Angie Chandler, Executive Director of the Blue Ridge Natural Heritage Area, provides information on the Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina including the regions served and economic impact.

2. Western North Carolina has a national reputation as a music-rich
region, and its traditions of old-time stringband music, ballad
singing and bluegrass are internationally renowned.

3. Our Music is Nationally Significant for Many Reasons!
• No other place has had more influence on the
development of the banjo in America.
• The fiddle and banjo ensemble tradition that
developed in Surry County’s Round Peak
community is embraced and emulated by young
musicians around the world
• One of the longest, unbroken ballad
singing traditions in America is
found in Madison County.
• The Mountain Dance and Folk
Festival, started in 1928, is the
oldest continuous folk festival in
the US and is the model for the
National Folk Festival.

4. WNC’s
Traditional
Music industry
contributes:
$18.6 Million
DIRECT Impact
$20.7 Million
TOTAL Impact

5. Blue Ridge Music Trails of NC
Service Area
Over 200 music
venues
identified in the
BRMT counties
and the number
grows daily!

6. Learn more!
BlueRidgeMusicNC.com