Blountville in Sullivan County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Ralph Blizard

1918-2004

Photographed by Paul Crumlish, July 15, 2011

1. Ralph Blizard Marker

Inscription. Ralph Blizard, a Hall of Fame long-bow fiddler, was a pioneer entertainer on radio stations WOPI, WJHL and WKPT, at first with his high school classmates. He recorded and toured with the New Southern Ramblers across the United States and the British Isles. He and his wife Mildred reared sons David and Mark, in Blountville. In 2002, Blizard co-founded the Traditional Appalachian Musical Heritage Association. He was a recipient of the Tennessee Arts Commission’s Governor’s Award and the National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship. Blizard was a Navy veteran of World War II.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 1A 132.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 2002.

Location. 36° 31.993′ N, 82° 19.544′ W. Marker is in Blountville, Tennessee, in Sullivan County. It is on Bristol Highway (State Road 126) west of Anderson Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Blountville TN 37617, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee

and in the Tri-Cities Area.

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: Old Deery Inn (a few steps from this marker); Anderson Townhouse

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(within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Old Deery Inn (within shouting distance of this marker); Slave Quarters (within shouting distance of this marker); The Cannonball House (within shouting distance of this marker); Brick Kitchen (within shouting distance of this marker); 1840 Smokehouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Fain Law Office (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Blountville.

Also see . . . YouTube: Ralph Blizard & Richie Stearns 'Leather Britches'. Great footage of Richie Stearns (banjo) and Ralph Blizard (fiddle) at Mt Airy Fiddlers Convention. (Submitted on August 8, 2011, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)

Wide view of the Ralph Blizard Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul Crumlish, July 15, 2011

2. Wide view of the Ralph Blizard Marker

The marker stands to the right of the Rutledge House, the location of the future Ralph Blizard Museum.

Anderson Townhouse (1792) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul Crumlish, July 15, 2011

3. Anderson Townhouse (1792)

Now the home of the Traditional Appalachian Musical Heritage Association, it continues the traditions of Ralph Blizard of weekly open jam sessions each Friday night.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2011, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,059 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 8, 2011, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.