Having been involved with the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival and the Lunsford Festival at Mars Hill University for many years; and having met Mr. Lunsford in the 60’s, this tribute came easy as I reflected on the many people I have known over the years in the mountain music family. I vividly remember Mr. Lunsford standing on the edge of the stage at the old City Auditorium – now the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium - inviting musicians and dancers to come out and give it their best. He always wore a white suit and was known to say,” Wear the best you got”. He would let the young musicians display their talents, and many who played the festival over the years have achieved international fame and some are Grammy Award winners today – Marc Pruett, Bryan Sutton, and David Holt – to name a few.