Category: For the Love of Gatlinburg Podcast

Randy Watson's grandparents lived in the Smokies before the national park existed. Now, after 48 years at Gatlinburg SkyPark, he shares family history, his life as a bluegrass musician, and how the 2016 fires reshaped the mountain forever. ...

Mark Adams came to Gatlinburg from Atlanta and was "baptized by fire" within months, leading tourism through the 2016 wildfires and COVID. Now CEO of Ober Mountain, he shares the story behind its nostalgic rebrand and new attractions. ...

For 28 years, Jackie Leatherwood has led Greystone Lodge — but her Sevier County roots run generations deeper. She shares family history, her heart for hospitality, and how Gatlinburg's people carried the community through the 2016 fires. ...

Corey Wagner visited Gatlinburg so many times he eventually moved there. He built the 159,000-member Gatlinburg Now page along the way — and now works at Anakeesta, greeting the same kind of first-time visitors he once was. ...

Chad Netherland went from a wide-eyed kid visiting Gatlinburg's Guinness World Records museum to an 11-time record holder — and, full circle, the president of Visit Gatlinburg. He shares how the town balances growth with keeping its mountain village character. ...

For nearly five decades, Cindy Cameron Ogle helped shape Gatlinburg — from assistant city manager in 1978 to a 35-year run as City Manager. She talks candor, resilience, and what it took to lead this town through the 2016 wildfires. ...

In this episode, we speak with Mike Werner, the longtime Mayor of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, who shares his journey from visiting the town in 1976 to becoming a community leader. His passion for Gatlinburg and its people is evident throughout the conversation, leaving listeners with a profound appreciation for the town's enduring spirit and hospitality. ...