Asheville's Music Scene Rallies for Hurricane Relief: A Community's Resilience Shines Through

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene's devastating impact on Asheville, North Carolina, the city's vibrant music community has banded together to support one another and spearhead relief efforts. From musicians packing up their instruments to organize fundraising events to venue owners transforming their spaces into distribution hubs, the Asheville music scene is demonstrating its unwavering spirit and determination to rebuild.

Asheville's Music Community Unites to Uplift and Restore

Rallying for Hurricane Relief: A Musician's Selfless Act

When Hurricane Helene tore through Asheville, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake, musician Kenny Clark knew he had to act. Packing up his three dogs and 20 guitars, Clark headed west to Nashville, Tennessee, with a mission to raffle off the instruments and channel the proceeds towards hurricane relief efforts. "We had these couple days of overwhelming sadness and anxiety and confusion and wanting to help and not knowing what we could do," Clark, the co-owner and manager of Asheville Guitar Pedals, recounted. Teaming up with his partner, Miranda, they organized a raffle and benefit concert at the Soft Junk venue in Nashville, which not only raised much-needed funds but also lifted the spirits of the community.

Asheville's Music Venues: Adapting and Persevering

The impact of Hurricane Helene on Asheville's music scene has been far-reaching, with many venues still shuttered and festivals canceled. Liz Tallent, who manages marketing and special events for the Orange Peel and Rabbit Rabbit, two prominent music venues in the city, expressed the community's determination to overcome the challenges. "We definitely don't want people to forget about us," Tallent said, as the Orange Peel has transformed into a storage and distribution hub for relief supplies, with staff members working tirelessly to manage the operation.

Rebuilding Livelihoods: The Struggle Ahead

The road to recovery for Asheville's music community is a long and arduous one. Many musicians are facing financial and emotional difficulties, with venues still closed and festivals canceled. Katie Cornell, the executive director of ArtsAVL, Asheville's arts council, emphasized the importance of supporting the city's artists. "We are doing everything we can to keep our artists here in our community," she said, acknowledging the concerns about storm-damaged cars that artists rely on to reach their performances.

The Pivotal Fall Season: A Make-or-Break Moment

October is a crucial time for many businesses in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, including the music industry. Whitewater rafting operators have shifted to search-and-rescue efforts, while hotels and agritourism companies rely on the influx of leaf-peepers during this season. For musicians, the fall performance schedule is a vital source of income to sustain them through the winter months. However, the closure of a crucial section of Interstate 40, the main highway connecting Asheville to Tennessee and beyond, has made it challenging for visitors to access the city's music venues.

Festivals and Events: A Vital Part of Asheville's Cultural Fabric

Asheville's vibrant festival scene, which collectively generates tens of millions of dollars for the local economy, has been significantly impacted by Hurricane Helene. Several events, including the Burnpile music and beer festival and the Goombay Festival, which showcases Black music, art, and food, have been canceled this year. Tim Gormley, the co-owner of Burial Beer Co., which organizes the Burnpile festival, described it as his company's annual "Super Bowl" event, highlighting the importance of these events to the local community.

Preserving Asheville's Diverse Cultural Identity

The cancellation of the Goombay Festival has been particularly poignant, as it represents a space where the Black community in Asheville can celebrate and showcase their music, art, and culture. Anthony Thomas, the board chair of the YMI Cultural Center, which has hosted the event since 1982, emphasized the festival's significance. "A lot of folks who come to Asheville, one of the first things that they will ask is 'Where are all the Black people?'" he said, underscoring the importance of events like Goombay in highlighting the diversity of Asheville's cultural landscape.As Asheville's music community navigates the challenges posed by Hurricane Helene, their resilience and determination to support one another and rebuild their beloved city shines through. From musicians rallying for relief efforts to venue owners adapting their spaces to serve the community, the Asheville music scene is a testament to the power of unity and the unwavering spirit of a community that refuses to be silenced.