Deep in the Appalachian mountains of North Carolina there's a front porch that has been the destination of many folk who love these mountains, it's music and stories. Grammy winners and kids with their first guitar, banjo or fiddle, Hollywood producers, writers, and folk music collectors from all over the world, have made their way to the place Joe Penland simply calls "the farm". An invitation ain't that easy to get. Joe has been singing the ballads and telling the stories over half a century, but says with enthusiasm: "Privacy is pretty precious." And he has maintained that for a long time now. Occasionally coming out of "the shelter of these mountains" to sing at some festival or other, until recently he has been content to do it on the porch after the work is done.

Deemed a "Cultural Treasure" by The Asheville Citizen Times, and the recipient of the coveted Bascom Lunsford Award (named for the founder of the longest running folk festival in America), Joe preferred the simple life of hard work and family.

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Joe Penland uses GHS guitar and mandolin strings exclusively.