Sundown in the City

After less than a decade, Sundown in the City is a headliner event for Downtown Knoxville

I remember 9 years ago when the free concert series at Market Square was developing. I remember it, because I was working for the City of Knoxville at the time and I witnessed its birth.

Then Mayor Victor Ashe was catching alot of heat for not doing enough to promote downtown Knoxville. He was convinced by his staff and others that a free concert at Market Square would be a great way to quiet that noise.

And, timing being everything, it just so happened that the homegrown rock band, the V-Roys wanted to do something special to say thanks to their fans and promote their CD, "All about Town."

It was meant as a one-time event, but it proved so popular that the next year, the City agreed to a follow up concert, this time celebrating the release of R.B. Morris' CD, "Zeke and the Wheel." It was also a big hit.

Then with Ashley Capps at the helm, those one-time concerts turned into a series of shows..leading to what is now Sundown in the City.