When, in January 2022, the Haywood County Arts Council (HCAC) and regional partners announced the 2021-2022 Artist Support Grant awardees, it meant that the funding would enable Garret K. Woodward, award-winning writer and long-time friend of the late Raymond Fairchild,
Raymond Fairchild
Maggie Valley Opry closes its doors
The Maggie Valley Opry House, located among the Smoky Mountains in Maggie Valley, NC, has announced that it has closed permanently. This news is not unexpected following the recent death of Raymond Fairchild, who had managed the venue for more
Raymond Fairchild passes
Raymond Fairchild, noted banjo player, entertainer, and western North Carolina icon, died yesterday following a heart attack. He was 80 years of age. Fairchild was born and lived most of his life in and around Cherokee, NC, and is himself half-Cherokee
Maggie Valley Opry closed indefinitely
The Maggie Valley Opry in Maggie Valley, NC has announced that it will be closed for an indeterminate period of time owing to the poor health of owner/operator, Raymond Fairchild. His family certifies that he has not been hospitalized, nor injured
Good news from Raymond Fairchild
We've received a number of very encouraging reports from the Fairchild family regarding Raymond's recovery from a serious tractor accident on August 20. While mowing the grass on a hillside, the tractor flipped and landed on him, resulting in multiple
Raymond Fairchild health update
Here is an update from Raymond Fairchild's family concerning his health status. He remains hospitalized following an accident on August 20. While cutting his grass, the banjo legend lost control on a hillside, and his riding mower overturned and came
Raymond Fairchild transfered to ICU
Raymond Fairchild's family has posted an update on his medical condition following last week's accident, where he was injured when his lawn mower turned over on a hillside while he was riding it. He was transferred on Thursday night to the
Raymond Fairchild recovering from serious tractor accident
Raymond Fairchild, beloved bluegrass banjo player and bandleader was injured yesterday afternoon when his lawn tractor flipped on a hillside and it came down on top of him. According to his family, Raymond suffered multiple broken bones, a large cut across
Raymond Fairchild’s flavored White Lightning coming soon
Raymond Fairchild is the real deal, and no one has ever accused him otherwise. From his earliest days entertaining tourists with his banjo in Maggie Valley, NC as a young man, people haven't taken him lightly. Though not a savage
Raymond Fairchild recovering at home
Bluegrass banjo icon Raymond Fairchild is doing well, recuperating at home after undergoing surgery last week. Some complications arose following the surgery, but he is out of the hospital and resting comfortably. At nearly 77 years of age, Raymond has been