About Me

My interest in film exhibition in Watauga County is an extension of my research into the early life of Doc Watson. Movie theaters often doubled as venues for live performances and country musicians were common fare for the Northwestern North Carolina area. In my research, I compiled detailed notes of every available local paper from Watauga and surrounding counties. Along the way, I realized that I had gathered information on theater openings and closings, as well as their exhibition histories, that would be valuable in a context outside of my work in music.

I have two connections with the theater history of this area: I live just outside of Blowing Rock and have recently become involved in the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country project to renovate and revitalize the Appalachian Theatre as a live performance venue. Much of my work on these pages originates in my desire to let people know the history of Watauga County film exhibition, as well as live performances connected with the theaters. Thanks to my employer, Appalachian State University, as well as the other groups involved in the project, the opportunities for both will be as varied in the future as they were in the past.

Dr. Gary R. Boye

Music Librarian and Professor

Appalachian State University

boyegr@appstate.edu