LANCASTER, N.H. — Rockin’ the Park, a free weekly concert series that celebrates local music and community, returns to Lancaster for its sixth summer. It takes place in Centennial Park
"I don t like to be put in a box. I like to do a little bit of everything. Ozark Mountain Soul to me is just my own flavor of mountain music, country music blues/roots/gospel all the genres that are like American music," says Opal Agafia when talking about what that term means to her during a podcast with What s Up!
This week on Inside Appalachia, we visit with Jerry Machen of Kingsport, Tennessee. When he first started making art from old carpets, his wife Linda wasn’t impressed. We also meet the devoted family and friends of Cuz’s Uptown Barbeque, who rallied behind the acclaimed Appalachian restaurant during a hard time. And, it used to be that every grocery store had a trained butcher behind the counter. But that’s not the case so much today. So the owner of a Charleston abattre had an idea.
This week, we step on the Appalachian Trail with one of America’s most accomplished hikers, Jennifer Pharr Davis. We also talk to the director of the Augusta Heritage Center. Each summer, dozens of students attend workshops to learn traditional skills. This year, the center is turning 50. We’ll also visit the steel drum capital of America which, believe it or not, is right here in Appalachia.
Appalachians love to compete. Whether it’s rec league softball, a turkey calling contest or workplace chili cookoffs… Mountain folks are in it to win it. But there’s more to competing than just winning or losing. In this show, we’ll also meet competitors who are also keepers of beloved Appalachian traditions.