#wise va

(George Skadding. 1954)

Here’s a press video from our show at RTE 23 fest in beautiful Wise VA.

I, personally, would not get tattooed there. From what I can tell, they do really cliche tattoos (I saw lots of infinity signs) and not very good ones, at that. If it is the only shop close to you, I recommend traveling somewhere nearby to get your tattoo done. I travelled 5 hours each way for my first tattoo and although it was expensive, I got exactly what I wanted and now I have a great road trip story! If it's in your budget, I would encourage you to travel to the next biggest city or state and look into getting something done by a really good artist.

Unfortunately, there aren't any pictures of my high school or really any good pictures online, so this is all I have!

My college right now ;) 

Apparently, the world was meant to end December 21, 2012. What do you do on such a day? Drive to the outskirts of the town of Wise, Virginia, of course. We thought it would be a good place to be at the end of all things. But, wisely, our gracious hosts knew better than to wallow in the misinterpreted musings of Mayan astronomers and the dim tones of astrologists giddy to see things fall apart with abounding cataclysm. Together we instead celebrated the beginning of the world. It's not a beginning that sought to erase all of history, all memories of what brought us here. No, it was an acknowledgement that each day is new, each day a cause to pause, reflect, and give thanks. Each day is an invitation to create, to play, to sing, and yes, to work. The Hangar Grill is located on the top of Coeburn Mountain (if you're from Wise) or Wise Mountain (if you're from Coeburn). It's right by the small, local airport, but on this night no sane pilot would have wanted to fly out. The winds of winter stirred on the top of this mountain, fitting for the first day of the season. And we have this feeling that the wind, despite its bite, was thinking to bring along something good for us on this shortest day of the year. It all gets lighter from here. Up to this point we have met so many kind people in all of the places we're played. We add now to that list Anthony Wayne, The Hangar's jack of all trades. He booked, welcomed, sound checked, and opened for us with a full sounding, driving solo acoustic set complete with some nice looping. Not to mention his name harkens me back to the namesake of my childhood residence, Ft. Wayne, Indiana, named after General "Mad" Anthony Wayne. Our set was intimate. It's great to play small places where you can interact with everyone there and feel open. On cold nights like one like this, it's nice to warm up with humor. And then after the music stopped, the kindness continued to flow in the form of conversation. A new relationship was formed with a new town, which fit the theme of the night perfectly. I looks like something is beginning here, too. THSMTN.tumblr.com is going to be a place of reflection and sharing for this mountain. It seemed most appropriate to start it just hours after the clock (EST) passed by the day the world did not end. Instead, something begins. Something continues to become. -Andrew

Smoky Mountains of Wise, VA