The Longbranch was where country music lovers, young and old, came to hear their favorite country music artists. It was where country bands with fiddles and steel guitars played everything from Hank Jr. to Alabama to Josh Turner. It was where a packed crowd sang "Almost Home" along with Craig Morgan, and where dancers twirled around that big ol' wooden dance floor to Tracy Lawrence singing on stage. It was where Keith Urban, Toby Keith, Montgomery Gentry and Ronnie Dunn all jammed together on stage one night after a show at The Creek. It was where upcoming country artists launched their careers.

It was where we all learned how to two-step, line dance and "Cotton-eye-Joe." It was where we went to meet new friends and reunite with old ones. It was where we met the loves of our life. It was where we went to the Halloween Harvest Ball and New Year's Eve party.

For 26 years the Longbranch was more than just Raleigh's landmark to country music; it was an old friend.

Barbara Fries, Raleigh