Tennessee Theatre
604 S. Gay Street,
Knoxville,
TN
37902
604 S. Gay Street,
Knoxville,
TN
37902
18 people
favorited this theater
Showing 51 - 75 of 119 comments
Beautiful photos Lost Memory! Thanks for posting!! These photos make the theatre appear even more beautiful than opening day.
Great outside pic ‘Lost Memory’ ~ Thanks! I last played the organ there in 1978, pre-restoration. Even then, it was a great Wurlitzer to play.
The TENNESSEE marquee is nice to see in photos, but the full impact occurs when seeing it IN PERSON as I did this past December. And a tour by Dr. Snyder, resident organist was “the icing on the cake”!
Interesting “before restoration” b/w photo!
Will Dunkin: Sorry I missed you while in Knoxville. Sure enjoyed the theatre tour by Dr. Snyder…such a nice man!
JAlex, it does look good, but those are LEDs inside a decorative, bulb-shaped cover, not incandescents. tntim will have to tell us more about them.
Lost Memory: Your Aug. 14, 2007 posted photo of the ticket kios is very nice. During my visit to Knoxville over the holidays that ticket kios had a very familiar person inside…Santa Claus! At night the marquees were lighted and it was a joy to see them shining brightly as I drove down Gay Street in Knoxville TN.
I recently visited the Tennessee and received a lovely full tour by resident organist, Dr. Bill Snyder. He even treated my husband and I to a private lovely 4 tune concert ending with, of course, the Tennessee Waltz. I also stepped into the Regal Cinema to check it out as they are headquartered in Knoxville along with Martha White Flour and HGTV, by the way! On the walls of the Regal are large b/w vintage photos of Knoxville so be sure to look up when you enter! And by the entrance doors is a vintage projector!
Happened to be driving through Knoxville New Years Day and got off I-40 to check out the exterior of the Tennessee. Highlight of the brief visit was the vertical…what a delight to see that the letters were lamped with incandescent bulbs. Now, that is what I call class!
The vertical sign for the new Regal Riviera can also be seen on the right hand side of the above photo.
Dr. Snyder,
I doubt you remember me but many years ago (5 or 6) I served as Dean of the Knoxville AGO chapter and we had a couple of concerts at the Tennessee on the Wurlitzer prior to its restoration. Hector Olivera was one of the concerts we presented. Just wanted to thank you for the wonderful musical extravaganza on Monday, Sept 3. I couldn’t believe the attendance and it was actually my first time in the theatre since it has been restored. I travel so much now ( you might remember I was the Gen Mgr at Knoxville Area Transit) that I don’t get to many organ events in Knoxville anymore, although I am currently the organist at Central UMC.
Also, FYI, I understand my great friend and handbell mentor from 25 years ago in Abilene Texas is practicing on the Wurlitzer. So glad you found Charles Parham. A tremendous organist. He, like you are true treasures.
Thanks again for the concert.
Lost Memory: Thanks so very much as I just sent it to friends who recently moved to Knoxville!
Thank you so very much.
Patsy,
I do have a copy of the GAC channels “Christmas At The Tennessee” show that was broadcast in December 2006. I had to work that night and set the vcr to copy it. I would be happy to make you a copy and send it to you no charge. I also copied the live local broadcast of the fund raiser and last night the theatre was open before the renovation was started. I was in the theatre that night for the fund raiser but wanted to see what the whole thing looked like on TV too.
Bill Snyder,
The first Monday of the month shows are better that ever, if possible, with the addition of guest MC’s and special artists. Bravo!
Lost Memory: Thanks for the wonderful photo and I just found out that dear friends will be moving to Knoxville later this summer so next winter I’ll be making a trip to this southern city to see this theatre gem!
If you want to sit on the main floor, the center section, rows G through L are just about perfect. You are back far enough that you don’t have to sit in anybody on stage’s lap and you can see the whole stage.
If you are attending one of Bill’s monthly organ extravaganzas, I prefer to sit in the balcony. Even though the organ pipes are located on either side of the stage, in the balcony it seems like you are surrounded by the sounds due to the curvature of the theatre
And Patsy, if you will send me and email at I might be able to mail you something special.
Unless you want to be close enough to feel the spray off the entertainer, you do not want these seats. Theatres are not designed for audiences to sit in the pit. The sound and sightlines from this location is the pits (ha ha). Will is correct; the best sound in the Tennessee is in the balcony.
Dear D30678
Only the nouveau riche sit closer than Orchestra Center, row C. Which has had me resting my chin on the foot lights at many shows. I’ll take row B balcony any day. Avoid row A balcony if you’re over four feet tall. The stage is 50+ feet wide and you just can’t see it all if you’re right up on it.
Cheers!
Quick question. I’m considering purchasing Orchestra pit tickets (3rd row, center) for an upcoming concert. Are these good tickets or will I develop a neck ache from looking straight up all evening?
Patsy:
Two comments.
I look forward to giving you a tour of the Tennessee Theatre as well as a mini concert on the Mighty Wurlitzer when your schedule permits.
There is not a video of the December 16, 2006 event at the Tennessee Theatre. This was a showing of the classic movie White Christmas with Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney. We had two showings, and both were sold out. We had to regretfully turn people away.
There is no greater thrill as far as I am concerned than having a full house seeing a movie in a movie palace!!!!
All best.
Bill
tntim or Bill Snyder: Is there any way that one can purchase a video of the December 16th “Christmas at the Tennessee?
Bill Snyder: I certainly have enjoyed looking at the many photos of your beautiful and grand lady, the Tennessee. Thank you for the Cinema Treasures open invitation as I, as a member, hope to take you up on that invite someday.
Following are a few updates about the Tennessee Theatre.
Bill Snyder
865-684-1149 (number at the theatre)
865-599-2211 (cell)
Best wishes to all for a wonderful year in 2007.
Bill Snyder
Director of Development and
Community Relations
House Organist
Managing Director
The Historic Tennessee Theatre
Can anyone get this cable channel as I’m not familiar with it?
tntim: Thanks…will check it out!