You should have seen them when they operated out of a camper trailer up at the Fox Inn Campground in Clinton. They've come a long way with lots of listener support.

I can't get there everyday, however, when I do I'm always surprised by the number of tourists in attendance compared to the number of local folks in the audience.

The Blue Plate Special appears to be one of Knoxville's must visit attractions. And, Matt Morelock has certainly done an outstanding job attracting groups who are not necessarily appearing locally and who travel out of their way to appear on the show. For instance, the Tuvan Throat Singers who are currently touring the US.

I may have posted this earlier before some of the recent additions; however, if you have an interest in Knoxville's musical heritage be sure to take a look at the following:

(link...)

The one good thing about being pessimistic is - at least it shows you understand the situation. -- Unknown

Mic Harrison and the High Score playing a free show tonight at the Shed / Smoky Mountain Harley TONIGHT! Sat, 7/7/7

I like the Knoxville promo video running on the wall, showing the old (1950-vintage) Tennessee Theater marquee flashing its neon. As I said at the time, this period piece should have been saved and restored, as similar marquees have been across the country (particularly in downtown Los Angeles).

Oh yes, if anyone is looking for blight, there's a perfect example right across the street from the visitors' center: that burned condo building that's been sitting for .. how many years?

The Blue Plate is indeed a wonderful downtown tradition.

I enjoy the Blue Plate specials and the staff and deejays there are very nice. Who cares if there is "blight" across the street. I've not happened on concerts at noon anywhere else.

I'm a Chicago transplant who discovered WDVX when we came down here, and I even had the pleasure of filling in for Tony when he was heading out of town for a family get together. This was back in the day of the trailer.

Grace filled me in on the mixing board, and left me on my own. Somehow, the door on the camper locked when she left, and it was jammed. The restroom had gear in it, so the restroom was located in the office for the Fox In Campground. The idea was to put on a real long cut off a CD, then skedaddle across the grass to the office. Except when the door's locked, you're in trouble. The only way out was either kicking out the emergency window, or call for help.

I ended up putting out a call on the radio, and someone finally came by to get me out. Nothing like having to pee so bad, and being highly claustrophobic on top of it.

Alex Leach heard about this, and the next time I saw him, he laughed and said "you're the guy that got locked in!". Yeah, real funny.

Anyway, for those curious, I put up a page quite a while ago, with a few photos of the camper studio's insides. I've also got a little air check mp3 of the show that weekend.

I just ran into Tony at a recent Blue Plate, and talked about how far it's come since I discovered it almost ten years ago. I loved the idea of this sort of a station growing a it has.

Here's the page with some photos.
(link...)

Steven Lareau
Digital Artist
Unquiet Visions
Hilltop Design

Good story and link about WDVX, Steven. However, your site calls Tony Lawson the owner of WDVX. This has truth only in the loosest metaphorical sense.

WDVX is a listener supported radio station, an activity of the Cumberland Communities Communications Corporation, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization,...

stacey asks: "Who cares if there is 'blight' across the street."

i was wondering why the building wasn't seized under eminent domain for redevelopment. it has been standing (until recently) in its present 'blighted' state for nearly three years.

as tamara suggested, my comment was in no way intended to disparage the Blue Plate Special which remains one of the cultural 'bright spots' of the city. i'm not too crazy about the building it's in, but the interior of the visitors' center is friendly and comfortable.

Say, what's the story behind Alex Leach? The guy is 18 and has an encyclopedic knowledge of bluegrass and old-school country music. I've heard from other people that he was the same way when he was 10! He also plays a mean guitar. In many ways he reminds me of Eddie Stubbs, a longtime country music aficianado in Maryland who scored a great gig on WAMU in DC. Now he's the MC for the Grand Ole Opry.

Michael, The building across from WDVX burned 2 1/2 years ago. There was probably lots to deal with since it contained a business and several condos all of whom had different owners. It appears to be on it's way to redevelopment now. Sometimes the glass is half full.

I thought the Tn Theatre sign had been restored to what it was.