Hillbilly Jam to Debut Traveling 9/11 Memorial, 7/29-30

A festival known for music and moonshiners will feature, for the first time, a memorial to victims of 9/11.

The country's only traveling 9/11 memorial will appear at Hillbilly Jam in Maggie Valley, North Carolina on Friday and Saturday, July 29 and 30. The memorial centers around a 12-foot section of structural steel recovered from Ground Zero after the Twin Towers fell. It is managed by the Fire Museum of Greater Cincinnati and The Goodtimers, a nonprofit organization that raises money to support the families of fallen police officers and firefighters. Since 9/11, the group has raised more than $300,000.

"We are excited humbled to host the traveling 9/11 memorial," said Becky Ramey, co-owner of Hillbilly Jam. "It's a tribute to those who sacrificed on 9/11, but it also honors first responders everywhere."

Ramey is expecting a record attendance at the annual celebration of music and Appalachian culture, thanks largely to an impressive lineup of local, regional and national artists, including:

• Raymond Fairchild - A world-renowned banjo player, known for his intricate picking style.
• Steve Brown & The Hurricane Ridge Band - Bluegrass band.
• Moonshine Creek Band - Light rock/country band from Franklin, North Carolina.
• Smoke Rise Band - Rock/country band, popular in Western North Carolina.
• Ryan Perry Band - Country band from Asheville, North Carolina, with a new album, "Home."
• All My Rowdy Friends - Nationally known Hank Williams Jr. tribute band.
• Neon Truckers - Florida-based country band that has shared the stage with such stars as Eric Church, Jake Owen and more.
• Stone Crazy Band - Classic rock, blues, alternative country.
• Emi Sunshine - The 11-year-old singing sensation, who has been featured in national media since exploding on social media in 2014.
• Kaitlyn Baker - a country singer, whose new song "Heart of Appalachia" was recently adopted as the official theme song of the Heart of Appalachia Tourism Authority in Virginia.
• Joe Lasher Jr. - An emerging singer/songwriter from whose debut EP, "Jack to Jesus," has been getting attention in Nashville and beyond.

In addition to musical entertainment, Hillbilly Jam will host several celebrity guests, including Big Juicy from truTV's "Lizard Lick Towing," the "Real Hatfields & McCoys," Digger Manes, Mark Ramsey and Roy Grooms from Discovery Channel's TV series "Moonshiners" and more. Activities will also include a dog show, the Show 'n Shine Car and Motorcycle Show.

"I think this will be our best festival yet," said promoter Becky Ramey. "We're getting calls from people all over the country who plan to come."

Information about the 9/11 memorial is available at www.911Steel.com.

Hillbilly Jam will take place at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds, 3374 Soco Road, Maggie Valley, North Carolina 28751, Friday and Saturday, July 29 and 30, from 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Admission is $10 per day, per person. Children 10 and under are admitted free. For information, visit www.TheHillbillyJam.com or call (828) 734-4317.

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