On August 13th, music will fill the air at the Cradle of Forestry.
FIND Outdoors invites the community to an unforgettable evening celebrating the rich musical
traditions of the Southern Appalachian Mountains during a special Songcatchers concert at the
Cradle of Forestry in America.
The Pisgah Pickers, featuring current and former members of the Steep Canyon Rangers,
will play under the very trees that shaped conservation and stewardship in North America.
Founding vocalist Woody Platt will rejoin longtime friends and former bandmates Mike
Ashworth and Mike Guggino for an evening of bluegrass music in an iconic venue.
“The Cradle of Forestry was a huge part of my childhood, but today I appreciate its heritage
more than ever,” said Mike Ashworth. “It’s a rare treat to perform in a venue this special. If
you’ve never seen a show under these trees, you have to experience it.”
The concert will take place on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Cradle of
Forestry’s outdoor amphitheater. Gates open at 5:30 PM.
Songcatchers is an annual event dedicated to preserving and sharing the traditional music of
Appalachia. Opening act Jennifer Rhea Linville and Owen Grooms will perform the songs of the
Biltmore School, written by the students as they studied under Dr. Carl Alwin Schenck at the
turn of the century.
Set deep in Pisgah National Forest, the Cradle of Forestry provides a fitting backdrop for an
evening honoring the area’s musical roots. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or
blankets and enjoy an evening of live music in one of Western North Carolina’s most historic
venues. Amphitheater seating is available but is first-come, first-served. The venue is
wheelchair accessible.
Tickets are $25 for adults, $13 for youth ages 4–12, and free for children ages 3 and
under. Tickets will not be sold at the door.
Proceeds from the concert help support the Cradle of Forestry’s mission to promote, preserve,
and enrich the birthplace of forest science in America by cultivating appreciation for the vast
and varied potential of our shared forest lands.
The Songcatchers concert was made possible through generous support by PLATT
Architecture and Pisgah Coffee Roasters.
For tickets and additional information, visit www.gofindoutdoors.org.
