Saturday at Christmas in the Smokies opened with several instrument workshops. Tommy Long and Morgan Moore led one for guitars. Ben Greene led one for banjo. Stanley Efaw led the fiddle workshop.
Mark Templeton and Pocket Change led off the day with a rollicking stage show. Larry Efaw and the Bluegrass Mountaineers keep the traditional mountain sound alive. Garrett Newton, leader of the Garrett Newton Band, is an up-and-coming banjo player that will be one of the shining lights in a short time. Award winning band, Balsam Range, from “right over the mountain” is always a crowd pleaser.
Goldwing Express put in their final appearance of the weekend and in their career at this show. They have announced that they will retire from the road in mid-February and perform full time at a theater in Branson, MO.
Local favorite, Jimbo Whaley and Greenbrier, gave a top notch performance. Jimbo was instrumental in getting local business contributions for the silent auction. The crowd was delighted with the show that the Malpass Brothers gave. Their classic country music is nothing but excellent!
Host Lorraine Jordan brought her volunteer crew to the stage to be recognized. She also brought the winners of the autographed guitars to the stage. The Efaw family presented Lorraine with a memory quilt.
Lorraine then announced that she would be taking a check for ten thousand dollars from the Christmas in the Smokies event to the Dollywood Foundation telethon that she will be a part of on Tuesday, December 13th. The telethon will be televised on some PBS affiliates, RFDTV, GAC, and several other networks. Dolly, Allison Krauss, and Reba McIntyre will perform.
Lorraine with be there manning a phone with Paula Deen. More details on the telethon will be posted shortly.
