The Knoxies: 1st Annual Best of Knoxville Awards

If Knoxify were a beer it would have a born on date of December 2007. That’s the date we set out to tell the world what makes Knoxville a great place to live, work and play.

Since then we’ve racked up hundreds of articles and our readers have contributed thousands of comments. We consider that the prerequisite course that has enabled us to present the 1st Annual Best of Knoxville Awards, or as we like to call them, The Knoxies.

The Knoxies are the awards that recognize and promote the best people, places and businesses in Knoxville. Our internal jury made up of four long-time Knoxify contributors evaluated hundreds of local interests, categorized them and crowned the winners. Throughout the rest of the week we’ll hand out Knoxie crowns to the best in Knoxville. Our posting schedule will be:

• Tuesday – Local Flavor. What are awards without a food category?
• Wednesday – Local Business. We’ll pinpoint the best small businesses worthy of your hard earned money.
• Thursday – Fun and Entertainment. We’ll pick the best radio and TV stations along with a host of other people and places that are fun and/or entertaining.
• Friday – People. From best comeback story to our favorite historic Knoxvillian, some lucky humans will take home a Knoxie.

In the meantime, get to know the 2011 Knoxie Jury.

• Brandon Clarke. BC was born and raised in Knoxville but has also lived in Oxford, MS and Denver, CO. He currently runs a small business in Knoxville and sits as the 2011 Co-Chair for the Dogwood Arts Festival.
• Casey Peters. CP has called Knoxville home for 11 years. An East TN native, his two degrees from UT are proof his blood runs orange.
• Jody Collins. A Fulton High School grad, JC is also a native Knoxvillian. By day he is a graphic designer for a local pet-centric company, by night he is an avid photographer and music connoisseur.
• Suzy Trotta. Local Realtor super hero, ST is half-way fluent in German and hails from a long line of agents, brokers and developers in Middle Tennessee. She pilots the largest section of Knoxify, the neighborhood guides.

Now that you’ve met the jury you’re probably curious as to why Knoxville needs another set of awards. Unlike other local award contests where the winners are voted on, often collecting multiple votes from the same person or group of people, The Knoxies are powered by a transparent panel of judges with years of Knoxville living under their belt. With future installments we plan to grow and diversify the panel, and categories, to capture other best of perspectives.

If you don’t agree with our picks then take advantage of our thick skin and leave a comment. The Knoxies are for Knoxville by Knoxville.