520 Etc.: Til the fat lady sings
As some of you may have already heard, Knoxville520 has lost its funding and will cease to operate in its current capacity as of June 1st, 2007. We feel that an explanation is in order, as many Knoxvillians have come to rely on Knoxville520 as their primary online source for entertainment news and events.
The motivation behind the decision to no longer fund Knoxville520 was not based on lack of quality, nor lack of interest. The investors behind the website realized that Knoxville is not a large enough market to support such a niche website. In fact, this was the main concern at the launch of Knoxville520 in June 2006. It seems we cut too narrow of a path as we were blazing a new trail in Knoxville entertainment!
In an effort not to let the quality work of the Knoxville520 staff go to waste once the website ceases operations, some of the content will be moved over to the Knoxville News Sentinel online entertainment section. We will take some of our favorite articles, blogs and reviews, and compile a “Best of Knoxville520” archive. This way, you will have access to the writing of many of the talented 520 contributors. In addition, the Knoxville520 brand will not totally disappear. The popular Knoxville520 Drink Specials list will be housed in its entirety in the Knoxville News Sentinel online entertainment section.
For the time being, however, it’s “business as usual” for Knoxville520. We will continue our regular Monday & Thursday updates, as well as the mailing of our Friday entertainment newsletter. Until the end, it is our aim to remain true to our
mission - providing our readers with a complete entertainment calendar, as well as a uniquely local perspective on entertainment.
As sad as we are to see the Great Knoxville520 Experiment come to an end, the entire staff is very proud of our work and what we’ve been able to accomplish. We have all learned valuable lessons that will be useful on our individual journeys and we will always look fondly on our time spent with Knoxville520!
Sara Schwabe
& the Knoxville520 Staff
Comments
Nicely played, Miss Schwabe. Well done at every turn.
Posted by: Jack Rentfro | May 24, 2007 04:34 PM
Small market, we may be, but considering the history of Knoxville's music scene and the local artists on the rise today, we proudly take our place as a major player in the industry. Leave it to one of our own to recognize that and put the work, dedication and skill in place to celebrate it.
KUDOS to you and your entire staff, Sara.
Your efforts will be sorely missed and we here at Writer's Block are very much obliged for your efforts.
Posted by: Karen E. Reynolds | May 25, 2007 12:20 PM
Damn, gal! That's the saddest thing I've heard this week. Oh, the necessary, but evil way money always seems to crunch down on good things and inflate bad things. You've been a good thing. No a great thing! How will I know what's going on without you?
Well good luck anyway. Talent always rises to the top like cream.
Posted by: Carole Ann Borges | May 25, 2007 12:59 PM
I will miss the 520 folks- I have enjoyed reading all the interesting articles- much more fun & honest than what you read anywhere else- fun pictures- great coveraage of the music, art, theater scene in Knoxville. And the readers could write in & comment- love it! Sorry to see you go...
Posted by: Nancy B Strange | May 25, 2007 03:27 PM
I will sorely miss checking in with Knoxville520. It was a quality site with tons of information not available elsewhere. Nothing ventured, nothing gained....
Posted by: Carol Nordstrom | May 25, 2007 07:15 PM
Boo hoo. Not that papaw Heiskell gets out that much, but I always enjoyed the read. You will be missed.
Posted by: Jeff Heiskell | May 26, 2007 10:38 AM
Such a sad announcement! Thanks for all the hard work; your website has been really helpful ever since I discovered it.
Posted by: Shawn Taylor | May 27, 2007 06:57 PM
Thanks, Darlin' - you good people have done a wonderful job of telling us (1) what we're up to and (2) what we COULD be up to. You've helped reveal us to ourselves as residents of a happenin' little town - and let us know that if we're bored here, it's nobody's fault but our own. We love you, Knoxville520!
Posted by: Maria Williams | May 27, 2007 10:29 PM
Dang!
Posted by: Ian Roach | May 28, 2007 03:25 PM
Well, if words could call out what is most needed to keep what you have ADDED to the beauty and creativity shared in your community by bringing it to the net, you have done more than your share of making it known. Let's hope what stands will bring you MORE. In this age of partnering, sponsors, grants, and even sharing markets, you all can keep going! Here is to that wonderful full pot of substance to help your community flourish! This is only temporary, I am absolutely certain. The name might change, but the game is still on! Excellent performances and great grace in the circumstance!
Best always from New York,
John Dominic
Posted by: John Dominic Barbarino | June 4, 2007 09:47 PM