Knoxville Old Time

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If you love Old Time music - welcome to our family!

Knoxville Old Time is a gathering place for everyone who shares a love of

Old Time music.

We are proud of Knoxville and East Tennessee's musical history, which is very much a part of the fabric of Old Time music. But no matter where you are, that musical tradition is being honored and kept alive by passionate people...

just like you.

Banjo rim glue up

August From The Editor

When this newsletter is published, many of you will be at Clifftop, which runs through August 2nd. I hope you are having a great time, and may everyone have safe travels.

Hats off to the road warriors going from Clifftop directly to the Galax Old Fiddlers’ Convention, which officially starts on August 3rd!

Music History

John L. "Uncle Bunt" Stephens from Middle Tennessee, is known as the winner of the 1926 national fiddle competition sponsored by Henry Ford. Was there an actual national competition? Uncle Bunt said there was - but as with most things, there's more to the story.

"Sail Away Lady" was Uncle Bunt's signature tune, and the one he played to impress Henry Ford. This should remind us to never underestimate the power of a simple tune performed well.

Uncle Bunt's claim of "National Fiddle Champion" should remind us of the importance of a good story told well.

New Weekly Jam

There is a new weekly Old Time jam on Mondays at 7 PM at EAST by Orange Hat taproom at 701 N. Cherry Street in east Knoxville. Baker Boy Pizza is conveniently located in the same building. More info on area jams is on the Calendar Page.

Speaking of jams, I get lots of inquiries regarding bluegrass jams in the area. For those interested, a good place to start is the East Tennessee Bluegrass Association’s website.

East Tennessee History Fair August 15

This day-long celebration will take place in and around the East Tennessee History Center in downtown Knoxville and will include regional historic/cultural organizations, living history demonstrations, live music, crafts, film screenings, children’s activities, and more. The theme will center around our nation’s Semiquincentennial.

The Laurel Theater is helping program the performance stage where Joseph Decosimo, Bobby Fulcher and others will perform. There will be a square dance and an Old Time jam.

Live Music Is The Best!

We all know it is - but why is live music more captivating than a recording? Researchers call this phenomenon “phase locking.” Watch this video short about how our brains process live music. If you want an ultra deep dive, the results of the study cited in the video “demonstrate that live music strengthens dynamical responses to musical rhythm within the brain, which provides a candidate neural basis for the widespread appeal of live music and theories of social bonding through music.” whew!

June Appal Recordings

June Appal Recordings just released 65+ albums to Bandcamp. June Appal was established in 1974 in Eastern Kentucky to record and distribute the music and stories of accomplished central Appalachian artists.

Worth A Listen

"Active listening is the cornerstone of musicianship"

Here are some Old Time albums to help expand your listening library:

The Mostly Mountain Boys (2013)

Paul Brown, John Schwab, Terri McMurray

Haas, Marshall, Walsh EP (2016)

Brittany Haas, Owen Marshall, Joe K. Walsh

The East Texas Serenaders

1927-1937 (Spotify)

Dykes Magic City Trio (1927)

From Kingsport, TN!

Full playlist - 22 videos