It's only been happening for a couple of years, but already, traditions are building at the Song of the Mountains Festival.

For example, you can count on regionally popular headliners -- Goose Creek Symphony and Jesse McReynolds are once again among them. Other top-flight acts include Dan Tyminski Band, John Cowan Band, Farewell Drifters, Hillbilly Gypsies, Lou Reid & Carolina and Wayne Henderson.

Count on a beautiful location. The festival's home base, Davis Valley Winery, has a big clamshell stage facing the not-too-rolling hills of its Rural Retreat property. And where there is a winery, there is wine.

Finally, count on Tim White, host of the festival's namesake, the nationally syndicated PBS music series "Song of the Mountains."

White, a Northside High School graduate, is a fine picker who for years has been a big supporter of bluegrass in Southwest Virginia and northeast Tennessee. White also spends a lot of quality time bringing in the acts you can hear this weekend at the festival.

-- Tad Dickens