Appalachia Meets World Episode 105 - Mountain Music (and Festival Season) in Appalachia with Jon Grace of the Laurel Cove Music Festival

Laurel Cove Music Festival June 9th and 10th!!  In this episode, Neil and Will sit down with Jon Grace the Bell County Tourism Director and Organizer of the Laurel Cove Music Festival.  In its 4th year, while the festival continues to grow it still keeps the small town family identify it has formed from the start.  As festival season is off and running in Appalachia, hear how festivals serve as an opportunity to attract visitors and highlight the assets of the region.  Take a listen as Jon describes his passion for the region and how this Music Festival just hits a little different - bringing in people from all over the country.  As discussed in the episode, the 2023 lineup showcases local, region and even national talent in one of the most beautiful natural venues in all of the country (or at least that's what Will suggests - he may be a little biased) - "The Red Rocks of Appalachia."  You'll also hear a sampling of music throughout the episode from performers that are part of the lineup this year!  Also, don't forget about the #AppBiz of the week: Riverside Market and Grill!

Bell County Tourism - www.bellcountytourism.com/ 

Laurel Cove Music Festival - www.laurelcovemusicfestival.com 

#AppBiz

Riverside Market and Grill - www.facebook.com/people/Riverside-Market-Grill/100086752601854/?paipv=0&eav=AfbDuxXM4rerh4Rw4tKv8F-b4iAtOwlF7jSykyeFHGDeJhZmM81YEzAIuNIuRRPVKgY&_rdr 

AppNews:

Rural Partners Network - www.rural.gov 

ARC awards $500,000 at the Rural Partners Network meeting - www.arc.gov/news/arc-awards-nearly-500k-to-help-five-appalachian-kentucky-area-development-districts-apply-for-more-federal-funds/ 

Rural Partners Network Forum in West Virginia - www.arc.gov/event/rural-partners-network-resource-partners-forum/ 

Appalachian Festival - www.appalachianfestival.org/ 

Taste the Nation with Travis Melton: "Padma and the Beanstalk" - www.hulu.com/series/taste-the-nation-with-padma-lakshmi-53d48a66-d254-4e4f-89a1-277ec6c57368 

36 hour Itinerary in Asheville, NC (New York Times) - www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/05/04/travel/things-to-do-asheville.html 

Hood Huggers International - www.hoodhuggers.com 

National Travel and Tourism Week - www.ustravel.org/events/national-travel-and-tourism-week 

Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival - www.kmlf.org 

Music on the episode (from Laurel Cove Music Festival Lineup):

The Local Honeys - "High on a Mountain"

49 Winchester - "Russell County Line"

The Red Clay Strays - "Good Godly Woman"

Cole Chaney - "Back to Kentucky"