Knoxville in Knox County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

The Midday Merry-Go-Round

— Cradle of Country Music Tour —

Photographed by Joel Seewald, May 31, 2018

1. The Midday Merry-Go-Round Marker

Inscription. The remains of this building mark the site that once served as WNOX's studio and "radiotorium" from the late 1930s until the 1950s. The Midday Merry-Go-Round, hosted by Lowell Blanchard, was broadcast six days a week at lunch time and was the most influential of the station's many country music programs. The popular show proved to be an important stepping stone to stardom on Nashville's Grand Ole Opry. Legendary artists who regularly performed on WNOX's programming included Roy Acuff, Chet Atkins, Archie Campbell, Red Rector, Homer & Jethro, Bill Carlisle, Don Gibson, Kitty Wells, Pee Wee King, and Bill and Charlie Monroe. (Marker Number 11.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Communications • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce.

Location. 35° 58.109′ N, 83° 55.215′ W. Marker is in Knoxville, Tennessee, in Knox County. It is on South Gay Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is about halfway between West Vine Avenue and West Jackson Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address:

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116 South Gay Street, Knoxville TN 37902, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Uncle Dave Macon (a few steps from this marker); Hubris Building (within shouting distance of this marker); C. Kermit “Buck” Ewing (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Archie Campbell / Chet Atkins (about 400 feet away); Robert Birdwell (about 500 feet away); Battery Wiltsie (about 600 feet away); Richard Clarke (about 700 feet away); Charlie Oaks (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Knoxville.

Also see . . .
1. Roy Acuff. (Submitted on June 15, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
2. Chet Atkins.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, May 31, 2018

2. The Midday Merry-Go-Round Marker

View looking south along South Gay Street.

(Submitted on June 15, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
3. Archie Campbell. (Submitted on June 15, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
4. Red Rector. (Submitted on June 15, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
5. Homer & Jethro. (Submitted on June 15, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
6. Bill Carlisle. (Submitted on June 15, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
7. Don Gibson. (Submitted on June 15, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
8. Kitty Wells. (Submitted on June 15, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
9. Pee Wee King. (Submitted on June 15, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
10. Bill Monroe. (Submitted on June 15, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
11. Charlie Monroe. (Submitted on June 15, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)

Photographed by Tom Bosse, November 25, 2024

3. The Midday Merry-Go-Round Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 2,918 times since then and 214 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 15, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 3. submitted on December 24, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.