Asheville to Host 100-Year Celebration of Appalachian Music Legacy

Asheville, North Carolina, is set to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the "Asheville Sessions," a landmark 1925 recording that captured the rich Appalachian music tradition. This historic effort, led by producer Ralph Peer, documented the diverse sounds of the region, including contributions from roots pioneers like Emmett Miller, J.D. Harris, and Bascom Lamar Lunsford.

The upcoming Asheville Sessions: Celebrating 100 Years of Americana & Appalachia festival, scheduled for November 6-9, 2025, will honor this legacy. The event will feature panel discussions with music historians, as well as performances by contemporary artists like Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show and Nest of Singing Birds. The festival coincides with the release of a new album, "Music From the Land of the Sky: The 1925 Asheville Sessions," which will feature carefully restored tracks from the original recordings.

Asheville has long been recognized as the "cradle of Americana music," nurturing the talents of iconic artists like Nina Simone and Luke Combs. The city's vibrant music scene, with its year-round festivals, local breweries, and beloved venues, continues to inspire and showcase the evolution of Appalachian sounds. The 100-year celebration promises to be a captivating exploration of the region's rich musical heritage and its enduring influence on the American musical landscape.