What began as a harmless case of missing snacks has now escalated into what experts are calling “the most Appalachian feud since the Hatfields and McCoys switched to decaf.”
The self-proclaimed “music phenomenon” known as The Cleverlys, along with Darren Nicholson of The Darren Nicholson Band and Caleb Smith of Balsam Range, are once again at odds — just in time for their shared appearance at the Balsam Range Art of Music Festival, December 5–6, in picturesque Lake Junaluska, North Carolina.
It all started years ago when Dr. Digger Cleverly, patriarch of the parody-bluegrass dynasty, accused Darren Nicholson (then a member of Balsam Range) of “living in the band van and stealing all the good snacks.” The alleged loot? Cheetos, Kit-Kats, corn (source unverified), and — the ultimate betrayal — double-dipping the Nutella in peanut butter…