PODCAST:  Nina Simone’s Childhood Audio Story Part 5 Nina Simone: Lanier Library One of the most defining moments of Nina Simone’s young life came in the Lanier Library near downtown Tryon. At a piano recital where she was to perform, her parents were asked to move from the front row to the back of the room. 12-year-old Nina – still known as Eunice at the time – stood up and refused to play. Listen to how this story turned out.  Then click the button below to hear the next story. https://firstpeaknc.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/SP5-Lanier-Library-May-31-final-version.mp3 Music Credit: “Sinnerman” by Nina SimoneStorytellers: Jeff Lieberman, Martin Anderson For more information visit the Lanier Library website, Explore Tryon website NEXT: Listen to Part...

PODCAST:  Nina Simone’s Childhood Audio Story Part 6 Nina Simone: Tryon’s Nina Simone Plaza Nina Simone Plaza in downtown Tryon, dedicated in 2010, features a bronze sculpture created by famed bronze artist Zenos Frudakis. Inside this statue is a bronze heart, which includes some of Nina’s ashes, provided by her daughter Lisa, who was also a model for the sculpture. The statue and Tryon’s efforts to remember Nina will provide a timeless reminder of Nina Simone’s true legacy. Listen here to a story of the impact of Nina on the Town of Tryon, then and now. https://firstpeaknc.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/SP6-NS-Plaza-June-5-final-version.mp3 Music Credit: “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” by Nina SimoneStorytellers: Martin Anderson, Zenos Frudakis, Jeff Lieberman, Lisa Simone For more information visit the Zenos Frudakis website, Explore Tryon website. UPDATE: A 2-story mural of Nina Simone was painted by Scott Nurkin in 2020 – part of the North Carolina Musician Murals trail. The large mural is on the back of a building that can be seen from Hwy 176, next to the intersection with Hwy...