Mike Ennis

Partial Transcript: •The speaker, Mike Ennis, is a native of Old Fort and expresses concern about the disappearance of traditional ways of life in the mountains of North Carolina.

•Ennis points out that the older generation, who fought for the country and shaped it, is leaving, resulting in a big gap.

•He observes that many people nowadays don’t value family, tradition, or mountain life, leading to a rapid decline in the mountain way of life.

•Ennis likens this situation to the Native Americans, watching their way of life vanish as settlers passed through on wagons.

•The old-time mountain people, including the original generation, are disappearing, with only one more generation left.

•Younger generations are often attracted to other things like college education, and they may eventually distance themselves from their roots and the values they were brought up with.

•Leisure time in the past involved music, with people gathering on porches or in barns on Saturday nights to play instruments like the fiddle and the banjo.

•Ennis laments the loss of this simple yet meaningful way of life and worries about the loss of connections to ancestors and roots.

•He compares the breakdown of the American family, particularly the mountain family, to the drifting of wood downstream, signifying a disconnection and loss of heritage.

Segment Synopsis: Disappearance of Traditional Mountain Life in North Carolina

Keywords: Native Americans; big gap; mountain life; tradition; North Carolina

Subjects: traditional ways of life, loss of traditional values, education and modern life, threats to cultural heritage, loss of connection to ancestors.

Partial Transcript: •The lack of direction and rootedness in love for God, country, and family is concerning.

•Older generations have relied on Friday nights at Old Fort Mountain Music for family-friendly entertainment.

•The venue provided a safe and wholesome environment, free from foul language and alcohol.

•The decline of family-oriented activities is disheartening and requires attention from both Old Fort Mountain Music and the town of Old Fort.

•Traditional ways and a place for people to gather on Friday nights should be recognized as necessary.

•If an agreement cannot be reached, the loss of such a venue will be sad and affect the community.

•The absence of Friday night entertainment raises concerns among the community about what to do now.

•Music, especially gospel music, plays a significant role in people’s lives and helps form bonds.

•The dedication of the individuals who ran Old Fort Mountain Music and their desire to provide a free and safe venue for the community is admirable.

•The decline of accessible and affordable entertainment is a broader issue in society.

Segment Synopsis: The Decline of Family-friendly Entertainment in Old Fort

Keywords: Old Fort Mountain Music; gospel music; God

Subjects: lack of direction and rootedness, older generations have relied on Friday nights, decline of family-oriented activities, traditional ways as necessary, concerns among the community, music helps form bonds.

Partial Transcript: •The speaker knows many people in the community, including neighbors and friends.

•The band frequently performs at the depot in Marion on Thursday nights.

•The speaker expresses sadness about the potential closure of the venue.

•The interviewer greets the speaker and asks about his well-being.

•The speaker acknowledges being interviewed and reciprocates the greeting.

•The speaker mentions a failure but does not specify further.

•The interviewer expresses a desire to talk more with the speaker for assistance.

•The value of a place like the venue for the community is discussed.

•The speaker mentions that on a typical night, there are usually more than fifty people present.

•Despite being a free venue, there are restaurants nearby where people can eat before coming.

•The venue is a consistent weekly gathering place for the community.

•The closure of the venue would leave a void and require people to travel further for a similar experience.

•The speaker identifies Asheville as an alternative location but notes the distance and inconvenience of getting there.

•People from other counties have traveled to this venue, emphasizing its importance.

•The closure of the venue would result in fewer activities on Friday nights, potentially leading to increased TV watching, which the speaker is uncertain about.

Segment Synopsis: Importance of the Community Venue

Keywords: depot in Marion

Subjects: value of local venues for the community, weekly gathering place for the community, closure of the venue, impact of losing the venue, fewer activities on Friday nights, Asheville as an alternative location.