Introduction
Greetings, dear reader, to the 36th entry in the Appalachia-Northeast Tennessee topic section! Almost 15 years ago, I photographed the above pristine snapshot of a secluded area at Panther Creek State Park. The location was along an inlet on the Cherokee Reservoir from the Holston River. The 1,444-acre state park is located about six miles west of Morristown, Tennessee.
Why do I include a photograph from Panther Creek State Park in this article that recommends the Jared King TV channel on YouTube? Well, read on, fellow Appalachian heritage enthusiast, and I will explain!
From Donnie Laws to Jared King
The article from 4/4/2023 recommended Donnie Laws: East Tennessee Outdoors on YouTube. Further, his YouTube channel is mentioned kindly in the 7/28/2022 article about Cades Cove and in the 9/13/2023 entry that explains how to pronounce “Appalachian.” Finally, Donnie Laws' channel is one of eight entries under the “Appalachian Heritage” section on the lower right side of this web page.
I stop by at times to listen in to what Donnie Laws has to say. Last Tuesday evening, I happened to catch his episode “King Fest 2025: Come Meet and Talk with Us on September 20th at Panther Creek State [Park].” Donnie Laws: East Tennessee Outdoors (YouTube), 8/27/2025.
In the episode, Donnie Laws mentioned that Jared King will be with him on Saturday, September 20th, at Panther Creek State Park. The comment that I left that evening was, “Lord willing, I hope to meet you there. The mountains are calling me. I must go soon!” Later that day, Donnie Laws replied, “Awesome, my friend. Thanks for sharing. Be careful on the road. God bless you.”
Recommending Jared King TV (YouTube)
The next day, I was pleased to find and check out Jared King TV on YouTube! From McMinnville, Tennessee, Jared King's channel started on 5/7/2020. As of last Saturday, his channel included 636 videos, had almost 81,000 subscribers, and had just under 9,500,000 views.
The channel description (slightly redacted) includes the following:
APPALACHIAN STORIES & BEYOND! Hey folks! Come sit a spell while I tell some old-timey Appalachian stories, from witches and haints to just how times were back in the old days in the mountains and all around the world. Yep, ya never know what I'll do next! God bless you and your kin, and have a good'n.
Later that day, I enjoyed a few laughs while watching “Appalachian Humor: Sayings and Expressions (FUNNY).” Jared King TV (YouTube), 1/11/2025. In just over three and a half minutes, Jared King shares and explains several humorous Appalachian sayings. The description states, “You'll learn about the unique and insightful ways Appalachian people express their love and values for family. You'll be surprised by the wisdom and humor found in their sayings, many of which are passed down through generations.”
Afterward, I left the following comment:
Jared King, greetings! I happened to catch Donnie Laws' episode about you and him coming to Panther Creek State Park on the 20th of this month. Lord willing, and the creeks don't rise, my wife, the long-suffering Mrs. Appalachian Irishman, and I hope to meet Donnie Laws and you then! In the meantime, keep on turnin' right and goin' straight out there. Ya hear? In a few days, I plan to publish an article on my website that encourages readers to tune into your channel. Yep, I enjoy tossing out a favorite Appalachian phrase when I'm around city slickers! I enjoy the expressions on their faces. Of course, as an educated country boy, I explain what I meant in city slicker terminology!
Jared King's reply later that day was as follows (slightly redacted):
Well, howdy, brother! Sure is good to say hi to ya, and I definitely hope to get to meet y'all at Kingfest! Also, thank you so, so much for spreading the word about my channel! Good folks are getting hard to find nowadays, so it's always a blessin' to meet good folks like y'all. Educated or not…a good ole Appalachian feller…is a good ole Appalachian feller in my book! God bless y'all, and have a mighty good'n!
I believe that Donnie Laws and I are of the same generation. Jared King is from a younger generation, but he upholds the good in Appalachian heritage. Further, and more importantly, Donnie Laws and Jared King, as Christians, seem to uphold the biblical worldview.
This country and the world could find wisdom (along with good humor) from the good in Appalachian heritage. Ultimately, every soul should seek and find the “pearl of great price” (Matt. 13:45-46) by following the biblical worldview that leads to salvation and everlasting life.
For these reasons, this article highly recommends Jared King TV on YouTube! Sit a spell, and tune in to watch and listen for a while. It may do your heart and soul some good!
Conclusion
This article encourages you, dear reader, to check out Jared King TV on YouTube. Further, as a shout-out to Donnie Laws, please also visit his previously referenced YouTube channel.
To readers in northeast Tennessee, especially near Panther Creek State Park, you may want to set aside some time on Saturday, 9/20/2025, from about 12 to 5 PM, to meet Donnie Laws and Jared King at King Fest. The location will be the Smallman Pavilion. (You will see the name and location if you click the link, scroll down, and hover over the pavilion on the lower right side of the screen.)
Further, the Panther Creek State Park Map opens an image, which you should be able to enlarge to 300% to see the Smallman Area. Additionally, Google Maps: Panther Creek State Park can help with driving directions. Practically, from Highway 11E just west of Morristown, Tennessee, turn northwest onto Panther Creek Road (Highway 342). You will see the BP service station. After winding along the road for a while, turn right (northeast) onto Panther Creek Park Road. The welcome center will be up to your left. A stop there could be informative. Otherwise, continue to wind down along Panther Creek Park Road. After crossing the small bridge over Panther Creek, you will drive uphill for a while. Finally, once on the ridge, you will arrive at the Smallman Pavilion. Restrooms, picnic tables, cookout grills, and parking are also available. The surrounding views are remarkable.
Lord willing, and if the creeks don't rise, the long-suffering Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I plan to be at the Smallman Pavilion in Panther Creek State Park on Saturday, 9/20/2025, around 12 PM. I look forward to meeting and shaking hands with Donnie Laws and Jared King, both true Appalachians who uphold the good in Appalachian heritage. Also, friends and family members, whom I have told, are planning to stop by that day.
If you live nearby, I hope to see you there! Please share this article, and encourage everyone you know to attend. A great time should be had by all!
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