(WBIR) Monday night Knoxville celebrated the end of an era with a with a "Salute to Schwall" at the Tennessee Theatre. The free event attracted hundreds to give Ken Schwall an on-stage retirement sendoff after 35 years of both serious journalism and jest on WBIR.
If all the world is a stage, for the last 35 years Schwall's world too center stage in East Tennessee on WBIR 10News. The players were us, the people of East Tennessee who Ken positively put in the spotlight.
"I'm first in line. I like Ken Schwall. There are a lot of fun stories. I can't even begin to count them," said Mildred Bailey as she stood in the cold outside the Tennessee Theatre waiting for the doors to open.
As the line began to wrap around the corner of Clinch Street and Gay Street, Ken crashed his own party before the doors opened.
"What, we can't get in this place? I'm trying to scrape up enough money to get in," joked Schwall with the crowd.
As people shouted out adulation and requested photographs, Ken remained his ever-jovial and humble self. The crowd was also in a joking mood when asked if they even knew what they were standing in line for.
"A movie? Free ice cream? Yeah, free ice cream!" said some of the folks in line with a smile.
After sharing so many others' stories for the last 35 years, Monday night Ken took a seat with his family on stage in front of a crowd that came to hear stories about him.
"He [Ken] did such wonderful reporting and told stories in such a marvelous way," said WBIR anchor emeritus Bill Williams, who emceed the event. "He was a very serious journalist and was the news director."
The event, like Ken, balanced the serious with comedy. Musical performers included "The Chicken Man" clucking away to a bluegrass tune.
As decades of players celebrated and saluted a classic, the outpouring did the impossible. It left Ken Schwall speechless. Well, almost.
"I can't believe it. I'm really shocked. When they planned this I said nobody's going to want to show up and see me leave. I thought there'd be my wife and kids and you. And I wasn't sure about you. But yeah, I'm very surprised, pleasantly surprised. It's amazing," said Schwall.
The curtain call was the perfect exit for a player with an eventful history on the stage of East Tennessee. And, as always, the final word was positively Schwall's.
"I think the worst part about it is from now on I'm going to have to pay for my own lunches. This was a mistake," said Schwall.
If you could not make it to the event, you can watch our roast of Ken Schwall this Friday. We will air an hour-long special called "That's Schwall Folks" Friday night, February 27, 2015, at 7:00 p.m.
You can also visit the Positive Schwall section of WBIR.com for a full recap of recent features as well as Ken's daily newscast kickers.
