crooked road heritage music trail

We did not intend to visit this road but ended up on it anyway. We drove for a while on the road and saw great scenery and learned a lot about the music there in the mountains. Bought a CD with local artists on it. Great music still found there.

I had not heard of the Crooked Road until a friend told me about it. He read about it in the NY Times (http://goo.gl/gvywTI). We drove the Crooked Road and used it as an opportunity to learn a bit about the history of hillbilly and country music. Don't worry if you are not a fan of that kind of music, it's still quite an interesting - and beautiful - drive.Make sure you visit the music shop in Galax, VA and the town of Floyd, VA. We had a great time.

We traveled a small portion of the Crooked Road this last weekend. What an experience. Great local music, joined by interesting history of Early Appalachian settlers. The outdoor drama of The Tail of the Lonesome Pine in Big Stone Gap told the story of legendary Devil John Wright and Red Fox Taylor. The local musical play with local talent is fabulous. We missed the local Sat. night dance with local bluegrass performers but heard from others in our group we missed something special. We were very impressed with a local performer that gave some incite as to how families from different heritage would play the same tune - one with Scottish another with more of an Irish tone. Very interesting show.

Like Bluegrass Music? Like American History? Curious about the Appalachian Mountain Settlers and Current dwellers? Then hop a ride all along The Crooked Road ( as advertised via brochure from the State of North Carolina ). The trip crosses miles of unexpected venues for both professional and genuine amateur musicians of the highest caliber. The museums supply information for the curious of all ages. The natural scenery along the Blue Ridge Parkway cannot be matched. The motels, hotels, B&Bs all priced to suit any pocketbook provide bedding on a moment's notice, allowing you the freedom to travel and to experience music and art at will, for as long as you want, whenever you want and wherever you want in this across-America adventure. No set plans needed, just follow the Trail and find whatever pops up ( though weekend performances are generally of higher quality, while weekday and night "pickers playing" will suffice ). Love America? You will LOVE this tour.

We spent 4 days on a central section of this "trail" and loved every minute of it. The whole trail covers about 300 miles of lower Virginia countryside; we covered only about 150 miles of it. Mountain views, backroads, and HERITAGE MOUNTAIN MUSIC are THE attractions. It's all about "an authentic music that has been preserved by the region's musicians for generations." There are lots of free venues and the others are for a most modest fee. We had seen a TV "travelogue" a couple of years ago and finally got up there. Can't wait to go back ... perhaps to one of the many annual festivals. We were slightly surprised by the motel / hotel rates throughout the area in mid-August. Comfort Suites / Holiday Inn Express type accomodations averaged about $89/nt mid-week and up to abt. $129/nt on weekends. Best advice is to go on line to: www.thecrookedroad.org for all the details you need to plan your trip.

The Crooked Road Guide book with it's two CDs for this trip is a must. We easily followed its recommendations and saw most major venues. We visited Ferrum, Floyd, Meadows of Dan, Independence, Galax, Bristol, Hiltons, Grayson Highlands State park.It is not called the Crooked Road for nothing - the drive is an adventure in itself. Make sure you plan visits to sights during Thursdays to Sundays if you want to see entertainers, jam sessions, etc. The other activities such as antique hunting, Mabry Mill or wineries can be fit in during the other days. We thought the trip was fantastic as we met all kinds of great people and became imbued in the bluegrass music culture.