Customers are saying that many of the Encore Azalea varieties take several years to start having multiple flushes of bloom further north and even then the blooms are very sparse. All in all, they seem to be a southern plant doing best in Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana. Further north regular azaleas with one flush of bloom do much better. Encore azaleas would be fun to try, but I wouldn't get massive numbers until you know you like them. Anyone in your area that sells them should have some customers they can use to show how well they do in your area through out the blooming season.

yes, try a few for starters. being in a zone 8, they may work out well for you. they are releasing new cultivars each year so you should be able to find some that you like.
i doubt i get any flowers from mine this fall because of our drought conditions all year.
a good purple-flowered azalea (like 'autumn royalty', one of my favorites) paired with a bright yellow (such as helianthus angustifolius, swamp sunflower) makes a nice autumn presentation!

Here is a link that might be useful: encore azalea website

Ok, thanks for the tip. I'll also contact the garden center nearby to see what their experience has been with them locally.

Autumn Royalty repeats well in E.TN- zone 6b-7a (closer to a true 8 as of late).