Music of East Tennessee#Knoxville sessions

Image:Gsm100 1547.jpg]]

Image:Wv-brickeyhouse3.jpg, in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee]]

Pioneer settlers of the Great Smoky Mountains created old-time music ballads, before their relocation, by the creation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/news/grammy-nomination.htm|title=CD of Old-Time Smokies Music Nominated for Grammy - Great Smoky Mountains National Park (U.S. National Park Service)|first1=Mailing Address: 107 Park Headquarters Road|last1=Gatlinburg|first2=TN 37738 Phone:436-1200 Contact|last2=Us|website=www.nps.gov}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.elmoremagazine.com/2016/09/reviews/albums/on-top-of-old-smoky-new-old-time-smoky-mountain-music|title=On Top of Old Smoky: New Old-Time Smoky Mountain Music|date=September 12, 2016|website=Elmore Magazine}} To help celebrate this heritage, Townsend, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and other locations in the Great Smoky Mountains, host annual festivals, some of which feature folk and bluegrass music.{{Cite web|url=https://traveltips.usatoday.com/festivals-smoky-mountains-59154.html|title=Festivals in the Smoky Mountains|website=Travel Tips - USA Today}} The Great Smoky Mountains Association also promotes events with mountain music, and has released several award-winning albums, including: Old-Time Smoky Mountain Music, Old-Time Bluegrass from the Great Smoky Mountains, On Top of Old Smoky, and Big Bend Killing.{{Cite web |url=http://www.smokiesinformation.org/news/2016-music-of-the-mountains |title=2016 Music of the Mountains |access-date=2016-10-16 |archive-date=2016-10-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018232620/http://www.smokiesinformation.org/news/2016-music-of-the-mountains |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.smokiesinformation.org/news/cd-launch-event-set-september-10-at-park-headquarters-near-sugarlands-visitor-center |title=CD Launch Event Set -- September 10 at Park Headquarters near Sugarlands Visitor Center |access-date=2016-10-16 |archive-date=2016-10-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018221806/http://www.smokiesinformation.org/news/cd-launch-event-set-september-10-at-park-headquarters-near-sugarlands-visitor-center |url-status=dead }} The Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center, in Townsend, also helps to preserve this pioneer cultural history. In addition, the Museum of Appalachia, in Norris, hosts occasional folk music performances.

{{Main|Mountain City Fiddlers Convention}}

In May 1925, the now-legendary Fiddlers' Convention was held in Mountain City. Pioneering fiddler G. B. Grayson won first prize for his rendering of the folk song, "Cumberland Gap", besting rivals Ambrose G. "Uncle Am" Stuart, Charlie Bowman, and Fiddlin' John Carson.Mark Freed, "[http://www.oldtimeherald.org/archive/back_issues/volume-10/10-10/laurel-bloomery.html The Johnson County Fiddlers' Convention at Laurel Bloomery, Tennessee] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124004932/http://www.oldtimeherald.org/archive/back_issues/volume-10/10-10/laurel-bloomery.html |date=2020-11-24 }}." The Old-Time Herald, Vol. 10, no. 10 (c. 2006). Retrieved: 9 June 2009.{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=81lPa5yl1uMC&pg=PA36 | title=Fiddlin' Charlie Bowman: An East Tennessee Old-time Music Pioneer and his Musical Family | publisher=University of Tennessee Press | author=Cox, Bob L. | year=2007 | isbn=978-1-57233-566-0}}[http://www.clarenceashley.com/music/fiddlers.html A Fiddler's Convention in Mountain City] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213015302/http://www.clarenceashley.com/music/fiddlers.html |date=2013-12-13 }}, Tennessee, from "History of Johnson County 1986" by Thomas W. Gentry, accessed January 9, 2010 on Clarence Ashley website, maintained by Scott Moore.

The song was named for Cumberland Gap, a narrow pass through the Cumberland Mountains, which was explored by Daniel Boone in the 1770s, as he blazed the Wilderness Road. In recognition of this heritage, the town of Cumberland Gap, Tennessee, hosts the monthly "Cumberland Mountain Music Show", with live gospel, bluegrass, and country music.{{Cite web |url=http://www.townofcumberlandgap.com/?tribe_events=cumberland-mountain-music-show-4 |title=Upcoming Events | Cumberland Mountain Music Show | Historic Town of Cumberland Gap, Tennessee |access-date=2016-09-18 |archive-date=2016-09-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919083951/http://www.townofcumberlandgap.com/?tribe_events=cumberland-mountain-music-show-4 |url-status=dead }}

To commemorate the Mountain City Fiddlers' Convention, the nearby community of Laurel Bloomery hosts the annual Old Time Fiddler's Convention. The event is held every summer, at the town's Old Mill Music Park. Area musicians travel to attend this festival, which features old-time folk and bluegrass music.{{Cite web |url=http://www.oldtimeherald.org/archive/back_issues/volume-10/10-10/laurel-bloomery.html |title=The Johnson County Fiddlers Convention at Laurel Bloomery, Tennessee by Mark Freed |access-date=2016-09-15 |archive-date=2020-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124004932/http://www.oldtimeherald.org/archive/back_issues/volume-10/10-10/laurel-bloomery.html |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |url=http://johnsoncountytnchamber.org/event/88th-annual-fiddlers-convention/ |title=88th Annual Fiddler's Convention - Johnson County Chamber |access-date=2016-09-15 |archive-date=2017-02-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202001027/http://johnsoncountytnchamber.org/event/88th-annual-fiddlers-convention/ |url-status=dead }}

{{Main|Bristol sessions}}

The Bristol recording sessions, held in 1927, have been called by some the "Big Bang" of modern country music.Stimeling, Travis D. "Recording Reviews: "the Bristol Sessions, 1927-1928: The Big Bang of Country Music"." Journal of the Society for American Music 7.2 (2013): 219-22. They helped launch the careers of Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family, among others. In 1998, the U.S. Congress formally recognized Bristol as the "Birthplace of Country Music",

"Birthplace of Country Music", AmericasLibrary.gov, 2011, web:

[http://www.americaslibrary.gov/es/tn/es_tn_bristol_1.html AL].

and the Birthplace of Country Music Museum opened in 2014.

{{Main|Johnson City sessions}}

Though less-known than the Bristol sessions, the Johnson City sessions, of 1928 and 1929, also played a significant role in helping to popularize country and bluegrass music. Some recordings from the Johnson City sessions influenced such later musicians as Bob Dylan and Doc Watson.[http://www.johnsonsdepot.com/oldtime/oldtime.htm "Old-Time Music Heritage"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090131063945/http://www.johnsonsdepot.com/oldtime/oldtime.htm |date=2009-01-31 }}, Johnson's DepotWayne Erbsen, "Walter Davis: Fist and Skull Banjo," Bluegrass Unlimited: March 1981, 22-26

In 1929 and 1930, a series of recording sessions was held in Knoxville. Some historians say that these, also, influenced early country music. The sessions are documented at the East Tennessee Historical Society's East Tennessee History Center, which is also located in Knoxville.{{Cite web|url=http://www.knoxnews.com/entertainment/arts/museum-of-east-tennessee-history-showcases-st-james-recording-sessions-of-1929-30-2ebd5699-376b-3b0c-375075391.html|title=Museum of East Tennessee History showcases St. James recording sessions of 1929-30|website=www.knoxnews.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.smliv.com/api/content/31e6927e-425e-11e4-b84e-22000a4f82a6/|title=Knoxville's Americana Revolution: East Tennessee's largest city names its musical soul|first=T. Wayne|last=Waters|date=December 1, 2008|website=Smoky Mountain Living}}

{{Main|The Oak Ridge Boys}}

The Oak Ridge Boys, of Oak Ridge, are one of the oldest and best-known musical acts from East Tennessee. Since the 1940s, they have sung country and southern gospel music hits.{{cite web|last=Huey|first=Steve|title=Oak Ridge Boys Bio|url=http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/oak_ridge_boys_the/bio.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040303025823/http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/oak_ridge_boys_the/bio.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 3, 2004|accessdate=5 September 2016}}

{{Main|Dolly Parton}}

Dolly Parton, from Sevierville, is a country and gospel music legend. Her theme park, Dollywood (located in nearby Pigeon Forge), features live music performances, and is home to the Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame. Parton's western-themed Dolly Parton's Stampede, a dinner theater restaurant (also in Pigeon Forge), has daily shows as well.

The Country Tonite Theater, in Pigeon Forge, has operated since 1996. Its award-winning shows have included performers such as Loretta Lynn, Brenda Lee, and The Bellamy Brothers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.therogersvillereview.com/rogersville/article_83d6be45-923c-5268-97cf-8b016bf5fca5.html|title=Country Tonite Theater celebrating 20 years in Pigeon Forge|first=Tommy Campbell Editor &|last=Publisher|website=The Rogersville Review|date=9 June 2016 }}{{Cite web|url=http://thehesaidshesaidexperience.com/2012/08/on-the-road-random-adventures-pigeon-forges-country-tonite/|title=On The Road: Random Adventures: Pigeon Forge's Country Tonite|date=August 13, 2012}}

File:Rockytop2.jpg, near Gatlinburg]]

Places in East Tennessee have been the inspiration for many songs. Perhaps the most well-known is Rocky Top. Released by the Osbourne Brothers in 1967, it is one of the ten state songs of Tennessee.{{cite web|title=State Songs|url=http://www.tn.gov/state-songs.shtml|website=tn.gov|accessdate=8 September 2016|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221144440/http://www.tn.gov/state-songs.shtml|archivedate=21 February 2015}} Though often performed at Tennessee Volunteers football games, it is not the official fight song of the University of Tennessee (Down the Field). In addition, Rocky Top, Tennessee is now a town, northwest of Knoxville, which changed its name from Lake City in 2014.

Ronnie Milsap's 1980 song, Smoky Mountain Rain, is also one of Tennessee's state songs. Dolly Parton's hit, My Tennessee Mountain Home, served as the centerpiece of her 1973 album, My Tennessee Mountain Home. Parton also reminisced on her rural childhood in her 1984 song, Tennessee Homesick Blues.

East Tennessee Blues, written in 1926 by Charlie Bowman, (from Gray), continues to be a popular bluegrass song.

Please Come to Boston, recorded and written in 1974 by Dave Loggins, has been covered by many artists, including David Allan Coe and Joan Baez. The song concludes with the line, "I'm the number one fan of the man from Tennessee." Loggins, born in Mountain City in 1947, is the second cousin of singer Kenny Loggins.

Chattanooga Choo Choo, originally published in 1941, tells the story of a train trip to Chattanooga. In 1957, the British musician Lonnie Donegan had a No. 1 UK hit with a skiffle version of "Cumberland Gap".{{cite book

| first= Jo

| last= Rice

| year= 1982

| title= The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits

| edition= 1st

| publisher= Guinness Superlatives Ltd

| location= Enfield, Middlesex

| page= 31

| isbn= 0-85112-250-7}} In addition, Dixieland Delight, released by Alabama in 1983, was inspired by a highway drive through Rutledge, Tennessee.

{{Main|Davy Crockett}}

The Ballad of Davy Crockett helped to popularize the 1955 film Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier. First recorded and introduced on the television series Disneyland in 1954, it has been covered by a number of artists, most notably Tennessee Ernie Ford. The song's lyrics say Crockett was "born on a mountaintop in Tennessee", but his actual birthplace was Limestone, Tennessee, the home of Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park.{{Cite web|url=https://www.lyricsplayground.com/alpha/songs/t/theballadofdavycrockett.html|title=THE BALLAD OF DAVY CROCKETT - Lyrics - International Lyrics Playground|website=www.lyricsplayground.com}} In addition to his renowned frontier exploits and military service, Crockett served East Tennessee as a state legislator and Congressman.

{{Main|Daniel Boone}}

The folk hero Daniel Boone, who helped explore East Tennessee, was honored in the soundtrack for the television series Daniel Boone, which ran from 1964 until 1970.{{Cite web|url=https://www.lyricsplayground.com/alpha/songs/d/danielboone.html|title=DANIEL BOONE - Lyrics - International Lyrics Playground|website=www.lyricsplayground.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://vimeo.com/22152238|title=Daniel Boone Theme Song|via=vimeo.com}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hwqdQ0SkjQ |title=Video |website=www.youtube.com |accessdate=2021-01-17}} The last of three versions of the theme song was sung by The Imperials, a Grammy-winning Christian music group.{{Cite web|url=http://www.danielboonetv.com/index.php?page=theme_song_lyrics|title=Daniel Boone Theme Song|accessdate=March 20, 2010|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100305071819/http://www.danielboonetv.com/index.php?page=theme_song_lyrics|archivedate=March 5, 2010}}{{Cite web|url=http://edames.net/mingo.html|title=Mingo|date=June 28, 2008|accessdate=March 20, 2010|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529180903/http://edames.net/mingo.html|archivedate=May 29, 2010}}

{{Main|Ruby Falls}}

Ruby Falls, a waterfall inside the Lookout Mountain Caverns, has inspired multiple songs. Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison wrote and recorded the song "See Ruby Falls", on Cash's 1970 album Hello, I'm Johnny Cash. Country artist Ray Stevens also included a song named "Ruby Falls" on his 2011 album, Bozos's Back Again.{{Cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/4ftrxr5jhzitFHg9fSSOLc|title=Bozo's Back Again|via=open.spotify.com}}

{{Main|Kenny Chesney}}

Country superstar Kenny Chesney, (originally from Luttrell), has described scenery from his East Tennessee youth in many of his songs, especially I Go Back. Chesney also includes imagery from the area in songs such as Back Where I Come From, ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDQOcRNFod0 performed at many of his concerts]),{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDQOcRNFod0 |title=Video |website=www.youtube.com |accessdate=2021-01-17}} and The Boys of Fall,{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/956761/kenny-chesneys-hemingways-whiskey-track-by-track-preview|title=Kenny Chesney's 'Hemingway's Whiskey': Track-By-Track Preview|magazine=Billboard}} as well as "Touchdown, Tennessee", a limited-edition single, which was released in 1998.{{Cite web|url=https://www.boomsbeat.com/articles/21356/20150609/50-facts-country-singer-kenny-chesney.htm|title=50 facts about country singer Kenny Chesney|first=Silvia|last=Hrabkovska|date=June 9, 2015|website=BOOMSbeat}}

East Tennessee has an impressive number of museums, which comprehensively document the region's contributions to country and bluegrass music:

• Birthplace of Country Music Museum, in Bristol
• Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame, in Pigeon Forge
• Mountain Music Museum, in Kingsport
• Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center, in Townsend
• Museum of Appalachia, in Norris
• Museum of East Tennessee History, in Knoxville

The music of East Tennessee is celebrated throughout the region at annual festivals.{{Cite web |url=http://www.etsu.edu/arts/artresources/festivals.aspx |title=Festivals |access-date=2016-10-16 |archive-date=2016-10-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018210923/http://www.etsu.edu/arts/artresources/festivals.aspx |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |url=http://southeasttennessee.com/roadtrip/from-blues-to-bluegrass/ |title=The Sweet Sounds of Southeast Tennessee – Travel Southeast Tennessee |access-date=2016-10-16 |archive-date=2016-10-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018221545/http://southeasttennessee.com/roadtrip/from-blues-to-bluegrass/ |url-status=dead }} The Museum of Appalachia hosts the Tennessee Fall Homecoming each October. The four-day event has featured headliners such as Doc Watson, Ralph Stanley, Mac Wiseman, Janette Carter, and Rhonda Vincent. The Kingsport "Fun Fest" is held each July, and has included Charlie Daniels, as well as The Newsboys, among others.{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesnews.net/news/local-news/charlie-daniels-band-the-fray-lead-fun-fest-lineup/article_d022037e-8306-56d2-88a1-256a1bccfe4a.html|title=Charlie Daniels Band, the Fray lead Fun Fest lineup|first=Holly|last=Nelms|website=timesnews.net|date=19 May 2016 }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.wjhl.com/news/kingsports-fun-fest-kicks-off-with-an-evening-parade/|title=Kingsport's Fun Fest kicks off with an evening parade|date=July 15, 2016}} Heritage Days, a street festival event, is hosted each October, in Rogersville.{{Cite web |url=http://netta.com/blog/2016/10/10/rogersville-heritage-days/ |title=Rogersville Heritage Days | Northeast Tennessee: There's More |access-date=2016-10-16 |archive-date=2017-02-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204085424/http://netta.com/blog/2016/10/10/rogersville-heritage-days/ |url-status=dead }} The Shady Valley Cranberry Festival, also in October, has live country, bluegrass and gospel entertainment.{{Cite web|url=https://blueridgecountry.com/api/content/359d99ae-fc33-11e5-9006-22000b4e00be/|title=Cranberry Festival - 2016|date=April 7, 2016|website=Blue Ridge Country}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.eventcrazy.com/Mountain-City-TN/events/details/70504-Shady-Valley-Cranberry-Festival |title=Shady Valley Cranberry Festival - Mountain City, TN - Oct 14, 2016 |access-date=2016-10-16 |archive-date=2016-10-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018214611/http://www.eventcrazy.com/Mountain-City-TN/events/details/70504-Shady-Valley-Cranberry-Festival |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/tennessee/explore/shady-valley-cranberry-festival.xml |title=Shady Valley Cranberry Festival | the Nature Conservancy |access-date=2016-10-16 |archive-date=2017-02-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202111418/http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/tennessee/explore/shady-valley-cranberry-festival.xml |url-status=dead }}

East Tennessee State University, in Johnson City, is the only four-year university in the world with a comprehensive bluegrass music program.{{Cite web|url=https://www.etsu.edu/cas/das/bluegrass/default.php|title=Welcome to the Home of Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Country Music Studies in Higher Education!|website=Bluegrass Old Time and Country Music}} The program includes faculty members who have worked with major recording artists, such as Kenny Chesney (an ETSU alumnus).{{Cite web |url=http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/content.php?147-Adam-Steffey-and-Will-MacMorran-Join-East-Tennessee-State-University-Faculty |title=Mandolin Cafe - Adam Steffey and |access-date=2016-09-07 |archive-date=2016-09-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913085054/http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/content.php?147-Adam-Steffey-and-Will-MacMorran-Join-East-Tennessee-State-University-Faculty |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXJl1ISAm6k |title=Video |website=www.youtube.com |accessdate=2021-01-17}}

image:RodneyAtkins.jpg]]

Artists from East Tennessee, such as Dolly Parton, Kenny Chesney, Rodney Atkins, Morgan Wallen and Ashley Monroe, continue to help define the country music industry. Greeneville is home to The Band Perry,{{Cite web|url=https://www.greenevillesun.com/news/local_news/the-band-perrys-comeback-day----a-new-song-a-new-label-a/article_4154a891-f82f-5928-8006-6420510d83ff.html|title=The Band Perry's Comeback Day -- A New Song, A New Label, A New Hair Color For Kimberly|first=Lisa|last=Warren|website=Greeneville Publishing Company|date=2 August 2016 }} also features occasional performances by the group.{{cite web|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRMaP_V618c|title=Video |website=www.youtube.com |accessdate=2021-01-17}}

• Christian country music
• The Ford Show, which ran on NBC from 1956 until 1961; hosted by Tennessee Ernie Ford (originally from Bristol)
• Christy, a series of musicals,{{Cite web |url=http://www.bigwalnutproductions.com/christy-the-musical.html |title=Christy, the Musical - Blank Title |access-date=2016-10-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018221150/http://www.bigwalnutproductions.com/christy-the-musical.html |archive-date=2016-10-18 |url-status=dead }}
• Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors, a 2015 NBC television film; inspired by her 1971 song and album of the same name
• Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love, a 2016 sequel film, which also appeared on NBC
• Crooked Road, Virginia, a country and folk music Heritage Trail, running across Southwest Virginia
• Blue Ridge Music Center, a museum and performance venue, on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Galax, Virginia
• Music of West Virginia

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.smokiesinformation.org/ Great Smoky Mountains Association, helping preserve the musical heritage of the Smokies]
• [http://southeasttennessee.com/roadtrip/from-blues-to-bluegrass/ Southeast Tennessee Tourism Association's coverage of events featuring music] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018221545/http://southeasttennessee.com/roadtrip/from-blues-to-bluegrass/ |date=2016-10-18 }}
• [http://netta.com/topics/music/ Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association's coverage of events featuring music]
• [https://www.facebook.com/ChristyFest-152132998135042/ "ChristyFest" on Facebook]

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Category:Appalachian culture in Tennessee

Category:Appalachian music

Category:East Tennessee

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Category:Music of Tennessee