Tennessee Factoids (Knoxville, Chattanooga, Jackson: middle school, camps, law)

[JMT]

Originally Posted by middletnjoe

The Jack Daniels BBQ cook-off is in Lynchburg not Tullahoma.

Isn't Lynchburg/Moore County dry? They make Jack Daniels there but can't sell it. Is that still the case?

Miss Mary Bobo's is a restaurant in Lynchburg that is worth the drive and the 6-week waiting list for a reservation!

[middletnjoe]

I believe that is still the case. It's a fun tour though and its free.

[Blue Grass Fever]

Tennessee is famously known as the "Sophisicated Hillbilly State"!

[LauraC]

Originally Posted by middletnjoe

The Jack Daniels BBQ cook-off is in Lynchburg not Tullahoma.

Ah, you beat me to it. I was looking at music fests for the next set of factoids offline and I saw that the Jack Daniels event was really in Lynchburg and thought I better correct it. I apologize.

[LauraC]

Like the Food Fest post, just about every festival has some kind of music component but these festivals here are about the music. Also, not included are city/town events that, for example, run all summer long or once a month/week. If you know of more, please add them.

Knoxville: Rossini Festival - opera. Performances of opera along with an Italian street fair. - April

Etowah: Gospel Explosion - middle of March

Loudon: Smoky Mountain Fiddler's Convention - Competition: bluegrass bands, banjo, mandolin, gospel, clogging, crafts. - late August

Smithville: Smithville Fiddler's Jamboree - large event - Competition: flat-pick guitar, dobro (resonator guitar), country harmonica, etc. Also junior buck dancing, crafts. weekend near 4th of July

Chattanooga: Riverbend Festival - 9 day musical salute on 6 stages - different type of music each day including rock, blues, classical, country, etc. Big name headliner and locals perform each day. June

Nashville: The Dove Awards - Gospel Music awards show. April

Nashville: CMA Music Festival - Very large event for country fans. Weeklong. Performances, autographs, photo-taking with country stars. - June

Savannah: Tennessee River City Blue Grass Festival - local and regional performers. - first weekend in July

Clarksville: Old Time Fiddler's Contest - Competitions in multiple categories. March

Goodlettsville: Fall Fiddlin' Jamboree - competitions, food, and crafts. - October

Lynchburg: Uncle Bunt Fiddle Contest - first Saturday in August.

Manchester: Bonnaroo Music Festival (previously mentioned in this thread). Very large music festival. 7 stages. Jazz, hip-hop, alternative, electronic, jam bands, etc. Past performers have included Elvis Costello, Tom Petty, Allman Bros., Dave Matthews, Radiohead, SonicYouth, Bonnie Raitt, Steve Earle and others - June

Franklin: Franklin Jazz Festival - dixieland, traditional jazz and big band music - first weekend in August

Reelfoot Lake: Roundhouse Music Reunion - 50's music - September

Nathan Bedford Forrest State Historic Area: Summer Song Festival - gospel sing-a-long with live bands - July 4th weekend

Jackson: Casey Jones Old Time Music Festival: - guitar, bluegrass, banjo, dobro and buck dancing. - second weekend in September

Jackson: Shannon Street Blues and Heritage Festival - local and national performers - June

Memphis: Blues First Weekend - Competition for blues bands. January

Memphis: Beale Street Music Festival - Large music festival that celebrate Memphis music - Past performers have included B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Ray Charles, Beck, Van Morrison, ZZ Top, Al Green, Dave Matthew's Band, John Lee Hooker, Sammy Haggar, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Styx, Charlie Daniels, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Kansas, Cheap Trick, Creed, Collective Soul, Peter Frampton, Sheryl Crow, Booker T & the MG's, Ablert King, Widespread Panic, Etta James, Bob Dylan, James Brown, Bonnie Raitt, Wilson Pickett, Hootie and the Blowfish, James Cotton, Blues Traveler, Bobby Blue Bland, Black Crowes, Ziggy Marley, the Allman Brothers Band. - May

[tnvolfan1971]

Laura C you forgot a festival.

GREENEVILLE IRIS FESTIVAL - every May. All kinds of craft booths, food booths, and entertainment.

[hjlacey]

GATLINBURG: rib festival... Aug.

[LauraC]

Originally Posted by tnvolfan1971

Laura C you forgot a festival.

GREENEVILLE IRIS FESTIVAL - every May. All kinds of craft booths, food booths, and entertainment.

I didn't forget it. I was just seeing if you were paying attention.

But seriously, I'm sure there are a lot more. Some towns have a better PR campaign and I'm thinkin' some towns have a Secret Barbecue Cookin' Bluegrass Pickin' Buck Dancin' Catfish Racin' Venomous Spider Tossin' Snake Handlin' Pistol Shootin' Fruit Hurlin' Festival that they don't want outsiders at. That's the one I want to go to because those people know how to have a good time.

Then there are the ones I just missed.

[LauraC]

Originally Posted by FL_TN_Nana

*Reelfoot Lake (NW TN in Lake County) was formed by the New Madrid Earthquake of 1811-12

(Oh, and have you ever tried Earthquake Cake? It's delicious!)

No, what's it made of?

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by LauraC

I didn't forget it. I was just seeing if you were paying attention.

But seriously, I'm sure there are a lot more. Some towns have a better PR campaign and I'm thinkin' some towns have a Secret Barbecue Cookin' Bluegrass Pickin' Buck Dancin' Catfish Racin' Venomous Spider Tossin' Snake Handlin' Pistol Shootin' Fruit Hurlin' Festival that they don't want outsiders at. That's the one I want to go to because those people know how to have a good time.

Then there are the ones I just missed.

I want to go to that one, too!