🎻 250 Years of Creativity: The Sound of the Mountains Long before recordings, radio, or streaming, stories were passed from generation to generation through song.

In the mountains of Western North Carolina, traditional Appalachian ballads carried the history, culture, and voices of communities for centuries. These songs, rooted in the traditions of early Scottish, Irish, and English settlers, found a lasting home in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains and continue to be preserved today. One of the most celebrated keepers of this tradition is Sheila Kay Adams, a seventh-generation ballad singer, storyteller, and musician from Madison County. Through her music, storytelling, and dedication to preserving Appalachian heritage, she has helped ensure these centuries-old songs continue to inspire new generations. Thank you to artists like Sheila Kay Adams who remind us that our history is not only written in books, but carried in the songs we sing. 💙🎶 Sources: @neaarts Also featured: @donnaraynorton