Balsam Range Celebrates Appalachian Art and Music

The Balsam Range bluegrass band employs cultural heritage to emphasize the arts and music of the Appalachians.

The Balsam Range, the internationally renowned bluegrass band of Haywood County, North Carolina, is gaining a second wave of interest due to its efforts to ensure that the traditions of Appalachian art and music are kept alive. The band was founded by a group of five native musicians, representing the richness of culture of the land where the Smokies and the Blue Ridge meet and incorporating the styles of bluegrass, gospel, and country.

Their musicality was strongly influenced by the musical heritage of the Appalachian South, which is generally known to be a rich place in terms of arts and music. The members were raised in an environment of traditions and heritage of the Grand Ole Opry, Scotch-Irish folk heritage, English ballads, and classic western songs. This amalgamation has since been the core of the Balsam Range identity, and this has remained a source of inspiration for their original compositions.

The band with its performances again promotes the role of art and music in safeguarding the identity of the region. Their changing repertoire demonstrates how the old forms may be in harmony with the modern ones, providing the Appalachian culture with access to the new generations and preserving the roots.

As Balsam Range gains popularity in the US, they will continue to honor their cultural roots. Their work is the prophecy of the fact that art and music can keep history alive and push creative boundaries.