Thanks for the blurb, Joe, that's a good summary. I hope your friends enjoy Johnson City.

Until Covid, the event had been held annually on the 4th Sunday in June since 1924. Here's a good summary by Arthur (Guitar Boogie) Smith, a Charlotte and Carolina music legend, from his album made in its honor, Singing On The Mountain (Dot Records DLP 3642), 1965:

“Singing on the Mountain,” held for more than forty consecutive years on the fourth Sunday in June at the base of 6,000-foot Grandfather Mountain, is likely the largest and oldest mountain religious singing convention in America. Many famed personalities from the musical world, religion, and public life have contributed their talents through the years in order to make the Grandfather “sing” so consistently successful, and not the least of these gifted participants has been Arthur Smith. In recognition of his having been a part of the program for more than fifteen years, Arthur Smith was named Music Master of “Singing on the Mountain” by its founder and Chairman, Joe L. Hartley.

Grandfather Mountain is the highest mountain in the Blue Ridge, and as Jonathan Daniels wrote in Holiday Magazine, it “is probably North Carolina’s most loved and respected mountain.” Certainly this supposition is a true report of the feeling of the mountain people themselves, who flock by the thousands to the sing each year. No admission is charged, the event is non-denominational, and Chairman Joe L. Hartley has set policy since the beginning more than forty years ago with his statement: “Whosoever Will May Come.”

As a tribute to the beloved and magnificent Grandfather Mountain, and in appreciation to those who assemble there annually for the wholesome purpose of singing, preaching, and renewing old friendships, Arthur Smith’s excellent musical group has recorded an outstanding collection of “Singing on the Mountain” favorites. It is a must for those who enjoy gospel songs--the way they should be sung.

Smith also wrote a song to honor the festival; the song was performed this year by the closing act, New Covenant, a band from Wendell, NC. They added the final stanza below, which was written by Angela Millenbaugh, a member of the band. Otherwise, the lyrics below are my transcription of Smith's song from the album mentioned above; New Covenant's performance mirrored these lyrics very closely.

SINGING ON THE MOUNTAIN
(Arthur Smith - BMI)

Singing on the mountain, come sing with me
Singing on the mountain, come sing with me
I’ve been down in the valley, and I’m so glad to be
Singing on the mountain

When I was in the valley, I cried bitter tears
When I was in the valley, I cried bitter tears
Then I prayed to Jesus, and Jesus always hears
Now I’m singing on the mountain

Singing on the mountain, come sing with me
Singing on the mountain, come sing with me
Satan’s chains once bound me, I’m so glad to be free
Singing on the mountain

The chains of Satan bound me, I was in misery
The chains of Satan bound me, I was in misery
The love of Jesus found me, and He set me free
(Now I’m) Singing on the mountain

Singing on the mountain, come sing with me
Singing on the mountain, come sing with me
I’ve been down in the valley, and I’m so glad to be
Singing on the mountain

Singing on the mountain, come sing with me
Singing on the mountain, come sing with me
I’ve been down in the valley, and I’m so glad to be
Singing on the mountain

Joe was a man of vision who loved to praise the Lord
We thank the Hartley family since 1924
An Appalachian blessing inviting all to come
Now we're singing on the mountain