Could Matt Morelock be the Kevin Bacon of Knoxville?

Matt Morelock's hands are firmly on the crank of Knoxville's music mechanisms. As an energetic on-air personality at WDVX, an established teacher at Pick ‘n' Grin, a hustling contributor to sundry local bands and an all around nice guy, Morelock has emerged near the center of the city's surging music scene.

“Knoxville has the potential to be the next Austin, Tex.,” Morelock is quick to declare. And he would know. Morelock is seemingly everywhere all at once. His cell phone bulges with contacts among Knoxville's artistic who's who. Longtime friend and singer/songwriter Christa DeCicco pins him as the “Kevin Bacon of Knoxville.”

Weaned in the suburbs on MC Hammer and MTV, Morelock converted to Phish and the Grateful Dead after high school and, like an increasing number of twentysomethings, worked backward toward the musical roots of this region. While studying anthropology at UT, he developed a skill for old-time banjo and a passion for international music. After encountering radio maverick Tony Lawson in 2000, Morelock landed the Monday night slot on WDVX. “Right place at the right time, that's the story of my life,” he's fond of explaining.

Morelock's weekly “Happy Camper” program has served as his launching pad as an arbiter of cultural taste — though his preferences do not suit every palette. For Morelock, the globally themed show is a declaration for diversity within the station's usual flow and format. Some of the local “grassholes,” however, have objected to Morelock's experimental vibe.

“I got a call one night during the World Music portion. I answered ‘WDVX.' The guy on the other line shouted, ‘WDVX, are you sure? What the hell is this crap?' I said ‘It's South Indian Carnatic singing.' The caller replied, ‘Well, it sounds like Osama bin Laden!'”

These close-minded exchanges invigorate the already animated Morelock, who admittedly revels in “freaking out squares.” He maintains this same level of free-spirited moxie in his life as a performer. A versatile musician, Morelock can frequently be found romping with the Bearded or rollicking in the Band of Humans. As a testament to his full-bodied dedication, he recently suffered a hernia onstage while wrestling fellow Human Phil Pollard during a failed “Freebird” cover, nevertheless completing the show.

The best display of Morelock's developing musical values, though, is perhaps found in the blissful Maid Rite Stringband. Born around fellow WDVX DJ Red Hickey's campfire, the Maid Rite Stringband is distinguished by a blend of clawhammer banjo, old-time fiddle, lush harmonies and mutual affection. Along with fiddler Sarah Pirkle, guitarist Leah Gardner and bassist Josh Sidman, Morelock has crafted an acoustic experience marked with an easygoing charm, quirky sense of humor and refreshing lack of pretense.

“People seem to really like the band,” he says, “and I always say the secret is that we love each other so much. We love hanging out, we keep up with one another. I've played in a lot of bands, and I love all my bandmates, but there is just a warm feeling of family with this group.”

Morelock continues to embark on countless new projects, schemes and performance opportunities. His merciless schedule and growing influence (and he does have influence — he hosts and books the daily Blue Plate Special after all) have not hampered Morelock's amiable and appreciative nature.

“There are a lot of ‘best musicians in the world,' but a disproportionate number of them live in Knoxville,” he muses. “Not just musicians, but artists and dancers, in general. I'm so grateful to get to do all of the stuff I do and meet all the people I meet. Nobody else seems to be having this much fun.”

A bold statement, but he may well be right.