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On November 28th 2016 Gatlinburg, Tennessee was ravaged by a wildfire that took 14 lives, left 191 injured, 2400 structures lost and burned over 17000 acres in the neighboring Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I have been going there for 50 years and was just there twice in October. The place we always stayed and the place we always ate at were both burned to the foundation. I have always considered the National Park to be my all time favorite place and I have been to a lot of great places. My thoughts and prayers are with all those that continue to struggle with this tragedy. https://soundcloud.com/tommyad/the-night-gatlinburg-burned-downhttp://tommyadamsmusic.com/musicRealTracks in style: ~599:Mandolin, Rhythm Bluegrass Doc Ev 100 RealTracks in style: ~598:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Bluegrass Doc Ev 100 RealTracks in song: 590:Banjo, Bluegrass Doc Ev 100 (Rhythm - Simple) Royalty Free Loops Vocals, Tom Adams Recorded in Logic Pro X, Ozone 6, Waves LinMB, Nectar2, Waves Vocal Rider, Misc. reverbs, delays and compression from Logic. The Night Gatlinburg Burned Down fire and wind blowing on the ridgeline Flames racing through the town The devil was roaring down the mountainside The night Gatlinburg burned down and I cried and I cried till my tears had all run dry memories in the ashes on the ground Friends and families lost that’s the real cost The night Gatlinburg burned down It’s called the Smoky Mountains that’s a tragic irony A wailing siren was the only sound The ghostly signs of Christmas was all there was to see The night Gatlinburg burned down and I cried and I cried till my tears had all run dry memories in the ashes on the ground Friends and families lost that’s the real cost The night Gatlinburg burned down It ‘ll be years before we’re back where we belong but we are the toughest folks around When they look back they won't be wrong it’s why they call us Mountain Strong The night Gatlinburg burned down and I cried and I cried till my tears had all run dry memories in the ashes on the ground Friends and families lost that’s the real cost The night Gatlinburg burned down ©2016 Thomas Adams As Bob (90db) said in the comments. Prayers for Gatlnburg. Anyone wishing to contribute should go to this link. http://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/local/tennessee/2016/12/01/gatlinburg-chamber-establishes-relief-fund/94733176/
Last edited by tommyad; 12/16/16 11:28 AM.
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Tom,
That`s a tough story to think about while listening to your song.
There`s a great feeling of conviction in your vocal which has a different quality on this song... reminds me of a fired up Waylon Jennings. The chorus is really catchy and backing just right.
Very good!
Robert
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Excellent write Tommy, except that the story-line is so unfortunate.
Regardless, you've put a masterpiece together. This is a great listen. Choice of instruments is superb.
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Excellent write and performance! The mix is great as are the vocals.
The feeling and emotion of the song seem to be perfect to me.
Kenny
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Tom
Interesting one to comment on - damn infectious - great melody, excellent vocal - sad topic.
Australians are all too familiar with bush fires, had our fair share & they can be horrendous.
Excellent song - has that timeless quality.
Thanks for the encouragement through the year.
Peter
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Tom, What an awful story but this is a great tribute, from the heart. Great choice of instruments, great mix and your voice is perfect! You did good on this song, Tom, real good. The bar you have set is still WA-AY above me   Hope you have a good Christmas Alyn
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Following an old tradition of pouring your pain into a bluegrass tune, you've done an excellent job. But like so many of those old Bluegrass tunes, rooted in a true story.
This is such a classic tune and theme. Excellent job on what had to be a tough subject for you.
Charlie
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Tom,
I really like this! A lot of the bluegrass tracks don't reflect current trends in the genre... but you've assembled a song here that absolutely NAILS the Merlefest sound!
My only problem with this is learning that you frequently get this close to NC without letting me know so I can drive over to Tennessee and buy you a beer.
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Well done.
This is a perfect tribute. The genre was also perfect.
Story behind the news: Back in Jacksoneville NC, One of the bands I was in at the time had a drummer play with us for a few weeks or so. His name was Mark J. Through the years, we all kinda drifted apart and went down different paths in life. Facebook and one of the musicians from that town/era brought us all back together. As it turned out Mark had moved from eastern NC to the Tenn mountain town of Gatlinburg. He was still playing drums and messing with music. When the fires swept through the town and the hills around Gatlinburg, unfortunately, his house was among the hundreds of casualties, and he and his wife and family literally lost everything they owned.
Good song.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Tom,
Heartbreaking.
You have documented this loss in just the manner that it ought to be. The perfect genre. A truly excellent write - it sounds like a classic from first listen. The production, arrangement and mix could not be done better - as good as it gets.
Your vocals and harmonies on this are excellent - and one of the best vocal mixes ever on these forums - a true "part of the whole".
This is SO good. You should enter this in the Merlefest song contest - then one of the top recording bluegrass/newgrass/Americana groups needs to record it...
I just keep thinking "Wow!"
fj
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Tom,
That`s a tough story to think about while listening to your song.
There`s a great feeling of conviction in your vocal which has a different quality on this song... reminds me of a fired up Waylon Jennings. The chorus is really catchy and backing just right.
Very good!
Robert Thanks Robert. Waylon was great at singing those bluesy lines. I appreciate you taking the time to listen and comment. Tom Excellent write Tommy, except that the story-line is so unfortunate.
Regardless, you've put a masterpiece together. This is a great listen. Choice of instruments is superb.
It was and is an unfortunate situation. However I am very fortunate that you continue to comment on my work. Thanks Trevor.
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Excellent write and performance! The mix is great as are the vocals.
The feeling and emotion of the song seem to be perfect to me.
Kenny Our thoughts exactly. Very good work Tommy.
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Hi Tom.
Bluegrass was not at all what I was expecting after reading the lyrics, but I have to say that the whole production works SO well.
It's a classic country sound and somehow the tragedy bound up in the words isn't in any way diminished by the up-tempo backing.
Beautifully conceived and executed.
Thoughts are with all those who are personally involved.
ROG.
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Tom, What an awful story but this is a great tribute, from the heart. Great choice of instruments, great mix and your voice is perfect! You did good on this song, Tom, real good. The bar you have set is still WA-AY above me Hope you have a good Christmas Alyn I have to agree with Alyn, except the part that any bar is above him, although yours is very high! Really good stuff Tom!! Take care. Greg
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Tom, great job about a tough subject! What a sad thing to see happen to such a beautiful place ( been there many times myself), but even more tragic is the lost lives and affected families. You had a great choice of instruments that all worked well together! The lyric and vocal - excellent! Thanks, Torrey
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Awesome song Tommy. What a devastating situation. The weather patterns have been changing rapidly. We also had a terrible forest fire here in Northern Alberta last summer. The city of Fort McMurray pop 61000 had to be evacuated as it got caught in its path. It seems like one weather catastrophe after another... Awesome vocal, lyric and backtrack
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Excellent write and performance! The mix is great as are the vocals.
The feeling and emotion of the song seem to be perfect to me.
Kenny Kenny, Thanks for the nice words. It was an emotional song for me. Tom Tom
Interesting one to comment on - damn infectious - great melody, excellent vocal - sad topic.
Australians are all too familiar with bush fires, had our fair share & they can be horrendous.
Excellent song - has that timeless quality.
Thanks for the encouragement through the year.
Peter Peter, Thanks for the wonderful review. Much appreciated. Tom
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Tom, What an awful story but this is a great tribute, from the heart. Great choice of instruments, great mix and your voice is perfect! You did good on this song, Tom, real good. The bar you have set is still WA-AY above me Hope you have a good Christmas Alyn Alyn, Thank you for all those nice remarks. The bar is not above you. Your creativity continues to be an inspiration to us all. Tom Following an old tradition of pouring your pain into a bluegrass tune, you've done an excellent job. But like so many of those old Bluegrass tunes, rooted in a true story.
This is such a classic tune and theme. Excellent job on what had to be a tough subject for you.
Charlie Charlie, There was only one genre in which this song would be effective. It was a terrible tragic event and I thought it would be good to document it in a song. I certainly hope those that are affected can rebuild their lives and find some peace. Thanks for your kindness, Tom
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Love it tommy
what a great write ,cracking vocals sound with the unison harmony.
keep doing this great stuff plz tommy
cheers john
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