Grand Opening Set for July 2009 - Smoky Mtn. Performing Arts Center in Franklin, NC

I can hardly believe it!  In the quiant little town of Franklin, NC we have the new Smoky Mountain Center for the performing arts.  Thanks to Phil Drake this 1,500 seat facility is slated to open in 2009.  This is a big deal for us here.  It is located on the Georgia Rd.  Hwy. 441 South. Its about 2 hours north of Atlanta and a hour to Asheville.  This little town is growing so fast.  We also new restaurants recently, Cody's, Fatz Cafe, and Sonic.  Our new extended community college is doing well also and we are already building another building next to the new State of the Art Library.   Southwestern has been rated 4th in the Nation!  Things are not slowing down here much in the commercial area. 

 Main Street Revitalizes Franklin
The Franklin Main Street Program continues its revitalization efforts in downtown Franklin.
Great business opportunities abound in repurposed buildings.  

Aida July 16-19, 2009  A story of forbidden and unrequited love, two contemporary youths are swept from an exhibition of Egyptian artifacts back in time to live an adaptation of the Verdi opera. Radames, the prince of Egypt is engaged to Amneris, but falls in love with Aida, the princess of Nubia.

Charlie Daniels July 24, 2009  Partly Western and partly Southern. His signature "bullrider" hat and belt buckle, his lifestyle on the Twin Pines Ranch (a boyhood dream come true), his love of horses, cowboy lore and the heroes of championship rodeo, Western movies, and Louis L'Amour novels, identify him as a Westerner. The son of a lumberjack and a Southerner by birth, his music - rock, country, bluegrass, blues, gospel - is quintessentially Southern.

Mark Schultz July 31, 2009  He's earned numerous accolades and become one of the Christian format's core artists with seven chart-topping hits to his credit. he's also found success on mainstream radio, scoring an AC hit with "He's My Son." His last project, "Live...A Night of Stories and Songs," won the 2006 Gospel Music Association Dove Award for longform music video of the year.

Is He Dead? (A Comedy by Mark Twain) August 29, 2009  Know how a struggling artist sells his paintings?  By faking his own death, then returning to the town as his long lost sister to claim the wealth... or so he thinks.  Funny, smart and full of Mark Twain's southern wit and comedy.

David Phelps August 29, 2009  Outstanding talent always speaks for itself. It stands out from crowds of gimmicks, flashy clothes and pretty faces, and rises above odds, obstacles and any lesser contenders. Great talent cannot be learned or created-it is simply given to a special few. And when that talent is dedicated to a higher purpose, there's no telling where it may take the one who possesses it.

The Isaacs September 12, 2009  They have a unique style that marries bluegrass harmonies and instrumentation with modern southern gospel lyrics. Their musical influences immerge from all genres of music including bluegrass, rhythm and blues, folk, contemporary acoustic and southern gospel. They perform frequently at the Grand Ole Opry, are active members on the Gaither Homecoming Videos and Concert Series and travel throughout the year performing nationally.

Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver September 18, 2009  The gospel music that we record and perform on stage has always been important to me. Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver have made many more gospel recordings than secular ones. It is apparent to me that the folks who buy our music and come to our concerts feel, as I do, that there is no better message than the message of Jesus Christ. It is my fervent hope that my "musical mission" will lead others to Him.

Greater Vision September 26, 2009  Almost 200 times each year, the three gentlemen collectively known as Greater Vision, unite to present the gospel in a way that has endeared them to audiences across the United States and around the world. Their deepest desire is to encourage the Christian listener to share their faith with others and to cause the listener who isn't a believer to see their need for a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Smoke On The Mountain October, 2009  The Sanders Family Singers celebrate in old-timey gospel singing and testimony as Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church welcomes its first electric light. A rip-roaring, musical comedy revival!

Ivan Parker October 16, 2009  Ivan was voted Favorite Lead Vocalist by the readers of The Singing News Magazine six times and Favorite Male Vocalist nine times. The Southern Gospel Music Association honored him with 'Soloist of the Year' award in 1998, and The Singing News Fan Awards voted him 'Soloist of the Year' in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2006.

Blue Ridge October 23-24, 2009  The young men who comprise BLUE RIDGE have developed a style of singing that has become popular with all who hear them. This Southern gospel quartet combines rich vocal harmonies with an exciting program of gospel music which is enjoyed by young and old.

Annie November 5-8, 2009  Shortly before Christmas, 1971, Martin Chamin, a lyricist and director, bought a collection of "Little Orphan Annie" comic strips and began imagining a musical comedy based on the main character. After convincing librettist Thomas Meehan and composer Charles Strouse to join him in writing the show, Charmin and his collaberators created the musical together.

Lee Greenwood November 14, 2009  Few artists have ever written a song that has become more a part of America's cultural landscape than Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA." If he'd never written or recorded another hit, Greenwood would have secured his place in music history with that powerful inspiring ballad.

The Imperials November 28, 2009  Founded in 1964 by Jake Hess, The Imperials have always embodied excellence in both music and ministry. Millions have embraced the quality, sound, and popularity of The Imperials, and they have become a household name around the world. With roots in Southern Gospel, The Imperials made a name for themselves and quickly became the most visible vocal group in Christian Music.