Songs of Hope

A new, locally-made musical project, The Resonance Sessions, is now available for album pre-order. Containing 35 tracks that emphasize resilience, the Parkway Studios project’s aim is to raise awareness and support for Madison County’s music scene. 

Recorded and compiled in Marshall’s historic jailhouse following serious damage during Hurricane Helene, nearly three dozen regional artists participated in the project including Tyler Ramsey, River Whyless, and Scott McMicken (Dr. Dog). Each performance was recorded live in order to capture the unique acoustic effect from the jail’s structure. 

The Resonance Sessions, which is both an audio and visual project, came about when film director Aaron Stone sat and sang with singers Donna Ray Norton and Sheila Kay Adams, as well as hotel owner Josh Copus, in the remnants of the Old Marshall Jail Hotel. 

WATCH: The Resonance Sessions // Project Trailer 

Madison County, Marshall’s home, is still under a travel advisory following Hurricane Helene. It was one of the hardest-hit regions of Western North Carolina, and saw flooding up to 27 feet high. Many businesses and roads are still closed. 

The county has long been a creative hub for musicians; as early as the 1790s, fiddlers and bluegrass musicians called the area home. Over the years, it has retained its musical heritage, with notable names like the Wallins family and John Cohen taking inspiration from the area. 

All net profits from the release will go towards two nonprofits: the Madison County Arts Council and Rare Bird Cultural Arts. The Arts Council (MCAC) was founded in 1978, and has supported visual and performing arts in the region since. Rare Bird Cultural Arts celebrates connection and culture by hosting a variety of concerts and workshops at its farm in Hot Springs. 

Set to release on March 10, The Resonance Sessions is available as a digital download or as a vinyl record pressed by Citizen Vinyl in Asheville.