Cool morning mist resting peacefully in the valleys, The dawn drinking in a pink lemonade sky, Waves of tree covered Mountain peaks like a wrinkled up blanket, Mockingbirds sing to a sailor’s sunrise, In my Tennessee mountain home, Crickets are singing in the fields near by. Written about The Great Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee.
Tennessee Sound Sites Mobile
Tennessee Sound Sites

Tennessee Sound Sites

Rewriting What Vacation Planning Means For Blind Communities

songwriters-for-all

For millions of blind and visually impaired people, image descriptions — known as “alt text” — are how they experience the world online. But too often it fails them, offering cold, generic or sometimes even no descriptions at all.

To paint a vivid picture of the beauty of Tennessee for visually impaired travelers, we worked with world-renowned songwriters to create lyrical, sensory-driven photo descriptions.

Watch the Short Film with Audio Descriptions Here >

Accessibility meets sensibility

Tennessee songwriters collaborated with blind communities and others, crafting authentic, lyrical descriptions for hundreds of Tennessee images.

Steel flat top strings on old aged wood, There’s common ground inside a song, Words that speak into the heart, Inviting us to feel along. Written about Tennessee Sound Sites production behind the scenes.
The glossy feel of an eight by ten, Pressed Between two fingers, Hear them tell the story about this Nashville street, Bars, guitars and dreaming singers. Written about Tennessee Sound Sites production behind the scenes.
Soft cushy couch, laughter fills the room, Conversation, collaboration, interpretation, new creation, Two people sharing experiences, A song springs forth from imagination. Written about Tennessee Sound Sites production behind the scenes.
A small pad of paper held in the left hand, A marker held in the right, Scratching words, that bridge to a feeling, Tennessee Sound Sites. Written about Tennessee Sound Sites production behind the scenes.
One-hundred vinyl sounds are lined up on a shelf, Two ladies engaged in conversation, stories that they tell, Minds and hearts like open doors, I never thought of it that way, tell me more. Written about Tennessee Sound Sites production behind the scenes.
A woman shares her story, of a time and place, she fondly recalls, Her joyful chuckles and her smile of reminiscence, Paints the picture, says it all. Written about Tennessee Sound Sites production behind the scenes.
A man sits in a soft deep chair, Fingers chord a worn guitar, His melody moves through time and space, Transports away from where you are. Written about Tennessee Sound Sites production behind the scenes.
A song echoes off the ceiling and the hard, cold granite counter, Lyrics bring to life a truth that’s being sung, Harmony fills up the kitchen, you could listen for hours, Honesty flows through the voices as the guitars strum. Written about Tennessee Sound Sites production behind the scenes.

Tennessee through the lyrics of iconic songwriters

Butterfly on a blood root wildflower blanket on the hill, The gentle Smoky mountains smile on the valley serene and still, A warm breeze welcomes springtime goodbye winter chill, Can’t you hear them calling? Always have, always will. Written about the Great Smoky Mountains in Gatlinburg, TN.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park – Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Butterfly on a blood root wildflower blanket on the hill,
The gentle Smoky Mountains smile on the valley serene and still,
A warm breeze welcomes springtime, goodbye winter chill,
Can’t you hear them calling? Always have, always will.
Songwriters: David Tolliver, Billy Montana
Old worn pews, stained glass windows shine bright, Tradition and songs on a Saturday night, Shoulder to shoulder, hearts pound in the crowd, The magic of music is alive in the house. Written about The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee.
The Ryman Auditorium – Nashville, Tennessee
Old worn pews, stained glass windows shine bright,
Tradition and songs on a Saturday night,
Shoulder to shoulder, hearts pound in the crowd,
The magic of music is alive in the house.
Songwriters: Hilary Williams, David Tolliver, Billy Montana
Golden hour orange watercolor clouds, Floating over rows of lush green vines, grapes hanging down, Side by side marching up a gently rising hill, While the leaves on the trees rest silent and still. Written about Arrington Vineyards in Arrington, Tennessee.
Arrington Vineyards – Arrington, Tennessee
Golden hour orange watercolor clouds,
Floating over rows of lush green vines,
Grapes hanging down,
Side by side marching up a gently rising hill,
While the leaves on the trees rest silent and still.
Songwriters: Kix Brooks, David Tolliver, Billy Montana
The roar of the river over the rocks, The scent of pine and hemlock, The spray of the mist touches your skin, Carried on a waterfall wind. Written about a waterfall at Fiery Gizzard Trail in South Cumberland State Park in Tracy, Tennessee.
Sycamore Falls at South Cumberland State Park – Monteagle, Tennessee
The roar of the river over the rocks,
The scent of pine and hemlock,
The spray of the mist touches your skin,
Carried on a waterfall wind,
Feel the rush of being so small,
Standing next to a waterfall.
Songwriters: Thomas Edwards, David Tolliver, Billy Montana
There’s blues singing off the strings of Lucille, Ringing down the black top and side walks of Beale, The soul of BB king is present and real, them songs seem to find you and know how you feel. Written about a performer at King’s Palace Cafe on Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee.
King's Palace Cafe – Memphis, Tennessee
There’s blues singing off the strings of Lucille,
Ringing down the black top and sidewalks of Beale,
The soul of BB King is present and real,
The songs seem to find you and know how you feel.
Songwriters: David Tolliver, Billy Montana
Raise up a cold one in the hot sun, Cool condensation on the glass, The taste of Tennessee summers in the tap room, The marriage of hops and the barley in the mash. Written about the Hot Springs Beer Park in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Hop Springs Beer Park – Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Raise up a cold one in the hot sun,
Cool condensation on the glass,
The taste of Tennessee summers in the tap room,
The marriage of hops and the barley in the mash.
Songwriters: David Tolliver, Billy Montana
Cool morning mist resting peacefully in the valleys, The dawn drinking in a pink lemonade sky, Waves of tree covered Mountain peaks like a wrinkled up blanket, Mockingbirds sing to a sailor’s sunrise, In my Tennessee mountain home, Crickets are singing in the fields near by. Written about The Great Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park – Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Cool morning mist resting peacefully in the valleys,
The dawn drinking in a pink lemonade sky,
Waves of tree covered Mountain peaks like a wrinkled up blanket,
Mockingbirds sing to a sailor’s sunrise,
In my Tennessee mountain home,
Crickets are singing in the fields near by.
Songwriters: Dolly Parton, David Tolliver, Billy Montana
Feet planted firm on the hard granite stone, I wonder how far to the ground, Drop a rock off the edge and then count the seconds, Till it finally makes a sound. Written about a hiker at Virgin Falls State Natural Area in Sparta, Tennessee.
Virgin Falls State Natural Area – Sparta, Tennessee
Feet planted firm on the hard granite stone,
I wonder how far to the ground,
Drop a rock off the edge and then count the seconds,
Till it finally makes a sound.
Songwriters: David Tolliver, Billy Montana
A little taste of everything your tastebuds wanna try, From butter garlic pasta to Christy’s famous pie, From Calabria Italy to Main Street. near the Square, Welcome to the Alley come in pull up a chair. Written about the Alley on Main in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Alley on Main – Murfreesboro, Tennessee
A little taste of everything your tastebuds wanna try,
From butter garlic pasta to Christy’s famous pie,
From Calabria Italy to Main Street, near the Square,
Welcome to the Alley, come in pull up a chair.
Songwriters: David Tolliver, Billy Montana
The King’s Cadillac all shiny and clean, Remembering days of its glory, It carried the man who lived in Graceland, And drives us through Elvis’ story. Written about the Cadillac at Elvis Presley’s Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee
Graceland – Memphis, Tennessee
The King’s Cadillac all shiny and clean,
Remembering days of its glory,
It carried the man who lived in Graceland,
And drives us through Elvis’ story.
Songwriters: David Tolliver, Billy Montana
It’s more than just a street, more than a busy four-lane road, More than just a place the shiny new boot tourist goes, It’s where the kid from Minnesota with a big ole dream to chase, Is working on his best new Nashville twang, On the street we call Broadway. Written about Broadway in Nashville, Tennessee
Lower Broadway – Nashville, Tennessee
It’s more than just a street, more than a busy two-lane road,
More than just a place the shiny new boot tourist goes,
It’s where the kid from Minnesota with a big ole dream to chase,
Is working on his best new Nashville twang,
On the street we call Broadway.
Songwriters: Michael Farren, Brian Davis, David Tolliver
Flip the switches, Fire it up, The electric tubes, Burn off the dust, Roll the tape, Hit record, Legends’ voices, Shook these doors, The king sang here, The man in black, Sun Studio is where you’re at. Written about Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee.
Sun Studio – Memphis, Tennessee
Flip the switch, Fire it up,
The electric tubes, Burn off the dust,
Roll the tape, Hit record,
Legends’ voices, Shook these doors,
The king sang here, The man in Black,
Sun Studio, Is where you’re at.
Songwriters: David Tolliver, Billy Montana
All it takes is a keyboard search, To learn about places you’d like to be, Get a feel for adventures that await, All across the great state of Tennessee. Written about Tennessee Sound Sites production behind the scenes.
Better Image Descriptions for Better Experiences
Even if you can't get songwriters to help with your alt text descriptions, there are many ways to improve your website for visually impaired visitors. Here are just a few ideas.
Learn More

Tennessee for everyone

Learn more about accessible activities and events throughout Tennessee.

Splash in the water paint with a brush, Jump the carousel feel the great river rush, Music and bubbles fun of all kinds, Brand new adventures for curious minds. Written about the Children’s Museum of Memphis in Memphis, Tennessee.
The Kid-Friendly Tennessee Attractions You Should Visit
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It’s more than a show, On more than a stage, It’s a family tradition, On radio waves, Where dreamers and legends have always appeared, in an unbroken circle for one hundred years. Written about the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee
10 Tennessee Music Venues to Add To Your Concert Bucket List
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Spread wings overhead, rushing river below, Pathways and trails through the cedar and oak, The breeze and birds sing you along, In the Tennessee air with a Tennessee song. Lace up your hiking boots and a nice warm coat, Grab a couple of friends and see where they go. Written about Cumberland Gap in Claiborne County, Tennessee.
6 Tennessee Hikes You Have to Experience to Believe
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Guitars and gold records, Rockabilly blues, The roots of delta music, A pair of blue suede shoes, Legendary legends waiting here for you. Written about the Legends of Tennessee Music Museum in Jackson, Tennessee.
Take a Music Journey Through Tennessee
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Smokey, pulled pork on a soft, warm bun, Covered and smothered with homemade slaw, Baked beans with a plastic fork - a party on your tongue, Food this good should be against the law. Written about Ramey’s Bar B Que restaurant in Parsons, Tennessee.
Come Dine at Tennessee’s Table
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Cool fresh dew settles all around, Night has taken hold, Tall pine tree stand watch tall and proud, As Jasmine dances in the cold. Written about Northeast Tennessee Night Sky Trail.
Wheelchair Friendly and Accessible Travel in Tennessee
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At a scenic overlook at Ober Gatlinburg. A specialized viewfinder poised on a pedestal beckons those with color visual deficiency to gaze anew at the splendor of a simple magnificent Tennessee landscape. Out on the edge of discovery. Feel the open air on your skin, hear the serenity of nature’s natural sounds. Be at peace. Written about Ober Gatlinburg in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Tennessee Colorblind Viewfinder
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Through the woods or by the water, Clean, fresh air outdoor fun, Kayaks, canoes, and winding trails, Accessible to everyone. Written about accessible travel in Tennessee State Parks.
TN State Park Accessibility
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Come one, come all feel the immersion, So many things, adventures abound, Reach out touch, listen so close. Tennessee is a place for all to be found. Written about Kulturecity at Zoo Knoxville in Knoxville, Tennessee.
TN Press Release: TN is Making Adventure Accessible for Everyone
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Progress Over Perfection

These enhanced alt text image descriptions are just one way TNvacation.com is becoming more accessible. Across this website, we're continually working to create rich experiences for as many people as possible.