Papa Joe Smiddy Mountain Music Festival is a celebration of Appalachian music. Old Time and Bluegrass music have a long history in the mountains of Appalachia, and the Cove Ridge Foundation wants to preserve these traditions as well as instill a passion for them in our youth. The Festival is named for UVA Wise Chancellor Emeritus Dr. Joseph C. “Papa Joe” Smiddy, a well-known educator, entertainer, and old-time musician. We're proud to be a co-sponsor of the festival and, alongside our partners at Natural

Tunnel State Park and the Cove Ridge Foundation, participate in the local arts traditions of our region.

 

The 21st annual Papa Joe Smiddy Mountain Music Festival will be held at the Natural Tunnel State Park amphitheater on Sunday, September 1st from 5–9 p.m. Admission will not be charged; the $5 Natural Tunnel State Park parking fee still applies. 

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Featured performers will include Dr. Joe Smiddy and Reedy Creek, Empty Bottle String Band, DCB (Dan Carty's Basement) Bluegrass Band, Twin Taters, and Fiddlin' Red and the Bluegrass Harvesters. Vendors and activities for children will be on-site.

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MUSIC LINEUP:

5:00 - 5:30 p.m. | Fiddlin' Red and the Bluegrass Harvesters​

Fiddlin’ Red and the Bluegrass Harvesters features members from both Virginia and Tennessee including Haylee Kinsler (Fiddle), Larry Kinsler (Lead/Rhythm Guitar), Randy Sluss (Upright Bass), Tim Lewis Sr. (Banjo), Tim Lewis Jr. (Rhythm Guitar), Jacob Lewis (Mandolin and Dobro), Aaden Lewis (Rhythm Guitar). All members are skilled multi-instrumentalists with backgrounds in Bluegrass and Gospel groups.
 

5:45 - 6:15 p.m. | Dan Carty's Basement Band​

Straight from the heart of Bristol, TN, Dan Carty's Basement (DCB) is a bluegrass band that brings the soulful sounds of Appalachia to life. DCB's music is a testament to the timeless appeal of bluegrass, with influences ranging from the pioneers of the genre to modern innovators. Whether they're performing at local venues in Bristol or headlining major festivals, DCB never fails to captivate audiences with their infectious energy and undeniable talent.

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6:30 - 7:05 p.m. | Twin Taters ​

Twin Taters is a string band in ETSU’s old-time music program, as part of its world-renowned Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music Studies program. They are a versatile band that enjoys harmony singing, rare fiddle tunes, and digging deep into Appalachian music and beyond. They recently won third place in the band contest at the 6th annual Upper East Tennessee Fiddlers Convention in Flag Pond, NC. 

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7:20 - 8:00 p.m. | Empty Bottle String Band ​

The Empty Bottle String Band specializes in toe-tapping, highly danceable traditional Appalachian music and is known for their upbeat fiddle tunes and feel-good music. Their sound is inventive, while still staying close to the old-time string band tradition of the 1930's.

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8:15 - 9:00 p.m. | Dr. Joe Smiddy & Reedy Creek​

​Dr. Joe Smiddy & Reedy Creek have played together for more than four decades. Reflecting the broad musical tastes of Papa Joe, the band plays a variety of old-time music and original songs. Papa Joe started “Pickin’ in the Park,” the summer Sunday afternoon get-togethers at Natural Tunnel designed to encourage children and families to play music.

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While there is fixed seating under roof, additional seating is available and used on the grass behind the fixed seating, so festival-goers are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket. A shuttle will be available for festivalgoers with mobility issues, it will take them to the backstage level and bring them back up to the parking lot when they are ready to go home.

 

An on-site concessions stand will be available to provide food and refreshments.  In addition, food vendors, Backdraft BBQ, Flour to Flower Pastries and Sweets, and the Blue Line Ice Cream Truck will be at the amphitheater that evening.

 

In 2024, festival admission is free of charge, there is a $5 per vehicle parking fee. Festivalgoers are welcome to donate to the Cove Ridge Foundation, but no payment will be expected. For additional information on the event, you may call the Cove Ridge Center at (276) 940-2674 or visit the Center’s webpage or Facebook page.

 

Proceeds from the festival go into the Cove Ridge Foundation’s Papa Joe Smiddy Scholarship Fund. The Papa Joe Smiddy Mountain Music Festival is an affiliated site on the Crooked Road.

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Pro-Art partners with a variety of venues, therefore individuals with accessibility needs or general questions are encouraged to call (276) 376-4520 or email the Pro-Art office at pro-art@uvawise.edu. For evolving conditions related to weather cancellations, or similar unforeseen circumstances, patrons are encouraged to check proartva.org for up-to-date information.

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Pro-Art is supported in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as the C. Bascom Slemp Foundation, The University of Virginia’s College at Wise, Mountain Empire Community College, the Columbus Phipps Foundation, and the Lee County Community Foundation.

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