Tennessee Theatre
604 S. Gay Street,
Knoxville,
TN
37902
604 S. Gay Street,
Knoxville,
TN
37902
18 people
favorited this theater
Showing 76 - 100 of 119 comments
The cable network GAC with broadcast “Christmas at the Tennessee†on December 16th at 9PM EST. There will be some awesome shots of the theatre both in the auditorium and interviews in the grand lobby. This show will be worth watching for all historic theatre lovers weather you like country music or not. For more information go to gac.com
Friends, a friend of mine who is a long time member of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra read the link to Kirkegaard Associates and wrote back to me with this comment. Thought you might like to see it. (And he is right, no one would ever purposefully design a concert hall in the shape of a wide oval with the stage on the long side, but that’s what we’ve got. It is, however, a stunningly beautiful hall inwhich to hear the very talented members of the KSO perform.) Will
“As might be expected, this piece is self promotion for Kirkegaard and probably exaggerates somewhat. However, I think I speak for most orchestra members when I say that there has been noticible improvement. When the KSO moved from the Civic Auditorium to the Tennessee Theatre in about 1985 I told anyone who asked, and probably some that didn’t, that I thought the acoustics had improved from a D at the Auditorium to a C at the Theatre. I would now rate the Theatre at a B. The new shell is a huge improvement in that the orchestra hears itself so much better so our ensemble playing is much better and that is a major plus in making the orchestra better. I’m not sure that since the shape of the room is all wrong for a concert hall that much more could have been done.
“So, Kirkegaard pats itself on the back perhaps a bit too strenuously but they are the firm that was chosen for the restoration of Orchestra Hall in Chicago and Severence Hall in Cleveland as well as the brand new hall in Tel Aviv so they do have a proven, positive record.”
I wish the folks who restored the Tennessee would come to Charlotte and help with efforts to restore the Carolina! www.mtos.org and
View link
Where is Kirkegaard based? And perhaps after the first of the year I’ll be able to visit Knoxville enroute to Nashville. If so, seeing the Tennessee will be at the top of the ‘must-see’ list.
Thanks for the Kirkegaard website with photos as you certainly have a beauty in the Tennessee especially that in-house organ.
This is a very interesting link to the Kirkegaard website describing their work on the Tennessee Theatre. Their work in acoustics (both natural and electronically enhanced) over the last couple of decades has been widely regarded as among the best work in the field.
http://www.kirkegaard.com/press/2072/2072.htm
Thanks, Patsy. I look forward to getting your email.
All best.
Bill
Will do via private email. Larry will love hearing from a fellow theatre organist! And if you haven’t been to the Fox I sincerely hope that in ‘06 you see it in person, as it is one fine theatre from the 20’s! God bless the folks of Atlanta for standing tall and saving this one! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Patsy:
Several months ago you offered to send me the email address of Larry Embury, and I am just now responding. I would appreciate very much getting his e mail address.
Thanks
Bill Snyder
Great photos. I recently met a man whose daughter lives in Knoxville so I told him to be sure and check out the Tennessee when in that southern city! I was particularly pleased to see the restored ticket kios as that element was and is an important part to any historical theatre.
How exciting to see all of this discussion about the beautiful Tennessee Theatre. If anyone gets to Knoxville and wants a personalized tour of the theatre, please contact me at
865-684-1149 (My number at the theatre.I am there every day.)
865-633-6023 (Home phone)
865-599-2211 (Cell phone)
Bill Snyder
Community Relations and Development Director
Glad to see so much discussion of the lovely Tennessee Theatre. The photo that “lostmemory” has posted is an excellent image of the marquee that was removed in the recent renovation. It was a handsome 1950’s era sign. The current one is much more baroque – recreating the original 1928 design with only a few modern touches. Best to all.
I have viewed the slide show and it was wonderful as it did include the beautiful ceiling and the restored chandeliers! This theatre is now on my must-see theatre list!
I wish they had included the ceiling in the 360 degree photo!
lostmemory: “The historical Web site cinematreasures.org lists 18 other movie palaces that share the Spanish-Moorish architecture of the Tennessee. Of those, five have been demolished and seven are closed.” This is a sad statistic, but there is hope for the seven that are closed and not demolished! The website lists the sister theatres that have the Moorish interior so will check to see if they are CT listed!
lostmemory: Once again you come through with another great photo and this time its of a great surviving Mighty Wurlitzer! Thanks….again! My hat goes off to the fine folks of Knoxville who restored this theatre and made it a vital part of the downtown area…..again!
Yes, the decision to name the theatre TENNESSEE was the right choice!
lostmemory: That’s it…up and down. Think of vertical as up and down as horizontal is across like the horizon. Thanks for the great photo as you have provided CT with many great photos and continue to do so which is especially nice since the photo feature has not been a CT feature ever since I became a member last November.
When visiting the Riviera Theatre site click on photo tour and you’ll see their Mighty Wurlitzer!
Bill Snyder: I believe I recognize your name as you are the current Tennessee organist! If you ever get a chance to visit the Riviera Theatre in N. Tonawanda NY you will see and hear the original Wurlitzer that was used as a demonstrator organ to prospective customers. Last December 26th I was at the 75th anniversary of the Fox Theatre/Atlanta. I also had the pleasure and honor of meeting the Fox organist, Larry Embury. I have his email if you would like to write him to compare ‘musical’ notes! The website for the Riviera Theatre is www.rivieratheatre.org
To All With An Interest In The Tennessee Theatre:
I jokingly tell my friends that when I retired from the University of Tennessee after a 40 year career, I had two job opportunities; be a greeter at Wall Mart or become a tour guide at the Tennessee Theatre.I chose the latter so to speak.
I am now a full time employee at the Tennessee Theatre with the title Community Relations and Development Director. I also continue as House Organist. This translates into the responsibility to raise friends prior to raising money. Even though we have reached our capital campaign goal of $25 million, we will need to raise money on an annual basis to help cover the substabtial increase in operating costs.
One of the things I do in my position is conduct tours of the theatre. I have done over 125 tours since we reopend on January 14, 2005. If anyone would like to have a tour, please contact me at 865-684-1149 or I often play a few tunes on the Mighty Wurlitzer as part of the tour if the organ can be made accessible on the orchestra lift.
Our guiding philosophy in operating the “new” Tennessee Theatre is “
Building the Future and Preserving the Past.”
I hope to see many of you at the theatre in the futuree.
All best.
Bill Snyder
Jodigirl:
The bench to which you refer is in good condition and is located on the sidewalk at the back of the theatre on State Street. It is a convenient place to park one’s tired body when waiting to be picked up. I have sat on the bench many time waiting to be picked up by my wife.
I am sorry that I do not have a photograph of the bench.
All best.
Bill Snyder
Also great to read about the theatre’s Mighty Wurlitzer made in N. Tonawanda NY! This restored theatre sounds and looks like a must-see theatre!
lostmemory: Thanks for the night photo and if you come across one that shows the vertical TENNESSEE sign and/or the entire front entrance, please post!
Vince: I just viewed the official Tennessee Theatre site and found the pictures of the lobby with its $150,000 chandeliers breathtaking! I hope to see this theatre, in person, sometime.