“House concert” at Williamswood Saturday brings intimacy and fun to Knoxville’s music scene

Earlier this year I read an article in the New York Times about “house concerts” – whereby musicians play in private homes rather than regular performance venues. Everyone brings his or her own refreshments and pays either a cover charge or tips to compensate the performers. I thought that sounded like such a fun concept.

R.B. Morris on Saturday

Saturday we had the chance to attend a house concert in South Knoxville. Singer-songwriter R.B. Morris, accompanied by Hector Qirko, played two extraordinary 45-minute sets at Julia Tucker’s place. But I have to note: Julia Tucker’s place is no ordinary house. More on that in a minute.

The house concert, which was sold out, was arranged by Morris’s friend, fellow musician Maggie Longmire. The $25 cover charge was to help Morris release his upcoming CD, “Spies, Lies and Burning Eyes,” which he predicts will be out in November prior to a performance he has set for Nov. 22 at the Laurel Theater.

About 50 people arrived at the Tucker abode, named “Williamswood,” at 8 and mingled sociably for a little while before settling down to hear Morris and Qirko perform old and new songs, with a little poetry thrown in for good measure. What made the evening so special was the intimacy of being in a home rather than a business – and the chance to talk to the musicians, hosts and other guests before, between and after the sets. Morris even felt comfortable enough to announce that his wife, Karly Stribling, is with child. That got a big round of applause.

Entrance to Williamswood

Now, about Williamswood. Although it looks like it was built hundreds of years ago, it was really constructed in the 1990s. It was therapy, according to Tucker’s daughter Dr. Judy Roy, to help her mother deal with the death of her son, Bill, for whom the house is named.

It looks to me very much like the castle in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” one of my favorite movies. And it was perfect for this concert, held, as it was, during the month of Halloween. The long driveway to the house was lit by orange luminaries. Concrete gorgoyles and other such creatures welcomed guests as they approached the front steps. A full moon added a perfect touch.

Tucker has a great sense of humor and thirst for adventure – and it shows in Williamswood. Here are some of the features of the home: a swinging bridge, a hidden staircase (behind a fake bookcase, natch!) and a trap door. Tucker’s bedroom ceiling is painted to mimic the Sistine Chapel – but the faces of all the characters are replaced by the faces of people Tucker actually knows. A painting of “The Last Supper,” also features Tucker’s friends and acquaintances with one notable exception: “Judas” is replaced by someone Tucker says is “every woman’s Judas.” That would be Barbie!

Julia Tucker on her bed with her Great Dane, Daisy

The heavy wooden beams were salvaged from Lay’s Packing Company. Two couches came from Jake Butcher’s office. An authentic Scottish pub, dubbed “The Black Dog Pub” in honor of Tucker’s favorite kind of pet, harbors what appears to be a more traditional East Tennessee libation. The kind that comes in a mason jar.

Although we weren’t quite sure what to expect going in, the night was one we’ll never forget. Alan and some of the other guys kept checking the UT/Auburn score on their smart phones, making us even happier in the end to have been at Williamswood instead of in front of our TV or at Neyland Stadium.

Here are some of the other lucky folks at the house concert, according to a list provided by Morris: Katie Roy, Mason Floyd, Conrad (Mac) Goodwin, Lydia Pulsipher, Becky Wade, Jake Hudson, Madeline Rogero, Gene Monaco, Kathy Hall, Brad Crattie, Barbara Roberts, Angie Kincaid, Dan Simmons, Gary Brock, Nancy Moore, Dale Overturf, Greg and Misti Congleton, Matthew Range, Bryan Smith, Dale Lohrey, Bob Leggett, Don Williams and his wife Jeanne, Alex Pulsipher, Tim and Debbie Floyd, Wes Snyder, Brian Overholt, Will Johnson, Tayria Ward, Tom and Deborah Weiss, Judith Ieker, Emily Ellis, Alicia Staton, Don and Jan Howard.

R.B. Morris with his wife Karly Stribling, left, and his friend, Maggie Longmire

Tucker's daughter, Dr. Judy Roy, relaxes on a couch from Jake Butcher's office

Alan inspects a suit of armor

Alan plays bartender at the Black Dog Pub