Catch Naomi & the Wood Brothers, they do some great stuff. Otherwise Dolly'd throw'em out on their ear - she's pretty fussy about things like entertainment for some reason.

I don't think you are going to hear 'great' bluegrass at Dollywood or in the Pigeon area because it is pretty commercial here. I have found great bluegrass at the Carter Fold in Hiltons, Virginia and several other places around that area (upper East Tennessee and Virginia). There is a really good bluegrass festival happening in Sevier County though the last weekend of August. Check out WDVX on-line for some good bluegrass and also a schedule of events around Sevier County area.

WDVX is true americana and gives many Bluegrass concerts while listening. Might check around Ashville N.C also.

While Dollywood may never boast any "great" bluegrass, the area is a mecca of sorts for both bluegrass and "Americana." Occasionally, you run into these artists and get an impromptu concert as I did once while on a backpacking trip. Singer/songwriter Jay Clark (originally with and playing at times with Robinella's CC String Band) and I have a mutual friend who invited him on a backpacking trip. We were treated to several songs on a borrowed guitar, songs which appear on his CD Pen to Paper. Check out this guy at his website jayclarkmusic.com.

And, of course, if you're going that far, don't forget Nashville. Can't begin to name all the places to hear bluegrass in and around Nashville, but check out Bluegrass Nights at The Ryman and the outdoor Opry Plaza bluegrass shows. Plus, The Station Inn has world class bluegrass every night....

The Cherokee Bluegrass Festival starts today on the North Carolina side of the Smokeys. I know Rhonda Vincent is one of the headliners and I saw some other pretty big names mentioned as well.

The Museum in Appalachia in Norris TN holds their annual Fall Homecoming 10/6-10/9. This festival is the most extensive and authentic gathering of old-time musicians and pioneer-type craftspeople in the country. It features hundreds of people engaged in frontier, mountain, and rural activities, along with over 300 traditional, folk, early country and bluegrass musicians, including such nationally famous folks as Ralph Stanley, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, The Lewis Family, Mac Wiseman, Leroy Troy, Pine Mountain Railroad, The Cluster Pluckers, Raymond Fairchild, Mike Snider, Rhonda Vincent, Sparky Rucker, and many, many more.

I was down in Dollywood just a few weeks ago. They have some good bluegrass there. Dolly wouldn't keep them there if they weren't good. Pigeon Forge has several good Bluegrass groups as well. The group Wildfire should start playing at the Fiddler's Feast in Pigeon Forge in September. They're very good. The lead vocalist, Darrell Webb, actually did background vocals for one of Dolly's albums. She, in turn, did a song on his new album. The song is called "Cold," and the album is Behind The Scenes. They're a good group, if you're looking for good bluegrass.

Anyone around n.e .ohio thinking about going to the Wheatland Festival in Michigan in September?

I am from East Tennesse and Dollywood draws bluegrass from all around. Bluegrass started in this area. The Carterfold along with Dollywood are exceptional places to find bluegrass. Small timers go to Dollywood and later lead to the great stages producing Bluegrass music big time.

i am big fan of mac wiseman and arlo doe's anyone have all cd's of both