carolina Road opened the show with some of their old favorites, and some of their new music. Lorraine keeps herself surrounded by top flight musicians and singers. The band will do shows each day. Friday will include a special True Grass segment with Danny Paisley and Junior Sisk scheduled to be part of the show.
Seth Mulder & Midnight Run is a newer band on the bluegrass music scene, all ETSU alums. They provide a high energy, wide ranging, entertaining show. These guys are earning their stripes! Put this band on your list of new, young, exciting bands to see.
Zink & Company has become one of the rock solid bands that provides a blend of hard driving bluegrass, Gospel, and traditional country music. Corey has recently added Scott Napier on mandolin. Scott is making his mark teaching young musicians at Hazard Community and Technical College in the School of Bluegrass and Traditional music. Plan to see the band if they are in your area.
The Little Roy and Lizzy Show closed out the evening. Roy Lewis still provides his laughable antics and top shelf musicianship, and Lizzy Long has developed her own style while maintaining a great deal of the Lincolnton sound. The band did stirring renditions of the national anthem and Silent Night. This writer has known Lizzy since she was a young teenager doing one song on some of the Lewis Family shows. She is now the stage presence that most can only dream of being.
The Thursday show begins at 4:00 p.m. and features the legendary Larry Sparks. The Friday and Saturday shows begin at 11:00 a.m. with top bluegrass entertainment.
Lorraine did announce a new location for the next five years of Bluegrass Christmas in the Smokies, the Gatlinburg Convention Center. Next year’s dates are November 17, 18, and 19.
Plan your trip now.
Support your local music venues.
