Gateway to the Smokies Podcast

🎙️ New Podcast Episode Alert! 🎶 After a brief hiatus, we're thrilled to bring you a fresh new Episode of the "Gateway to the Smokies Podcast." 🌟 Episode 71: Musician’s Creative Life on the Road with Andrew Wakefield In this episode of “Gateway to the Smokies Podcast,” host Joseph Franklyn McElroy introduces listeners to Andrew Wakefield, an Asheville-based musician known for blending traditional and modern sounds into his music. Andrew shares his global influences, from a childhood in Korea to Southern and Appalachian music. They discuss Andrew’s journey through various music genres, his current bluegrass focus, and the importance of live performance energy. The conversation also touches on the challenges of a musician’s life, including constant travel and the need for creative space. Andrew highlights Chimney Rock as a must-visit in the Smoky Mountains and recommends Gypsy Queen for dining in Asheville. Listeners can learn more about Andrew’s work and upcoming gigs through his website. Check this out!

🎙️ New Podcast Episode Alert! 🎶 After a brief hiatus, we're thrilled to bring you a fresh Episode of the "Gateway to the Smokies Podcast." Episode 71: Musician’s Creative Life on the Road with Andrew Wakefield In this episode of “Gateway to the Smokies Podcast” host Joseph Franklyn McElroy introduces listeners to Andrew Wakefield, an Asheville-based musician known for blending traditional and modern sounds into his music. Andrew shares his global influences, from a childhood in Korea to Southern and Appalachian music. They discuss Andrew’s journey through various music genres, his current bluegrass focus, and the importance of live performance energy. The conversation also touches on the challenges of a musician’s life, including constant travel and the need for creative space. Andrew highlights Chimney Rock as a must-visit in the Smoky Mountains and recommends Gypsy Queen for dining in Asheville. Listeners can learn more about Andrew’s work and upcoming gigs through his website.

EPISODE 70

EPISODE 70 of Gateway to the Smokies Podcast! In this podcast episode, I interviewed Jennifer Cole, a successful chef who has won the competition show "Chopped Season 8, ‘My Way’ episode" and has been cooking professionally for over 25 years. They discuss her career path, including working in Atlanta, New Orleans, Paris, and Spain before returning to her family farm in Haywood County. Cole emphasizes her interest in working with local farmers and using locally sourced ingredients in her cooking. The conversation also touches on topics such as the importance of creativity and understanding recipe rules as a chef, favorite ingredients like olive oil and heirloom beans, and the growing trend of farm weddings. If you missed this episode, watch it here #chefjennifercole #greatsmokymountains #smokiesadventure #maggievalley #meadowlarkmotel #gatewaytothesmokiespodcast #haywoodcounty

Jennifer Cole on Gateway to the Smokies Podcast

Episode 69: Darren Nicholson - The Intimacy of Bluegrass Culture

The Gateway to the Smokies Podcast is back! Our special guest in this episode is Darren Nicholson. Darren Nicholson ended his relationship with Balsam Range and has launched out in new directions with his music. Darren shares all about his new music, what he's been up to, and how the major life-changing events in his life have shaped him into who he is today. #darrennicholson #greatsmokymountains #smokiesadventure #maggievalley #meadowlarkmotel #gatewaytothesmokiespodcast #haywoodcounty

Interview with Darren Nicholson on Gateway to the Smokies Podcast

Darren Nicholson ended his relationship with Balsam Range and has launched out in new directions with his music. We will discuss that future.

When you're planning your next family outing, whether it's a weekend camping trip or a day hike, pick up ideas from Nancy East on how to make it a fun and memorable experience. Knowing the best hiking trails in Haywood County will help you find new ones and get a taste of the great outdoors with your family. Here's a short clip video from Episode 43 to hear some of Nancy's tips on how to make your kids safe outdoors. Watch the full episode here: 👇🏻 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlO03QnDmOA&t=146s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/251440730468197 You can also visit our website: https://www.smokiesadventure.com/ #smokymountainsnationalpark #northcarolina #mountainculture #mountainlife #podcast #maggievalley #haywoodcounty #outdooradventures #hikingadventures #familyouting

Check this episode to discover all about Maggie Valley in the Smokies with Teresa Smith, who is the Executive Director of Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce and Area Visitors Bureau. Joseph and Teresa talked about the origin of the name Maggie Valley. Teresa also discusses how she began her involvement with the Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce & Area Visitors Bureau. If you missed this episode you can watch the full video here: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_kz4jDj3qY Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gatewaytothesmokiespodcast/videos/197853875244578 You can also visit our website: https://www.smokiesadventure.com/ #smokymountainsnationalpark #northcarolina #mountainculture #mountainlife #podcast #maggievalley #haywoodcounty

Hey Folks! Check this video out to discover all about Finding Comfort and Memorable Experiences in the Smokies with Boyd Burton, who is the Manager of Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley. Boyd shares some of his #world-class memorable tourism experiences. Watch this episode to learn about #localculture, #refreshments, and #hedonism in the #greatsmokymountains. If you're looking for a place to stay in the #Smokies, Meadowlark Motel is an excellent location. Learn more by watching this episode! If you missed this episode you can watch the full video here: Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/5bykbrm3 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/467067105057398 You can also visit our website: https://www.smokiesadventure.com/ #smokymountainsnationalpark #northcarolina #mountainculture #mountainlife #podcast #memorableexperience #haywoodcounty

Hey, Folks! What does Agritourism mean for farmers, entrepreneurs, and residents in the mountains? Watch this short clip video to discover all about Agritourism with Laura Laufer who is the Project Director of EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems and Appalachian Regional Commission Power Project Center for Environmental Farming Systems sponsored by North Carolina State University. If you missed this episode you can watch the full video here: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD7KTmYksLI Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/454386369602091 You can also visit our website: https://www.smokiesadventure.com/ #smokymountainsnationalpark #northcarolina #mountainculture #mountainlife #podcast #farmerslife #agritourism #haywoodcounty

NEW EPISODE of Gateway to the Smokies Podcast! Joseph Franklyn McElroy got a chance to interview our special guest this week, Jim Lauderdale. Jim won two Grammys, released 34 full-length albums, and taken home the Americana Music Association’s coveted Wagonmaster Award. But his forthcoming album Game Changer is convincing evidence that the North Carolina native is only continuing to hone his craft. Check out this episode to hear about how he’s been making music, the strategies and techniques that help him stay inspired and focused on his craft, and what advice he’d have for other musicians in their own creative pursuits. --------------------------------------------------------------- Also, we’ve got something special for all of you #music lovers, and it’s a bit of a collaboration between Jim Lauderdale and friends. The #Songwriters Camp and Concert on August 12- 13,2022, will feature our own special guest Jim Lauderdale with Charles, Humphrey III, Darren Nicholson, Clay Mills, and Charles Chamberlain, who will be instructing on songwriting techniques and helping out with some live performances. This event is going to be jam-packed full fun, so be sure to check it out! https://meadowlarkmotel.com/event/songwriters-camp/ #smokymountainsnationalpark #songwriter #northcarolina #maggievalley #podcast

Episode 13: Maggie Valley in the Smokies

Before we air the newest podcast episode tomorrow let’s look back to an episode from the 1st Season of Gateway to the Smokies with Teresa Smith, who is the Executive Director at Maggie Valley Chamber & Area Visitors Bureau. She discussed here the history of Maggie Valley in the Smokies. Here's a short clip from this episode and you can watch the full episode at the link below, or you can watch it on your favorite platform: Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/y4ckfjsk Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_kz4jDj3qY Visit our website: https://www.smokiesadventure.com/

Episode 8:Hiking in the Smokies

2 hours to go before the live podcast of our new episode, but before that let’s look back to an episode from the 1st Season of Gateway to the Smokies with Keith Garnes, he is a Hiking Director for Friends of Pickett State Park in Middle Tennessee. He hikes for Smoky Mountain Outdoors. Here's a short clip from this episode but you can watch the full episode at the link below, or you can watch it on your favorite platform: Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/ms7t4k28 Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/2zj5dk8j Visit our website: https://www.smokiesadventure.com/

Episode 7: White Water Rafting in the Smokies

Hey Folks! Before we record the new episode next week, let’s look back to an episode from the 1st Season of Gateway to the Smokies podcast with ​​Olwen Claiborne , she is a Marketing Director of Smoky Mountain Outdoors Rafting, with over 30 years in the tourism marketplace, Olwen is living her first passion and represents the leading river outfitter in the Smoky Mountains Region. She knows all about whitewater Rafting in the Smokies. Watch the full episode at the link below, or you can watch it on your favorite platform: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gatewaytothesmokiespodcast/videos/1375796796113220 Youtube: https://bit.ly/3hS5TOi Visit our website: https://www.smokiesadventure.com/