Immerse yourself in Knoxville’s rich country music heritage with a self-guided audio tour. Discover the stories of famous and lesser-known musicians who shaped the genre, while exploring the city’s history and culture. Perfect for visitors and residents alike!
- The Mill and Mine - The tour briefly stops outside Mill and Mine. You’ll learn about some of the building’s history and hear about the famous musicians that have played there.
- Knoxville Melting Pot - You’ll stop briefly in front of the Melting Pot restaurant. You’ll hear a bit about what the venue past as a nightclub.
- Lonesome Dove Knoxville - On this tour, you’ll walk past Lonesome Dove and hear about the venue’s past as a jazz club.
- Boyd’s Jig and Reel - You’ll pass by Boyd’s Jig and Reel restaurant and club. While you walk, you’ll hear about its history and its connection to “Stick” McGhee.
- Visit Knoxville Visitors Center - You’ll walk past the Knoxville Visitors Center and learn about how the main public room doubles as a radio studio for public radio station WDVX.
- Market Square - You’ll briefly stop outside of Market Square. There you’ll hear about the square’s history, its connection to live music and specific musicians.
- Tennessee Theatre - You’ll walk past the Tennessee Theatre and learn about its history. The theater has hosted some of country music’s greats, from Steve Earle to Merle Haggard to the Everly Brothers.
- Bijou Theater - You’ll stop outside of Bijou Theatre to hear about its history. It is Tennessee’s oldest secular auditorium and has hosted a wide variety of entertainers.
- Lifetime access to the tour in English
- Access to our mobile App for Android and iOS
- Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
- Smartphone and headphones
- Food and drink
- Transportation
Explore Knoxville from a novel perspective with a self-guided audio tour that delves into the city’s profound and vibrant contribution to the evolution of American country music.
Unearth new narratives about the skilled artists and lyricists who originated here or employed the city as a launchpad to stardom, in Nashville and further afield. Some merely came for performance, while others significantly influenced the music scene. We’ll encounter the genuinely renowned, such as Dolly Parton, Hank Williams, and Elvis Presley, but also the lesser-known talents like Charlie Oaks and Arthur Q. Smith. Along your journey, you’ll be introduced to fascinating details and stories from Knoxville’s past and culture.
Whether you are a tourist or a local interested in local history, which often intertwines with national history, this tour serves as the ideal introduction to Knoxville’s Country Music heritage. This pedestrian tour can be experienced on-site or even virtually from the comfort of your home with our Continuous Play feature that deactivates the GPS playback.
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
