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JUNE 22, 2017 knoxmercury.com V.
3/ N.16
Andre Block’s Cross-Country Quest Pro Racer Stephen Bassett Bike Clubs & Community Rides Ideas for Sevier County’s AffordableHousing Shortage
Rescuing Health Helps Fill Local Health-Care Gaps
Scaling the Walls of Jericho in the Cumberland Plateau
YOUR GUIDE TO THE RACES!
USA Cycling Pro Road Championships
2 knoxville mercury June 22, 2017
June 22, 2017 | Volume 03: Issue 16 | knoxmercury.com “Life is like a ten-speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use.” —Charles M. Schulz
HOWDY
6 The Laundromats of Knoxville by Jessica Tezak
8
OPINION Scruffy Citizen Jack Neely recalls his life as a bicyclist.
9 Perspectives
Joe Sullivan wonders what Howard Baker would do in a case like this.
10 Much Ado
Catherine Landis recalls a presidential era before bilious tweets.
A&E
20 Program Notes
Albert Murrian’s Artrock and Kevin Abernathy’s Family Hour.
21 Inside the Vault
Eric Dawson recalls the life and times of Carl Bean and the Big Valley Music Barn.
22 Art
Matthew Everett reviews the work of Fanboy Expo artist Ken Kelly.
23 Movies
April Snellings takes a dive for 47 Meters Down.
CALENDAR 26 Spotlights
COVER STORY
14 Let’s Ride! Knoxville will soon be swarming with bicyclists competing in the USA Cycling Pro Road Race & Time Trial National Championships. What better excuse to assemble a special bikes issue? Meet cross-country cyclist Andre Block, pro racer/UT English major Stephen Bassett, some of the top racers coming to Knoxville, plus our lists of ways to socialize on your bike.
PRESS FORWARD 11 Rescuing Health
Ana Goncalves’ Rescuing Health provides financial assistance to patients falling through health care gaps.
NEWS 12 Housing Hunt
A recent study reveals the hard numbers that explain why so many Sevier County workers have been forced to live in substandard motels or even storage units: The county has long lacked enough affordable housing, even before the deadly wildfire that swept Gatlinburg. S. Heather Duncan reports.
13 Arts Director
Fundraising is at the heart of Dogwood Arts’ renewed hunt for an executive director since Tom Cervone left the job at the end of May, reports S. Heather Duncan.
Big Freedia and Spiral Stairs
OUTDOORS
42 Voice in the Wilderness
Kim Trevathan scales the Walls of Jericho.
’BYE 44 News of the Weird by Chuck Shepherd
46 Restless Native
by Chris Wohlwend
46 Spirit of the Staircase by Matthew Foltz-Gray
47 Crooked Street Crossword
by Ian Blackburn and Jack Neely
47 Mulberry Place Cryptoquote by Joan Keuper
SPECIAL INSERT
USA Cycling Pro Road Championships
The world of professional bicycle racing comes to Knoxville’s streets this weekend — here’s your guide!
June 22, 2017 knoxville mercury 3
THE DELI SOLUTION The article about school lunches [“Can School Lunches Be Fixed?” by S. Heather Duncan, April 27, 2017] was interesting but I have a question: Why don’t they just serve deli sandwiches? They’re cheap and easy to make and are healthy if made of decent ingredients. Doesn’t everyone like a good sandwich? People certainly pay good money for them in restaurants. I suppose the schools could even mess up a simple sandwich. I mean, they’d probably slap a slice of bologna and a slice of American cheese on white bread and then declare, “Our students don’t like sandwiches. We must feed them the world’s worst pizza, so-called tacos and mystery chicken!”
“A tip of the Homburg to Schulz Brau for bringing to town the authentic Rauchbier that the 82nd Engineering Bn. grew to love and quaff whilst defending the Free World and preparing wild boar pulled pork during field exercises near Bamberg, West Germany, all while staring down the Soviet threat of excessive vodka consumption and poorly made consumer products.” —Steve Hooks commenting on “The Mercury Guide to Knoxville’s Booming Breweries 2017” by Thomas Stubbs, June 8, 2017
Greg Manter Knoxville
THE FREE FLOW OF KNOWLEDGE Imagine when you go on the Internet, and all but a few sites work normally. Your ISP blocked access to Twitter and Facebook without buying the social media package. YouTube and Netflix is throttled unless you’ve subscribed to the video streaming bundle. The Knoxville Mercury, Inside Of Knoxville, and every other news site that isn’t as big as MSNBC or Fox News is blocked without the “Total Internet” subscription, as those sites are not considered a “preferred site” by your ISP. If everything mentioned here sounds crazy, that’s because it is. But without net neutrality, such treatment from your ISP is within the realm of possibility. net neutrality is a principal that your ISP treats all data going through your Internet connection the same, regardless of what it is. What this means is that Comcast, Verizon, and other ISPs cannot hinder or block competing services, nor can other parties pay your ISP to do the same. It’s a principal that gives Knoxville’s and America’s entrepreneurs a closer footing to a Fortune 500 company. It gives local musicians and film makers an even closer footing to Hollywood. It gives a local activist an even closer footing to an establishment politician. 4 knoxville mercury June 22, 2017
This is because the Internet, since its inception, has been a far more reaching, and far more open, platform to utilize than modern TV or radio will ever be. As a consequence, the once non-competitive mainstream media and all its personalities have to compete with a swarm of independent journalists, artists, inventors, and grass-roots activists. Unfortunately, efforts are being made to kill net neutrality. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai stated that he intends to eliminate his agency’s net neutrality rules. Rep. Marsha Blackburn introduced the House Joint Resolution (H.J. Res. 86) condemning the rules mandating net neutrality, and both chambers of Congress were able to pass a joint resolution condemning the FCC rule. Nine Republican Senators have also proposed a bill (S. 993) in an effort to stop the FCC from making and enforcing any net neutrality regulations in the future. All this work is being done under the guise of “freedom,” and that the government should not be regulating the Internet. Politicians opposing net neutrality do not comprehend how the Internet works. This is most obvious when an opponent argues for “deregulating the Internet,” when in reality net neutrality rules only affect providers of Internet access. The rules do not apply to every Internet
connected device on the Earth. To compare AT&T, Verizon, etc. to the Internet is to be totally ignorant of what the Internet actually is: one giant network of computers scattered all over the world. This is but one of the reasons why many of the officials opposing net neutrality are simply not qualified to author regulations on how we use information technology. Net neutrality is under fire, and it is an issue that can burn free and open access to information if its principal is not defended. While many of us think of Twitter and Facebook, I have used the Internet to learn new skills, meet people from all over the globe, and explore different cultures and ideologies. Many of my peers have used the Internet to teach new skills and pass their knowledge onto others. I ask that you contact your representatives and tell them to defend this principal, because without net neutrality, your ISP can cut you off from that free flow of knowledge with impunity. Zack Nelson Sevierville
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR GUIDELINES • Letter submissions should include a verifiable name, address, and phone number. We do not print anonymous letters. • We much prefer letters that address issues that pertain specifically to Knoxville or to stories we’ve published. • We don’t publish letters about personal disputes or how you didn’t like your waiter at that restaurant. • Letters are usually published in the order that we receive them. Send your letters to: Our Dear Editor, Knoxville Mercury 618 S. Gay St., Suite L2 Knoxville, TN 37902 Send an email to: editor@knoxmercury.com Or message us at: facebook.com/knoxmercury
DELIVERING FINE JOURNALISM SINCE 2015 The Knoxville Mercury is an initiative of the Knoxville History Project, a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit whose mission is to research and promote the history of Knoxville. EDITORIAL EDITOR Coury Turczyn coury@knoxmercury.com SENIOR EDITOR Matthew Everett matthew@knoxmercury.com CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Jack Neely jack@knoxhistoryproject.org STAFF WRITERS S. Heather Duncan heather@knoxmercury.com CONTRIBUTORS Chris Barrett Joan Keuper Ian Blackburn Catherine Landis Hayley Brundige Dennis Perkins Patrice Cole Stephanie Piper Eric Dawson Ryan Reed George Dodds Eleanor Scott Thomas Fraser Alan Sherrod Lee Gardner Nathan Smith Mike Gibson April Snellings Carey Hodges Denise Stewart-Sanabria Nick Huinker Joe Sullivan Donna Johnson Kim Trevathan Tracy Jones Chris Wohlwend Rose Kennedy Angie Vicars Carol Z. Shane INTERNS Joanna Brooker Thomas Stubbs DESIGN ART DIRECTOR Tricia Bateman tricia@knoxmercury.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER Charlie Finch CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS David Luttrell Shawn Poynter Justin Fee Tyler Oxendine CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATORS Matthew Foltz-Gray ADVERTISING PUBLISHER & DIRECTOR OF SALES Charlie Vogel charlie@knoxmercury.com SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Scott Hamstead scott@knoxmercury.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Michael Tremoulis michael@knoxmercury.com BUSINESS BUSINESS MANAGER Scott Dickey scott.dickey@knoxmercury.com KNOXVILLE MERCURY 618 South Gay St., Suite L2, Knoxville, TN 37902 knoxmercury.com • 865-313-2059 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR & PRESS RELEASES editor@knoxmercury.com CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS calendar@knoxmercury.com SALES QUERIES sales@knoxmercury.com DISTRIBUTION distribution@knoxmercury.com BOARD OF DIRECTORS Robin Easter Tommy Smith Melanie Faizer Joe Sullivan Jack Neely Coury Turczyn Charlie Vogel The Knoxville Mercury is an independent weekly news magazine devoted to informing and connecting Knoxville’s many different communities. It publishes 25,000 copies per issue, available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. © 2017 The Knoxville Mercury
TH E OR IGINS OF K NOXVILLE BICYCLING B i c y c l i s t s h av e b e e n r a c i n g h e r e m o r e t h a n 1 2 5 y e a r s !
Knoxville was hosting one-mile races by 1890, but on July 4, 1894, the Biddle brothers hosted a bigger event. “Biddle’s Road Race,” from Gay Street to Fountain City and back, a round trip of 12 miles, drew more attention than any previous competition. Its first winner was jeweler Elmore Godfrey, who made the distance in 40 minutes and 21 seconds, averaging about 18 miles per hour.
It’s unknown when the first bicycle arrived in Knoxville. Mayor Sam Heiskell once recalled buying his first bicycle on Market Square in the late 1860s, but it was probably a velocipede, which had pedals turning the front wheel, like a modern tricycle. Born in Union County, Horace “Fate” Snodderly became known by 1886 as Knoxville’s trick bicyclist. He worked with big-wheel bicycles, with the big wheel more than four feet in diameter. They weren’t easy to ride, so Snodderly taught lessons. He later performed and competed in other cities.
Knoxville hosted two competitive groups of bicyclists, the Knoxville Racing Wheelmen, a white club, and the Marble City Wheelmen, a black club. In the 1890s, both clubs raced on the flat oval horse-racing track on the South Knoxville riverfront, where Suttree Landing Park is now.
Cowan Rodgers recalled he got his first bigwheel bicycle at 10 years old, in 1888. By 1890, he owned one of Knoxville’s f irst “safety type” bicycles, that is, a bicycle with two smaller wheels the same size, operated with a chain turning the rear wheel.
Bicycles were on Knoxville’s roads years before automobiles were. In fact, the first automobile ever seen in Knoxville was built in a bike shop! Local rider Dick Simpson with an early Cowan Rodgers grew up in a wealthy family “safety-type” bicycle, a style that began Early bicycles were purchased in hardware stores. appearing on Knoxville streets in the early on West Cumberland Avenue, and became a regional tennis champ. He loved bicycles, and went The the first bicycle specialty shop to be listed in 1890s. Easier, faster, and safer to ride to work with the Biddles. There, in 1899, he built city directories was that of W.P. “Bill” Biddle, than previous models, it commenced a the first automobile ever seen in Knoxville. It on Mabry (East Vine) Street in 1891. He and his boom in the popularity of bicycling here reportedly scared the neighborhood horses. He brother, John, promoted bicycling here. and nationwide. built another, better car, but soon large factories were turning out automobiles by the thousands and Other bicycle pioneers include George Brown and Charles A. Truan, a member of a French-speaking Swiss family. His he decided it was impossible to compete. He eventually became a major local shop was on Depot Street, near the railroad station. He sold bicycles he automobile dealer, but for years, kept selling and repairing bicycles. assembled from parts manufactured by the Metz company in Massachusetts, and the British Ariel bicycle, which pioneered the modern style. According to company lore, Marcus Wolf’s bicycle business was eventually obtained by Pennsylvania native Will Greenlee, who by 1906 was A gunsmith named Marcus L. Wolf, who had a shop on Gay Street near operating his Bicycle Hospital. It was the beginning of a durable company known today as Greenlee’s Bike Shop. It’s a rare survivor of the first era Church, shifted to building and repairing bikes around 1896. when Knoxville loved bicycles. A not her ea rly bi ke mercha nt wa s a for mer Ch icagoa n na med Hampartzoom Bayzarian, who in 1896 was manufacturing bike wheels in his shop on Depot Street. Like the Mercury? Interested in new research into Knoxville history? You can help sustain both with a gift to the Knoxville Charles Porter, a black man, ran his own bicycle shop on North Central History Project, by helping us renew this educational page near the White Lily building by 1898, and was in the bike business for several for another year. See knoxvillehistoryproject.org, or send years. He later founded the Lone Star Bicycle Club, which bought, sold, tax-deductible donations to KHP at 516 West Vine Ave., #8, rented, and repaired bicycles on East Jackson, near Florida Street. Knoxville, TN 37902. The Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection, Lawson McGhee Library Image courtesy of Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection • cmdc.knoxlib.org
Source
T h e K n ox v i l l e H i s to ry P r o j ec t, a n o n p r o fi t o r g a n iz at i o n d e vot e d to t h e p r o m ot i o n o f a n d ed u c at i o n a b o u t t h e h i s to ry o f K n ox v i l l e , p r e s en t s t h i s pag e e ac h w e e k to r a i s e awa r en e s s o f t h e t h em e s , p er s o n a l i t i e s , a n d s to r i e s o f o u r u n i q u e c i t y. L e a r n m o r e at
knoxvillehistoryproject.org
o r em a i l
jack@knoxhistoryproject.org
June 22, 2017 knoxville mercury 5
ONLINE-ONLY from EXTRAS Excerpts knoxmercury.com LAWSUIT CITES MERCURY STORY Three East Tennessee district attorneys are taking aim at major pharmaceutical companies they say are driving a major trend of opiate abuse and addiction through misleading ad campaigns and misinformation about their drugs.
HOWARD HOUSE PURCHASED Purchased by local business owner Danny Harb, of HPV Video on Broadway, North Broadway’s historic Howard House will be used as an office for Harb’s business, with future tours of the house made available to members of Knox Heritage. In 2015, a developer had intended to purchase the property to make way for a Walmart, but was swayed by public outcry.
THE LAUNDROMATS OF KNOXVILLE Photo Series by Jessica Tezak, jesstezak.com. Family Fun Wash, East Knoxville, June 19: Elizabeth Julius, formerly of Uganda, has been living in Knoxville for two months and works as a gardener at Blackberry Farm.
KPD EXONERATES OFFICER A KPD Internal Affairs investigation into a complaint, which claimed an off-duty officer unlawfully detained and drew a gun inappropriately on a North Carolina woman, concluded Tuesday that the officer acted appropriately. Chief David Rausch traveled to Charlotte, N.C. on Tuesday to convey the results in person to Tonya Jameson.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
6/24 FUNDRAISER: BIG BBQ BASH
6/25 REFUGEE FILM FESTIVAL
6/26 SEMINAR: CLEAN ENERGY FUNDING 6/30 SONS SUMMIT II 6 p.m., SOCM (2507 Mineral Springs Ave., Suite D). Free.
1-6 p.m., Pellissippi State Community College, Magnolia Campus (1610 E. Magnolia Ave.). Free.
This Kansas City Barbecue Society sanctioned cook-off raises funds for the mental health, addiction, and social services at Helen Ross McNabb Center. More than 30 teams from across the country will compete (including in a special Wampler’s Farm Sausage category). Competitors may charge a fee per plate. Info: mcnabbcenter.org.
Bridge Refugee Services, the nonprofit agency that assists refugees in Knoxville, presents a showing of several documentaries, including a sneak peak of a yet to be released PBS premier. Be sure to reserve your seat. Info: facebook.com/bridgerefugees
Statewide Organizing for Community eMpowerment is hosting experts from the Union of Concerned Scientists who will give a workshop on lobbying to preserve federal funding for clean energy, which is currently in the cross-hairs in President Trump’s budget. Maybe our senators will step up with a little nudging? Who knows. Info: facebook.com/SOCMTN.
The city’s Save Our Sons initiative presents its second day-long series of workshops focused on “creating opportunity and eliminating violence-related deaths among Knoxville’s boys and young men of color.” Guest speakers include keynote speaker Chris Blue, winner of The Voice, Season 12. Info: KnoxvilleTN.gov/SaveOurSons.
SATURDAY
Noon-3:30 p.m., Founder’s Square, Maryville. Free.
6 knoxville mercury June 22, 2017
SUNDAY
1:30-4:30 p.m. Knoxville Museum of Art (1050 World’s Fair Park Dr.). Free.
MONDAY
FRIDAY
2017 FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN
From news to pop culture, from our history to our future, these stories make a difference to individuals and to our city. Your support makes an impact. Read how at knoxmercury.com/donate. Give a buck—or more!—at
knoxmercury.com/donate or mail your donation to Knoxville Mercury, 618 S. Gay St., Ste L2, Knoxville, TN 37902
June 22, 2017 knoxville mercury 7
Scruffy Citizen | Perspectives | Much Ado
The Bicycle Commuter My life as a two-wheeled contrarian
BY JACK NEELY
I
’m always out of step. In the ’80s, I was all about craft beer, berating Knoxville for its embarrassing dearth of ales of a hue and bite and alcohol content suitable to my palate, that of a young man who had spent two months in Europe and wanted to talk about it. Now that craft beer is roaring beyond my wildest dreams, on every other street corner, it gives me a headache, sometimes even before the check arrives. Now I drink Rolling Rock from a can on the back porch. Back in those hoppy-ale days, I rode my bike everywhere, and wondered why nobody else did. My bike and I were so conspicuous, people always knew where I was. My conveyance was chained to a signpost outside. Me and bikes go way back. We’ve had our ups and downs. In boyhood, a bike was like a pair of shoes. From age 6 I didn’t go out without it. Maybe even more common than shoes; I often rode barefoot. My little red Schwinn and I went to the ball park, to the school, to the drugstore for a Coke or bubble gum, to friends’ houses, often for more bike riding. I was also happy to ride alone.
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My bike was an agreeable companion. There followed an awkward spell called junior high. Bikes seemed childish, even though I wasn’t old enough to drive. Still, at 13, I got a paper route, and the only way to accomplish it was with a bicycle. So cool or not, I was on a bike again, riding every day of the week for work, not for joy. That bike then was a big sturdy black one-speed Schwinn Typhoon, with rear baskets like saddlebags. Every day after school I’d ride it down the liquor store where the distributor dumped my papers, load them into the baskets, evenly so I wouldn’t wobble, and I’d start. My 80 customers included three liquor stores, two drugstores, two barber shops, and a golf club. I had poor hillbillies and people so rich they never came to the door when I tried to collect. I quit my route when I learned to drive, and put bicycling behind me, forever I thought. Then 10-speeds were the big thing. They seemed complicated and ridiculously expensive, more than $50, some of them. The neighborhood millionaire pedaled one fiercely past
our house every evening. I saw nothing to envy. Still, at 20, I got a Fuji 10-speed, blue, with the little volcano emblem. It was light and easy to ride. It had such perfect balance, I could take my hands off the handlebars and steer it by leaning. I rode it to college, to football games, to work at the Daily Beacon. Part of the fun was that bike-riding was rare. I’d go to parties, and people would recognize me right away. Oh, you’re the guy on the bike. In my apartment in Fort Sanders, like any beloved pet, my bike lived in my living room, which was also my bedroom. Life shifts its own gears, and then I was living out in the suburbs, with a family, and forgot about bikes. When I was almost 29, I got a job I could ride my bike to. This time I got a Raleigh, a 21-speed. I never loved that bike, but I rode it to work almost every day for the next 25 years. I owned no Lycra, no special shoes, no water bottles, no accessories at all. I never rode recreationally. I’m not sure I even liked bicycling, in itself. I just liked it better than driving a car. It was my transportation, 12 miles a day, round trip, for thousands of days. I didn’t always ride in the rain, but sometimes I did. I avoided riding on ice, but sometimes rode in snow. I rode that bike about 50,000 miles, all of it within a 6-mile radius of downtown. I rode it downtown, through neighborhoods, and down bike trails, which were pleasantly lonesome. The bicyclists I met were recreational cyclists who wore athletic gear and rode much faster than I did, and with a grimmer sense of purpose. They didn’t have time for bike trails. Automobile drivers and recreational cyclists seemed equally different from me. A bicycle commuter was a freak. I was happy with that persona. I met herons and turtles on my way to work. I contemplated ruins. I found quarters and nickels on the street. I developed a respect for the edgy
topography of a city built on a river bluff and the creek valleys surrounding it. Of course, the funding for bike trails passed legislatures and city councils based on the premise that it’ll get cars off the road, use less gas, cause less pollution. I wondered how long they’d keep paying for all that just for me. About 20 years ago, I heard there was going to be a Bike to Work Day. Swell, I thought, I’ll have some company. That morning I was alone on the bike trail, as usual. When I got downtown, police had blocked off some highway lanes. Dozens of people in athletic togs were racing their recreational bicycles downtown. They’d brought them downtown in cars equipped with bike racks. Having already biked to work, of course, I wasn’t in the mood to keep riding around. And I would have been the odd duck on Bike to Work Day, because I was dressed for work. About five years ago, on my way to work, I had a wreck. I’m not sure quite what I did wrong. A beautiful day, a quiet block, no traffic, cruising at low speed, my bike wobbled, and I went down. I spent the next two days in the hospital, spending more than my annual salary to get a broken arm fixed. My arm’s better, but my derailleur’s frozen in the position it was in when I went down. I’ll get it fixed someday. Now lots of people ride to work. Even though I’m not one of them, it feels liberating. Jack Neely is the director of the Knoxville History Project, a nonprofit devoted to exploring, disseminating, and celebrating Knoxville’s cultural heritage—not to mention publishing the Knoxville Mercury. The Scruffy Citizen surveys the city of Knoxville’s life and culture in the context of its history, with emphasis on what makes it unique and how its past continues to affect and inform its future.
I owned no Lycra, no special shoes, no water bottles, no accessories at all.
Scruffy Citizen | Perspectives | Much Ado
WWHBD? What would Howard Baker be asking about Donald Trump?
BY JOE SULLIVAN
T
he late Sen. Howard Baker’s enduring question during the 1973 Senate Watergate Committee investigation is coming to the fore again: “What did the president know and when did he know it?” President Donald Trump’s efforts to get former (and fired) FBI Director James Comey to “go easy” on an investigation of former (and fired) National Security Advisor Michael Flynn may or may not constitute an obstruction of justice. Communications on the part of Flynn and other Trump associates with Russian officials during the 2016 presidential campaign may or may not have anything to do with Russian interference in the election. But it’s now clear that these efforts and communications have become focal points of the investigation that Special Counsel Robert Mueller is conducting since he was named to that post the day after Trump fired Comey on May 9. The circumstances bear considerable resemblance to those under which the Senate Watergate Committee investigated a break-in and bugging of the Democratic National Committee’s offices by Republican operatives during the 1972 presidential campaign. The current investigation was triggered by cyber intrusions on the part of Russian operatives to hack email accounts of the Democratic National Committee and of Hillary Clinton’s campaign chairman John
Podesta, and then releasing a trove of damaging documents via Wikileaks. Yet in the case of Watergate, Baker (who was vice chairman of the committee) didn’t really get answers to his seminal questions. It was never determined whether President Richard Nixon ordered or was even aware in advance of the DNC break-in. And in the investigation of the far-flung, almost surreal cover-up that ensued, the Senate Committee was rebuffed by Nixon’s refusal to hand over pertinent documents on grounds of executive privilege. On Baker’s recommendation, the committee sued Nixon to obtain them. But the federal courts dismissed the suit for lack of jurisdiction over a dispute between the legislative and executive branches of government. Only later did Special Prosecutor Leon Jaworski prevail in a suit to obtain Nixon’s damning tapes as evidence in a criminal case against former presidential aides John Mitchell, Bob Haldeman, and John Ehrlichman. A unanimous U.S. Supreme Court ruled in United States v. Nixon that “the duty of the Judicial Branch to do justice in criminal prosecutions” takes precedence over executive privilege “absent a claim of need to protect military, diplomatic or national security secrets.” Within two weeks after release of the tapes, Nixon resigned rather than face certain impeachment. The Watergate experience is
relevant to the current investigation in establishing that a prosecutor is better equipped to get to the bottom of things than a Congressional committee. Yet, as matters stand, no fewer than four such committees are clambering to get in on the investigative action with what could be duplicative if not deleterious results. The Senate Intelligence Committee has taken the lead with hearings at which both James Comey and Attorney General Jeff Sessions have testified about the circumstances surrounding Comey’s firing. Both the committee’s chairman, Republican Richard Burr of North Carolina, and its ranking Democrat, John Warner of Virginia, have conducted themselves with aplomb. But as every committee member has gotten a turn at questioning the witnesses, partisan rancor has emerged. After Sessions testified that he couldn’t divulge conversations with the president in a public hearing, Democrat Ron Wyden of Oregon lambasted him by proclaiming, “I believe the American people have had it with stonewalling.” To which Sessions retorted that, “I am not stonewalling. I am following the established policies of the Department of Justice. You don’t walk into a hearing and reveal confidential conversations with the president of the United States.” When Wyden accused Sessions of violating the terms of his recusal from the Russia investigation and Sessions insisted he hadn’t, Wyden shot back, “That answer doesn’t pass the smell test.” Now, the Senate Judiciary Committee is planning to hold a separate hearing on Comey’s resignation. And at least two House committees are also probing even though their respective chairmen have either recused themselves or resigned. The chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Devin Nunes of California, compromised himself by racing to the White House with a discovery that the National Security Agency had “unmasked” the identities of three Americans who’d had telephone conversations with foreigners who were subjects of NSA surveillance. (The agency is not supposed to spy on U.S. citizens.)
The only one of the three whose name has been highly publicized was Trump’s then newly appointed Director of National Security, Michael Flynn. It turned out that on the day the outgoing Obama administration imposed sanctions on Russia for election meddling, Flynn had five telephone conversations with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak. Flynn denied having any such conversations that had anything to do with the sanctions. But when the media brought out that transcripts showed he had lied, Trump sought Flynn’s resignation. Yet the very next day the president asked then FBI Director Comey to “go easy” on Flynn because “He’s a good guy.” It’s also been widely reported that Flynn received payments from Russian entities without making the disclosures that are required of former military officers. (Flynn had been an Army general and director of the Defense Intelligence Agency before joining the Trump campaign.) Trump’s relationship with Flynn and intercessions on his behalf will no doubt be central to Mueller’s investigation of possible obstruction of justice. When Mueller was appointed Trump tweeted that he was “100 percent sure” he would testify under oath to the special counsel. But that was before Trump learned that he’d become the subject of investigation and turned his wrath on Mueller. Whether Mueller can compel Trump’s testimony is an open question. Some commentators believe it will be governed by the Supreme Court’s decision in the Nixon case. But that only applied to criminal prosecutions, and it’s well established that a sitting president can’t be indicted or convicted of a crime—only impeached by Congress. Meanwhile, the best thing Trump can do to protect himself from further exposure is to close his Twitter account because his tweets have been a major source of self-inflicted damage. Joe Sullivan is the former owner and publisher of Metro Pulse (1992-2003) as well as a longtime columnist covering local politics, education, development, health care, and tennis. June 22, 2017 knoxville mercury 9
Scruffy Citizen | Perspectives | Much Ado
Dear Mr. Roosevelt A reminder of when government was not considered the enemy
BY CATHERINE LANDIS
I
grew up on a mountain overlooking Chattanooga at a time when a brown haze covered the valley. Today, the city is practically famous for its vibrancy. Sen. Bob Corker was Chattanooga’s mayor at one point during the transformation and was partly responsible for some effective public/private investment. I give him credit for that. But I remember the brown haze. I remember when Chattanooga was deemed America’s most polluted city. That was in 1969. A year later, the Environmental Protection Agency was formed. I contend the success of both the city and Corker depended on the EPA and its enforcement of the Clean Air Act. Government regulations were welcomed then by ordinary people who appreciated things like clean air and water and maybe some curbs on banks and protections from abusive employers. Since then, the blunt force of lazy rhetoric has vilified regulations, by definition, as job and freedom killers. Before January, some of that was still just talk, but now we’ve got a president and a crop of legislators determined to dismantle regulations in critical sectors including banking and finance, labor, civil rights, health care, and the environment. We’re in big trouble. The Tennessee Clean Water
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Network (TCWN) is just one local organization using regulations such as the Clean Water Act to protect the health of our communities. One recent success will keep the Holston Army Ammunition Plant in Kingsport from exceeding its permit to discharge RDX, a compound used to create explosive materials, into the Holston River. You don’t have to know much about RDX to know you don’t want it in your drinking water. It’s going to be harder to monitor the state’s concentrated animal feeding lots (factory farms) since our state Legislature recklessly removed permitting requirements this spring. What might be the harmful consequences? Without government oversight, who knows? Regulations can be a hassle and no doubt many are unnecessary, but to perpetuate the meme that all are job-killing monsters is irresponsible. It’s not even true. “Regulations drive innovation and create jobs,” argues TCWN’s executive director, Renee Hoyos. In Knoxville, for instance, storm water regulations have spawned storm water management companies. Local engineering and construction firms make money on environmental clean-up. The result is a healthy environment and new jobs. An
economy without regulations grows stagnant, Hoyos says. In any case, we should grow up and acknowledge that no action is free of trade-offs. If the loss of 10 jobs were to save 100 lives, which would you choose? And let’s not forget the staggering number of green-energy jobs we’ll be sending overseas as we race backward at breakneck speed toward more coal and oil extraction. I began writing this column on the day Donald Trump, with stupefying ignorance, abandoned the Paris Climate Agreement, which was the same day Paul Ryan came to town to scoop up money to continue the Republican project to demolish our government. This is the story they’re trying to tell: You should trust Comcast, Verizon, Cigna, Goldman Sachs, Exxon, Merck, and United Airlines more than you should trust the EPA, the CDC, or Sally Yates. In this story, the bad guy is government with its evil regulations, although like one’s trash is another’s treasure, regulations on things like women’s health are fine. Just don’t regulate anything that keeps them from the true goal their pretty story seeks to hide: concentrating wealth. There is another story. I was reminded of it by a letter sent to my sister-in-law’s grandfather, the Rev. F. E. Clark, in Grundy, Va. on Sept. 24, 1935. The following is an excerpt: Reverend and dear Sir: … I am particularly anxious that the new Social Security Legislation just enacted, for which we have worked so long, providing for old age pensions, aid for crippled children, and unemployment insurance shall be carried out in keeping with the high purposes with which this law was enacted. It is also vitally important that The Works program shall be administered to provide employment at useful work, and that our unemployed as well as the nation as a whole may derive the greatest possible benefits. I shall deem it a favor if you will write me about conditions in your community. Tell me how you feel our government can better serve our people. We can solve our many
problems, but no one man or single group can do it. We shall have to work together for the common end of better spiritual and material conditions for the American people. May I have your counsel and your help? … Very sincerely yours. Franklin D. Roosevelt For my sister-in-law, the letter is a newly discovered family treasure. For me, it’s a heartbreaking reminder of how twisted the notion of our government has become. Then, like now, government can be responsible for great harm, (see segregation, Japanese internment, Vietnam), but there was balance. Some problems can be best solved by government. Some can’t. It depends on the problem. Our current government is broken, not because government is intrinsically bad, but because it no longer works for actual people in Grundy, Va., or Ferguson, Mo., or Knoxville, Tenn. It works only for the sliver of our population that controls the most money. Of course, regulations could help with that. Oh, wait. One dare not controvert the story: GOVERNMENT IS THE PROBLEM AND REGULATIONS KILL JOBS! So, never mind. President Roosevelt cared enough about the effects his actions were having on ordinary people that he wrote a letter to a Presbyterian minister in Grundy, Va. to find out. His was not a perfect government but it was a government trying to work for the common good. What we should want in a democracy is not a weakened government but a more responsive one. I don’t know how we’re going to cure our current system of its cancerous money problem, but we’ll never succeed until we start telling ourselves a different story. With Much Ado, Catherine Landis examines how political decisions and social trends affect the lives of the people around her. A former newspaper reporter, she has published two novels, Some Days There’s Pie (St. Martin’s Press) and Harvest (Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin’s Press).
PRESS FORWARD
Focus: Health & Food
Rescuing Health
A nonprofit that provides financial assistance to patients falling through health care gaps BY HAYLEY BRUNDIGE
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s the repeal of the Affordable Care Act is at issue nationally, one Knoxvillian is taking access to health care into her own hands. In 2012, Ana Goncalves started Rescuing Health, an organization dedicated to filling the gaps in health care coverage for East Tennesseans. The 501(c)(3) organization aims to provide individuals with financial assistance for health care treatments and connect them with other existing— and often disparate—charitable health care groups. The organization’s website acts as a crowd-funding platform for individuals who are in transition, face barriers to health care access, or don’t qualify for assistance programs. Goncalves, who is originally from Brazil, seems to have an endless list of jobs, from teaching veterinary ultrasound workshops to working as a Reiki practitioner and massage therapist to acting as a board member for the Knoxville Montessori School. Through her work as a massage therapist, she encountered several people who were sick or suffering but could not afford medical care. So Goncalves set out to help those people who had fallen through the cracks.
What does the process look like for someone seeking help through Rescuing Health? I have flyers that I distribute, so there are some people that might pick up a flyer and there’s a phone number they can call and a website. So if they call the number, they’re going to get me directly. And I will do a brief interview to figure out what their need is and figure out a way to get the paperwork to them.
Once we have the paperwork, I usually share just the pertinent information with the board, meaning: This is the situation, this is what’s going on, and this is the need. And then the board usually approves pretty quickly. And depending on the amount, ideally we would like to fundraise for people and that’s the idea of the website. But in reality, what we’ve encountered is that people need something right away. When we started as an organization, we had maybe $2,000 in donations in the bank. And with that $2,000 we’ve been advancing the help to people and then trying to fundraise afterward.
What kind of impact have you seen so far? One of the first people we helped actually was a refugee who’d been here for many years. He’s a single father of two and he had quit his job because he was getting trained to be a truck driver. He didn’t get a job right away, so he was in between jobs, he had no health insurance, and he had asthma. So what he’d been doing is using his asthma medication— instead of every day—just when he had a crisis. And asthma medication doesn’t work well for that. It’s not a rescue drug. So he filled out paperwork and we went and got him a month’s supply of asthma medication that was over $280. He didn’t have a job yet, so we decided that we were going to apply with the drug manufacturer for a drug assistance program. Those are not very easy to find, but we found it and we enrolled him in the drug assistance program and he was granted it, which
Ana Goncalves founder
(at right, with treasurer Natalie Kurylo)
gave him another three months’ supply of the asthma medication. So by the time that supply was done, he already had a job with health insurance and he was able to continue his treatment. So we have helped a lot of people in this transition period. We helped a gentleman who was 75 years old and had had his second kidney transplant. He lived out of the state of Tennessee, but his surgeon lived at UT and he needed help getting to his appointments after the transplant. He needed help with gas money, so we helped him with $225 for him to come back to his appointments right after the transplant.
What have been the major issues you’ve seen with the health care system and barriers to access? In this country, the problem here is that you have to be poor enough to get Medicaid or you have to be old enough to get Medicare. And so if you don’t make the cut, you can’t get that… Unfortunately, the Affordable Care Act, with all the good intentions that it had—and don’t get me wrong, it’s better than what was going on before—it’s a very broad law that didn’t really plug the gaps that we had in health care completely. And now, there’s only one product being offered in the marketplace in Tennessee. If you have a country where health care is not a right and it’s a privilege, you’re going to have problems. Your country’s as strong as your health and education are concerned. When education and healthcare are privileges, you’re going to have problems. However, I think we also waste a lot of money on healthcare. We have too many middlemen in health care, and I believe in eliminating the middle man. And that’s why I said, okay, if the problem is money, let’s just get to the root of it and figure out the money part. Would I like to make health care less expensive? Yeah. If I
RESCUING HEALTH rescuinghealth.org donate@rescuinghealth.org 865-250-8812 PROGRAMS • Providing financial assistance to individuals for health treatments or surgeries, connecting them with other health care initiatives in Knoxville, and giving them support during treatment and throughout the recovery period. HOW YOU CAN HELP • Donate to the organization or a specific cause on Rescuing Health’s website • Volunteers are needed for help with web design, social media, fundraising, social work, and legal assistance.
had any power to make health care less expensive, I would. But we are only as strong as our laws allow us to be. So truly we have a legislative problem on our hands because we treat health care as a commodity. And to me, health care should be a right.
What are some of your long-term goals for Rescuing Health? I envision making a difference— enough of a difference that in some way, we help every single American citizen have health care. Right now I’m trying not to get bogged down with the enormity of the task. I’m just looking at case by case. So every time I look at a case, it’s like a puzzle, and I’m problem-solving. When we created the organization, I said that I did not want to put ourselves in a box that we couldn’t get out of if we needed to because we didn’t know what kind of situation we would find in front of us. So we tried to use common sense to analyze each case. And so we don’t say we only help people in this way or that way, we’re pretty open to helping anybody who has a legitimate need. June 22, 2017 knoxville mercury 11
Photo by Michael McCollum
Housing Hunt Study recommends Sevier governments sweeten deal for affordable housing developers BY S. HEATHER DUNCAN
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recent study reveals the hard numbers that explain why so many Sevier County workers have been forced to live in substandard motels or even storage units: The county has long lacked enough affordable housing, even before the deadly wildfire that swept Gatlinburg in November. The study, commissioned by the Sevier County Economic Development Council, details the problem and suggests concrete incentives for building new low-cost rental units. For years, there has been “pent-up demand” for every type of housing, from market-rate to workforce and seasonal apartments, the report notes. It indicates this housing scarcity has led to artificially depressed employment. Another result is that “there is a
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significant portion of the market that is living in substandard housing conditions that are either not up to code or overcrowded,” the report states—mostly service workers living in motels. “It just confirms what we all suspected: We need to figure out how Sevier County and the cities can participate in making more affordable housing available,” says Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters. The market study highlighted barriers to developing new rental housing, such as high land prices, the limited footprint of city utilities and public transportation, and the income levels of potential renters living in the market. Those incomes are way too low for resort pricing. For example, 56 percent of Gatlinburg residents—and
60 percent of the entire county population—would have qualified for some form of lower-income housing last year, even though almost none is available. The report by Knoxville-based Hodges & Pratt was commissioned by the council last fall before the fire and released a few weeks ago, says EDC assistant director Emily Whaley. Officials with the council have begun meeting with elected officials from Sevier County and each of its cities to discuss how to overcome hurdles identified in the study. Among the possibilities suggested in the report: offering develoeprs subsidies or supplemental vouchers for specific projects, partnering with nonprofits on developments, supplementing the “rent gap” with an investment fund whose returns could help with operating costs, providing paymentin-lieu of tax (PILOT) deals, paying for utility or public transit extensions, and—the option that seems to be generating the most interest—contributing land. While noting that elected officials will make the final decisions, Gatlinburg City Manager Cindy Ogle says city administrators are focusing on the land strategy. Ogle says there are two or three areas within the city limits that could fit multi-family workforce apartments. (A 22-unit project planned for Ski Mountain Road, the only workforce housing under private development after the fire, appears to be dead, Ogle says.) She says the city isn’t actively working on other recommendations but has not dismissed them either. “I don’t think there’s going to be one magic bullet,” Waters says. “One of the things we’ve been looking at is how the governmental entities really don’t want to be in the housing business.” (He and Whaley say they
don’t foresee local governments choosing to supplement rent, or to own housing directly.) “What we want to do is figure out a way we can encourage developers and make sure they build affordable housing.” For instance, Waters says, a government might buy land or acquire an option to purchase it, then take proposals from developers who’d build workforce housing there. Whaley says governments also seem open to lowering some fees or altering density requirements. Utilities have been at the table as well. The market study also suggested that local governments partner with employers to “master-lease” workforce apartments for their employees, which could help with securing a loan for the development. Waters says he knows of at least two employers in the county who are trying to put together self-financed employee housing projects. Whaley says some employers also have land they could put on the table to sweeten a deal. “Getting all of us together to provide for affordable housing is the silver lining of this whole horrible event,” Ogle says, adding that if works out, it will be one of the “most significant” accomplishments she has seen from local government. Six projects in Sevier County have applied for a Low Income Housing Tax Credits. Patricia M. Smith, communications director of the Tennessee Housing Development Agency, says the grants will be announced in mid-August. “At least one (of the proposed Sevier projects) will be funded through the $1.4 million set aside from returned 2016 credits, and more could be funded through the 2017 credits,” she says. The agency, at the request of local governments, created an issue brief in February that outlined
“It just confirms what we all suspected: We need to figure out how Sevier County and the cities can participate in making more affordable housing available.” —LARRY WATERS, Sevier County Mayor
SQUEEZED In most communities, about 5 percent of rental units are vacant at any given time, the market study noted. In Sevier, it’s less than 1 percent. There are no vacancies at all in properties that accept federal Section 8 vouchers or in the county’s trailer parks, the study indicated. Whaley says by the time the economy recovered from the recession that began in 2008, land values had started climbing more steeply. “Developers just couldn’t get the land to make the numbers work. Word got out you can’t afford to do anything like that in Sevier County,” she says. When the market study was prepared in March, there were just eight major parcels in the county being marketed for possible developments, and they ranged in cost from $24,000 per acre to $206,000 per acre. The housing squeeze is partly because available rental housing is focused on weekly vacation rentals. The state housing agency’s policy brief indicated that Sevier County is home to about 14.5 percent of all the seasonal, recreational vacant rentals in the entire state.
But workforce housing is the number-one priority, Whaley says. Although the market study lists potential developments being considered, only a few, such as the 144 units of “Allensville Phase II” in Sevierville, are far enough along to be quantified. The study was needed to convince developers of the types of housing in demand, Whaley says. “We have some plans we really can’t discuss yet, but we hope this study will show the developers that hey, if you take a chance on doing this, we don’t think you’ll have a problem with making the development a success,” Whaley says. “Our next step will be what can the governments put in the deal to make it happen.” She says single giant developments are cheaper for developers, but it’s tough to find a piece of property in Sevier County that is flat enough and close enough to existing infrastructure for that many units. “We’ve identified some properties we could put 200-250 on, and that would be good to start with,” Whaley says. “We would like to have 150 to 500 new units in each city,” However, the housing market report discouraged focusing exclusively on large projects and said “incentivizing smaller scale development could also assist in providing some units at a lower price point.” In Gatlinburg, any complex with more than 150 units probably isn’t feasible, Whaley acknowledges. She says the EDC has been looking at putting together three to five vacant properties to make larger development parcels. “That would be the best way to go, but you’re dealing with property owners who think their property is gold,” she says, noting that local governments can’t pay more than 10 percent above a property’s assessed value. Despite the barriers, Whaley says she hopes local governments will move quickly. “They know the urgency,” she says. “Hopefully in the next three to five months we should be able to see something happening. … We feel like if we could start just a couple, other developers would come in and do it without government help.”
Arts Director
Dogwood Arts searches for a new leader—again BY S. HEATHER DUNCAN
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While Dogwood laser focus on operated in the black in fundraising is at recent years—and still the heart of does, according to TesterDogwood Arts’ renewed man—it is working to build hunt for an executive a cash reserve. It’s about director since Tom three-quarters of the way Cervone left the job at the to matching $50,000 end of May, after a little promised by some larger less than two years. TOM CERVONE donors as part of a Cervone says that campaign launched early emphasis, combined with this year, Testerman says. some unexpected and growing family Cervone says he did what the obligations, led him to resign. “Dogboard asked of him, expanding wood really wants an executive Dogwood’s programming (like an director whose focus is as a fundraisArtitude fundraiser with the Cancer er. I’m more of an operations guy and Support Community), developing kind of a visionary guy,” he says, relationships with other art organizanoting that unlike many established tions and nonprofits, and revitalizing nonprofits, Dogwood has no developvolunteer relationships. ment director. “I have done it and can Cervone says he is also proud of do it,” he says, adding that he attractconvincing the city to provide more ed some new donors. “But I think if funding for Dogwood’s Art in Public that’s really the direction they want to Places program, which rotates go, they need someone who gets that sculptures through public parks, and from moment they walk through the netting Dogwood’s first grant from the door…. The last thing I ever want to do National Endowment for the Arts. is get in the way of an organization’s He and Testerman say Dogwood growth.” has strengthened its relationships Cervone, who says he’s seeking with local artists, adding that it held a another nonprofit management job, successful forum for them to provide spent most of his career as managing feedback last fall. But Dogwood is “on director of the Clarence Brown Theater hiatus” from its partnership in the before serving brief stints directing the Knoxville Film Festival this year “for a Tennessee Theater Foundation and the number of reasons,” Testerman says. University of Tennessee’s professional The film festival will continue MBA program. without Dogwood’s help in marketing, “He is a great ambassador for the ticketing and acquiring sponsorships, arts community,” Dogwood board says Keith McDaniel, who founded chairwoman Janet Testerman. and ran the Secret City Film Festival “Organizations go through transition a until Dogwood’s previous director, lot, and you use that transition as an Lisa Duncan, approached him about opportunity.” moving it to Knoxville. He says Now Dogwood Arts, which sponsorships have dropped a bit, but dropped “Festival” from its name last the number of entries has increased year in recognition of its year-round from last year and Regal will continue event programming, is hoping to find a replacement by the end of the summer, to offer its Downtown West Cinema as Testerman says. That person will the venue. ideally focus first on a strategic plan— Testerman says that in future including a fundraising and developyears, Dogwood might be interested in ment strategy—and look at programreshaping its involvement in the film ming with fresh eyes, she says. festival. Photo courtesy of Dogwood Arts
affordable housing strategies that have worked in other vacation destinations, Smith says. Little seems to have been done with the information, and Waters says he does not remember seeing it. The policy brief outlined options including mixed-income incentives (like increased density and reduced parking requirements),“co-housing” (in which common spaces like kitchens and laundry rooms might be shared among multiple renters), and land banking (a government entity buying, holding, and reselling land). The brief also outlined housing options for “modest-sized homes,” including small stand-alone structures on the same property as a primary residence and even “half-homes” with full external structure but only half the internal structure completed—providing residents a fully-functioning small living space that could be expanded later when money is available. Ogle says Gatlinburg is really not considering any of these approaches.
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Andre Block’s Cross-Country Quest Pro Racer Stephen Bassett Bike Clubs & Community Rides
Photo courtesy of Andrew August / Dream Bikes Knoxville
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Liberal Andre Block and conservative Jonathan Williams are biking a 3,200-mile Unity Ride across America BY MIKE GIBSON
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t stands as probably the most awkward moment to date on Andre Block’s cross-country Unity Ride bicycle trek. He and fellow cyclist Jonathan Williams had stopped at an old ranch in the scorched earth of the So-Cal desert, and Block found himself on the receiving end of a paleo-populist diatribe delivered by the curmudgeonly Republican rancher. “I told him about how Jonathan and I had opposing political views, and that we were doing this ride to show how people with different views can come together,” Block says in a recent phone conversation, during a Unity Ride stopover somewhere in the Midwest.
“And then he started into it. ‘If you want to get people to unite, then you tell them damn Democrats that they need to back Trump.’ It ended up being 15 minutes of him talking about how dumb the Democrats are. “But I just smiled and listened; I let him go on as long as his heart desired. If that’s the worst thing that happens to us, then I’d say that’s not too bad. So far, it’s been a beautiful trip.” So what is the Unity Ride? The short answer is that it’s an idea so naively optimistic and endearingly corny as to be utterly irresistible—an ebony-and-ivory-style utopian flight of fancy wherein liberal African-American Block and conservative white-guy Williams undertake a 35-day, 3,200mile bicycle trip together, from
Photos courtesy of Andre Block
Bicyclers United
Oceanside, Cal. to Washington, D.C. In keeping with its spirit-of-America subtext, the trek began on Memorial Day and ends on the Fourth of July. In the meantime, a film crew is following the duo in an old camper, recording the trip for a documentary, supported by pledges and an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign. “We’re still not sure how we’re going to distribute it, because we’re newbies at that part,” Block says. “But we want to show people the beauty of this country, and to inspire them to put aside their differences and love the world we live in. As we travel, we’re reaching out to people, to town officials and mayors. We’re asking people, ‘What are you doing to promote unity, to make your city a better place?’ “In the places where they seem to have it together, we want to ask them, ‘What is it that you’re doing right?’” A downtown regular with a foppish fashion sense and an irrepressible smile, Block says it was only in recent years that he discovered his heart for service and his love of cycling. It all began in 2010 when, through a weirdly serendipitous chain of mishaps and misfired plans, Oklahoman Block ended up moving to Lynchburg, Va. to help an economically disadvantaged family there shore up their dilapidated home. Some weeks later, a local shop owner took note of the newcomer’s daily morning strolls through town, and gave him an old 1984 Raleigh 10-speed bicycle, the better for getting around. “My first trip on that bike, I got to going so fast, I fell in love,” Block says. “Lynchburg is full of hills, and those hills used to kick my butt when I was walking. So I started challenging myself, to where I was going to
conquer all of those hills on the bike. “The whole experience—the trip to Lynchburg, helping the family, getting that bicycle—it marked a big change in my life. It set me on a path of travel and volunteering that I’ve followed through on ever since.” Shortly thereafter, Block undertook his first long-distance charity ride on a lark, after a buddy casually suggested a cross-country trip. “He was actually making a joke, because at the time, my bike kept breaking down, and we were sitting around the shop waiting for it to be fixed again,” Block says. “He didn’t mean it, but he sparked me anyway. He turned on a light that I couldn’t turn off.” Block made plans for a bicycle sojourn to visit his young son in St. Louis, and used the trip as a means to raise money for a free medical clinic in Lynchburg, advertising to would-be donors through a crowdsource funding page. The ride also introduced Block to Knoxville. His original route plan was a straight shot from Lynchburg through the rugged highlands of West Virginia. But a friendly local motorcycle enthusiast, familiar with the way and fearing for his safety, convinced him to a take a more circuitous path. “She said there were certain people I should worry about in those hills, and that if I took that route, somebody was going to knock my black tail off a mountain. And that would be the end of me.” She set out a course that roughly followed Highway 81 down to Interstate 40 before heading west for Missouri. Block took her advice. But upon stopping over in Knoxville, he realized he’d left his wallet at the home of a family with whom he had stayed in Bristol. Resigned to pitching a tent under a North Knoxville bridge while his wallet came overnight, Block spent his remaining cash on a beer and a sandwich at Downtown Grill and Brewery on Gay Street. He ended up befriending the bartender and several of the brewery regulars; they took up a collection and sent him to the nearby Crowne Plaza for the evening. “I fell in love again,” Block chuckles. “After that, I really wanted to get back to Knoxville. I felt something inside that there was something for me that I needed to do here.” June 22, 2017 knoxville mercury 15
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Photo by Tricia Bateman
And get back he did, a year or so later, at the conclusion of another impromptu good Samaritan project, this time in Atlanta, Ga. But now Block was looking for real roots, not just a quickie stopover. After couch surfing for a few weeks, he landed a job downtown and started calling Knoxville home. In the meantime, Block undertook a second charity bike trip, in the form of the even more ambitious Karma Ride from Scruffy City Hall on Market Square to Venice Beach, Cal. The 2015 jaunt raised several thousand dollars for Lupus research, a cause Block took up as a means of fulfilling a promise to a Lynchburg benefactor who suffered from the incurable autoimmune affliction. It was during his preparations for the Karma Ride that Block met Williams, a local business owner who volunteered to help him organize the 2,000-mile-long fundraiser. “At some point, Jonathan suggested we do a ride together, and make a film out of it,” Block says. “When we realized that we leaned different ways politically, it seemed like a great way to highlight the things we wanted to accomplish with the film and the trip.” Now, the duo having pedaled their way cross-country at a brisk clip of 100 miles a day for some weeks now, Block says the Unity Ride has been every bit the spiritually rejuvenating, faith-in-humanity-restoring, once-in-a-lifetime Holy Grail of road trips he’d hoped it would be. “We just came through the Rockies, and over Wolf Creek Mountain,” Block says. “That was something, because that was the biggest climb either of us had ever done. Coming down the other side of that mountain was glorious. “But the best part has been meeting America, the mom and pop shop owners, the beautiful people, the jewelry makers and other random folks on the side of the road,” he continues. “Those are the kinds of people we’ve met along the way.” Block and Williams will travel through Knoxville June 26, where they plan to meet with local bicycle enthusiasts for a 6-mile nature ride beginning at 6 p.m. on Market Square.
Socializing on Two Wheels Bicycling isn’t just for getting to work or sweating profusely in the Urban Wilderness—it’s also your ticket for meeting new friends on community rides, races, and movie nights. BY SAGE DAVIS
AMERICAN RED CROSS PRESENTS PEDAL FOR RED
• July 16, 9 p.m.: Back to the Future • August 3, 9 p.m.: Ghostbusters
Location: East Jackson Avenue Info: crowdrise.com/pedal-for-the-red The first charity-driven community bike ride by the Red Cross will be held downtown on June 24, 7:30-9:30 a.m., with a route from the Old City to the Neyland Stadium. It will kick off the cycling weekend of the USA Cycling National Championship. All amateur cyclists need to register to help raise funds for Red Cross.
BIKETOPIA
BIKE-IN MOVIE SERIES
CEDAR BLUFF CYCLES
Location: The Mill & Mine (27 W. Depot Ave.) Info: themillandmine.com This summer, the live performance venue is hosting its first Bike-In movie series, showing classic movies until August. Movies will be screened outside in the courtyard; $9 for adults, $7 for kids. • July 7, 9 p.m.: Harry Potter and the Chamber of the Secrets
Location: Biketopia Bike Shop (996 E. Emory Rd.) Info: biketopia.com Biketopia will be hosting nightly bike rides every Tuesday nights through the end of July. The rides will start at 6:30 p.m., with either a 25- or 32-mile route. The pace will vary between 15 to 20 mph. Lights are recommended for the evening ride.
Location: Cedar Bluff Cycles (9282 Kingston Pike) Info: cedarbluffcycles.net Cedar Bluff Cycles hosts a women’s community ride for beginners and expert riders. Trek women’s advocate Lisa Mueller will be leading novice to expert cycling riders from June to July. These rides will be catered toward mountain bike riders of all levels to enjoy. Each ride will be
up to 15 miles depending on the pace the riders keep. At Women’s Night: Plan Your Ride, Mueller will share guidelines on planning a successful ride on roads or trails, and dealing with unexpected complications. • June 21: Women’s Night: Plan Your Ride at Cedar Bluff Cycles, 7 p.m. • June 22: Women’s Ride: 4th Thursday Mountain Bike ride at Mead’s Quarry, 6 p.m. • July 22: Women’s Ride: Loyston Lazy Day at Loyston Point Campground (730 Loyston Point Rd.), 9 a.m. • Tuesday & Thursday Night Rides, 6:20 p.m.: All genders are welcome for a two-hour ride of about 41 miles. For the Tuesday night rides, groups will be split into three categories based on their skills. These weekly events will be available until the end of September.
DREAMBIKES
Location: 309 N. Central St. Info: facebook.com/dreambikesknoxville This nonprofit organization offers community rides for all levels of
cyclists, Saturday, June 24, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The 5-mile route starts at the DreamBikes shop, with a casual pace on the safe roads.
KNOX BIKE RACING
Knoxville Area Bike Clubs
Location: Varies Info: knoxbikeracing.com/wednesday-series Every Wednesday, Knox Bike Racing hosts cross-country mountain bike races. Adults and minors can join from any level of experience. Medals will be awarded for each category of each race. Participants must race in at least seven out of the 10 races to qualify for the overall prizes at the end of the season. Pre-Registration: Adults: $22 Juniors: $15 Registration day of Race: Adults: $25 Juniors: $15 • June 28: Baker Creek Preserve (3700 Lancaster Dr.), 6:15 p.m. • July 12: Baker Creek Preserve (3700 Lancaster Dr.), 6:15 p.m. • July 19: IC King-North Side (440 Alcoa Hwy.), 6:15 p.m. • July 26: Mead’s Quarry-Hickory Loop (2915 Island Home Ave.), 6:15 p.m.
Looking for an instant social/support group for your bicycling pursuits? Try one of these local clubs.
RIVER SPORTS OUTFITTERS GREENWAY SOCIAL RIDE
DREAMBIKES
REI PRESENTS WOMEN’S FIX-A-FLAT HANDS-ON BIKE MAINTENANCE
Location: 6700 Papermill Drive Info: rei.com On June 21 at 6 p.m., REI will be sharing tips and tricks in their bike maintenance class on fixing flat tires and changing a bike tube. Participants must bring their own wheel, tire, and tube to practice on during the class. All tools and equipment will be provided. For REI members, the class will cost $20; for nonmembers it will cost $40.
KNOX VELO CYCLING CLUB
knoxvelo.org KVCC’s mission is to promote the sport of cycling through competitive racing and community events, to encourage youth to become involved in cycling as a life-long activity, and to grow the sport’s awareness in East Tennessee.
ambc-sorba.org AMBC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting sustainable trail access for off-road bicyclists and maintaining the trails on which mountain bikers ride and other user groups rely on.
KNOXVILLE HARDCOURT BIKE POLO
BELL JOY RIDE – KNOXVILLE
Facebook: Bell Joy Ride – Knoxville Bell Joy Ride is an informal women’s mountain biking group that hosts rides organized by rider level/ability. Beginners to advanced and everyone in between can join. It offers opportunities to connect with other female riders in a casual, friendly environment.
Facebook: Knoxville Hardcourt Bike Polo The scruffy city’s own Knoxville Hardcourt Bike Polo!
I BIKE KNOX
ibikeknx.com This regional bicycle program includes Bicycling Ambassadors, the Tour de Lights bike ride, a bicycle rack grant program, bike safety classes, annual bicycle counts, and a guide to creating bicycle and pedestrian-friendly communities.
Facebook: DreamBikes - Knoxville DreamBikes is a nonprofit that believes in turning used bikes into jobs for local youth. It provides skill training and employment opportunities through used bicycle repair and sales.
LIV CYCLING
harpersbikeshop.com/harpersambassadors Liv Cycling connects and inspires women who have a passion for riding
KICKSTAND COMMUNITY BIKE SHOP
ROCKET RIDERS RECUMBENT CLUB
recumbentriders.org RRRC’s purpose is to help educate others about the various available cycles and simply enjoy the fun of riding them!
SMOKY MOUNTAIN WHEELMEN smwbikeclub.org SMW is a member of the League of American Bicyclists, an organization which promotes cycling for fun, fitness, and transportation through advocacy and education.
SOUTHERN CYCLING OPERATIONS
sites.google.com/site/scoclub The primary goal of this club is to provide a support group for anyone who wants to get involved in the sport of cycling, whether as a recreational road rider, professional downhill racer, or any other level of cycling.
TVB BICYCLES RACE TEAM
Facebook: TVB Race The Tennessee Valley Bicycles Race Team is an open team of folks who love to race bicycles! Source: Get Out & Play!, the ultimate guide to outdoor recreation in the Knoxville area, produced by Legacy Parks and us! Buy a copy in our store: store.knoxmercury.com.
knoxbikecollective.com KickStand Community Bike Shop’s mission is to get more kids and adults on bikes by providing bicycles through our partners, teaching bike repair, and opening our community shop space for teaching and training.
KNOX BIKE RACING
knoxbikeracing.com The goal of Knox Bike Racing is to promote safe, fun ,and affordable bike racing events. Come out and give racing a try for the first time or experienced racers can see if they have what it takes to stand on the top of the podium in the Expert class!
Photo courtesy of AMBC
Location: 2918 Sutherland Ave. Info: riversportsoutfitters.com River Sports Outfitters gives cyclists the chance to ride every Thursday with them at 6 p.m. The rides are easy paced and beginner-friendly. Participants can bring their own bikes or rent one from them for $10.
APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN BIKE CLUB
bikes. They host rides on Knoxville’s greenways and trails, as well as events that teach women how to maintain their bicycles.
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Professional Wheelman
Knoxville’s Stephen Bassett travels the globe as a pro cyclist when he’s not studying English at UT BY TANNER HANCOCK AND LIAM HYSJULIEN
Photos courtesy of Stephen Bassett
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s the U.S. professional road cycling national championships descend upon the city, Knoxville will be flooded with the best American cyclists the country has to offer. Stephen Bassett can be counted among them, though as a native Knoxvillian, he has the added advantage of not having to travel very far. As a professional cyclist and student at the University of Tennessee, Bassett spends part of his year pursuing an English degree, the other traveling the globe with his (Canada-based) team Silber Pro Cycling, competing in events as far away as Belgium, Ireland and, very soon, one in his hometown of Knoxville.
How does it feel to have the USA Cycling Pro Road Race National Championships in Knoxville this year? As a rider, it’s a big honor and very 18 knoxville mercury June 22, 2017
exciting to have the Pro Nationals in Knoxville. The course runs less than a mile from my house and I walk the dog on the decisive Sherrod climb! I’ve lived in Knoxville my whole life, so to have our biggest event hosted here is huge for me. As a fan of cycling, I hope the race can showcase just how much the city has to offer for road cycling. The mountain biking scene in Knoxville has exploded in recent years, with new trails in the Urban Wilderness constantly springing up, but I think most people don’t realize we have some of the best roads in the country for riding, within a few miles of downtown.
What do you see as being some decisive parts to this year’s course? I see a race of attrition, leading to a select group coming together before the line. I would guess at a group of less than eight making it back to downtown together.
What’s your strategy going into the race? That’s the confusing part about cycling. So there’s one winner but they’re almost always supported by a team. So all these teams will come in but they’ll have eight guys racing together trying to set up one guy. Actually for this one, because everyone else on my team is Canadian, I’m by myself. They’re all racing Canadian Nationals the same day, so that kind of makes me a little bit of a lone wolf in this one. You race a little differently. It’s a disadvantage, but it’s also like you’re playing a different hand, like if they want you to do work I don’t have
to … It takes the pressure off me almost. I think I can hopefully do well, but the odds are I’m not. It puts you where there’s a lot to gain but not a lot to lose.”
In looking at the course, which riders do you see being major threats for taking the Stars and Stripes jersey on Sunday? Robin Carpenter has been consistently performing on the harder courses this year. The ProTour riders like Alex Howes are always a bit of an unknown as they are super strong, but we don’t see them all year when they are racing in Europe. I think Colin Joyce of Rally is the dark horse, he is a man for the suffer-then-sprint type of days.
Seeing that you’ve raced in some of biggest stage races in the U.S., and also as a rider for the USA under-23 team in Europe, what do you see as some of the biggest differences between racing in the U.S. and racing in Europe? Racing in Europe tends to be “on” more often-there are fewer lulls in the pace. The roads are often narrower and littered with “road furniture” such as roundabouts and signs. In the states, we generally race bigger roads.
What’s your daily training regimen? So it’s like wake up, have the big breakfast, have the coffee. Usually something between a two- to six-hour ride, and usually going out to the mountains for that. Try to work with some stretching, some core. There’s a lot of focus on nutrition, always eating.
So much of it’s just eating and drinking, taking care of the body. I usually go south and out into Townsend a lot, like Foothills Parkway. A couple of weeks ago I did like a 120-mile training ride, just to get ready. These races are pretty long, some of them are 110, 115 miles. You just kind of have to do a little bit more of that in training so it doesn’t seem so bad.
What, if any, rituals do you have or is there any music that you listen to before the start of a big race? I have a playlist saved that I try to listen to before races to get pumped a little bit. But generally I think people can get too wound up in routine. I’ve found that I have had good performances when I’m nervous, calm, or anything in between. So I try not to get too worked into whatever emotions I am feeling.
What’s it like to be a pro athlete and a student simultaneously? It’s definitely a challenge. The first year I tried to do full time school and full time racing, and I just couldn’t make it work. So right now I go full time in the fall and one class in the spring online, and that’s the balance I’ve worked out. It’s a big balancing act to do both. I think it helps you balance as a person. I think cycling is so intense and you get so wrapped up in it, all the little drama, all the little injuries, everything that’s going on. Maybe having something else, not a backup plan but something else you’re pursuing at the same time, because this doesn’t last forever.
Top Guns
Here are the professional American riders to watch in this year’s USA Cycling Pro Road Race BY LIAM HYSJULIEN
Men’s Division STEPHEN BASSETT When it comes to riders racing in their hometown, just think of Dave Stoller in the classic film, Breaking Away—so it’s hard not see Knoxville based Stephen Bassett as an outside favorite in this year’s US Pro Road Race Championships. Racing for Canada-based Continental team, Silber Pro Cycling, Bassett has already won stages in classic American races like the Tour of Gila and the Joe Martin Stage Race. As many rider will attest, there is always a feeling of extra strength in the legs when racing on local roads in front of friends and family.
BRENT BOOKWALTER Brent Bookwalter for American-based World Tour team, BMC, is one of the best all-around American riders in professional cycling. Since 2010, Bookwalter has raced in the all the Grand tours, and won stages in USA Pro Challenge and the Tour of Qatar.
ROBIN CARPENTER Riding for the small U.S. team, Holowesko-Citadel Racing Team, Robin Carpenter is considered by many to be the future of American cycling. Carpenter has already won stages in prestigious races like the Tour of Utah and the USA Pro Challenge. Carpenter placed in the top-10 in last year’s US Pro Road Race Championships.
GREGORY DANIEL Riding for the World Tour team, Trek-Segafredo, Gregory Daniel is last year’s US Pro Road Race champion. While only 22 years old, Daniel is part of a new generation of young American talent. Hailing out of the cycling mecca of Denver, Colo., it’s hard not to see Daniel pull of back to back victories.
ALEX HOWES With a second-place finish in last year’s US Pro Road Race Championships, Alex Howes from the World Tour team, Cannodale-Drapac, is one of the best known Americans riding in the peloton today. Howes is coming off of a strong showing in the 2017 Giro d’Italia, and the sharp, punchy climb of this year’s US Pro Road Race course suits Howes’ ability as a strong one-day stage racer.
TRAVIS MCCABE With a third place in last year’s US Pro Road Race Championships, Travis McCabe has already started the first half of the 2017 season with good wins in international races like Le Tour de Langkawi and the Herald Sun Tour. McCabe races for one of the biggest Pro-Continental American based teams, UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team.
LARRY WARBASSE Although he may be a lesser-known American Rider, Larry Warbasse is poised to become a household name
in professional cycling. Racing for the Pro-Continental Irish based team, Aqua Blue Sport, Warbasse had his biggest win of his career this month by taking a stage victory in the Tour de Suisse. With Warbasse’s ability to tackle tough climbs, he is certainly an under the radar rider to watch for in this year’s race.
Women’s Division MEGAN GUARNIER Riding for arguably the best team in professional women’s cycling, Boels-Dolmans Cycling Team, Megan Guarnier is not only one of the top cyclists in America, but also the world. In 2016 alone, Guarnier was first in the US Pro Road Race Championships, first in the Women’s Giro d’Italia, and first in the Women’s Tour of California.
KATIE HALL When it comes to climbing, Katie Hall might be one of the strongest climbers in the women’s peloton. Riding for the American based team, UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Women s Team, Hall shown to be a tremendous talent by winning the mountains jersey in both this year’s Amgen Women’s race and the Tour of Gila.
AMBER NEBEN Racing for the Danish team, Team VéloCONCEPT Women, Amber Neben has been one of the stronger riders this season. While one of the elder stateswoman of the peloton, Neben won the individual time trial in UCI Road World Championships in Doha, Qatar.
CORYN RIVERA When it comes to professional women’s cycling, it’s hard to think of a better
all-around rider than Coryn Rivera. Riding for one of the top women’s professional team, Team Sunweb, Rivera is one of best riders in the peloton. Already in 2017, she has taken victories in prestigious races like Tour of Flanders for Women and the Tour of California. Rivera finished a mere one second behind Megan Guarnier in last year’s US Pro Road Race Championships
ALEXIS RYAN Riding for the one of the most prestigious women’s team in the peloton, the Germany-based Canyon-SRAM, Alexis Ryan has already shown strong results this season with a top-five finish in Santos women’s tour.
LAUREN STEPHENS Along with Brianna Walle, Lauren Stephens also rides for Team TIBCO-SVB. Stephens has had an incredible start to her 2017 campaign, already finishing first in the Winston Salem Cycling Classic.
BRIANNA WALLE With a top-five place in last year’s US Pro Road Race Championships, Brianna Walle is another favorite for this year’s race. Riding for Team TIBCO-SVB, Walle has already shown good results in some early American and European races this season.
Read more about the race schedule and route in our special insert after page 24. June 22, 2017 knoxville mercury 19
Program Notes | Inside the Vault | Art | Movies
LOCAL MUSIC REVIEW
Kevin Abernathy Family Hour For the last decade, Kevin Abernathy has been releasing an album every couple of years, each one showcasing a slightly different side of his musicianship. He dug into Southern rock and shredding guitar on Rock-N-Roll Fiasco, A Beautiful Thing, and Scrap Metal Blues; with Some Stories, in 2012, he traded in the amplified guitars for acoustic back-porch music and fiddle, banjo, mandolin, and lots of harmony vocals. Ain’t Learned Yet, from 2015, seemed like a synthesis, with understated lead guitar embellishing a batch of fully developed singer-songwriter-type songs. But Family Hour is another departure. At just 27 minutes, it’s Abernathy’s most concise statement yet. Here, the songs feel more personal and less narrative-driven—they’re songs about middle age and, as the title suggests, family life. “You Kids” is a reverse version of Cheap Trick’s “Surrender,” an anthem to getting teenagers out of the house for peace and quiet; “Stage Dad” is a rip-roaring pop-punk track, all of two minutes and 13 seconds, about being the father of three musicians. (Abernathy’s daughters play in the Pinklets.) It’s a change that suits the modest but affecting music here. —Matthew Everett
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The Art of Rock Albert Murrian and cohorts kick off a planned series of multimedia projects
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lbert Murrian’s new EP—the first of a series of three related releases planned for the near future—is called Artrock, and all four of its songs (“O Pablo,” “I Want an Andy Warhol,” “For Yoko,” and “Vincent Van Gogh”) are about artists. So it’s appropriate that the release show for the Artrock CD, at the Modern Studio this weekend, is actually kind of an art show. In addition to the performance by Murrian and his band, artwork by the local retired architect and designer David Denton will be on display. “David has endless creativity,” Murrian says. “I never know what’s going to happen with him. I like having a collaborator who is so productive. He’s making more art than I can keep up with. “I could give you a big pretentious spiel about this collaboration, but the truth is we are just good friends who
like to make art together. It started with one photo shoot, and just didn’t stop. Eventually the art became as much a part of this project as the music. Creativity is the name of the game. Even my next-door neighbor, an artist named Liz Nagel, is designing some custom clothes for my concerts, which I think are going to raise a few eyebrows.” Murrian’s local music career began more than a decade ago, with the mid-’00s teenage hard-rock/ power-pop band 1220. He recorded Artrock with Alex Trammell, also formerly of 1220, and Matt Honkonen, of various local bands ranging from Llama Train and the Tenderhooks to Peak Physique. On the EP, they tread classic pop-rock territory—big melodies, lush production, bittersweet hooks, all of it sounding like part of a ’70s power-pop compilation or a soundtrack for a Wes Anderson movie.
A new version of Murrian’s band, called the Common Creatures—Trammell, Emily Force, and Andrew Tinsley—will debut at the Artrock release show. They’ll also be the band recording the second and third volumes of the Artrock series, which Murrian says will take them in new directions. But the subject will still be art and artists—Murrian says he has songs about Laurie Anderson, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Henri Matisse. “Having new musicians in the band will make Artrock 2 and 3 much different than the first installment,” Murrian says. “I hope to begin recording the sequels as soon as my new band plays some more shows.” The Artrock release show will be on Friday, June 23, at 8 p.m. at the Modern Studio in Happy Holler. Admission is $10. —Matthew Everett
Program Notes | Inside the Vault | Art | Movies
Bean’s Barn The life and times of Carl Bean and the Big Valley Music Barn
BY ERIC DAWSON
W
hen the Tennessee Archive of Moving Image and Sound began collecting artifacts, photos, and documents that might be used in the book accompanying Bear Family’s Knoxville Sessions 1929-1930: Knoxville Stomp box set, one of our first stops was the Big Valley Music Barn in Norris. The Barn was opened by Carl Bean in 1974 as a venue for country and old-time music. Bean built the 30-by-80 foot structure himself, just off the Norris exit off Interstate 75, about 2 miles from the Museum of Appalachia. It took him two years to build it, but in the decades that followed the Barn has hosted countless
local acts and touring groups, including Bill Monroe’s band. Mack and Willie Sievers, who had recorded at the St. James Hotel in 1929 with their father, as the Tennessee Ramblers, often played there. Their family act continued into the 1980s as the Novelty Hawaiians, built on the Hawaiian music craze of the 1920s and ’30s. For a time, Bean was also a member of the band, and the Sievers often visited the Barn and recorded jam sessions with him and whoever happened to be around that day. Bean died in 1997, while singing “I’m Using My Bible for a Roadmap”
onstage at the Lenoir Museum at Norris Dam State Park. But the Barn, under new ownership, remained open. When we visited several years ago, the walls were still covered with pictures of the many musicians who had played there over the years, including some rare historic photos of the Ramblers. Bean’s daughter Kathy allowed us to look through hundreds of photographs, newspaper articles, and letters. We borrowed a large cache for possible use in the Sessions book. Years earlier, Bean’s son Kenny had donated home movies, audiotapes, and acetates to TAMIS; the combined collections give a remarkable overview of Bean’s life and career, and also those of his friends and peers. Bean was born in Norris in 1926, about a year and a half before the Ramblers recorded their first record in Ashland, Ky. He grew up among a community of musicians who would entertain each other on front porches and at churches and socials. Taught by his mother, he took up guitar at a young age, dividing his leisure time between making music and playing basketball. After serving in the military during World War II, Bean attended Carson-Newman College and then earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Tennessee. He coached basketball for several schools, retaining a position at Norris High School for 11 years before retiring to commit himself full-time to music and the Barn. His Norris team never had a losing season, and curiously, his 8mm home movies don’t have any footage of musicians, but there are several reels shot at the schools at which he taught. In the late 1960s, Bean cut a record for Knoxville’s Valley Records, billing himself as “The Lost Indian,” a nod to his Native American heritage. Two more singles followed in the ’70s,
released by Varsity Records, out of Nashville, who tried selling him as “The Singing Coach.” Bean also played a brief but important role in local film history. He invited Mack and Willie Sievers to visit the Music Barn one day in the early 1980s. A film crew later showed up, accompanied by Howard Armstrong, whom the Sievers had last seen in 1929 at the St. James. Armstrong, Bean, and Willie can be seen playing together in Terry Zwigoff’s documentary Louie Bluie. Bean had one photo from that day, capturing Zwigoff standing on a chair holding a boom mic in the center of the musicians (including Mack, who wasn’t included in the film). I sent a scan of the photo to Zwigoff, who seemed amused by it and said that he had never seen it. One of Bean’s mentors was the great old-time fiddler Bob Coxe. Several pictures of Coxe are in Bean’s collection, including a 1980s portrait taken at an Olan Mills studio that shows Coxe holding his fiddle, with a guitar propped up against a fake rail fence and a shaded creek serving as a backdrop. Bean also wrote a genealogy of Coxe’s first fiddle, which Bean later acquired and donated to the Museum of Appalachia. The neck of the fiddle had been broken over a chair by the previous owner’s wife, and Coxe solicited luthier George McNish to repair it. Bean also notes that Coxe was a trick fiddler who could play in 27 different positions. In the last two decades of his life, Bean performed frequently at the Museum of Appalachia; the museum’s founder, John Rice Irwin, wrote Bean’s obituary for the Clinton Courier-News. The obit notes that Cormac McCarthy, after a visit to the museum, had written Irwin a letter inquiring about Bean. Bean also counted Lamar Alexander and Alex Haley as fans. There doesn’t seem to be a photo of Bean in which he wasn’t smiling. Eric Dawson is an audio-visual archivist with the Knox County Public Library’s Tennessee Archive of Moving Image and Sound. Inside the Vault searches the TAMIS archives for nuggets of lost Knoxville music and film history. June 22, 2017 knoxville mercury 21
Program Notes | Inside the Vault | Art | Movies
Sword & Sorcery Ken Kelly’s career has taken some unlikely—and fantastic—turns BY MATTHEW EVERETT
I
f you grew up in the 1970s, it’s likely you remember some of Ken Kelly’s paintings, even if you’ve never heard his name. The 71-year-old fantasy artist created the covers for the platinum Kiss albums Destroyer and Love Gun—two of the most iconic images from a band that has built four decades of success on memorable imagery. Kelly also painted hundreds of covers for the horror magazines Creepy and Eerie and illustrated book covers for legendary characters like Tarzan and Conan the Barbarian. Kelly may not have invented the style of heroic fantasy that he specialized in—pictures of berserkers with bulging muscles slaying hordes of their enemies, barely clad sorceresses and damsels in distress, ancient ruins shrouded in mystical fog—but he was as responsible as anyone else for making it mainstream during the 1970s and ’80s. Actually, the man who deserves the most credit for inventing that style had a direct influence on Kelly. In the late ’60s, Kelly returned to the United States after four years in the Marines. “I’m going, ‘What am I going to do
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with the rest of my life? Holy crap! You better think of something fast!’” he says. He’d always liked to draw and paint, so he turned to his uncle, a professional commercial artist named Frank Frazetta. Frazetta’s early career had been in comics and newspaper strips, but by the mid ’60s he was gaining notoriety for his exuberant depictions of Tarzan, Conan, and other pulp characters from the ’20s and ’30s for cheap paperback reprints. He’s now a legend among fantasy fans; one of his Conan paintings sold in 2009 for $1 million. “He’s immortal,” Kelly says. “As our generations die off and you give it 50 or 100 years, he then becomes one of those saints of the art world, like Michelangelo and Raphael, Frazetta will. The more distance you get from the actual product, if it’s that good— and his is—it holds its weight forever, and that’s the mark of genius.” Having the Jack Kirby of fantasy illustration in the family turned out to be the first big break in Kelly’s career. He worked under Frazetta for five
years and then went to work for Warren Publishing, a popular but not entirely reputable line of lurid horror and fantasy comics magazines. “I was just working at Warren, not making a dime,” he says. “Then Kiss walks into your life and picks you for a cover and everything in your life changes.” This second big break, in late 1975, involved Kelly’s famous uncle, too. “They were trying to get Frazetta, but he was too expensive, much too expensive,” Kelly says. So the art director for Casablanca Records grabbed a bunch of magazines from the newsstand outside the company’s office for inspiration. “Gene Simmons happened to be there. I had a cover that I had done for one of the horror magazines—it was a little robot. Gene looks at them and lays his finger on that one. ‘That guy,’ he said. You can’t get more anonymous than I was, but it was because I had painted a sorrowful, sad look on the robot’s face after he had destroyed things, like he had a heart. There was an emotional quality to the cover.”
Destroyer was a breakthrough for both Kiss and Kelly, but he didn’t realize how big a deal it was until two years later, when he was hired to paint the cover for the band’s upcoming Love Gun album. “I had no idea Destroyer had done double platinum,” he says. “I come into the city and I’m looking to go to the same address, but they’re now uptown in this absolutely golden palace. I’m just like, ‘Oh, wow, a lot has happened since the last time I was here.’ But I bought a house with the money I made with Kiss, so I’m happy. I got no regrets. It’s my best-selling product for 40 years.” For the remainder of the ’70s and into the ’80s, Kelly was an in-demand artist for paperback publishers, heavy-metal bands, and toy manufacturers. He’s painted hundreds of muscled dudes with swords, hundreds of armored demons and snarling dragons, dozens of women in painted bikinis chained to crumbling pillars— and he’s never gotten tired of it. “What I want to do is paint stuff that people like to look at,” Kelly says. “That’s the whole goal of any artist. Frank Frazetta told me, ‘You can paint the side of a barn, Ken, and if you paint it properly, it’s going to be beautiful.’ That means it’s all inside us. Any subject—fantasy, not-fantasy, toys, business products, whatever the hell it is, I’m going to try to make it look real good.”
WHAT Fanboy Expo WHERE Knoxville Convention Center (701 Henley St.) WHEN Friday, June 23– Sunday, June 25 HOW MUCH $22-$475 INFO fanboyexpo.com
Program Notes | Inside the Vault | Art | Movies
Da-Dum 47 Meters Down serves up effective shark scares for summer
BY APRIL SNELLINGS
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f we’re lucky, the summer movie season offers up at least one sturdy shark thriller that isn’t a Syfy-branded exercise in schlock. Last year it was The Shallows, a slickly produced and surprisingly clever survival yarn that pitted a surfer against a lone great white. This year it’s 47 Meters Down, a low-budget, claustrophobic shocker that finds a pair of sisters trapped in a shark cage while several of the toothy predators swarm around them. By no means will it join the ranks of such modern aquatic classics as Open Water—and let’s not even invoke the name of a certain hallowed shark movie in this review—but it’s still a moderately effective diversion that earns its theatrical release by dint of top-notch underwater photography, jolting jump scares, and a few tense,
well-staged set pieces. You’d be forgiven for wanting to jump ship during the mercifully short first act, which introduces straight-arrow Lisa (Mandy Moore) and her more adventurous kid sister, Kate (Claire Holt). The women are vacationing in Mexico, but it turns out that Kate is only there because Lisa has been dumped by her boyfriend, who couldn’t stand to spend one more minute in Lisa’s presence because she’s, like, so boring. What better way to prove him wrong than go on a discount shark-diving expedition from a dilapidated boat with some guys they meet at a beachfront bar? “Think of the photos!” Kate says, and soon they’re climbing aboard the rickety Sea Esta, piloted by Captain Taylor (an underused Matthew Modine, who
seems to have wandered onto the set of the wrong movie and stuck around for the free muffins). Needless to say, they’re going to need a bigger boat, or at least one that isn’t held together by Scotch tape and testosterone. The cage is rusted and the winch creaks ominously, but the scuba equipment, which includes full-face masks rigged with microphones so the women can communicate with each other underwater, is high-tech enough. So, after the guys complete a disaster-free dive, the sisters climb into the cage for their go. Thing go horribly wrong, of course, and the cage plummets 47 meters to the ocean floor, trapping the sisters inside with a rapidly depleting oxygen supply. They happen to be just beyond the range of the ship’s radio
system, which means one of them must leave the cage to communicate with Taylor. But they can’t just swim for it; in order to avoid a fatal bout of decompression sickness (“You will get the bends!”), they’d have to spend five minutes hovering at prime shark-attack depth as their systems even out or whatever. Once the sisters are stranded underwater, the film trades its cable-movie vibe for something much more effective. Director Johannes Roberts orchestrates a series of increasingly tense sequences that find the women venturing farther and farther from the relative safety of the cage as it becomes clear that rescue will take longer than the 20 minutes of air in their tanks. (If it’s coming at all—Taylor and his one-man crew seem a little dodgy.) Cinematographer Mark Silk, a veteran underwater camera operator, shoots the action beautifully, and both the man-made underwater set and the CG sharks are convincing. Our familiarity with the rhythms and visual language of thrillers makes it increasingly tough to serve up scares, but Roberts manages an impressive number of jolts. The biggest problem is that the script, written by Roberts and Ernest Riera, often undermines those scares with awful dialogue. “The shark almost got me!” is perhaps the most egregious offender, but the entire film is peppered with howlers as the sisters narrate the action to one another. The performances are more than serviceable—Moore in particular stands out—but I’m not sure there’s an actor alive who could sell some of the lines these women are burdened with. But audiences will show up for 47 Meters Down for the shark action, not the nuanced character development and sparkling repartee. At a sleek 89 minutes, it delivers adequate thrills and at least a few memorable scares before the setup runs out of air, and Roberts’ direction is patient and measured enough to wring maximum tension from tasks as simple as fetching a flashlight or switching an air hose. It’s not likely to reach the minor cult-favorite status earned by The Shallows, but it’s a welcome antidote to the cynical cartoonishness of the Sharknado franchise and its ilk. June 22, 2017 knoxville mercury 23
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The ultimate guide to everything Knoxvillians love about Knoxville.
E D I U G E C A R NS A L F A & I C I I STS L F C F Y C O ELCOME W
• S T N E EV F O E L m o U c D . x E o H n SC lek c • y c S a s P u MA
S W E I V I NTE R
Pro Road & Time Trial National Championships USA CYCLING 1
The Melting Pot welcomes USA Cycling!
TAKING DINNER TO THE NEXT LEVEL COME TRY US! 111 N. Central St. (Old City) 865-971-5400 meltingpot.com
Connecting people and places on the road and in our hometown.
Proudly welcomes USA Cyclists and fans to Knoxville!
Serving our local communities together with changing the way we eat, drink, and think about food.
www.pilotflyingj.com 2 USA CYCLING Pro Road & Time Trial National Championships
For more information visit Kroger.com
GOOD LUCK Welcome to Knoxville!
to the Nashville Local Cycling Team and all YMCA members competing in the USA Cycling Nationals!
Madeline Rogero, City of Knoxville Mayor
Welcome to the USA Cycling Pro Road & Time Trial National Championships in Knoxville, Tennessee. We are thrilled to watch these elite athletes take to the streets of Knoxville. Hosting the USA Cycling championships bolsters Knoxville’s growing reputation as a city that enthusiastically embraces outdoor adventure. The cyclists will face challenging courses, and their teams and fans will enjoy all the amenities and hospitality of our downtown.
Tim Burchett, Knox County Mayor
We appreciate this opportunity to bring visitors from across the country to Knox County as we showcase our shops and restaurants, cultural attractions and outdoor recreation opportunities. The hills here have a reputation of their own, and the Pro Road course will certainly test the experienced cyclists as they compete for the coveted stars and stripes jersey.
Kim Bumpas, President of Visit Knoxville Chad Culver, Visit Knoxville Sports Commission Sr. Director
It has been our pleasure to work with USA Cycling on this event. This is an amazing opportunity to put Knoxville on a world stage for sports. Our team is excited, our local cycling community is excited, our sponsors are excited and the community at large has shown overwhelming support and enthusiasm. Thank you to everyone who has helped to make this happen.
Derek Bouchard-Hall, USA Cycling President & CEO
We are very fortunate to run our most prestigious road cycling event in Knoxville. Knoxville’s love of cycling, natural beauty and renowned hospitality will make an exceptional location for us to crown our top professional road cyclists.
FROM TRAINING TO STAYING FIT,
if you’ve got the will, the Y has a way. Cycling-Specific Personal Trainers • Cross Training Pilates • Weight Training • Certified Personal Trainers Spin • Yoga • Swimming • Self-Guided Personal Training Strength • Endurance • Cardio • Weight Control
YMCA of East Tennessee ymcaknoxville.org 865.522.9622
Pro Road & Time Trial National Championships USA CYCLING 3
FOR THE KNOXV ILLE, TENNESSEE
4 USA CYCLING Pro Road & Time Trial National Championships
RED
SCH E DU LE OF EVE NTS J U N E 24
CYCLI NG EXPO Location: East Jackson Ave. in the Old City FREE TO THE PUBLIC!
FOR THE
RED
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE
Starting Line: East Jackson Ave. in the Old City Start: 7:30 AM • Finish: 9:30 AM Time Trial Championships Starting Line: East Jackson Ave. in the Old City Professional Warmup: 9:30 - 10 AM Professional Women First Rider Starts: 11:00 AM Last Rider Finishes: 1:30 PM Professional Men First Rider Starts: 2:00 PM Last Rider Finishes: 3:45 PM Medal Ceremonies Men’s and Women’s National ITT Championships Awards Ceremony Location: East Jackson Ave. in the Old City Time: Approx 4:00 PM (15 minutes after conclusion of last race)
J U N E 25 Women’s Road Race Starting Line: East Jackson Ave. in the Old City Distance: 108.6 km / 67.4 mi Race Start: 9 AM Race Finish: 12 PM Men’s Road Race Starting Line: East Jackson Ave. in the Old City Distance: 181 km / 112.4 mi Race Start: 1:15 PM Race Finish: 5:45 PM
JUNE 24
Time: 9:00AM - 4:00 PM
JUNE 25
Time: 8:30 AM - 6:15 PM
• See the rider introductions before each race • Watch race action on the Big Screen TV • Listen to the announcers describe the climbs, hairpin turns & breakaways • Witness multiple laps before the exciting finishes • Enjoy free live music and family fun • Check out the Strider Adventure Zone & Allstate’s Reality Rides
Booths
Food Trucks
Sur PhytoPerformance Bicycle Gift Hub Bike Law TN Calhoun’s Chica Sport Fleet Feet Sports Indohypsie Keen Footwear KT Tape The Melting Pot Onsight Rock Gym Phillips & Jordan Real Time Pain Relief Regal Renewal by Anderson Shimano Stowers TVA UT Medical WATE-TV
Chelsea’s Hawg Dawgs Holy Smokin BBQ Mamma Gallinas Smoky Mountain Kona Ice
BEER GARDEN
Medal Ceremonies Men’s and Women’s National Road Race Championships Awards Ceremony Location: East Jackson Ave. in the Old City Time: Approx 6:00 PM (15 minutes after conclusion of last race)
Pro Road & Time Trial National Championships USA CYCLING 5
Viewing Angles Where (and how) to watch bike racers rip through downtown at the USA Cycling Pro Road Race BY LIAM HYSJULIEN
I
Photo by Tricia Bateman
THE OLD CITY
n Italy, the most passionate and fervent cycling fans are commonly called tifosi (simply meaning “fan” in Italian). These are the people you see running alongside a group of riders suffering up the steepest section of a mountain climb or cheering on their favorite sprinters (always one of the Italians, of course) in a white-knuckle finish for the line. For those of us wanting to embrace our inner tifosi this summer, the USA Cycling Pro Road Race & Time Trial National Championships, June 24-25 , will provide just that opportunity. It is here in Knoxville that we’ll get a chance to see some of the U.S.’s best riders compete for the coveted Stars and Stripes jersey. Unlike national championship courses in other cities in
the past—where the races tended for longer laps outside of town—the Sunday pro race will be 14 laps through downtown, across the Gay Street bridge, and through South Knoxville. These short laps—coming in at just under 8 miles a lap—will provide for an amazing viewing experience. Here’s our guide to enjoying Knoxville’s first Nationals weekend as American tifosi, cheering on some of the best professional cyclists in the U.S.
THE OLD CITY There is almost nothing more universally loved among cyclists than coffee and beer. For many riders, it’s impossible to begin a long day in the bike saddle without an espresso, and replenishing calories is most enjoyable
GET OUT AND PLAY!
2017 EDITION NOW AVAILABLE
PROUND TO BE THE PRESENTING SPONSOR FOR
PEDAL FOR THE RED
6 USA CYCLING Pro Road & Time Trial National Championships
buy yours now!
Is your copy of last year’s guide to area greenways, parks, and trails as tattered as ours? Need a new copy to keep in your car for quick reference? We’ve updated it for 2017 and made it available for purchase in our online store for only $3.95 + shipping.
The Ulti Recreationmate Guide to Out doo in the Kno xville Reg r ion
248
Parks, Trai ls, & to enjoy ye Greenways ar-round! Easily find fun to do something near YOU!
A PUBLICATI
PRODUCED
ON OF
BY
store.knoxmercury.com
For information on distribution or sponsoring next year’s edition, contact us at info@knoxmercury.com
sure it is never at the expense of the rider’s or your own safety!
when in the form of a post-ride Belgian Tripel or a West Coast-style IPA. For fans of cycling committed to watching a bike race of four hours (or more), it’s not uncommon to see coffee and beer going hand-in-hand. If you want to spend Sunday afternoon watching the peloton of riders weave their way through downtown Knoxville, while also being able to grab coffee, beer, or a bite to eat, the Old City will be a perfect location for all three.
DAVENPORT After the climb on Sherrod Road, the technical and quick descent down Davenport Road will test some riders’ bike handling skills and allow a few riders dropped on Sherrod Road to rejoin the main group of riders. It would not be surprising, around lap 12 or 13, to see a potentially winning move by a small group of riders going full-speed down Davenport Road with a hard-charging peloton in hot pursuit.
GAY STREET BRIDGE
SHERROD ROAD The term mur in the primarily
GAY STREET BRIDGE
French-speaking and cycling-crazed Wallonia region of Belgium literally means “wall.” In South Knoxville, the Mur de Sherrod Road will almost certainly be the most decisive part of this year’s course. Sherrod Road is similar to many of the short but fiercely steep hills that you see during early spring races in the Belgium and Netherlands countrysides. The climb
up Sherrod Road is a little over a quarter-mile long and averages about a staggering 11 percent gradient. Here on the slopes of Sherrod Road, any American tifosi wanting to watch their favorite riders suffer up this climb 14 times will be given their chance. On a side note, while photo ops and overall fandom are important to the sport of cycling, it is always important to make
Photo by Tricia Bateman
While some of the most exciting parts of Sunday’s race will likely take place on the brutally steep climb of Sherrod Road or possibly even the windy descent down Davenport Road, for anyone wanting to take a couple of iconic pictures of this year’s race, it’s hard to think of a more picture-perfect view than the riders going across the Gay Street Bridge. Also, as riders both mentally and physically prepare themselves for another leg-sapping attack up Sherrod Road, you might see a few riders try their luck at attacking while on the Gay Street bridge.
FINISH LINE/JACKSON AVENUE There is nothing worse than spending a solid four hours watching a race only to miss the winning move at the finish line. The race both starts and ends near the James White Parkway/I-40 overpass on Jackson Avenue, with the finishing line situated on a fairly straight, slightly downhill stretch of road. While it would be easy to assume that a race without a long mountain climb would likely end in a big, bunched sprint, it wouldn’t be too surprising to see a group of only four or five strong riders battle over the last 500 meters for the Stars and Stripes jersey.
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PP O U S R YO U R O F ! OU 8 Y 1 K 0 N 2 THA OU I N
SE E Y
8 USA CYCLING Pro Road & Time Trial National Championships
RT
June 22, 2017 knoxville mercury 25
PUNCH BROTHERS
Thursday, January 12 — Sunday, January 29 25 Inner Voices String Quartet: Barber at the Hair Salon 26 The Public Cinema: The Love Witch 33 Shelter From the Storm: ACLU Benefit
MUSIC Thursday, June 22 VOLK WITH THE FLYING BUFFALOES • WDVX • 12PM • Part
of WDVX’s Blue Plate Special, a six-days-a-week live-broadcast lunchtime concert series featuring local, regional, and national Americana, folk, pop, rock, and everything else. • FREE THE TENNESSEE STIFFLEGS • Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria • 6PM • The Six O’Clock Swerve is a weekly musical trip featuring live performances and insightful interviews in a living room atmosphere. The show’s conversational, relaxed and informed interviews and performances is unlike other live-music shows. • FREE LOUISE MOSRIE • Market Square • 7PM • Part of the city of Knoxville’s Variety Thursday series of free outdoor summer concerts. • FREE STEVE KAUFMAN’S ANNUAL CONCERT SERIES • Maryville College • 7PM • Former national champion flat picking guitarist Steve Kaufman hosts an annual two-week series of concerts featuring some of the brightest stars of acoustic music. This year’s series runs Mondays through Fridays, June 12-23, and includes Cary Fridley, April Verch, Beppe Gambetta, and dozens more. Visit flatpik.com. • $8-$15 PISTOL CREEK • Brackins Blues Club (Maryville) • 8PM JIMMY DAVIS • Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria (Maryville) • 8PM BASK WITH OROGENS AND PAREIDELIC • The Concourse • 8PM • Heavy riffs from Asheville and Knoxville. 18 and up. Visit internationalknox.com. • $5 DEVIN BADGETT WITH SHAYLA MCDANIEL AND SOUTHERN CITIES • Open Chord Music • 8PM • An all-ages local
showcase. • FREE ANDREW WEATHERS WITH CHEESE AND THE WORMS • The
Birdhouse • 8:30PM • Guitar and synth soundscape folksong, on tour from West Texas, with the local instrumental space-rock band Cheese and the Worms. • $5 TOMMIE JOHN AND VALERIE • Wild Wing Cafe • 9PM • FREE THE MAGGIE VALLEY BAND • Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria • 10PM • FREE THE FLYING BUFFALOES • Preservation Pub • 10PM
Friday, June 23 HIGHBALLS WITH MIGHTY BLUE • WDVX • 12PM • Part of
WDVX’s Blue Plate Special, a six-days-a-week live-broadcast lunchtime concert series featuring 26 knoxville mercury June 22, 2017
local, regional, and national Americana, folk, pop, rock, and everything else. • FREE MELLIFLUX • Wild Wing Cafe • 6PM • FREE CLARA • Vienna Coffee House (Maryville) • 6PM • FREE STEVE KAUFMAN’S ANNUAL CONCERT SERIES • Maryville College • 7PM • Former national champion flat picking guitarist Steve Kaufman hosts an annual two-week series of concerts featuring some of the brightest stars of acoustic music. This year’s series runs Mondays through Fridays, June 12-23, and includes Cary Fridley, April Verch, Beppe Gambetta, and dozens more. Visit flatpik.com. • $8-$15 FROG AND TOAD’S DIXIE QUARTET • The Crown and Goose • 8PM • Jason Thompson’s band doesn’t play bebop, the mainstay of the American saxman for more than half a century. He prefers to do something different. Frog and Toad can sound more old-fashioned than bebop, with Dixieland and ragtime tunes. But then, in the same set, they’ll sound more modern than bebop, with funk or fusion, or something original he wrote last week. • FREE THE ROOSEVELTS • Open Chord Music • 8PM • The Roosevelts’ show provides a rousing, dance-worthy compilation of songs, but also features poignant tunes that scale the depth of their personality and communicate their story with remarkable power. All ages. Visit openchordmusic.com. • $12-$14 HIGHBEAMS • Preservation Pub • 8PM GARRIT TILLMANN • The Bistro at the Bijou • 9PM • Live jazz. • FREE KIRK FLETA • Brackins Blues Club (Maryville) • 9PM SOUTHBOUND • Two Doors Down ( Maryville) • 9PM THE MAGGIE VALLEY BAND • Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria (Maryville) • 9PM KELSEY’S WOODS • Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria • 10PM • FREE THE GREEN DAY EXPERIENCE • Wild Wing Cafe • 10PM • FREE THE CRANE WIVES • Boyd’s Jig and Reel • 10PM • FREE SIRSY • Scruffy City Hall • 10PM POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE • Preservation Pub • 10PM BIG FREEDIA • The Concourse • 10PM • Big Freedia, known as the Queen of Bounce, is a New Orleans-based rapper and ambassador of bounce music. 18 and up. Visit internationalknox.com. • $15-$20 • See Spotlight on page 29. THE VERNS • Pilot Light • 10PM • 18 and up. • $5
Saturday, June 24 GYPSY SOUTH WITH ST. LUKE’S DRIFTERS • WDVX • 12PM •
THE WEEKS AHEAD Thursday, June 22
KUUMBA FESTIVAL Haley Heritage Square • 6 p.m. • Free • Knoxville’s biggest celebration of African-American culture and history kicks off, as usual, with a ceremony near the Alex Haley statue in Morningside Park and continues with festivities on Market Square on Friday and back at Morningside on Saturday and Sunday. This year’s edition will be a special one, and a sad one—Kuumba’s longtime director, Nkechi Ajanaku, died earlier this month. Friday, June 23
FANBOY EXPO Knoxville Convention Center • Knoxville’s biggest gathering of comics/sci-fi/horror/TV fans has enormous star wattage this year, with scheduled appearances by Gene Simmons, Lou Ferrigno, Loni Anderson, and the guy who played Greedo in Star Wars, among others. See our interview with fantasy artist Ken Kelly on page 22. Saturday, June 24
U.S. CYCLING CHAMPIONSHIPS Downtown • USA Cycling lands in Knoxville for its professional time trial (Saturday) and road race (Sunday) championships, featuring the best riders in the country racing laps around the center city. See our cover story and special insert for more info. Sunday, June 25
WORLD REFUGEE FILM FESTIVAL Knoxville Museum of Art • 1:30-4:30 p.m. • Free • Bridge Refugee Services’ World Refugee Day events include a program of shot documentaries portraying the challenges and accomplishments of people displaced by war and famine.
BIJOU JUBILEE FEATURING PUNCH BROTHERS Bijou Theatre • 7:30 p.m. • $49.50-$200 • Chris Thile’s progressive bluegrass/string jazz/ chamber ensemble brings its unpredictable, indefinable brand of acoustic magic to the Bijou Theatre for the venue’s annual big-ticket fundraising concert. Saturday, July 1
TOUR DE ROCKY TOP Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria • 7:30 a.m. • $50-$60 • If the pro racers in town for the U.S. Cycling Championships on June 24-25 inspire you, here’s your chance—31-, 50-, 62-, and 85-mile routes from the Old City through South Knoxville and into Blount County. Sunday, July 2
TONSTARTSSBANDHT Pilot Light • 9 p.m. • 18 and up • $7 • This Florida-bred, Brooklyn-based duo, made up of brothers Andy and Edwin White, released its debut album, Sorcerer, in March; it’s three long tracks of warbly psychedelic rock inspired by Nuggets, Blue Cheer, and Can. With A Certain Ratio and Moccasin Cowboy.
DOLL SKIN Open Chord Music • 7 p.m. • All ages • $10 This glam-rock four-piece from Phoenix has been compared to the Donnas and the Runaways. Their second album, Manic Pixie Dream Girl, updates those influences with cutting-edge stadium production worthy of My Chemical Romance, latter-day Green Day, and Jimmy Eat World. With From Day One and students from School of Rock Knoxville.
June 22 – July 9
Part of WDVX’s Blue Plate Special, a six-days-a-week live-broadcast lunchtime concert series featuring local, regional, and national Americana, folk, pop, rock, and everything else. • FREE JORDAN BENNETT • Vienna Coffee House (Maryville) • 6PM • FREE WILL SHEPHARD • Floyd’s Antiques • 6PM • Part of the Floyd’s Music on the Lawn series of summer concerts. • FREE MOJO TWEED • Last Days of Autumn Brewery • 7:30PM • New Orleans funk and blues. • FREE BLACK STONE CHERRY WITH OTIS • The Shed at Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson (Maryville) • 7:30PM • They say you can’t go home again. But Black Stone Cherry proves otherwise on Kentucky, the quartet’s fifth album and most diverse and mature -- not to mention dynamically exciting -- effort to date. • $20-$25 BLACK JACKET SYMPHONY: LED ZEPPELIN II • Tennessee Theatre • 8PM • The Black Jacket Symphony returns to the Tennessee Theatre to perform Led Zeppelin’s “II” album in it’s entirety. • $25-$30
11AM • Knoxville’s coolest jazz artists perform every Sunday. • FREE SMOKY MOUNTAIN BLUES SOCIETY BLUES CRUISE • Star of Knoxville Riverboat • 4PM • Join the Smoky Mountain Blues Society as they present some of the best-known local, regional, and nationally touring blues artists during specialty cruises on the Tennessee River. From April through October, blues lovers will celebrate this American art form during a three-hour Sunday afternoon cruise on the Star of Knoxville Tennessee Riverboat. This year’s lineup includes the Tommie John Band (April 23); Few Miles On (May 21); Mighty Blue (June 25); the Stella Vees (July 23); Cheryl Renee (Aug. 27); Albert Castiglia (Sept. 24); and John Nemeth (Oct. 15). Call (865) 525-7827 or visit tnriverboat.com/ blues-cruises-2. • $16-$20 THE BROCKEFELLERS • Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria • 8PM • FREE RELENTLESS BLUES BAND • Preservation Pub • 10PM
GRIND: AN ALICE IN CHAINS TRIBUTE WITH MEDICINE MAN AND SCHOOL OF ROCK KNOXVILLE • Open Chord Music •
MY GIRL, MY WHISKEY AND ME WITH SLINGS AND ARROWS • WDVX • 12PM • Part of WDVX’s Blue Plate Special, a
8PM • $10-$12 AELUDE • Preservation Pub • 8PM
six-days-a-week live-broadcast lunchtime concert series featuring local, regional, and national Americana, folk, pop, rock, and everything else. • FREE THE BLUEPRINT • Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria • 10PM • Local pianist Keith Brown’s cool jazz combo. BROCK ZEMAN • Preservation Pub • 10PM • Americana singer-songwriter from Ottawa. BEN SHUSTER • Wild Wing Cafe • 10PM • FREE
WARREN BYROM AND THE FABLED CANELANDS WITH THE LONETONES AND ALTERED STATESMEN • Pilot Light • 8PM
• Knoxville folk/pop/rock band the Lonetones, led by the husband-and-wife duo Sean McCollough and Steph Gunnoe, find a harmonious groove on their new album, Dumbing It All Down. 18 and up. • $5 THE MARK BOLING TRIO • The Bistro at the Bijou • 9PM • Live jazz. • FREE THE JAYSTORM PROJECT • Brackins Blues Club (Maryville) • 9PM THE MATTHEW HICKEY BAND • Two Doors Down (Maryville) • 9PM VIBRASLAPS • Scruffy City Hall • 9PM GRADY MILLIGAN • Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria (Maryville) • 9PM BELLA’S BARTOK • Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria • 10PM • Imagine what you would get if Salvador Dali and Toulouse Lautrec were fronting the Moulin Rouge’s house band, and you have the exuberant spectacle that is Bella’s Bartok. • FREE SLIPPERY WHEN WET • Wild Wing Cafe • 10PM • FREE LANEY JONES AND THE SPIRITS • Boyd’s Jig and Reel • 10PM • FREE PAREIDELIC • Preservation Pub • 10PM
Sunday, June 25 BIJOU JUBILEE 2017 FEATURING PUNCH BROTHERS • Bijou
Theatre • 7:30PM • This year we welcome Punch Brothers back to the U.S. Cellular Stage as the featured artist for our 9th annual Bijou Jubilee. Our Jubilee is an annual celebration of the spectacular, historic Bijou Theatre and serves as the primary fundraiser to support ongoing preservation and operations of this legendary venue. • $49.50-$200 SUNDAY JAZZ BRUNCH • Downtown Grill and Brewery •
with special guests
FRIDAY SEPT. 29
tickets on sale NOW
Monday, June 26
tickets on sale friday, june 23 at 10am
Tuesday, June 27 JAMESON RISING WITH JOHN YOUNG • WDVX • 12PM •
Part of WDVX’s Blue Plate Special, a six-days-a-week live-broadcast lunchtime concert series featuring local, regional, and national Americana, folk, pop, rock, and everything else. • FREE DAVID WEST AND THE CIDER MOUNTAIN FOLKS • Wild Wing Cafe • 5:30PM • FREE MARBLE CITY 5 • Market Square • 8PM • Vance Thompson’s small combo, featuring members of the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra, performs on Market Square May 9-Aug. 29. Visit knoxjazz.org. • FREE CURRENCE WITH ARC WELDER • Pilot Light • 9PM • 18 and up. • $5 SLINGS AND ARROWS • Preservation Pub • 10PM
Wednesday, June 28 BRIAN SUTHERLAND WITH JULIE CHRISTENSEN AND STONE CUPID • WDVX • 12PM • Part of WDVX’s Blue Plate
Special, a six-days-a-week live-broadcast lunchtime concert series featuring local, regional, and national Americana, folk, pop, rock, and everything else. • FREE JULIE CHRISTENSEN AND STONE CUPID • Sweet P’s Barbecue and Soul House • 6PM • FREE FROG AND TOAD’S DIXIE QUARTET • The Crown and Goose • 6:30PM • FREE ANNA HELMS • The Bistro at the Bijou • 7PM • Live jazz. • FREE
ecial with sp
guests
OCT. 10TH K N OX V I L L E C I V I C A U D I T O R I U M TICKETS FOR BOTH SHOWS AVAILABLE AT: THE KNOXVILLE CIVIC COLISEUM & AUDITORIUM BOX OFFICE, TICKETMASTER.COM AND 800-745-3000 June 22, 2017 knoxville mercury 27
June 22 – July 9
THE WORD ALIVE WITH THE CREATURES IN SECRET, THESE VICES, AND CROWNS • The Concourse • 7:30PM • Visit
internationalknox.com. 18 and up. • $16-$18 SALIVA WITH BRAVE THE ROYALS AND AUTUMN REFLECTION • Open Chord Music • 8PM • After acquiring
front man Bobby Amaru in 2011, Saliva became infused with new blood, energy, and spirit. All ages. Visit openchordmusic.com. • $20 MIKE SNODGRASS • Wild Wing Cafe • 8:30PM • FREE THE MASON DISTRICT • Preservation Pub • 10PM
Thursday, June 29 JESS NOLAN AND SHANNON LABRIE WITH CHRIS MOYSE •
WDVX • 12PM • Part of WDVX’s Blue Plate Special, a six-days-a-week live-broadcast lunchtime concert series featuring local, regional, and national Americana, folk, pop, rock, and everything else. • FREE JORDAN HULL • Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria • 6PM • The Six O’Clock Swerve is a weekly musical trip featuring live performances and insightful interviews in a living room atmosphere. The show’s conversational, relaxed and informed interviews and performances is unlike other live-music shows. • FREE KENDALL RAY • Market Square • 7PM • Part of the city of Knoxville’s Variety Thursday series of free outdoor summer concerts. • FREE THE SPOOKY OOOS WITH THE STRANGE PLACES • Pilot Light • 7PM • 18 and up. • $5
GRASSICALLY TRAINED • Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria
(Maryville) • 8PM JEFF AND JUSTIN • Wild Wing Cafe • 9PM • FREE BEATS ANTIQUE WITH CLOZEE • The International • 9PM • It’s impossible to describe Beats Antique using just a single genre. One listen to their forthcoming album, Shadowbox (released on their own Beats Antique Records imprint), and their unique hybrid of sound makes perfect sense. Visit internationalknox.com. 18 and up. • $22 HAMMOND EGGS • Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria • 10PM • FREE SHANNON LABRIE • Preservation Pub • 10PM
Friday, June 30 MIC HARRISON WITH THE KENNY GEORGE BAND • WDVX •
12PM • Part of WDVX’s Blue Plate Special, a six-days-a-week live-broadcast lunchtime concert series featuring local, regional, and national Americana, folk, pop, rock, and everything else. • FREE CHRIS LOVOY • Brackins Blues Club (Maryville) • 5PM KEVIN CARTER • Wild Wing Cafe • 6PM • FREE CLASSIC Q BAND • Vienna Coffee House (Maryville) • 6PM • FREE FROG AND TOAD’S DIXIE QUARTET • The Crown and Goose • 8PM • FREE CERULIA WITH THE GUILD, AMONG THE BEASTS, ILLUSTRIOUS, AND ETHOS • Open Chord Music • 8PM •
Stay tuned to WuTK!
or register for chances to become a finalist for a pair of passes to these 2 upcoming festivals!
mountainrevivalrevival.com July 20-22, 2017
floydfest.com July 26-30, 2017
Register until June 29 at Union Jack’s (124 N. Northshore Drive) for Deep Roots Mountain Revival 2017 tickets! WUTK will draw the winner’s name live from Union Jack’s on Friday June 30.
Register at Boyd’s Jig & Reel (in the Old City) for Floyd Fest Freedom 2017 tickets through June 25! Boyd’s will be closed June 26 through July 4.
WUTK will draw for the final prize at Boyd’s Jig & Reel Live on the afternoon of Thursday July 6.
From your concert and festival hookup in Knoxville...
Streaming 24.7.365 at WUTKRADIO.COM 28 knoxville mercury June 22, 2017
Cerulia plays progressive rock, influenced by post-hardcore, experimental, metal, and jazz. They’re celebrating the release of a new album. All ages. Visit openchordmusic.com. • $10 RUBY AMANFU AND STEELISM • Scruffy City Hall • 8PM • Whether on Beyonce’s new album Lemonade, or singing her own songs, Ghana-born and Nashville-based singer/songwriter Ruby Amanfu’s voice is one you only have to hear once to remember forever. Not an artist to be pegged, Amanfu’s musical style knows no boundaries. • $10 ROSHAMBEAUX • Preservation Pub • 8PM JON STEELE • The Bistro at the Bijou • 9PM • Live jazz. • FREE JACK’D UP • Two Doors Down (Maryville) • 9PM SPIRAL STAIRS WITH EX-GOLD AND GAG ME • Pilot Light • 9PM • You can’t hurry genius – not even the genial, unforced and unpretentious genius that has long been former Pavement guitarist Scott Kannberg’s forte. What’s for sure is his second album as Spiral Stairs, Doris and the Daggers, is worth the wait. 18 and up. • $10 • See Spotlight on page 35. SARAH SIMMONS • Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria (Maryville) • 9PM THE REFLECTORS • Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria • 10PM • Rhythm and soul with a twist of old-school rock. • FREE C2 AND THE BROTHERS REED • Preservation Pub • 10PM
THE CHILLBILLIES • Wild Wing Cafe • 10PM • FREE KIRKO BANGZ WITH DJ PRYMETIME, TROP BLANCO, SKEWB, HARDAWAY, AND PRINCE TRELL • The Concourse • 10PM •
18 and up. Visit internationalknox.com. • $15-$20 NERO WITH DOWNLINK AND DIESELBOY • The International • 10PM • A DJ set from the members of British EDM trio Nero. 18 and up. Visit internationalknox.com. • $20-$25
Saturday, June 1 MUSTANG SALLY WITH K-TOWN • The Shed at Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson (Maryville) • 7:30PM • $15 PICKZEN WITH LIZANNE KNOTT • WDVX • 12PM • Part of WDVX’s Blue Plate Special, a six-days-a-week live-broadcast lunchtime concert series featuring local, regional, and national Americana, folk, pop, rock, and everything else. • FREE SOUTHERN ACCENTS • Open Chord Music • 8PM • A tribute to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. All ages. Visit openchordmusic.com. • $10 THE ALLEN THOMPSON BAND • Preservation Pub • 8PM CYPHER: A HIP-HOP SHOW • The Birdhouse • 9PM • Open mic for the first half of the night, then two featured artists to close out the night. 18 and up. SOULFINGER • Brackins Blues Club (Maryville) • 9PM KELSI WALKER • Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria (Maryville) • 9PM MARBIN WITH THE AQUADUCKS • Preservation Pub • 9PM
June 22 – July 9
HARD WIRED • Wild Wing Cafe • 10PM • FREE
Sunday, July 2 SUNDAY JAZZ BRUNCH • Downtown Grill and Brewery •
11AM • Knoxville’s coolest jazz artists perform every Sunday. • FREE DOLL SKIN WITH FROM DAY ONE • Open Chord Music • 7PM • Doll Skin is an all female rock band from Phoenix, Arizona. Their sound is a blend of punk, metal, alternative, pop, and rock. Doll Skin has been compared to bands ranging from The Donnas to The Go-Go’s and to The Runaways. All ages. Visit openchordmusic.com. • $10 JONAH TOLCHIN AND HELEN ROSE • Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria • 8PM • FREE TONSTARTSSBANDHT WITH A CERTAIN ZONE AND MOCCASIN COWBOY • Pilot Light • 9PM • On Sorcerer,
the brothers chart a heavenly course above the storm and stress, one explored over years of touring and through a poetic language forged between performers and siblings. 18 and up. • $7 THE DELTA TROUBADOURS • Preservation Pub • 9PM
Monday, July 3 MIGHTY MUSICAL MONDAY • Tennessee Theatre • 12PM •
Wurlitzer meister Bill Snyder is joined by a special guest on the first Monday of each month for a music showcase inside Knoxville’s historic Tennessee Theatre. • FREE MAMA LOUISE WITH ADEEM THE ARTIST • WDVX • 12PM • Part of WDVX’s Blue Plate Special, a six-days-a-week live-broadcast lunchtime concert series featuring local, regional, and national Americana, folk, pop, rock, and everything else. • FREE ALEX CULBRETH • Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria • 10PM • FREE LITTLE LESLIE AND THE BLOODSHOTS • Preservation Pub • 10PM
Tuesday, July 4 THE RETROVALES • WDVX • 12PM • Part of WDVX’s Blue
Plate Special, a six-days-a-week live-broadcast lunchtime concert series featuring local, regional, and national Americana, folk, pop, rock, and everything else. • FREE OAK RIDGE COMMUNITY BAND INDEPENDENCE DAY CONCERT • Alvin K. Bissell Park • 7:30PM • This is a free
event and will be followed by the City of Oak Ridge annual fireworks show. Bring chairs or blankets and come early for good seating. The program will include a variety of great music and feature vocal soloists Lettie Andrade De La Torre and Deidre Ford plus a choral quartet. For more information visit www.orcb. org or call 865-482-3568. • FREE MARBLE CITY 5 • Market Square • 8PM • Vance Thompson’s small combo, featuring members of the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra, performs on Market Square May 9-Aug. 29. Visit knoxjazz.org. • FREE EARPHORIK • Preservation Pub • 10:30PM
Big Freedia The Concourse (940 Blackstock Ave.) • Friday, June 23 • 10 p.m. • 18 and up • $15-$20 • internationalknox.com or bigfreedia.com There are many ways to attract public attention—a reality TV show, festival appearances, performances with everybody from Matt and Kim and the Postal Service to jam-funk big band Galactic. But nothing beats the endorsement of Beyoncé, which New Orleans bounce queen Big Freedia got in 2016 when her shouted vocal part—“I did not come to play with you hoes, I came to slay, bitch! I like cornbread and collared greens, bitch! Oh yes, you best to believe it!”—was included in the single “Formation.” Like the Nigerian fiction writer and essayist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, whose TEDx talk “We Should All Be Feminists” was sampled on Beyoncé’s “Flawless” in 2013, Freedia shot from cult status to minor stardom in a heartbeat. It had been a long trip to overnight success. Freedia has been working clubs in her hometown since the late ’90s, cranking out as many as 10 shows a week for more than a decade and enduring years on the demanding Southern club circuit, as well as Hurricane Katrina. Her 2014 album, Just Be Free, combines disco, EDM, bass music, and hip-hop with classic N.O. bounce— hyperactive, sonically and sexually aggressive call-and-response club music specifically engineered for hardcore rump-shaking. (Matthew Everett)
June 22, 2017 knoxville mercury 29
June 22 – July 9
Wednesday, July 5
Friday, July 7
Sunday, July 9
Friday, June 23
THE SINGER AND THE SONGWRITER • WDVX • 12PM • Part
FOLK SOUL REVIVAL WITH CHELSEA LOVITT AND THE BOYS •
SUNDAY JAZZ BRUNCH • Downtown Grill and Brewery •
OLD-TIME STRING BAND JAM • John T. O’Connor Senior
of WDVX’s Blue Plate Special, a six-days-a-week live-broadcast lunchtime concert series featuring local, regional, and national Americana, folk, pop, rock, and everything else. • FREE FROG AND TOAD’S DIXIE QUARTET • The Crown and Goose • 6:30PM • FREE
WDVX • 12PM • FREE LADY D • Wild Wing Cafe • 6PM • FREE FROG AND TOAD’S DIXIE QUARTET • The Crown and Goose • 8PM • FREE MICHAEL LOGEN WITH ELIOT BRONSON • Open Chord Music • 8PM • All ages. Visit openchordmusic.com. • $10-$12 LAVISH BOARS • Pilot Light • 9PM • 18 and up. • $5 FOLK SOUL REVIVAL • Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria • 10PM • FREE THE DEAD RINGERS • Preservation Pub • 10PM BEFORE THE STORM • Wild Wing Cafe • 10PM • FREE
11AM • Knoxville’s coolest jazz artists perform every Sunday. • FREE ERA 9 WITH DEAD HORSE TRAUMA AND CROWNS • Open Chord Music • 7PM • All ages. Visit openchordmusic. com. • $10 STEVE EARLE AND THE DUKES WITH THE MASTERSONS • Bijou Theatre • 8PM • If you ever had any doubt about where Steve Earle’s musical roots are planted, his new collection, So You Wannabe an Outlaw, makes it perfectly plain. In the 1970s, artists such as Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Paycheck, Billy Joe Shaver and Tompall Glaser gave country music a rock edge, some raw grit and a rebel attitude. People called what these artists created “outlaw music.” So You Wannabe an Outlaw, is an homage to outlaw music. • $35-$50 STUMP TALL DOLLY • Preservation Pub • 10PM
Center • 1:30PM • An opportunity for local acoustic artists, 50 years or older, to gather and jam. DFor more information call 865-523-1135. • FREE
TENNESSEE SHINES: DEVAN JONES AND THE UPTOWN STOMP • Boyd’s Jig and Reel • 7PM • A live weekly radio
show broadcast from the Old City with host Paige Travis, celebrating East Tennessee’s musical and broadcasting heritage by featuring top-notch musicians from near and far, interviews, spoken-word artists, and other surprises. • $10
Thursday, July 6
Saturday, July 8 KNOX COUNTY SECOND SATURDAY CONCERT SERIES • 6PM •
REBECCA LOEBE WITH DEAR BROTHER • WDVX • 12PM •
FREE
FREE
RECKLESS KELLY • The Shed at Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson (Maryville) • 7:30PM • $20 QUARTJAR WITH BLACK VELVET DOGS • Pilot Light • 8PM • 18 and up. • $5 3DC: A CELEBRATION OF THREE DOG NIGHT • Open Chord Music • 8PM • 3DC - All ages. Visit openchordmusic. com. • $10 MCGILL AND THE REFILLS • Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria • 10PM • FREE GIRL CRUSH • Wild Wing Cafe • 10PM • FREE
DOR L’DOR • Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria • 6PM • FREE THE YOUNG FABLES • The Shed at Smoky Mountain
Harley-Davidson (Maryville) • 7PM • FREE SONS OF TEXAS WITH ANNANDALE, BELFAST 6 PACK, AND INWARD OF EDEN • The Concourse • 8PM • 18 and up.
Visit internationalknox.com. • $5 THE TOO’S • Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria • 10PM • FREE WATER SEED • Preservation Pub • 10PM
Tuesday, June 27 PRESERVATION PUB SINGER-SONGWRITER NIGHT • Preservation Pub • 7PM • 21 and up. Visit scruffycity. com. OLD-TIME JAM SESSION • Boyd’s Jig and Reel • 7:15PM • Visit jigandreel.com. • FREE
Wednesday, June 28 BRACKINS BLUES JAM • Brackins Blues Club (Maryville) •
9PM • A weekly open session hosted by Tommie John. Visit Facebook.com/BrackinsBlues. • FREE
Friday, June 30
OPEN MIC & SONGWRITER NIGHTS
OLD-TIME STRING BAND JAM • John T. O’Connor Senior
Thursday, June 22
Tuesday, July 4
SCOTTISH MUSIC SESSION • Boyd’s Jig and Reel • 7:15PM
PRESERVATION PUB SINGER-SONGWRITER NIGHT • Preservation Pub • 7PM • 21 and up. Visit scruffycity. com.
• Visit jigandreel.com. • FREE
Center • 1:30PM • An opportunity for local acoustic artists, 50 years or older, to gather and jam. For more information call 865-523-1135. • FREE
Visit our website for an updated design, web-only stories, and more! A big thank you to Robin Easter Design for making our much-needed design updates possible!
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knoxmercury.com
June 22 – July 9
OLD-TIME JAM SESSION • Boyd’s Jig and Reel • 7:15PM •
Visit jigandreel.com. • FREE
Sunday, July 2
BRACKINS BLUES JAM • Brackins Blues Club (Maryville) •
THE INTERNATIONAL LAYOVER BRUNCH • The Concourse • 12PM • Enjoy good eats, refreshing libations, and the most appropriate afternoon tunage in the company of this city’s most dedicated loafers. All ages. • FREE
9PM • A weekly open session hosted by Tommie John. Visit Facebook.com/BrackinsBlues. • FREE
Thursday, July 6
Wednesday, July 5
Thursday, July 6 IRISH MUSIC SESSION • Boyd’s Jig and Reel • 7:15PM •
Held on the first and third Thursdays of each month. Visit jigandreel.com. • FREE BREWHOUSE BLUES JAM • Open Chord Music • 8PM
Friday, July 7 OLD-TIME STRING BAND JAM • John T. O’Connor Senior
Center • 1:30PM • An opportunity for local acoustic artists, 50 years or older, to gather and jam. For more information call 865-523-1135. • FREE
Sunday, July 9 EPWORTH MONTHLY OLD HARP SHAPE NOTE SINGING •
WAX ATTACK • Hexagon Brewing Co. • 6PM • DJ Paul
spins old-school dance music—all vinyl, no computers, no CDs, a total digital detox. • FREE
Friday, July 7 COLLABS • The Concourse • 9PM • With Dialectic Sines, Alex Falk, Saint Thomas LeDoux, Nikki Nair, Abra, and J Mo. 18 and up. Visit internationalknox.com. • $5
Sunday, July 9 THE INTERNATIONAL LAYOVER BRUNCH • The Concourse • 12PM • Enjoy good eats, refreshing libations, and the most appropriate afternoon tunage in the company of this city’s most dedicated loafers. All ages. • FREE
Laurel Theater • 6:30PM • Visit jubileearts.org. • FREE
CLASSICAL MUSIC
DJ & DANCE NIGHTS
Tuesday, July 4
Thursday, June 22 WAX ATTACK • Hexagon Brewing Co. • 6PM • DJ Paul
spins old-school dance music—all vinyl, no computers, no CDs, a total digital detox. • FREE
Friday, June 23 GLOWRAGE DIMENSION OF COLOR ULTIMATE PAINT PARTY TOUR • The International • 9PM • The Dimension of
Color tour will transform venues from their normal appearance to a new galactic theme for the night. Join us as we take you on a journey through time and space and land you at the Dimension of Color to get painted like never before. Resident DJ/MC Lvnchbox will transport you to an exciting, heart pounding new experience. • $20-$50
Saturday, June 24 NO SWEAT • Fort Sanders Yacht Club • 5PM • TEKNOX
presents outdoor jams—house, disco, and more—in Fort Sanders with Saint Thomas LeDoux, Gregory Tarrants, Nikki Nair, and Alex Falk. 21 and up. • $5
Thursday, June 29
KSO INDEPENDENCE DAY CONCERT • World’s Fair Park • 8PM • Music Director Aram Demirjian will conduct the Orchestra in this annual concert as part of the City of Knoxville’s Festival on the Fourth. This free, family-friendly concert includes patriotic tributes and a spectacular fireworks finale. The Orchestra will be joined by local acoustic group Blond Bones and Knoxville Poet Laureate R.B. Morris, who will perform an original narration. • FREE
COMEDY & SPOKEN WORD Monday, June 26 FRIENDLYTOWN • Pilot Light • 7:30PM • A weekly comedy night named after the former red-light district near the Old City. Visit facebook.com/friendlytownknoxville. 18 and up. • FREE
Tuesday, June 27 EINSTEIN SIMPLIFIED • Scruffy City Hall • 8PM • Visit
einsteinsimplified.com. • FREE
WAX ATTACK • Hexagon Brewing Co. • 6PM • DJ Paul
Monday, July 3
spins old-school dance music—all vinyl, no computers, no CDs, a total digital detox. • FREE
FRIENDLYTOWN • Pilot Light • 7:30PM • A weekly comedy night named after the former red-light district near the Old City. Visit facebook.com/friendlytownknoxville. 18 and up. • FREE BILLY WAYNE DAVIS • Central Collective • 9PM • Originally from Crossville, Billy Wayne Davis is a stand-up comedian and writer who has performed in 41 states, four countries and Texas. • $10
Saturday, July 1 REWIND RETRO DANCE NIGHT • The Concourse • 9PM •
Dance to hits from the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s. 18 and up. • $5 TESTIFY! VINTAGE SOUL AND FUNK DANCE PARTY • Scruffy City Hall • 10PM • The best soul and funk music from the 1960s and ’70s.
www.TennesseeTheatre.com
Tuesday, July 4 June 22, 2017 knoxville mercury 31
June 22 – July 9
EINSTEIN SIMPLIFIED • Scruffy City Hall • 8PM • Visit
einsteinsimplified.com. • FREE
Wednesday, July 5 RYAN SINGER • Pilot Light • 8PM • Ryan Singer is the
rarest of breeds: A comic’s comic who electrifies mainstream audiences with material that is both uncompromising and unpretentious. 18 and up. • $5
“Money, Money, Money” and “Take a Chance on Me,” Mamma Mia! is a celebration of mothers and daughters, old friends and new family found. • July 7-8 • $38-$78
Knoxville Children’s Theatre knoxvillechildrenstheatre.com
laughs and also the age-old tale of Boy Meets Girl. At the University of Tennessee Carousel Theatre. • June 15-25 • $20
FESTIVALS
Saturday, June 24
Thursday, June 22
KUUMBA FESTIVAL • 12PM • The Kuumba Festival is
SLEEPING BEAUTY • KCT reboots the classic story amidst
KUUMBA FESTIVAL • 6PM • The Kuumba Festival is
THEATER & DANCE
the color and pageantry of France. The happy life of Briar-Rose is interrupted by a curse from one of the Seven Wise Sisters of Fountainbleau, sending the girl into a deep sleep. Can an ancient wizard and a young soldier come to her rescue with some magic of their own? • June 9-25 • $12
All Campus Theatre modernstudio.org
Powell Playhouse powellplayhouseinc.com
presented by African American Appalachian Arts, Inc. , an arts organization that focuses on positive social and community development by utilizing creative methods of education through cultural artistic programming and development. The four-day event takes place at Haley Heritage Square (Thursday, June 22), Market Square (Friday, June 23), and Morningside Park (Saturday, June 24, and Sunday, June 25).
WAITING FOR GODOT • Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for
A LITTLE MURDER NEVER HURT ANYBODY • Julia and Matthew seem to have it all, but Matthew wants something more—to be rid of his wife so he can have some real fun. He resolves to murder Julia and tells her so. Then the games begin—a hilarious match of wits and the witless. At the Jubilee Center off of Callahan Drive. • June 22-24. • $10-$25
Friday, July 7 THE OOH OOH REVUE • Modern Studio • 9PM • Visit
oohoohrevue.com. 18 and up. • $10
Godot tells the story of two men, Estragon and Vladimir, as they wait by a barren tree for the arrival of someone named Godot. While waiting, they quarrel, dance, contemplate suicide, eat, sleep, and discuss philosophy, religion, life, and death. June 15-July 9 • $15
Broadway at the Tennessee tennesseetheatre.com MAMMA MIA! • Inspired by the storytelling magic of
Tennessee Valley Players tennesseevalleyplayers.org
ABBA’s songs from “Dancing Queen” and “S.O.S.” to
ANYTHING GOES • Cole Porter’s musical full of dance,
Knoxville’s biggest smorgasbord of comics/sci-fi/etc. includes tons of vendors plus celebrity guests like Gene Simmons, WWF star Sting, Ralph Macchio, and Loni Anderson. • $22-$475 • See preview on page 22.
Friday, June 23 KUUMBA FESTIVAL • 12PM • The Kuumba Festival is presented by African American Appalachian Arts, Inc. , an arts organization that focuses on positive social and community development by utilizing creative methods of education through cultural artistic programming and development. . The four-day event takes place at Haley Heritage Square (Thursday, June 22), Market Square (Friday, June 23), and Morningside Park (Saturday, June 24, and Sunday, June 25). FANBOY EXPO • Knoxville Convention Center • 12PM •
presented by African American Appalachian Arts, Inc. , an arts organization that focuses on positive social and community development by utilizing creative methods of education through cultural artistic programming and development. The four-day event takes place at Haley Heritage Square (Thursday, June 22), Market Square (Friday, June 23), and Morningside Park (Saturday, June 24, and Sunday, June 25). FANBOY EXPO • Knoxville Convention Center • 10AM • Knoxville’s biggest smorgasbord of comics/sci-fi/etc. includes tons of vendors plus celebrity guests like Gene Simmons, WWF star Sting, Ralph Macchio, and Loni Anderson. • $22-$475 • See preview on page 22.
Sunday, June 25 KUUMBA FESTIVAL • 12PM • The Kuumba Festival is
presented by African American Appalachian Arts, Inc. , an arts organization that focuses on positive social and community development by utilizing creative methods of education through cultural artistic programming and development. The four-day event
T H A N K YO U K N OX V I L L E ! COME CELEBR AT E OUR 1 Y E A R B O W L- I V E R S A R Y ON JUNE 27TH 1 FREE HOUR OF BOWLING FROM 4PM - 1:30AM
R IBBON CU T T ING AT 4P M THE PARLOR AT MAPLE HALL MAPLEHALLKNOX
32 knoxville mercury June 22, 2017
.
COM
June 22 – July 9
takes place at Haley Heritage Square (Thursday, June 22), Market Square (Friday, June 23), and Morningside Park (Saturday, June 24, and Sunday, June 25). FANBOY EXPO • Knoxville Convention Center • 11AM • Knoxville’s biggest smorgasbord of comics/sci-fi/etc. includes tons of vendors plus celebrity guests like Gene Simmons, WWF star Sting, Ralph Macchio, and Loni Anderson. • $22-$475 • See preview on page 22. BIJOU JUBILEE 2017 FEATURING PUNCH BROTHERS • Bijou Theatre • 7:30PM • This year we welcome Punch Brothers back to the U.S. Cellular Stage as the featured artist for our 9th annual Bijou Jubilee. Our Jubilee is an annual celebration of the spectacular, historic Bijou Theatre and serves as the primary fundraiser to support ongoing preservation and operations of this legendary venue.• $49.50-$200
Tuesday, July 4 FESTIVAL ON THE 4TH • World’s Fair Park • 4PM • The
Festival on the 4th delivers a wide variety of family fun including entertainment, activities and treats at the City of Knoxville’s 4th of July celebration at the World’s Fair Park. The free festival begins at 4 p.m. and ends at approximately 10 p.m. at the conclusion of the fireworks display. • FREE MABRY-HAZEN HOUSE FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION • Mabry-Hazen House • 6PM • Mabry-Hazen House will host its second annual Fourth of July Celebration with a great view of the July 4 fireworks show, good food, and live music by Eli Fox. Tours of the historic home will begin at 6pm, and dinner will be served at 7:30. Alcohol is BYOB. Visit mabryhazen.com. • $60
Monday, June 26 BIRDHOUSE WALK-IN THEATER • The Birdhouse • 8:15PM •
The Birdhouse Walk-In Theater hosts free movies every Monday night. Each month carries a different theme and provides free popcorn. Contact us about screening ideas: birdhousewalkin[at]gmail.com. • FREE
Tuesday, June 27 NOKNO CINEMATHEQUE: ONCE • Central Collective • 8PM
• A modern-day musical about a busker and an immigrant and their eventful week in Dublin, as they write, rehearse and record songs that tell their love story. With Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová.
Sunday, July 2 CENTRAL CINEMA FUNDRAISER • Scruffy City Hall •
5PM-10PM • As part of Knoxville Horror Film Fest’s regular monthly event at Scruffy City Hall, we’re going to be holding a fundraiser for Central Cinema, a planned one-screen indie theater in Happy Holler. Visit gofundme.com/centralcinemaknox.
Monday, July 3 BIRDHOUSE WALK-IN THEATER • The Birdhouse • 8:15PM •
The Birdhouse Walk-In Theater hosts free movies every Monday night. Each month carries a different theme and provides free popcorn. Contact us about screening ideas: birdhousewalkin[at]gmail.com. • FREE
Friday, July 7 BIKE-IN MOVIE SERIES: HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS • The Mill and Mine • 7PM • $9
FILM SCREENINGS
SPORTS & RECREATION
Friday, June 23
Thursday, June 22
SUMMER MOVIE MAGIC SERIES: ‘E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL’ • Tennessee Theatre • 8PM • Part of the
REI BACKPACKING IN THE SMOKIES CLASS • REI • 6PM •
Tennessee Theatre’s summer movie series, which runs through Aug. 27. Visit tennesseetheatre.com. • $9
Sunday, June 25
REI will take the mystery out of Smokies Backpacking with an overview of planning, preparation and gear. Along with local information, learn how to choose a pack, select proper clothing and footwear. • FREE
WORLD REFUGEE DAY FILM FESTIVAL • Knoxville Museum
Saturday, June 24
of Art • 1:30PM • Featuring Refugee (2016), which follows five internationally acclaimed photographers as they document the lives of displaced people on five continents; Sriracha (2013), the origin story of this Thai flavor, with refugee entrepreneur David Tran, the man responsible for popularizing Sriracha in the U.S.; From Damascus to Chicago (2017), in which two young Syrian siblings recently resettled in Chicago enroll in a dance class; and Dalya’s Other Country (2017), the story of a family displaced by the Syrian conflict who are remaking themselves after the parents separate. • FREE
2017 VOLKSWAGEN U.S. PROFESSIONAL ROAD AND TIME TRIAL CYCLING NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS • Downtown
SUMMER MOVIE MAGIC SERIES: ‘E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL’ • Tennessee Theatre • 2PM • Part of the
Tennessee Theatre’s summer movie series, which runs through Aug. 27. Visit tennesseetheatre.com. • $9
Knoxville • 10:15 AM • On Saturday, professional men and women will compete in the individual time trials on a closed-loop course that will include parts of Neyland Drive, Central Avenue through downtown and the Old City, Jackson Avenue, McCalla Avenue, Harriet Tubman Street and East Hill Avenue. The start/finish line will be located on Jackson Avenue, two blocks east of Central Avenue. On Sunday, the same start/ finish area will be used in the Old City for the road race competitions, beginning at 9 a.m. for the women. This 7.9-mile circuit will be covered eight times by the women and 14 times by the men. See cover story and insert. AMERICAN RED CROSS PEDAL FOR THE RED FUN RIDE • 7:30AM • Amateur riders can take part in the 2017 USA
Live Music | Dancing | Spirits | Food & Fun! 865-525-6101 • KNOXART.ORG ALIVE AFTER FIVE - KNOXVILLE MUSEUM OF @RT
SELECTED FRIDAYS @ 6:00 - 8:30pm 2017 SUMMER SERIES
June 23rd featuring The BlairXperience
June 30th featuring Devan Jones & The Uptown Stomp
July 14th featuring
Tamara Brown: “Tribute to Amy Winehouse”
July 21st featuring
Boy’s Night Out
July 28th featuring
Mighty Blue
August 4th featuring
Evelyn Jack with Keith Brown & Groove Therapy
August 11th featuring
The Streamliners Swing Orchestra
June 22, 2017 knoxville mercury 33
June 22 – July 9
Cycling Pro National Championship weekend in Knoxville on the national championship time trial course. The 4.8 mile route starts on East Jackson Avenue in the Old City, winds through downtown streets and along Neyland Drive. Visit Pedalforthered. org. • FREE TENNESSEE ASSOCIATION OF VINTAGE BASE BALL • Historic Ramsey House • 12PM • FREE
Sunday, June 25 2017 VOLKSWAGEN U.S. PROFESSIONAL ROAD AND TIME TRIAL CYCLING NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS • Downtown
Knoxville • 9AM • See cover story on page TK and insert.
Wednesday, June 28 CLIMBING FUNDAMENTALS • River Sports Outfitters •
6PM • Come learn the basics of climbing every second and fourth Wednesday of the month. Space is limited so call 865-673-4687 to reserve your spot now. Class fee $20. Visit riversportsoutfitters.com. • $20
Friday, June 30 VALOR FIGHTS • The Shed at Smoky Mountain
Harley-Davidson (Maryville) • 8PM • MMA and Kickboxing action is finally coming to The Shed. Don’t miss these all amateur fights taking place inside the cage here at The Shed. Featuring the following bouts:
Clemons vs. Bautista (Flyweight Bout), Crawford vs. Mays, Martinez vs. Peel, Alexander vs. Bowden, Pell vs. Spears, Long vs. Johnson, and Neal vs. Strong. • $30
Saturday, July 1 RUNNER’S MARKET SATURDAY GROUP RUN • Runner’s Market • 9AM • Every first Saturday of the month at 9 a.m., join us for a relaxed-pace run of 3 to 5.5 miles or beyond along the Third Creek and Sequoyah Hills Greenways. Afterwards, enjoy coffee and refreshments provided by the gang at Runner’s Market. Visit runnersmarket.com. • FREE CATALYST ADAPTIVE CLIMB • River Sports Outfitters • 10AM • Join us the first Saturday of every month as we climb with Catalyst Sports. This event is for anyone with physical disabilities. All ages are welcome to come and climb our rock wall. • $10 SECRET CITY SPRINT TRIATHLON • Oak Ridge • 7:30AM • Swim 500 meters, bike 15 miles, and finish up with a 5K run. • $70 TOUR DE ROCKY TOP • Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria • 7:30AM • Back for its 11th edition, TdRT offers 31, 50, and 62 mile fully supported rides, along with a new challenging 85 mile route that features everyone’s favorite climb, Butterfly Gap. • $50-$60
Monday, July 3 KTC FIREBALL MOONLITE CLASSIC 5K • University of
Tennessee • 9PM • Knoxville Track Club’s annual July 4 weekend 5K race—a fast and furious moonlit out-and-back dash on Neyland Drive. Visit ktc.org. • $25-$30
Althea Murphy-Price, and Koichi Yamamoto. A reception will be held on Sept. 1 from 5-8 p.m.
Tuesday, July 4
THROUGH JULY: Rob Heller: Living On: Tennesseans Remembering the Holocaust. A reception will be held on Friday, July 7, from 5-9 p.m.
FARRAGUT FREEDOM RUN • Farragut Town Hall • 8AM •
Race in front of the Farragut Independence Day Parade this 4th of July at the annual Freedom Run one mile and two mile. Runners and walkers of all ages are welcome to enjoy a relatively flat/fast one- and twomile course. This year, the one-mile course is the official RRCA State Championship Race for the mile distance. • $20-$25
Downtown Gallery downtown.utk.edu
Emporium Center knoxalliance.com
Art Market Gallery artmarketgallery.net
JUNE 2-30: Knoxville Modern Quilt Guild: Traditional Craft - Modern Perspective; 17th Street Studios: Amalgam Vol. 4; Anne Freels: Planted; Susanne Tanner: Australian Walkabout. JULY 7-28: Knoxville Photo 2017; The Eight Artists of the Vacuum Shop Studios; Christine Parkhurst: Diverse Clay: Pots and Poems; Silas Reynolds: In the Moment; and artwork by Tracey Crocker. An opening reception will be held on Friday, July 7, from 5-9 p.m.
JULY 4-29: Recent work by Marjorie Horne and a group show by 11 Art Market Gallery clay artists. An opening reception will be held on Friday, July 6, at 5:30 p.m.
Fountain City Art Center fountaincityartcenter.com
ART
Clayton Center for the Arts (Maryville) claytonartscenter.com JUNE 1-SEPT. 1: Stone, Mesh, and Metal, by University of Tennessee printmaking faculty members Beauvais Lyons,
JUNE 9-JULY 6: Fountain City Art Guild Annual Spring and Summer Exhibit and Sale
Knoxville Museum of Art knoxart.org MAY 5-JULY 23: Gathering Light: Works by Beauford
You are cordially invited to the
Mother Daughter Tea and Fashion Show
Saturday, the Eighth of July at Two O’ Clock
NED LOCALLY OW ED T A AND OPER ARS YE FOR OVER 7
AWAR D WI N N I NG COM PET IT ION S T Y LE NE IGH BOR HOOD BBQ FRESH NEVER FROZEN | BBQ & MORE CATERING AVAILABLE | VOL CARD ACCEPTED 3621 SUTHERLAND AVE. (ACROSS FROM UT REC SPORTS FIELDS) 865-212-5655 34 knoxville mercury June 22, 2017
Historic Ramsey House 2614 Thorn Grove Pike Knoxville, TN
Period Revolutionary War and Post War Fashions provided by local DAR groups Tickets $20 per person By reservation only 865-546-0745 Visit ramseyhouse.org for more information
June 22 – July 9
Delaney From the KMA Collection; FEB. 3-JULY 16: Virtual Views: Digital Art From the Thoma Foundation.
McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture mcclungmuseum.utk.edu MAY 25-AUG. 27: The Finer Things: Consumer Culture in the Gilded Age
Westminster Presbyterian Church Schilling Gallery THROUGH JUNE 25: Artwork by Daniel Taylor and Mary Saylor
FAMILY & KIDS EVENTS Thursday, June 22 Museum of Natural History and Culture • 9AM • For ages 4–5. Scientific inquiry in activities, stories, make-and-take projects about dinosaurs and our permanent exhibition, Geology and Fossil History of Tennessee. June 20-22. Visit mcclungmuseum.utk.edu. • $40
Saturday, June 24 FAMILIES IN THE CREEK • 8AM • Knox County Stormwater
partners with The Water Quality Forum to provide the public a unique opportunity to learn about and help improve water quality in local creeks. Participants will learn how to determine if a creek is healthy by conducting a range of fascinating aquatic and streamside assessments led by trained water resource professionals. Community members will be invited to register, with a limit of 25 participants ages 9 and up to ensure a quality experience for all. Children must be accompanied by an adult during the event. At Ten Mile Creek Greenway on Gallaher View Road. MCCLUNG MUSEUM FAMILY FUN DAY: MIND YOUR MANNERS • McClung Museum of Natural History and
Culture • 1PM • Join us for free a free Family Fun Day featuring activities, crafts, tours, and more in honor of new exhibition, Fish Forks and Fine Furnishings: Consumer Culture in the Gilded Age. • FREE
Saturday, July 8 WDVX KIDSTUFF LIVE • WDVX • 10AM • Sean McCol-
lough’s weekly kids’ music show hosts a live studio audience on the second Saturday of each month. Visit wdvx.com. • FREE
Sunday, July 9 KMA ART ACTIVITY DAY • Knoxville Museum of Art • 1PM
• Every second Sunday of each month, the KMA will host free drop-in art activities for families. A local artist will be on-site to lead hands-on art activities. • FREE
Monday, June 26-Friday, June 30
Photo by Steven Simko/Force Field PR
MCCLUNG MUSEUM DINO EXPLORERS CAMP • McClung
Spiral Stairs Pilot Light (106 E. Jackson Ave.) • Friday, Jan. 30 • 9 p.m. • $10 • 18 and up • thepilotlight.com or spiralstairsofficial.com Despite its underachieving reputation, Pavement had an embarrassment of weapons at its disposal during its 10-year reign as the definitive American indie rock band. One of them was Stephen Malkmus—the perfect anti-rock star for the era, he was charismatic, prickly, peculiarly handsome, and a remarkable songwriter. Another was the rhythm section of Mark Ibold and Steven West, who anchored Malkmus’ idiosyncratic melodies and shaped them into legitimate lo-fi power-pop tunes. And, of course, there was guitarist Spiral Stairs, aka Scott Kannberg, Malkmus’ childhood friend, whose bracing tone and off-kilter riffs were perhaps the band’s most immediately recognizable characteristic, particularly on Slanted and Enchanted, Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain, and Wowee Zowee. Malkmus/Kannberg was a magic partnership, like Joe Perry and Steven Tyler or Alex Chilton and Chris Bell, as their respective post-Pavement careers indicate. Malkmus has released six accomplished but underwhelming albums with the Jicks; Kannberg, after an early ’00s stint leading the Preston School of Industry, has reclaimed his Spiral Stairs alias for The Real Feel (2009) and Doris and the Daggers, released in March by Pavement’s longtime label Matador. Doris feels like half a Pavement album—unassuming but excellent guitar work in the service of charming, low-key pop songs that nevertheless feel workmanlike rather than inspired. Still, it shouldn’t take “Summer Babe” or “Gold Soundz” to convince you to part with $10 for an intimate evening with one of the key architects of ’90s rock. (Matthew Everett)
MCCLUNG MUSEUM ARCHAEOKIDS SUMMER CAMP • June 22, 2017 knoxville mercury 35
June 22 – July 9
McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture • 9AM • For ages 9-11. Featuring authentic artifacts and art activities about ancient Egyptians, ancient Native Americans, Romans, and other ancient peoples. June 26-30. Visit mcclungmuseum.utk.edu. • $110
LECTURES, READINGS, & BOOK SIGNINGS Saturday, June 24 “FACING CANCER TOGETHER: LEARN. LOVE. LAUGH.” •
Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church • 10AM • A free community-wide event that features three speakers – oncology nurse and medical educator Jill Weberding, ; psychotherapist, author and cancer survivor Jeanne Safer; and comedian, juggler and cancer survivor Scott Burton. Register by June 20. Call 865-546-4661. • FREE
Sunday, June 25 FEMINISM INTO FILM BOOK SERIES • Lawson McGhee
Public Library • 1:30PM • Join us to discuss Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, the first in our Feminism Into Film four-part reading series. • FREE
Monday, June 26 SAM VENABLE: “MOUNTAIN HANDS” • Blount County
Public Library • 7PM • Throughout his journalism career, Sam Venable interviewed literally thousands of individuals from all walks of life. Seeking to pay tribute to some of those mountain folks, Venable decided to focus on their hands. Venable will share stories from the book that resulted from his desire to honor the people he interviewed. • FREE
own. • FREE
CLASSES & WORKSHOPS Thursday, June 22 URBAN LEAGUE MS EXCEL 2013 CLASS • Knoxville Area
Tuesday, June 27
Urban League • 8:30AM • Learn new or upgrade existing MS Excel skills. Taught by Pellissippi State instructors. Space is limited, registration required. For information call 865-524-5511. • FREE GENTLE YOGA AND MEDITATION • Balanced You Studios • 12PM • Call 865-577-2021 or email yogaway249@ gmail.com. Donations accepted.
AMBER WEST: ‘HEN AND GOD’ • Union Ave Books • 6PM • Book signing with Amber West reading from her new collection of poems, Hen and God. • FREE
Wednesday, June 28 BOOKS SANDWICHED IN • East Tennessee History Center • 12PM • Visit knoxlib.org. • FREE
Thursday, June 29 MARY ALICE MONROE: ‘BEACH HOUSE FOR RENT’ • Union
Ave Books • 6PM • In Beach House for Rent the bonds and strengths of two women emerge out of struggle and metaphorically align with the important environmental theme of fighting the decline of migratory shore birds. This beautiful novel demonstrates the power of story to enlighten us about the fragility and wonder of nature and its importance. Beach House for Rent, the final book in The Beach House Series, is also a work that can be savored on its
and Kat Fenstermaker to learn about the lives of several of our local butterflies and native bees: what they look like, what host plants they need, where they live and nest, how they survive winter... and much more. For more information phone 865-329-8892. • FREE KNOXVILLE PERSONAL TRAINING PILATES • Beaver Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church • 6:30PM • Every Tuesday and Thursday. First class is free. Call (865) 622-3103 or visit knoxvillepersonaltraining.com. • $4 BEGINNER BELLY DANCE • Mirage • 6:30PM • Call (865) 898-2126 or email alexia@alexia-dance.com. • $12
Friday, June 23 AARP DRIVER SAFETY CLASS • Farragut Town Hall •
KNOXVILLE BOTANICAL GARDEN FLOWER-ARRANGING CLASS • Knoxville Botanical Garden • 12PM • Interested
8:30AM
in learning how to make floral arrangements to beautify your home and share with your friends and family? Participants will learn through a demonstration and a hands-on activity. • $20 LIFE DRAWING AND PORTRAIT PRACTICE SESSIONS • Historic Candoro Marble Company • 12:30PM • Portrait and life drawing practice at Candoro Art and Heritage Center. Call Brad Selph for more information at 865-573-0709. • $10 KNOX COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS • Humana Guidance Center • 2:45 PM • Join Master Gardeners Amy Haun
Center • 9AM • For more information call 865-497-3603 or emailcommunity@narrowridge.org. • FREE
NARROW RIDGE YOGA • Narrow Ridge Earth Literacy
Saturday, June 24 KNOX COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS • Bearden Branch Public Library • 1:30PM • Join Master Gardeners Amy Haun and Kat Fenstermaker to learn about the lives of several of our local butterflies and native bees: what they look like, what host plants they need, where they live and nest, how they survive winter... and much more. • FREE
Bach or Basie? Your music, your choice. Your classical and jazz station.
FIX THIS BASTARD 36 knoxville mercury June 22, 2017 WUOT_Ad_4.625x5.25_ClassicalJazz_KnoxMerc.indd 2
9/17/16 5:00 PM
June 22 – July 9
FAMILIES IN THE CREEK • 8AM • Knox County Stormwater
partners with The Water Quality Forum to provide the public a unique opportunity to learn about and help improve water quality in local creeks. Participants will learn how to determine if a creek is healthy by conducting a range of fascinating aquatic and streamside assessments led by trained water resource professionals. Community members will be invited to register, with a limit of 25 participants ages 9 and up to ensure a quality experience for all. Children must be accompanied by an adult during the event. At Ten Mile Creek Greenway on Gallaher View Road.
Sunday, June 25 CAKE DECORATING CLASS WITH VG’S BAKERY • Central
Collective • 2PM • In this three hour class, VG’s Bakery cake decorators will teach you all the essentials, from achieving smooth buttercream frosted cakes to filling and handling decorating tools. • $65
Monday, June 26 GENTLE YOGA AND MEDITATION • Balanced You Studios •
6PM • Call 865-577-2021 or email yogaway249@gmail. com. Donations accepted. KNOXVILLE PERSONAL TRAINING BOOT CAMP • Beaver Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church • 6:30PM • First class is free. Call (865) 622-3103 or visit knoxvillepersonaltraining.com. • $15 MONDAY NIGHT YOGA • Church Street United Methodist Church • 7PM • Contact Micarooni@aol.com with questions. • $5
Tuesday, June 27
modern dance classes in Knoxville every Wednesday evening, with some exceptions during the summer months. • $10 TENNESSEE VALLEY BIKES YOGA • Tennessee Valley Bikes • 6:15 AM • Join us Wednesday mornings for an hour and 15 minutes of yoga. Cost for each class is $12 but if you ride your bike in the cost is reduced to $10. There is no subscription or membership required. • $10-$15
Thursday, June 29 GENTLE YOGA AND MEDITATION • Balanced You Studios •
12PM • Call 865-577-2021 or email yogaway249@ gmail.com. Donations accepted. AARP DRIVER SAFETY CLASS • Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church • 12PM • Call 865-382-5822. LIFE DRAWING AND PORTRAIT PRACTICE SESSIONS • Historic Candoro Marble Company • 12:30PM • Portrait and life drawing practice at Candoro Art and Heritage Center. Call Brad Selph for more information at 865-573-0709. • $10 CANCER SUPPORT COMMUNITY: KNIT YOUR WAY TO WELLNESS • Cancer Support Community • 1PM • Call
865-546-4661. All Cancer Support Community programs are offered at no cost to individuals affected by cancer. KNOXVILLE PERSONAL TRAINING PILATES • Beaver Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church • 6:30PM • Every Tuesday and Thursday. First class is free. Call (865) 622-3103 or visit knoxvillepersonaltraining.com. • $4 BEGINNER BELLY DANCE • Mirage • 6:30PM • Call (865) 898-2126 or email alexia@alexia-dance.com. • $12
NARROW RIDGE YOGA • Narrow Ridge Earth Literacy
Friday, June 30
Center • 9AM • For more information call 865-497-3603 or emailcommunity@narrowridge.org. • FREE KNOX COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS • Karns Senior Center • 11AM • Join Master Gardeners Amy Haun and Kat Fenstermaker to learn about the lives of several of our local butterflies and native bees: what they look like, what host plants they need, where they live and nest, how they survive winter... and much more. • FREE GENTLE YOGA AND MEDITATION • Balanced You Studios • 12PM • Call 865-577-2021 or email yogaway249@ gmail.com. Donations accepted. BELLY DANCE FUNDAMENTALS • Knoxville Arts and Fine Crafts Center • 6:15 PM • With Sandy Larson. • $12.50 KNOXVILLE PERSONAL TRAINING PILATES • Beaver Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church • 6:30PM • Every Tuesday and Thursday. First class is free. Call (865) 622-3103 or visit knoxvillepersonaltraining.com. • $4 ADULT BALLET • Knoxville Arts and Fine Crafts Center • 7PM • With Sandy Larson. No experience necessary. • $14
NARROW RIDGE YOGA • Narrow Ridge Earth Literacy Center • 9AM • For more information call 865-497-3603 or emailcommunity@narrowridge.org. • FREE
Wednesday, June 28 AARP DRIVER SAFETY CLASS • Sequoyah Hills
Presbyterian Church • 12PM • Call 865-382-5822. INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED MODERN DANCE • Tennessee Conservatory of Fine Arts • 7PM • We offer adult
PRESENTED BY
Monday, July 3 GENTLE YOGA AND MEDITATION • Balanced You Studios •
6PM • Call 865-577-2021 or email yogaway249@gmail. com. Donations accepted. MONDAY NIGHT YOGA • Church Street United Methodist Church • 7PM • Contact Micarooni@aol.com with questions. • $5
Tuesday, July 4 NARROW RIDGE YOGA • Narrow Ridge Earth Literacy Center • 9AM • For more information call 865-497-3603 or emailcommunity@narrowridge.org. • FREE GENTLE YOGA AND MEDITATION • Balanced You Studios • 12PM • Call 865-577-2021 or email yogaway249@ gmail.com. Donations accepted. KNOXVILLE CAPOEIRA CLASS • Emporium Center for Arts and Culture • 6PM • Visit capoeiraknoxville.org. • $10 BELLY DANCE FUNDAMENTALS • Knoxville Arts and Fine Crafts Center • 6:15 PM • With Sandy Larson. • $12.50 ADULT BALLET • Knoxville Arts and Fine Crafts Center • 7PM • With Sandy Larson. No experience necessary. • $14
Come to the Peaceful Side of the Smokies in Blount County this summer for these great outdoor events!
beneeting
June 22, 2017 knoxville mercury 37
June 22 – July 9
Wednesday, July 5 INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED MODERN DANCE • Tennessee
READ
ABOUT OUR
MOUNTAIN ROOTS
Conservatory of Fine Arts • 7PM • We offer adult modern dance classes in Knoxville every Wednesday evening, with some exceptions during the summer months. • $10 TENNESSEE VALLEY BIKES YOGA • Tennessee Valley Bikes • 6:15 AM • Join us Wednesday mornings for an hour and 15 minutes of yoga. Cost for each class is $12 but if you ride your bike in the cost is reduced to $10. There is no subscription or membership required. • $10-$15
Thursday, July 6
Mount Rogers National Recreation Area Guidebook, Third Edition
JOHNNY MOLLOY Paper, $24.95
Paper, $29.95
Wednesday, June 28 LESBIAN SOCIAL GROUP OF KNOXVILLE • Kristtopher’s •
Friday, July 7 NARROW RIDGE YOGA • Narrow Ridge Earth Literacy Center • 9AM • For more information call 865-497-3603 or emailcommunity@narrowridge.org. • FREE
U T P R E SS .O R G Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
38 knoxville mercury June 22, 2017
Friday, June 23 KNOXVILLE BOTANICAL GARDEN SUMMER SOLSTICE DINNER • Knoxville Botanical Garden • 7PM • The Fifth
Annual Summer Solstice Dinner features local food, local brews, local music and friends. Enjoy a night under the stars and a delicious meal made from fresh ingredients from our own Center for Urban Agriculture. The proceeds of this dinner will benefit the Center for Urban Agriculture at the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum. Purchase tickets online at knoxgarden. org/classes-events/summersolstice/ or call 865-862-8717. • $75
Sunday, June 25
Wednesday, June 28 LOST CREEK FARM FARM AND FORAGE DINNER • Central
CIRCLE MODERN DANCE BALLET BARRE CLASS • Emporium
ATHEISTS SOCIETY OF KNOXVILLE • West Hills Flats and Taps • 5:30PM • Visit meetup.com/KnoxvilleAtheists. • FREE
Center for Arts and Culture • 1PM • Visit circlemoderndance.com. • $10
Thursday, July 6
Collective • 7PM • Chef Mike Costello and Amy Dawson of Lost Creek Farm come back to the Central Collective for a special dinner featuring summer bounty foraged from the West Virginia woodlands. • $75
CIRCLE MODERN DANCE: MODERN DANCE FOUNDATIONS CLASS • Emporium Center for Arts and Culture • 2PM •
KNOXVILLE WRITERS’ GUILD • Central United Methodist Church • 7PM • Visit KnoxvilleWritersGuild.org.
Saturday, July 1
Saturday, June 24 NARROW RIDGE SILENT MEDITATION GATHERING • Narrow
Ridge Earth Literacy Center • 11AM • For more information call 865-497-3603 or emailcommunity@ narrowridge.org. • FREE
Sunday, June 25 TH E U N I V E R S I T Y O F TENNESSEE PRESS
CENTRAL COLLECTIVE GOOD SPORT NIGHT • Central Collective • 7PM • You purchase a ticket to a mystery event. Show up to The Central Collective at the specified date and time, and be ready for anything. Visit thecentralcollective.com. • $32
Tuesday, July 4
MEETINGS Paper, $29.95
Thursday, June 22
NARROW RIDGE SILENT MEDITATION GATHERING • Narrow Ridge Earth Literacy Center • 11AM • For more information call 865-497-3603 or emailcommunity@ narrowridge.org. • FREE
• 10AM • Preservation Network is a series of free workshops held once every month on the second Saturday. The monthly workshops feature guest speakers who are specialists in windows, flooring, roofing, stained glass, tile, plumbing, electrical, and more. For more information visit knoxheritage.org. • FREE KNOX COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS • Cedar Bluff Branch Library • 10:30AM • Join Master Gardeners Vickie Smith and Barbara O’Neil to learn the various ways to give your plants the water that they need, without running up a giant water bill. • FREE
Visit circlemoderndance.com. • $10
Collected Writings of Joe Wilson EDITED BY FRED BARTENSTEIN
6:30PM • Just a casual gathering of women to socialize and plan activities. Meetings are the second and fourth Wednesday of the month. • FREE KNOXVILLE WRITERS’ GROUP • Naples Italian Restaurant • 11AM • Guest speakers read from and discuss their work. All-inclusive lunch is $12.00. RSVP to 865-983-3740. THE BOOKAHOLICS BOOK GROUP • Union Ave Books • 12PM • Union Ave Books’ monthly book discussion group. Visit unionavebooks.com. • FREE KNOX HERITAGE PRESERVATION AND LIBATIONS • The Crown and Goose • 5:30PM • Join friends of historic preservation for a drink and good conversation. No need to RSVP, just stop by. Free and open to the public. Visit knoxheritage.org. • FREE
ETC.
MODERN STUDIO CRAFT FAIR • Modern Studio • 12PM • Join us for our montly craft fair and shop for local goods in the comfort of our space. • FREE BEER AND HYMNS • Scruffy City Hall • 7PM • Craft beers and your favorite hymns—plus some new ones. • FREE NORTH AFRICAN SUNSET DINNER PARTY • 8PM • Come out and join us in celebrating the rich culture and food of North Africa at Good Golly Tamale. Chef Tarik Becha, an Algerian Amazigh/Berber from Tizi Ouzou in Kabylie, will serve classic regional dishes from his home country along with specialties from Tunisia and Morocco. We will dine family-style at Good Golly’s long table as befits the casual communal atmosphere of the holiday. Vegetarians are welcome. • $65
Sunday, July 9
Roots Music in America
ATHEISTS SOCIETY OF KNOXVILLE • West Hills Flats and Taps • 5:30PM • Weekly atheists meetup and happy hour. Come join us for food, drink and great conversation. Everyone welcome. Visit meetup.com/ KnoxvilleAtheists. • FREE
12PM • Call 865-577-2021 or email yogaway249@ gmail.com. Donations accepted. KNOXVILLE CAPOEIRA CLASS • Emporium Center for Arts and Culture • 6PM •. Visit capoeiraknoxville.org. • $10
KNOX HERITAGE PRESERVATION NETWORK • Knox Heritage
The Extraordinary Life and Observations of Joe Wilson EDITED BY FRED BARTENSTEIN
Tuesday, June 27
GENTLE YOGA AND MEDITATION • Balanced You Studios •
Saturday, July 8
Lucky Joe’s Namesake
dogma, or doctrine. Our motto: Live Better, Help Often, Wonder More. Our monthly celebrations feature a different theme every month, with inspiring speakers and lively sing-alongs. To find out more, visit knoxville-tn.sundayassembly.com or email saknoxville.info@gmail.com. • FREE
SUNDAY ASSEMBLY • The Concourse • 10:30AM • Sunday
Assembly is a secular congregation without deity,
Saturday, July 1
Saturday, July 8 NARROW RIDGE SILENT MEDITATION GATHERING • Narrow Ridge Earth Literacy Center • 11AM • For more information call 865-497-3603 or emailcommunity@ narrowridge.org. • FREE
Sunday, July 9 SKEPTIC BOOK CLUB • Books-A-Million • 2PM • The book club of the Rationalists of East Tennessee meets on the second Sunday of every month. Visit rationalists. org. • FREE
SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE • Boyd’s Jig and Reel • 4PM •
Visit jigandreel.com. • FREE
Tuesday, July 4 MUSEUM OF APPALACHIA JULY 4 ANVIL SHOOT • Museum of Appalachia • 10AM • While most Americans celebrate Independence Day with fireworks, we mark the occasion by using gunpowder to launch a 200-pound anvil sky-high. Join us as we carry on this pioneer tradition.
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OUTDOORS
Voice in the Wilderness
Photo by Kim Trevathan
Green Canyon Scaling the Walls of Jericho in the Cumberland Plateau
BY KIM TREVATHAN
D
rew Crain snored away in his hammock a few feet away from me, but that wasn’t what was keeping me awake 3 miles and 1,000 feet below the trailhead where my car was parked. Maybe it was the creature rustling the bushes a few feet behind my hammock, refusing to reveal itself to my searching head lamp. Maybe it was the other campsite a half-mile away with the two abandoned tents. Without a doubt, the little cemetery 30 yards away contributed to my wakefulness. Resting there were members of the Clark family, one of them, Mary, born in the late 18th century. I’m not sure why the dates made the cemetery scarier, but they did, that and the fact that there was a barbed wire fence around it. We’d descended to this place, far from cell phone coverage, on a quest to see the Walls of Jericho, a natural amphitheater at the southern end of
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the Cumberland Plateau, made known to me by Kim Pilarski-Hall, who speculates that a “one-legged ghost” from the cemetery stole one of her husband Rikki’s boots the night they camped there. It would be a night of vigilance and fitful dozing, as it usually is when I camp, but looking back, the trip to what the Nature Conservancy calls “the Grand Canyon of the Southeast,” was well worth the sleep deprivation and the long drive. On the hike to our camp, we’d seen one pair of hikers coming out. From the Atlanta area, they were attempting to hike in 10 states during one week, and the Walls of Jericho enabled them to knock out two, one of its trailheads in Jackson County, Ala., and the amphitheater in Franklin County, Tenn. After a couple of miles of descent through the lush forest, we paused at a primitive campsite with one fire ring,
where the “Alabama trail” intersected with the trail that started from Tennessee. We then crossed 40-foot wide Mill Creek on a log bridge and traversed smaller Turkey Creek on another bridge. These two creeks constitute the headwaters of the Paint Rock River, a free-flowing tributary of the Tennessee, renowned for its biodiversity. A few yards after crossing Turkey Creek, we reached the designated primitive campsite, about five fire rings made of stones. Among other detritus, such as the empty 20-pack bag of Doritos, Funyuns, and salt-vinegar chips, a thoughtful camper had left us an unopened can of beef noodle soup on top of a stump. Despite the trash, it was shady, the ground was flat, and it was imperative that we drop our overloaded backpacks here to complete the rest of the hike— about a mile—to the waterfalls and swimming hole at the amphitheater. Our dispositions improved in this last mile, and the scenery got a lot more dramatic. It always amazes me to be driving along past flat fields of corn and soybeans and hay, and then be able to descend into a gash in the earth that seems a different planet, all shady and mysterious, with cold, cold water and ancient trees and rock. The trail from our campsite to the pool followed Turkey Creek, its cobbled streambed mostly dry. Sheer granite walls, the source of an itinerant preacher’s name for this place, rose up on both sides to form a gorge maybe 500 yards wide. The trail got rugged and narrow on this last mile. The air
cooled down 20 degrees, it seemed, as we descended to the amphitheater, where twin waterfalls splattered into an oval pool of clear water. Hot and sticky from the hike in, I’d promised myself full immersion, but as soon as I walked in and my feet grew numb, I opted for the lesser-known cooling off technique that I call the head topper. You bend over and submerge the top of your head into the water. When you rise, you get the effect of a cold shower running down your torso with the extra bonus of having a unique upside-down perspective on the world. Crain, a biologist at Maryville College, plucked a couple of crawdads from the pool and held them up for inspection. He speculated that the fishing wouldn’t be good here, even though the pool looked very deep against the dripping rock wall on the left side. On the way out, we saw two young couples, maybe high school age. One boy said there was a series of falls above the pool. They were all wearing swimsuits. We met another couple of boys, neatly dressed and clean cut, on their way to the amphitheater for the first time. When I tried to describe how far it was and what was there, one of them said, “Sick!” We passed the abandoned tents next to the creek and could come up with no reasonable explanation why someone would leave in such an apparent hurry from such an ideal campsite, much nicer and less littered
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Saturday, July 8
• Hardy & Exotic Pineapple Lillies •
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(10:30-11:30am)
than ours, near Clarks Cemetery. As we were starting our campfire around 7, the two couples went by on their way out, and the boys followed a while later. They were having a loud conversation. “I’d rather deal with the zombies in that graveyard than those two,” one of them said. Perhaps he was referring to Drew and me, grizzled professors panting in the heat and piling up kindling for a fire. I was grateful for the campfire. It kept me occupied for much of the night. In the wee hours, after the sweat had dried on me and I got a little chilled, it kept me warm. At some point, I unhooked my hammock, got into the tent and slept a couple of hours, fully shrouded in the hammock for warmth. (No, I did not pack a sleeping bag.) Our alarm clock: what seemed like an army (only two!) of hammering woodpeckers that Crain identified by the speed and power of their pecking. One was pileated, the other red-bellied. “How could you sleep here?” I asked him, but I knew from previous trips that he could sleep through anything, which was a problem because he held the bear spray and I always forgot mine. He told me that he dreamed about somebody putting a hand around his throat, one of those dreams that you try to wake up from and can’t. Then I startled him with my headlamp, he said, and of course I denied ever having my headlamp on. We got loaded up and hurried on out of there until the steep part
slowed us down. A couple of hours later we staggered toward my car in the parking lot. The drive home would be around three hours. If you don’t want to camp, you could do the hike in a day, approximately 6 miles round trip, with the hard part coming out. You can also arrange a shuttle, starting from the Tennessee trailhead and coming out at the Alabama trailhead, which would be a 7-mile hike. Some recommend this as a spring or fall hike, when the weather’s cooler, the water’s higher, and the views more expansive because of the bare trees. Personally, I love descending from the baking, flat landscape to the cool, cave-like atmosphere of a gorge with a swimming hole at the end as a reward. The Nature Conservancy, responsible for helping to preserve the area, calls this “one of the best day hikes of the Southeast.” Getting there: Take I-24 West through Chattanooga and exit on TN 64 (Exit 127). Go toward Winchester and turn south on TN 16, which will take you 18 miles to the Alabama trailhead, which acknowledges the primitive campsites. We didn’t start at the Tennessee trailhead, about 2 miles north of the Alabama one, because the kiosk signage said there was no camping. A writing instructor at Maryville College, Kim Trevathan is the author of Paddling the Tennessee River: A Voyage on East Water and Coldhearted River: A Canoe Odyssey Down the Cumberland.
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News of the Weird | Restless Native | Cartoon | Puzzles
School Nap Pods! And all the other odd news that’s mostly fit to print THE NEW POWER NAP If high-schoolers seem stressed by active lifestyles and competitive pressures, and consequently fail to sleep the recommended nine to 10 hours a day, it must be a good idea for the federal government to give grants (including to Las Cruces High School in New Mexico) to purchase comfy, $14,000 “nap pods” that drive out the racket with soft music, for 20 minutes a shot during those frenzied classroom days. A May NPR report based on Las Cruces’ experience quoted favorable reviews by students, backed by a doctor and a nurse practitioner who pointed to research showing that adequate sleep “can” boost memory and attention and thus “can” improve school performance (and therefore must be a great use of federal education dollars).
UNCLEAR ON THE CONCEPT Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam argues that his “hands are tied” by “federal food laws” and that fresh, “all-natural” milk with the cream skimmed off the top cannot be sold in Florida as “milk” (or “skim milk”) but must be labeled “imitation milk”—unless the “all-natural” milk adds (artificial) vitamin A to the product. A family farm in the state’s panhandle (Ocheesee Creamery) decided to challenge the law, and Putnam, who recently announced his candidacy for governor, said he would try to resolve the issue soon.
NEWS YOU CAN USE (1) Briton Fred Whitelaw, 64, who has bowel cancer, recently began working “therapeutic” breast milk into his diet, but only that supplied by his daughter, Jill Turner, who recently gave birth 44 knoxville mercury June 22, 2017
and said she is happy to double-pump to assure both Fred and baby Llewyn adequate supplies (although husband Kyle is trying it out for his eczema, as well). (2) Scientists writing in the journal of the American Society for Microbiology recently recommended that parents not discourage children from picking their noses because snot contains a “rich reservoir of good bacteria” beneficial to teeth and overall health (fighting, for example, respiratory infections and even HIV).
INEXPLICABLE (1) It recently became necessary for Candace Frazee and Steve Lubanski to acquire a bigger home in the Los Angeles area because their 33,000 “bunny”-related items (stuffed bunnies, antique bunnies, bunny paintings, bunny dinnerware, etc.) needed more space. (2) The world’s only museum devoted to the “house cat” allows self-guided tours in Sylva, N.C., where curator Harold Sims displays 10,000 artifacts including a genuine petrified cat (with whiskers!) pulled from a 16th-century English chimney. (3) Brantford, Ontario, real estate agent Kyle Jansink, speaking for unidentified sellers, said he accepted the challenge of selling their meticulously maintained home “as is”—still packed with the sellers’ clown-related items (dolls, miniatures, porcelain statues, paintings).
COMPELLING EXPLANATIONS • They’re “therapists,” not “strippers,” argued New York City’s Penthouse Executive Club, creatively characterizing its dancers to avoid $3 million in back taxes, but the state’s appeals board ruled against it in April. Penthouse had insisted that its
performers were more akin to counselors for lonely men, and that the club’s “door charge” was an untaxable fee for therapeutic health services. • James Pelletier, 46, was arrested in Hollis, Maine, in May after he fired a BB gun point-blank at his two sons, ages 9 and 11—but only, he said, as a “rite of passage” into maturity (perhaps thinking the experience would help them become as mature as their father). He said if the kids knew how it felt to get shot, perhaps they would not be so quick to fire their own guns.
“terrorizing” neighbors in the town of Hennef by violating a 2015 agreement to lower the sound of his pornographic videos. He demanded sympathy because of his hearing disability, arguing that if he wore headphones, he could not hear the doorbell, or burglars, and therefore would feel unsafe. (At his May hearing, he objected to the characterization that the “sex sounds” were from videos; on the day in question, he said, he had a prostitute in the room. “It was not porn,” he insisted, confusingly. “It was live!”)
THE CONTINUING CRISIS You Mean Jethro and Abby, Too? In contrast to the exciting work of the TV series (near the top of broadcast ratings for the last decade), real agents in the Naval Criminal Investigative Service have labored over computer screens eight to 10 hours a day for two months now employing their facial-recognition software—just to scour websites to identify victims of nude-photo postings of military personnel that came to light earlier this year. “(Y)ou get pretty burned out,” said the NCIS director. A simple word search of “uniformed military nude” got nearly 80 million hits, according to a May Associated Press dispatch from the Quantico Marine base, where the 20 investigators labor side-by-side.
• In May, Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley apparently mindlessly signed the proclamation designating a special day for the late Tre Hummons (submitted by his grieving father, to honor the son’s “sacrifice”). Tre Hummons was killed in 2015 by a police officer—but only after Tre had just shot and killed another Cincinnati police officer. • Winneshiek County (Iowa) Engineer Lee Bjerke said he had no idea how the driver of the loaded 18-wheeler had missed the “Load Limit 3 Tons” sign at the entrance of the small, rickety bridge near Cresco in May, but in seconds, the span was wiped out, and the tractor-trailer had become part of the Turkey River. The loaded grain truck weighed more than 30 tons.
MILITARY ALLIES IN ODD PLACES
ARMED AND CLUMSY (ALL-NEW!)
(1) In April, three days after ISIS fighters reportedly executed 25 villagers about 50 miles south of Kirkuk, Iraq, the three murderers were themselves killed (and eight more wounded) when a pack of wild boars overran their position and gnawed them into martyrdom. (2) In April, a Russian naval reconnaissance ship sank in the Black Sea off of Turkey (likely op: Syria-related) when it collided with a livestock barge flying the flag of Togo. All aboard the Russian ship were rescued; the much-heavier Togolese vessel suffered barely a scratch.
Still more incidents in which people (make that, “men”) accidentally shoot themselves: a National Rifle Association staff member, 46, training on a firing range (Fairfax County, Va., April); a fleeing robber, run over by his victim, with the collision causing the robber’s gun to fire into his own mouth (Hawthorne, Calif., March); two boys, 17 and 19, “practicing” loading and unloading a handgun, managing to hit each other (Houston, March); a homeless man, 45, in a now-classic waistband-holster-crotch malfunction (Lake Panasoffee, Fla., Oct.); U.S. Park Police officer, shot his foot in a confrontation with a raccoon (Washington, D.C., Nov.); man, 48, shot himself, then, apparently angry at how it happened, shot his bed (Oceana County, Mich., July).
PERSPECTIVE Rights in Conflict: An elderly German man, unnamed in news reports, was fined the equivalent of $110 in May for
OOPS!
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SOLUTION TO CRYPTOQUOTE One afternoon there came into the health center room a gangly, raw-boned, ax-faced fellow, of some fifty-years weathering; he sauntered in, chawin’ tobacco and all….Eventually Dr. Yancey extended a civil greeting…to which the man responded: “Wall now, Doc, hif hit’s er tapeworm what has been a-keepin’ me from work all these years, don’t ye tetch it!” — James Ewing, It Happened In Tennessee (With Thanks To Elizabeth Jones Browning, Knoxville) Source: James Ewing. It Happened in Tennessee (Nashville, TN, Rutledge Hill Press, Inc. 1986) Originally published in Tennessee Folklore Society Bulletin, June 1957 and used by permission.
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News of the Weird | Restless Native | Cartoon | Puzzles
Rim Rats A short history of reporters fired from the Knoxville Journal
BY CHRIS WOHLWEND
T
he last time Speedy was fired from the Journal came on a Friday afternoon when he was arrested for public drunkenness a hundred yards or so from the office. At the time he was working night police, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., a position he had been given when he was hired back after his previous firing. After parking his car on the Church Avenue viaduct, Speedy started for the newspaper building. A policeman noticed his wobbling and stopped him. When the cop asked if he was drunk, we learned later, Speedy argued that he couldn’t be drunk because he was on his way to work. A couple of the paper’s engravers saw the arrest and told the city editor. And Speedy was fired again. Speedy picked up his nickname when he was a star running back at a Knoxville high school. He received a football scholarship to UT where he quickly distinguished himself with his beer-drinking skills.
When I met him he was years away from his athletic-star days, divorced, and, during periods of sobriety, a dependable mainstay of the Journal’s reporting staff. As a copy boy, I occupied the space immediately in front of his desk, a position that meant I was privy to his insights about his fellow reporters and, more importantly, the bosses. I quickly learned that he was smart and possessed a rapier-like wit. One of his fellow reporters was known to everyone as the laziest person in the newsroom—treating story deadlines as suggestions. Speedy referred to him as Chained Lightning, a sarcastic moniker that was soon taken up by everyone else. Unfortunately, Speedy’s periods of sobriety became shorter and shorter—he was fired from the Journal three times during the seven years I worked there. He was taken back because of his skills and his contacts. Speedy was not the only news-
BY MATTHEW FOLTZ-GRAY www.thespiritofthestaircase.com
46 knoxville mercury June 22, 2017
room employee who had a problem with alcohol. Some I had first-hand dealings with, others, long since gone, I only heard about because of their stunts. One of the latter, whose nickname was Streetcar, once flustered a new church reporter while he was involved in a face-to-face interview with a prominent Knoxville preacher. Slipping up behind the reporter, Streetcar gently kissed him on the head. The preacher then tried to listen to the embarrassed reporter’s explanation without joining the laughter from nearby staffers. Streetcar’s last dismissal came after he disappeared while working on a story in Cocke County. He and a photographer were sent to the county seat, Newport, for interviews. At some point, the photographer explained when he got back to Knoxville, Streetcar had stopped at a bootlegger’s to get a drink. After waiting for a couple of hours at their agreed-on rendezvous point, the photographer drove back to Knoxville alone. Streetcar finally showed up at the office several days later to find that his desk had been cleaned out. Decades later, when I was living and working in Atlanta, I became friends with the writer Paul Hemphill, a veteran of newspapers himself. When he heard I was from Knoxville, he immediately asked if I had known Streetcar, who by then had been dead for years. It seems he was a legend in Atlanta as well. He had, I learned, been fired at several newspapers around the South. He died in obscuri-
ty, a not-quite-forgotten drunk, at a relatively young age. Such stories were recounted in late-night sessions around the copy desk, with the rim-rats and other late-shift veterans adding credence by their own inebriated actions. Among the other hard-drinkers were two long-time rim-rats, banished to the copy desk because of their drinking and resultant unreliability. One was excellent at his job, no matter if he was drinking. He lived in the mountains about 40 miles from the office and sometimes would stay the night at my house instead of making the long drive home. During the night, I would be awakened as he noisily made his way to our bar. The other rim-rat drinker eventually followed in the footsteps of Streetcar, dismissed from the newspaper one last time and several months later found dead on the street. Speedy’s last dismissal led a cohort and I to go over to his apartment a couple of days later to check on him. He was there—along with a girlfriend—and assured us that he would be okay. And, after taking the cure, he stayed sober for several years. My sister knew one of Speedy’s female friends, and she would give me reports when I would be visiting Knoxville. It was from her that I learned that he had died at age 56. From watching Speedy and the others I realized early that I did not want to end up like them, and started limiting my alcohol intake, another of the many lessons of my Journal tenure.
Puzzles
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