East Tennessee's Own WDVX

The WDVX Blue Plate Special - 12/12 - Wild Roots
2024-12-12 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | WDVX, 301 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN, 37902, United States
Wild Roots is an independent, women-led band based in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. Headed by Julia Houghton and Olivia Moore, the group released their debut album, Wild Roots Rising, in 2021 and have since continued to tour, playing stages and festivals across the country. Olivia and Julia have co-created music for nearly a decade and collaborate in many areas of life; in addition to being soul sisters, the two share a deep passion for sustainable living and environmental justice. While Wild Roots’ music celebrates the joy of friendship and community, it also seeks to hold those in power accountable and question the status quo. Julia and Olivia harness their political passions to shed light on issues of social injustice and the degradation of the natural world.
Best known for their complex harmonies, Wild Roots draws inspiration from other powerful women musicians, including MaMuse, Rising Appalachia, The Staves, Fiona Apple, and Mountain Man. They prefer not to confine themselves to a singular genre, instead learning from a wide variety of influences to encourage creative play and musical experimentation. Both Julia and Olivia have a background in classical music but appreciate community oriented folk music traditions. Wild Roots songs transport listeners to an evening around the campfire or an intimate gathering with friends in a meadow. They believe performance should create an emotional catharsis for musicians and listeners alike and seek to create art that both challenges them as musicians and makes fans want to sing along.

The WDVX Big Plate - 12/13 - Dave Eggar Quartet featuring Vincent Covello & Hawkins French
2024-12-13 12:00 - 13:00 | Barley’s, 200 East Jackson Avenue, Knoxville, TN, 37915, United States
Over the past two and a half decades, Dave Eggar‘s earned rock star status in pop music world as first-call cellist and string arranger for superstars like Coldplay, Evanescence, John Legend, Lewis Capaldi and Bebe Rexha and Foreigner. Yet for the multi-talented veteran musician, the piano has always been the ultimate place of solace since his childhood days as a classical prodigy.
In his youth, those keys were a sacred space where he found a home immersed in the lyrical glories of Chopin ballades and solo pieces by Satie, Gabriel Faure and Toru Takemitsu. Throughout his career, even as the four-time Grammy nominee has amassed hundreds of string credits, the piano compositions on his solo albums – from his 1998 debut Serenity to his prodigious latest release Dragonfly – reveal a truer artistry that comes alive in a space where he connects with people more deeply and emotionally.
Co-written and produced, like Eggar’s 2021 album Awakening, by drummer, percussionist and songwriter Chuck Palmer, Dragonfly is a thematically expansive yet musically intimate collection which, true to the title’s mythological implications, finds Eggar exploring the concepts of metamorphosis, self-realization and the insight of clear vision. It’s all with an eye towards helping us meet the great challenges of a post pandemic world, rise above the darkness and discover exciting new possibilities.
While most of the pianist’s previous solo albums bear titles reflecting the healing music space (including 2002’s Angelic Embrace), the symbolism of the Dragonfly – brilliantly embodied by the colorful, intricate cover illustration and artwork – made perfect sense as a reflection of a hopeful embrace of a new era. In essence, it’s a tribute as well to Gomeo, a Native American philosopher and fan of Eggar’s music who always called the artist “Dragonflyboy” in reference to the combination of courage and fragility he observed in Eggar. Eggar in turn dedicates the graceful, reflective title track to Gomeo.
“The pandemic and resulting lockdown freed us from our usual distractions and made us all stop and think about the meaning of our lives,” says Eggar, who is releasing Dragonfly in the wake of the two 2023 Grammy nominations earned for his work with clarinetist Tasha Warren on the album Ourself Behind Ourself, Concealed, featuring compositions by Paquito D’Rivera and Pascal Le Boeuf. “I look at these realizations and the re-entry into new phases of life as a metamorphosis, much like the one a dragonfly undergoes from larva to adult. As we re-enter society, it begs the question: How can we do better and find the beauty within ourselves?
“On Awakening,” he adds, “the songs were vehicles for me to think through and solve issues related to that difficult time. With Dragonfly, they’re about being more courageous and enlivening. Now that we’re moving into the next chapter of our existence, how do we strike out in the world? On a personal level, the darkness where the album begins and ends reflects my working through pain, looking metaphorically over these past few years as I’ve experienced the transformation from a darkness into a place of light.”
Much of the darkness Eggar refers to is rooted in his sorrow over the loss of many special people in his life over the past year. In the album’s credits, he dedicates Dragonfly to the aforementioned Gomeo as well as Andrew, Mark and Ronnie. Losing so many in such a short span inspired him to think about his many vectors as a musician. Following the stark, elegant “Prelude,” he taps into “The Darkness,” a graceful hypnotic piece with classical overtones (and the added heartrending texture of his cello harmony) for Andrew, a close friend who took his own life.
The equally soulful, haunting tune “Sorrow Returns” is for “Ronnie” – a nickname for Rosalyn Freundlich, a therapist who transformed his lie at an early age, helping him from his teens through his early 30s. This included the later period of a troubled childhood, which ran from the highs of being a child prodigy playing the Metropolitan Opera and Carnegie Hall to running away from home. “Ronnie was more than a therapist for me,” he says. “She was also a very powerful philosopher. Her passing had a significant impact on the recording of Dragonfly.”
Complementing the gorgeous, introspective piano pieces – which include “Embark,” “Encircled,” “Soliloquy” and “Shards of Light” – are the stately, dramatic and hopeful “Lullaby of Kingston” (a piano rendition of the title track from his 2010 album Kingston Morning) and two tracks Eggar performs with Bristol Lightning, the Americana quartet he formed during the quarantine period with talented bluegrass musicians he met and vibed with upon his pandemic-era move from NYC to Bristol, TN. The group’s Blake Collins (mandolin) and Phil Faconti (guitar) appear with Eggar on the uniquely experimental, atmosphere-rich, mood swinging “Memories of New York” and are joined by singer Ashton Davison (providing ethereal wordless vocals) on the trippy and tension filled, densely percussive classical/bluegrass fusion jam “Road Trip.”
At first, Eggar thought these two Bristol Lightning tracks were too much of a departure from the piano-centric flow of the rest of Dragonfly – but ultimately he loved how everything worked together to capture where he’s coming from in a meditative space while expanding his repertoire, taking risks and tackling new adventures in his life. “You can go on a road trip to explore new possibilities and also remember New York as it was and find new life there,” he says. “These songs relate all the possibilities that await us after a long time of struggle. Through all the meditation, we can find a time for action.”
Though it is the closing track, the piano piece “Onwards” flows like an unfinished folk song, promising more magic to come. Ending with such simplicity harkens back to “Appalachian Spring,” an enduring work by famed composer Aaron Copland, who in his later years lived in Eggar’s hometown of Croton-on-Hudson NY and was Eggar’s piano teacher when he was six. It is also a way of acknowledging the pianist’s mellower but still quite vibrant life now in Appalachia, considered by some to be the birthplace of country music.
While Eggar’s fascinating history as a prodigy usually takes precedence in his official biographies, it’s the way music helped the Julliard trained musician cop with the struggles of that childhood that tell the deeper story of his evolving genius. In addition to being in great demand with jazz and pop music royalty (Michael Brecker, David Foster, Taylor Swift, Tony Bennett, Andrea Bocelli and Esperanza Spalding, among scores of others), he has collaborated with the New York City Ballet, the Jose Limon Company, Attack Theatre, Pendulum Aerial Arts, Shen Wei Dance, San Francisco Ballet and Complexions Contemporary Ballet.
Eggar has also appeared as a featured soloist with the Thailand Philharmonic, The Sydney Symphony, the Melbourne Symphony, the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic. Over the past few years, he has collaborated on live events with yoga artist Christiane Sabo, which allowed him to explore the idea of how emotion and meditation work in tandem.
“I like the way the music on Dragonfly isn’t just about processing sorrow and loss in a meditative space, but also opens up a journey from there into once again embracing the world with courage and confidence,” says Eggar. “I am grateful for the many years I have been with Domo Records, whose leadership always believed in my unique voice as an artist, even when I wasn’t sure of myself. With each album, it’s been wonderfully gratifying to see a substantial increase in people listening. With this little seed planted so long ago, we’ve built a beautiful world of possibilities.”

Kidstuff Live - 12/14 - Will Carter
2024-12-14 10:00 - 11:00 | WDVX, 301 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN, 37902, United States
Will Carter is a Multi-instrumentalist, Songwriter and Record Producer.

The WDVX Blue Plate Special - 12/14 - High Carbon Steel
2024-12-14 12:00 - 13:00 | WDVX, 301 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN, 37902, United States
High Carbon Steel is a budding country/americana group based out of Roane County TN. Cory, Dawson, and Nathan have been playing covers of great artists across these genres together for years. Now they’ve written great music of their own and are taking it (along with the songs that inspire them) anywhere people will listen.
The boys met in their teens and quickly discovered how well they fit together. Mostly just picking in the comfort of their homes, occasionally they would find an opportunity to play for family or a group of friends. Upon founding the group in 2022, they were ready to get out of the living room and into the ears of whoever would appreciate their music. Now they are playing events all over East Tennessee and beyond!
The group plays music spanning across the decades from country, and bluegrass legends such as Merle Haggard, The Seldom Scene, George Jones, Blue Highway, and many many more. They are also very invested in the current revival of country music coming from artists such as Tyler Childers, Sturgill Simpson, Charley Crockett, etc. They’re just getting into the world of writing music of their own, taking inspiration from all the artists that they’ve covered for years, as well as music from outside the genre (Rock, Blues, Soul, Pop, etc.). This blend gives them a sound of their own that is still growing every day!

The WDVX Blue Plate Special - 12/16 - Anna May / Pistol Creek Catch of the Day
2024-12-16 12:00 - 13:00 | WDVX, 301 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN, 37902, United States
Anna May: I was likely first influenced by my dad’s writing, and by hearing him play songs to me while I was growing up. He adds a touch of empathy to all of his lyrics, and I think that I take after him in that respect. I have learned the importance of being empathetic, passionate, and clever while writing. I would say .. songs like Bob Dylan’s “Idiot Wind,” “It’s All Over Now Baby Blue,” “Visions Of Johanna,” etc. were songs that influenced my writing style. I felt that I was understanding the content in songs like that, so much better than I was understanding my immediate environments at the time.

Pistol Creek Catch of the Day brings Guitar, fiddle, bass and vocals on the upbeat.

The WDVX Blue Plate Special - 12/17 - Kimbro, Kimbro and Hodges
2024-12-17 12:00 - 13:00 | WDVX, 301 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN, 37902, United States
Kimbro, Kimbro and Hodges will join us!
Daniel Kimbro bio:
I live in East Tennessee. I have two kids, a whining, braying hound dog, and I have a wife who tolerates my making the pursuit of music my career and lifestyle.
I play the bass, mainly. I started out on the guitar, but the first cover band I auditioned for said, “we could use a bass player.”
I grew up in places called Morristown and White Pine in East Tennessee.
My parents fed me on a steady diet of bass and crappie fishing, The Stanley Brothers, Van Halen, Flatt & Scruggs, W.A. Mozart, The Police, New Grass Revival, Guy Clark, and Townes Van Zandt, among many others. Mom taught me the recorder and I played the trombone in the 5th grade. We had a family bluegrass band called “Mountain Soul” in which I played mostly guitar, and then some bass. Dad drove us all over East Tennessee with our plywood bass strapped to the roof of our car. One time we drove into a parking garage and forgot it was up there. I stopped playing trombone in college and immediately got laid. Speaking of getting laid, back to bluegrass…
Our family band played only the finest backwoods general stores, swap meets, cake walks, Civil War reenactments, volunteer fire-halls, tanning bed salons, Cocke County family reunions (we crashed one just to meet a really good clawhammer banjoist), and one massively awkward Seventh Day Adventist church service…I wouldn’t trade the times on stage with my parents and brothers for anything in the world. I would trade some of the food though.
I began my “formal” music education in 2001 at the University of Tennessee, which is where I began studying the double bass. I went to school for way too many years and managed to graduate with a degree and a half in Strings Performance and Studio Music and Jazz, though I’ll say I’ve learned more in the last 10 years than I did in the previous 25. I’m grateful to my college bass professor, Rusty Holloway, for the invaluable lessons he taught me about how to learn and perform music, and how to be a team player.
During college and after, I’ve been fortunate to travel and play with many different groups all across the U.S. and Canada, Northern Europe/Scandinavia, and Japan. During a tour with the Lovell Sisters Band I had the privilege of playing in front of perennial Grammy award-winning resophonic guitarist Jerry Douglas, and he asked me to join his band in 2013. I’m grateful to Jerry, and thanks in no small part to him I’ve been fortunate enough to share the stage (or at least sit around and pick) with many of the folks I grew up listening to.
In March of 2017 I was asked to handle bass duties on the Transatlantic Sessions 2017 US Tour, where I had the honor of subbing for bass great and personal hero Danny Thompson. During that tour I found myself accompanying Sir Aly Bain, James Taylor, Jerry Douglas, Alison Krauss, Rodney Crowell, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Roseanne Cash, John Paul White, Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan, The Milk Carton Kids, Declan O’Rourke, Karen Matheson, Maura O’Connell, Joe Newberry, Russ Barenburg, John Doyle, James Mackintosh, John McCukser, Michael McGoldrick, and Donald Shaw. That was a whirlwind full of amazing music and lovely people. It is really fun to ask for more James Taylor in your monitor.
In 2014 or so I was introduced to Martin Harley by our mutual friend Sam Lewis. Martin and I hit it off and made a couple records, and now I go to England and Canada a fair bit. There’s lots of rule following, traffic cameras, and boot/hat fashion advice flowing both ways (oft ignored).Sam, Martin and I are currently working on a trio record. That’s right ladies. Trio.
In 2018 we in the Jerry Douglas Band were nominated for a Grammy award in the the “Best Contemporary Instrumental Record.” We lost.
In late 2018 I was asked to join the Flatt & Scruggs tribute band The Earls of Leicester. I said yes.
In early 2019 I was asked to once again step into Danny Thompson’s huge brogues and perform with the Transatlantic Sessions for the UK tour throughout Scotland, England and Ireland, alongside featured artists Tim O’brien, Molly Tuttle, Gretchen Peters, Cara Dillon and Paul McKenna. Then we did it again in 2020, right before Covid, alongside Tommy Emmanuel, Cahalen Morrison, Sierra Hull, Rachel Sermanni, and Cathy Jordan. I asked Cathy Jordan to marry me. She said no.
Though they don’t likely remember me, I’ve been able to make music with the likes of Brendon James Wright, Sam Lewis, Martin Harley, Robinella, Hector Qirko, R.B. Morris, Casey Driessen, Larkin Poe, Thom Hell, John Frazier, Matt Menefee, The Whistles & The Bells, Jeff Sipe, John Medeski, Jason Isbell, Maggie Longmire, Your Mom, John Hiatt, Sarah Siskind, …and I’ve been able to play some remarkable venues: The Ryman Auditorium, The Grand Ole Opry, The Tennessee Theater, Bonnaroo, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, MerleFest, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, StordFest, The Vancouver Island Folk Festival, The Kate Wolf Folk Festival, The Edmonton Folk Festival, New Orleans Jazz Fest, The Blue Note Tokyo, Chateau St. Michelle, Jammin at Hippie Jacks, The Bijou Theater, Rochester International Jazz Festival, and a bunch of others I can’t remember right now…anyway, it’s been fun, and it’s getting better all the time. Thanks for listening, and I hope to see you somewhere.

The WDVX Blue Plate Special - 12/18 - Jennifer & Stevie Jones / Dave Owens
2024-12-18 12:00 - 13:00 | WDVX, 301 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN, 37902, United States
Dave Owens along with Jennifer & Stevie Jones will join us this day.

The WDVX Blue Plate Special - 12/19 - Mike McGill Christmas Spectacular Preview
2024-12-19 12:00 - 13:00 | WDVX, 301 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN, 37902, United States
East Tennessee’s Own Mike McGill joins us this day for a special Christmas Spectacular Preview!

The WDVX Big Plate - 12/20 - The Young Fables
2024-12-20 12:00 - 13:00 | WDVX, 301 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN, 37902, United States
The Young Fables (TYF) create music with classic storytelling weaved into Country music with pop sensibilities. East Tennessee (Maryville) natives, Laurel Wright and Wes Lunsford are influenced by timeless treasures like Patsy Cline, Bonnie Raitt, Glen Campbell and Chet Atkins. The duo’s unique sound has resonated with audiences around the globe as live performances have become stages from which The Young Fables discuss themes and topics typically saved for the therapy couch. Strong advocates for mental health awareness, The Young Fables are focused on helping to erase the stigmas surrounding the topic. Recognizing the duo’s advocacy, the pair were honored with The Troy Gentry Compassion Award in 2021 for compassion, commitment, kindness and love.
Their whimsical yet unmistakable blend of Country and Pop has garnered praise from industry icons and tastemakers. Nine-time GRAMMY® Award winner Sheryl Crow once tweeted, “Laurel’s as good as any country singer out there!” Their releases have earned them recognition, including a spot on Rolling Stone’s “10 Best Country and Americana Songs of the Week.” They have also had the privilege of supporting artists such as Vince Gill, Amy Grant, and Rascal Flatts, as well as being invited by multi-platinum songstress Shania Twain to participate in the CBS showcase celebration Real Country. Twain praised, “Wes is a perfect partner for Laurel’s voice. I fell in love with these guys as genuine, authentic talents.” Travis Tritt added, “Our industry needs (TYF) right now!” In September of 2023, the duo was honored as BMI & Texas Roadhouse’s Artists of the Month, resulting in their music videos being showcased in locations across the United States.
The Young Fables continue to grow their team recently inking a publishing deal with BMG. In October 2024, Wright and Lunsford will unveil their fourth studio album, Short Stories, alongside their feature documentary ‘The Fable of a Song’, which clinched the Nashville Film Festival Audience Choice Award. “Each album we release serves as a journal entry for us, and Short Stories represents the next chapter,” Wright explains. “We feel fortunate to have a platform to share our music and are grateful that our story resonates with others, aiding in their healing. That’s a reward unlike any other.”

The WDVX Blue Plate Special - 12/21 - Roger Dean / Gavin Harper
2024-12-21 12:00 - 13:00 | WDVX, 301 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN, 37902, United States
Roger Dean has been playing music since he put his first band together at just 15 years old. They travelled all around Central Utah playing top 100 pop hits, country music & rock n roll.
Growing up, he always listened to Country Music , learning from the greats: Jim Reeves, Ferrin Young, Eddie Arnold, Willie, Waylon, and Haggard. In his 20s, he played country music in bars and dinner clubs in Cortez , Colorado. He wrote lots of music and was offered a contract in Nashville, Tennessee.
Later, while living in Southern Utah, he played at rodeos, county fairs and various city events and was chosen as a finalist representing his region for the Country Showdown Contest.
Roger always makes time to play for charity fundraisers, Senior Centers and Assisted Living Homes and is now currently living in Nashville, Tennessee writing and recording his music at Hilltop studio.
Some of the places you can find Roger Dean Playing are: The Commodore, Troubadour Theatre, Fox and Locke, Tootsie’s, Bobby’s Idle Hour and many more.
On his journey to Nashville he played in Kingman, Tack Shed, Blackridge Brewery and Yuma Az at The Dirty South BBQ at Amarillo Tx Broken Spoke Saloon. Jacksonville Alabama Moose Lodge, Dillard George ..Mtn city theatre.

Gavin Harper started playing guitar in the 5th grade. He won his elementary school talent show singing and playing guitar. He was immediately hooked. He began taking guitar lessons and started to learn other songs to play and sing.
He began listening to many different kinds of music and started paying attention to songwriting. During the next few years he kept performing at recitals and honing his skills on guitar. He even got to perform at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee.

The WDVX Blue Plate Special - 12/23 - Leo Johnson / James Tristan Redding
2024-12-23 12:00 - 13:00 | WDVX, 301 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN, 37902, United States
Originally from the charming town of Franklin, Tennessee, and currently living and performing in the vibrant city of Asheville, North Carolina, Leo Johnson has had a rich musical journey over the past 20 years in North Carolina. Throughout this time, he has had the pleasure of performing with numerous local bands that showcase a wide array of musical styles. Some of these notable groups include “Firecracker Jazz Band,” “Hank West and the Smokin’ Hots,” “The House Hoppers,” “The Screaming J’s,” “The Big Nasty Jazz Band,” “Ghost Pipe Trio,” “SHA-MAN,” “Drayton and the Dreamboats,” “The Hot Club of Asheville,” “The Space Heaters,” and “Snake Prophecy,” among others.

James Tristan Redding is a British-American songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. His catalog of over 1,000 titles includes collaborations with hit writers Mark Narmore, Chris Gantry, Elliott Park, Steve Dean, and Pete and Pat Luboff, among others both stateside and worldwide.
Beyond his discography of 12 studio albums, Redding has also served as session musician on drums, bass, guitar, and keys for groups in the USA and Europe. His songs have been cut by Sarah Harralson, Dan Whitehouse, Eli Alger, David Easterling, Emma Gale, and more.

The WDVX Blue Plate Special - 12/24 - Wyatt Ellis
2024-12-24 12:00 - 13:00 | WDVX, 301 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN, 37902, United States
Born not far from the Great Smoky Mountains, Wyatt Ellis‘ first recollection of hearing the mandolin was Bobby Osborne’s iconic solo on the Osborne Brothers’ bluegrass classic “Rocky Top.” Hearing the Tennessee bluegrass anthem echo throughout the early years of his childhood is what led Wyatt to set his sights on learning to play mandolin. With his schedule packed with school, Boy Scouts and team sports, it was hard to find time for music.
When he was almost 10 years old, Wyatt talked his dad into buying him a used mandolin so he could learn to play it just like Bobby. Soon, he began weekly mandolin lessons in his hometown and quickly developed a strong desire to attend local bluegrass jams. He told his non-musical parents that he wanted to play his new mandolin alongside other bluegrass pickers.
The COVID lockdown began just as he was forging those real-life musical friendships. Team sports, local lessons and bluegrass jams came to an abrupt end. At the same time, festivals and in-person recording sessions suddenly stopped, parking the most in-demand bluegrass musicians at home. Many of his favorite mandolin players started teaching or simply spending more time connecting within the community online.
In the fall of 2020, Wyatt was chosen by his hero Sierra Hull, herself a former mandolin prodigy, for a Tennessee Folklife apprenticeship. Eager to improve under the watch of a true virtuoso, Wyatt describes those one-on-one tutorials as “working on exactly what I needed to work on at the time. Details. Timing. Tone. Getting all the little things right by slowing down was a really big deal in that situation. Sierra has taken bluegrass mandolin to another dimension and I was excited to start my journey with her. I’ve played my mandolin every day since then.”
Having never been a fan of watching television or playing video games, playing mandolin became Wyatt’s preferred pastime. With no close neighbors and the music world suddenly at his fingertips, his passion for the instrument grew. As word circulated in the bluegrass community about his accelerated abilities, Wyatt befriended many of the genre’s top mandolin players through camps, workshops, and individual lessons.
In October 2022, Wyatt performed alongside former Bluegrass Boy Peter Rowan and Grammy winner Molly Tuttle at Rowan’s induction into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame. Wyatt was invited by his ultimate mandolin hero, Marty Stuart, to help kick off the Grand-Reopening of the Ellis Theater in Philadelphia, Mississippi. In February 2023, at 13 years old, he made his Grand Ole Opry debut appearance with bluegrass duo Dailey & Vincent. Moments after his debut appearance he was jamming backstage with acoustic icons Vince Gill and Mark O’Connor. In March 2023, Wyatt joined the genre’s newest superstar, Billy Strings, to honor Doc Watson at his 100th birthday celebration. The now fourteen-year-old was recently invited to play the iconic Merlefest event Mandolin Mania with five of his mandolin heroes.
As a young musician just starting out on his musical journey, Wyatt has found that the bluegrass community is full of supporters, kind words, and encouragement. He has accrued more than 100,000 followers on combined social media before ever releasing a single.

The WDVX Blue Plate Special - 1/6 - Christopher M Caruso / Zack Miles
2025-01-06 12:00 - 13:00 | WDVX, 301 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN, 37902, United States
Hailing from Marshall, NC, Christopher M. Caruso isn’t just a bass player and backup singer – he’s a blues-infused whirlwind of musical passion. Whether laying down grooves or harmonizing with soulful swagger, Christopher’s true magic lies in connecting hearts through the language of music.His journey began in 1989, cutting his teeth with the East Coast-touring band Chaotic Past. Two CDs and a 45 later, Christopher’s stage skills were honed to a razor’s edge. Collaborations with the likes of J.C. Tokes, The Brandon Quinn Trio, Mitch McConnell and the Senators, and many more solidified his reputation as a versatile and dependable musician.But Christopher’s soul truly takes flight during solo shows. Slide guitar whispers alongside his six-string,weaving quirky originals, classic blues, and unexpected covers into a tapestry that leaves audiencesbuzzing. And in 2016, he started a tradition that warms hearts to this day: his annual Christmas show, a joyful gathering brimming with good cheer and festive spirit.So, what keeps Christopher hooked on the music train? “The people,” he says with a grin. “Seeing their faces light up, sharing the energy in every venue – that’s what fuels my fire.” His mission? To weave bridges with music, one note at a time, touching every corner of the world through the power of shared melodies.

Zack Miles is a Singer/songwriter with folk, americana, and bluegrass influence. Coffee-core.

The WDVX Blue Plate Special - 1/7 - Nick Horner Family
2025-01-07 12:00 - 13:00 | WDVX, 301 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN, 37902, United States
A natural-born creative, Knoxville-based Nicholas (Nick) Horner merges his love of musical creation with community building in what William Berger of Met Opera Radio calls a “gloriously varied creative fire”!​
Raised in the mountains of central Pennsylvania, Knoxville-based Nicholas Horner headed south after seven years of living in NYC as a working/touring songwriter, producer and community creator. He got his start as a fellow for Make Music New York from which he launched Porch Stomp, NYC’s biggest free-folk festival for 8 years running as well as Flatfoot Flatbush, Brooklyn’s annual old-time parade. His various projects have landed him features in the New York Times, on NPR and even the opportunity to write and perform the theme song for an international United Nations conference in Ecuador for delegates from around the world.

The WDVX Blue Plate Special - 1/8 - Mirabelle Skipworth / Katelyn Fajardo
2025-01-08 12:00 - 13:00 | WDVX, 301 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN, 37902, United States
Mirabelle Skipworth is an alt-folk singer-songwriter from Pittsburgh PA. Her folk-inspired melodies and lyrics combined with a tinge of alt-rock influence makes for a dynamic, emotionally-intense experience. She occasionally draws on her own experiences, books, concepts, and other people’s stories. Her new EP, The Morning’s Malaise released in March 2023. Her newest single, The Deer Song, released January 5th.

Katelyn Fajardo is a Louisiana songwriter and musician making music in Charleston, SC. Her singles Wicked and Fawn are out now, and she will be releasing a full album of her songs In January 2025.

The WDVX Blue Plate Special - 1/9 - Ray Duncan / Brandon Maddox
2025-01-09 12:00 - 13:00 | WDVX, 301 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN, 37902, United States
Ray Duncan is a Nashville based independent artist. Born in Cambria, California, Ray has been performing all her life. Playing her first shows at only 13 years old, by 16 she had formed the duo Ranchers for Peace with her father, songwriter Charles Duncan. In 2019 Ray moved to Nashville to find new inroads for her career, where she now works as a background singer and freelance composer, in addition to performing as a solo artist. Ray also co-hosts podcast “Book of Jude,” which is a series of interviews with her mother, hit songwriter Jude Johnstone, that tells the story of Johnstone’s career in the music business.
Since moving to Nashville, Ray has recorded and released several projects, including her 2022 single “Don’t Let It Get To You,” co-written with Johnstone and featuring performances from legendary musicians such as drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, guitarist David Keary, and bass player Nick Scott.
After 2 crowd funding campaigns, Ray is now preparing for the 2025 release of her long anticipated Laundromat EP, recorded at Starbird Sound with producer Mike Fahey (Phish, Chris Stapleton).

From sharing the stage with superstar, Brett Eldredge, as well as acclaimed performances in casinos, clubs, and festivals to having original songs featured in movies and appearing on TV and radio shows, Brandon Maddox, has quickly established himself as one of Country Music’s rising stars. He was named, “Monster Truck Artist of the Year” and was both a Josie Award recipient in 2017 for his hit single “Dixie Chaser” as well as the winner of “Song of the Year” in 2019 for his song “Drive Me to Drink.”
Brandon’s dad schooled him in classic rock, so it was only natural that when the youngster picked up the guitar and taught himself to play, he used a Beatle’s songbook. While teaching himself, he noticed a common thread among the songs—the songs were written by actual members of The Beatles. Brandon wrote his first song at the tender age of 11 and now has an original catalog of over a thousand songs, a few of which have won awards. After college Brandon moved to Nashville from his hometown near Chattanooga, TN to pursue his songwriting passion.
https://youtu.be/tpQqaUtQxck?si=bTk4A6u3r_EQZ0iy

The WDVX Big Plate - 1/10 - The Vertical Birds - CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER
2025-01-10 12:00 - 13:00 | Barley’s, 200 East Jackson Avenue, Knoxville, TN, 37915, United States
The Vertical Birds -They’re funky, they twang, they rock, they roll. They’re down ‘n dirty, yet upright and sturdy. These birds are vertical, y’all!

Kidstuff Live - 1/11 - Junior Appalachian Musicians - CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER
2025-01-11 10:00 - 11:00 | WDVX, 301 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN, 37902, United States
East Tennessee’s Own Sarah Pirkle will be your host and bring her young students the Junior Appalachian Musicians!

The WDVX Blue Plate Special - 1/11 - Drew Crawley - CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER
2025-01-11 12:00 - 13:00 | WDVX, 301 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN, 37902, United States
Drew Crawley is a Singer-Songwriter based in Louisville Kentucky.

The WDVX Blue Plate Special - 1/13 - Mo Stroemel / Maddie and Jordan McCullough
2025-01-13 12:00 - 13:00 | WDVX, 301 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN, 37902, United States
Mo Stroemel has been writing and performing for most of his life. Appearances include Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Nashville, New York, Atlantic City, Toronto and London. His songs connect with people of all ages and his personable and easy-going style make his live appearances fun and intimate. Mo currently performs as a solo act and with friends, including the Red Dirt Poets, and he has performed at festivals including The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts and The People’s Choice Festival. Mo was a member of the “world famous” Phyrst Phamly for many years. Mo’s discography includes three full length albums, five singles and 2 EP’s.

Maddie McCullough is a singer-songwriter based out of Maryville, Tennessee. Raised in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, Maddie’s music draws from the haunting beauty of mountain music and the soulful warmth of folk, weaving melodies that feel like home and reflect the emotional depth of the region’s musical heritage.
A key element of Maddie’s music is the partnership she shares with her husband, Jordan McCullough. Jordan has been by her side since their first duet together in 2015, and he plays an integral role in Maddie’s sound. As her harmony singer and musical partner, Jordan’s voice is featured on Sweet Magnolia and at every performance, adding depth and warmth to every song. While Maddie’s musical journey is her own, Jordan’s unwavering support and contribution are the foundation of her music, and their bond is at the heart of her live shows.
Maddie’s single, Sweet Magnolia, marks her debut as a published artist. Currently, Maddie is working on her debut album, Wildwood, set for release in 2025. This album will feature a collection of Maddie’s original songs, written and composed with a deep love for her roots and a focus on honest, heartfelt storytelling. Together with Jordan, she looks forward to sharing more of her music with the world.

The WDVX Blue Plate Special - 1/14 - The Hill City Lovlies
2025-01-14 12:00 - 13:00 | WDVX, 301 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN, 37902, United States
The Hill City Lovlies are an old time duo based in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Known for their blend of old-time Americana with modern sensibilities, John and Ashly create a sound that feels both timeless and new. Ashly’s vocals and driving guitar pair seamlessly with John’s harmonies and fiddling, drawing inspiration from their deep roots in Appalachian folk, bluegrass, and country traditions.

The WDVX Blue Plate Special - 1/15 - Jake Dwyer
2025-01-15 12:00 - 13:00 | WDVX, 301 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN, 37902, United States
Jake Dwyer Band is a country/folk/blues group out of Jonesborough, Tennessee. Jake sings heartfelt and soulful songs rooted in vintage blues rock tones, while intertwining a psychedelic groove. His trio, Jake Dwyer Band released their debut album “Late” in 2022, followed by their new EP “Driving Thoughts” in 2023. In early 2024 the band released their third record “Opportunity”. Some notable places Jake has played include: The Pour House in Charleston, SC, Pete’s Candy Store in Brooklyn, Brown’s Diner in Nashville, TN, and Jonesborough, TN’s Music On The Square. Jake has been featured in Americana Highways, and local East Tennessee press. His music has been played on WBCM Radio Bristol and WSM 650 Grand Ole Opry radio.

The WDVX Blue Plate Special - 1/16 - Nathan Morgan / MaCartney Reinhardt
2025-01-16 12:00 - 13:00 | WDVX, 301 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN, 37902, United States
Nathan Morgan is carrying on the American music tradition of hard driving, cranked up country rock music, with some heartfelt country ballads in the mix!
Performing as a solo act and with his four-piece band, Nathan has played around the southeast for 20+ years. He has shared the stage and/or opened for artists such as ZZ Top, Marty Stuart, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Travis Tritt, Collective Soul, Drivin N Cryin, Blackberry Smoke, and more.
Nathan just relocated from Atlanta, Georgia to northeast Tennessee in 2023. The exciting move followed the release of his most recent original music, “The Memphis Sessions”. This EP was recorded at the legendary Sun Studio in Memphis, TN and is available on all major streaming services!

Nashville country recording artist Macartney Reinhardt is quickly catching the eye of industry executives and music lovers with her powerhouse vocals, her soulful, bluesy twang, and lyrics that come straight from the heart.
Hailing from music royalty, as a relative of the legendary jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt, Macartney was exposed to a variety of styles and genres from an early age. The Atlanta, GA. native was captivated watching her dad perform when she was a toddler, and started singing along while he played guitar. At just 5 years old she knew she always wanted music at the center of her life.
This rising recording artist has performed all over the Southeast in venues both small and large, from clubs to large outdoor events and music competitions. Macartney was one of just five musicians nominated for Teen Artist of the Year at the 2020 Georgia Country Awards, which honors the very best country musicians in the state. She performed in front of industry professionals and peers at the event, known as the “CMAs” of Georgia. Most recently, Macartney was part of CMA Fest 2023 Fan Fair X Meet and Greet.

The WDVX Big Plate - 1/17 - The Pirkles
2025-01-17 12:00 - 13:00 | Barley’s, 200 East Jackson Avenue, Knoxville, TN, 37915, United States
Knoxville family band The Pirkles will be joining us.

The WDVX Blue Plate Special - 1/18 - Mamie Lew / Appalachian Moon
2025-01-18 12:00 - 13:00 | WDVX, 301 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN, 37902, United States
Appalachian Moon
Experience the unique blend of blues, folk, rock, country and Americana music created by a talented mother and her three sons. Our soulful tunes will transport you to the heart of the Appalachian mountains, where the moon shines bright and the music echoes through the hills.

Mamie Lew is an Americana Singer Songwriter.

The WDVX Blue Plate Special - 1/20 - Pi Jacobs
2025-01-20 12:00 - 13:00 | WDVX, 301 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN, 37902, United States
Pi Jacobs draws inspiration from her unconventional upbringing in “The Land of Weed and Wine” aka Northern California. Blending roots-rock swagger and storytelling soul, her music has drawn comparisons to Tom Waits, Dolly Parton, and Lucinda Williams. She has been heard on NPR, DittyTV, Austin Music TV, Americana Highways, American Songwriter Magazine, and regularly on tastemakers KCSN, WFUV and stations across the nation.

The WDVX Blue Plate Special - 1/21 - Gage Cowart
2025-01-21 12:00 - 13:00 | WDVX, 301 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN, 37902, United States
Blue-collar, Alabama native Gage Cowart is a rising star in the red dirt country music scene, known for his authentic sound and heartfelt lyrics. Hailing now from the panhandle of Florida, Gage has quickly made a name for himself with his unique blend of traditional country and modern influences. His music resonates with fans who appreciate the raw, unfiltered storytelling that red dirt country is known for. Gage’s journey began in small-town venues, where his powerful voice and genuine performances captivated audiences. Over time, he has built a loyal following, drawn to his relatable songs about love, loss, and the simple joys of life. Gage’s dedication to his craft is evident in every note he sings and every chord he strums. As he continues to tour and release new music, Gage Cowart is poised to become a household name in the world of country music. His passion for the genre and commitment to staying true to his roots make him a standout artist in an ever-evolving industry.

The WDVX Blue Plate Special - 1/22 - Josie James / Lilly Hart
2025-01-22 12:00 - 13:00 | WDVX, 301 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN, 37902, United States
Lilly Hart performs this day.

Josie James joins us this day as well.

The WDVX Blue Plate Special - 1/23 - Kirk Fleta
2025-01-23 12:00 - 13:00 | WDVX, 301 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN, 37902, United States
East Tennessee’s Own Kirk Fleta can be found Jumping in puddles of musical madness!

The WDVX Big Plate - 1/24 - Blue Ridge Gathering
2025-01-24 12:00 - 13:00 | Barley’s, 200 East Jackson Avenue, Knoxville, TN, 37915, United States
Blue Ridge Gathering is an Old Time band from Knoxville, TN featuring Cody Bauer, Jessica Watson, and Duck Ryan.
