Webb Wilder Kicks Off 50th Anniversary of The Down Home
- Jan 4
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 9
Longtime Johnson City concert venue The Down Home kicked off its 50th Anniversary on January 3rd with a sold-out show from Americana singer-songwriter Webb Wilder. The Down Home opened its doors in June 1976 and has continuously brought nationally recognized acts to northeast Tennessee throughout its five decades in business. Music legends such as Doc Watson, John Lee Hooker, Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, and Billy Joe Shaver have all played the intimate venue over the years, where about 100 concertgoers is considered full capacity. Kenny Chesney played some of his first public performances at The Down Home while in college at East Tennessee State University.
Webb Wilder is no stranger to The Down Home and no stranger to the Tri-Cities. Wilder was the headlining act for the first two Bristol Rhythm & Roots festivals in 2001 and 2002, and he has played The Down Home regularly for the past forty years. His band “The Last of the Full Grown Men” features a standard rock n’ roll trio of bass and drums, with Wilder on guitar and lead vocals. The crowd was treated to a slew of Wilder’s best-known songs, including “How Long Can She Last” and “Tough It Out”. The Last of the Full Grown Men also covered Steve Earle’s “Devil’s Right Hand”, which Wilder included on his debut album in 1986, and played The Rolling Stones’ “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” for the final song of the evening.
This was the first show in what promises to be a strong concert lineup for The Down Home in 2026. Tri-Cities area favorites Blue Highway will do a two-night stand at the venue on January 9th and 10th. Then, Progressive Bluegrass pioneer John Cowan is set to play alongside acclaimed husband-and-wife duo Darin and Brooke Aldridge on January 29th. Brooke Aldridge is now a four-time IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year, adding to the long list of celebrated musicians who have shared this iconic stage in the heart of Appalachia.
Webb Wilder will play the Woodshop Listening Room in Chattanooga on January 24th.
Appalachia Today Senior Correspondent Wayne Blake contributed to this article.
Photos provided by Lisa Lemmons-Powers.
