As difficult as it is for me to believe, InsideofKnoxville.com will turn 15 years old on June 1. That was the day that I screwed up my courage and followed an idea born of red wine and chocolate cake in the early hours of a downtown morning as I pontificated with a friend. While I lamented that more people needed to know about our spectacular 2009 version of downtown, she suggested I start a blog.
And so, I did. Here’s the complete text of that first article, written on June 1, 2010:
Why Blog? Why This Blog?
I’ve wondered the same thing before. There are not many people in the universe who interest me enough that I want to know when they are buying groceries or what is in the cart. I certainly don’t need to know what most people think about in random moments.
Then I moved to downtown Knoxville. I’ve found that I can’t learn enough about the city – not just the history – but what makes it take each new breath. I searched all the blogs I could find and while I discovered some good blogs and sites, it didn’t feel like enough. So, I’m blogging.
I’m writing about what I encounter in the city. I’ll be there, of course, but this isn’t a blog about me. It is a blog about life in the city – particularly Knoxville – but I hope the appeal will be more universal. If you are considering moving to Knoxville or another city, maybe this blog will help you decide if the move is right for you. If you are interested in knowing more about life in the city, maybe this will give you a little insight.
I’m learning, too. While I’ve lived around Knoxville for twenty-eight years, I’ve only lived downtown since November 2009. I promise to write as honestly as I can about what I see on the street, the people I meet and, of course, I can’t help but write about the music. I hope you enjoy the journey with me.
And so, without really knowing what that meant, I started writing. Stunned to have dozens(!) of readers early on, readership grew over the next months to hundreds, then over the years, to thousands. In 2012, advertisers joined, in 2014 I left my day job to do this full time, and the readership and advertising continued to grow in ways I never imagined.
I doubt anyone could have predicted the website would flourish as it has. It feels like a bit of a miracle. Hey! Does anyone know the new Pope? Maybe this miracle could qualify me for sainthood! Seriously, any media source surviving for this long during these years is extremely unlikely.
Why didn’t we have a party at the ten-year anniversary, you ask? A little math and a simple jog of memory explains that lapse: The ten-year anniversary hit on June 1, 2020. Not much partying going on at that time. I was writing two articles a day, income had stopped, and none of us knew what would happen next. It’s just one of the setbacks we’ve endured together over the last fifteen years. But, hey, here we are!
Who made this journey possible? You did. You read, you told me your stories, you commented, you told friends about the site, you argued with each other (and me!), and you are the reason the advertisers came. Many of you also contribute financially to the website each month or annually when I mention it. Those donations are sustaining to a business whose model barely works in 2025.
Many of you introduced yourselves and thanked me for the work I’ve done. I’ve never had a job where “thank you” was commonly heard. So many of you have been very gracious. In the greatest gift to me and my family, many of you became friends who I very much cherish.
I’ll have more to say about all that on the actual big day. For now? Let’s plan a party!
On June 1st you are invited to the Arcade Building at 618 South Gay Street. Drop in any time from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm but I hope you can be there at 3:00 pm when I’ll have comments and an announcement about the next fifteen years! We’ll raise a glass together right about then.
I’ll bring the bubbly and food, you bring you (or a card or note written on the back of that receipt in your pocket if you have something to say). Spread the word.
And let’s celebrate! I very much hope to see you (yes, you) on June 1.