Diggin’ through the crates at Fun Fest Vinyl Expo with Big Lon

Each July, Fun Fest brings its own brand of summer energy to Kingsport—and for me and my friend Charlie Aesque, there’s one event that’s a must-do: Big Lon’s Vinyl Expo.

Now in its second year, the Expo is one of my favorite additions to the Fun Fest lineup. Created by my good friend Big Lon (aka Lonnie Salyer), it’s more than just a vinyl sale—it’s a celebration of music, memory, and the quirky cool community that surrounds vinyl culture. If you're a record nerd (guilty) or someone who just likes soaking in good vibes with good people, this event hits just right.

Last year’s inaugural show was held at the old Kingsport Civic Auditorium, and this year, we returned to that same hallowed ground. There’s something magical about that space—it’s got history. In fact, Elvis Presley himself stood on that stage back in the early ’50s. Vince Staten documents it in his book, but I prefer the way Lightnin’ Charlie tells it. He plays the Expo every year and captures the spirit with that signature mix of storytelling and soul.

Big Lon’s got vinyl running through his veins. By day, he’s at Eastman. By night, he moonlights on Bristol Radio spinning deep cuts from his massive collection of local and regional records. If you ever hear of Big Lon’s Crateful Dig popping up at a brewery or music hall near you—go. You’ll walk in for a drink and walk out with three new favorite songs.

This year’s Expo, held Sunday, July 20th, brought in vendors from across East Tennessee—Morristown, Sevierville, Greeneville, and beyond. Everyone was friendly, knowledgeable, and eager to help you find that long-lost gem or trade something you didn’t even know you needed.

The crowd? A patchwork of band tees, vintage fashion, and pure personality. From retro '60s flair to honky-tonk hipsters in tight-fitting highwaters, this crowd came to represent. The first person I saw was wearing a Shazam shirt—a local band from years past with Hans Rotenberry up front—and that sparked a dozen conversations right off the bat. Vinyl is magnetic like that. It pulls stories from people.

I came prepared with $200 in my pocket, determined to stick to a budget (I failed, but that’s another story). I found Charlie digging through a jazz bin, and we swapped our first-find stories. He held up a Monkees record—his white whale. I held up a 1968 pressing of Night Train by Oscar Peterson on Verve. Music nerds in the house.

There were thousands of records—78s, 45s, and LPs—sorted by genre, price, or pure chaos. There were even a few guitars, cassettes, and memorabilia pieces scattered around, but the meat of this show is always the vinyl. Prices ranged from “free to a good home” to serious collector territory. On average, five bucks got you something special, and everyone was ready to make a deal.

Big Lon doesn’t stop at collecting. His Monday night show on Bristol Radio is a deep dive into the archives of American music history—broadcast from the Birthplace of Country Music. It’s streaming online if you want to fall down a rabbit hole.

Live music kept the room buzzing throughout the day. A father-son trio opened with smooth blues and rockabilly, setting the tone. Bailey George and the Oscillators brought the hip hillbilly swagger later in the afternoon with that Hank Williams vibe cranked up to eleven. Kingsport native Luke Brogden and his band, Responsible Outlets, closed out with horns and a summery mix of reggae, ska, and alt rock that couldn’t have hit better on a July afternoon.

This is what I love about Fun Fest—events like this that bring community and culture together. Sure, you’ll come for the records, but you’ll stay for the people.

My Record Finds:

• Billie Holiday Golden Years – 3-Record Box Set
• Oscar Peterson – Night Train
• Aretha Franklin – Live in Paris, 1968
• Count Basie and the Kansas City 7 – On Impulse
• Charlie Parker - Prestige 2 Record Set
• Dave Brubeck – Storyville 1954
• Keith Jarrett – The Köln Concert
• Louis Armstrong – Assorted Pressings
• Duke Ellington – Jazz Party in Stereo
• Frank Sinatra – Vintage Reprise & Capitol Cuts
• Ella & Duke at The Cote D'Azur
• Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers - Live at Bubbas
• Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings - Give The People What They Want
• Count Basie Jam Session at Montreux 1975
• Professor Longhair - Blues Volume Two
• Louie Armstrong - Hot Five and Seven
• Santana - ZeBop
• Billy Preston - Wildest Organ in Town!

Next year – I'm gonna look for more Radiohead.