GUEST: JOE SAM QUEEN

In this episode of Gateway to the Smokies Podcast featuring Joe Sam Queen, he discusses the cultural and historical side of his career and other aspects of his life that folks might not be aware of. You will learn from him about the responsibility of preserving our past to make room for our future. 

Joe Sam Queen is a renowned Architect, Historian, Dancer, Dance caller, and Politician – having served in both N.C. Senate and the N.C. House of Representatives –and is on the Traditional Artists Roster of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Association.

He has been director of the Smoky Mountain Folk Festival for over 30 years and has served on the Board of Directors for Folkmoot and the Shelton House, as well as playing an active role as an officer in the local Sons of the American Revolution chapter along with many other regional charities, clubs, and historical groups. 

Joe Sam's experiences growing up in Western North Carolina epitomize the cultural expression and deep-rooted tradition of the Smoky Mountains. Relive the past and learn about the future. 

Don't miss this incredible conversation with a great man!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-sam-queen-7b66a376/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joesam.queen 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joesamqueennc/?hl=en

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.

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SHOW NOTES

SEGMENT 1

Joseph talks about some upcoming events in Maggie Valley. On April 19th through May 1st there is a motorcycle rally called the Thunder in the Smokies. A new event will happen called Boho Hippie Fest with live music, vendors, bounce houses, food trucks, and more. At the Meadowlark Motel, there will be an event called Mom’s Moving Mountains and Mother Nature’s Natural Garden. There will also be an event featuring a wildcraft expert. Joseph also introduces his guest for today’s show, Joe Sam Queen. Joe Sam is a renowned Architect, Historian, Dancer, Dance caller, and Politician. Joe Sam talks about where his name comes from and his passion for dance and following in his grandfather’s footsteps in continuing the legacy and culture that is popular in the Great Smoky Mountains.

SEGMENT 2

Joseph talks with Joe Sam about his family being some of the earliest settlers in Haywood County. His family settled close to Dellwood in Maggie Valley. He talks about his grandfather who put together a square dance team around a time when radio was emerging. Joe Sam also discusses the meaning of the different kinds of folk dance. Clogging, he says, comes from Scott-Irish-German ancestors. Flat footing, he says is a kind of dance that everyone does a little differently, and you can be very creative with it. Buck Dancing is an African American term. They discuss a little about the history of these dances and music. His grandfather created the group called the Soco Gap Cloggers. Joe Sam says that President Roosevelt made his grandfather famous and was beloved in the mountains. He tells a story of how Roosevelt invited the king and queen of England to the White House. Roosevelt changed the traditions and instead brought a square dance team to perform, which was Joe Sam’s grandfather’s dance group.

SEGMENT 3

Joe Sam talks about sociability being the whole point of the Appalachian dance. He describes it as joining hands together, socializing and hospitality. Joseph makes a point that it can teach young people about manners, society, and of course, culture. Joe Sam mentions more different dances and music that tell a story about life and society. He also talks about what is in a square dance band. He says that square dance is very sociable and includes the banjo, bass, fiddle, and guitar. Joe Sam talks about being a dance caller as well. You're instructing, watching a certain dance, and calling it on the beat. There are also times when the caller may be dancing themselves. Joseph describes it as a man who is a dynamic composer.

SEGMENT 4

Joe Sam talks about square dancing and fiddling in today’s day in age. He says that he doesn't think square dance is dying out which is one of the reasons why he does the Smoky Mountain Folk Festival. He is also involved in Folkmoot, something else that he is trying to be involved in this coming summer. Joe Sam passionately talks about the positivity of these kinds of events as well as the beauty of nature in North Carolina. He also mentions being a part of building the HART theater in Haywood County as well as a charitable foundation that he has with his wife called The Queen Family Foundation. They support things like Sons of the American Revolution and the Arts Council in Haywood County. From the traditions of mountain music and the stories behind them to the general passion for North Carolina and the Great Smoky Mountains, Joseph thanks Joe Sam Queen for joining him for today’s episode!

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:19 .980 –> 00:00:22 .140 Joseph McElroy: Howdy! Welcome to the gateway to the.

00:00:22 .140 –> 00:00:31 .860 Joseph McElroy: smokies podcast this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains National Park in the surrounding towns.

00:00:32 .640 –> 00:00:41 .400 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with the weekly episode.

00:00:42 .060 –> 00:00:54 .690 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy amount of the world, but also deep roots in these mountains my family is living the great smokies for over 200 years my businesses and travel, but my heart is a culture.

00:00:55 .410 –> 00:01:05 .040 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re going to be talking about preserving and perpetuating our culture and the great smoky mountains, but first a sponsor message or two, and the first sponsor is me.

00:01:06 .120 –> 00:01:17 .670 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past, you had a modern environment with chic Appalachian and feel a place for adventure and for relaxation.

00:01:18 .330 –> 00:01:27 .540 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill a catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beer.

00:01:28 .410 –> 00:01:41 .460 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place with old-time music and world cultural sale, there is no other place like the metal art motel and Maggie valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.

00:01:43 .020 –> 00:01:49 .020 Joseph McElroy: and other sponsors smokies adventure.com at smokies plural adventure singular calm.

00:01:49 .440 –> 00:02:02 .010 Joseph McElroy: The smoky mountains and the surrounding area is a vacation destination for all seasons, some of the nation’s best hiking trails waterfalls outdoor adventures, and family entertainment be found, right here.

00:02:02 .790 –> 00:02:13 .890 Joseph McElroy: start your adventure by using smokies adventure calm to explore all the wonderful features of the great smoky mountain National Park trails and waterfalls kids code and more.

00:02:14 .520 –> 00:02:19 .710 Joseph McElroy: than you know right now check out the spring flowers that are coming in and crazy beauty.

00:02:20 .280 –> 00:02:36 .240 Joseph McElroy: And then check out all the awesome family attractions, entertainment and things you can do in the surrounding area with you and your family The goal is smokies adventures to become the leading information portal for adventure and ventures experiences and the great smoky mountain.

00:02:38 .100 –> 00:02:44 .970 Joseph McElroy: So, as you know, we’d like to publicize some events are coming up and Maggie valley happens to have a lot of festivals coming up.

00:02:46 .530 –> 00:02:51 .270 Joseph McElroy: April 19 through May 1 we have thunder and the smoky spring motorcycle rally.

00:02:51 .810 –> 00:03:03 .090 Joseph McElroy: You know the rides in the mountains of the Smokies are some of the best in the world we’re doing motorcycle rides or you know bicycle rides or any kind so a lot of people come here to celebrate.

00:03:03 .900 –> 00:03:13 .380 Joseph McElroy: Their passions and the thunder and the smokies is one of the oldest our rallies and Maggie valley and even the surrounding areas and it happens on.

00:03:14 .070 –> 00:03:23 .700 Joseph McElroy: Friday Saturday and Sunday and it has tour rides lots of vendors selling crafts includes and as bike shows and games and prizes and concerts.

00:03:24 .060 –> 00:03:37 .140 Joseph McElroy: Fire dancers and you know people jumping up and down and