Calendar of Events

The Knoxville Museum of Art is thrilled to announce the eagerly awaited lineup for the upcoming 2023-2024 season of Soundscapes at the KMA, the museum's signature concert series. Formerly known as “Alive After Five,” the rebranded series promises an unforgettable musical journey, showcasing a diverse array of talented artists and genres. Soundscapes at the KMA continues its tradition of providing an enriching cultural experience for music enthusiasts and art lovers alike. "Soundscapes is more than just a concert series" says coordinator Brian Clay, "it's the fusion between of music performance and fantastic visual art, one-of-a-kind performances with the exhibitions and collections of the KMA as a backdrop. We have a fantastic new season scheduled, and we invite you to join us for these unforgettable musical experiences in the stunning setting of the KMA.” Enjoy curated performances, cocktails, and dancing in beautiful Bailey Hall, or explore the art on view as music weaves through the galleries. Kick off your weekend in an extraordinary atmosphere that allows you to see, hear, and feel art in a whole new way.

2023-2024 SEASON LINEUP:
· April 12, 2024, 6-9pm—"A Tribute to Motown Soul II"
· May 10, 2024, 6-9pm—To Be Announced
· June 14, 2024, 6-9pm—To Be Announced
· July 12, 2024, 6-9pm—Adam Hawley
· August 16, 2024, 6-9pm—Season Finale

TICKETS: Members: $20, Non-Members: $25, Member’s Pass: FREE, Kids under 12: FREE
SEASON TICKETS: Members: $160, Non-Members: $200, Secures entry to all nine performances (one show discount)
Season details, including the full lineup, ticket information, and artist bios, are available at knoxart.org.

The museum is located in downtown Knoxville at 1050 World’s Fair Park Drive and is open to the public Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Admission and parking are free. For more information, visit www.knoxart.org

Presented by Bluegill Productions and The Concourse
5:30 PM Doors | 6:30 PM Show

Admission: advance tickets at www.concourseknox.com
Tickets: $10 + fees Advance | $15 At The Door
Children 12 & under are free
Limited seating available

Information: bluegill.mg8@gmail.com

April 12 at 8 pm

Sam Lewis is a songwriter based out of Nashville whose music invariably circles back to a universal truth: "We are all trying to get somewhere — all running from something or toward something; we're all in it together, though." His discography reveals his artistic evolution. These include his self-titled debut (2012), the yearning "Waiting On You" (2015), the introspective "Loversity" (2018), and the stripped-down intimacy of "Solo" (2020). Each album, co-produced by legends like Oliver Wood (The Wood Brothers) and graced by the talents of musicians like Mickey Raphael (Willie Nelson), Darrell Scott (Robert Plant), and the McCrary Sisters, has garnered critical acclaim, showcasing Lewis' unyielding commitment to raw songwriting. 2021 saw the birth of Harley, Kimbro, and Lewis, a collaboration simmering for nearly a decade. The trio, Martin Harley, Daniel Kimbro, and Sam Lewis, weave their musical voices into a tapestry of original songs, channeling the spirit of "The Band" in their writing and recording process.

Knoxville's own Daniel Kimbro is an accomplished songwriter and guitarist and an in-demand touring bass player with acts including Jerry Douglass, Eric Clapton, Amythyst Kiah, Molly Tuttle, and many others.

Tickets available at TicketLeap (jubilee-community-arts.ticketleap.com), by mail or at the door 30 minutes prior to show

$20 at the door, $15 General Audience Advance, $14 JCA members, students & seniors 65+

Jubilee Community Arts at the Laurel Theater, 1538 Laurel Ave, Knoxville, TN 37916. Tickets: https://jubilee-community-arts.ticketleap.com. Information: 865-522-5851, www.jubileearts.org

Pull out your party pants and join us for a groovy night at West Fifth Studios! Get ready to dance the night away at our Spring Fling Silent Disco. It's going to be a unique experience with a silent disco twist. Put on your headphones, choose your favorite music channel, and let loose on the courtyard dance floor. This event is all about having fun while supporting a great cause. So grab your friends and come enjoy a night of music, art, and good vibes. Tickets are limited and trust us—you're not going to want to miss this.

Before the Silent Disco starts at 7pm, we will have Open Artist Studios at 5pm! The artists of West Fifth will have their individual studios open and you'll be able to see the direct impact of your donations.

Can't make it to the party, but what to support the studios? You can still make a donation to the studios through the event page.

We thank you for your thoughtful consideration in support of West Fifth Studios. All proceeds from the event go directly to supporting the individual artists of West Fifth through rent stabilization.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/west-fifths-spring-fling-a-silent-disco-fundraiser-tickets-841541321747

Inspired by National Public Radio’s popular Tiny Desk series of concerts, this program within the George F. DeVine Music Library will feature some of our own Student Library Assistants, as well as a diverse group of talented musicians from the Black Musicians Alliance and the UT College of Music. The program will be an opportunity to bring audiences to the music library to showcase its space and collections. The Tiny Desk Concert will take place on Friday, April 12, from 6pm-7pm (after closing) in the music library with a short reception at 5pm.

Natalie Haslam Music Center, Ground floor across from the elevators
1741 Volunteer Boulevard, Knoxville, TN 37996

https://calendar.utk.edu/event/tiny-desk-concert-inspired-by-npr-in-the-music-libraryinspired-by-national-public-radios-popular-tiny-desk-series-of-concerts-this-program-within-the-george-f-devine-music-library-will-feature-some-of-our-own-slas-as-well-as-a-diverse-group

They Sang What They Lived: The Story of Carl and Pearl Butler is the first retrospective exhibition of Carl and Pearl Butler, the iconic country music duo whose timeless lyrics and harmonious melodies left an indelible mark on country music. With a career spanning over four decades, Carl and Pearl Butler became celebrated figures in the world of country music. “Carl made scores of major-label records during the 1950s,” says Bradley E. Reeves, the exhibition’s guest curator and author of the new book Honky Tonkitis: On the Road with Carl Butler and Pearl. “These are some of the best bluegrass, gospel, and hard country records ever made, although none could be called a massive hit.” That honor would come in 1962, when Carl and Pearl recorded “Don’t Let Me Cross Over.” The song remains among the fastest ever to ascend to No. 1 on Billboard Hot Country Singles. Carl and Pearl’s unique “Knoxville sound,” along with heartfelt lyrics, earned them a dedicated fan base who supported them at performances across the United States and Canada through the 1970s. The exhibition offers visitors a rare glimpse into the lives of these music legends.

Key highlights of the exhibition include:
1. Rare Family Archives: Museum guests will have the opportunity to view the Allen “Junior” Butler Family Collection, which has been made publicly available for the first time and includes never-before-seen photographs, home movies, original instruments, and stage costumes that belonged to Carl and Pearl Butler. “I’m grateful to Allen Butler and his family for opening their home and archives to share with us,” says Reeves.
2. Musical Journey: Explore the duo's musical journey through a feature film, which transports visitors through various periods of their career and traces their unfiltered, raw singing style, one that derived from and advanced the “Knoxville sound.”
3. Behind-the-Scenes: Gain insight into the lives of Carl and Pearl Butler through never-before-seen family photographs and recently uncovered anecdotes from the family and fellow musicians, including Dolly Parton who viewed the Butlers as her “second parents.” “Despite their successes,” says Adam Alfrey, Assistant Director for Historical Services at Knox County Public Library, “Carl and Pearl faced personal and professional struggles, which are intimately documented through the family’s photographs.”
4. Interpretive Experience: Engage with the exhibition to understand how both Knoxville and Nashville played a role in the development of country music. Also, learn how chart-topping artists can quickly become all but forgotten, even in their hometown. “The Butlers somehow fell through the cracks,” reflects Reeves. “It’s my hope that this book and exhibition will contribute to a reappreciation of their great body of work.”
They Sang What They Lived: The Story of Carl and Pearl Butler promises to be a heartfelt educational experience for country music enthusiasts and fans of all ages. It serves as a testament to the enduring influence of Carl and Pearl Butler on the world of music.

At 5:00 pm, Friday, October 6, 2023, there will be an opening reception for They Sang What They Lived: The Story of Carl and Pearl Butler. The event will include a meet and greet with Carl and Pearl Butler’s family, a book signing by guest curator Bradley E. Reeves, and an exhibition of Appalachian musical pioneer paintings by artist Amy Campbell. At 7:00 pm, there will be a “Tribute to Carl and Pearl,” opened by a performance of the Paul Brewster and Friends Band, comprised of 14-year-old mandolin prodigy Wyatt Ellis and Grand Ole Opry performers Daniel Grindstaff, Kent Blanton, Stephen Burwell, and John Meador. A screening of 8mm home movies shot by the Butlers (watch for an appearance by 10-year-old Dolly Parton), as well as some of the Butlers’ rarest television appearances, will conclude the evening.

East Tennessee Historical Society, 601 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Museum hours: M-F 9-4, Sa 10-4, Su 1-5. Information: 865-215-8824, www.eastTNhistory.org/lights-camera