Page 48 - Cityview_Jan_Feb_2014

laugh

illustration by r. Daniel Proctor
THE KNOXONOMIST

Dear Knoxonomist,

Nashville is known as “Music

City,” but from what I hear,

Knoxville has a tradition

that rivals Nashville.
I have enjoyed seeing

many live performances

here, and I think I like

the diversity in the music

better. Am I starting an

argument I can’t win?

Merry Dee Lewis

—Fountain City

Dear Person Who Argues About Hank Williams, Sr., also played where they were? Did anybody really

Things That Don’t Matter:
Knoxville several times in his short and know what time it was? Did anybody
storied career, and is alleged to have really care?

Yes—but that’s fine. People do it all checked out of the Andrew Johnson Any discussion of live music in
the time—particularly when arguing Hotel dead. Where he passed and when Knoxville would be incomplete if it did

with the Knoxonomist. Knoxville has have all been heavily speculated upon, not include a few words on the contri-
been a big deal in music and live music but the Knoxonomist wishes to think of butions of college-aged garage bands

since rural electrification. Knoxville it as a fusion of “Weekend at Bernie’s” of every decade. The names and genres
was live music to folks in the Ten- with “The Hangover” with “The grapes change, but the youthful angst is always

nessee Valley, because all radio was of Wrath.” It just seems cooler that way.
the same. Still, it is truly one of life’s
live. Early on, the acts lacked much Famed Russian composer Sergei little jokes that all nonconformists end

variety, but prior to the advent of live Rachmaninoff played his last perfor- up looking the same, no matter how
radio, folks were listening to pappy on mance in Knoxville, as did Rock and they hold their clove cigarette.

a penny whistle or grandma playing Roll guitarist Randy Rhoads—which Bottom line? The Knoxonomist is oc-
“Danny Boy” on the nose harp—and only proves that if your last name starts casionally nostalgic for a bar with lousy

this was progress.
with an “R,” Knoxville should be near live music, a smelly carpet, several code
Homer and Jethro were one of those the end of your touring schedule.
violations, and with the stones to serve

early acts that performed in Knoxville. During the 1970s, all of the most- only old Milwaukee Beer in tall cans.
They were a two-man comedy team popular music acts who toured Talk about knowing your market.

who were seriously accomplished routinely came to the Civic Coli-
musicians. Visualize the whitest two seum. Indeed, when concerts were lit the Knoxonomist welcomes your questions—although

guys you could possibly imagine—then with Bic lighters instead of iPhones, he will answer only those that interest him. Send your
think a little less funky. This was Knoxville routinely punched above its inquiries to TheKnoxonomist@cityviewmag.com, and

genteel vaudeville. Think of them as weight. The performers often forgot include your name, address, and daytime phone number.
the Smothers Brothers for people who in which city they were playing, but it The Knoxonomist and his secretary are busy, however, and

wore button-up shoes.
was the 70s—did anyone really know
regret that we cannot acknowledge receipt of e-mails.

46 cityviewmag.com january february 2014