Elwood Smooch’s Old Smoky Hoedown

Heath Hawkins

This review is part of a section of my column called One The Road With Heath Hawkins. It will detail attractions and accommodations I found while traveling in areas outside Branson, MO. This particular review is from a 2005 trip to the Great Smoky Mountains of eastern Tennessee. There is also a general review of that area for those of you not accustom to that region.

I am a Branson, MO nut. I guess that is because I love the shows. I have always been a theatre, music and slapstick comedy fan. That must be why Branson and I get along so well. When I plan a vacation I always look for shows in the area. I was excited to see that Pigeon Forge, TN would not disappoint.

I am used to being in Branson and having the choice of over 100 shows. In a way, that can cause a problem. With all those options, what do you chose. I was a pleasantly surprised when I got to Pigeon Forge. There were not hundreds of shows to choose from. There are more like 10-15 shows, but I still found a little piece of Branson deep in the Smoky Mountains.

My wife and I selected Elwood Schooch’s Old Smoky Hoedown for what we hoped would be an evening of fun. Candi and I have attended shows in Branson as well as around the country. We often find that country comedy shows are not all created equal. Some are high dollar productions with glitzy light and costumes like the Priestley’s in Branson. Still others are smaller in scale, but just a big on entertainment value. The second type is what we found at Elwood Smooch’s Old Smoky Hoedown in Pigeon Forge, TN. When we left, my wife said this is one of her favorites.

Elwood Smooch’s Old Smoky Hoedown is a country music and comedy variety show. But that does not paint an accurate picture of what you will find. You will not find tons of sequence. You will find an amazingly talented band and the comedian in this show is phenomenal.

If you like mountain country and bluegrass music you will love this show. Set to the background of the Great Smoky Mountains, the music of the hills is proudly featured throughout the evening. Many of the band members and performers are area locals that grew up playing music with their family on the front porch.

As you can see in the pictures the comedian in the show is an odd cookie. I was completely beat at the end of the night watching the physical comedy that he performed.

When you are in the Smoky Mountains plan a stop of Elwood Schooch’s Old Smoky Hoedown. It is not the biggest or fanciest theatre in Pigeon Forge, but it has to be one of the biggest shows in town.

Elwood Smooch’s Old Smoky Hoedown is performed nightly at 7:30 at the Old Smoky Hoedown Theater on the north end of the strip in Pigeon Forge. For more information visit www.oldsmokyhoedown.com or to reserve tickets call the theatre at (888) 231-6444. There is even a special internet ticket price that is worth checking out. Tell them that Heath from the Branson Critic Online sent you.

What do you think? Your opinion is your opinion. Let me know at hhawkins@waynesville.k12.mo.us.