THE "TENNESSEE TRAVELER" VISITS THE PRINCESS

Alan Williams recently visited our Princess, for a segment on his "Tennessee Traveler" show on WVLT Channel 8 in Knoxville!

We appreciate the visit and hope they come back soon!

THE "TALK IS CHEAP" TOUR IS COMING TO THE PRINCESS

Four of East Tennessee's best "storytellers" are coming to the Princess Theatre on Saturday, August 11th, at 7PM.  So pass the word...they are coming!

The Princess Foundation presents Bill Landry, Sam Venable, Jim Claborn, with Elizabeth Rose - it's the "TALK IS CHEAP" tour!  The storytellers will each take the stage and tickle your funny bone with stories from the East Tennessee area.  

Tales straight from the horse's mouth!

Bill Landry has been the voice, host, narrator, and co-producer of The Heartland Series since it was conceived on WBIR TV, Channel 10 in 1984, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Since it began, over 1,400 short features have been produced, including over 150 half-hour specials. The program celebrates the people and the land of the entire Appalachian region.

Bill has collected numerous stories from his travels to gather material for the Heartland tales.  Most of those stories are hilariously funny, and he will tell many of them on August 11!

Bill Landry, Elizabeth Rose, Sam Venable, and Jim Claborn!

Sam Venable is a humor columnist for the Knoxville News Sentinel.  He assumed that position in 1985 after serving as the newspaper’s outdoors editor for 15 years.

Sam is a native of Knoxville. He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee with a degree in journalism and minor studies in forestry and wildlife management. 

Winner of more than three dozen national and regional writing awards, Sam has also been widely published outside the newspaper field.  Most of us feel we haven't read the morning paper without a Venable column!

His newest collection of tales is called "Someday I May Find Honest Work: A Newspaper Humorist's Life."

In his latest book, Venable chronicles life and all the strange and absurd things that go with it. With his lively commentary and quirky observations, he brings an uncommon perspective to common experiences. But even as he describes these trials and tribulations, Venable admits -- with what you can be certain is a big grin -- "that it sure beats workin' for a living." 

"What dog?  I didn't see no dog!"

Jim Claborn is a long time Hamblen County teacher, newspaper columnist, author, and Dollywood Street Character. Besides being seen on about 30 "Heartlands Series", other appearances include NBC's "Today Show", "The Last of the Mohicans", and A & E's "Biography". An accomplished storyteller and humorist, he's been heard across the country and locally at the Museum of Appalachia, Morristown's Crockett Tavern Museum, the Museum of East Tennessee, and many other East Tennessee venues.

The things Bill finds in his pockets!

Elizabeth Rose shares stories woven with wit, humor, and expressive enthusiasm. She has the ability to mesmerize her listeners, transporting them through her image-laden tales of other times and cultures. She has thrilled children and adults alike with her vivacious storytelling in classrooms, festivals, and conferences around the country. She is truly captivating in voice and presentation!

Sam says: "Spread the word!  We're a comin'!"

Tickets go on sale July 6th, at Rock Top General Store in Harriman!

THE VESPERS WELL RECEIVED AT THE PRINCESS

Like most of you, I too had to miss Sunday afternoon's performance at the Princess.  However, Megan Anderson, Princess Manager, was kind enough to fill us in on what we missed!

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What a great show The Vespers put on Sunday night (June 3rd)!

I am saddened that so many of you were unable to attend, because you missed a great musical show!  However, I understand that you can't always attend, but please try.  We promise not to put on a bad show, so if it's booked, you can count on it being quality entertainment.
 

So here is my account of what you missed:
The show was opened by a very talented local 16 year-old named Haley Fulmer.   She was joined by Nick Hill on kick drum and the banjo and Anthony Hamby on guitar.  I was not surprised a bit when the audience gave them a standing ovation.

After a few minutes break between acts  the Vespers entered on stage one by one.  I have to say they sounded exactly like they do on their CD.  You would have been amazed by how many different instruments they played.  They had acoustic guitar, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, electric bass, tambourine, and of course drums. Between songs they would switch the instruments around. They are really talented artists.

The Vespers had mentioned that they had just finished a 14 non-stop tour and we were their last stop on their way home to Nashville.  They loved the Princess and I could tell from the minute they entered the building they were excited to perform here.  They were all so nice and took a lot of time after the show talking with fans.

This was such a great concert, not to mention it was for a great cause.  All the proceeds from the concert went to Hunger Relief in Roane County (which is another reason you should have attended).   All the food brought in by ticket buyers were given to food banks in Harriman, Rockwood, and Kingston.  Way to go Roane County!

The Vespers will be back in East TN on July 13th in Maryville at The Shed and July 27th at the Relix Variety Theatre in Knoxville.  I hope to make at least one of those shows, and I hope to see you there!