From Chris Kew
My name is Chris Kew, an Asheville, Black Mountain based musician. Last year I had to go through a major brain surgery at Duke to save my life.
The White Horse donated their time, their venue and staff to hold a benefit to assist with my medical bills. They barely knew me, but reached out their hand and devoted a Saturday night to helping me deal with the most difficult time in my life.
I cannot thank them enough for their thoughtfulness about music, people, and their community.
My name is Chris Kew, an Asheville, Black Mountain based musician. Last year I had to go through a major brain surgery at Duke to save my life.
The White Horse donated their time, their venue and staff to hold a benefit to assist with my medical bills. They barely knew me, but reached out their hand and devoted a Saturday night to helping me deal with the most difficult time in my life.
I cannot thank them enough for their thoughtfulness about music, people, and their community.
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From Dana in Spindale NC
Kind of like the difference between a "house" and a "home," there's some intangible quality that sets apart White Horse Black Mountain. It's more than a bar. More than a music venue. It's a signficant part of the collective, open-hearted community conscience - and consciousness, for that matter - that characterizes Black Mountain itself. A lot of venues have hearts and souls. White Horse Black Mountain's have become "vital organs" for the Black Mountain community.
That depth of character and sense of community are extensions of Bob and Kim themselves. They're genuine. The real deal. Sincerity personified.
When WNCW first faced the loss of over $201,000 in state funding, Bob, Kim and the entire staff of White Horse Black Mountain (along with a long list of musicians) "gave all" in both celebration and support. I have not - and will not - forget that. They came through during WNCW's dark hour.
I add my voice to the chorus of those praising White Horse Black Mountain and urging support of Bob & Kim's vision. They're great people running a great venue full of great patrons and musicians in a great town.
That's worth fighting for.
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From Jennifer Pickering,
Executive Director of The Lake Eden Arts Festival
The generosity, kindness, and creativity that the White Horse, Kim, and Bob have brought to Black Mountain and to the LEAF community is invaluable and such a gift. We so hope they will continue to be an exceptional part of the music community for many years!
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From Woody Talley,
Former Intern with SOIL and our connection with SOIL for the
Help Haiti Heal Benefit Concerts in February and March
While I was in Haiti, I learned that there are certain individuals who, in spite of difficult times, are an asset to the community and should be supported in order to continue to make their community better.
As soon as I heard the news of the earthquake, I looked at my sister and we both said, "We need to do something." We started to think about venues to hold a benefit concert and were planning to send out mass emails to clubs. Before we had a chance to do that, we recieved an email from Bob and Kim of the White Horse about planning a benefit concert.
The White Horse has hosted 2 benefit concerts over 3 days to support my friends in Haiti (SOIL) who are in dire need of just a little support.Without the White Horse, we would not have been able to raise close to $7000 to help people in Haiti get food, water and medical supplies.
People like Bob and Kim and places like the White Horse are what make communities, yes, the world, a better place.
Please attend the Pony Up Benefit so that Western North Carolina can continue to have a place where the community can hear great music and host community events.
As I learned in Haiti and continue to learn here, there's only one way people can get through difficult times, and that is by supporting each other.
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From Lorin Mallorie,
A UNCA student who is one of our conections in Haiti.
Lorin was volunteering Haiti in early March and she set up the wonderful live SKYPE broadcast of the Haiti Reggae group
The strength of society always lies in its social and cultural institutions. The White Horse in Black Mountain has consistently exhibited a genuine concern for spreading hope and positive change throughout not just WNC, but the world. The heart of its ownership and patrons represents the best kind of musical venue, holding together the fabric of this community, while helping to strengthen all others it touches.
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From Pat Christy:
Local Business Owner of New Earth on Cherry Street in Black Mtn
Local Business Owner of New Earth on Cherry Street in Black Mtn
Businesses seldom establish themselves with the intent of spreading compassion, joy and to heal and invigorate the soul. ‘ White Horse Black Mountain ’ is such a place. It is a rare jewel for our town.
White Horse sets itself apart from other music and event venues because of their huge heart, strong sense of community and their spiritual intention to bring live music, quality entertainment and authenticity back into our lives. This is a place that resonates joy by creating special moments for people, whether one is moved by a song, whether local talent is drawn out and their creative spirit is nurtured or by participating in a community event that extends a helping hand to those experiencing a health and/or financial crisis like WNCW, Haiti and other organizations and individuals in need.
My life has been deeply enriched by the owners, Kim and Bob, the devoted staff and the spirit of the place. Now it’s time we helped White Horse.
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From Mariam Matossian
Armenian Vocalist
of Greenville SC
White Horse Black Mountain will forever have a very special place in my heart for it was at this fantastic venue where I had my official debut in the South... It was a cold February evening, and the Free Planet boys invited me to sing a couple of songs with them during their show there. What a magical night that was! Not only did I get to experience what it was like to perform with the guys, I had the chance to do it in one beautiful venue, in front of one energized, superb crowd. From that night on, Free Planet and I have been performing together and Bob and Kim have been an incredible support to me and my music. I will never forget that night! It was the beginning of an incredible journey here! I had my own show with Free Planet Radio at White Horse months later to an amazing crowd, once again. I appreciate Bob and Kim so much - they have the courage to take risks and present audiences with all kinds of refreshing, eclectic music. They are highly gifted, extremely caring and always encouraging. Thank you, Bob and Kim, for everything! I can't wait to be back at the White Horse next week!
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From Don Talley
of The Black Mountain Music Scene
White Horse has brought music from around the world to our little mountain town. I've experienced Armenian music from vocalist Mariam Matossian, Celtic Fiddle from Jamie Laval, and Cajun Music from Beausoleil. I've experienced the Mizero Orphans from LEAF international. I experienced Japanese shimasen playing by Akira Satake. I've experienced Australian Digeridoo playing from John Vorus. I've experienced the music of India from Shantavaani.
But White Horse is far more than just the music itself.
White Horse Black Mountain brings something to the town of Black Mountain which goes beyond the world-class music I've experienced at the club. A postive and upbeat atmosphere is pervasive from the moment you enter the door. White Horse is an extension of who Bob and Kim are as people.
White Horse is about building community amongst those who attend and about serving the community and the world. White Horse Black Mountain reaches out to the world as demostrated by their recent series of benefit concerts for Haiti.
In spite of their own financial challenges, the club continued to host benefit concerts to help the people of Haiti. 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.
That spirit of friendship, the spirit of community, and the spirit of making the world a better place, reminds me of how things used to be in the small town where I grew up. What they've done at White Horse makes me proud to live in Black Mountain and I'm proud to support the continuance of the broader vision of White Horse Black Mountain.
But White Horse is far more than just the music itself.
White Horse Black Mountain brings something to the town of Black Mountain which goes beyond the world-class music I've experienced at the club. A postive and upbeat atmosphere is pervasive from the moment you enter the door. White Horse is an extension of who Bob and Kim are as people.
White Horse is about building community amongst those who attend and about serving the community and the world. White Horse Black Mountain reaches out to the world as demostrated by their recent series of benefit concerts for Haiti.
In spite of their own financial challenges, the club continued to host benefit concerts to help the people of Haiti. 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.
That spirit of friendship, the spirit of community, and the spirit of making the world a better place, reminds me of how things used to be in the small town where I grew up. What they've done at White Horse makes me proud to live in Black Mountain and I'm proud to support the continuance of the broader vision of White Horse Black Mountain.
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From Karen and Pat
Owners of The Orangle Peel in Asheville
You do a great job by the artists who play and the fans who come out. We have a lot of personal experience climbing out of financial holes and we hope you guys can weather this rough patch as well. This area's reputation as a music destination rests on the wealth of venues we have and we don't want to lose you! We're happy to support you guys and want to help keep great local music on your stage for a long time to come.
(note: The Orange Peel demonstrated their support for their sister venue by purchasing a larger block of tickets for Pony Up )
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email your words of support to dontalley@gmail.com
