For 25 years, one Monday a month has offered Knoxville something increasingly unusual: a chance to walk into one of the city’s most historic buildings and hear live music without buying a ticket.
The Tennessee Theatre will celebrate the 25th anniversary of its Mighty Musical Monday series on Monday, Oct. 5, at noon with a special performance featuring House Organist Freddie Brabson and Associate House Organist Matthew Fisher.
The concert is free and open to the public.
At the center of the celebration will be the Theatre’s original Mighty Wurlitzer, an instrument whose history stretches back nearly as far as the Tennessee Theatre itself.
The Wurlitzer was installed when the theater opened in 1928. Originally designed to accompany silent movies, the organ remained part of the moviegoing experience for generations of Knoxville audiences.
In 2000, the instrument was dismantled and sent to Reno, Nevada, for an extensive restoration. It returned to Knoxville in 2001, and technicians offered a simple piece of advice: Play it often.
Longtime volunteer house organist Bill Snyder took that suggestion seriously.
Snyder, who served as house organist from 1979 through 2018, envisioned a free monthly concert that would keep the restored Wurlitzer playing while giving the community another opportunity to experience the historic theater.
The first “First Monday” organ concert was held Dec. 3, 2001.
What began as organ music and commentary from the bench grew into a monthly Knoxville tradition featuring an assortment of local performers. Middle and high school choirs, jazz ensembles, classical musicians and vocalists have appeared through the years, along with some less expected performers, including a champion whistler and a belly dance troupe.
The series eventually became the James A. Dick Mighty Musical Monday, honoring James A. Dick, whose efforts helped save the Tennessee Theatre from demolition in 1981.
Bill Snyder/Wurlitzer photo
Today, the free concerts regularly draw hundreds of people to the theater.
Tennessee Theatre Executive Director Becky Hancock said the program’s significance goes beyond the number of performances or the history of the organ.
“It is the invitation,” Hancock said.
Guests can bring lunch, find a seat and hear live music in the historic theater without purchasing a ticket, while local artists have an opportunity to perform on its stage.
“For 25 years, Mighty Musical Monday has embodied our mission of being a cultural cornerstone for all, and we’re proud to continue that tradition,” Hancock said.
The anniversary concert will return the spotlight entirely to the instrument that started it all. Brabson and Fisher will present a Wurlitzer-only program.
Special 25th anniversary merchandise designed by Knoxville artist Paris Woodhull also will be available for purchase.
The Tennessee Theatre is extending its free-music tradition this fall with another program, Cameo Sessions. The new monthly series launches Friday, Oct. 2, as part of Knoxville’s First Friday and will offer free live music in the Cameo at the Tennessee Theatre’s 612 Building.
25th Anniversary Mighty Musical Monday
Monday, Oct. 5, noon
Tennessee Theatre, 604 S. Gay St.
Free and open to the public
Find additional information about Mighty Musical Monday and upcoming Tennessee Theatre events.
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