Shea got his big break appearing on Fred Allen’s weekly NBC radio show. | Photo courtesy of George Beverly Shea Memorial
The NC Music Hall of Fame has added another star from the Asheville area to its ranks.
At this year’s induction, late gospel singer George Beverly Shea will become the tenth musician from the Asheville area to become enshrined.
Shea, best known for his role as a “musical mainstay” in the Billy Graham crusades, joins locals such as Roberta Flack, Nina Simone, and Warren Haynes, along with wider NC royalty like George Clinton, Nina Simone, and James Taylor.
Often called “America’s Beloved Gospel Singer,” he routinely sang for stadium-sized crowds, appeared regularly on the radio, and recorded more than 70 albums throughout his career. A few of his most famous songs include “I’d Rather Have Jesus,” “The Wonder of It All,” and “How Great Thou Art.”
In 1966, Shea received the Grammy Award for Best Gospel or Other Religious Recording, and in 2011 earned a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy. After an incredibly fruitful career, he died at the ripe age of 104 in Asheville.
Along with Shea, five other musicians will be inducted in 2023, including Scotty McCreery, Loudon Wainwright III, Bill Curtis, Fetchin Bones, and Betty Davis.
Want to learn more about these legends? You’ll need to take a short road trip to Mooresville. Get a ticket for the NC Music Hall of Fame inductions on Thursday, Oct. 19 at the Mooresville Performing Arts Center.
Hit the button below to learn about nine other NC Music Hall of Famers with Land of the Sky ties.
Hustle Souls | Friday, June 2 | 8:30 p.m. | One World Brewing - West Asheville, 520 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $12-$14 | This local band is known for its “generation-jumping mashups” that blend vinyl nostalgia with modern sensibilities.
Da Classroom Ain’t Enuf | Friday, June 2-Saturday, June 17 | Times vary | The Magnetic Theatre, 375 Depot St., Asheville | $25 | Written by Charles Payne + directed by Katie Jones, Da Classroom Ain’t Enuf is an exploration of the intersection of Black and Brown communities in and around the American educational system.*
Saturday, June 3
Historic Montford Garden Tour | Saturday, June 3 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Montford Ave., Asheville | $25 | After a two year hiatus, this garden tour returns with eight stops.
Greenville Jazz Fest | Saturday, June 3 | 4-10 p.m. | Main Street, Downtown, Greenville | Free | Experience jazz music in the streets of Downtown Greenville at this inaugural festival — food and beverages will be on site for purchase.*
Sunday, June 4
AVL Honey Fest | Sunday, June 4 | 12-6 p.m. | Salvage Station, 468 Riverside Dr., Asheville | $15 | See what the buzz is about at this festival showcasing unique flavors of honey and other artisanal goods — proceeds go towards saving the bees.
Chris Staples & Zaq Squares | Sunday, June 4 | 6-10:30 p.m. | Addison Farms Vineyard, 4005 New Leicester Hwy., Leicester | $20 | Enjoy live music along with pre and post concert hangouts at the vineyard with beer, wine and mead for sale.
Monday, June 5
Open Mic Downtown | Monday, Jun. 5, Monday, Jun. 12 | 7:30-11 p.m. | One World Brewing - Downtown, 10 Patton Ave., Asheville | Sign up at 6:30 p.m. to participate in an open mic hosted by Tony Willingham.
Tuesday, June 6
Body Neutral by Jessi Kneeland Book Launch | Tuesday, June 6 | 7 p.m. | All Bodies Movement and Wellness, 211 Merrimon Ave., Asheville | Free | Celebrate the launch of local author Jessi Kneeland’s debut book, “Body Neutral: A Revolutionary Guide to Overcoming Body Image Issues.”
Wednesday, June 7
Reptile and Amphibian Encounters with the NC Arboretum | Wednesday, June 7 | 4-5 p.m. | Weaverville Library, 41 N. Main St., Weaverville | Free | Learn about the many herptiles that call WNC home at this interactive workshop — registration required.
Tuesday, June 13
Restaurant Space Open House at 44 Depot St. in Marion | Tuesday, June 13 | 12-2 p.m. | 44 Depot St., Marion | Free | See this amazing commercial restaurant space for lease and enjoy beer, other non-alcoholic drinks, and locally-catered food — it’s the perfect opportunity to view the historic 120-year-old property.*
SmartAsset’s no-cost tool makes it easy to find vetted financial advisors who serve your area. | Photo by Dean Mitchell
Whether you’re almost ready to retire or just (wisely) planning ahead, there are five tips that can help optimize savings when withdrawing your investments.
Test your knowledge:
Don’t dive straight into your 401(k) or IRA — you could cost yourself years’ worth of income in retirement savings. Tip or Mistake?
Don’t automatically claim Social Security benefits at age 62. Tip or Mistake?
Do start auto-withdrawing money from your 401(k) when you turn 59-and-a-half. Tip or Mistake?*
A Ci-Tea, a cafe and bubble tea shop, has opened in Biltmore Village at 2 Hendersonville Rd. Stop by for herbal and milk boba teas, fruit smoothies, macarons, and Korean snack cakes. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Blind Tiger, the newest boutique hotel from Lark Hotels, has announced plans to open this month at 173 E. Chestnut St. The 14-room guest house is furnished with vintage, antique, and handmade pieces and also includes lush gardens and koi ponds on the grounds.
Number
$50,000. That’s how much Buncombe County Schools has received from The State Board of Education to develop and disseminate new digital learning models. Buncombe is one of 21 school districts across the state to receive grant money for this initiative.
Try This
We were today years old when we learned it’s possible to make a bicycle frame out of bamboo. Intrigued? Sign up for UNC Asheville STEAM’s six-day “Build a Bamboo Bicycle Frame” workshop. The class runs from Monday, August 7 to Saturday, August 12.
Shop
The biannual East Fork Maker’s Market returns to East Fork’s downtown store Friday, June 9 through Sunday, July 9. The market features ceramics, textiles, and other goods made by East Fork employees, with artists keeping 100% of the profits.
Film
MAHEC will host a free screening of “UNMET: Two Developmental Disability Crises” in its Education Building on Friday, June 9 at 7 p.m at 121 Hendersonville Rd. The 25-minute documentary explores the real-life situations of individuals with developmental disabilities and what it looks like when their needs are unmet. Register to attend.
Plan Ahead
Odonata Farm is hosting a songwriting retreat led by musicians Jess Klein, Jane Kramer, and Abigail Dowd from Oct. 26-29. Over three days, participants will develop their songwriting skills through writing exercises, lessons on techniques, guitar and vocal approaches, and quality time in nature. Learn more about the instructors.
Today Is
National Donut Day. You might want to try Hole Doughnuts, which was just ranked the No. 2 donut shop in the country on Yelp’s Top 100 Donut Shops list — no big deal. Head to 168 Haywood Rd. for rustic confections with glazes like the toasted almond sesame cinnamon. Bonus: They also serve gluten-free donuts daily.
Active
Did you know pickleball has been the fastest-growing sport in America since 2021? North Carolina has the 6th most pickleball courts in the US (read: 423 pickleball courts statewide). The sport combines elements of badminton, tennis + table tennis — and is fun for all ages to play. Find a court near you.*
Travel
Watch amateurs and celebrities play golf with Korn Ferry professionals in a three-day competition full of fun at the BMW Charity Pro-Am June 5–11 in Greenville, SC. See the schedule of events, roster of celebrities, and purchase tickets.*
Featured Home
Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to own property in the hip + desirable West Asheville area. Situated one block from Haywood Road’s shops and restaurants, this property offers two separate residences (both with updates and modern amenities), allowing the additional cottage to be used as a guest space or long-term rental.*
Trending
The buzziest deodorant in the beauty scene right now: Lume whole body deodorant. Yup, whole body. It’s aluminum and baking soda-free and offers odor protection for any and everywhere. Try it in Toasted Coconut or Fresh Alpine.*
Celebrate
We want to wish a happy birthday (on Saturday) to our teammate Laura, AVLtoday Senior City Editor. Happy birthday, Laura!
The exhibit at Tucson’s University of Arizona Museum of Art. | Photo via Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation
Talk about a moveable feast. This month, the Asheville Art Museum welcomes a cornucopia of food-themed drawings, paintings, sculptures, and other artwork as part of “The Art of Food” traveling exhibit. The show opens Friday, June 16 and runs through Sunday, October 22.
Through more than 100 artworks, the exhibit seeks to explore the various roles food plays in our daily lives — as a source of pleasure, a reason for gathering, and as a reflection of social ideologies and divisions.
Highlights of the exhibit include pieces from Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein, as well as a thought-provoking series from Damien Hurst, a sizable installation by David Hockney, and a buffet of other works from 30+ contemporary artists.
Want an expert’s take on the menu? Check out one of several public tours taking place now through October. The first one is slated for Sunday, June 18 from 2 to 3 p.m.
Pimento cheese dressing? It’s a thing. Ali Rae Foods has released a line of salad dressings, and the pimento cheese is the one I’m most fiending after.
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