Sevierville

Sevierville. The Pines . Operated by Mrs. J. B. (Myrtle Paine) Waters, the Pines Theatre opened in 1944 on the southwest corner of Joy Street and Court Avenue. The structure was originally built in 1928 by her husband, J.B. Waters, Sr., to house Watson Motor Company. Waters operated the J.B. Waters Motor Company, a Chrysler, Plymouth, and International truck dealership in that location. The start of World War II meant that all cars and trucks made in 1942 were redirected for military use to aid the war effort. With no inventory in stock, Waters closed the dealership and began making plans to convert the building into a motion picture theatre. , , With seating for 700 people, the latest projection equipment, a large stage with controlled curtains, and state-of-the-art lighting, the Pines Theatre showed motion pictures and welcomed live performances. Saturdays at The Pines were a delight with feature motion pictures and serial movies (a dozen episodes of short, one-reel action movies) starting at 10:00 am. , , In the evening live country music shows often took the stage. Famous entertainers to grace the stage included Archie Campbell, Chet Atkins, Roy Acuff, the Carter Family, The Carlisle Brothers, Hotshot Elmer, Bill Monroe, Don Gibson, Pee Wee King, the Louvin Brothers, and many others. , , Saturday evenings Cas Walker, a Knoxville grocer and host of the "Farm and Home Hour" on local television, hosted "The Cas Walker Jamboree" at the Pines. During each show audience members were welcome to climb a 10-foot greasy pole. Anyone making it to the top took home the monetary prize. , In addition to his regular performers, local singers and entertainers had the chance to showcase their talent during "amateur hour." It was during one of these amateur hours that Dolly Parton made her debut at the age of ten. Impressed by her talent, Walker hired her to appear regularly on his early morning television show, launching her career. The Pines closed in 1959. , (captions) , Originally built in 1928 as Watson Motor Company, the building was converted into the Pines Theater in 1944. , , Myrtle and J.B. Waters lived next door, owned the building, and operated the theater. , , The Pines Theater had a seating capacity of 700 and a large stage with controlled curtains and state-of-the art lighting. , , Dolly Parton is pictured with her uncle standing beside The Pines Theater where she sang the first time before a paying audience at age 10.