Tennessee Music Pathways connects visitors to the people, places and genres that make Tennessee the Soundtrack of America. A statewide driving tour, the Pathways represents hundreds of landmarks across the state and spans seven genres of music: blues, bluegrass, country, gospel, soul, rockabilly and rock ‘n’ roll. From the largest cities to the smallest communities, Tennessee Music Pathways identifies and preserves the unique musical history throughout all 95 counties of the state. More than 500 possible locations for markers have been identified including birthplaces, resting places, hometowns, high schools, churches and locations of first-known recordings or performances of the musical pioneers and legends influenced and shaped by Tennessee.
On North Main Street (U.S. 25W) at 1st Street, on the left when traveling north on North Main Street.
Country Music songwriter and performer Dean Dillon was born Larry Dean Fynn on March 26, 1955, in Lake City, Tennessee (later renamed Rocky Top). Although Dillon began his career as a performer, he became renowned as a songwriter. His work includes . . . — — Map (db m248181) HM
On Blackman Boulevard East north of Church Street (Tennessee Route 269), on the right when traveling north.
Jazz trombonist Jimmy Cleveland was a versatile musician whose work was largely confined to other artists' sessions, pit orchestras and broadcasting. Among the artists he backed were Quincy Jones, Miles Davis, James Brown, Billie Holiday, Cannonball . . . — — Map (db m267849) HM
On Main Street (State Highway 28) just north of East Church Street, on the right when traveling north.
Gospel music publisher and hymnodist Robert Emmett (R.E.) Winsett composed many sacred songs, “Jesus Is Coming Soon” being the most well known, but his reputation rests more upon his publishing endeavor. The R. E. Winsett Publishing Company produced . . . — — Map (db m153659) HM
On West Central Avenue at First Street North, on the left when traveling east on West Central Avenue.
A keeper of the African American string-band tradition, Howard Armstrong was a multi-instrumentalist with a very extensive repertoire. He was also a multilinguist, painter, and teller of folk tales and anecdotes drawn from his long life and career. . . . — — Map (db m233100) HM
On East Main Street (Tennessee Route 365) at South Washington Avenue, on the right when traveling east on East Main Street.
The first artist to successfully and consistently blend country and pop music into a new hybrid, Eddy Arnold was a pioneer of what became known as "the Nashville Sound." He introduced country music to a broad audience, registering 37 pop hits and . . . — — Map (db m174337) HM
On North Main Street (U.S. 127) north of East 2nd Street, on the right when traveling north.
A world-class vocalist and actress, Crossville, Tennessee, native Mandy Barnett has been called "a song's best friend” for her interpretive skill and devotion to classic country, R&B, and popular standards.
Barnett's formidable talents and . . . — — Map (db m182677) HM
On Tusculum Boulevard (Business Route 11E) 0.2 miles west of East Grove Street.
Kimberly, Neil and Reid Perry are siblings living in Greeneville, Tennessee, who have made records as The Band Perry since 2005. They began their recording career in country music, switching to pop and country-influenced rock in 2016.
Kimberly . . . — — Map (db m158149) HM
On East Martin Luther King Boulevard east of Lindsay Street, on the right when traveling east.
One of the most influential and significant groups in African-American music, The Impressions founding
members included Chattanooga residents Arthur Brooks, Fred Cash, Richard Brooks and Sam Gooden. Their
hits from the 1960s and 1970s bridged . . . — — Map (db m167721) HM
On Market Street north of Station Street, on the right when traveling north.
Written in 1941 as a song for “Sun Valley Serenade” — the movie debut of Big Band leader Glenn Miller — “Chattanooga Choo-Choo” became a top-selling pop hit during the early
years of World War II. It spent nine weeks at No. 1 on the pop charts and . . . — — Map (db m167719) HM
On U.S. 64 0.1 miles east of Highway 22, on the right when traveling east.
Pioneering Memphis disc jockey Dewey Phillips introduced R&B to young white audiences in the Mid-South and was the first to play Elvis Presley on the air. Journalist David Halberstam wrote that, although Memphis itself was strictly segregated, “At . . . — — Map (db m283069) HM
On Main Street (State Highway 69) at Wilkinson Street, on the right when traveling east on Main Street.
Drummer W.S. "Fluke" Holland played on all of Carl Perkins' Sun Records recordings before becoming Johnny Cash's only drummer, working with him for 37 years.
Born in Saltillo, Tennessee, on April 22, 1935, Holland left in 1948. His father . . . — — Map (db m157488) HM
On Main Street (U.S. 64) at Williams Street, on the right when traveling east on Main Street.
Bass player, comedian and harmony vocalist Howard Watts worked as “Cedric Rainwater” and played in
three seminal country bands: Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys, Flatt & Scruggs’ Foggy Mountain Boys and Hank Williams’ Drifting Cowboys. He played on . . . — — Map (db m278485) HM
On South Main Street just north of Sycamore Drive, on the right when traveling north.
Comedian, singer, painter, golfer, television host, scriptwriter, businessman and raconteur Archi Campbell is principally remembered for his roles on the long-running television series , "Hee Haw". One of his comedic trademarks was spoonerisms, . . . — — Map (db m179404) HM
On South Main Street at Natchez Trace Drive, on the right when traveling south on South Main Street.
Murray Franklin “Buddy” Cannon, born in Lexington, Tennessee, on April 20, 1947, is a Nashville-based songwriter, record producer, music publisher, and former record company A&R (artists and repertoire) executive. He ranks among the most . . . — — Map (db m156581) HM
On West Wood Street (Tennessee Route 69) at South Market Street (U.S. 641), on the left when traveling west on West Wood Street.
Singer, evangelist and educator Dr. Bobby Jones popularized African-American gospel music on cable television. He became known as the "Ed Sullivan of Gospel Music." His Black Entertainment Television (BET) show, "Bobby Jones Gospel," ran from 1980 . . . — — Map (db m179617) HM
On South Main Street near East Hull Avenue ( Highway 53), on the right when traveling north.
Jamie Dailey, together with Darrin Vincent, leads one of the most popular bands in contemporary American music, embracing bluegrass, country and gospel. While steeped in tradition, they bring versatility, comedy and a broad selection of newly . . . — — Map (db m157369) HM
On South Church Street at Donnelly Street, on the right when traveling south on South Church Street.
Clarence Earl McCurry was known professionally as both Clarence and Tom Ashley. His repertoire included many ancient Appalachian and early American songs, and he was the first to record “House of the Rising Sun.” He recorded from 1928 to 1933, . . . — — Map (db m298855) HM
On Main Avenue South (U.S. 431) at Elk Avenue South, on the left when traveling north on Main Avenue South.
Singer, songwriter, producer, attorney and educator, Ed Townsend remains best known for cowriting and coproducing half of Marvin Gaye's classic 1973 album, Let's Get It On. Over the course of a 50-year career, he wrote 250 published songs and . . . — — Map (db m196529) HM
On West Court Street (Business U.S. 64) at North Front Street, on the right when traveling west on West Court Street.
Rockabilly was the sound of young country musicians in the 1950s infusing their music with rhythm and blues (R&B). It emphasized the electric guitar over traditional country instruments such as the steel guitar, fiddle and banjo. Originally called . . . — — Map (db m179098) HM
On Cherohala Skyway (Tennessee Route 165) at Veterans Memorial Drive, on the left when traveling east on Cherohala Skyway.
"Uncle Josh" Graves was renowned for playing with Flatt & Scruggs' Foggy Mountain Boys for nearly 15 years. His instrumental dexterity matched Scruggs' and helped repopularize the Dobro, or resonator guitar, placing it at the forefront of . . . — — Map (db m261731) HM
On Commerce Street west of Hiter Street, on the right when traveling west.
Banjoist Charlie Cushman is chiefly renowned for his mastery of the Earl Scruggs style three-finger banjo technique. During his career, he has performed with Andy Griffith, Merle Haggard, Ricky Skaggs and Vince Gill, among many others. He is a . . . — — Map (db m169085) HM
Near Dunbar Cave Road at Old Dunbar Cave Road, on the left when traveling east.
Dunbar Cave was a popular resort for many years prior to becoming a state park. Beginning in 1875, investors created opportunities to stay at Dunbar Cave and the nearby Idaho Springs. People were attracted by the perceived medicinal qualities of the . . . — — Map (db m213648) HM
On Franklin Street at Legion Street, on the left when traveling north on Franklin Street.
“The most gifted instrumentalist of all time … an influence on guitarists everywhere -- a psychedelic rock pioneer whose work and approach touches all styles of music.” (The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame)
Although Hendrix vaulted to stardom in England . . . — — Map (db m212753) HM
On Front Street north of West Rhea Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
Prolific Nashville session pianist Hargus Melvin “Pig” Robbins has played on records by artists as diverse as Alan Jakson, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Bob Dylan, Charlie Rich, Conway Twitty, Crystal Gayle, Dolly Parton, George Jones, Joan Baez, . . . — — Map (db m178590) HM
On Friendship Street north of Alumni Drive, on the left when traveling north.
Country singer and songwriter Chris Young is a Grammy- and Academy of Country Music-nominated vocalist. His style is rooted in traditional country music, although he performs with a contemporary sensibility.
Christopher Alan Young, born in . . . — — Map (db m166467) HM
On Parkway (U.S. 441) north of Maples Lane/Reagan Drive, on the left when traveling north.
Among the most well-known bluegrass songs of all time, “Rocky Top” was written in room 388 of the Gatlinburg Inn in August 1967. Originally recorded by the Osborne Brothers, it has become a standard. It was inducted as one of Tennessee's official . . . — — Map (db m194784) HM
On Court Avenue at Commerce Street, on the right when traveling south on Court Avenue.
Distinguished as a singer, songwriter, actor, businesswoman and philanthropist, Dolly Parton is the most honored female country performer of all time, and among the best-selling country artists of the post World War II era. She opened one of the . . . — — Map (db m184490) HM
Near Veterans Plaza Drive north of Morrie Moss Lane.
The Overton Park Shell is now one of the few remaining, Great Depression-era "hand shell" theaters. Despite efforts to have it razed, it was saved and renovated. The shell has hosted all categories of music and theater. Elvis Presley's first major . . . — — Map (db m254453) HM
On Main Street North at 3rd Ave W, on the left when traveling north on Main Street North.
A pivotal behind-the-scenes player in popularizing bluegrass music, Louise Scruggs was the wife of banjo player and bluegrass pioneer Earl Scruggs. She managed Earl and his partner, Lester Flatt, from 1956 until they broke up in 1969. Early on, she . . . — — Map (db m263471) HM
On Broad Street at Center Street, in the median on Broad Street.
Acoustic bass player Barry Bales is the longest-serving member of bluegrass star Alison Krauss’ band, Union Station. He has also worked as a session musician, record producer and songwriter. His co-written song “Nobody to Blame” won the Academy of . . . — — Map (db m176973) HM
On Broad Street south of Church Circle, on the right when traveling south.
Skilled and polished, Brownie McGhee's music encompassed folk, acoustic blues, rhythm and blues, and protest songs. He appeared in movies, on television and Broadway, and recorded prolifically. Although his name is usually bracketed with his . . . — — Map (db m210269) HM
On Broad Street at Main Street, in the median on Broad Street.
Bluegrass and country gospel musician Doyle Lawson is a mandolinist, singer, and, since 1979, the leader of Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver. The winner of may International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) awards, Lawson was also the 2006 recipient of . . . — — Map (db m176976) HM
On Broad Street at East Sullivan Street, on the right when traveling north on Broad Street.
African-American musician Lesley Riddle exerted an influence on country music through his association with A.P. Carter of the Carter Family. Riddle introduced Carter to songs of African American origin, which Carter reconfigured and brought into the . . . — — Map (db m210280) HM
Near Hartsville Pike (Tennessee Route 25) 0.2 miles west of Old Route 25, on the right when traveling west.
Pioneering rhythm and blues (R&B) and gospel disc jockey Bill Allen, known as “Hoss” or “Hossman,” worked in radio for more than 40 years. During the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s, Allen’s nightly shows on WLAC Nashville played a pivotal role in . . . — — Map (db m170826) HM
On Johnny Cash Parkway, on the right when traveling west.
Transcending labels, genres and eras, Johnny Cash's music drew from country, folk, rockabilly, gospel, pop and blues. Over a six-decade career, he constantly reinvented himself, becoming one of the most celebrated artists in American music. . . . — — Map (db m154959) HM
Near East Main Street (U.S. 31E) 0.1 miles west of Cherokee Road, on the left when traveling west.
Taylor Swift wasn't born in Tennessee, but it's impossible to imagine the record-breaking superstar without her connection to the Volunteer State. Swift moved to Nashville when she was 14, and her songs — vividly written, insanely catchy, and . . . — — Map (db m178387) HM
On Scotch Street, on the left when traveling south.
The Isaacs, a family group that began performing in the early 1970s, moved to Hendersonville, Tennessee in 2000. Their music crosses between gospel, bluegrass, country, and Americana, and even though the group has had several lineup changes, Lily . . . — — Map (db m178506) HM
On East Liberty Avenue (Tennessee Route 54) at East Court Square, on the right when traveling west on East Liberty Avenue.
Isaac Hayes' symphonic soul records, together with his
dramatic stage presence, exerted a profound influence
upon soul, funk, disco and rap music. Early in his career
he worked in commercial rhythm 'n' blues as a
songwriter, session musician and . . . — — Map (db m200720) HM
On South Court Square, on the right when traveling east.
Recording star and songwriter Dottie West was at the heart of country music for three decades. She scored more than 60 hits, mentored a generation of singers, and became a model of resilience in the face of personal crises and a rollercoaster . . . — — Map (db m197483) HM
On Court Circle (Tennessee Route 13) at North High Street, on the left when traveling south on Court Circle.
Singer, songwriter, actor, and philanthropist Mark Collie scored 16 country hits in the 1990s. He brought a rowdy, rockabilly edge to country music. His compositions have been recorded by Tim McGraw, Billy Ray Cyrus, George Jones, Garth Brooks, and . . . — — Map (db m179082) HM
Near Patton Road 0.2 miles east of Cox Road, on the right when traveling east.
Country music singer, songwriter, actor, film producer, television and radio host, and vintner, Kix Brooks came to prominence as one half of country music's most successful duo of all time, Brooks & Dunn.
Leon Eric "Kix" Brooks III was born in . . . — — Map (db m178375) HM
On Charlie Daniels Parkway 0.1 miles north of Willow Creek Drive, on the left when traveling east.
Over the course of a career that began in the late 1950s, singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Charlie Daniels has bridged Southern rock, country, and bluegrass music.
Charles Edward Daniels was born in Wilmington, North . . . — — Map (db m154960) HM
