Howard "Louie Bluie" Armstrong Pathway Marker

Howard "Louie Bluie" Armstrong grew up in LaFollette, Tennessee and became a multi-instrumentalist, multi-linguist - during the Great Depression, he sang songs for Italians, Germans and Poles in their native languages - painter and teller of folk tales. He began playing in a string band with his brothers by age 10. At 12 years of age, he left home to work with fiddle player Blind Roland Martin in Knoxville and became a "songster," a performer who has mastered many styles of music. Armstrong formed a band and performed on WROL in Knoxville as the Wandering Troubadours. He and his band recorded two instrumental tunes, "Knox County Stomp" and "Vine Street Rag." He performed at the 1933 Chicago World's Fair and recorded four titles in the string-band style for RCA Victor's Bluebird Records in 1934 with singer Ted Bogan. 

See Armstrong's Tennessee Music Pathways marker in LaFollette. Then, explore this outdoor paradise at nearby Cove Lake State Park with its three miles of hiking trails, fishing spots and wildlife viewing. Hike the Cumberland Trail which snakes through 11 Tennessee counties. Have a memorable meal with an incredible view at McCloud Mountain Restaurant & Lodge.