Brotherhood and backwoods tradition: Balsam Range celebrates 20 years

Since I started as the arts and entertainment editor here at The Smoky Mountain News some 14 years ago, I’ve been able to dive deep into the legend and lore of bluegrass sensation Balsam Range, our “local boys done good,” as they say. The quintet was my first assignment for this newspaper — I covered the “Papertown” album release party at the Colonial Theatre in Canton on Aug. 10, 2012 — they were also the first actual friends I made in Haywood County and greater Western North Carolina. Not only has the group become musical heroes in their own right, but also they remain a pillar of the genuine compassion and inclusive nature at the heart of folks here in Southern Appalachia.

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