The Need

White Horse Black Mountain is a wonderful music, performance and event venue in Black Mountain North Carolina. But like so many other businesses, they've faced some lean and tough times and now the venue faces an uncertain future which might result in closing the doors.

White Horse opened it's doors on November 1, 2008 and has been a wonderful addition to the regional music scene. It's been a tough winter for the venue. Like most new business they faced the normal struggles of a young business in a competitive market. But in spite of the large number of music venues in our region, White Horse became a signficant player almost immediately due to the quality of the club and the quality of the musical acts they brought in during their initial months.

Part of their popularity stemmed from the personal touch of owners Bob Hinkle and Kim Hughes. One or both of the owners are at the club every time the doors are open to welcome guests and musicians, to get to know them personally, and the create a positive supportive atmosphere at the club.

Before the end of their first year of operation they were named Number 1 Favorite Music Venue in Black Mountain and Swannanoa by readers of Mountain Express.

The club recieved repeated high praises from musicians who performed there and from audiences.

While receiving such glowing reviews, the financial picture for the venue remained challenging. As the economy worsened, regional residents faced their own personal financial challenges and cut back on their expendidtures for entertainment such a live music.

In response, Bob and Kim offered music fans several options for free live music including Celtic Jam sessions, Open Mic nights, and a multi-week Talent Search featuring great amateur singers from throughout the region. Bob and Kim felt that live music was even more important in tough times and they wanted everyone to have opportunities to go out to hear music even if they couldn't afford to attend a ticketed concert.

By the end of 2009, the club was still struggling but optimistic that with a few well attended shows they might be able to turn the corner. Hope was high and several promising shos werer booked for December and January.

Then the worst winter in decades descended upon western NC. Four major shows were lost to snow and ice. Other shows went on in spite of the nasty weather but attendance was greatly reduced as folks huddled up by their fireplaces instead of going out to live music shows.

Promotion and publicity had to be scaled back and at times eliminated completely. With lousy weather and limited funds for promotion, attendance waned and so did their ticket sales.
Each week was a struggle but the club plowed on with the encouragement of loyal fans and supporters.

In spite of their own financial challenges, the club continued to host benefit concerts to help others out. Bob and Kim expressed their sentiments that even in tough times it was still important to give something to others and benefit concerts were one means they could give to others who were also struggling.

Finally their own financial crisis has come to a head and White Horse Black Mountain faces the potential of having to shut down due to lack of funds. The owners of White Horse Black Mountain, Bob Hinkle and Kim Hughes, have agreed to let some of their friends put on a benefit for the club in hopes of keeping the doors open.

White Horse is a much beloved addition to regional music landscape.

Over the past 16 months, they've presented concerts by a variety of world class performers including: Beausoleil, Cyril Neville, The Lee Boys, Belleville Outfit, Darol Anger, Acoustic Syndicate, Adrian Legg, Andy Statman, David Holt, Free Planet Radio, Larry Keel, Mac Arnold, Malcolm Holcombe, Mariam Matossian, Jamie Laval, Robin Bullock.

They showcased regional favorites such as Kat Williams, Sons of Ralph, Chuck Brodsky, Blueground Undergrass, Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, Nikki Talley, Stephanies ID, Menage, Peggy Ratusz, Kellin Watson, Woody Wood, Chris Rosser, Every Mothers Dream, Jimmy Landry, Laura Blackley, Laura Boosinger, Marina Raye, Richard Shulman, Now You See Them, Shane Pruitt Blues Band, Skinny Legs and All, Speedsquare, The Afromotive, The Cheeksters, The Honeycutters, Velvet Truckstop, WSNB and others.

They've also provided opportunities for newcomers and relatively unknown singers to take the stage. White Horse created the Great Blue Ridge Talent Search which is an on-going contest focusing on unsigned vocal talent. Thus far, over 50 contestants have taken the stage and the level of talent has overwhelmed the panel of judges. The semi-final rounds have begun and 16 finalists are welcomed back to the White Horse stage for another round of fun.

The open mic which takes place each Tuesday is a real treat for audiences and musicians alike. Many of these musicians rarely have the chance to perform on a large stage with state-of-the-art sound and lighting. Celtic Jams are also hosted at the venue earlier in the evening on Tuesdays.

But White Horse has done far more than just presenting great music. Many consider White Horse Black Mountain to be a "home away from home' a place where everyone feels welcomed and appreciated.

In addition to the creation of community at the venue, Bob and Kim have been determined to use their venue as a tool for helping others for reaching out to the community ....and to the world.

White Horse Black Mountain has hosted numerous benefit events for causes like WNCW, Leaf International/Mizero, Chris Kew, Full Moon Farm, Southern Fried Blues Society, Project Safe Slopes, Montessori Schools and others.

White Horse has donated it's facility to be used by the non-profit group Serpent Child Ensemble for their new Seven Sisters Cinema documentary film series which focuses on films of regional interest and films by regional filmmakers.

Of special significance are the 3 days of benefit concerts they've done for the people of Haiti. During the midst of their own finanical crisis, White Horse was still reaching out to others. After seeing the devastation in Haiti they put together a massive 2-day benefit event in February to help those in need. They followed that up with another Haiti Benefit in March and hope to do future Haiti benefits if they survive their own crisis. The total raised for Haiti thus far exceeds $7,000.00 and that's money they desperately need to pay their own rent, advertising and salary costs.

"White Horse has done so MUCH for others over the past 16 months and as they now face their own financial roadblocks, those who they've reached out to in so many ways are reaching back to Bob and Kim with a helping hand. We want to say THANK YOU for what they've brought to our community and for their own generosity to everyone from musicians with medical bills to Haitian without homes, food or shelter. " says Don Talley of the Black Mountain Music Scene

It's like an old fashioned barn-raising where friends and neighbors pitch in to assist each other in times of need. For generations, people in rural America have gathered as a community to help their neighbors out by building barns, helping gather crops, and such. In urban America this same spirit manifested itself in "rent parties" where folks gathered to play music and pass the hat to help friends pay their rent.

In essence, Pony-Up for White Horse is the equivalent of a barn-raising or rent party. It's about friends helping friends. It's about saying thanks to people who have already done so much for others.

We are thrilled at the great lineup of performers who've been eager to participate in this important 2-day event. Regional musicians have been thankful to have such a wonderful venue in our area and like the venue patrons, the musicians also want to support live music and the venues that provide such wonderful places where musicians and music lovers meet.