August 29, 2025 • 17 mins
Step into the heart of a beloved community tradition as we sit down with Pat and Johnny Shepherd, this year's Grand Marshals of the 79th Annual North Carolina Apple Festival. Their remarkable 50-year journey as volunteers represents the soul of this cherished Henderson County celebration.
The Shepherds share how they were mentored by community leaders back in 1975, cultivating a legacy of service that has spanned generations. Pat, who has coordinated entertainment throughout those five decades, gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to bring the festival to life each year. With over 45 volunteers working backstage, their operation showcases the extraordinary community effort powering this annual event. Johnny, who managed the parade for years before passing the torch to their son Mark, reflects on how festival participation has become a family tradition, now extending to their granddaughter Charlotte.
What makes this festival special goes beyond apples and entertainment. The Shepherds describe the joy of reconnecting with festival-goers who return year after year, placing their lawn chairs in the same spots for beloved traditions like the Buddy K Big Band performance. This year's entertainment lineup also features the dance-worthy Mighty Kicks and a Jimmy Buffett tribute band that will transform Main Street into "Margaritaville." As the festival has grown to attract 200,000-300,000 visitors annually, it remains true to its purpose: celebrating Henderson County's agricultural heritage while creating an atmosphere so welcoming that many visitors eventually make this community their home. Don't miss the opening ceremonies at 10:30 am in front of the historic Henderson County Courthouse, where the closely-guarded secret of this year's Apple Grower of the Year will be revealed. Come experience the warm hospitality that has made this festival a treasured tradition for 79 years!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
The George Real Estate Group radio broadcast is
celebrating 10 years on WHKP.
The George Real Estate Group iscelebrating 10 years on the
radio, live every Thursdaymorning at 10.05 on WHKP 107.7
FM and AM 1450 and streamingonline at WHkpcom.
(00:24):
Each Friday morning at 845,.
The George Real Estate Grouppresents the Hometown Hero Award
to someone in our community whogoes above and beyond to make
our hometown a better place tolive.
Here's this week's HometownHero Show.
It's 845, and always on Fridaymorning we do our George Real
(00:45):
Estate Group Hometown Hero Show.
It's 845, and always on Fridaymorning we do our George Real
Estate Group Hometown HeroesSalute.
And Noah George is with us totalk a little real estate first
of all, and that's before we getto talking to our, our heroes.
This morning, the GrandMarshals of the King Apple
Parade, pat and, and johnnyshepherd are in the studio with
(01:07):
us and we'll chat with them injust a minute.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
But first, noah, how you doing oh, so much to be
thankful for, and it's aprivilege and honor to sponsor
the hometown hero series hereevery friday morning on whkp and
getting to share the stories ofincredible men and women making
amazing differences in ourcommunity yeah, we'd love, love
to find the people, as we liketo say, doing some good in the
(01:31):
neighborhood around here.
Speaker 1 (01:32):
So we've been doing this for a long time.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
A number of years.
It's amazing and time flies andtalk about doing things for a
number of years.
It's the 79th Apple Festival79th annual yeah, incredible.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
And you are a henderson county native, I know
you remember well I wish I couldclaim that I joke.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
I got here as quick as I could when I was six years
old uh to henderson county, uh,and and I'd love to claim native
.
But I've been going to the applefestival since I was a young
child of yeah as well and uh.
Excited to hear charlotte'sperspective about going to the
apple Festival since I was ayoung child as well, and excited
to hear Charlotte's perspectiveabout going to the Apple
Festival this morning.
But the Apple Festivalcertainly is one of the crown
jewels of our community and thepeople come here from all over
(02:12):
and people have that experienceof our small town and they say I
want to live here.
And so we hear the story overand over.
It's not uncommon.
They fall in love with ourcommunity, the people, the
culture, all the things thatmake Hendersonville what it is.
And again, it is the peoplethat make our community what it
is, and so we've had theprivilege of helping over 1,600
families throughout the yearswith their real estate, whether
(02:34):
they're moving here or buying,or selling or investing in real
estate.
It's a privilege and an honorto serve the community through
real estate.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
I know you have sold homes and worked with people who
came and visited during theapple festival and fell in love
with our place literally, theyhad the experience of the apple
festival or maybe the gardenjubilee, and they say this is
where I want to call home yeah,yeah so we're very grateful for
that.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
and again, uh, just a quick snapshot on the market in
the last 12 months.
Our average single family homeprice is in the 540s.
We've actually had more homessell in the last 12 months than
the last 12 months.
Our average single-family homeprice is in the 540s.
We've actually had more homessell in the last 12 months than
the previous 12 months, which is, if you can believe it, it's
just the market softened alittle bit.
Days on market's a little bitlonger, buyers have a few more
choices, a few more homes on themarket than last year.
But overall I mean, don'tlisten to the headlines, the sky
(03:20):
is not falling.
The market's strong Inventorylevels are just slightly
increased.
But again, it's a great time tolive here in Henderson County.
Speaker 1 (03:29):
Absolutely, absolutely, and it's a great
weekend to be in HendersonCounty.
Welcome to Pat and JohnnyShepard.
How y'all doing.
We're great this morning.
It's good to have y'all herewith us.
You've been here before.
We had you here a couple ofyears ago, I think, but gosh,
y'all are such a face for theApple Festival.
I remember my first AppleFestival back in the early 90s
(03:55):
and y'all were one of the firstpeople that I saw, and every
year when I go, it's always apleasure to see you.
And you've been picked as theGrand Marshals of the Festival
Parade the King Apple Paradethis year.
How does that feel?
Speaker 4 (04:10):
Oh, it's a big honor.
I think it's something wedidn't have any idea that would
happen.
And when?
Speaker 1 (04:20):
Josh the President, josh, Josh English had him here
last week, yeah.
Speaker 4 (04:24):
And he called us and asked us to be grand marshals
about six months ago.
I said well, are you trying totell us it's time?
Speaker 3 (04:30):
to retire, or he says no, why the option I want you
to hang around for some more.
Speaker 4 (04:35):
I said oh okay, thank you, josh well, you're
following in some great well,talk about an act to follow.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
Yeah, roy and wanda williams last year as the Grand
Marshals.
I mean, how appropriate for youguys to be the Grand Marshals
this year.
When did your you guys havebeen involved with Apple
Festival for how long now?
Speaker 3 (04:55):
This is our 50th year .
Are you serious?
Yes, john and I have beenworking, volunteering, with the
Apple Festival.
We've been on the board ofdirectors.
We were past presidents, we arepast presidents, we I've done
the entertainment the entiretime.
We've done the entertainment.
John did the parade for yearsand years and years until our
(05:17):
son, mark, charlotte's dad, tookover the parade now, and then
our daughter, cher, and ourson-in-law Dustin, along with
April and Carol Ann at the stagenow, are helping get the
entertainment put together.
But I do have to say, to put onthe entertainment at the stage
(05:37):
is a huge feat and I have tothank all the Pat School of
Dance families that volunteer,all the prop dads that help
bring on the bands and take offthe bands, and moms and
teenagers that come.
There's over 45 volunteersbehind the stage helping put on
the entertainment too Incredibleundertaking.
So it's not.
Yeah, it's a big, big deal.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
You guys stand on the shoulders of all those amazing
volunteers.
Speaker 1 (05:59):
So we just thank so much for all the volunteers, for
sure that help us Well it's anall-volunteer festival every
year and, Johnny, you told mebefore we went on the air that
you wrote down some names ofpeople in the past.
Oh, I did, yeah, I did, kermit.
Speaker 4 (06:15):
Edmond from here was very important to the Apple
Festival.
Ray Cantrell, james Kestersonyeah, all were a part of this
and they brought us kids justafter we got married in 1975.
They brought us along andtaught us a whole lot about
volunteering and about pride inthe community, to be honest with
(06:37):
you.
Speaker 1 (06:38):
That's one of the things that Noah always asks our
guests is who was your mentor?
Who?
Speaker 2 (06:45):
influenced you.
I mean, these were theinfluences in your life.
Speaker 4 (06:47):
Absolutely they were, absolutely they were.
Speaker 3 (06:55):
Cozy and Jim Marshall , grace Gailyard, lucy Hodge all
a big part of it.
Speaker 4 (06:57):
Ray Cantrell at that time was our mayor.
Speaker 1 (06:59):
Executive director.
Executive director.
He was president of the Chamberof Commerce?
Speaker 3 (07:02):
Yes, and he was the one that invited us to the board
.
And what year did you startPat's school?
1971.
So I mean 55 years.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
That's incredible too , I mean.
But what a natural extension ofyour involvement in the
community and continuing itthrough the Apple Festival.
I mean it's all connected.
Yes, it is very connected Well,how about.
Speaker 1 (07:24):
well, of course, tonight is the Buddy K Big Band.
Speaker 4 (07:29):
Yes, Always a hit, and I'll tell you why.
We do Buddy K on Friday nights.
Friday nights, this is footballnight big football it's going to
be a beautiful night forfootball, but it's also a
beautiful night to listen to bigband music, and we do this.
They attract a little bit olderclientele.
We always have them and peoplebring their lawn chairs.
(07:52):
They'll be bringing their lawnchairs at 3 o'clock this
afternoon to get ready for a 6,30, or 7 o'clock performance.
The Buddy K big band getsbetter and better and better
every year.
Speaker 1 (08:03):
I was wondering, wondering do they perform
anywhere else but the applefestival now?
Or they sure do, I've run intothem everywhere.
Speaker 4 (08:10):
I run into the grove park and they do corporate
events, okay, and uh, I bet theydo 50.
Now I could be wrong and I'llbe corrected tonight and I'll
let you know r correct on air,but I bet they do 50 to 75 gigs
a year.
Speaker 1 (08:27):
Wow, I remember Bill Shipp was the director of the
Buddy K Big Band the first showthat we did with them is the
Lions Club Follies back in 1974.
Speaker 4 (08:39):
Wow, and that was when Bill Shipp was the leader
of the Buddy Caves.
Speaker 1 (08:44):
There's like 30 pieces and 30.
Speaker 4 (08:47):
I think there's probably about that sure enough
yeah, sure enough.
Some of them have been there.
There's two or three of themthat have been there a whole
long time.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
Well, bill was telling me I remember talking to
Bill about this.
You know, you go somewhere andplay a $300 gig and they've got
to split it 30 ways, you know.
So they do it for the love ofthe music, oh they absolutely do
.
Speaker 4 (09:11):
They absolutely do and they've, like I said, they
get better and better each year.
I think they sure do.
They are constantly changingtheir playlist or what they play
at these events.
Uh, we just love having themand they're an institution with
you yeah, sandra holt is um incharge of them at this point.
Speaker 1 (09:30):
She has been, this has been our contact forever
there's nothing like seeing thecrowd, you know, and the crowd
goes crazy and one of the mostthe best things about the apple
festival for john and I.
Speaker 3 (09:43):
We're behind stage of , but seeing people once a year.
These people I don't know, butthey come every year.
They put their lawn chairs inthe same place and we visit.
So you're like, oh gosh, I hopeI get to see them again.
This year.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
It's a big reunion.
Yeah, it is.
I mean you see your neighbors,you see your friends and family.
Speaker 3 (10:01):
I mean like, and then I see people I don't know I
mean they come every year and Itry to remember their names.
But from year to year is hard,but it's so much fun it really
is.
Speaker 4 (10:10):
We're gonna have to start tomorrow night.
Speaker 1 (10:11):
Now we have the mighty kicks mighty kicks big
party band.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
Come out dancing in the street.
They play.
Everything is just a big partyband and a big hit.
Every year we have it's.
Bring your lawn chair or get upand dance.
It's lots of fun.
Speaker 2 (10:25):
The kids love dancing .
Absolutely, and there's so manyperformances on the stage
throughout the entire weekend,you're also excited about Sunday
evening as well.
Speaker 3 (10:34):
Yes, sunday evening we're bringing in a Jimmy
Buffett cover band.
Okay, and so wear your bestbeach shirt, your parrot hat,
come on down.
We've got palm trees and beachballs and they're called the
Party Parrot Band, and so we'vebeen making Main Street into
Margaritaville.
Yeah, so come on down it shouldbe really lots of fun Sunday
(10:55):
night.
Speaker 1 (10:56):
Do you all ever get to go down the street and enjoy
a fried?
Speaker 4 (11:00):
pie.
Yeah, we usually sneak down onSundayay morning when, uh,
things are kind of quiet thecalm before the storm.
Yes, absolutely, and so we'llwander down and visit old
friends.
We have several friends thathave booths down the street,
yeah and uh, and we'll go andvisit them and we'll get our
fried pies then and our yeah,our apple cakes from the uh
(11:21):
creaseman farms that we have tohave one every year.
Speaker 1 (11:24):
There's two great words fried and pie.
I mean after you go wrong, youknow.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
There's always the debate between the baked apple
pie or the fried apple pie.
I mean, those are fightingwords, depending on what people
prefer so it has had aniteration.
I mean 50 years being involvedin the Apple Festival and it's
evolved to what it is now.
And you know some two-plushundred thousand people, 300,000
(11:50):
people coming in over theweekend but ultimately
celebrating our community andour apple growers and our
culture and our heritage.
I mean what a celebration forour community.
And you guys have seen thisevolve to where it is today.
Speaker 3 (12:06):
Oh yes.
Speaker 4 (12:07):
And we give an Apple Grower of the Year.
We'll be giving this morning.
That's right and it's a closelykept secret of who it is.
We won't blow that here.
I can't blow it here, all right.
Matter of fact I only learned aday or two ago, because I was
putting together the agenda.
Speaker 1 (12:22):
And you serve as the master of ceremonies.
Speaker 4 (12:25):
I did.
I took over after Dr Jones.
Speaker 1 (12:30):
George Jones, dr George.
Speaker 3 (12:31):
Jones yeah, he passed away, he did it for years and
years and years.
Speaker 4 (12:34):
And as George was getting older in years, I would
always sit up next to him andkind of nod him Come on, George,
it's time to move on here.
And he loved it and heappreciated it and one year I
wasn't on stage.
He said, get up here, get uphere.
And I said, okay, I'm on my way.
Speaker 2 (12:54):
The man was great, it was passed.
Speaker 4 (12:56):
The mantle was passed oh he, he taught me a lot too.
Speaker 2 (12:59):
He's a mentor incredible for me too,
absolutely now, john, can youintroduce who you have with us
this morning?
Speaker 4 (13:07):
I'll be happy to.
This is Mark and Robin'sdaughter, charlotte.
She's in second grade atHendersonville Elementary.
Our granddaughter and Charlotteoh, that's right, she is our
granddaughter.
Speaker 2 (13:18):
Good morning Charlotte.
So are you excited about theApple Festival Very?
Is there any of your favoritememories?
And you perform.
I understand yes.
Speaker 4 (13:29):
I don't really have any favorite memories.
I really like it all.
Speaker 2 (13:32):
Do you have a favorite apple treat that you
like?
Speaker 1 (13:34):
No, no favorites, nope, I like them all.
I like them all.
Speaker 2 (13:38):
But your grandparents said you've been coming to the
Apple Festival since the day youwere born.
Speaker 1 (13:46):
Your dad was here with us a couple of years ago.
Mark was here when he ran thefestival and he talked about how
it was just a family thing.
I mean, it's just part ofgrowing up in the Shepherd House
.
You've got to be at the AppleFestival, he talked about that
very reverently, he really did.
Speaker 4 (14:06):
Volunteering has always been very strong in our
family and continues to be.
Speaker 1 (14:11):
And so many students and former students of Pat's
School of Dance when I firststarted talking earlier this
week about having you here.
I've heard from so many of yourformer students, pat who, our
friend Mike Morgan, who's onwith us every morning, his
daughter and Mike Harris and allmy friends.
Well, we could just talkforever, but we can't, we've got
(14:34):
to run.
We want to invite everybody tocome see the Shepard family and
enjoy the 79th Annual NorthCarolina Apple Festival.
Opening ceremonies are at 1030this morning in front of the
historic Henderson CountyCourthouse and Johnny will be
(14:55):
there opening up the ceremoniesand then getting to work on the
stage.
We've got a little certificatehere that we would like to give
you and just a little smalltoken of our appreciation this
whole town appreciates.
As I said, when I first startedtalking about y'all being our
(15:15):
guests this week, everybody said, oh, these people, they're the
greatest.
We love y'all very much andit's just such a pleasure to see
you.
Speaker 3 (15:25):
We love WHKP too.
You've been here a long timetoo, randy.
Speaker 4 (15:30):
if I could, say one thing we could not do this
without the city ofHendersonville and Henderson
County, and our sponsors.
Speaker 1 (15:36):
Oh, and our sponsors yes, yes, yes, absolutely Advent
Health a presenting sponsorthis year.
Thank you all so much.
Noah is our presenting sponsorfor the Hometown Hero series.
Much.
Noaa is our presenting sponsorfor the Hometown Hero series and
join us every Friday morninghere on the George Real Estate
Group Hometown Hero.
The George Real Estate Group islocated in Flat Rock, north
Carolina, near Hendersonville inHenderson County.
(15:57):
You can find them online atrealestatebygregcom.
The George Real Estate Groupcan be reached at 828-393-0134
or stop by their office at 2720Greenville Highway, flat Rock,
north Carolina.
Tune in live each week onThursdays at 10.05 am on WHKP
(16:18):
107.7 FM and 1450 am, or streamonline at WHKPcom or download
these podcasts wherever you getyour podcasts.
The George Real Estate Groupbrings you the WHKP Hometown
Hero Series every Friday morningat 845.
Speaker 2 (16:40):
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the stairs a little steeper, thepace of life a little too fast.
But what if your next movewasn't about letting go.
It was about making space forpeace, for freedom, for what
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At the George Real Estate Group, we understand that real estate
(17:02):
isn't just about the house.
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We've helped thousands offamilies in Western North
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So when you're ready to rightsize, simplify or start fresh,
(17:22):
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The George Real Estate Group,local, trusted, proven.
Call us today, 828-393-0134.
Find us online atrealestatebygregcom, because
your next chapter deserves tofeel just right.
The George Real Estate Group radio broadcast is
celebrating 10 years on WHKP.
The George Real Estate Group iscelebrating 10 years on the
radio, live every Thursdaymorning at 10.05 on WHKP 107.7
FM and AM 1450 and streamingonline at WHkpcom.
(00:24):
Each Friday morning at 845,.
The George Real Estate Grouppresents the Hometown Hero Award
to someone in our community whogoes above and beyond to make
our hometown a better place tolive.
Here's this week's HometownHero Show.
It's 845, and always on Fridaymorning we do our George Real
(00:45):
Estate Group Hometown Hero Show.
It's 845, and always on Fridaymorning we do our George Real
Estate Group Hometown HeroesSalute.
And Noah George is with us totalk a little real estate first
of all, and that's before we getto talking to our, our heroes.
This morning, the GrandMarshals of the King Apple
Parade, pat and, and johnnyshepherd are in the studio with
(01:07):
us and we'll chat with them injust a minute.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
But first, noah, how you doing oh, so much to be
thankful for, and it's aprivilege and honor to sponsor
the hometown hero series hereevery friday morning on whkp and
getting to share the stories ofincredible men and women making
amazing differences in ourcommunity yeah, we'd love, love
to find the people, as we liketo say, doing some good in the
(01:31):
neighborhood around here.
Speaker 1 (01:32):
So we've been doing this for a long time.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
A number of years.
It's amazing and time flies andtalk about doing things for a
number of years.
It's the 79th Apple Festival79th annual yeah, incredible.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
And you are a henderson county native, I know
you remember well I wish I couldclaim that I joke.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
I got here as quick as I could when I was six years
old uh to henderson county, uh,and and I'd love to claim native
.
But I've been going to the applefestival since I was a young
child of yeah as well and uh.
Excited to hear charlotte'sperspective about going to the
apple Festival since I was ayoung child as well, and excited
to hear Charlotte's perspectiveabout going to the Apple
Festival this morning.
But the Apple Festivalcertainly is one of the crown
jewels of our community and thepeople come here from all over
(02:12):
and people have that experienceof our small town and they say I
want to live here.
And so we hear the story overand over.
It's not uncommon.
They fall in love with ourcommunity, the people, the
culture, all the things thatmake Hendersonville what it is.
And again, it is the peoplethat make our community what it
is, and so we've had theprivilege of helping over 1,600
families throughout the yearswith their real estate, whether
(02:34):
they're moving here or buying,or selling or investing in real
estate.
It's a privilege and an honorto serve the community through
real estate.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
I know you have sold homes and worked with people who
came and visited during theapple festival and fell in love
with our place literally, theyhad the experience of the apple
festival or maybe the gardenjubilee, and they say this is
where I want to call home yeah,yeah so we're very grateful for
that.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
and again, uh, just a quick snapshot on the market in
the last 12 months.
Our average single family homeprice is in the 540s.
We've actually had more homessell in the last 12 months than
the last 12 months.
Our average single-family homeprice is in the 540s.
We've actually had more homessell in the last 12 months than
the previous 12 months, which is, if you can believe it, it's
just the market softened alittle bit.
Days on market's a little bitlonger, buyers have a few more
choices, a few more homes on themarket than last year.
But overall I mean, don'tlisten to the headlines, the sky
(03:20):
is not falling.
The market's strong Inventorylevels are just slightly
increased.
But again, it's a great time tolive here in Henderson County.
Speaker 1 (03:29):
Absolutely, absolutely, and it's a great
weekend to be in HendersonCounty.
Welcome to Pat and JohnnyShepard.
How y'all doing.
We're great this morning.
It's good to have y'all herewith us.
You've been here before.
We had you here a couple ofyears ago, I think, but gosh,
y'all are such a face for theApple Festival.
I remember my first AppleFestival back in the early 90s
(03:55):
and y'all were one of the firstpeople that I saw, and every
year when I go, it's always apleasure to see you.
And you've been picked as theGrand Marshals of the Festival
Parade the King Apple Paradethis year.
How does that feel?
Speaker 4 (04:10):
Oh, it's a big honor.
I think it's something wedidn't have any idea that would
happen.
And when?
Speaker 1 (04:20):
Josh the President, josh, Josh English had him here
last week, yeah.
Speaker 4 (04:24):
And he called us and asked us to be grand marshals
about six months ago.
I said well, are you trying totell us it's time?
Speaker 3 (04:30):
to retire, or he says no, why the option I want you
to hang around for some more.
Speaker 4 (04:35):
I said oh okay, thank you, josh well, you're
following in some great well,talk about an act to follow.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
Yeah, roy and wanda williams last year as the Grand
Marshals.
I mean, how appropriate for youguys to be the Grand Marshals
this year.
When did your you guys havebeen involved with Apple
Festival for how long now?
Speaker 3 (04:55):
This is our 50th year .
Are you serious?
Yes, john and I have beenworking, volunteering, with the
Apple Festival.
We've been on the board ofdirectors.
We were past presidents, we arepast presidents, we I've done
the entertainment the entiretime.
We've done the entertainment.
John did the parade for yearsand years and years until our
(05:17):
son, mark, charlotte's dad, tookover the parade now, and then
our daughter, cher, and ourson-in-law Dustin, along with
April and Carol Ann at the stagenow, are helping get the
entertainment put together.
But I do have to say, to put onthe entertainment at the stage
(05:37):
is a huge feat and I have tothank all the Pat School of
Dance families that volunteer,all the prop dads that help
bring on the bands and take offthe bands, and moms and
teenagers that come.
There's over 45 volunteersbehind the stage helping put on
the entertainment too Incredibleundertaking.
So it's not.
Yeah, it's a big, big deal.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
You guys stand on the shoulders of all those amazing
volunteers.
Speaker 1 (05:59):
So we just thank so much for all the volunteers, for
sure that help us Well it's anall-volunteer festival every
year and, Johnny, you told mebefore we went on the air that
you wrote down some names ofpeople in the past.
Oh, I did, yeah, I did, kermit.
Speaker 4 (06:15):
Edmond from here was very important to the Apple
Festival.
Ray Cantrell, james Kestersonyeah, all were a part of this
and they brought us kids justafter we got married in 1975.
They brought us along andtaught us a whole lot about
volunteering and about pride inthe community, to be honest with
(06:37):
you.
Speaker 1 (06:38):
That's one of the things that Noah always asks our
guests is who was your mentor?
Who?
Speaker 2 (06:45):
influenced you.
I mean, these were theinfluences in your life.
Speaker 4 (06:47):
Absolutely they were, absolutely they were.
Speaker 3 (06:55):
Cozy and Jim Marshall , grace Gailyard, lucy Hodge all
a big part of it.
Speaker 4 (06:57):
Ray Cantrell at that time was our mayor.
Speaker 1 (06:59):
Executive director.
Executive director.
He was president of the Chamberof Commerce?
Speaker 3 (07:02):
Yes, and he was the one that invited us to the board
.
And what year did you startPat's school?
1971.
So I mean 55 years.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
That's incredible too , I mean.
But what a natural extension ofyour involvement in the
community and continuing itthrough the Apple Festival.
I mean it's all connected.
Yes, it is very connected Well,how about.
Speaker 1 (07:24):
well, of course, tonight is the Buddy K Big Band.
Speaker 4 (07:29):
Yes, Always a hit, and I'll tell you why.
We do Buddy K on Friday nights.
Friday nights, this is footballnight big football it's going to
be a beautiful night forfootball, but it's also a
beautiful night to listen to bigband music, and we do this.
They attract a little bit olderclientele.
We always have them and peoplebring their lawn chairs.
(07:52):
They'll be bringing their lawnchairs at 3 o'clock this
afternoon to get ready for a 6,30, or 7 o'clock performance.
The Buddy K big band getsbetter and better and better
every year.
Speaker 1 (08:03):
I was wondering, wondering do they perform
anywhere else but the applefestival now?
Or they sure do, I've run intothem everywhere.
Speaker 4 (08:10):
I run into the grove park and they do corporate
events, okay, and uh, I bet theydo 50.
Now I could be wrong and I'llbe corrected tonight and I'll
let you know r correct on air,but I bet they do 50 to 75 gigs
a year.
Speaker 1 (08:27):
Wow, I remember Bill Shipp was the director of the
Buddy K Big Band the first showthat we did with them is the
Lions Club Follies back in 1974.
Speaker 4 (08:39):
Wow, and that was when Bill Shipp was the leader
of the Buddy Caves.
Speaker 1 (08:44):
There's like 30 pieces and 30.
Speaker 4 (08:47):
I think there's probably about that sure enough
yeah, sure enough.
Some of them have been there.
There's two or three of themthat have been there a whole
long time.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
Well, bill was telling me I remember talking to
Bill about this.
You know, you go somewhere andplay a $300 gig and they've got
to split it 30 ways, you know.
So they do it for the love ofthe music, oh they absolutely do
.
Speaker 4 (09:11):
They absolutely do and they've, like I said, they
get better and better each year.
I think they sure do.
They are constantly changingtheir playlist or what they play
at these events.
Uh, we just love having themand they're an institution with
you yeah, sandra holt is um incharge of them at this point.
Speaker 1 (09:30):
She has been, this has been our contact forever
there's nothing like seeing thecrowd, you know, and the crowd
goes crazy and one of the mostthe best things about the apple
festival for john and I.
Speaker 3 (09:43):
We're behind stage of , but seeing people once a year.
These people I don't know, butthey come every year.
They put their lawn chairs inthe same place and we visit.
So you're like, oh gosh, I hopeI get to see them again.
This year.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
It's a big reunion.
Yeah, it is.
I mean you see your neighbors,you see your friends and family.
Speaker 3 (10:01):
I mean like, and then I see people I don't know I
mean they come every year and Itry to remember their names.
But from year to year is hard,but it's so much fun it really
is.
Speaker 4 (10:10):
We're gonna have to start tomorrow night.
Speaker 1 (10:11):
Now we have the mighty kicks mighty kicks big
party band.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
Come out dancing in the street.
They play.
Everything is just a big partyband and a big hit.
Every year we have it's.
Bring your lawn chair or get upand dance.
It's lots of fun.
Speaker 2 (10:25):
The kids love dancing .
Absolutely, and there's so manyperformances on the stage
throughout the entire weekend,you're also excited about Sunday
evening as well.
Speaker 3 (10:34):
Yes, sunday evening we're bringing in a Jimmy
Buffett cover band.
Okay, and so wear your bestbeach shirt, your parrot hat,
come on down.
We've got palm trees and beachballs and they're called the
Party Parrot Band, and so we'vebeen making Main Street into
Margaritaville.
Yeah, so come on down it shouldbe really lots of fun Sunday
(10:55):
night.
Speaker 1 (10:56):
Do you all ever get to go down the street and enjoy
a fried?
Speaker 4 (11:00):
pie.
Yeah, we usually sneak down onSundayay morning when, uh,
things are kind of quiet thecalm before the storm.
Yes, absolutely, and so we'llwander down and visit old
friends.
We have several friends thathave booths down the street,
yeah and uh, and we'll go andvisit them and we'll get our
fried pies then and our yeah,our apple cakes from the uh
(11:21):
creaseman farms that we have tohave one every year.
Speaker 1 (11:24):
There's two great words fried and pie.
I mean after you go wrong, youknow.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
There's always the debate between the baked apple
pie or the fried apple pie.
I mean, those are fightingwords, depending on what people
prefer so it has had aniteration.
I mean 50 years being involvedin the Apple Festival and it's
evolved to what it is now.
And you know some two-plushundred thousand people, 300,000
(11:50):
people coming in over theweekend but ultimately
celebrating our community andour apple growers and our
culture and our heritage.
I mean what a celebration forour community.
And you guys have seen thisevolve to where it is today.
Speaker 3 (12:06):
Oh yes.
Speaker 4 (12:07):
And we give an Apple Grower of the Year.
We'll be giving this morning.
That's right and it's a closelykept secret of who it is.
We won't blow that here.
I can't blow it here, all right.
Matter of fact I only learned aday or two ago, because I was
putting together the agenda.
Speaker 1 (12:22):
And you serve as the master of ceremonies.
Speaker 4 (12:25):
I did.
I took over after Dr Jones.
Speaker 1 (12:30):
George Jones, dr George.
Speaker 3 (12:31):
Jones yeah, he passed away, he did it for years and
years and years.
Speaker 4 (12:34):
And as George was getting older in years, I would
always sit up next to him andkind of nod him Come on, George,
it's time to move on here.
And he loved it and heappreciated it and one year I
wasn't on stage.
He said, get up here, get uphere.
And I said, okay, I'm on my way.
Speaker 2 (12:54):
The man was great, it was passed.
Speaker 4 (12:56):
The mantle was passed oh he, he taught me a lot too.
Speaker 2 (12:59):
He's a mentor incredible for me too,
absolutely now, john, can youintroduce who you have with us
this morning?
Speaker 4 (13:07):
I'll be happy to.
This is Mark and Robin'sdaughter, charlotte.
She's in second grade atHendersonville Elementary.
Our granddaughter and Charlotteoh, that's right, she is our
granddaughter.
Speaker 2 (13:18):
Good morning Charlotte.
So are you excited about theApple Festival Very?
Is there any of your favoritememories?
And you perform.
I understand yes.
Speaker 4 (13:29):
I don't really have any favorite memories.
I really like it all.
Speaker 2 (13:32):
Do you have a favorite apple treat that you
like?
Speaker 1 (13:34):
No, no favorites, nope, I like them all.
I like them all.
Speaker 2 (13:38):
But your grandparents said you've been coming to the
Apple Festival since the day youwere born.
Speaker 1 (13:46):
Your dad was here with us a couple of years ago.
Mark was here when he ran thefestival and he talked about how
it was just a family thing.
I mean, it's just part ofgrowing up in the Shepherd House
.
You've got to be at the AppleFestival, he talked about that
very reverently, he really did.
Speaker 4 (14:06):
Volunteering has always been very strong in our
family and continues to be.
Speaker 1 (14:11):
And so many students and former students of Pat's
School of Dance when I firststarted talking earlier this
week about having you here.
I've heard from so many of yourformer students, pat who, our
friend Mike Morgan, who's onwith us every morning, his
daughter and Mike Harris and allmy friends.
Well, we could just talkforever, but we can't, we've got
(14:34):
to run.
We want to invite everybody tocome see the Shepard family and
enjoy the 79th Annual NorthCarolina Apple Festival.
Opening ceremonies are at 1030this morning in front of the
historic Henderson CountyCourthouse and Johnny will be
(14:55):
there opening up the ceremoniesand then getting to work on the
stage.
We've got a little certificatehere that we would like to give
you and just a little smalltoken of our appreciation this
whole town appreciates.
As I said, when I first startedtalking about y'all being our
(15:15):
guests this week, everybody said, oh, these people, they're the
greatest.
We love y'all very much andit's just such a pleasure to see
you.
Speaker 3 (15:25):
We love WHKP too.
You've been here a long timetoo, randy.
Speaker 4 (15:30):
if I could, say one thing we could not do this
without the city ofHendersonville and Henderson
County, and our sponsors.
Speaker 1 (15:36):
Oh, and our sponsors yes, yes, yes, absolutely Advent
Health a presenting sponsorthis year.
Thank you all so much.
Noah is our presenting sponsorfor the Hometown Hero series.
Much.
Noaa is our presenting sponsorfor the Hometown Hero series and
join us every Friday morninghere on the George Real Estate
Group Hometown Hero.
The George Real Estate Group islocated in Flat Rock, north
Carolina, near Hendersonville inHenderson County.
(15:57):
You can find them online atrealestatebygregcom.
The George Real Estate Groupcan be reached at 828-393-0134
or stop by their office at 2720Greenville Highway, flat Rock,
north Carolina.
Tune in live each week onThursdays at 10.05 am on WHKP
(16:18):
107.7 FM and 1450 am, or streamonline at WHKPcom or download
these podcasts wherever you getyour podcasts.
The George Real Estate Groupbrings you the WHKP Hometown
Hero Series every Friday morningat 845.
Speaker 2 (16:40):
Maybe the house feels a little too big these days,
the stairs a little steeper, thepace of life a little too fast.
But what if your next movewasn't about letting go.
It was about making space forpeace, for freedom, for what
matters most?
At the George Real Estate Group, we understand that real estate
(17:02):
isn't just about the house.
It's about transitions, timingand trust.
We've helped thousands offamilies in Western North
Carolina make smart, thoughtfulmoves Closer to nature, closer
to family, closer to home.
So when you're ready to rightsize, simplify or start fresh,
(17:22):
we'll be here.
The George Real Estate Group,local, trusted, proven.
Call us today, 828-393-0134.
Find us online atrealestatebygregcom, because
your next chapter deserves tofeel just right.
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