Mayor Bailey, working with representatives from the Union County TN Farmers Market Board and the Union County Opry contracted with the East Tennessee Community Design Center in 2022 to develop conceptual drawings for Heritage Park to include the Music Heritage Wall. In 2023, members from the Farmers Market Board wrote a Tourism Enhancement Grant for $100,000.00 going towards a total budget of $135,815.00 to complete the Music Heritage Wall. The Union County Arts Council (led for more than eight years by founder Carol Hansen Pratt) made a very generous donation that went to the Music Heritage Wall project. The Union County Opry provided a letter of support. The Farmers Market Board contributed additional funds and volunteer effort, to include $5,000.00 to blast rock from the site of the planned Music Heritage Wall and made a significant charitable donation to the East Tennessee Community Design Center to honor their support.

This grant, made possible by the design assistance that came from the East Tennessee Community Design Center (with volunteers including Oren Yarborough of Design Innovation Architects and Randy Merritt of Christman Construction (Heritage Park - East Tennessee Community Design Center - https://communitydc.org/project/heritage-park/), was approved. The overall Heritage Park project has received several awards, such as the prestigious Annette Anderson Director’s Award from the East Tennessee Community Design Center. The Annette Anderson Directors' Award is granted annually to clients of the East Tennessee Community Design Center who have demonstrated a commitment to making East Tennessee a better place.

Tennessee Music Pathways is a statewide driving tour connecting visitors to the people, places, and genres that make Tennessee the “Soundtrack of America.” Tennessee Music Pathways spans all 95 counties and highlights the state’s rich musical heritage and locations of first-known recordings, performances, or hometowns of influential musicians. Visitors can explore these sites through a self-guided driving tour or an interactive online guide at tnmusicpathways.com.

Union County has a rich musical heritage. Famous artists such as Roy Acuff, Chet Atkins, Lois Johnson, Carl Smith, and Kenny Chesney call Union County home. Roy Acuff is credited with bringing country music to the singer-based format that brought the genre international success. Chet Atkins was born near Luttrell TN in Union County and is credited for having helped create the "Nashville" sound. A chart topper and one of today's most popular country singers, Kenny Chesney, was also born in Luttrell TN. Union County natives have always had a heart for music. Theirs is a heritage that has been passed down through the generations, and that legacy continues today.

Tennessee Music Pathways launched statewide in 2018, with markers awarded and unveiled on an ongoing basis across counties as submissions are approved. Sullivan County received four Tennessee Music Pathways markers in June 2021. These honor Lesley Riddle, Brownie McGhee, Barry Bales, and Doyle Lawson and are located along Broad Street in downtown Kingsport. Union County boasts three music pathway markers which were awarded prior to 2021 and these markers were to be a prominent part of the Music Heritage Wall.

Dave Jones, our former Tennessee Department of Tourism regional Representative, met with representatives from the Union County Opry in July of 2025 to agree on final placement of the markers, in preparation for an additional Tourism Enhancement Grant that was written by the Farmers Market Board later that year. These funds were to be used for asphalt of the parking area and a music treble cleft, guitar, and other music symbology on the Music Heritage Wall, as envisioned by the Union County Arts Council. Unfortunately, this grant was not funded because the previous grant work had not been completed – the Tennessee Music Pathway Markers had not been installed at the Music Heritage Wall as promised.

Mayor Bailey’s vision will create a tourist destination that will draw visitors near and far to immerse in our deep music heritage. A collaboration led by the Union County Chamber President Martin Shafer working with Union County Historical Society President Charlie Hamilton along with Union County Arts Council founder Carol Hansen Pratt, is needed to complete the Music Heritage Wall, install the Music Pathway Markers, and add Heritage Park to the Tennessee Music Pathways.

Margaret Mead once said, 'Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.' This powerful quote serves as a reminder of the significant impact that dedicated individuals can have. It highlights the idea that change doesn't always come from grand gestures or political organizations but can often be initiated by a small group of passionate people working together towards a common goal. This quote emphasizes the importance of collective action and the potential for even a handful of individuals to make a lasting difference.