Does the Innocence of Children Proposal Threaten the Art of Drag?
Sept. 25, 2023 (5:00 p.m.)
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A controversial and vague proposal intended to protect children from over-sexualization and abuse was tabled at the Knox County Commission board meeting Monday evening.
Resolution 23-9-904 was first introduced to the board by attorney and Commissioner Rhonda Lee on Sept. 6, 2023. According to the text, the resolution aims to protect the innocence of children by promoting wholesome and honorable activities. These activities are not defined within the resolution.
Though not expressly stated in the text, the main concern held by those favoring the resolution is the influence the LGBTQ community has on children, most notably through drag performances.
Knox County resident Robert Lee said he attended a drag performance on Gay Street and was shocked by the show’s contents.
“It’s not a good feeling to see children exposed to that,” Lee said.
He hopes that the passing of the resolution will inhibit children’s exposure to drag and the LGBTQ community.
Those opposed to the resolution worry about its vague and potentially damaging rhetoric. Some commissioners are concerned that, if passed, the resolution could infringe upon first amendment rights due to lack of specificity; especially in regards to banning books deemed inappropriate for children.
“What if that’s something sexual today and C.S. Lewis next year?” asked Commissioner Richie Beeler.
Beeler said he felt the resolution needed more fixed language that specifically protects children from abuse in order to secure his vote.
Beeler was not alone in his concerns.
The resolution “could damage us more as a society,” Commissioner Dr. Lundy said following the meeting.
After a thorough discussion, the issue was ultimately tabled.
Knox county residents are able to request to speak and submit comments through the Knox County Commission website, as well as access contact information of commissioners.
images courtesy of cottonbro studio
The Vinyl Renaissance
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – A local record store owner is finding ways to form connections with customers through music amidst a surge in vinyl record popularity.
Popularized in the 1960s and 1970s, vinyl records were revolutionary for creating genre diversity, stunning cover art and sound quality. Vinyl records have once again experienced a boom amongst consumers, and have even outpaced CD sales in the United States. Listeners are choosing records for the unique and personal listening experience that can induce an enchanting nostalgia high.
“It feels good … streaming is not really engaging with much. With [a stereo] there are buttons to push and an arm to move. People really enjoy engaging with it” said Carey Balch, owner of Magnolia Records located at 1515 N. Central St., Knoxville, Tennessee.
Nostalgia is triggered by sensory stimuli like music and scents. For many, hearing the click of the tone arm and rhythmic scratching of a record player takes them back to memories of childhood or happy memories in general.
A study conducted in 2011 concluded that music-evoked nostalgia was associated with the feeling of being loved, and the feeling that life was worth living. Nostalgia makes people feel good.
Vinyl record sales experienced their 16th year of consecutive growth in 2022, according to the Recording Industry Association of America United States sales database. Between 2009 and 2010, vinyl revenue saw a 39% increase, and has only continued to rise.
Vinyl record revenue increased 17.2% between 2021 and 2022, while CD revenue fell 17.6%. For the first time since 1987, vinyl record albums outsold CDs in units in 2022.
Record stores across Knoxville were flooded with customers, young and old, on Record Store Day 2023.
Knoxville’s Wild Honey Records opened bright and early at 8 a.m. on April 22 for RSD 2023, and they had an impressive turnout.
The line wrapped around the building and bled onto the sidewalk. What were they lining up for? Taylor Swift’s Folklore: the long pond studio sessions, an exclusive RSD release.
Swift’s Grammy-winning album Folklore was recorded during the COVID-19 quarantine and released in early 2020. Later in 2020, when Swift and her collaborators were finally able to record the album together in one studio, the recording was released as Folklore: the long pond studio sessions and became a special release album for RSD 2023.
Wild Honey’s Oak Ridge and Knoxville locations were stocked with 80 Folklore albums each, 160 total. The Knoxville location was sold out of the album within an hour of opening.
Folklore was not the only album drawing music fans out on RSD 2023. There were special pressings of Dolly Parton’s best hits and Paul McCartney and Wings’ Red Rose Speedway that did not last long on the shelves.
Magnolia Records kept it casual on RSD 2023, stocking up on only a few RSD 2023 titles, including Folklore.
“I had an excellent day, all day long, just because I am a record store,” Balch said.
RSD is a good opportunity to make money and welcome different types of customers, according to Balch.
A big factor in the popularity of vinyl records is tangibility, and record stores create a transportive environment for customers to carefully select their next vinyl purchase. Customers are able to feel the weight of the album in their hands and the slide of its shiny shrink wrap on their fingertips and can seek advice from an expert behind the counter.
“I just want to help people get their hands on things that they are looking for,” Balch said.
Balch opened Magnolia Records in 2017 when he noticed a severe lack in the new record market after the closure of Knoxville’s Disc Exchange.
He even goes so far as to select albums based on his customers’ personal tastes and hand deliver them to their doors. Balch’s customers trust him to curate a personalized listening experience for them without any additional input.
Balch also encourages his customers to listen to the album all the way through without any prior research.
“Rarely in life anymore do you get to be scared, or excited or nervous about a thing.”
Building relationships is something extremely valuable to Magnolia Records.
Looking forward, though, he has some concerns for the record industry.
“The cost of goods is insane right now,” Balch said.
The former cost of 4 or 5 records can only buy 2 records now, according to Balch. Costs need to decrease so local stores can continue thriving.
Increased vinyl record popularity has created an increase in demand, and pressing plants cannot keep up. More pressing plants are opening in the U.S. to keep up with overwhelming pressure, including the Vinyl Lab, located in Nashville, Tennessee who prides itself on quality, speedy production and personalization.
Record fans must continue supporting local record stores and embracing the ritual that comes along with experiencing music on vinyl.
‘Tis the Saison
KKNOXVILLE, Tenn – Knoxville has made a cozy home for craft breweries over the past decade with around 25 breweries operating in 2023, but the craft beer market is leveling out according to the Brewer’s Association.
The no- and low- alcohol market value was $11 billion in focus markets in 2022, up $3 billion from 2018, and is projected to continue growing according to International Wine and Spirits Records (IWSR) data. Gen Z is consuming alcohol with a more mindful approach, and are more likely to reach for a non-alcoholic option. Unless they tap into new demographics, Knoxville’s craft breweries could be in danger.
“Millennials are the last true craft beer, or alcohol drinking generation, and I am really proud to see that,” Ace Preston, seasoned tour guide at Knox Brew Tours, said. “I am excited to see that.”
The Knox Brew Hub, a facet of Knox Brew Tours, always has a variety of non-alcoholic beverages in stock including lagers, ciders, IPAs, and even offerings with CBD. Non-alcoholic options open breweries to a multitude of demographics including athletes, pregnant and nursing women, sober people and older folks, too.
Like Preston, Brett Rogers, Gen Zer and beer enthusiast, believes non-alcoholic options allow those who choose not to partake in traditional beer to feel included socially.
“Having the non-alcoholic option still lets them participate in the culture without, you know, getting drunk,” he said.
Nathaniel Sears, co-owner of Next Level Brewing Company, also sees the value in carrying non-alcoholic options.
“You have to have those options for people. You can’t limit yourself and not have options,” Sears said.
The future of Knoxville's craft breweries will always involve adaptation and innovation, but the near future may see an increase in non-alcoholic options, giving many more to choose from.
“Having the non-alcoholic option still lets them participate in the culture without, you know, getting drunk.”