Jimmy Driftwood

Legacy & Preservation

Jimmy Driftwood believed that music, history, and the land itself were worth protecting. Beyond his songwriting, he was a passionate environmental advocate.

He played a major role in stopping a proposed dam that would have flooded the Buffalo River and helped preserve Blanchard Springs Caverns for future generations.

After leaving the Grand Ole Opry in the early 1960s, he returned to Arkansas and helped establish Mountain View as a center for traditional folk music, often referred to as the Folk Music Capital of the World. His legacy lives on through his songs, his teaching, and the many musicians inspired by his life and values.