Last November, a buzz was in the local music scene air: Music industry veteran Bob Hinkley and his partner Kimberly Hughes were renovating a former Chevrolet dealership in Black Mountain into a new venue. One year later, their White Horse Black Mountain (the logo of which came to Hughes in a vision) has become a town favorite, booking the likes of big-name acts the Lee Boys, Cowboy Jack Clement, BeauSoleil and many more.
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Hinkley and Hughes have rallied the music community in the area. In a short time, White Horse has built a reputation as a true listening room, with its nonsmoking atmosphere, cabaret seating and great sound. Whether it's an open Irish jam or a sold-out world music show, you bet folks from Asheville know it's worth a drive out, and locals are finding a gathering place.
And the owners know how to make community connections. White Horse Black Mountain celebrates its one-year anniversary on Saturday, Nov. 7, and all the proceeds from the show are going to radio station WNCW 88.7 FM (which lost its state funding this year). The White Horse First Birthday & WNCW Benefit Bash features music from members of Sons of Ralph, members of stephaniesid, Every Mother's Dream, local fixtures/shining songsters Kellin Watson and Zach Blew, Americana artist Taylor Martin, Black Mountain's finest Jimmy Landry, blues maven Peggy Ratusz, percussionist extraordinaire River Guerguerian, bluesman Levi Douglas and lots more — including Hinkle and Hughes themselves. Check www.whitehorseblackmountain.com for more details and complete show lineup. Doors are at 8 p.m. and tickets are $15.
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