New podcast features conversation, interviews, performances
While Knoxville generally gets all the attention in terms of music, musicians and musical events, Blount County can hold its own with regard to these things. A new podcast, “Blount County Live,” has been initiated in order to put full focus on artists and performances that originate in the county south of the Scruffy City.
“Blount County Live” was launched as a culture initiative by Let’s Be Blount, a local publication dedicated to news and events happening in Blount County. It originated as an internal project of Epic Nine Marketing Outfitters in 2024 but since has become its own company.
The pod was created to give specific focus to the music and entertainment that originates locally. Hosted by Lee Zimmerman and Scott Shankland, sessions are filmed bi-weekly and then shared on various media platforms.
In addition to lively interviews with guests and the hosts’ good-natured banter, “Blount County Live” also features live acoustic performances by musicians, who often share new songs that have never been heard before. These provide the podcast with an additional element that makes it more like a late-night talk show or radio program in which guests appear live in a studio.
To date, “Blount County Live” has welcomed such popular local artists as mandolin prodigy Wyatt Ellis; rapper Lane Shuler; blues harpist Doug Harris; singer-songwriter EmiSunshine; and nationally recognized singer-songwriter Cruz Contreras. Each episode is posted on letsbeblount.com, YouTube and on various podcast platforms.
“This is truly a dream come true,” Zimmerman says of the enterprise. “It’s not only the fulfillment of a career that has had me engaged – make that obsessed – with exploring new music and following the artists that are so involved in its creation. The fact that we shoot it in my music basement – which consists of three rooms lined floor to ceiling with vinyl, CDs and memorabilia of all kinds – offers another testament to my passion and, indeed, my primary purpose as a music enthusiast. Plus – and it’s a big plus – it gives me the opportunity to connect with the local community which I love and which I’m so proud to be a part of.”
Shankland echoes those comments. “I have so much fun making this podcast with Lee,” he says. “He’s a good friend who is so knowledgeable about so many musicians in and around the area. His questions are always poignant and insightful. Recording this podcast is a blast, and I hope our listeners and viewers have fun watching it and enjoying it.”
The idea originated with the two good friends as they discussed the possibility of doing a podcast that would combine Zimmerman’s background as a music journalist and former promotions representative for Capitol Records with Shankland’s technical expertise as a producer and audio team lead for SweetRush Inc., as well as his experience as a member of the Knoxville Choral Society.
Zimmerman then connected with Jeremy LaDuke, owner of both Epic Nine Marketing Outfitters and Let’s Be Blount, and found they shared a passion for telling the world about the music scene in Blount County. LaDuke then enlisted the video production services of Epic Nine and Patrick Hoffman, its lead videographer.
“I’ve loved being a part of this podcast and getting to experience artists in a way that I may not normally have before,” Hoffman says. “It’s really brought me a lot of enjoyment.”
Asked about their next steps in taking “Blount County Live” to the next level, the trio says that the goal is to attain sponsorships that help sustain it and provide the necessary funding. They also express their gratitude to Oldham Hospitality for providing seed money and giving support to their efforts. In addition, Ellis has given his permission to use his song “Maryville” as a theme song of sorts that opens and closes each episode.
As far as further initiatives are concerned, the group says that they are exploring the possibility of doing live concerts featuring the artists who have appeared on the program. The key to that effort is finding a listening room free of chatter that will allow attendees to focus solely on the performances. A search is underway to find an ideal environment in which that might come to fruition.
Meanwhile, LaDuke succinctly sums up the overall goal of the venture. “Blount County has an incredibly rich musical culture that hasn’t received the attention it deserves,” he says. “I hope that ‘Blount County Live’ helps shine a spotlight on the rhythm and soul of our community.”
