East Tennessee's Own WDVX is a listener-supported community radio station broadcast and webcast from the Knoxville Visitor Center in Knoxville, Tennessee.  Fifteen years ago, WDVX started broadcasting from a fourteen foot camper trailer in Clinton, Tennessee.  The station was established with a mission to preserve and promote the music of the Southern Appalachians.  WDVX plays Americana, bluegrass, classic country, bluegrass gospel, blues, and traditional music.  (Pretty much the things you find at MerleFest.)  Over the years, WDVX has received many recognitions including being named Bluegrass Station of the Year seven times by the International Bluegrass Music Association.  WDVX's Freddy Smith and Alex Leach have both been named Bluegrass DJ of the Year by IBMA.

Cherryholmes and WDVX DJ Freddy Smith in front of the WDVX Camper at Dollywood in 2006.

WDVX has as a key element of its mission the presentation of live music.  In 2004, WDVX moved its studios to downtown Knoxville and brought back the tradition of live radio performances on Knoxville's Gay Street.  Monday through Saturday from noon to 1:00 pm, WDVX hosts the Blue Plate Special, a free live concert open to the public.  Many of the performers at MerleFest 2011 have played the Blue Plate Special.  Every Monday night at 7:00 pm, WDVX hosts a ticketed live show, Tennessee Shines, from the Knoxville Visitor Center.  And if that's not enough, on the last Saturday of each month, the same stage features Kidstuff from 10:00 to 11:00 (also free) for all the little listeners.  All of those programs are broadcast and streamed live on WDVX.

From WDVX's beginning, its staff and fans have attended MerleFest.  In 2005, 2011, and again in 2012, WDVX has been a MerleFest sponsor.  Our booth at the Shoppes at MerleFest is a great way to visit with our existing listeners and to spread the word about WDVX.  Fans and artists alike stopped by last year.  Please say "Hello" during your trip to MerleFest.

Singer/guitarist Joe Smothers visits with WDVX volunteer Susan Lawson at the WDVX booth at MerleFest 2011.