Marty Rose

Marty Rose, Retired Sea Dog, Drummer, Tree hugger; Clintwood, Virginia:

“At 17, I shipped out of this one horse coal town, never thinking of what I was leaving behind or the lessons I had yet to learn, I was just glad to be going. I was ready for the greatest adventure of all. But coming home after 20 years, a lot of salt water under the bridge, I have finally found my way in life. It was here the whole time... I have since learned to appreciate the gifts home has to give; good,honest people, great music, awesome friends... Sometimes, you can see the forest for the trees. I'm glad I'm part of this place, its traditions, its people and its heritage. May we live long and prosper and rock out to some kick ass music.”

Steve Ruth

Steve Ruth, Self Employed; Elkhorn City, Kentucky.

"My earliest memories are of being held by my mother in the surf and breaking waves of Coney Island. Flowing streams are where I go to find the universe, and my little corner of Appalachia has one that draws like minded souls from all over the planet. My favorite music is the stuff I haven't heard, and my favorite river is the one in my back yard. It's new every time I step into it."

Brandon Dinelli

Brandon Dinelli, Maker of Artificial Limbs (Family Business); Bristol, Virginia:

“About all I know is Bristol. I like Bristol, it’s quiet. The greatest part of everything, (is) being Appalachian. I like the story of how we came here, just chopped down some woods and made a homestead. This is where we’re gonna live.”

“There is this thing that everybody says about this place; If you lived here you are always gonna end up back here; something about these mountains they say. It’s the vibe you get off of them that makes this home. When you go elsewhere, at least when I go somewhere else, and if I don’t see the mountains in the background with the rolling hills I always feel a sense of unease. This is home. This is where I’m gonna be.“

“(Outsiders) always portray us as dumb, thick accents and rednecks but that ain’t us. We like our sweet tea and stuff like that but we are just easy, laid back folks that don’t get up in a tizzy about everything. I don’t know why they do that. I think they are jealous of how laid back we are, how we just take everything with a grain of salt.“

Tabby Brooke Gilbert

Tabby Brooke Gilbert, Professional Model; Maryville, Tennessee:

“What I find so beautiful about the mountains I've called home for so long is how it has become seemingly impossible for me to leave them. I just have that mountain blood. Every time I move, no matter the location (Madison Heights, Michigan to High Point, NC), I can never stay away for long. I've now been living in Knoxville, Tennessee for 2 years and continuously catch myself daydreaming of home. I always move with the hope for "bigger and better" things but what could be greater than the breathtaking views from High Knob OR the peace I find at Little Stoney Falls OR the kindness in the eyes of every one in the community. I will forever be proud of where I came from.”