
John Gullion
CONTRIBUTOR | THESMOKIES.COM
John Gullion, is the Managing Editor at the Citizen Tribune in Morristown, TN, and the lead contributor for TheSmokies.com LLC.
John began his full-time career in journalism a few weeks before Y2K. He has worked as a reporter, sports editor, news editor and managing editor for newspapers throughout the Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee and South Alabama including the Monroe County Advocate & Democrat, the Selma Times Journal and the Demopolis Times (very briefly). Since 2005 he has been the Managing Editor for the Citizen Tribune in Morristown, Tenn. He has won several awards from the Tennessee Press Association, the Alabama Associated Press and the Alabama Press Association. His work has been picked up by the Associated Press and run in papers nationwide.
John moved to Maryville, Tenn. before his sophomore year of high school and with the exception of a handful of years in South Alabama he’s spent the last 30 years, exploring, covering and enjoying the Smokies and surrounding region. He’s been married to his wife Leslie since April 1, 2000 but is considering claiming the six prior years they dated for anniversary purposes. They have three children.
MY FUN FACTS
Favorite Smokies Attraction
Dollywood
Favorite Smokies Restaurant:
Calhoun’s
Favorite Dollywood Ride
Blazing Fury
MY RECENT ARTICLES
Are the Smokies becoming too popular?
Crowds, traffic, parking fees and permits: are the Smokies becoming too popular? A longtime local weighs in and shares quieter places to go instead.
5 Top Things To Do in Wears Valley in 2026, According to a Local
A Smoky Mountain local shares his favorite things to do in Wears Valley, Tennessee Growing…
Dollywood After Dolly
Dollywood after Dolly Parton’s death: a chapel waterfall memorial, a new Dolly Parton Experience portal and plans through 2036. Park leaders share what’s next.
Fall Foliage in the Smokies 2026: When Will the Colors Peak?
2026 Fall Color Update (updated Oct. 10, 2026) What scientists are predicting for this year’s…
Clash of the Titans in Tennessee: Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop Is Open
Dolly Parton’s answer to Buc-ee’s is open on I-65 It’s Ali vs Frazier. Yankees vs….
Tennessee Fall Foliage Map 2026: Peak Dates by County + 7 Local Tips
View a data-driven map with 7 fall tips from a local They say Tennessee’s fall…