Pickin’ on the Square Update!

Join us for an afternoon of great bluegrass music in the comfort of air conditioning! Roving Roots & Friends will kick things off with a performance at 11:00 AM, followed by a community jam session. Whether you bring an instrument or just want to tap your feet and enjoy the music, we’d love to see you there!

New Location: Earl Scruggs Center Great Hall

Date: July 11, 2027

Time: 11:00 AM

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For nearly 100 years the site of the famous Battle of Cowpens, fought on January 17, 1781, has been maintained by the National Park Service as a National Battlefield.  Today it serves as not only a reminder of our country’s tumultuous past but also as a key educational resource for the region seeing thousands of visitors including families, adventure seekers, and school groups each year.  On August 5^th, join the Earl Scruggs Center for an exclusive look inside the history of this famous national landmark and those who help to preserve and manage it through the eyes of a National Park Service Ranger.

The post The History and Legacy of Cowpens National Battlefield: A Presentation by the National Park Service appeared first on Earl Scruggs Center.

GRAMMY-nominated, Appalachian-born singer-songwriter Mason Via is one of the newest leaders of modern-day American roots music. From touring the world with Old Crow Medicine Show and earning a GRAMMY nomination for his work on Jubilee, to collaborating with Grammy-winning artists like Molly Tuttle and the Del McCrory Band, Mason has already left an indelible mark on the genre.

Raised between Virginia and North Carolina, Mason absorbed the rich musical traditions of the Appalachian mountains—fiddler conventions, banjo competitions, and late-night campfire jams shaped his style from a young age. A naturally gifted singer and instrumentalist, Mason’s solo work blends bluegrass, folk, Americana, and country with top-tier flat-picking, intricate harmonies, and heartfelt storytelling.

His self-titled album, Mason Via, is a homecoming of sorts—an ode to his roots and the traditions that inspired him. From driving bluegrass numbers to soulful lullabies, from innovative original songs to timeless Appalachian classics, Mason delivers a performance that is raw, rowdy, and deeply personal.

Experience the energy, passion, and Appalachian spirit of Mason Via as he returns home to share his music, his story, and the sounds of the mountains with audiences everywhere.

Tickets $35 – Reserve yours today for an unforgettable evening of American roots music!

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Bringing the best of bluegrass, Americana, and roots music together with fans who have a true appreciation for the music, the Earl Scruggs Music Festival is a multi-day celebration of Mr. Scruggs’ incredible contributions and the rich musical culture of the region.

The Earl Scruggs Music Festival is presented in partnership by the Earl Scruggs Center and public radio WNCW-FM a flagship roots music station located at Isothermal Community College in Western North Carolina. The festival will take place Labor Day weekend 2026 at the impressive Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, NC. This unique venue set at the foot of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains offers onsite camping, lodging, restaurants, experiences, and much more.

Ticket options, packages, and pricing are available through the festival’s website www.earlscruggsmusicfest.com.

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“Roots Music Revue” is a brand new live radio program centered around the history of Appalachian music that will be syndicated on Western North Carolina’s NPR station WNCW, in partnership with the Earl Scruggs Center, and the roots music history podcast American Songcatcher. The 60 minute program implements storytelling, interviews, performances and surprise segments from the host and producer of American Songcatcher, folk musician Nicholas Edward Williams, in collaboration with a special guest who embodies the evolving and diverse history of Appalachian music culture.

About the Artist: Leah Song is a multifaceted American singer-songwriter, storyteller, and activist best known as the co-frontwoman of the beloved international roots band Rising Appalachia, which she formed with her sister, Chloe Smith. Blending sultry vocals, spoken-word poetry, and multi-instrumental talents, she masterfully fuses Southern soul with global folk traditions. Deeply rooted in the cultural landscapes of the American South—spanning Appalachia, Atlanta, and New Orleans—her art is inextricably linked to grassroots social justice, cultural preservation, and environmental activism. Through her official website and global community workshops, Song acts as a cultural bridge, using music as a tool for healing, storytelling, and community connection.

The debut three-part series takes place on September 24th, October 29th and November 19th, and will be filmed in front of a live audience at the Earl Scruggs Center. The old time house string band is an all-star cast of Appalachia, featuring Shawn Lane (Blue Highway), Jackson Grimm (Holler Choir, Susto String Band), and Murphy Campbell. This concept will be pitched for both regional and national NPR syndication in 2027 to further preserve Appalachian music culture.

*  Ticket purchase and/or attendance at Roots Music History Live! constitutes consent to photography, video, and audio recording, which may be broadcast on WNCW 88.7 and other media outlets and used for promotional purposes.  *

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Click here to register!

The earliest inhabitants of Cleveland County were the people of the Catawba Nation who hunted the area for thousands of years before the earliest European Settlers began moving into western North Carolina in the mid-18^th century.  Today the Catawba Cultural Center works diligently to preserve the culture of the Catawba people by housing an exhaustive archive of the Nation’s history, providing classes and workshops that promote Catawba traditions, and offering outreach through unique programming.  On October 10^th, 2026, the Catawba Cultural Center will be offering the program Catawba History 101.  This engaging and family friendly presentation will cover the vibrant past of the Catawba people looking at thousands of years of tradition and culture that have become deeply ingrained in the identity of the Nation’s people.  This program will be free but we ask that you register in advance as space will be limited.

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“Roots Music Revue” is a brand new live radio program centered around the history of Appalachian music that will be syndicated on Western North Carolina’s NPR station WNCW, in partnership with the Earl Scruggs Center, and the roots music history podcast American Songcatcher. The 60 minute program implements storytelling, interviews, performances and surprise segments from the host and producer of American Songcatcher, folk musician Nicholas Edward Williams, in collaboration with a special guest who embodies the evolving and diverse history of Appalachian music culture.

About the Artist: Travis Book is a founding member, upright bassist, and vocalist for the Grammy-winning progressive bluegrass band The Infamous Stringdusters. A key songwriter for the group, he also leads his own ensemble, performs in a Jerry Garcia tribute duo, and hosts The Travis Book Happy Hour podcast in his hometown of Brevard, NC. Originally from Colorado, Book rose through the vibrant Durango music scene as part of the influential Broke Mountain Bluegrass Band. In 2023, he released his Americana solo debut album, Love and Other Strange Emotions.

The debut three-part series takes place on September 24th, October 29th and November 19th, and will be filmed in front of a live audience at the Earl Scruggs Center. The old time house string band is an all-star cast of Appalachia, featuring Shawn Lane (Blue Highway), Jackson Grimm (Holler Choir, Susto String Band), and Owen Grooms (Pretty Little Goat, Travis Book String Band). This concept will be pitched for both regional and national NPR syndication in 2027 to further preserve Appalachian music culture.

*  Ticket purchase and/or attendance at Roots Music History Live! constitutes consent to photography, video, and audio recording, which may be broadcast on WNCW 88.7 and other media outlets and used for promotional purposes.  *

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Throughout the earliest years of Cleveland County history European Settlers and Native populations alike looked to the world around them to provide for their needs.  Clay for pottery was dug from local rivers, lumber for houses and furniture was harvested from the dense woodlands, flax was grown, and sheep were sheared for clothing.  As these early Cleveland County residents sought to add a bit of color to their fabric they yet again looked to nature hunting down plants unique to the region that could be used to create brilliant dyes.

The practice of using natural dyes has been developing for thousands of years, and today artists such as Catharine Ellis combine the knowledge gained from the past with new developments to create stunning works that demonstrate the true potential of natural dyes.  On November 12, 2026, the Ellis will give a unique presentation on the process of natural dyeing and the plants in the region that early textile creators would have used to give their fabric a pop of color.

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