Balsam News

Above, Dawn Shook, Kim Ball and Jenny Stamey are pictured leading the luminary service.

This past Tuesday, Elizabeth and I took the day off and drove "north" on the Blue Ridge Parkway from Balsam Gap to the Hominy Valley parking overlook about 10 miles "south" of the Bent Creek exit near Interstate 26.

The Haywood County bluegrass band Balsam Range is hitting the big screen. "Bluegrass Today" reports that the boys of Balsam - Buddy Melton, Tim Surrett, Marc Pruett, Caleb Smith and Darren Nicholson - have performed three original songs for the film, a crime thriller titled "Careful What You Wish For" and starring Dermot Mulroney.

Danielle Bishop is celebrating milestones. The 18-year-old fiddle player releases her new CD "The Mix" this Thursday, and on May 31, she'll get her home school high school diploma and two-year college degree.

Haywood County's award-winning bluegrass-and-more band Balsam Range will be onstage 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at Haywood Community College to help two Clyde Elementary School students in their fight with cancer.