Knoxville, TN: Where the Fog Tastes Like Coal and the Drumming's Free (Mostly)

okay, so. knoxville. i didn’t plan to be here. touring with the band, you know? one minute we’re in Nashville, the next…bam. east tennessee. it’s…something.

i just checked and it’s…a damp, grey sort of day. like someone wrung out a cloud over the whole city. feels like -2.63, they say, but honestly, it feels closer to -6.05. my fingers are numb just thinking about it. i’m huddled in this little coffee shop - “The Wild Plum,” apparently - trying to thaw out and write this before my laptop dies.

and the drumming…oh, the drumming. i’m a touring session drummer, so i’m used to hearing drums. but knoxville has this vibe. like, every other corner has someone banging on something. not always good drumming, mind you. sometimes it’s just…enthusiasm. but it’s there. i saw a guy on Gay Street today, just absolutely laying into a set of buckets. people were throwing money in his case. it was…chaotic. in a good way.

“Heard a rumor about a speakeasy down by the river. Supposedly, you gotta know the password. Something about a ‘blue heron’ and a ‘lost banjo.’”

I’ve been wandering around, trying to get a feel for the place. *Market Square is pretty lively, lots of shops and restaurants. I checked out Yelp and it seems like everyone raves about this place called “Oliver Royale.” Fancy. Probably not my speed, but worth a look if you’re into that sort of thing.

Someone told me that the University of Tennessee students basically own this city. which, i guess, makes sense. it’s a college town at heart. if you get bored, Asheville and Chattanooga are just a short drive away. both worth checking out, honestly.

Gear List (because, drummer):

My trusty Tama Starclassic Maple kit (obviously)
Vic Firth 550 sticks - can’t live without ‘em
Noise-canceling headphones - essential for rehearsals
Portable metronome - gotta stay on time
A ridiculously oversized scarf - this weather is brutal

“Drunk advice: Don’t go near the Old City after dark. Something about…shadows and regret. I’m not entirely sure.”

I stumbled across this amazing vintage shop, “Retrocade,” on *Central Avenue. Seriously, the coolest clothes. I picked up a killer 70s jumpsuit. It’s a little loud, but hey, when in Knoxville, right? Check out their TripAdvisor reviews - people seem to love it. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60848-d1234567-Reviews-Retrocade-Knoxville_Tennessee.html

I also heard that Ijams Nature Center is supposed to be beautiful, even in this weather. Might check that out tomorrow if I can brave the cold. https://ijams.org/

Pro-Tips for Surviving Knoxville:

Wear layers. Seriously. The temperature fluctuates like crazy.
Embrace the weird. This city has a unique energy.
Talk to the locals. They’re surprisingly friendly.
Bring earplugs. Just in case you run into another bucket drummer.
Find a good coffee shop. You’ll need it.

Honestly, knoxville isn’t what i expected. it’s…rough around the edges. a little bit gritty. but there’s something charming about it. something real. i’m not sure i’d want to live here, but i’m glad i spent a few days.

Oh, and one more thing. someone warned me about the fog. Apparently, it smells like coal. i think they were joking. but…it is a little smoky.

Check out the local forums for more insider tips: https://www.city-data.com/forum/knoxville-tennessee/

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