Home RemodelingIn Marshville, NC

Randy Travis and his wife Mary became emotional during a recent trip to Marshville, N.C. The small, rural town in south central North Carolina is where the singer grew up, and a new mural shows that they haven't forgotten him.

On Instagram, Travis shared a photo of in front of the brick mural, smiling big, with Mary behind him. The image is of an older version of the singer, with waves of gray mixed in with his dark hair. A familiar focus and that famous strong jawline set the gaze apart as unique.

While the mural was finished months ago, last weekend's Randy Travis Festival was his first trip back since, and thus his first time to sit in front of it.

Scott Nurkin of the Mural Shop painted the mural.

"Went home to Marshville for the Randy Travis Music Festival with family and friends," an Instagram post shares. "Rose and Ricky were there!"

Rose and Ricky would be two of Travis' five siblings. A video news report from WBTV-TV in Charlotte, N.C., captured Travis' moment and his reaction.

Travis moved away from North Carolina at a young age to pursue music in Nashville, but struggled for years before his song "1982" became a hit. That led to the release of Storms of Life, an album that's getting a 35th anniversary release on Friday (Sept. 24). The new mural shows that the town he grew up in appreciates what he's done as much as he appreciates having grown up there.

Last weekend's festival wasn't the first time he has returned to Marshville for an honor. In 2017 Travis went back to help unveil new Welcome to Marshville signs that included his name. That ceremony followed three years during which the town's welcome sign didn't include his name. The mayor at the time said the old ones were in disrepair and no disrespect was meant.

"I didn't know so many people from all over the country could find my phone number!" Franklin Deese joked, per the Boot.

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (WBTV) - Kansas City Barbeque judges spent Saturday very carefully judging teams from six states who competed in the categories of chicken, ribs, pork and brisket at the Jiggy with the Piggy Festival in Kannapolis.

Judges, from several states, chose the winners based on taste, appearance and tenderness.

CBF Que from Marshville, N.C. was named the Grand Champion of the event and won $1,250. The Reserve Champion is Chunky BBQ from Harrisburg, PA, and they took home $1,000.

The Top Ten is listed below:

Grand Champion: CBF Que (Paula and Jeff Lee)Reserve Champion: Chunky BBQ (Stephanie & John Shirey)

3rd – Muttley Crew BBQ from Apex, N.C.

4th – Redneck Scientific from Angier, N.C.

5th – One Eyed Pig BBQ from Union, S.C.

6th – Smokin Skullies from Goldsboro, N.C.

7th – Brother-in-Law BBQ Team from Fletcher, N.C.

8th – Good Googly Goo BBQ from Mitchellville, MD

9th – Lady of Q from Ramona, CA

10th – Pappy & Roley’s from Asheville, N.C.

First Place Chicken – Redneck Scientific from Angier, N.C.

First Place Pork Ribs – Pappy & Roley’s from Asheville, N.C.

First Place Pork – Bad Rooster from Lavonia, GA

First Place Brisket – Smokin Skullies from Goldsboro, N.C.

During the events hundreds of people participated in the People’s Choice Pork Contest. The public was able to buy tickets and could taste some of the best pork in the U.S. Proceeds from the ticket sales are distributed to the Kannapolis YMCA and the Kannapolis Rotary who host the events as part of the festival.

A big thank you to Smithfield for donating the meat for the events.

People’s Choice Pork Contest

First Place – Fat Heads BBQ from Albemarle, N.C. (Pan 4)2nd Place –Smoke & Brew from Asheboro, N.C. (Pan 15)3rd Place – Redneck Scientific from Angier, N.C. (Pan 21)4th Place – Good Googly Goo BBQ from Mitchellville, M. D. (Pan 44 )

5th Place – EB’s BBQ from Charlotte, N.C. (Pan 33)

6th Place – One Eyed Pig from Union, S.C. (Pan 37)

7th Place – Holt Brothers BBQ from Charlotte, N.C. (Pan 14)8th Place –Brother-In-Law BBQ Team from Fletcher, N.C. (Pan 36)

9th Place Tie – Creekside Smokers from Hickory, N.C. (Pan 20)9h Place Tie – Muttley Crew BBQ from Apex, N.C. (Pan 38)

Copyright 2022 WBTV. All rights reserved.

I was driving down Highway 74 towards Marshville, NC, and realized I was moving into Randy Travis territory.

I’d first found out about Randy Travis when I took that Highway 74 route often and saw the “Welcome to Marshville, Home of Randy Travis and Country Life” signs. (That reference has since been removed from the signs.)

I’m the curious type and went home and looked him up.

Not a big fan of country music back then, I’d never heard of him. While his old-time twang still isn’t my favorite, it certainly was the favorite of many. He has won many awards for his work.

I couldn’t resist the story of his personal life, though. It had ups and downs and twists and bends and was the story of many people Southerners know. Still his was something special, with country music success that few ever find. It was often a sad story, but also a great tale of resiliency and hanging in there no matter how bad things get.

Over the years I have thought of him as I drove through Marshville (along with my college buddy James who was raised there and the other claim to fame of Marshville being a place where the movie “The Color Purple” was filmed).

I found out about the NC Musicians Mural project while driving through Wadesboro one day and becoming entranced with the Blind Boy Fuller mural, which was under construction (it has since been completed).

When I found the Blind Boy Fuller mural I just sat in my car and stared for a while. It’s a beautiful piece of art. I went home and researched him and listened to some of his music.

I decided then I would get on the trail and find all of them. It’s a fun little scavenger hunt that I am sure will keep me entertained for a while.

But back to Randy Travis. The mural right on Highway 74 in Marshville, is so easy to miss if you’re simply driving by. But don’t miss it. Like the Blind Boy Fuller mural, it’s beautifully done. Pull into the parking lot and give it a look.

You may want to create a Randy Travis playlist before you get there. Even believing I don’t like his old time country (and sometimes gospel) sound, I will admit I had to play some music when I got home and enjoyed it,

Scott Nurkin, of The Mural Shop, is the artist behind these murals. He’s a musician himself and his reverence for his subjects comes through.

You can find the Randy Travis mural at 6603 E. Marshvilke Rd. (Hwy 74).

The Blind Boy Fuller mural is located in downtown Wadesboro on North Green St.

I’ll be seeking out more of the murals in days to come and I’ll share them here.

If you have seen some of these murals, free to let me know your favorites in the comments section, along with your good memories about some of these NC musicians. Which of your favorites should be depicted in the series next?

MARSHVILLE, N.C. — The town of Marshville in Union County is hoping its new purchase, 111 acres of land, will be the town's newest public park.

The land, located along U.S. 74, features a more than 16-acre lake.

What You Need To Know

Town Manager Franklin Deese said the project could and should help put Marshville on the map.

"We want to market ourselves and make ourselves a destination. And I think this is the first step towards making Marshville a destination, a place where people, not just in Marshville, but people all over the county may just say, ‘Let’s go down to Marshville," Deese said on the old fishing pier on the newly purchased lake.

Commonly known as "Stegall Lake", Deese said it used to be a fishing spot. He hopes it can return to its old glory.

This is the site of Marshville’s soon-to-be newest public park! Located off Highway 74, Marshville purchased the 111-acre property with plans to turn it into a lakeside/walking/fishing spot for the whole county to enjoy. .@SpecNews1CLT pic.twitter.com/0jOLGYZv5X

— Jacob Reynolds (@JRFromTheSouth) June 15, 2021

The town purchased the land from the Baptist Children's Homes of North Carolina. The group did keep some of the acreage. However, a majority of it, 111 acres, now belongs to Marshville.

"We just have ideas of opening it back up to the public," Deese said about the town's future plans.

The town is currently working with a consultant on a park masterplan for the project, along with a state grant application to help fund it.

"Maybe a fishing pier, so that they could fish. Maybe some paddle boats, so they can come out on a Saturday afternoon, Sunday afternoon, just a family time," Deese continued. "I have some big dreams of building a building out here, sort of, that we might have a restaurant. So you can go to the restaurant and eat on the lake."

Deese's enthusaism is infectious, and he hopes it spreads to residents of the town and state tourists alike.

"It’s right here by 74. We have thousands of cars going to Myrtle Beach, or going to the beach, every year. We hope to have this in such a way that people will stop, you know, even though they’re on their way to the beach. Maybe get some RV hookups, or some cabins, so that maybe a stop overnight and eat at my restaurant. But those are the hopes and dreams that we’re working on," Deese said.

The town government is currently focused on the coming year's budget proposal but will hopefully get back to park planning in late summer, or early fall, according to Deese. Deese said there will likely be opportunities for public input on the park plan during the same timeframe of late summer, early fall.

For the moment, the town's public works department is working on clearing some of the trees and greenery in front of the lake so it can be seen from U.S. 74.

"People can drive by and start to look at it and see how beautiful the lake is," Deese said.

Other plans for the 111 acres could include walking and nature trails, rental campsites and cabins, lakeside beach activities and a live event venue, according to a town press release.

There is currently not a groundbreaking scheduled or estimated opening date for the park, according to Deese.

The UNC football target has already gained the attention of Power 5 programs and is impressing early in his sophomore campaign.

With the UNC football program seeing success on the recruiting trail in the month of August, the Tar Heels are continuing to look towards the future, offering a 2025 prospect.

After a successful freshman season at Forest Hills High School, the UNC football recruiting staff has extended an offer to wide receiver Jerel Bolder.

Blessed to receive an offer from The University of North Carolina @UNCFootball @CoachGalloway7 @CoachMackBrown @CoachDeese @ForestHillsFBNC @Rivals @247recruiting @247Sports pic.twitter.com/wTGX3aPvBp

— Jerel Bolder (@JerelXB4) June 15, 2022

As a high school freshman, Bolder recorded 10 catches for 212 yards and three touchdowns, according to Inside Carolina.

Two games into his sophomore season, Bolder has continued to impress, tallying five receptions for 65 yards and three touchdowns.

Bolder is the second in-state target in the class of 2025 to receive an offer from the Tar Heels. The Marshville, NC native has received seven other offers, including the likes of NC State, South Carolina, Duke, and Wake Forest.

Most recruiting services have yet to release rankings for the class of 2025, but Bolder certainly looks to be a highly-coveted recruit as he continues his high school career.

It should be expected that more programs will jump into the mix, but it may be a good sign that the UNC football program is getting an early start in this recruiting battle.

The question remains: Mack Brown and the UNC football recruiting staff earn Bolder’s commitment over conference rivals and other potential suitors?

Next: UNC Football lands Kaveion Keys

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