The Heartland Series

Herein are the lonesome strains of the music born of the mountains. The myths and legends that haunt the region. The beautiful tranquility of the land and the fierce pride of a people; sights and sounds of a unique place in a collection to enjoy at your leisure.

The Heartland Series presents stories of the southern Appalachian Mountains. They are told by ordinary people of the region, accompanied by rich videography and traditional music. Rediscover an almost forgotten way of life. Get a glimpse into a fascinating heritage. Come along for an unforgettable journey that is The Heartland Series.

Climb the majestic heights of a mountain, or descend deep into the earth. Your guide is The Heartland Series with Bill Landry. The journey encompasses more than distance: a rich heritage, a warm spirit and gentle sense of place await you in this 10th Anniversary collection of The Heartland Series.

The tireless industry of humans and nature and the often spectacular results. The pulse of the seasons in the southern Appalachians. True stories that chronicle the human drama of the people of the region. These glimpses of southern Appalachia are yours to keep in this volume of The Heartland Series, a celebration of people and their land.

Uplifting storytelling and insightful videography are the hallmark of The Heartland Series. This volume continues to discover the real treasures of southern Appalachia, its rich natural and cultural heritage. Also included here are stories that make tribute to Tennessee’s Bicentennial. The celebration of a people and their land carries on.

The 19th edition of The Heartland Series showcases natural wonders and human dramas of the southern Appalachians. See time inspired art on cave walls and in rural post offices. Hear traditional ballad music and the tunes of a modern guitar maker. A farmer climbs atop her tin roof to dry apples; another breaks bread with a mysterious stranger. We hope you enjoy the stories presented here for years to come.

The Heartland Series continues to chronicle life of the southern Appalachians. Hear four East Tennesseans recall how their expectations of life changed because of WWII and how a couple struggles with the future of their family farm in the face of development pressures. As always, this collection features spectacular scenery, lifeways, music and unforgettable characters.

People wonder how The Heartland Series keeps coming up with stories. Truly, they are everywhere. In the glorious scenery just across the mountain or around that next bend. In the fascinating endeavors of nature. In the people of the southern Appalachians who appear ordinary, yet weave tales of imagination and humor. We hope you enjoy watching this collection as much as we did putting it together.

The Heartland Series is your personal journey through all the wonder that makes the Smoky Mountains unique. Featuring spectacular videography from all seasons, The Heartland Series also captures the human spirit that resides here. You will meet the descendants of the earliest pioneers; the people who lived secluded for years and developed an originality apparent today. It’s a journey you will want to take again and again.

The art of storytelling is alive and well. Maybe it’s because mountain people have such a rich oral tradition. Or, maybe it’s because we have so many great stories to tell! From the mystique of the early Cherokee Indians to the people who live among us, these stories are more than entertainment, they are a part of our past, and make us who we are today.

A celebration of people and their land; it is the foundation of The Heartland Series. From the complexities of plowing to the art of whittling, this volume of The Heartland Series brings you the stories of the people who are the essence of the southern Appalachians. While they are simply stories of everyday mountain people, you’ll find they speak to the spirit of humans everywhere.

The mission of The Heartland Series is to celebrate the fabric of southern Appalachian culture. For over twenty years, WBIR’s Bill Landry has brought you the people and places that make this part of the country so memorable. Whether it’s traveling deep below the earth’s surface, paying tribute to those who have served our country, or recalling young love, Volume 27 is a must have.

In this sampling of the people and places of the mountains of Appalachia, you’ll enjoy a voyage that is The Heartland Series. There are treasures at every turn in this timeless trip. Along the way you’ll experience the seasonal delights of a stunningly beautiful region. Here, each episode brings you closer to the wonders of an area that includes the Great Smoky Mountains and the Big South Fork. With each step you’ll delight at the wit, wisdom and whimsy of everyday folks. The Heartland Series takes you home wherever you might live.

The Heartland Series showcases the breathtaking landscapes and the unforgettable people that make our region like no other place on Earth. In this volume you’ll soar across the Smokies and down through the Big South Fork River gorge; you’ll hear amazing stories that have become part of the folklore of East Tennessee and meet everyday people that keep their roots close to their heart. This is a classic collection that will provide hours of enjoyment.