Mattress storein Johnson City, TN

The US is celebrated for its iconic music cities like Nashville, the heartland of country music, New Orleans, the cradle of Jazz, and Austin, fittingly known as ‘The Live Music Capital of the World’. Yet, there’s a trove of less-known, hidden gems across the country that pulse with riveting live music experiences that many have yet to discover.

Take, for example, Florence in Alabama. Nestled in the Shoals region, this humble town is a hub for blues music that resonates through venues like The Listening Room and The Flora-Bama Lounge. Its local music scene may be lesser-known, but it is a beacon for those in the know.

Similarly, Mountain View in Arkansas is known as the ‘Folk Music Capital of the World’ and for good reason. There are a number of great venues in Mountain View hosting folk music, bluegrass, and other genres.

To shine a light on these hidden musical retreats, CheapoTicketing.com surveyed 3,000 live music lovers to create a ranking of the best under-the-radar live music destinations across the nation. The results were as follows:

#1 Modesto (California)

This Northern California city came in first place overall, and is brimming with a unique musical scene that’s both diverse and engaging. From the open-air performances at the Mancini Bowl in Graceada Park, to the intimate shows at the Gallo Center for the Arts, music enthusiasts can experience a variety of genres, including rock, blues, country, and jazz. Downtown Modesto comes alive with “Music in the Plaza” during summers, where local musicians serenade the streets.

#2 Fernandina Beach (Florida)

The Sunshine State proved to be very popular among live music afficionados 3 entries in the top 10, led by Fernandina Beach. This beach town is known for its laid-back atmosphere, but it also has a great live music scene. Downtown Fernandina Beach buzzes with an eclectic mix of live music at various bars, restaurants, and venues like the Green Turtle Tavern and The Palace Saloon. The Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival is a significant event, attracting classical musicians from around the world. There’s also the Sounds on Centre, a free concert series held on the first Friday of every month, showcasing a range of genres from rock and roll to blues.

#3 St. Pete Beach (Florida)

The second most popular live music destination in Florida, and third overall, was St. Pete Beach. It is a hidden oasis for live music enthusiasts. Known for its gorgeous white sand beaches and a warm, welcoming atmosphere, St. Pete Beach has an eclectic music scene that offers a unique blend of genres. The beachfront bars and restaurants, like Jimmy B’s Beach Bar and The Toasted Monkey, often host local bands and solo artists, providing a great ambiance for enjoying music with stunning sunset views.

#4 Franklin (Tennessee)

Unsurprisingly, Tennessee had an entry in the top 10. The state is home to famous music cities like Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville, which have been important centers for live music performances. Many music lovers may be unaware of Franklin though. While Nashville often steals the limelight when it comes to music, Franklin’s thriving and authentic music scene is not to be overlooked. The city’s Main Street is peppered with a variety of venues hosting live performances that provide a rich blend of musical genres, from country and bluegrass to folk and indie. The historic Franklin Theatre is a cornerstone of this music scene, hosting local artists and world-renowned musicians alike. Notably, Franklin is home to the annual Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival, which showcases a diverse array of musicians from across the globe, reflecting the city’s vibrant and inclusive musical culture.

#5 Branson (Missouri)

Often hailed as the “Live Entertainment Capital of the World,” Branson an undeniable hidden gem for live music, and was voted in as 5th most popular. Nestled in the heart of the Ozark Mountains, Branson’s diverse music scene appeals to all ages and tastes, offering an array of genres from country and gospel to rock ‘n’ roll and Broadway-style musicals. The city boasts more than 45 theaters, including the iconic Dolly Parton’s Stampede and the Branson Famous Theatre, showcasing a variety of performances daily. One of the standout events is the annual Bluegrass & BBQ festival, which brings together some of the biggest names in bluegrass music and mouth watering local cuisine.

#6 St. Augustine (Florida)

Florida’s 3rd entry in the top ten, and 6th overall was St. Augustine. Rich in history and culture, the city’s music scene reflects its diverse heritage, offering a blend of genres from folk and bluegrass to rock, jazz, and Latin rhythms. The St. Augustine Amphitheatre, an outdoor venue nestled in a beautiful oak-filled park, regularly hosts high-profile musicians and festivals, such as the Sing Out Loud Festival. Moreover, on any given day, visitors can stroll down historic St. George Street and encounter talented street musicians adding to the charm of this vibrant city.

#7 Athens (Georgia)

Athens, placing in 7th position, is a hidden gem for live music that has birthed a number of well-known acts, including R.E.M., the B-52s, and Widespread Panic. This small town exudes a big city feel with its vibrant and eclectic music scene that spans across genres from rock, country, folk, to indie, punk, and electronica. Downtown Athens is a hotbed of live music, with a high density of venues like the 40 Watt Club and The Georgia Theatre, both legendary in their own right for hosting a multitude of famous bands before they hit it big. The city also hosts the annual AthFest, a music and arts festival that showcases local talent.

#8 Carrboro (North Carolina)

Home to the famous Cat’s Cradle, one of the premier live music venues in the South-East known for launching careers of famous bands like Superchunk and Archers of Loaf, Carrboro offers an extraordinary array of music for all tastes. The town’s Music Festival, a free, day-long event, showcases a diverse line-up of local bands across multiple venues, painting the town with the rhythms of rock, folk, blues, and more. Carrboro’s commitment to local music also shines through its numerous open mic nights, buskers on the street corners, and local bands performing in its restaurants and bars.

#9 Bakersfield (California)

Known as the birthplace of the “Bakersfield Sound,” this style of country music was popularized in the mid-20th century by legends like Merle Haggard and Buck Owens. The Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace, a must-visit, continues to be a premier venue for live country music, while also serving as a museum dedicated to the Bakersfield Sound. Beyond its country roots, Bakersfield’s music scene is impressively diverse, which may explain why it was voted among the best hidden gems for live music in the country. The Fox Theater, an architectural icon, regularly hosts a range of performances from rock bands to symphony orchestras.

#10 Marfa (Texas)

And rounding up the top ten favorite live music destinations was the small desert town of Marfa in Texas. It may be small, but its impact on the live music scene is anything but minor, making it a real hidden gem. Known for its vibrant arts scene, The town’s Ballroom Marfa is a dynamic, contemporary cultural arts space. Marfa plays host to regular music and cultural events- there’s always something going on! The local radio station, Marfa Public Radio, also plays a significant role in promoting local and regional music.

Infographic showing the ranking of America’s hidden gems of live music

Tennessee had 2 other entries aside from Franklin among the top 120 hidden live music destinations in America. They were as follows:

#43 Johnson City. This city in northeastern Tennessee is known for its proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains and its thriving college town atmosphere. But it also has a great live music scene. There are a number of great venues in Johnson City hosting local and touring artists, including The Hideaway, The Down Home, and The Wild Wing Cafe.

#49 Sevierville, in eastern Tennessee is known for its proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains and its family-friendly atmosphere. But it also has a great live music scene. There are a number of great venues in Sevierville hosting local and touring artists, including Bluffs Grill and Taps, and The H.U.T.

“This ranking reflects not only the diversity of music genres available across the nation but also the passion and resilience of local communities in keeping live music alive and thriving. We hope this inspires music lovers to explore beyond the known music cities and to experience the unique sounds these hidden gems offer” says James Collins of CheapoTicketing.com.

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Will Righter learned how important efficiency is and how narrow margins for error were while working in the private sector — and Johnson City’s new director of planning and development services says he understands the pressures developers face as well.

“I think (that) gives me a unique experience and an outlook on trying to assist developers and developing with our community without sacrificing the regulations,” Righter told News Channel 11 Monday.

Righter was named to the position Friday, four months after Justin Westbrook resigned following a very brief stint in a role that’s seen its share of turnover through the years.

A native of the area who said he’d like to finish his career with Johnson City, Righter has been with the department for five years. He served as an Army officer following his first graduation from East Tennessee State University in 1998 and has picked up two master’s degrees from ETSU since.

He said the most important things on his plate are “guiding growth in a sustainable way” and making sure the department provides what he called “world class customer service.”

“The same level whether it’s a developer coming in to build a 400-lot subdivision or somebody coming in to that wants to construct a shed in their backyard,” Righter said. He added that customer service needs to extend to citizens who are being impacted by development, as well as other city departments themselves.

“I want this department’s focus to be on relationship building and offering good customer service to developers and the citizens.”

He said the growing number of developer-requested annexations and infill projects within city land are needed to keep pace with housing demand, but they’ll also keep the department busy.

He said he sees no sign of growth slowing down in Johnson City.

“I don’t know that anybody could have envisioned this much growth, but it’s really not surprising,” said Righter, who grew up in the Stoney Creek community of Carter County

“I don’t think we think about all that this area has to offer. Everything from the mountains to, to the lakes, to the just the friendliness of the people. There’s a lot that’s attractive about this area, and it’s a place that people want to live.”

That puts Righter’s department square in the middle of a lot of complex work.

“This department is huge from the planning stage of it, getting those people together to explain the codes and then this department continues to be the hub in making sure that the review process goes smoothly,” Righter said.

Righter will also be at the center of helping develop the city’s new growth management plan, which is being put together with the help of a consultant.

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — The Johnson City Commission gave unanimous approval on first reading of the city’s budget, which includes a property tax increase.

If approved on two further readings, the property tax rate in the city will increase by 25 cents per $100 dollars of assessed home value.

Mayor Todd Fowler told News Channel 11 that there was no other option for the city.

“There is just no way to balance a budget and do the things that we need to furnish the services that we need for Johnson City,” said Fowler.

Though the commission voted unanimously, Commissioner Joe Wise said passing the first tax increase since 2015 was not an easy decision to make.

“We are not taking lightly the question of coming to taxpayers at a time when inflation is going through the roof, and asking you for money,” Wise said.

If approved, the city property tax rate would rise to $1.98 per $100 of assessed property value. For a person whose home is assessed at $200,000, property taxes would cost $10 more dollars per month, or about $125 more dollars per year.

City Manager Cathy Ball says the tax increase will fund three efforts: the construction of a New Towne Acres Elementary School, contributing to raises for county emergency workers, like 911 dispatchers, and infrastructure projects like road resurfacing.

“With inflation, our money doesn’t go as far so part of the proposal is that we would be able to keep up with infrastructure needs by adding more money,” said Ball.

Despite the tax increase, Fowler says there are things to celebrate in this year’s budget, like raises for city staff and investments to address homelessness by adding a homeless services coordinator.

“It was over a million and a half dollars just to keep up with what we should be paying our people to retain them,” said Fowler. “That’s really important to us too.”

The commission will have to approve the budget two more times before it is adopted.

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) – A Johnson City bridal store is among those in Tennessee that will be impacted by a WARN Notice filed with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD), though at this point only layoffs at the company’s headquarters in Pennsylvania are certain.

According to a letter from the TDLWD to state, county and city officials, David’s Bridal LLC notified the agency of a “permanent closure to take place on or around June 12, 2023 through August 11, 2023.” Washington County Mayor Joe Grandy and Johnson City Mayor Todd Fowler were recipients of the letter.

Among the seven locations impacted by the closure is the store located on Peoples Street in Johnson City, the letter states.

“The total number of affected workers in Tennessee is 206,” the letter states. “At this time, David’s Bridal expects the only employees that will be affected to be at their headquarters in Pennsylvania.”

News Channel 11 reached out to the TDLWD for clarification on what the WARN Notice means for Tennessee workers. Chris Cannon, Chief Communications Officer for the TDLWD, provided the following statement:

“I can tell you, at this time, David’s Bridal is not expected to lay off any of its 206 employees in Tennessee.”

Chris Cannon, Tennessee Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development Chief Communications Officer

David’s Bridal filed for bankruptcy in April after already announcing it planned to cut thousands of positions. The company reported in a news release April 17 it would “continue exploring a sale of all or some of its assets” consistent with the bankruptcy code. Media reports at that time said the company might have to close all its stores if it couldn’t find a buyer by late summer.

The department stated in the letter that David’s Bridal notified the TDLWD Dislocated Worker Unit on April 14.

According to the TDLWD, the First Tennessee Development District was one of the organizations notified to get in touch with and offer services to affected employees.

After weeks of working with sources covering over a century of the area’s past, East Tennessee State University students will present their research on the history of Johnson City’s Black community.

The event happens Tuesday from 4-8:30 p.m. at the Langston Centre, located at 315 Elm Street in Johnson City.

The research was conducted by students in the Department of History’s historical methods course, a class required before history majors can take upper-level courses. The students mined a wealth of historical information about Black churches, schools, civic clubs and organizations in Johnson City and Washington County from the end of the Civil War to the present.

The Archives of Appalachia recently digitized the project, and the work is available to anyone online.

“Not only have we invited students, faculty and staff from ETSU, but the Langston Centre has reached out to the local community, among them many Black Americans, who will join the event as audience,” said Dr. Constanze Weise, an assistant professor of history, who taught the course this semester. “Not only do we hope that the research the students did will contribute to a better understanding of the Black community during the time of Jim Crow, but it will hopefully also lead to a dialog with community members in the question-and-answer session after student presentations and during the various breaks.”

Tuesday’s event, one of dozens held by the university this semester aimed at community engagement, is sponsored by ETSU’s Department of History and Black American Studies program, as well as the Black-owned Johnson City restaurant, Cranberries.

“There is a lot of history that still needs to be uncovered. From the Roan Hill school to once-thriving homes and community buildings, much of the physical history of Johnson City’s Black life has been lost as Johnson City has developed, but stories and artifacts may still be out there waiting to be found that can help keep the memory of an important part of Johnson City’s history alive.” said Weise. “This event will raise awareness about important historical topics and bring student engagement to the local community as well as involve the community in what the history department at ETSU is doing.”