Little Roy Wiggin's 'Music City'

[Roger Rettig]

I've just been sorting out some old photos and I came upon this. It was on the northern outskirts of Pigeon Forge, TN, and this photo is from 1993. The store was closed by then (the floor was covered with uncollected mail!), but I wondered about the history of the place.

I'm sure lots of you know all about it; can someone give me any info?

[Herby Wallace]

Roger,

I only live about 3 miles from where this store was. I have lived in this area since 1989 and I'm not sure what year Little Roy opened this shop but it was a year or two after I moved up here, so I know he wasn't there but probably two or three years at the most. He and I got to be friends and talked a lot. I know that when he closed his shop, McDonalds bought the property and built there and the McDonalds is actually still there. When Little Roy had this place, it wasn't really a steel guitar shop as he sold mostly records and tapes and some standard guitars and a few lap steels as well as other tourist items. During this period, Little Roy play a theatre up here with a couple called Bonnie Lou & Buster. It was a very successful show for quite a few years in this area. I hope this helps.

Herby Wallace

[Roger Rettig]

Hello, Herby!

Thanks - those dates would seem to tie up; it did look inside as though it was a very casual sort of music store, rather than a place where you'd go to find high-end vintage steels!

McD's, eh? I know that the last time I drove through I could see no sign of the old store. That explains it.

Thanks for responding, and a Happy New Year to you and yours.