The Tasting Panel magazine

January / February 2017

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january/february 2017  /  the tasting panel  /  81 The 2016 Great Smoky Mountains wildfires consumed nearly 18,000 acres, claimed 14 lives and injured 134. All of the proceeds from the Mountain Tough Benefit will go to the Sevier County Community Fund, an affiliate of the East Tennessee Foundation established specifically for this cause. While Gatlinburg is itself a small town, home to approximately 4,000 people, it is surrounded on three sides by America's most visited national park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the town hosts nearly 11 million visitors yearly. With the town shut down after the destruction of the fires, Ole Smoky Moonshine, Yee Haw Brewing Company, the Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau and Music City Roots answered the call to help by organizing and hosting the Mountain Tough Benefit. Held on December 17, the daylong festival raised money for the town of Gatlinburg and those affected by the devastating blaze. "We had a really great turnout," notes Cottongim of the event. "Initially we were worried about the weather which started out unfavorably, but as the day progressed, the skies cleared, and it was beautiful." Artists including the Zac Brown Band, Jim Lauderdale, Sam Bush, Derek St. Holmes, Jason D. Williams, Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley, Randy Kohrs, Sarah Potenza, Moe Pitney and Chelle Rose took the stage from eleven in the morning until ten at night. The benefit, held in a parking lot in downtown Gatlinburg boasted an attendance that was beyond what the sponsors could have hoped. "People were there, shoulder to shoulder, supporting the town," smiles Cottongim. The Mountain Tough Benefit was a resounding success in getting Gatlinburg back on its feet, but Cottongim notes, there is still a lot of work to be done, and extends this invite: "If you want to help, come visit!" To make a contribution to the Sevier County Community Fund, visit https://etf.givingfuel.com/ sevier-county-community-fund The day long festival included performances by the Zac Brown Band, Jim Lauderdale, Sam Bush, Derek St. Holmes, Jason D. Williams, Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley, Randy Kohrs, Sarah Potenza, Moe Pitney and Chelle Rose, to name a few. PHOTO COURTESY OF VISIT GATLINBURG PHOTO VIA WIKIPEDIA COMMONS PHOTO COURTESY OF VISIT GATLINBURG

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