Culture watch

Out? Wolfe. In? Dykeman.

Last December, noted local author Wilma Dykeman died at 86 due to complications from a fractured hip. In books like The Tall Woman, Dykeman memorably documented the flawed-yet-resonant lives of mountain people. She was also an early conservationist, as recognized by the influence of her 1955 book The French Broad. No surprise, then, that RiverLink recently, and posthumously, bestowed on Dykeman a Local Legend Award of Distinction—even naming their 17-mile river greenway project the “Wilma Dykeman Riverway.” While Dykeman was certainly a noteworthy literary figure—both the Appalachian Authors Guild and the East Tennessee Historical Society have awards named in her honor—this announcement does hint at a larger question: How long will it be before her tourist marketability begins to outstrip that most bankable of Asheville literati, Thomas Wolfe?

Not dead yet: Dawn of the Dude

Last August, I predicted that the brief “break from everything” local ska/rock/pop group Dawn of the Dude announced following their summer tour was, in all likelihood, a politely worded break-up announcement. Well, I was wrong. Not only did the band get back together, but it appears they’ve hit the ground running. In June, DotD will release a new, currently untitled follow-up album to their generally well-received debut, Release the Awesome. Visit myspace.com/dawnofthedude.

The Change That Keeps On Giving

Late last year, Montreat-based folkie David LaMotte’s most recent album, Change, took home four awards from the Songwriters’ Association of Washington’s 23rd Annual Mid-Atlantic Song Contest (including top honors in the “Folk” category). Winning stuff is old hat for LaMotte—he gets at least one major regional-folk-music award per year—but Change may just up the ante for him. The record just got even more love, receiving runner-up status at the International Acoustic Music Awards (Change‘s title track, “Keep the Change,” will appear on the IAMA’s 2007 compilation CD). Visit davidlamotte.com.

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