Everly Brothers, Knoxville, And Nash

The recent passing of Don Everly brought tributes across social media from famous as well as local musicians who have long viewed The Everly Brothers as a major inspiration. The glorious harmonies Don and his brother Phil brought to their recordings in the late 1950s went a long way toward helping rock and roll conquer the world. Just as Phil and Don grew up together, so did The Everly Brothers and rock music.

This past June, my wife Pam and I took a road trip that included stops in Nashville, TN and Asheville, NC. We didn’t visit Knoxville, TN, but I picked up a copy of the Knoxville Visitors Guide in one of the hotels where we stayed. It included an article about The Everly Brothers titled The Knoxville Duo That Helped Birth Rock And Roll. I pulled out the page to save for my media archives.

Writer Angie Wilson notes, “The Everlys lived in Knoxville for only a few years, but their time spent here marked a critical turning point in their career.” She adds it was where Phil and Don first performed as a duo, fueled by their fascination with Bo Diddley and Chet Atkins records. The Everly Brothers hit singles, including “Cathy’s Clown,” “All I Have To Do Is Dream,” and “Wake Up, Little Susie,” would resonate across the Atlantic with upcoming British acts such as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.

Wilson’s article takes an interesting turn for Hollies fans like myself when she describes how Graham Nash became involved in the creation of a park in Knoxville that honors The Everly Brothers. After performing at the Bijou Theatre in 2017, Nash was contacted by a local organization, and then named as the Honorary Chair of Everly Brothers Park.

Nash collected short tributes to the duo from fellow musicians Paul McCartney, Keith Richards, Elton John, Brian Wilson, Carole King, Simon and Garfunkel, Joan Baez, Nancy Wilson, Bob Dylan, Albert Lee, and others. Those quotes are now etched on markers that can be found throughout the park. Unfortunately, I didn’t see the Knoxville Visitors Guide article in time to make a stop. Maybe on a future road trip.