Streamliners, RB Morris, Jenna and her Cool Friends, Blue Mother Tupelo and Fred Eaglesmith

Jazzman RB Morris with the Streamliners, Knoxville Museum of Art

KMA swinging to the Streamliners

I'll start with a few pictures of the KMA from a couple of weeks ago and then I'll launch into what promises to be an amazing weekend for music in the city. Today's post begins with Alive After Five two weeks ago. The show is hosted at KMA by Michael Gill and features superb music, beverages for purchase and a reasonably priced catered meal, admission to the museum and free popcorn for a very modest price. It's a very cheap, but classy date. What could be better than that?

Streamliners at Alive After Five, Knoxville 2012

The music generally veers toward jazz and blues with a healthy sprinkling of other genres. Two weeks ago the featured artists were the Streamliners who play big band style jazz music. Most, if not all, of the members also play in the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra which, if you haven't figured it out from this blog, provide our city with all sorts of excellent musicians playing every shade of jazz in the known world.

Streamliners at KMA, January 2012

RB swings with the Streamliners at the KMA

The kicker this particular night was a promised guest slot for R.B. Morris which, on the face of it, seems like an odd mix, but for the two songs they performed, it was really excellent. One was a standard and the other was "Copper Penny," the classic, clever RB song. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to hear RB sing Marty Robbins songs know what RB can do with his voice when he's of a mind to. And he was definitely of a mind to that night.

RB Morris with the Streamliners

RB Morris sings at the KMA

He rocked, moved about the stage like a slick jazz man, bopping to the rhythms of the band and simply looked like this was his main gig. It was as if this swing man had simply idled away the years as this singer-songwriter while holding this secret passion for the big band world. In any case, he seemed to have a blast and so did, always present, crowd of dancers and diners.

It was a stop on our First Friday tour, but it happens most Friday nights and this one is no exception. Jenna and  Her Cool Friends will rock the house with their mix of blues and more blues. I've written about Jenna playing Alive After Five before. This is a band to see if you have any interest at all in that genre. Jenna Jefferson can belt and croon, make you dance and make you swoon. Watch out - her husband is in the band!

Seriously, Jenna has an encyclopedic memory for the details that make the music come alive. She can spin stories about the artists and the songs all night long. And they can play. Seriously play. They are headed for Memphis soon for a blues version of the Battle of the Bands where they have done very well in the past. The band is popping and I would not lead you wrong on that front. They practice just outside my home, so I can testify. You can't hear them on Sunday afternoons like I can, so Friday night is your chance: 6:00 - 8:30 at the KMA.

She's got some great competition across town. The lovely Bijou Theater will be the site of an outbreak of all things Donna the Buffalo. This excellent touring band from parts to the north is always great fun and the uplifting lyrics, groovy organ and general hipness will not leave you frowning.

But wait, there's more! This weekend, if you aren't in bed dying from an exotic disease, you have no excuse for not hearing great music. Saturday at noon WDVX hosts Fred Eaglesmith for the Blue Plate Special. I wrote about it the last time he appeared. It was amazingly good. I immediately bought his album "Cha Cha Cha" and have enjoyed it every since. He's back and he'll also perform at the Shed this weekend, touring in support of his latest album, "Six Volts," to be released in download form next week and physically in about three weeks. Be there early if you want to see the stage.

Saturday night Boyd's Jig and Reel has outdone themselves by booking Blue Mother Tupelo. This power duo with their intricate harmonies and country-rock, southern twang are just the ticket for a great evening of music. Pick up dinner at the Jig and Reel and have music for desert. It's an amazing deal. These people should be playing to thousands of people at a time and you get them in an intimate setting for this free show. What's not to love?

So, there you go: a great weekend of music and much of it free. It's about as good as a musical weekend in the city could be for my tastes. I hope to see you at the shows!

Christmas Day in Downtown Knoxville

So Christmas has come and gone, once again. What is it like to experience Christmas in the city? Of course, like anywhere, that depends on the person you ask. For everyone downtown, it's pretty quiet. The streets are empty for most of the day. A soft snow-mist fell for much of the morning before turning to more proper flakes by noon. Few cars passed in the street. In my home the day meant sleeping late, opening gifts with family and enjoying brunch around noon. It was exhausting and, of course, called for a nap. Not much different than the suburbs, right?

I was the lonely recycler.

Mid-afternoon I took a walk to check the pulse of the city. First, I walked to the recycle center to drop off our boxes and used wrapping paper. I was happy to see I wasn't the first to deliver the balls of festive, useless paper to a new life. I took a shot of a little additional urban blight as I left. These buildings could be great. I wonder how they play into the vision of Marble Alley.

State Street blight or Marble City makeover?

Homeless friends panhandling on Christmas day.

Walking down Gay Street, I found these guys. One said he was from Morristown looking for what to do next. The woman kept laughing uncontrollable and the guys told me she needs to take her Haldol. I cautioned them about panhandling in the same spot where Bill and Jake were previously accosted. One of them had a harmonica which he played sporadically, so I guess they could take the busker defense.

Christmas movie goer, Regal Cinemas, Downtown Knoxville, Christmas day

Regal Cinemas had three workers to one customer when I looked, but they claimed to have had a pretty busy day. They were one of the few businesses open. The ice skating rink was open and had about twenty skaters when I looked. I hope it has done well this year, but I've looked several times when it wasn't very busy.

Twenty ice skaters skating, Knoxville, Christmas Day 2010

James Park Home, Christmas Day 2010

I walked down Walnut Street and took a pretty good picture of the James Park house. James Park was Knoxville's second mayor. The foundation dates to 1797 with the actual structure going back to 1812.  It's pretty remarkable that it has survived. It's one of the oldest houses in Knoxville.

Umoja Abdul-Ahad, Knoxville, Christmas, 2010

I kind of hit full-cycle by the end of my walk when I met Umoja Abdul-Ahad. He was kind enough to stand for this picture as he prepared to walk the city, himself. Omoja, I learned, is the executive director of Global Recycle Summit, an organization that promotes recycling. I was relieved I recycled my Christmas wrapping paper rather than trashing it. I would have felt a bit guilty.

Dirty Guv'nahs' New Year's Eve Show

So, the action was slow, but I made a new friend. Not a bad outcome of a little walk in the city. As I turned back onto Gay Street, ice pellets fell heavily and the chill had deepened. I walked past the Bijou marque announcing the upcoming Dirty Guv'nahs' New Year's Eve show. I realized it was a farewell walk to a year that is ending. It's been a good year for our city and here's hoping the next is even better. Starting it with the Dirty Guv'nahs at the Bijou would be a promising beginning, indeed. I certainly plan to be there.

Bikes, Bright Lights and Biting Cold

Santa and his Rudolph, Tour de Lights, Knoxville, December 2010

To avoid the Christmas spirit in downtown Knoxville, you must be determined to revel in your inner Scrooge. From Christmas Wrestlers to gorgeous lights, we've got enough spirit to make a Grinch run and hide. The events and fun just keep coming. Tonight was no exception.

Ice Queen and her ride, Tour de Lights, Knoxville, December 2010

What the Dickens!?! Andi's candles are actually lighted!

Halloween at Christmas?

Thirty eight degrees and a steady drizzle didn't stop dozens of bikers from joining the annual Tour de Lights bike ride through downtown Knoxville. The cold, sloppy night still offered an upgrade from the icy conditions last Thursday when the ride was originally scheduled.

Happy couple at the Tour de Lights, Knoxville, December 2010.

Santa in his sleigh, Tour de Lights, Knoxville, December 2010.

Tour de Lights, Knoxville, December 2010.

Stars of Bethlehem? Tour de Lights, Knoxville, December 2010.

The ride brought out couples and whole families, old and young, serious riders and the less-than-serious. The spirit of camaraderie in the midst of the silliness and the fun promotion of a simple, pollution-free transportation alternative were really what the night was about.

Adult, Fit Santa, Tour de Lights, Knoxville, December 2010

Gotta have Elves, Tour de Lights, Knoxville, December 2010

A Christmas Story Lamp - and yes, she rode in heels.

Well paid and happy judges, Tour de Lights, Knoxville, December 2010

The bikers gathered in a chaotic group at the corner of Market and Union. I understood the start time to be 6:00 PM, then I heard 7:00PM. By the time I heard a rumor it would be 7:30, I was getting about as stiff as my camera which periodically refused to take pictures during the event.

Tour de Lights on Gay Street, Knoxville, December 2010

Tour de Lights on Gay Street, Knoxville, December 2010

Strange Cycle, Tour de Lights, Knoxville, December 2010

Tour de Lights on Gay Street, Knoxville, December 2010

It did begin around 7:00 amidst great cheer. Smiles abounded from the riders and organizers to the judges and hot chocolate personnel. In the pictures the drizzle looks almost like the snow from my pictures last week, but it was a slowly soaking mist that must have made the biking slightly dicey in a group at night. The night was cold and wet, but the friendship was warm and real and, in the end, maybe the weather was perfect for a winter time ride with Ice Queens, Santas, Reindeer and everything Christmas.

Happy Hot Chocolate Crew, Tour de Lights, Knoxville, December 2010
(special thanks to second from left who got my camera returned to make this blog possible)

Final Autumn Pictures: Down by the River



Henley Street Bridge, Knoxville, November 2010

 As often happens with the ending of a month, I look back at some images that never quite found a story and pass them along for your pleasure. One Sunday afternoon in November I walked around for several hours and got some photographs that I really loved. I don't know if the light or my luck was good or I was delusional when I thought they turned out well. I've already used some of them in my Columbus post, but here are some more. You tell me what you think. This post will focus on the River shots.

Calhoun's on the River, Knoxville, November 2010

Have you ever stood on the Gay Street Bridge when the wind was right and smelled this place? The Metropulse may be correct, that we don't have a distinctive version of barbecue, but there can be no better smelling barbecue. It was mid-afternoon and I was instantly starving.

I took these final two pictures from the river walk west of the Henley Street Bridge looking east. The couple never knew I was there. These may be my recent favorites. Next post will include pictures from the same afternoon, but further inland.

A couple looks out over the Tennessee River, Knoxville, November 2010.





A couple looks out over the Tennessee River, Knoxville, November 2010.



These Eyes Have Seen Alot . . .

I generally try to pass on some of what I notice on First Friday and this month I bypassed that and went directly into the heavy series of posts about panhandling, so I've decided to loop back and catch a few interesting moments from that chilly evening. The temperatures must have kept people away because after two of the largest consecutive First Fridays the previous two months, this one was pretty sparse as those things go.

Friendly Bird Outside Soccer Taco, Knoxville, November 2010

One of the charms of downtown Knoxville is that while we are big enough to display the hustle and bustle of  a city, we are also small enough to slow down and be human. Or maybe it doesn't matter where you are, people sometimes stop long enough to notice the little things. The small bird and the two attending it are pictured in the entrance to Soccer Taco. I think it was eating food that they placed on the sidewalk.

Beer-hats for sale at Fizz, Market Square, Knoxville

In August I blogged about the Indie Grrls festival that settled into Knoxville for a few days. One of the photographs in that blog showed a woman wearing a slip on the outside of her clothes, talking to a local man who was wearing a beer box on his head. I've seen him since  and he continues to wear a beer box on his head. Now I have evidence that a behavior which seems extreme in July can become mainstream by November. That's right: You may also now proudly wear your favorite beer on your head. The beer box hats are available in several brands for purchase at Fizz. Now if I start seeing multiple people wearing beer box hats I'm going to know I live with a bunch of crazy people.

John Black (center with shiny head) hosts Open House

Finally, that night offered open house at John Black Studios in the Daylight Building. Steady crowds worked through the new business looking at the beautiful photographs while enjoying cupcakes from Magpies. You really should drop by and look at the photographs and talk to Amanda and John about getting a few photos of your own. Also opening to meet the public, if not to open the store, Kristen Faerber greeted well-wishers next door at Just Ripe, which hopefully will open in the next few weeks.

We got Veterans, We got Everything and Everybody



Tennessee National Guard leads the way.



Veterans Day Parade, Gay Street, Knoxville, November 2010

 A fluke in my work schedule allowed me to be downtown for the recent Veterans Day Parade. It was quite the event. I'm estimating it lasted an hour and a half. That included a delay while the large American flag hoisted across Gay Street apparently had a slight malfunction which shut everything down for about ten minutes.

Cub Scouts - My Peeps!

Very Enthusiastic Heritage Girl

Got have your men-in-skirts or any parade is a bust!

Bearden High School - I liked the look.

It appeared that nearly every high school band and many of the ROTC programs were represented. Of course we had veterans from every branch of the service, current and the older warriors. The young soldiers-in-training were present: Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and Brownies and American Heritage Girls (more Christian-focused version of the Girl Scouts).

Veterans and motorcycles go together like, well, veterans and motorcycles.



Did someone tell them it was a "Veteran's" parade, not a "corVETTERAN's" parade?



That's one big-hearted purple heart!

A Little spooky on an American street.

I have no idea.

A skeleton hanging out of a junk car fits in, how?

Vets arrived in big numbers - Corvettes, that is, as well as Mustangs, Model A's and T's, motorcycles, antique fire trucks, jalopies along with many military vehicles. Seeing some of the armament on Gay Street made me think of the Nazi march and the police in their riot gear with machine guns poised.

Nobody can trump these veterans!

Lighter moments also found their way into the mix as you can see in some of the pictures. No one asked me, but I would think that 45 minutes worth of the above might be enough. I'm not sure EVERY high school band needed to be in there and I wonder if each of the auto clubs might not send a representative vehicle. I think there were around 40 Corvettes.


I cannot imagine.

Some of it just didn't make sense to me - like the jalopy with the skeleton hanging out the window. I also wondered why the rebel flags adorning at least one motorcycle would be acceptable. I mean, we are honoring US veterans and the rebel flag symbolizes, among other things, an undermining of the union that led to many deaths and a treasonous separation from the country whose veterans we are celebrating. Maybe there is another side to that argument, but it seemed misplaced to me. Another suggestion would be to provide labels on some of the vehicles identifying the dignitaries. Finally, I would suggest that the very large plane that flew disturbingly close to the buildings might not be appropriate after 9/11 and after I nearly soiled myself as it unexpectedly flew over. 

Even the animals came in uniform.

Still, large numbers of people came out to celebrate and honor these men and women who give themselves for our sake and it was a good day.

Click the picture to enlarge and check out the shoes.