Classic country-western music returns to its Knoxville roots
Hi-ho, the derry-o – The Farmer and Adele will be joining The Quebe Sisters at the Open Chord in Knoxville on Thursday, July 8! These artists are thrilled to perform music rich in country-western history in a town that became a pivotal stopping point for many of the genre’s great legends.
Country-western music became popularized in the 1930s when folks like Roy Rogers and Gene Autry claimed the spotlight. Jazz began to have an influence on “rural folks and country music, making it more uptown and swingy,” says “Farmer” Keenan Wade of The Farmer and Adele. “Big-city bands had horns and piano and lush arrangements, but rural areas had hillbillies with banjos, guitars, fiddles and steel guitars, who were wanting to emulate the sound called ‘swing,’ but in their own way.”
Wade and Grace Adele met in Ohio at a festival called Writers in the Sky, played a Hank Williams song together and the rest is history. And, taking a note from those OG hillbillies, the pair adopted country-western music, making it their own while still staying true to its authenticity.
In addition, Wade at a young age took a liking to Jerry Garcia’s solo projects and was influenced by a particular project Garcia did with music historian/mandolin player David Grisman (from whom Wade later took lessons). Grisman is a collector who produces and circulates old music that wasn’t released to digital formats. One recording he released by Knoxville duo Homer and Jethro was of special importance to Wade as he pursued his musical path.
Adele loved Homer and Jethro, too, which led to her love for Chet Atkins, who also spent time in Knoxville. Adele is excited to share that she recently received a grant to study the Chet Atkins style of fingerpicking.
Together, Wade and Adele continued to walk parallel journeys down the country-western trail, eventually landing in Nashville, where they have remained and planted roots. From playing and recording with the respected Riders in the Sky, to interviewing folks like Merle Travis and Deke Dickerson on their radio show, to working with Nashville Metro Arts to create puppets for their YouTube kids’ show “Saddle Up,” it seems like there is no venture the duo isn’t willing to undertake.
You don’t have to be a fan of classic country western to enjoy this show. Not only is this music, “deeply rooted in American culture and American history of the cowboy and cowgirl and nature,” Adele says, “it’s fun, too!” Wade adds, “It’s infectious – a different spin on what most people think of country music.”
Purchase tickets now at https://www.openchordmusic.com/live-music-venue. Doors open at 5 p.m., and the show starts at 7.
