Local Singer Pays Tribute to WNC with New Song ‘Mountain Strong'

WNC -- In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact across Western North Carolina, one local artist has transformed heartbreak into harmony.

Singer-songwriter Kate Sorrells, a Mars Hill native and North Buncombe High School alumna, recently released Mountain Strong, a powerful tribute to the communities shattered by the storm. The emotional track, now available on YouTube, is already resonating with listeners across the region.

Sorrells shared in a message to WNCTimes, “I grew up around Asheville and attended North Buncombe High School in Weaverville, NC. During Helene I saw entire towns get washed away and had to file missing person reports for people I've known since childhood. I felt so helpless and didn't know what I could do for our community. I decided to write the song "Mountain Strong". I wanted to send a message of hope to everyone with a song that embodies the resilience of the Appalachian people."

And what a song it is.

Mountain Strong isn’t just a heartfelt ballad—it’s a rallying cry. Rooted in Appalachian resilience and the spirit of community, the song speaks to survival, unity, and rebuilding. With haunting vocals and lyrics that cut to the core, Sorrells offers both comfort and strength at a time when many are still grappling with loss and uncertainty.

“I wanted to send a message of hope to everyone, something that embodies the strength of our people,” she said. “Together, we are mountain strong.”

Raised in the hills outside Asheville, Sorrells grew up surrounded by the sounds of local bluegrass, folk, and storytelling traditions that now shape her songwriting style. While this may be her first major release, her voice—both literal and lyrical—feels like it’s always belonged to these mountains.

As recovery continues in towns across Madison, Buncombe, and beyond, artists like Kate Sorrells remind us that even when the power goes out, the music never stops.

Listen to Mountain Strong

WNCTimes

Image: WNCTimes