Hillbilly Jam Friends & Family Gathering 2025
12/06/2025 · Waynesville, North Carolina
We headed up to Maggie Valley Still Company for the inaugural Hillbilly Jam Friends & Family Gathering on December 6, 2025, and it turned into exactly the kind of night we’re always glad to be part of. This one was smaller and more intimate than the big summer events, but that was part of what made it special. It felt less like an event and more like a room full of friends, music, laughter, and people showing up for a good cause.
The gathering was held at Moonshiner Jerry Benson’s shop in Waynesville, just outside Maggie Valley, with Becky Ramey and others helping bring it together. The whole point was bigger than just getting folks under one roof. Toys were collected for local children and donations were gathered for PAWS of Bryson City, a reminder that the effects of Hurricane Helene are still being felt across western North Carolina and that neighbors are still finding ways to help neighbors.
Because it was a friendly, relaxed charity event, we honestly didn’t think much about taking pictures once the night got rolling. People were talking, donating, catching up, and settling in for the evening, and it never felt like the kind of event where anybody needed to perform for a camera. That low-pressure, community-first feeling is a big part of why the night worked so well.
One of the highlights was the music. The Brothers Rathbone were absolutely worth mentioning by name — not just because they were talented, but because they kept the whole place lively with great songs, solid playing, and the kind of stories and jokes that make a live set feel personal. They were a perfect fit for the room and definitely added a lot to the night.
There were also plenty of fun little moments throughout the evening that gave the gathering its own personality. Between the Christmas touches, the good humor, and all the familiar faces moving through the shop, the whole thing felt warm and welcoming.
For us, that’s what made this first Friends & Family Gathering memorable. It wasn’t about spectacle. It was about people showing up with toys, pet supplies, and goodwill, spending time together, and making the season a little better for somebody else. If this really does become an annual tradition, it got off to a strong start.
Also in attendance
It was especially good to see so many generous people show up carrying toys, pet supplies, and other donations. We also crossed paths with Kenny Taylor and Kimberly, Marcus, Moonshiner Red, Liberty Soulshine, Panhead Cooter & Little Diddle, Donnie & Teresa of the Backwoods Moonshine Museum, Solomon Sutton, Pete Kochiss, Moonshiner Bennett, Lee James, Bill Foster, and many others who helped make the night feel full in all the right ways.
👕 Worn at This Event
Custom “Backwoods Demolition Service” Hoodie |
Sour Mash Kids Hoodie
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Event took place December 6, 2025 at Maggie Valley Still Company (Moonshiner Jerry Benson’s shop) in Waynesville, North Carolina. Original Facebook coverage for this trip was first posted on December 7, 2025. Extra photos and community comments are available on Facebook: View the original post.