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Visit Knoxville Renovation Marks an Exciting New Chapter for WDVX’s “Blue Plate Special”

Jan. 6, 2026 
(Knoxville, TN) — WDVX’s iconic Blue Plate Special will enter a brief intermission this spring as the Visit Knoxville Visitor Center undergoes renovations to its first-floor gift shop and performance space. The updates, expected to be completed by May 2026, will create a refreshed and enhanced environment for live music — setting the stage for the next chapter of one of Knoxville’s most beloved cultural traditions.
During construction, WDVX will pause Blue Plate Special weekday and Saturday noon performances at the Visit Knoxville Center stage, as well as First Friday Live shows at that location. When the renovated space reopens, audiences can look forward to welcoming the Blue Plate Special back to an updated home designed to better serve artists, audiences, and visitors alike.

In the meantime, WDVX’s popular Friday noon Big Plate performances will continue uninterrupted at Barley’s Pizzeria in Knoxville’s Old City. These free live shows and radio broadcasts will remain a vibrant gathering place for music lovers, featuring outstanding artists from across the country. Since 2004, the Blue Plate Special has brought free, live music to downtown Knoxville at Visit Knoxville, drawing visitors from around the world and  showcasing the city’s deep musical roots. Originally launched in 1997 when WDVX signed on the air, the series has grown into an internationally recognized live performance and video stream platform.

Over the years, the stage has hosted acclaimed artists such as Chris Stapleton, Tyler Childers, Sturgill Simpson, Ricky Skaggs, The Avett Brothers, Old Crow Medicine Show, Marty Stuart, Blackberry Smoke, Nickel Creek, String Cheese Incident, and many others — alongside celebrated local and regional musicians including Scott Miller, Wyatt Ellis, Adeem the Artist, Redd & the Paper Flowers, and RB Morris.

As the Visit Knoxville renovations move forward, WDVX is also exploring additional opportunities to present Blue Plate Special performances throughout East Tennessee, extending the spirit of the series into new spaces and communities. 

Throughout this transition, listeners can continue to enjoy The Blue Plate Special Revisited, airing at noon every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The program features standout performances from the series’ rich archive — a reminder of the remarkable artists and moments that have defined the show for nearly three decades.

WDVX looks forward to returning the Blue Plate Special to a renewed Visit Knoxville Visitor Center this spring, continuing its mission of celebrating live music, local culture, and the shared experience that makes Knoxville such a special place to visit — and to call home.