THE HOLLER PROJECT
Songs, Stories & Visions of Southern Appalachia
The HOLLER Project is a collection of songs, stories, and visual work rooted in the culture of Southern Appalachia. Focused on North Georgia and Western North Carolina, the project documents and celebrates the place, people and traditions related to old-time, bluegrass, and gospel roots music that continue to shape the region today.
The Songs section is a collection of traditional music from North Georgia and Western North Carolina. Through short video and audio recordings, this archive highlights some of the regional sounds of old-time string band, bluegrass, and gospel music as it is played today—on porches, in jam sessions, and on small stages across the region. These recordings are not polished studio productions, but honest captures of music as a shared, social tradition. Together, they offer a window into the rhythms, instruments, and voices that continue to shape the musical landscape of Southern Appalachia.
The Stories section features a series of short, informal interviews with musicians, artists, dancers, storytellers, and craftsmen from across the region. These “micro-interviews” focus on personal experience—how people learned their craft, what the traditions mean to them, and how these practices continue to evolve. Rather than formal documentation, these conversations are meant to feel direct and personal, preserving the voices and perspectives of those actively shaping the culture today.
The HOLLER Project also includes lively performances and educational programs led by Ted Whisenhunt and Richard Knepp also known as the Cornbread Ted Dynamite Duo. The educational programs combine old-time music, storytelling, and visual elements into an engaging, one-hour experience designed for schools, community venues, and public events. Through live demonstration and interaction, audiences are introduced to traditional instruments, regional history, and the cultural context behind the music. Each program is rooted in the traditions of North Georgia and Western North Carolina, while encouraging participation, curiosity, and a deeper connection to place.
The Visions section explores the visual side of Southern Appalachian culture through artwork inspired by the region’s music, stories, and traditions. This includes original collage work, portraits, photography, posters, and hand-made banners and signs. These pieces reflect a design language rooted in place—drawing from vernacular materials, textures, and imagery. Together, they offer a visual interpretation of the same cultural landscape heard in the music and expressed in the stories.