Hello, music lovers! There is so much music in Knoxville and the surrounding area that maintaining this concert blog is too large of a task for me.
However, I won’t leave you empty-handed: Here is a list of many of the resources that I used to keep you all informed about the rich and varied music scene in East Tennessee. I’ll update it periodically.
Support local music,
Robyn
Want to be listed here? Let me know:
This is a sampling of upcoming events in Knoxville, Maryville, and Oak Ridge. Other concertgoing tools: Facebook events, There’s More to Knoxville, and the Do's and Don'ts of Concert Attendance.
I will constantly update this list as I learn of events. All events without specific ticket information are FREE to the best of my knowledge.
TBD
Monday, September 5 at 7:00 PM: Oak Ridge Community Band Labor Day Concert
Location: Bissell Park, 1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge (bring chairs or blankets for outdoor seating)
This FREE performance will feature a variety of entertaining musical selections and provide a great way to enjoy a casual and relaxing summer evening. Razzleberry's Ice Cream Lab will be in the park to provide refreshments.
More info at their website, 865-202-2773, or their Facebook.
TBD
TBD
TBD
This is a post from my very first blog on LiveJournal (remember that?). I updated the formatting a little bit. Enjoy this blast from the past, originally posted on January 13th, 2009 at 01:54 am.
For those of you who didn't see the constant AIM away messages and Facebook statuses, I saw Bryan Adams at the Bijou Theater Monday night. And I am shaking as I type this, but it's not because I'm cold! I'm soooooo glad that I prepared for the totally impossible in case it actually happened--I put business cards in my purse in case I met people I wanted to keep in touch with and/or exchange pictures with, and I actually took time to carefully put on makeup (this never happens) in case I actually met and/or took a picture with Bryan (like that would EVER happen). Here are highlights from tonight. It's a lot to read, so feel free to skip around, but I warn you--it's ALL AWESOME*! :-D
*If you want to go straight to the part where I met Bryan, scroll down to (or locate using "Find") "THIS IS IT!" You can also check out the pictures I took here: [Broken link; will try to find the pictures]
First of all, the concert was AMAZING. Two hours of Bryan on his acoustic, singing songs from his 11 albums, soundtrack work, and also a Willie Nelson song and a song he wrote for Taylor Hicks (yup, the American Idol). He had a set list but also took requests, and for a number of songs he was joined by a great pianist named Gary Breit. Bryan talked a lot in between songs, telling us what inspired some songs ("Summer of '69" totally got its title from what you're thinking of right now) and also just joking and interacting with the audience. The Bijou was the perfect venue for this intimate setup.
Notes on a few songs:
"Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman?" - Gary managed to play the intricately beautiful Spanish guitar part (on the piano, people!) and Bryan explained that the band and crew now call him Gary "South of the Border" Breit because of it. What's funny is that Gary looked sooooo much like Bryan! They even dressed the same (black button up shirt tucked into dark blue jeans).
"It's Only Love" - Bryan told the story of how they introduced the duet idea to Tina Turner, and then proceeded to sing both his parts and hers. On the first verse that Tina would've been singing, Bryan changed his voice to imitate Tina's. HIL-arious.
"All For Love" - (Haha, you like the totally unintentional "Love" theme?) This was a trio between Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart, and Sting. Bryan sang all parts, and when he got to the first of Rod Stewart's lines he imitated Rod's slightly higher rasp. Fun times.
"Seven Spanish Angels" - Bryan told the story of how a guy came to him and asked Bryan to sign his guitar for his son who was overseas with the military. The father said something like "Yup, my son's favorite Willie Nelson song is 'Seven Spanish Angels'." Bryan then sang the song, with his best country twang (he does it well--pretty awesome for a Canadian, haha).
"Walk on By" - This is the final track on his newest release, and my favorite on the album. It's short and simple, and has some great viola solos. It was the first song during which the audience was quiet the entire time (and Bryan remarked on it afterward--he thanked us then and again later for being such a great audience), and that quiet helped me enjoy it even more. I remember just closing my eyes and swaying to the guitar.
After the concert I walked out with a couple of girls who'd been sitting to my right. One of them asked a security guard where the tour bus was and he actually told us! We headed toward the back of the Bijou. Once we got there I saw the couple who'd been sitting in front of me. We all waited together and speculated as to whether Bryan had already left or not. We found out from a roadie that he hadn't. I searched for something for Bryan to sign and the husband of a couple waiting with us said "I'll give you one of our CDs. They gave us two [at the meet and greet] but we didn't get them signed." Oh my gosh, they were so nice!!! I said thank you as many times as I could without appearing crazy. I just hope they heard me, because I was so excited/in shock from everything that had happened so far that I was nearly whispering.
A security guy came out and had us line up on the other side of the street, and later on he came out and counted us. Soon after, the pianist came out. I cheered "Whooooo, piano!" since I'd forgotten his name, lol. Then the roadies loaded a bunch of equipment, trunk by trunk. About 45 minutes and several frozen extremities later, the security guy had us line up single file on the side of the street where we started out earlier. I had befriended a woman named Suzanne and I got behind her when we lined up the second time. She had a camera and we made a deal that we'd each take a picture of the other with Bryan. Bryan came out a minute or so later. He stood in the street, took in the crowd for a minute (there were about 25 of us), then smiled and said "Wow, are you guys waiting for me?" We all yelled "yes!" excitedly and Suzanne added "You're worth waiting for!" He said "Let me get a picture for my blog!" He took a few pics, then said "I'll be right back." He put his things on the bus, came out and took a few more pics (during one I ran to the front and opened up my jacket so my "FAN SINCE '91" could show), then motioned for us to follow him to the bus and said "Come on and I'll sign some stuff."
The security guy had us line up in front of the bus but out of oncoming traffic's way. When it was her turn, Suzanne went up and got an autograph (I think) and spoke with Bryan. She told him that she was on speakerphone with a friend. She handed me her camera and I took their picture--I felt SO stupid 'cause I didn't know how to work the blasted thing (especially since Bryan is an acclaimed photographer)!! I couldn't see a thing in the preview screen and Bryan's manager had to tell me to press the button half way. I took the pic and all was well.Then it was my turn.
THIS IS IT! I walked up the dark, slightly spiraling and strangely-shaped steps and tried not to trip. Bryan was sitting on a seat right at the top of the stairs. He smiled at me, and I smiled back and actually managed to speak:
ME: This is the first time I've seen you in concert!
I either handed him the CD or he took it from me--I don't even remember.
BRYAN: That's cool! What's your name?
ME: Robyn.
BRYAN: R-O-B-I-N?
ME: R-O-B-Y-N.
I'm so glad he asked, 'cause it didn't even occur to me to spell it out! He signed the CD and handed it to me. Then I suddenly remembered my shirt. I opened my leather jacket so he could see it better--
ME: Oh, I made this shirt--it says "FAN SINCE '91."
BRYAN: Really? Wow, that's sweet. I gotta get a picture.
He disappeared into the bus and got his camera. I looked over at the bus driver, who was obviously not affected by this stuff anymore. Bryan came back and took a picture. I tried my best to smile and not look like a total dork (I probably failed miserably). I'm not even sure he got my face though, 'cause it was pretty tight in there.
BRYAN: That's really sweet.
THEN I suddenly remembered the deal I'd made with Suzanne.
ROBYN: Oh, I was going to get a picture! I looked for Suzanne and saw her across the street. Is that okay?
BRYAN: Uh--
At this point Bryan's manager said that my time was up. This cloud of disappointment/embarassment/anger immediately started to build but I pushed it away, turned to Bryan, smiled my best smile possible and said "Thank you!" He gave me a sympathetic smile.
I went back down the steps, which were suddenly better lit and not as confusing. This is when Suzanne, who was still on the phone and had apparently forgotten our deal, realized that she was supposed to be taking my picture with him. She walked toward me but the manager motioned for her to go back. As I approached her I shook my head and said (well, less said and more like almost snapped/yelled but didn't) "It's too late." I don't even think she said she was sorry, though her facial expression said that she was. She said that the security had told her to cross the street or something. I tried my best to put on a good face and not to show her how disappointed I was. I don't know how successful I was.**
I hovered around for a bit on the sidewalk and attempted to talk to her, but she was still on the phone with whoever (WTH, seriously?!). I looked around for the couple who'd given me their CD but they'd already left. I finally admitted to myself that it was time to go home so I began my 2-block-or-so walk to the State St. garage. I remembered that one of my best friends told me to call her when it was over (no matter what time it was!) so I called her and got to gush about it (for almost an HOUR!). I believe I started the conversation with something along the lines of "HOLYCRAPIJUSTMETBRYANADAMS!"
There's sooooooo much more. I had a lot of fun chatting with two married couples--the ones I mentioned earlier who were sitting in front of me and another couple who sat to my left. The latter couple saw Bryan in Nashville last night and in Memphis sometime last year. The wife showed me some pics from Memphis and I asked if she could email me some of those pics, if it wasn't too much trouble. She was really nice and said "Sure" so I gave her one of my business cards. Then after the concert as we were all gathering our things, I saw the girls who sat to my right giving another woman who'd been sitting in front of us their emails. She showed me one of the great shots she'd gotten and I asked if I could give her my email as well. She said yes so I gave her a card, and I also gave one to Suzanne when we made our picture deal. So that's three times over that my take-cards-with-you idea paid off--or two if you keep in mind that Suzanne has nothing to send me. *sigh*
Oh man, I just remembered--I wanted to tell Bryan that I LOVED the fact that he had solo viola in a couple of his songs. Crud!!!
All in all though, it was a VERY positive experience. I still cannot believe it all happened (though the soreness in my tired cheekbones from hours of smiling lets me know that it did). I needed this, I really did. And this was totally a gift from God--I'm serious. This all happened by accident, y'all--I only found out about this concert 4 days ago, but managed to get a seat on the second row, meet some really great people who enjoy the same music I do, and then meet the very first musician I ever had a crush on who also happens to be one of the sweetest guys on the planet. I'm going to try to hold onto this excitement as long as possible, though right now I must try to go to sleep!
.
**SUZANNE: If by some off chance you see this, I'm not mad! I got to watch one of my biggest musical idols perform, then I got to meet him and talk with him, he liked my shirt, and I made new friends (including you)!!! So it's all good.
You know the drill by now! This is a sampling of upcoming events in Knoxville, as well as Maryville and/or Oak Ridge. Other concertgoing tools: Facebook events, my Twitter lists, and the Do's and Don'ts of Concert Attendance.
Check back throughout the week because I constantly update the blog as I learn of events. All events without specific ticket information are FREE.
6:00 p.m. UT School of Music (LINK) Graduate recital: Terrence Leve, conducting
Sandra G. Powell Recital Hall, Natalie Haslam Music Center - 1741 Volunteer Boulevard, 37996
8:00 p.m. UT School of Music (LINK) Ensemble event: Tuba/Euphonium Ensembles
The UT Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble and the East Tennessee Tuba band perform a program of beautiful and exciting music.
Sandra G. Powell Recital Hall, Natalie Haslam Music Center - 1741 Volunteer Boulevard, 37996
6:00 p.m. UT School of Music (LINK) Ensemble event: Student Chamber Music Showcase
Graduate and Undergraduate students perform the chamber music works that they have studied throughout the semester.
Sandra G. Powell Recital Hall, Natalie Haslam Music Center - 1741 Volunteer Boulevard, 37996
7:00 p.m. Maryville College: MC Jazz Ensemble and Tartanband | Spring Concert
Maryville College’s Division of Fine Arts will present a spring concert, which is free and open to the public. The concert will include performances by student ensembles: Tartanband, directed by Dr. Eric Simpson, and the MC Jazz Ensemble, directed by Dr. Bill Swann.
Harold and Jean Lambert Recital Hall, Clayton Center for the Arts - 502 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy, 37804
8:00 p.m. UT School of Music (LINK) Graduate recital: Samantha Martinez-Brockhus, piano
Featuring pieces by Bach, Beethoven, Liszt, and Corigliano.
Sandra G. Powell Recital Hall, Natalie Haslam Music Center - 1741 Volunteer Boulevard, 37996
6:00 p.m. UT School of Music (LINK) Senior recital: Holly Moyer, jazz piano
A collection of jazz repertoire including South African works, featuring pianist Holly Moyer with Griffin Photoglou on drums and Rob Linton on bass.
Sandra G. Powell Recital Hall, Natalie Haslam Music Center - 1741 Volunteer Boulevard, 37996
8:00 p.m. UT School of Music (LINK) Ensemble event: Saxophone Chamber Music Night
An evening of chamber music featuring the UT Saxophone Ensemble and Saxophone Quartets.
Sandra G. Powell Recital Hall, Natalie Haslam Music Center - 1741 Volunteer Boulevard, 37996
6:00 p.m. Maryville College: Keyboard Night
A student performance. Free and open to the public.
Harold and Jean Lambert Recital Hall, Clayton Center for the Arts - 502 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy, 37804
7:30 p.m. Knoxville Symphony presents Beethoven & Sibelius, Performance 1 of 2 (LINK)
This program features the brilliant talent of pianist Zhenni Li for Beethoven’s magnificent Piano Concerto No. 4. Ms. Li has garnered worldwide recognition, most recently as the winner of the 2017 New York Concert Artists Worldwide Debut Audition, Astral Artist’s 2016 National Auditions, and the Grieg International Competition in Norway. Beethoven’s soulful concerto is paired with Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2, which the composer referred to as “a confession of the soul,” led by guest conductor Francesco Lecce-Chong, music director of the Eugene and Santa Rosa symphonies.
TICKETS: $14 and up
Tennessee Theatre - 604 S Gay St, 37902
8:00 p.m. UT School of Music (LINK) Studio recital: Beethoven Exposed!
A tasting menu of Beethoven's 32 piano sonatas, presented by UT piano studios. The Exposition from each of the 32 piano sonatas will be performed in chronological order, providing a chance to peek into Beethoven's innovations, range of expressions, and stylistic development throughout his creative life.
Sandra G. Powell Recital Hall, Natalie Haslam Music Center - 1741 Volunteer Boulevard, 37996
6:00 p.m. UT School of Music (LINK) Joint junior recital: Keely Rogers, clarinet and Austin Fox, saxophone
Keely Rogers performs Czardas by Vittorio Monti, Tango No.3 by Astor Piazzolla, and L'amour est un oiseau rebelle by George Bizet.
Sandra G. Powell Recital Hall, Natalie Haslam Music Center - 1741 Volunteer Boulevard, 37996
7:30 p.m. Knoxville Symphony presents Beethoven & Sibelius, Performance 2 of 2 (LINK)
This program features the brilliant talent of pianist Zhenni Li for Beethoven’s magnificent Piano Concerto No. 4. Ms. Li has garnered worldwide recognition, most recently as the winner of the 2017 New York Concert Artists Worldwide Debut Audition, Astral Artist’s 2016 National Auditions, and the Grieg International Competition in Norway. Beethoven’s soulful concerto is paired with Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2, which the composer referred to as “a confession of the soul,” led by guest conductor Francesco Lecce-Chong, music director of the Eugene and Santa Rosa symphonies.
TICKETS: $14 and up
Tennessee Theatre - 604 S Gay St, 37902
8:00 p.m. UT School of Music (LINK): UT Opera Theatre Presents Two One-Acts by Gian-Carlo Menotti (Performance 1 of 3)
UT Opera presents Two One-Acts by Gian Carlo Menotti, "The Old Maid and the Thief" and "Amelia Goes to the Ball," are two wonderfully funny and poignant works.
Bijou Theatre - 803 S. Gay St, 37902
2:00 p.m. UT School of Music (LINK) Ensemble event: Balinese Gamelan Concert
The University of Tennessee's Balinese gamelan presents a concert of traditional music of Bali and Indonesia, as well as new works for gamelan from Balinese and American composers.
Sandra G. Powell Recital Hall, Natalie Haslam Music Center - 1741 Volunteer Boulevard, 37996
2:30 p.m. UT School of Music (LINK): UT Opera Theatre Presents Two One-Acts by Gian-Carlo Menotti (Performance 2 of 3)
UT Opera presents Two One-Acts by Gian Carlo Menotti, "The Old Maid and the Thief" and "Amelia Goes to the Ball," are two wonderfully funny and poignant works.
Bijou Theatre - 803 S. Gay St, 37902
4:00 p.m. UT School of Music (LINK) Graduate recital: Jing-Fang Huang, piano
Come enjoy piano music written by Beethoven, Chopin, and Scriabin.
Sandra G. Powell Recital Hall, Natalie Haslam Music Center - 1741 Volunteer Boulevard, 37996
6:00 p.m. UT School of Music (LINK) Graduate recital: Patrick Rutledge, trombone
Featuring works by Bach, Verhelst, Sulek, and Mahler.
Sandra G. Powell Recital Hall, Natalie Haslam Music Center - 1741 Volunteer Boulevard, 37996
8:00 p.m. UT School of Music (LINK) Ensemble event: Flute Ensemble Concert
Flute ensembles ranging from quartets to a full flute choir will perform music inspired from places and cultures around the world.
Sandra G. Powell Recital Hall, Natalie Haslam Music Center - 1741 Volunteer Boulevard, 37996
2:30 p.m. UT School of Music (LINK): UT Opera Theatre Presents Two One-Acts by Gian-Carlo Menotti (Performance 3 of 3)
UT Opera presents Two One-Acts by Gian Carlo Menotti, "The Old Maid and the Thief" and "Amelia Goes to the Ball," are two wonderfully funny and poignant works.
Bijou Theatre - 803 S. Gay St, 37902
3:00 p.m. UT School of Music (LINK) Joint-junior recital: Darius Edwards and Peter Kim, clarinet
An afternoon of single reed music featuring works by Aaron Copland, Pierre Max Dubois, Bela Kovacs, Andre Messager, Robert Muczynski, Rodney Rogers, and Claude T. Smith.
Sandra G. Powell Recital Hall, Natalie Haslam Music Center - 1741 Volunteer Boulevard, 37996
8:00 p.m. UT School of Music (LINK) Ensemble event: UT Jazz Big Band Spring Concert
Sandra G. Powell Recital Hall, Natalie Haslam Music Center - 1741 Volunteer Boulevard, 37996