Locals We Love: White Horse Black Mountain
- Lindsay Nichols
- Jul 21
- 5 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Where music, connection, and the spirit of Black Mountain come alive
When you walk into White Horse Black Mountain, something shifts. The sound feels softer. The air feels richer. You pause. Look up. The arched wooden ceiling invites you to listen closely. To settle in. To stay awhile.
For more than fifteen years, White Horse Black Mountain has been doing just that: creating space for people to gather, connect, and experience the magic of music in an unhurried, meaningful way. And at Blue Mont Stays, we believe in that kind of magic.
So it felt only right to feature White Horse as our very first Locals We Love. Not just because of what they do, but because of how they do it and why it matters.
Yes, this story is about our favorite venue. But it’s also a story about how quiet spaces and creative people shape a town, and how your stay here supports something bigger.
So let’s begin where many meaningful stories do: with a vision, a few kind strangers, and an old Chevy garage.
A Vision Rooted in Community
Founded in 2008 by Kim Hughes and Bob Hinkle, White Horse Black Mountain began with a simple but powerful vision: to provide the community with a warm, welcoming space where music mattered and everyone belonged. After decades in the New York music scene, Bob and Kim left the city in search of something quieter – something more connected. They found it in Black Mountain.
The building itself, a former Chevrolet dealership with grease pits still in the floor, wasn’t the obvious choice. But when they stepped inside, the acoustics spoke. The curved wooden ceiling carried sound with a kind of reverence.
Not long before this visit, Kim, a dedicated meditator, had a vision. In it, the words White Horse / Black Mountain came to her, unprompted and unexplained. Then, as they explored the space, they noticed a crumpled poster of white horses taped inside the garage door. It had been left behind, forgotten. But to them, it felt like a sign. It was meant to be.
The deal was sealed. The name stuck. And so did the vision.
A True Listening Room
Ask anyone who's played here, and they'll tell you: White Horse is different. It’s not just the acoustics (fit for opera!) – it’s the attention. The hush that falls over the crowd when the lights dim; the way the space itself seems to lean in and listen.
Since opening night in November 2008, White Horse has become known as a true listening room. A place where artists feel held and audiences feel changed. Whether it’s bluegrass, jazz, Appalachian poetry, or something entirely unexpected, what matters most is the feeling of sharing the space and experiencing something meaningful.
That feeling is enhanced by everything else White Horse offers – soft sofas and table seating instead of rows of chairs, a full bar with thoughtfully chosen drinks, and even a little outdoor space to mingle between sets when the weather’s nice. The venue is located right in downtown Black Mountain, just a short walk from anywhere in town.
Beyond the music, White Horse hosts storytelling nights, poetry readings, workshops, and other gatherings that reflect the soul of the Swannanoa Valley. It’s so much more than a stage. It’s a space where community and creativity meet, and where the you, as an audience member, become part of the story.
Community at the Core
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, White Horse reinvests every ticket sale and donation into the community. But they don’t just make music more meaningful — they make it more accessible.
All events are free or pay-what-you-can, because the power of live music should be available to everyone. Whether your household was impacted by Hurricane Helene or you’re simply navigating a tight season, you’re welcome. And if you have more to give, you can help cover the cost for someone else.
Each show includes a suggested ticket price, but the focus is always on inclusion. Whatever your contribution, you’re part of something bigger.
Proceeds from these donation-based shows are split 60/40:
60% goes to the performing artist
40% supports the White Horse Community Fund, which channels resources to local nonprofits working on the ground to rebuild and uplift the Swannanoa Valley
This includes:
Home repairs (via Hammer & Heart)
Food access (via Bounty & Soul)
Mental health care (via Black Mountain Counseling Center)
Winter heating assistance (via Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministries)
White Horse also hosts benefit concerts, collaborates with local organizations on high-impact community projects, and offers business memberships that double as donations. It’s philanthropy with rhythm, and the impact is both felt and heard.
But perhaps most importantly, White Horse provides something that can’t be measured: safe space. In the heart of downtown Black Mountain, they’ve created a haven for artists and audiences alike – a cultural hearth where all are welcome.
A Shared Mission
At Blue Mont Stays, we often say we’re more than a place to stay — we’re also a platform for good. That means showing up for the people and places that give this town its soul, and giving our guests a chance to experience it, too. Few embody that spirit more fully than White Horse.
After Hurricane Helene hit in September 2024, our connection to White Horse deepened in ways we never expected. Laurie and Scott Secor, founders of Blue Mont Stays, began volunteering regularly. And on Black Mountain’s birthday, March 4, 2025 we co-hosted a day of events and a benefit concert to celebrate the town and raise funds for its healing.
And we haven’t slowed down since! This year, we’ve doubled down on our support – especially as White Horse steps more fully into its role as a nonprofit cultural hub.
One of the events closest to our hearts, the Black Mountain Blues Festival, quickly became a town favorite. After a year of uncertainty following the storm, we’re thrilled that White Horse is carrying the torch in 2025, with the festival set for Helene’s anniversary weekend: September 26–28.
Blue Mont Stays is proud to be an official sponsor in 2025. We’re providing housing for many of the 40+ acts already confirmed, and Laurie is managing the entire volunteer coordination effort! So this isn’t just a partnership. It’s shared purpose and shared roots.
Why We Love White Horse Black Mountain
There’s a reason we keep coming back to White Horse. It’s welcoming. It’s grounded. It honors history and cultivates connection. It brings together musicians, artists, business owners, locals, and visitors — all under the same vaulted ceiling.
We love that our guests can walk from their stay to a show that feels like both a night out and a homecoming. So if you’re planning a visit, check the White Horse calendar. Buy the ticket. Pour a glass of wine. Let the music hold you for a while.
And when the lights go down, and the last note lingers in the rafters — you’ll truly understand why we love it here.
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