Knights of Queen makes McMinnville’s rocking world go ‘round

The 22nd season of Main Street Live came to a royal conclusion Friday night with the Knights of Queen.

"Knights of Queen officially became a band last November and we had our first show in March at Hop Springs in Murfreesboro," Knights of Queen's "Freddie Mercury" Gabriel Harrod said. "It's a lot of work, but it's fun work."

The Tennessee-based Queen tribute was born partially thanks to a meeting with California-based Queen tribute The Kings of Queen and its lead singer Emo Alaeddin, now The Knights of Queen‘s manager. While The Knights of Queen made its McMinnville debut Friday night, The Kings of Queen may be familiar to local Queen fans from two previous appearances at the Park Theater.

"It started with me watching the movie 'Bohemian Rhapsody' and falling in love with the characterization of Freddie in the movie," the 25-year-old Harrod said. "From there I did more research. I had sung a little bit in a school talent show before and I saw the Live Aid scene and started wondering if I could sing something like that. It turned out that yes, I could. I started building my own costumes and it grew from there. In 2021 0r 2022, I saw The Kings of Queen for the first time in Murfreesboro, and he (Alaeddin) let me on stage for 'Spread Your Wings.' When he heard me singing, the gears in his head started turning. A few years down the line he gave me the opportunity to fly to California to help a friend of his and gave me the chance to do my first 90-minute Queen set. From there, it evolved into a contract, and we started building out the band through Facebook."

Main Street McMinnville organizers of the free summer concert series estimated Friday’s crowd at approximately 2,000, the largest group to gather at Security Federal Savings Bank’s West Lawn for a show this season.

The audience was treated to an assortment of Queen’s greatest hits delivered by the band and Harrod, who assumed the lofty responsibility of bringing the costumes, energy, showmanship and soaring vocals of Mercury to McMinnville.

The show brought an end to another successful season of Main Street Live, the first under the leadership of Main Street McMinnville Executive Director Hannah Cowan Jones. Adding to the finale festivities, Main Street McMinnville provided a bounce house and school supplies were handed out courtesy of Westwood Church of Christ.

“This was the biggest crowd we’ve had all season,” Jones said. “The bounce house was amazing and we gave away hundreds of school supplies. Our food trucks sold out thanks to the big crowd. I’d like to thank all the sponsors who made this possible. We’re already working on the 2027 lineup and look forward to a great 23rd season.”

Main Street Live is sponsored by Main Street Media, Security Federal Savings Bank, Bridgestone, McMinnville Electric System, Law Offices of Galligan & Newman, Warren County, City of McMinnville, Middle Tennessee Natural Gas Utility District, Hale & Hines Nursery, Citizens Tri-County Bank and Hoover & Son Insurance.