Count This Penny

In 2016, Knoxville folk singer-songwriter duo Amanda and Allen Rigell, known as Count This Penny, were the first artists to partner with the University of Tennessee Libraries to create works of art that celebrate our unique collections in the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives. Initiating our Artists in the Archives program, the Rigells explored the Wilma Dykeman and James R. Stokely Jr. Papers in our manuscripts collections and translated their insights into song.

They debuted their original compositions at an open performance at Special Collections in Hodges Library and released the digital recordings online. The UT Libraries also pressed and mailed copies of a limited-edition 45 RPM vinyl record in our annual publication to Library Society members.

Amanda and Allen created the “Boundless” title to our Artists in the Archives program. Given the scope of our special collections and the depth of our local talent pool, the program is indeed boundless.