Where music meets community: How local musicians come together to celebrate life for Waynestock

In the fast-paced and demanding life of a college student, finding time for relaxation and entertainment is crucial for maintaining mental and emotional well-being. Among the myriad of options available, attending live music events stands out as one of the most beneficial activities.

In January 2011, Maryville College’s Steve Wildsmith and music journalist Wayne Bledsoe created the first “Waynestock,” a now annual tradition. Wildsmith referred to it as “a can’t-miss destination in the winter. It’s kind of like a big family reunion, and just so much fun.”

Wildsmith said, “[Waynestock] came together over the course of about six weeks, after our friend Wayne Bledsoe unexpectedly lost his son, Andrew, on Dec. 10, 2010.” This sudden death struck the community, as Bledsoe was still grieving the death of his wife from cancer, leaving him a single father to three children. 

“Expressing condolences through conventional means just didn’t feel like enough, so we thought let’s put together a festival, raise some money for the family and use music to bring solace to us all,” Wildsmith said.

Despite its roots in grief and hardship, “Waynestock” provides a unique atmosphere during its three day run. Maryville College student Reese Johnson (‘26) stated, “Waynestock was very inviting, it felt like it had a clear vision of celebrating the talented local artists of East Tennessee.”

Johnson continued, “It felt very intentional, like a group of people who wanted to celebrate music truly wanted you to be there.”

Fellow MC student Wade Mathews (‘25) chimed in with, “I don’t get to see a ton of live music at all, let alone during the busy semester; plus, nothing beats a live performance.”

Despite the heartwarming origin story and welcoming atmosphere, the younger patrons of the event described the lack of younger representation. Mathews stated, “I think in order to get more young people at the event it needs to be advertised better. I know a ton of students who would have loved to see events like this that simply hadn’t heard it was happening.”

Trevor Morency (‘26) shared the sentiment; “As someone under the age of 21, I felt very out of place. I think more advertisements on college campuses that specify drinks would be available could help both those underage and of age to determine if that’s the place for them to go.”

When asked about the difficulties behind garnering a younger audience,Wildsmith said, “Younger audiences still go to shows, I think, but I’m not sure they’re into taking chances on bands they haven’t heard of, in dive bars and venues they’ve never been to. I just think younger audiences are a lot more guarded with their time and investment.”

While the young attendees had their ideas for improvement, it is crucial to highlight how difficult creating this festival can be. 

“It’s always a lot of fun, but also incredibly taxing, especially that last month. Nobody gets paid, so we literally do everything. There are a million little fires to put out and a million little boxes to check,” Wildsmith said.

Supporting live music, local businesses and struggling families is what makes East Tennessee such a strong community. Although it may be scary for younger audiences to get out of their comfort zone, these experiences not only destress the consumer, but promote empathy and togetherness.