Author: bpintern

Where to Listen to Live Music this Spring

Posted on March 27, 2025 by bpintern - Blog, Uncategorized

Written by: Emily Huffstetler

While Nashville may be Music City, the Peaceful Side of the Smokies is home to a lively—and affordable—music scene. This spring, discover the diversity of Appalachian music, from bluegrass to rock n’ roll, at these upcoming performances.

The Shed Smokehouse & Juke Joint, Maryville

The Shed Smokehouse & Juke Joint is a 16,000-square-foot concert hall located adjacent to Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson. They have live music every Saturday night, as well as some Fridays and Thursdays.

Friday, March 28 from 6:30–11:00 p.m. — The Young Fables Benefit Concert
Saturday, April 5 from 6:00–11:00 p.m. — Big Gun: The Ultimate AC/DC Tribute wsg 103.5 WIMZ Garage Band
Saturday, April 12 from 6:00–11:00 p.m. — 7 Bridges: Eagles Tribute
Saturday, April 19 from 6:00–11:00 p.m. — Departure: Journey Tribute
Saturday, April 26 from 6:00–11:00 p.m. — Back2Mac: Fleetwood Mac Tribute
Saturday, May 3 from 6:00–11:00 p.m. — Everclear
Saturday, May 10 from 6:00–11:00 p.m. — Ray Wylie Hubbard
Thursday, May 15 from 6:00–11:00 p.m. — Blackberry Smoke Night 1
Friday, May 16 from 6:00–11:00 p.m. — Blackberry Smoke Night 2
Saturday, May 17 from 6:00–11:00 p.m. — Blackberry Smoke Night 3
Saturday, May 24 from 6:00–11:00 p.m. — Black Stone Cherry w/ Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown
Saturday, May 31 from 6:00–11:00 p.m. — The Wildflowers: The Ultimate Tom Petty Tribute Band

Rocky Branch Mountain Music, Walland

Rocky Branch Mountain Music, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit located in Walland, has jam sessions every Friday night. You can bring your acoustic instrument to play, or just sit back and enjoy the music. Music genres range from country to bluegrass and gospel.

The doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the kitchen starts serving at 6 p.m. Groups generally start playing at 6:30 p.m., until the last player leaves.

The cost of admission is a donation of your chosen amount to help cover operational expenses.

Bars and Restaurants

Blackhorse Pub & Brewery, located in Alcoa, is a restaurant that serves beers crafted in Tennessee. They have live music in the beer garden on Friday and Saturday nights.

Upcoming Performances:

Thursday, April 3 from 7–10 p.m.—Shaun Abbott (country, originals)
Friday, April 4 from 8–11 p.m.—The Jaystorm Project (blues, funk, rock, hip-hop)
Friday, April 11 from 8–11 p.m.—Gramphix (rock, punk, soul)
Thursday, April 17 from 7–10 p.m.—Ryan Roberts (country, southern rock)
Friday, April 18 from 7–10 p.m.—AYCA (rock, jazz, R&B, dance, diva rock)
Friday, April 25 from 8–11 p.m.—SkyWay 61 (classic rock, dance, originals)
Saturday, April 26 from 8–11 p.m.—Zak Saltz Band (southern rock, blues)
Friday, May 2 from 8–11 p.m.—The Jaystorm Project (blues, funk, rock, hip-hop)
Saturday, May 10 from 8–11 p.m.—Hillbilly Jedi (variety)
Friday, May 16 from 8–11 p.m.—Loveshyne (rock, originals)
Saturday, May 17 from 8–11 p.m.—Rebel Railroad (originals)
Friday, May 23 from 8–11 p.m.—Vagabon Brew (rock n’ roll)
Saturday, May 24 from 8–11 p.m.—Virginia Sweet (hard rock, jam band)
Friday, May 30 from 8–11 p.m.—The Aaron Tracy Band (classic rock, country, variety)

These performances are weather permitting. For information about possible delays or cancellations, visit their social media or call the pub.

Two Doors Down, a gastropub in Downtown Maryville, has live music on Fridays and Saturdays starting at 9 p.m. They also have a live DJ every Wednesday.

Upcoming Performances:

Friday, March 28 from 9 p.m.–1 a.m.—FourKast
Saturday, March 29 from 9 p.m.–1 a.m.—Ginger Band
Friday, April 4 from 9 p.m.–1 a.m.—Aunt Betty
Saturday, April 5 from 9 p.m.–1 a.m.—Jordan Foster Band

Brackins Blues Club, located in Downtown Maryville, has live music on Friday and Saturday nights starting at 9 p.m. Occasionally, they have weeknight performances.

Upcoming Performances:

Thursday, March 27 from 8–11 p.m.—Big Al & the Heavyweights
Friday, March 28 from 9 p.m.–12 a.m.—Mighty Blue
Saturday, March 29 from 9 p.m.–12 a.m.—Roger Hay Band
Tuesday, April 8 from 7:30–9:30 p.m.—The Dirty Dougs Trio
Tuesday, April 15 from 7–9 p.m.—B-Side Me
Tuesday, May 13 from 7:30–9:30 p.m.—The Dirty Dougs Trio
Tuesday, May 20 from 7–9 p.m.—B-Side Me

Company Distilling, a distillery located in Townsend, has live music on most Friday and Saturday evenings from 6–8 p.m.

Upcoming Performances:

Friday, March 28 from 6–8 p.m.—Piper Paisley
Saturday, March 29 from 6–8 p.m.—Gavin Johnston
Friday, April 4 from 6–8 p.m.—Adam Miller
Saturday, April 5 from 6–8 p.m.—Jay Dee
Friday, April 11 from 6–8 p.m.—Chris Long
Saturday, April 12 from 6–8 p.m.—Von Sutherland
Friday, April 18 from 6–8 p.m.—Shaun Abbott
Saturday, April 19 from 6–8 p.m.—Double Helix
Friday, April 25 from 6–8 p.m.—Josh Cottrell
Saturday, April 26 from 6–8 p.m.—Piper Paisley
Friday, May 2 from 6–8 p.m.—Adam Miller
Saturday, May 3 from 6–8 p.m.—Backseat Delilahs
Friday, May 9 from 6–8 p.m.—Southern Spirit

The Abbey, a craft beer pub located in Townsend, has live music on the riverside patio most Friday and Saturday evenings, starting at 7 p.m.

Upcoming Performances:

Friday, March 28 — The Woods
Saturday, March 29 — Perry Bonck
Friday, April 4 — First Friday Artists
Saturday, April 5 — Tin Wood Holler
Friday, April 11 — Jeremy Johnson
Saturday, April 12 — Southern Spirit
Friday, April 18 — Dark Waters Project
Saturday, April 19 — Butch Truan
Friday, April 25 — Joe Podge
Saturday, April 26 — Perry Bonck
Friday, May 2 — First Friday Artists
Saturday, May 3 — Darryl Wallace, Chris Long, Kevin Mahoney
Friday, May 9 — Randy Goodman
Saturday, May 10 — The Surface Dwellers
Friday, May 16 — Andy Sneed
Saturday, May 17 — Butch Truan
Friday, May 23 — Dark Waters Project
Saturday, May 24 — TBA
Friday, May 30 — Perry Bonck
Saturday, May 31 — Tin Wood Holler

These performances start at 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted.

Peaceful Side Brewery, located in Maryville, has live music every Saturday and live blues music every first Sunday. The third Thursday of the month features Listening Sessions with Captain Ed, their resident vinyl curator.

Upcoming Performances:

Saturday, March 29 from 6:00–9:00 p.m. — Von Sutherland
Saturday, April 5 from 6:00–9:00 p.m. — Karen Bowles
Sunday, April 6 from 4:00–6:00 p.m. — Tangled In Blues Lite
Saturday, April 12 from 6:00–9:00 p.m. — Neesee Hurst
Thursday, April 17 from 6:00–8:00 p.m. — Listening Sessions with Captain Ed
Saturday, April 19 from 6:00–9:00 p.m. — Short Leasch
Sunday, May 4 from 4:00–6:00 p.m. — Live Blues Music
Thursday, May 15 from 6:00–8:00 p.m. — Listening Sessions with Captain Ed

Peaceful Side Social, located in Townsend, has live music every Friday from 4:30–7:30 p.m.

Upcoming Performances:

Friday, March 28 from 4:30–7:30 p.m.— Fred Lee Cole
Friday, April 11 from 4:30–7:30 p.m. — The Surface Dwellers

Will you make it to any of these spring concerts on the Peaceful Side? We’d love to hear about it. Be sure to tag us on social media (@peacefulsmokies).

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Born and raised in Maryville, Tennessee, with roots tracing back to Cades Cove, Emily Huffstetler is a proud Maryville College graduate and passionate storyteller of the Greater Smokies region.

Where to Shop Farm-Fresh Goods in Maryville

Posted on May 29, 2026 by bpintern - Blog, Uncategorized

Written by: Emily Huffstetler

Maryville shoppers have two farmers market options this season.

Rural King’s Blount County Farm Days brings local crafters, homestead vendors, small-scale farmers, food vendors and makers to Rural King twice a month. Downtown, the Maryville Farmers’ Market operates Saturdays at Founders Square with a formal, producer-only structure.

Rural King’s Blount County Farm Days

*^{Stitchin’ Rita. Photo courtesy of Rural King, Maryville.}*

Rural King’s Blount County Farm Days started in Maryville in 2022. Store manager Bryce Freebury came up with the idea to bring the community together and celebrate the farm lifestyle.

The market gives local crafters, homestead vendors, small-scale farmers, food vendors and other makers a low-cost place to sell directly to shoppers. Vendors aren’t charged for a spot, but they do sign a liability waiver to use the parking lot.

Ashley Sparks of Sparkswood Farm created the market’s Facebook page, helping Rural King’s Blount County Farm Days reach a wider community audience.

The market takes place on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month. Vendors can set up at any time, usually by 10 a.m., and the market runs until vendors pack up. The next one is June 13.

*^{Kriddy’s Kreations. Photo courtesy of Rural King, Maryville.}*

The lineup changes by date. On the farm side, shoppers may find chicken eggs, quail eggs, hatching eggs, chicks, poultry, goats, livestock feed or homestead classes from vendors such as Hobby Hen Farms, Ada’s Quailery, Lil’ Scruffy Homestead, Naked Goat Farms TN and Sulfur Springs Hatchery.

Food vendors include Knead for Speed, which focuses on fresh-milled sourdough and kitchen classes; Mandar’s Cakesicles and She’s a Dandy Bakery, both cottage-baked sweets vendors; Tammy Duncan, who makes jams, jellies, breads, salsa, relishes and baked goods; and Shearer Marketplace, which sells jams and jellies.

The market also includes handmade and home-based products. Kriddy’s Kreations sells candles, wax melts, room sprays, soaps and salves. Ashley Family Made makes tallow soaps, whipped tallow, bug repellent, laundry soap and dog shampoo. Marvin’s Metal Works creates furniture and art pieces from repurposed metal barrels. StitchinRita crochets plushies, farm animals, keychains, horseshoe decor and accessories.

Those interested in participating can join the Blount County Farm Days Facebook group.

Maryville Farmers’ Market

The Maryville Farmers’ Market is the established downtown option. The 2026 season runs Saturdays through Nov. 14., from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Monthly craft days are scheduled during the season, with Holly Day Market dates set for Nov. 7 and 14.

The market has a formal vendor structure. Categories include farmers and growers, small food manufacturers, processors, prepared food vendors and artisans. Farmers and growers must sell products they grow themselves, products from a family farm, or products grown on land they lease or rent. Members can’t resell products.

Produce becomes a larger part of the market as summer begins. Octagon G Farm sells vegetables like corn, heirloom beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, potatoes, peppers, okra, greens and beets, depending on what’s in season. The Plant Trolley brings houseplants, and Honey Rock Herb Farm offers herbs.

Shoppers can also find meat, eggs and locally made food products. Wandering Walnut Meadows, a small farm in Greenback, raises pastured chicken, turkey, duck, eggs, pork and grass-fed lamb. C&C Beef is another local meat producer. Smokey Ridge Apiaries sells raw honey and products made with honey or beeswax.

Prepared foods and specialty products round out the weekly shop. Depending on the date, shoppers may find baked goods from Blount County Bakery, barbecue sauce from Duane Paul’s BBQ and hot sauce from Tennessee Red Man.

The market has closed vendor applications for the 2026 season.

Born and raised in Maryville, Tennessee, with roots tracing back to Cades Cove, Emily Huffstetler is a proud Maryville College graduate and storyteller of the Greater Smokies region. She holds a Master of Science in Conservation Education from Mississippi State University.

Winter Date Ideas on the Peaceful Side

Posted on February 6, 2026 by bpintern - Blog, Uncategorized

Written by: Emily Huffstetler

On the Peaceful Side, winter date night doesn’t have to mean staying cooped up at home. From downtown dinner and cocktails to a heated sauna workout, these ideas make it easy to spend quality time together, no matter the forecast.

Classic Romantics – Downtown Maryville

Start with dinner at Bella, a downtown spot with Italian-inspired house pastas and elevated entrees. If you want something memorable, order Pasta in the Wheel, tableside fettuccine flambéed in a Grana Padano cheese wheel.

Afterward, head to The Raven for a nightcap in the lounge. Order The Chosen Stave for a tableside cocktail, the Bottled Old Fashioned for a classic or Black Velvet Veil for an espresso boost.

Lodge Lovers – Townsend

Have a cozy overnight stay at Dancing Bear Lodge. Their Hibernation Special runs Jan. 4 through March 19 with reduced winter rates, complimentary breakfast from the Dancing Bean Coffee House or Apple Valley Cafe, and a custom gift for two.

During the day, bundle up for a walk on the Townsend Historical Trail. It’s paved and mostly flat, and you can turn around whenever you’re ready.

Bookworms – Downtown Maryville

Browse Neighborly Books and pick out a book for each other. Bring them along to Vienna Coffee Company and settle in with one of their February specials.

Bee Mine is sweet and floral with honey, brown sugar and lavender alongside espresso and milk. Cupid’s Crush is a strawberry smoothie with vanilla, mocha and a splash of cream, and Strawberry Snowflake is a strawberry and vanilla latte topped with cold foam or whipped cream.

Workout Partners – Alcoa

*^{Photo: HOTWORX Alcoa, TN (Springbrook Farms)}*

Crank up the heat at HOTWORX, an infrared fitness studio with guided workouts inside a heated sauna. Book a session and follow the on-screen class, with options ranging from yoga and Pilates to strength-focused and cycling-style workouts.

Cool down with a vitamin-infused energy or protein drink from Louisville Nutrition.

History Buffs – Townsend

*^{Photo: Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center}*

Spend the morning at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center and take your time exploring the exhibits and historic structures.

Once you’ve wrapped up, have lunch at The Abbey. The restaurant is set inside a historic chapel, with a warm, old-world atmosphere. Then, go antiquing for the afternoon.

Movie Lovers – Downtown Maryville

Start with dessert at the Capitol Theatre Ice Cream Parlor. Their menu leans into classics like sundaes and floats, with movie-themed touches.

Make a pit stop at Bigfoot Popcorn and pick out a couple flavors to share. Bigfoot Poop is their signature, made with chocolate and caramel. Ranch and Garlic Parmesan are popular savory options. Then, head home for a movie night.

Crafty Couples – Maryville

Take a class together at Creative Spark Studio. On Feb. 14, Blacksmithing Basics with Bryan covers beginner techniques like heating, hammering and bending metal while you shape a heart. All materials are provided, and the finished piece can be used as a pendant, keychain or ornament. Alternatively, on Feb. 19, create a heart-shaped gemstone pendant.

Born and raised in Maryville, Tennessee, with roots tracing back to Cades Cove, Emily Huffstetler is a proud Maryville College graduate and storyteller of the Greater Smokies region.

Winter Flora and Fauna of the Smokies: A Field Guide

Posted on January 17, 2025 by bpintern - Blog

Written by: Emily Huffstetler

Winter in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) offers a unique perspective on the region’s rich biodiversity. While many visitors associate the park with its vibrant spring and summer blooms, the winter months reveal a quieter, more serene side, with a surprising amount of flora and fauna still thriving in the colder weather.

Flora

The GSMNP is home to over 1,500 species of flowering plants, earning its nickname as the “Wildflower National Park.” During the winter months, a few of these species can still be spotted, including the early-blooming ephemeral flowers.

These delicate blooms, such as hepaticas (liverworts), begin to flower as early as February, taking advantage of the abundant sunlight that reaches the forest floor through the leafless trees. Their blue, white, purple and pink shades are some of the few bursts of color in the winter landscape. To find them, explore the park’s recommended wildflower walks.

While Mountain Laurels don’t bloom until late May or early June, their glossy evergreen leaves provide year-round beauty. The Laurel Falls Trail, the most popular hike in the Smokies, offers views of this iconic shrub. This paved 2.6-mile roundtrip trail leads to an 80-foot waterfall.

The Smokies also has an abundance of evergreen trees, including red spruce and Fraser firs. Spruce-fir forests are found exclusively at the park’s highest elevations.

While red spruce are common across North America, Fraser firs are unique to southern Appalachia. Roughly 80% of the park’s Fraser firs were lost to a European parasite introduced in 1900, but a recent study shows their population has rebounded in recent decades, with numbers tripling on Kuwohi, Tennessee’s highest peak. You can appreciate these resilient trees on the Spruce-Fir Nature Trail, a short and scenic 0.35-mile loop.

Fauna

Winter in the Smokies is an excellent time for wildlife observation, as the lack of foliage provides clearer views. Cades Cove, with its open meadows and forests, is a prime spot for animal sightings. The 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road offers easy access to the area, open from sunrise to sunset.

There, it’s quite common to see white-tailed deer prancing across the meadows. They may also venture deeper into the forest, as food is scarcer.

Wild turkeys, the biggest birds in Cades Cove, are also hard to miss, as their population is at a historic high.

Although black bears spend most of the winter hibernating, warmer days might bring them out to search for food.

If you visit the creek, you may see otters, even in colder months. The Cherokee name for Cades Cove, Tsiyahi, translates to “Otter Place.” Once nearly hunted to extinction in the 1920s, otters were reintroduced to the area in the 1980s and have made an impressive comeback. Abrams Falls, a 5-mile roundtrip hike near Cades Cove, is known for frequent otter sightings.

Will you venture to the Smokies this winter? Share your favorite flora and fauna photos with us on social media (@peacefulsmokies).

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Born and raised in Maryville, Tennessee, with roots tracing back to Cades Cove, Emily Huffstetler is a proud Maryville College graduate and passionate storyteller of the Greater Smokies region.

Author: bpintern

Where to Listen to Live Music this Spring

Where to Shop Farm-Fresh Goods in Maryville

Winter Date Ideas on the Peaceful Side

Winter Flora and Fauna of the Smokies: A Field Guide

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