Ole Smoky Moonshine Holler in Gatlinburg, TN has embraced bluegrass music in a big way. Situated in the thick of the tourist attractions in Gatlinburg, Ole Smoky includes both a legal distillery for taxed, clear moonshine, and an entertainment venue where live bluegrass is performed while customers sample the product.
A number of groups split the time on stage when other headlining acts aren’t booked, including the newly-formed Po’ Ramblin’ Boys who are featured several days each week. They play hard core bluegrass with a high energy presentation on Sunday afternoons (noon to 10:00 p.m.), Mondays and Tuesdays afternoons (12:30-5:00 p.m.), and Wednesday evenings (5:30-10:00 p.m.).
If you follow bluegrass closely you may recognize some of these boys. Guitarist Josh Rinkel and banjo picker Jereme Brown work with Tommy Brown & the County Line Grass, and mandolinist C.J. Lewandowski plays with Karl Shiflett & Big Country Show. Jasper Lorentzen rounds out the band on bass.
Lewandowski shared a few words about their efforts so far.
“We are starting to get quite a bit of attention with our entertainment value and traditional bluegrass selection. Entertainment is almost a lost art in the music and we are trying to throw all of it we can in every 45 minute set. From apparel to jokes, to the song selection, we try and entertain in every aspect.
Moonshine and bluegrass go hand and hand, and we are fortunate and so happy to be playing for all the fine folks from around the world that visit one of the prettiest places in the world, The Great Smoky Mountains.
We are working on some other ideas at the moment, so stay tuned. A CD is in the works right now, along with a few costume ideas, just to mention a few of the ideas.”
Here’s a video from a recent show.
Also appearing at Ole Smoky are Monroeville and Firewater Junction.
