| Hold on to your hats all you wannabe cowboys. The | | | | and inspire those who hear him. |
| ninth annual Saddle Up! Festival in Pigeon Forge arrives | | | | Andy Hedges - A reciter, singer and guitarist; his first |
| in February and guarantees several days of fun and | | | | music album was described as eclectic, country folk. |
| excitement for real cowpokes and those that just | | | | You'll love his unique sound. |
| like to pretend. Named a Top 20 Event by the | | | | Saddle Up! has a long list of events for the fun-filled |
| Southeastern Tourism Society, Saddle Up! offers live | | | | weekend. Whether you take in one or all of them, |
| western music and poetry as well as chuck wagon | | | | you're bound to have a memorable time. Start with |
| cookoffs, a western swing dance and cowboy | | | | one of the concerts at the Smoky Mountain Jubilee |
| church on Sunday. It's good family fun for all ages | | | | Theater and then check out the Cowboy Symphony |
| and it's located in the breathtaking Smoky Mountains. | | | | with Wylie and the Wild West at the Country Tonite |
| At Saddle Up! you'll find some of the best western | | | | Theatre. |
| musicians and cowboy poets in the country. Just | | | | With all that toe tappin' and hand clappin' you're sure |
| take a look at a few of the award-winning | | | | to work up an appetite, so don't forget about the |
| entertainers. | | | | Old Mill Chuck Wagon Cookoff at Belle Island Village. |
| Wylie and the Wild West - This group was named | | | | Clabough's Campground and RV Resort is the site of |
| Western Music Association's 2008 Cowboy/Western | | | | an additional Chuck Wagon Cook-off. There will |
| Swing Group of the Year. They've performed over | | | | definitely be plenty to eat for every cowboy or |
| 50 times at the Grand Ole Opry. Wylie even made an | | | | cowgirl around. The western swing dance at the |
| appearance on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, where | | | | Music Road Convention Center is the perfect time to |
| he tried to teach Conan the art of yodeling. | | | | put on those cowboy boots and take a whirl around |
| The Quebe Sisters Band - Just listen to the | | | | the dance floor. There's even a cowboy church on |
| three-part harmony of these talented ladies, | | | | Sunday at Stages West followed by a chuck wagon |
| combined with fiddles, swing guitar and upright bass | | | | lunch. |
| and it's easy to see why they were recently named | | | | While cowboy church is free, other events do require |
| Group of the Year by the Academy of Western | | | | tickets or minimal donations. Tickets can be |
| Artists. The Quebe Sisters are also proud recipients | | | | purchased in advance from the Country Tonite |
| of the Western Music Association's Crescendo | | | | Theater or beginning the day of the festival at the |
| Award. | | | | Smoky Mountain Jubilee Theater or the Grand |
| Juni Fisher - This gifted singer/songwriter also | | | | Majestic Theater. |
| received awards from the Western Music Association | | | | If you're a cowboy or just a fan of country music, |
| for 2007 Song of the Year as well as 2008 | | | | don't miss this exciting opportunity to step back in |
| Songwriter of the Year. Can't wait to see what will | | | | time as you enjoy the Saddle Up! Festival in Pigeon |
| happen in 2009! | | | | Forge. One visit may be all it takes to make this |
| Andy Wilkinson - Former policeman and businessman, | | | | Smoky Mountain festival a family tradition. |
| Andy's unique style of songwriting will both entertain | | | | |