Flood of 1916

The Asheville Mountain Boys Release “Flood of 1916” – A Tribute to Asheville History

Asheville, NC — [Insert Release Date] — Two relentless storms once drowned the French Broad and Swannanoa Rivers, transforming quiet valleys into raging torrents. Within hours, rivers leaped their banks and tore through homes and neighborhoods. This was not the flood of 2024 — but the devastating flood of 1916, a tragedy etched deep into Asheville’s history.

Now, The Asheville Mountain Boys bring that moment back to life with their new single, “Flood of 1916.” Written by mandolinist and lead vocalist Zeb Gambill, this original tune doesn’t aim to re-traumatize, but to remember, reckon, and restore — carrying forward the stories of survival, loss, and community that defined that July more than a century ago.

Bluegrass has long been a vessel for storytelling, balancing hardship with hope. It takes heartbreak, history, and hard times and frames them in a style that uplifts — sometimes even danceable, often deeply cathartic. That tradition runs through “Flood of 1916,” where the song blends the driving traditional style of this band with lyrics recalling rising waters, devastation and the tragic loss of the singers’ true love. In this way, the flood is the villain in a song about a lost love.

Gambill tells us; “Flood of 1916” is a bluegrass song about the hurricane of 1916, which left a lasting mark on Western North Carolina. We wrote and recorded it to tell the story of the people who lived through it and preserve a piece of the region’s history. The song was completed just before Hurricane Helene struck in 2024, a stark reminder that history can repeat itself. We put it on hold in the aftermath, but we’re now ready to release this original song and share the story of a similar catastrophe from over a century ago.”

“Flood of 1916” joins a run of singles The Asheville Mountain Boys have released this year, ranging from locally rooted stories to traditional bluegrass standards. By carrying forward old songs while adding their own, the band celebrates heritage and underscores the enduring spirit of their hometown.

The single is available October 3 on all major streaming platforms and for bluegrass radio broadcasting.