Any Mandolin Shops in Pigeon Forge TN

[Kevin K]

My family is heading that way the March 14th - March 20th and would like to maybe pick a little while on vacation. I might even have my mandolin in tow...

[Big Joe]

There are some cool places there, but I don't know where any are. In Nashville we have live bluegrass jams Sunday evening at the Station Inn and Monday and Wednesday evening at the Gibson Bluegrass Showcase at Opry Mills. In addition, our retail store will have 30+ mandolins to try out and the factory is right in the store so you can actually watch them build the instruments. The banjos are made here also. We are about 21/2-3 hours from Knoxville.

[cutbait2]

hey Big Joe aren't you in Nashville? that's a good ways from Pigeon Forge. i thought Tut Taylor had a place in Pigeon Forge? but if i were going to nashville, the gibson store, (and opry) would be one of my stops, been there, got to hear CD play his MM. he's a good picker, his MM was the best mando i've heard.

i'm not too keen on Piegon Forge/Seiverville although i'm sure its done something for the locals. Maryville is very nice and sure to have what you are looking for. i don't recall anything BG in gatlinburg. townsend probably has a pic'n/barbque or something joint but not much else. there is a local radio station that plays BG that could probably steer you right, don't remember the call sign.

[GTison]

c'mon Joe you've got a dealer right there. I don't think I remember it right but it may be like discount music. It's right on the 4 lane comming away from the interstate coming from knoxville. Kinda out of the main part of pigeon forge. I played several gibson mandolins there. There is also a shop I hear in gatlinburg too. seems like a webber dealer or custom. Keep looking.

Don't forget Smoky Mountain Guitars in Sieverville/Pigeon Forge. Dan usually has some collings mando's and killer collings and santa cruz guitars http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif http://www.smokymountainguitars.com

[Kevin K]

I'm very familiar with the Nashville area and vist the Showcase often. I just emailed Smokey Mountain guitars for a little local info.

Thanks,
Kevin

[mpeknox]

Hey Kevin,
You're in luck...there's a jam this Tues. night (the 16th)just off of I-40 at the site of the Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival in Kodak. Probably 15-20 minutes from Pigeon Forge with lots of nice people and good pickin'. Here's a map. (http://www.dumplinvalleybluegrass.com/directions.html) Feel free to PM me or call the number on the website for further directions if you need them...hope to see you there! You can bring your family or whatever if you want, there are usually some spectators there.

[mpeknox]

I don't think I remember it right but it may be like discount music. It's right on the 4 lane comming away from the interstate coming from knoxville. Kinda out of the main part of pigeon forge.
It's the Music Outlet (http://www.thegreatsmokeymountainsparkway.com/_sevier/svmusic.htm) in Sevierville and they have a BUNCH of instruments in stock (and laying on the floor and in the corners and on shelves). Pick n' Grin in Knoxville also carries quite a few mandolins including Weber and Gibson.

[Kevin K]

Thanks Steve for the info. Maybe we'll see you there.

Kevin

[Nik-chick]

Music Outlet is a must stop (I think I'll be dropping by on my way to or from Bristol on Spring Break now that you remind me...if I can make it fit my schedual).

[David M.]

Glenn Stevens owns Classic Violin Co. in Gatlinburg. 865-430-3994. He carries or used to carry Flatbush mandolins and builds violins. He perhaps can lead you in the right direction.

[alanstewartra]

Kevin,The Music Outlet guys are great,I've dealt with them on and off for years,played a Bush there not too long back.Do not miss Smoky Mountain Guitars ,that is an absolute must.Dan would probably be able to point you in the right direction to any local jams,there are alot of HOT pickers up there in Wears Valley.Maverick mentioned those mandolins, I was a kid in a candy shop.Dan only carries those dream mandolins with all the upgrades and various types of wood ,all the stuff you read about here at the Cafe but never have access to.You'll have a great time ,(don't forget to to get Dan to jam on New Camptown Races,he burns it up) and don't forget to get up in the Smokies there and escape all the tourist traffic ! # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # Alan

[Crowder]

I did a Google or Yahoo search once for places to jam in and around Knoxville. There was a long list on some bluegrass website. Everything from fire halls in Oak Ridge to Saturday night stage hoots. Should be able to find something out that way.

[mando andy]

One of the BEST jams in that area is at the Rocky Branch Community Center every Fri. night. Its just before you reach Walland, TN as you go from Maryville, TN to the Smokies on Highway 73. The directions are found at the website below:

http://www.wdvx.com/local_pickins.htm

This is an old school and each room has a jam going on---8-10 rooms in all. And then the hall has about 4 jams going. In warm weather the jams spill out to the parking lot.

I grew up in east Tenn. and if you want to go to a friendly, fun and culturally enriching experience in true, E. Tenn fashion hit this jam. A lot of mountain and bluegrass--with a little gospel here and there.

Andy

[Kevin K]

Steve,

Sorry I missed the jam Tuesday night, we went and drove around Cades Cove that afternoon and went to eat afterwards. Missed the jam but had a good time with the family. I got the chance to stop by the Music Outlet. They had a couple of Webers that were OK, they had a ton of Taylor guitars. Never seen so many in one place.
Dan at Smokey Mountain guitars was a great host. I stopped by there one afternoon and had a great time playing and talking. All of his instrument stock is top notch. Some killer guitars as well as mandos. Thanks all for their suggestions and information.
Kevin

[cutbait2]

good info, i've been going up there for several years and had missed all this, except the local BG radio station which is pretty rare and nice to have.

[Bobbie Dier]

I have heard there is a jam session at Earnest Tubbs Records on Saturdays in Pigeon Forge right on the main street through town. I'm not sure if this is just in the summer or at what time of day it takes place. I have heard it's a pretty good jam. Don't know, have never been to this one.
Welcome to East Tenn. Have Fun!!!!
ima