SCVB Blog

Freddie Vanderford, Piedmont Blue Harp

Armed with a harmonica, washboard and guitar, Freddie Vanderford can interpret most any blues, folk, soul, Americana or Rock and Roll song. With astounding harmonica licks taught to him by the late medicine show performer and Piedmont blues harpist, Peg Leg Sam, Vanderford can immediately captivate any audience.

In May of 2010, Vanderford was awarded the Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Award for maintaining and sharing the tradition of the Piedmont Blues harp. Performing Greasy Greens on the floor of the SC State House, Vanderford brought the Legislature to an immediate standing ovation.

Vanderford entertains audiences playing solo or with fellow musicians such as Brandon Turner, Steve McGaha, Matthew Knights Williams, Fayssoux McLean, David Ezell and many others. His discography includes Piedmont Blues, recorded with Brandon Turner and Vanderford and Turner are featured on Story, Song and Image:  Celebrating the   Roots and Ethnic Music of South Carolina. His music is also featured on Feel the Presence: Traditional African American Music in South Carolina and in Stan Woodward’s film BBQ and Homecooking, a documentary on foodways in the state.

Whether he’s playing harmonica on Pink Anderson’s Chicken or playing the washboard to Pink Floyd’s The Wall, Vanderford’s rhythmic, rootsy style enthralls listeners of all ages. Vanderford’s mastery of his craft enables him to coolly shift from melodic ballads such as Johnny Cash’s I Still Miss Someone to Jimi Hendrix’s heart-thumping Purple Haze.

Be sure to see this great blues man every chance you get! “He really is one of South Carolina’s true treasures,” - SC State Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter

Listen to Freddie's music

Did you know that at one time Spartanburg County alone produced more peaches than the entire state of Georgia? In 1948, South Carolina out-produced California to lead all states in peach production. Spartanburg County, alone had over three million peach trees and more than 240 peach sheds in 1951. Peach trees can still be found all over Spartanburg County and July is the perfect time of the year to get your own basket of sweet, ripe and juicy peaches.

Here are a few peach facts for you to enjoy: 

• South Carolina is known as “The Tastier Peach State” because Mother Nature works hand-in-hand with the South Carolina farmer. Under careful observation, SC farmers let their peaches ripen naturally on the tree under the summer sky. Combined with the Palmetto State’s hot days, humid nights, and slightly acidic soils, these farmers are able to produce sweet, juicy, and great-tasting peaches.
• There are two types of peaches available in South Carolina, yellow peaches and white peaches. A yellow peach gets more yellow in the sun, a white peach gets more white. White peaches are less acidic, which gives them a sweet, juicy flavor without the twang of yellow peaches. Both varieties are delicious! 
• Last year was a wonderful year for peaches, thanks to the spring rains and cooler temperatures. It looks as if this year may be just as good thanks to the frequent showers that have been falling in Spartanburg County.

Visit: Abbott Farms,  Gramling Farms, Ragan Orchards, Belue Farms, Cooley Peach Farms or any of our Farmers’ Markets to get your own fresh, juicy delicious peaches! 

For all those football fans making the journey to Spartanburg for the Carolina Panthers Training Camp or if you are just a food fanatic, be sure to stop by the famous Beacon Drive-In while you are in town. The Beacon Drive-In is one of the few drive-in restaurant legends remaining that still offers curb service and it is home to the world-famous Beacon Iced Tea, Chili Cheese A-Plenty, Sliced Pork-A-Plenty, Onion Rings, and The Pig's Dinner (also known as a giant banana split sundae) and many other food favorites.  

Featured on the Food Network’s “Dinners, Drive-Ins, and Dives”, the Beacon is truly a Southern Landmark. People from all over the country come to the Beacon for its Chili Cheese A-Plenty, a chili cheeseburger on a bun buried on a plate underneath piles of sweet onion rings and French fried potatoes and the great drive-in tea of the South – generously sweetened, laced with a touch of lemon, served over a pack of shaved ice . The Beacon sells more tea than any other single restaurant in the U.S.A. and it is even now available in retail stores across the country.

Open six days a week at 6:30 am (closed on Sundays), 52 weeks per year, the Beacon serves 1,000,000 customers of all cultures, nationalities, ages, and economic classes yearly. Come and try out the second largest drive in the country, located in Spartanburg, SC and try your own A-Plenty! 

Attention all football fans: Mark your calendars for your opportunity to see the NFL Football up close and personal! For the 16th year, Spartanburg will be the summer home to the Carolina Panthers, as they host their 2010 Training Camp at Wofford College July 29th-August 18th.  All training camp practices are free and open to the public with each practice session lasting between 90 minutes and two hours. On top of practice sessions, there are also many other special events on the drawing board for this year’s camp.

On Saturday, July 31st, join Wofford College and the City of Spartanburg in welcoming the Panthers back to Spartanburg with a “Back To Football Party”.  Practice will be in Gibbs Stadium on Wofford's campus and the celebration will be on the plaza and surrounding area.  The party will begin at 4:30 pm and will feature the Spartanburg based band Back 9 and local favorite food vendors will provide some signature items, like Redneck Cheeseburgers.  The Top Cats and Sir Purr will be in attendance along with face painting. The party will be emceed by the voice of the Panthers, Mick Mickson, and returning back to football for autographs are some of the former Panther players.  Panther merchandise will be for sale.  Practice will begin at approximately 6:40 pm then the party will continue after practice.  

Young fans between the age of six and 13 will have the special opportunity to register to be selected as a Panther Pal. This allows them to watch part of practices from field level and then spend time with a player or small group of players after the practice. Each day's experience is unique and dependent on player schedules and availability as determined by the Panthers. Children can register for their chance to be a Panther Pal at the Spartanburg Convention & Visitors Bureau/Team Spartanburg tent at the morning practices. The tent is located outside the main gate to the practice fields.

On Sundays, plan to bring the whole family along for “Family Day” and spend the day watching the Panthers practice and also join in special activities the entire family can enjoy. After each practice on Monday evenings, catch a football flick on the big screen.  Tuesdays will be known as T-shirt Tuesdays, where fans will have the chance to catch a t-shirt thrown by players.
 
On Saturday, August 14th, come to Panther Practice for Bluegrass and Barbecue - featuring Spartanburg band Bushy Valley Boys and some of the best barbecue and ribs in the Upstate!  The party will begin at 4:30 pm and end when practice begins.

Fans of all ages will not want to miss this rare opportunity to witness NFL football up close! For directions to Training Camp, a link to the practice schedule and more information, click here.

Planning your trip to Spartanburg just got a lot easier! No matter what your interest or what you are looking for, the Spartanburg Convention and Visitors Bureau has a plan for you already lined up! Whether you are planning a family trip, have a few hours between Carolina Panthers practice sessions, in town visiting one of our local colleges and have some spare time or are just looking for some outdoor fun and sun, we have an itinerary already planned for you.

Choose from ½ day, full day, 2 day or 3 day itineraries suited to fit your likes!

Choose an itinerary that suits you.