Buskers entertain during The Log Journey Home Festival.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Long Journey Home, Johnson County, Tennessee’s Heritage Arts and Music Celebration. Each year the town of Mountain City comes to life with stories and songs that honor the iconic old-time mountain music style that shaped country music as we know it. The three-day festival spans Labor Day Weekend, Aug. 3-Sept. 1.
The fun begins Friday evening with Buskin’ on Main Street. This event brings the small town to life with music, friends and plenty of good food. The Long Journey Home Art Show is always a big hit at Johnson County Center for the Arts, but this year will be especially exciting with the grand opening of the new Center for the Arts Gallery on Main.
Saturday, Aug. 31, the Musical Heritage Homecoming Tour begins with the unveiling of the newest addition to the Mural Mile in downtown Mountain City. This new mural, “Appalachian Elixir,” gives a nod to Clarence “Tom” Ashley’s early career as a medicine show huckster. Acclaimed Country Music artist Roy Acuff credited Ashley with “showing him the ropes of show business” during their years together in Dr. Hauer’s Medicine Show in the 1930s. After the mural unveiling ceremonies, the tour visits the Ashley homeplace where you’ll hear musicians perform right on his front porch. Local favorites, Kenny Price and Jerry Moses, who perform in Ashley’s iconic clawhammer banjo style headline the performance. Bring a chair or a blanket, kick back in the shade and enjoy an evening of outdoor music.
The Long Journey Home Musical Heritage Homecoming wraps up Sunday afternoon, Sept. 1, with a traditional Sunday Singing at Heritage Hall Theatre featuring authentic old time gospel music.
Tour maps may be picked up at the Johnson County Center for the Arts and other local businesses. The Musical Heritage Mural Mile and Long Journey Home were made possible in part through funding from the East Tennessee Foundation, Johnson County Community Foundation and the Tennessee Arts Commission, as well as the generosity of community members. To learn more, visit www.longjourneyhome.net.
For more information, contact Cristy Dunn, Johnson County Center for the Arts executive director, at 423-957-6346, cristy@jocoartcenter.org or visit www.longjourneyhome.net.
