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

Uncle Dave Macon

Sterchi Brothers Furniture

— Cradle of Country Music Tour —

Uncle Dave Macon Marker image. Click for full size.

By Cosmos Mariner, May 10, 2019

1. Uncle Dave Macon Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Sterchi Brothers Furniture established its headquarters here in the 1920s and had a profound influence on the development and early popularity of country music. As agents for Aeolian - Vocalian Record Co., the Sterchis (with talent scout Gus Nennsteil) discovered early talents like George Reneau and Mac & Bob. The company also subsidized many Nashville musicians, including pioneer Opry star Uncle Dave Macon, whose early recording sessions in New York were sponsored by Sterchi Brothers .

Erected by Cradle of Country Music Tour. (Marker Number 10.)

Location. 35° 58.101′ N, 83° 55.204′ W. Marker is in Knoxville, Tennessee, in Knox County. Marker is on South Gay Street north of West Vine Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located along the sidewalk, adjacent to the northwest corner of the subject building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 120 South Gay Street, Knoxville TN 37902, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Midday Merry-Go-Round (a few steps from this marker); Hubris Building (within shouting distance

Uncle Dave Macon Marker (<i>wide view</i>)<br>(<i>Sterchi Building in background</i>) image. Click for full size.

By Cosmos Mariner, May 10, 2019

2. Uncle Dave Macon Marker (wide view)
(Sterchi Building in background)

of this marker); Archie Campbell / Chet Atkins (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Battery Wiltsie (about 600 feet away); Father Abram J. Ryan (about 700 feet away); Vinnies Italian Restaurant (about 700 feet away); Charlie Oaks (about 800 feet away); St. James Hotel (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Knoxville.

Also see . . .
1. Sterchi's History. In 1888, with a scant $800 in capital, James Sterchi and his brothers J.C. and E.H. formed the Sterchi Brothers Furniture Company in Knoxville. By 1929 Sterchi’s was reputed to be the largest furniture chain in the world boasting 48 stores, 5 manufacturing plants and a sizeable portion of Kentucky forest land that supplied it’s ever growing operations. During this boom in business, in the middle of the excesses of the roaring 1920’s, the company constructed a corporate headquarters worthy of such an immense and profitable venture on the 100 block of Gay Street. (Submitted on June 6, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. The Sterchi Building was home to its original namesake, Sterchi Brothers Furniture

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. Sterchi played an important role in the pre-Nashville development of country music. The business sold phonographs, which before 1920 were used mainly by music aficionados and opera, gospel, and marching-band fans. Sterchi had the idea to expand that market for phonographs to working-class people by recording folk music. (Submitted on June 6, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Categories. • Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce •

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Credits. This page was last revised on June 6, 2019. This page originally submitted on June 4, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 103 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 6, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.