Mountain City in Johnson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

"Music of the Mountains"

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 16, 2021

1. "Music of the Mountains" Marker

Inscription. Honoring the Legacy of Tom and Fran Atkinson
Founders of WMCT — "The Mountain"
and Johnson County Jamboree
And Musical Heritage Advocate Janice Russell

Mural painted by
Johnson County Center of the Arts Inspire Art & Healing Classes
Led by Temple Reece & Cristy Dunn
Mural Artists: Karen Barr, Terry & Betty Dugger, Shirley Campbell,
Ina Bellamy, Evelyn Hagler, Tina Osborne, Diane Jenkins,
Patricia Cornett, Karen Rose, Andrew Matherly, Norma Roark,
Connie Dexman, Cindy Roberts, Brionna Reece

Special Thanks to George Triplett, Mike Reece, Lois Dunn,
The Final Touch, The Tomahawk & WMCT
www.jocoartcenter.org

Erected by Johnson County Center for the Arts, The Long Journey Home, and Tennessee Arts Commission.

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

Location. 36° 28.447′ N, 81° 48.196′ W. Marker is in Mountain City, Tennessee, in Johnson County. It is on East Main Street just east of South Church Street, on the right when traveling east. The mural and marker are mounted

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on the west facade of the WMCT Radio office building at this location. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 120 East Main Street, Mountain City TN 37683, 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,

the State of Franklin,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Little Ragged Joe 1947 (within shouting distance of this marker); G.B. Grayson (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); House of the Rising Sun (about 300 feet away); Handsome Molly (about 300 feet away); Amazing Grace (about 300 feet away); Train 45 (about 300 feet away); Tom Dooley (about 300 feet away); The Ballad of Finley Preston

"Music of the Mountains" Mural image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 16, 2021

2. "Music of the Mountains" Mural

The marker is mounted at the bottom right corner of the mural.

(about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mountain City.

Also see . . .
1. WMCT (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: WMCT (1390 AM) is a radio station licensed to serve Mountain City, Tennessee, United States. The station is owned by Johnson County Broadcasting, Inc. WMCT broadcasts a classic country music format.
First air date: December 8, 1967
Call sign meaning: Mountain City, Tennessee

(Submitted on March 4, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. WMCT 102.9 The Mountain (facebook).

Excerpt: 102.9 FM “The Mountain” WMCT is your hometown radio station serving Johnson County, TN. Playing the best country, gospel, and bluegrass. Home of Milestone Minutes and Swap Shop since 1967. Listen live at 102.9 FM, AM 1390, or at WMCTradio.net

(Submitted on March 4, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

3. Frances Anne “Fran” Gobble Atkinson (Find A Grave).

(Sunset Memorial Park, Mountain City, Johnson County, Tennessee, USA) Excerpt: Frances Anne Gobble Atkinson, age 75, of Mountain City, Tennessee passed away peacefully Tuesday, May 13, 2008. Fran was the owner
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 16, 2021

3. WMCT Radio Office
Looking south from East Main Street. The mural and marker are on the west side of the building.
and general manager of Johnson County Broadcasting and WMCT Radio. She hosted WMCT one-on-one with Fran Atkinson on Tuesdays, received the Tennessee Hospital Association Community Service Award in 1999, and she would keep the radio station on during emergency situations. December 8, 2000, was officially designated “Fran Atkinson Day” in the Town of Mountain City and Johnson County, along with many other accolades. She was preceded in death by her husband Thomas Atkinson on November 2, 1969.

(Submitted on March 4, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

WMCT Radio Office (<i>southwest elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 16, 2021

4. WMCT Radio Office (southwest elevation)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 4, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 175 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 4, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.