The Loafer 40

Volume 03 Issue 39 Publisher Lisa Durbin Creative DIrector Jon Bill Forrester Managing Editor Peggy Gale DIstribution Elizabeth Armstrong Sales Jessica Carlisle Entertainment Coordinator Andreax Jarre

your week’s line-up

04 Spotlight

Contributing Staff

05 Sundown on Depot Car Show Benefits Holston Home 06 Pro-Art Thanks Community for Successful Comeback in its 45th Season

07 Trivia 08 Puzzle Page 09 Pets of the Week 09 Auditions for The Mel Brooks Musical: Young Frankenstein 10 Tri-Cities Faces and Places

Kathie Scalf

13 WQUT Concert Schedule

Ken Silvers

14 Song of the Mountains® Launches

Wendy Hayden

on National Public Radio Network

Ann Hartley

14 Biker Events by Biker Wear

The Loafer

22 Tri-Cities Faces and Places

Po Box 39

NOTE

FROM THE

PUBLISHER

07 Karaoke

11 Things To Do

Andy Ross

Telford, Tn 37690

Hello Loafer Readers!

Summer is in full swing now! I hope everyone is staying cool and hydrated.

Drink lots of water! I know everyone is excited about the July 4th holiday.

There are so many fun activities to enjoy. Jonesborough Days will be happening and Freedom Hall Fireworks is back! Have fun but please be safe.

Wayne’s Universe of Fireworks is open in Hampton if you need to get ready for your celebration. They have been in business since 1945 and have most everything you need.

Thank you for your continued support for The Loafer! Have a great week!

423-930-7319 www.theloafer.net theloaferonlineprint@gmail.com All advertisements are accepted and published by the publisher upon the representation that the agency and/or advertiser is authorized to publish the entire contents and subject matter thereof. The agency and/or advertiser will indemnify and save the publisher harmless from any lossof expense resulting from claims or suits based upon contents of any advertisement, including claims or suits for defamation, libel, right of privacy, plagiarism, and copyright infringement.

Founder: Bill Williams

LBD FAMILY MEDIA Let’s Get Social!

columns & reviews

theloafer.net | June 21, 2022

2

15 Beanz Biker Corner The Peacemakers Motorcycle Club 17

Social Sentiments: SWOT Your Competition

19 Tea Time with Appalachian Barbie: Women at Work 21 Pop Life: Jurassic Park 23 Batteries Not Included: Shaft

Love, Lisa Durbin Publisher

3

theloafer.net | June 21 2022

Spotlight

theloafer.net | June 21, 2022

4

Nightbreed 8:00pm at Quaker Steak & Lube Steele Cookin” Band 7:00pm at Delta Blues BBQ

Johnson City, Tn Johnson City, TN

Bristol TN/Va Bristol, TN/VA WEDNESDAY June 29th Some Old Friends 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House THURSDAY June30th Vaden Landers 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House Fox and the Hounds 7:00pm at Quaker Steak & Lube FRIDAY July 1st Ryan Greer 4:00pm at State Street Brewing Company Arcane Days 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House Allskate 7:00pm at Delta Blues BBQ James Meadows 8:00pm at Quaker Steak & Lube SATURDAY July 2nd Mick Kyte 2:00pm at State Street Brewing Company Pacer Fisher 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House

TUESDAY JUNE 28th Brim & Marci Leal 6:30pm at Rocks Wood Fired Pizza WEDNESDAY June 29th HB Beverly 6:30pm at Rocks Wood Fired Pizza THURSDAY June 30th Justin Mychals 6:30pm at Rocks Wood Fired Pizza Beach Nite Band 7:00pm at Winged Deer Park FRIDAY July 1st Rebekah Todd 5:00pm at Friday After 5 Natalie Grace 7:30pm at Go Burrito Julie Williams & The Hired Guns 8:00pm at Tulips Grub & Pub Joey’s Van 10:00pm at Capone’s SATURDAY July 2nd Chris Long 7:00pm at Go Burrito Bleedseason | The Coursing | Bacalou 10:00pm at Capone’s

Kingsport Kingsport, TN THURSDAY June 30th Retroville 7:00pm at Marker 2 Grille, Lakeview Marina Benny Wilson & Quentin Horton 7:00pm at KC @ Sonny’s Marina FRIDAY July 1st Nightbreed 7:00pm at Marker 2 Grille, Lakeview Marina Dimestore Cowboys 7:00pm at Gypsy Circus Cider Company SATURDAY July 2nd 38 Special & The Ultimate Garth Brooks Tribute 5:00pm at Red White & Boom Jet Black Audio 7:00pm at KC @ Sonny’s Marina Rusty Steele 7:00pm at Marker 2 Grille, Lakeview Marina Crossfire 8:00pm at CJ’s Sports Bar Jason Ellis 9:00pm att Krazy Chicken International

Blues Man & Blues Essential 8:30 at Jonesborough Barrell House

Elizabethton, TN Elizabethton WEDNESDAY June 29th Mick Kyte 7:00pm at the 19 E Pit Stop FRIDAY July 1st First Friday Local Musicians 5:00pm at Riverside Taphouse Big Son 7:00pm at Elizabethton Covered Bridge Eireann’s Call 7:00pm at Bonnie Kate Theater Abingdon, VA THURSDAY June 30th Larry Keel Experience 6:00pm at Wolf Hills Brewing

Jonesborough Jonesborough, TN FRIDAY July 1st Anna Lee Farris 6:00pm at Jonesborough Barrel House SATURDAY July 2nd Rare Fiction 6:00pm at Jonesborough Barrel House

Submit Your Live Shows to: theloaferonlineprint@gmail.com or call 423-930-7319 to be Featured in the Loafer Spotlight

The seventh annual Sundown on Depot car show returned to historic downtown Greeneville on May 21, 2022 in conjunction with the Greeneville Iris Festival. The show was impressive with over 600 vehicles – street rods, muscle cars, trucks, low-riders, and custom bikes – lining Main Street from the City Garage Car Museum at W McKee Street to Walters State Niswonger Campus at Spencer Street.

Sponsors of the event included Shades of the Past, Bewley Properties, Gary’s Paint & Body Shop, M&M Collision Repair, Greeneville Federal Bank, Jeffers Funeral & Cremation Service, Marsh Propane, Wilburn Excavating & Construction, Jerry’s Used Cars & Parts, LLC, Tweed Family Foundation, East Tennessee Title & Escrow Services, Inc., Malone Bros. Excavating Inc., O’Reilly Auto Parts, Cornerstone Wealth Management Group, Bachman Bernard, Gateway Ford, RPC Inc. Farms, Farris Insurance Agency, and Surfboard Promotion.

Awards were given for the Brabb Gregg

Pick, Holston Home Pick, Mayor Pick, and Kid’s Pick with trophy made by Jack Lane.

Proceeds of over $13,000 from the show are being given to Holston United Methodist Home for Children.

Todd Collins, one of the organizers of Sundown on Depot said, “We would like to thank all of the sponsors, volunteers, participants, and spectators that contribute to the success of this charitable event, and we look forward to next year.”

Bradley Williams, President and CEO at Holston Home said, “We are so grateful for friends like Todd and Bill Collins, sponsors and so many others who care about kids that have come from hard situations. It is really cool how they take their passion for cars and turn it into compassion for young people being served by the ministry of Holston Home.”

For more information, contact the Greene County Partnership at 423-638-4111.

Bill Collins presents Bradley Williams with a check for the Holston Home.

(Pictured from left to right: Christina Potts, Aly Collins, and Jeff Taylor from the Greene County Partnership, Bill Collins from Sundown on Depot, Susan Bernier and Bradley Williams from the Holston Home.)

There are Five American Eagles hidden in this issue of The Loafer.

Can you find them all?

theloafer.net | June 21 2022

Sundown on Depot Car Show Benefits Holston Home

5

theloafer.net | June 21, 2022

6

Pro-Art Thanks Community for Successful Comeback in its 45th Season The Pro-Art Association would like to extend its gratitude for the generous outpouring of support garnered across its 45th season and the return to live programing. The past year saw record attendance and ticket sales as music, theater, and dance crept back into the gathering spaces of our communities. Pro-Art saw a 646% increase in ticket sales and a 49% increase in season ticket subscriptions from 2019—its last pre-pandemic season. This season brought Pro-Art first timers Cirque Mechanics (a mechanical circus featuring Cirque du Soleil veterans, and the organization’s largest technical undertaking since 2005), regional favorite ETSU Alumna and Grammy nominee Amythyst Kiah, Mad River Theater Works’ “Freedom Riders”, and Spanish timple musician Germán López, among others. “When contemplating how to return to live programming we hoped for a sort of Renaissance for the arts in our region and Southwest Virginia delivered,” said Executive Director Michael McNulty. “We are so grateful to have the opportunity to serve a culture so deeply rooted in craftmanship and artistic expression.”

The season featured a number of organizational firsts, including the nonprofit’s first open mic nights and two December evenings of Community Christmas Caroling in Big Stone and Pennington Gap. Held in Norton’s Expo Center, “In the Garage” open mic nights welcomed a multitude of local artists, from painters to poets to rock bands and everything in between. Pro-Art was also able to continue programming in Norton City, Wise, Lee, and Dickenson County Schools, working within districts’ Covid-19 guidelines, while ensuring accessibility to performances by admitting all students free to every show. Based on economic calculators from

Americans for the Arts, Pro-Art’s 45th season is estimated to have had more than $860,000 in economic impact on the region we call home.

Pro-Art Announces Return of Creative Arts Summer Camp Thanks to a generous grant from the Rapha Foundation, Pro-Art is thrilled to announce the return of the

or participate in the arts as college students and working adults. Pro-Art is thrilled to be able to bring back this cherished summer experience through the support of the Rapha Foundation.

allow access to all children.

The Rapha Foundation is a 501(c)(3) philanthropic organization formed in 2019 following the merger of Ballad Health and Norton Community Like the original “camp,” the program Hospital. Under the direction of will center around a musical theater Executive Director Mark S. Vanover, production, with a curricular foundation the foundation is dedicated to in music, theater, dance, craft, and improving population health and access to education across Southwest Virginia.

Pro-Art’s mission is to promote the arts and expand accessibility to cultural experiences for residents and students in Wise, Lee, and Dickenson Counties and the City of Norton. For more information about our planned performances, please visit proartva.org. You can find the Pro-Art Association on social media @ProArtVA. Pro-Art is supported in part by a grant from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as the Slemp Foundation, The University of Virginia’s College at Wise, and Mountain Empire Community College. For more information about Pro-Art, please visit proartva.org, call the office at (276) 376-4520, or send an email to pro-art@uvawise.edu.

organization’s Creative Arts Summer Camp, to begin in July of 2023.

Between the late 1980’s and the early 2000’s, Pro-Art offered the camp to elementary, middle, and high school students in Wise County. According to reports from the Pro-Art Board of Trustees, the program was incredibly popular, often serving more than 100 students each summer. Parents and former participants still talk about the program fondly and a number of participants went on to work, teach,

design to accompany the experiential work of creating a performance. There is a wealth of evidence in educational and medical literature about the value of the arts in the physical and mental health and development of children.

Under the direction of music and drama teacher Gabby Barnette, the Creative Arts Summer Camp aims to offer elementary and middle school students an intensive summer arts experience.

Pro-Art aims to do this at minimal or no cost to the students’ families, in order to

TUESDAY TUESDAY

Karaoke at Numan’s - JohnsonEntertainment City Karaoke with Absolute at The Pub Out Back Karaoke with Bert & L.A. at Kingsport Moose Lodge 7pm (The Italian Pizza Pub) - Johnson City 7pm

WEDNESDAY

WEDNESDAY

Turn the Page Karaoke at VFW Post 2108 – Johnson City Karaoke Night at Eric Wonderland Karaoke w/ HuskinsLounge VFW and PostBar 2108 – Johnson City, TN 8pm Karaoke at Quaker Steak and Lube (Bristol, VA) 7pm Karaoke Night at Wonderland Lounge and Bar Karaoke at- Kingsport Lodge Johnson Moose City, TN 9pm6pm Karaoke at Thunder Tavern 8pm Karaoke with RonValley at Kingsport Moose Lodge 6:30pm

THURSDAY THURSDAY

Karaoke at Zachary’s Steakhouse Karaoke with Karaoke with Open Mic Entertainment Michael’s Krazy Karaoke at Stateline Bar & Grill at Wild Wing Café Johnson City,atTN Karaoke w/ DJ Marquez Top Shelf Entertainment Wild8pm Wings Café JC Karaoke at Numan’s Johnson City, TN 10pm Karaoke at Numan’s - Johnson City Karaoke at Jiggy Rays Pizzeria - Johnson City, TN Karaoke at Jiggy Rays Pizzeria Abby’s Hell Yeah at CJ’s Sports Bar - Kingsport, TN 8pm Karaoke w/Tony & Rod Karaoke at CJ’s Sports Bar 8pm Karaoke at Tipsy Toad Tavern JonesboroughTN Karaoke at Tipsy Toad (Jonesborough) Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Tulips Grub & Pub 8pm Open Mic & Karaoke at Wonderland Lounge/Bar N Grill Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Tulips Grub & Pub 7-10 Karaoke at Midnight Oasis - Brtistol, TN Karaoke at Sonny's Marina/The FrenchPost Quarter Restaurant Karaoke w/ Eric Huskins VFW 2108 – Johnson City, TN 8pm Karaoke at Numan’s – Johnson City, TN 10pm Karaoke with Absolute Entertainment Rainbow Asian Karaoke w/ ShaneatRouse at Bear’s Bar Cuisine 9pm Karaoke at Kingsport Moose Lodge Karaoke w/ Reverb Karaoke at The Cottage 8:30pm Turn the Page Karaoke at VFW Post 2108 – Johnson City Karaoke w/ Eric Huskins VFW Post 2108 – Johnson City, TN 8pm Karaoke at Elizabethton VFW Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Tulips Grub & Pub 8-11 Karaoke w/ Michael Hawkins at Holiday Inn (Exit 7) – Bristol, VA Karaoke at Numan’s – Johnson City, TN 10pm Karaoke at Numan’s – Johnson City Karaoke at 27 Lions (Marion, VA) 9:00pm Karaoke with Absolute Entertainment at Rainbow Asian Cuisine 9pm Karaoke with Absolute Entertainment at Laurel Marina on South Holsten 9pm

FRIDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Trivia TUESDAY

Wild Wing Café JC- Team Trivia Tuesdays 8:30pm Johnson City Brewing Company- Trivia Tuesdays 7pm Aubrey’s Johnson City- Trivia Night 7pm 27 Lions - Trivia Night 7pm Union Street Taproom - DJ Trivia 6pm

WEDNESDAY

Tipton Street Pub- Trivia Wednesdays 9pm Aubrey’s Bristol- Trivia Night 7pm Johnson City Moose Lodge 1831 - DJ Trivia 7pm Tipsy Toad (Jonesborough) - Trivia 7pm

THURSDAY

Holy Taco & Cantina Trivia Night 9pm JRH Brewing - Trivia Night 7pm Mellow Mushroom Johnson City - Mellow Trivia 7pm Gypsy Circus Cider Company - Trivia 6:30pm

MONDAY

Barley Waters- Trivia Night 7pm Yee-Haw Brewing- Trivia Mondays 7pm Woodstone Deli - DJ Trivia 7pm Model City Tap House - Live Team Trivia Night 7pm

SATURDAY

Karaoke at Kingsport Moose Lodge Turn the Page Karaoke at VFW Post 2108 – Johnson City Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Tulips Grub & Pub 8-11 Karaoke at Numan’s – Johnson City Karaoke w/ Tony & Rod at CJ’s Sports Bar

SUNDAY 7pm Open Mic with Karaoke at Go Burrito Johnson City Karaoke at Kingsport Moose Lodge 6pm

MONDAY

Karaoke at Thunder Valley Tavern 8pm

**The schedule is subject to change due to the request for social distancing at this time.**

theloafer.net | June 21 2022

KARAOKE Kara ke

7

theloafer.net | June 21, 2022

8

Down 1. Squalid dwelling 2. Adds up (to) 3. Least illuminated 4. Give ____ of approval 5. Thick-skinned critters 6. Straight A students 7. In footwear 8. Poses for a portrait 9. Damaging radiation burst 10. Website owner's concern (abbr.)

11. Indian instruments 12. Out for the evening, maybe 13. Revolves 16. Roamers 20. How some fried eggs are cooked

DROP QUOTE

C RYPTO G RA M

ACROSS

1. Speed trap device 6. Appraiser 14. Mennonite group 15. Add to, as a conversation 17. Oscar actress Marisa 18. Tough issue to handle 19. Sci-fi figures 21. West of "Batman" 22. Bob Marley classic 23. Printers' mistakes 25. They rank below capts.

26. Ballesteros of golf 28. Like some suits 29. NYC clock setting 30. Reduced, as a sail 32. Twisting turn 33. Testarossa maker 34. Michael Stipe's band 37. With little effort

KEDA AXY LNPDDPLU LI KOUY OEDAYU'D ZLLFD OJLUY MLEJG NOFY O IOPBJV TLLG JPZBOBV LEA LI O JPZBOBV AXOA XOGU'A O ZLLF PU PA. — Mark Twain

38. Drum site 41. Deals well with change 43. Those, to Tomas 45. God, in Italy 46. Fine point 47. Getting close to the lead, maybe 49. "Our Gang" affirmative 50. Can be changed 52. Mathematician with a sequence 55. Betting every last chip 56. True grit 57. "___ My Heart in San Francisco" 58. Unnecessary 59. Midterms and finals

23. Each person 24. ____-whip (whipped cream brand) 27. Disturbingly weird 31. Lies 33. Boba or Jango 34. Went on the lam 35. Book printing 36. "Danse ____" (Saint-Saëns work) 38. Foodstuffs 39. Emergency helicopter delivery, say 40. Mouse and squirrel 42. Mescaline-yielding cactus 44. ___ of Gibraltar 48. Oscar-winning Berry 50. Missed ____ (blew one's

Answers to last week’s puzzles can be found on page 09.

entrance) 51. Some modern TV screens 53. Nest, in Nantes 54. Tenerife locale (abbr.)

theloafer.net | June 21 2022

PETS

OF THE WEEK

9

S un ny Have you met this lion? His name is Sunny.

He is 8 1/2 yrs old. Sunny has been with us for a while, because he came interrible shape and with different infections and has been in treatment. He is incredibly sweet and was so gentle with everyone when receiving his meds and treatment!

Now Sunny is strong and healthy (his long hair still has to grow a bit) and ready to

find home. He enjoys human touch and is easy to handle. Sunny is good with other cats, likes children and is litter trained.

He doesn’t digest wet food well and food with dyes in it, so if you want to live with this lion, youneed to be able to feed him no dye food only, but that’s a really tiny price for living with this amazing cat!

Auditions for The Mel Brooks Musical: Young Frankenstein shoes for dancing. Tap shoes The Jonesborough Repertory Theatre will hold auditions for recommended, but not required.

The Mel Brooks Musical: Young Ages 18 and up.

Frankenstein, July 10 & 11 at 7pm.

The show will run October 7 - 23.

Auditions will be held at the For more information, visit theatre at 125.5 W. Main St, Jonesborough. our Facebook event page or our website’s calendar Prepare a short vocal selection (16 bars). There will also be cold jonesboroughtheatre.com or contact Karen Elb (director) at readings and a dance audition. kelb27@gmail.com.

Wear comfortable clothes and

Last Week's Puzzle Answers

Te

Crossword

Cryptogram:

Dropquote:

nn

Sudoku

y This beautiful girl is Tenny !!! She is a gorgeous Redbone Hound and is less than a year old. Tenny is super sweet, has a calm personality, is good with other dogs, likes kids, is leash and house trained.

She will sit when asked, loves to play

with a ball, has been spayed, current on vaccinations, and microchipped. Tenny kept jumping the fence at her previous home and her owner was afraid she’d get hurt. So she will need a yard that has at least a 6 ft fence or a privacy fence.

If you are interested in adopting : The Bridge Home No Kill Animal Shelter 423-239-5237 • 2061 Highway 75 Blountville, TN Facebook: bridgehome

bridgehome.org

"Twenty years from now you will be more "There is no female mind. The disappointed by the things that you didn't brain is not an organ of sex. As well do than by the ones you did do." speak of a female liver."

theloafer.net | June 21, 2022

10

Tri-Cities Faces and Places Celebrating the people and places of our community!

JOHNSON CITY

BRISTOL

ABINGDON, VA

SATURDAYS

TUESDAY JUNE 28TH

WEDNESDAY JUNE 29TH

ACOA (adult children of alcoholics) 1:30-3:00pm.

Call for info Bill 423-444-6107 or Cheryl 423-262-6149

Free Summer Movies 9:30am at Marquee Cinemas Pinnacle 12

Bingo 5:00pm at Abingdon Community Center

TUE JUNE 28TH - FRI JULY 1ST Wild Wild West Art Camp 9:00am at Into the Fire THURSDAY JUNE 30TH Sloth Canvas Class 6:00pm at Into the Fire SATURDAY JULY 2ND Johnson City Farmer’s Market 8:00am at Founders Park Repticon 1:00pm at Holiday Inn

KINGSPORT WEDNESDAY JUNE 22ND Farmer's Market 7:00am at Kingsport Farmers Market SATURDAY JUNE 25TH Farmer's Market 7:00am at Kingsport Farmers Market Nature: Wolf Howling 10:00am at Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium Red, White & Boom 5:00pm at Downtown Kingsport

WEDNESDAY JUNE 29TH Free Summer Movies 9:30am at Marquee Cinemas Pinnacle 12

JONESBOROUGH

FRIDAY JULY 1ST Movies for Grown-Ups 2:00pm at Washington Co. Public Library SATURDAY JULY 2ND

COMEDY SHOWCASE WEDNESDAYS Comedy Open Mic 7:30pm at Blue Ridge Comedy Club THURSDAY JUNE 30TH Comedy Knockout 8:00pm at Blue Ridge Comedy Club FRIDAY JULY 1ST Local Showcase Hosted By Meghan Little Carty 8:00pm at Blue Ridge Comedy Club

Farmer's Market 8:00am at Abingdon Farmers Market

Dark Comedy Night 8:00pm at Wallace Theatre

Jonesborough Storytelling Guild “Stories n’More” Show 7:00pm at The International Storytelling Center

SUNDAY JULY 3RD

SATURDAY JUNE 25TH Will Smalley 8:00pm 10:00pm at Blue Ridge Comedy Club

FRIDAY JUNE 1ST

ELIZABETHTON

TUESDAYS

Bingo 5:00pm at Abingdon Community Center

Wetlands Water Park

Jonesborough Days Pool Party TUESDAY JUNE 28TH 6:00pm at Wetlands Water Park Nerf Wars 4:00pm SAT JUN 2ND - SUN JUN 3RD at Kiwanis Park Jonesborough Days at Downtown Jonesborough SATURDAY JUNE 25TH Farmer's Market 8:00am at Jonesborough Farmers Market

SATURDAY JULY 2ND Independence Day Celebration 4:00pm at Covered Bridge Park

GATE CITY, VA

SAT JULY 2ND Historic Jonesborough Town Red, White & Blue Bash 10am Tour 1:00pm at Chester Inn State Historic Site and Museum at Kickin Back At King Alley

To be featured in The Loafer's Things to Do email us at: theloaferonlineprint@gmail.com or call 423-930-7319

theloafer.net | June 21 2022

THINGS TO DO

11

theloafer.net | June 21, 2022 12

13

theloafer.net | June 21 2022

CONCERT SCHEDULE Bristol

BRISTOL TN/VA

PARAMOUNT Jul 13 Doug Stone Jul 21 Rhonda Vincent Jul 30 Charles Esten Aug 5 Scott Stapp Aug 19 The Reep & Reno Comedy Show CAMEO THEATER May 27 Firefall & Atlanta Rhythm Section Jun 25 Kruger Brothers Jul 8 Lita Ford Aug 6 Marshall Tucker Band Aug 20 The Oak Ridge Boys Aug 27 Chris Knight Sept 16 Firehouse BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY Sept 30-Oct 1 Country Thunder Music Festival with Morgan Wallen, Jason Aldean, Hardy, Lauren Alaina, Tracy Lawrence, Travis Tritt and others

FUN FEST SUNSET CONCERT SERIES Jul 21 Zach Williams/Shane & Shane Jul 22 Jamey Johnson/Colt Ford Jul 23 Lynyrd Skynyrd/Dalton Dover

GREENVILLE TN

The Cadillac Three Jackyl The Kentucky Headhunters

GATLINBURG TN

GREENVILLE

Gatlinburg

NISWONGER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Jul 26 Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo Aug 13 Arrival from Sweden: The Music of ABBA

MONSTERS ON THE MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL Aug 19-21 Cinderella’s Tom Keifer, Extreme, Yngwie Malmsteen, Quiet Riot, Kip Winger, Autograph, Queensryche, Stryper, Ratt’s Stephen Pearcy, Night Ranger, Vixen, Firehouse, Nelson, Brother Cane, Pat Travers and many others.

KNOXVILLE TN

Knoxville

TENNESSEE THEATRE Jun 27 Amos Lee Jun 28 Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Jul 22 1964: The Tribute Jul 27 Robert Earl Keen Aug 14 Brit Floyd Aug 17 Weird Al Yankovic Aug 18 Amy Grant Aug 27 Little River Band Sep 21 Brian Wilson Sep 22 St. Paul and The Broken Bones

BRISTOL RHYTHM & ROOTS REUNION Sept 9-11 JJ Grey and Mofro, Tanya Tucker, Roseanne Cash, Del McCoury Band, THOMPSON BOWLING ARENA Jun 25 Alan Jackson Jerry Douglas Band and many others.

Aug 19 Luke Bryan Aug 28 Shinedown JOHNSON CITY Sep 28 Greta Van Fleet Oct 14 Keith Urban FREEDOM HALL Jun 19 David Victor formerly of Boston KNOXVILLE CIVIC AUDITORIUM Aug 26 Lee Brice Sep 23 Kathleen Madigan Oct 21 Chris Janson Oct 14 Steve Martin and Martin Short Oct 21 Jerry Seinfeld MARTIN CENTER FOR THE ARTS Aug 18 Brit Floyd BIJOU THEATRE Aug 20 Amy Grant Jul 14 Jimmie Vaughan Sep 23 Black Jacket Symphony Sep 30 Darrell Scott presents Van Halen’s 1984 Sept 24 Brian Wilson Maryville, TN Oct 4 Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox THE SHED Jul 1 George Clinton Kingsport & Parliament Funkadelic Jul 2 American Floyd KINGSPORT’S RED WHITE AND BOOM Jul 16 Terri Clark INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION Jul 22-23 The Steel Woods Jul 2 38 Special and Ultimate Garth, Jul 30 Drive By Truckers the Ultimate Garth Brooks Aug 5 Saliva Tribute Band Aug 19 Gangstagrass

JOHNSON CITY TN

MARYVILLE TN

KINGSPORT TN

Aug 20 Aug 27 Sept 3

NASHVILLE TN

Nashville

NASHVILLE MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM Jul 23 Coheed & Cambria Aug 31 Rockzilla Summer Tour with Papa Roach, Falling in Reverse, Hollywood Undead & Bad Wolves Sep 30 Kevin Gates Oct 1 Lil Nas X RYMAN AUDITORIUM Jul 15 Hanson Jul 28 Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo Aug 2 Joe Bonamassa Aug 4-7 Vince Gill Aug 8 Men at Work Aug 11 The Turtles, The Cowsills Aug 13-14 Lady A Aug 16 Antrax, Black Label Society and Hatebreed Aug 24 Blondie (Opry House) Sep 11 Collective Soul and Switchfoot (Opry House) Sep 17 Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Sept 18 Crowded House ASCEND AMPHITHEATER Jun 30 5 Seconds of Summer Jul 3 Riley Green Jul 8/9 Brandi Carlile Jul 20 Norah Jones Jul 28 Glass Animals BRIDGESTONE ARENA Jul 5 Rod Stewart And Cheap Trick Jul 13 OneRepublic & NeedToBreathe Aug 23 My Chemical Romance Aug 26 Dierks Bentley (new date) Aug 27 Roger Waters

Asheville

ASHEVILLE NC

THE ORANGE PEEL Jul 27 10,000 Maniacs Oct 1 Trial By Fire- Tribute to Journey THOMAS WOLFE AUDITORIUM Aug 3 ZZ Top Aug 12 Foreigner Aug 25 Vince Gill Sept 24 Kathleen Madigan

CHEROKEE NC

Cherokee, N.C.:

HARRAH’S CASINO Jul 16 Chris Tucker Jul 23 Rodney Carrington Aug 8 Ron White Aug 20 Deon Cole Sep 16-17 Wheel of Fortune Live Sep 24 3 Doors Down Sep 30 Earth Wind & Fire

GREENVILLE SC

Greenville, S.C.

BON SECOURS WELLNESS ARENA Jun 17 Brooks & Dunn Jun 19 The Temptations and The Four Tops Jul 6 New Kids On The Block Aug 13 Alan Jackson Sep 14 Reo Speedwagon, Styx and Loverboy Oct 19 Greta Van Fleet Oct 27 Luke Bryan Cary, NC

CARY, NC

KOKA BOOTH AMPHITHEATRE Jun 23-25 Billy Strings

PIKEVILLE KY

Pikeville, KY

APPALACHIAN WIRELESS ARENA Jul 9 Poison with Lita Ford and Grimsley Rose Aug 2 Foreigner

CALL WQUT @ 477-1015 FOR MORE CONCERT INFORMATION OR VISIT W W W.W Q U T.CO M

theloafer.net | June 21, 2022

14

Song of the Mountains® Launches on National Public Radio Network Song of the Mountains® is America’s unique stage and television program featuring the best of bluegrass and old-time music. The performances on the stage of the historic Lincoln Theater in Marion, VA, have been a mainstay of entertainment across America for 17 years, via its broadcast over more than 180 Public Television stations. It will now be heard on public radio stations across America.

“We are happy to share this extraordinary programming with American listeners,” says Joe Ellis, chairman of the Appalachian Heritage Music Foundation, who founded the program to celebrate Appalachian Music at the Marion, VA landmark theater. “Through visionary support by two founding underwriters of the radio broadcasts and East Tennessee State University (ETSU), we will open the archives to some of the great performances of legendary music artists.

The agreement will see ETSU’s local radio station, 89.5 WETS-FM, broadcast Song of the Mountains on Saturdays at 1 pm. The originating station will then share the program with PRX, a national distribution network for public radio stations to download and broadcast programming. The goal of the plan is to see up to 60 public radio stations broadcast Song of the Mountains episodes in the first year. The broadcasts can potentially reach up to 500 radio stations.

“These broadcasts offer the opportunity to invite listeners across America to learn more and visit or move to the region,” says Brenda Whitson, Executive Director of the Johnson City Convention and

Visitors Bureau, the founding underwriter of the broadcasts.

“Song of the Mountains is a wonderful platform for sharing information about the unique educational programs offered by our university,” says Jess Vodden, ETSU’s Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for ETSU, which will also underwrite the broadcasts. “The agreement also reflects the strong bond between our university and the heritage of bluegrass linking East Tennessee with Southwest Virginia.”

BIKER EVENTS sponsored by biker wear Local Events:

1. Hillbilly and Vets Pre Party July 22 at Mellowmoon 6pm 2. Family Block Party July 16th 2pm at Tennessee Hills Distillery

Rallies:

1. Thunder In The Smokies June 24th to July 26th 2. Boozy Creek Dirt Drags July 1st to July 3rd

Song of the Mountains was born out of the desire to present, share and preserve the rich musical heritage of the Appalachians, were country and bluegrass music was born. Imagined by the Appalachian Heritage Music Foundation, Song of the Mountains produces new episodes on the first Saturday evening of each month at the Lincoln Theater.

Across its stage has come many legends of the genre including Bill Monroe, Doc Watson, Dr. Ralph Stanley, and Tom T. Hall. Every episode of Song of the Mountains unlocks the melodic heritage of our past and present and features today’s well-known and future legendary artists. In fact, East Tennessee State University’s own Bluegrass, Old Time, and Roots groups have been features on the stage of Song of the Mountains’ first episode ever recorded.

The first broadcast of Song of the Mountains on WETS-FM will be on July 2nd.

Learn more about Song of the Mountains at SongOfTheMountains.org

Rides: 1. St. Jude Children’s Hospital Benefit Ride June 25th 2. East Tennessee Vapors Car,Truck & Motorcycle Show July 16th 3. Marlene Dugger Cancer Ride July 23rd

Bike Night:

1. Kingsport Moose Riders Every Wednesday 2. 19E Pit Stop Every Wednesday 3. Quaker Steak & Lube Every Thursday 4. Tulips Grub & Pub Every Friday 5. Peacemakers Bike Night 801 Boozy Creek Every 3rd Friday 6. East Coast Wings Every Wednesday 7. Dog Tag Brigade Every Wednesday at Jonesborough VFW 8. The Pub Out Back Every Monday

15

Hello my fellow riders. Hope the summer is going great for you. I want to thank everyone who came to the Snake Pit Rally. It was a good one.

Booze Creek Dirt Drags are coming up I thought it would be nice to give a little history about the Peacemakers Motorcycle Club and their event. But first on a personal note. I know a lot of the Peacemakers from all their Chapters. They have always shown my old man and I respect and love and have always supported us. I have watched them give so much back to those in need. They are some of the greatest Brothers and Sisters we have ever had the honor to hang out with.

I know if I called any one of them at 2am and I’m broke down alongside the road they will come save me and not ask for anything in return. That’s family!!!

Now for a history lesson.

The Peacemakers Motorcycle Club was chartered in 1968 and has sponsored two field events

Beanz Biker Corner

By Anne Hartley 423-297-5675

since the seventies. The club purchased land on Boozy Creek in1975 but had the early field meets and races at the Kingsport Speedway. It was not until1983 the club started having the events at their current location on Boozy Creek. Since then, the club has sponsored two field meets a year. The first event is in May on Mother’s Day weekend and the other event is on the July fourth weekend.

There is always a slew of activities from music on Friday night to biker games, burn out contest, and bands on Saturday.

On Sunday, awake to a hearty breakfast and then burgers or barbecue is served before you enter the bike show and watch the racing, unless you feel like competing and throwing some dirt. They end the event by crowning Miss Boozy Creek.

There is plenty of prime camping and good food, so you don’t have to leave the party. Vendors will offer bike parts, tattoos, jewelry, and t-shirts etc….

This is an old-time rally that was throwing dirt long before all the bike nights and poker runs. Come enjoy one of the oldest rallies in Tennessee.

The Boozy Creek chapter of the Peacemakers is the mother chapter with other chapters in Greeneville Tennessee, Richmond Kentucky, Berea Kentucky, Springfield Kentucky, and Cincinnati Ohio. All these chapters have parties and events throughout the year, so look them up on Facebook and check one of their events out.

The oldest old school biker event in Tennessee (55 years). Boozy Creek Dirt Drags. July 1st to July 3rd 2022. $20 weekend pass/$10

3515 Bristol Hwy Ste 101 Johnson City, TN • www.bikerweartn.com • (423) 631-0542

Sunday. Gates open at 1pm on Friday Music from Rusty Steel, Saturday Night music from Another Last Time and Aces & Eights.

801 Boozy Creek Road Blountville, TN For vendor and racing information call 423-967-5733

Useless Facts: 1. Peter Pan, 101 Dalmatians, Lady and the Tramp, and Mulan are the only Disney cartoons where both parents are present and don’t die throughout the movie 2. According to research, fans of classical music and those who love heavy metal have shown to have similar personalities.

3. A NASA spacesuit costs a cool $12,000,000.

4. The footprints made on the moon will be there for 100 million years.

5. The moon was once a piece of the Earth.

6. Venus looked just like earth two billion years ago.

theloafer.net | June 21 2022

Beanz Biker Corner

Sponsored By Biker Wear

theloafer.net | June 21, 2022

16

149 N. Lincoln Avenue Jonesborough, TN

Come to us in

We will meet you Anywhere for:

Jonesborough for:

Oil Changes:

Repairs:

Replacements:

Tires

Synthetic or Conventional

Headlight Windshield Wipers

Major or Minor

Tune-Ups

3507 E Andrew Johnson Hwy Greeneville TN 711 Asheville Hwy Greeneville TN 423-946-1500 • GRANITEQUARTZGREENEVILLE.COM

GRANITE | MARBLE | QUARTZ | QUARTZITE

STONE COUNTERTOPS SALES • FABRICATION • INSTILLATION

We install within 7-10 business days after template.

Family owned and operated.

100’s of colors available.

HUGE SPECIAL

1. $1,999 for the 35 sq/ft with sink and cut out • Luna Pearl • Dallas White

HUGE SPECIAL

2. $2499 Quartz Sale for the 25 sq/ft with sink and cut out • White Lace • Grey Galaxy

17

Learning is a constant process. If you feel as if you already know everything there is to know about your field, how can your followers expect to learn from you?

Refusal to grow hinders your ability to be seen as a leader because you are showing your followers that you are not open to varying opinions.

The world is full of lessons to learn and if you are unwilling to pursue continuous education, your brand will suffer.

Learning about your customer base will help you interact with them in a way that makes them feel important.

Feeling heard is an important step in gaining and retaining customers. Learning about what they like about your company and what can be

Social Sentiments

By Wendy Hayden socialsentiments @outlook.com

socialsentiments.net

changed helps them feel heard and brings confidence to your brand.

Digging into your company can provide insight that you never thought of. Knowing what makes your brand successful opens a world of possibilities.

Are you successful at creating happy employees? They can champion your brand. Dive deep into your brand, learn the ins and outs, and change the way the world sees your business.

Evolving with your brand can help you connect with your customer base and bring a positive experience to your brand. A willingness to continue learning will bring your brand into a whole new light.

theloafer.net | June 21 2022

Evolve Your Brand

theloafer.net | June 21, 2022

18

NOW HIRING! • • • • • • • • • •

$500 Sign-on bonus after 90 days Full & Part Time Positions Available 1st & 3rd Shifts Available Competitive Hourly Pay Paid Weekly Weekly Attendance Bonus for those who qualify - .50 cents per hour* Shift Premium - .40 cents per hour Full Plan of Benefits – Eligible 1st of the month following 30 days Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Holiday Pay Paid Vacation, Education Assistance, 401k, Product Discounts

APPLY TODAY! www.mullicanflooring.com/Company/Careers 423-262-8668

by Kathie Scalf

Thankfully Independence Day is falling on a Monday this year which means many of us will get a much needed long weekend.

Whether you’re celebrating solo or with a crowd, one thing remains the same- this holiday is hot as a firecracker! The last thing anyone wants to be doing is slaving over a hot oven all day when they could be cooling their heels in a body of water.

The name of the July 4th game is “simplicity,” and that’s the kind of ideas I’ve gathered for you here; quick and easy party pairings you can throw together to max out every moment of your extended holiday!

The most important aspect to the Fourth of July is finding a body of water. Whether you’re hitting the lake, a swimming hole, or a pool, you simply must have access to refreshing h2o. If you don’t have any of the above or know someone that does, go buy a $15 kiddie pool and sling it in the backyard. There’s no shame in chilling close to home, eating freeze pops and soaking your feet in a plastic baby pool.

In fact, you’ll probably be the envy of all your sweaty neighbors who wish they’d thought of it sooner. Wherever you end up floating, make sure to pack your sunscreen, a waterproof speaker and your most important accessory- confidence! It’s time to realize no one cares about how you look in a swimsuit and it’s much too hot for self-doubt.

Ditch the cover up and sun your buns with the same enthusiasm as a runway model!

Next up-what are we going to eat? Every year I simply must have one hot dog and a slice of watermelon on the Fourth; it’s as much a tradition for me as turkey at Thanksgiving. So obviously I suggest a weenie roast! Load up on burgers and dogs, set out all the fixins’ and buns, fire up the grill and let everyone dress their own. It’s hard to find people who don’t like one or the other. Sides can be as easy or as complicated as you like.

Things like coleslaw and potato salad can be bought pre-made in any market, or you can toss together your own family recipe for cheap. Baked beans are my favorite, and you can dress up the canned versions by mixing them with diced onions in a dish and layering with strips of bacon and a sprinkle of brown sugar. Pop them in the oven ‘til heated through and the bacon is cooked and people will think you spent hours preparing them homemade. A variety of bagged chips are a simple and affordable must, and while you’ve got the grill burning, toss on a few ears of corn. I put mine in to cook inside the husk, then shuck them and dress with butter, salt and pepper. A standard watermelon is hard to beat, but if you’re looking to dress it up a bit, I like to make skewers with equal size squares of watermelon and feta cheese, alternating each with a fresh mint leaf in between.

A sprinkle of sea salt and you have a gourmet side that’s both

sweet and salty. For dessert, I love a freezer full of old school ice pops. There’s something so nostalgic about this kid friendly classic, that even an old lady like me still feels like a youngin’ when I eat them. I also think there’s no holiday more fun for dessert options than Independence Day. I love to make a strawberry poke cake, top it with a cool whip vanilla icing and then decorate it like a flag using fresh strawberries and blueberries. Cupcakes, or even a build-your-own-sundae bar would be a hit with company of all ages!

Finally, when it comes to drinks, it’s all about thirst-quenching refreshment; nothing heavy, creamy or hot please! With the ready-to-drink cocktail and seltzer market booming, there’s no shortage of assorted canned options out there. Fill a big cooler with fruit forward canned libations and a mix of more traditional beers. Keep a separate cooler full of nonalcoholic options if you’re going to have young children around and stock it with bottled and flavored seltzer waters, Capri Sun and electrolyte filled sports drinks. If you’re in the mood for real cocktails, no one wants to be bogged down making glass after glass. Batch a big carafe full of basic margaritas or sangria and you can add flavorings and garnishes on the side for people to adjust to their own taste. A variety of fruits, herbs and flavored syrups can elevate the most simple of cocktails to gourmet in an instant. If you’re

serving wine, keep it light and chilled. Look for budget friendly grapes like Vinho Verde and Albarino if you’re wanting to expand your horizons out of the same old pinot grigio and sauvignon blanc. And of course a bubbled rose garnished in a glass with a fresh strawberry and blueberry is not only delicious but also seasonally appropriate.

There you have it, my essentials to the perfect long July 4th weekend. Grab a pack of sparklers and smooch someone under the fireworks. And if you’re single like me, smooch one of your pets. Even better!

Happy Independence Day everyone!

XO - Kathie

theloafer.net | June 21 2022

Fourth of July Party Pairings

19

theloafer.net | June 21, 2022

20

Get Your Home Ready for Spring!

Yard Clean-Up & Hauling, Landscaping and Mowing

Country Boys Lawn Services and Decking

35 Years of Experience Honesty & Christian Integrity

Call For a Free Estimate

423-900-3632

Facebook.com/CountryBoysLawnServices Mulching

Leaf Removal Yard Scape Mowing

Landscaping / Design

Brush Cutting

Stump Grinding

Deck Building

Pressure Washing

Gutter Cleaning

All Types of Fences

(Commercial & Residential)

Tree Removal

21

With a new Jurassic Park film unleashed on the world (I'll talk about the new film in a future column), I have decided to look back at the other films in the film franchise. I first became familiar with the world of Jurassic Park via the novel by Michael Crichton.

The novel was awesome, and when the film adaptation was announced, I was wondering how in the world this could be filmed with realistic dinosaurs.

Flash forward to 1993, and with several friends in tow, we headed over the mountain from the Tri-Cities to Asheville to, at the time, a top notch theater to view the film for the first time. I will never forget the first time I saw the very realistic dinosaurs on the big screen. As if movie fans didn't realize this already, Steven Spielberg is a genius.

After viewing the film my friends and I couldn't stop talking about what we had just seen. After many viewings, we all waited in anticipation for a sequel, and were rewarded with the 1997 release "The Lost World." For the few of you who may not know anything about the JP series, it basically involves dinosaurs who were genetically re-created,

Pop Life

By Ken Silvers theloaferonlineprint @gmail.com

who live on the island of Isla Nublar (a fictional island), and eventually will be presented as a tourist attraction called Jurassic Park. When the park's owner brings several experts in for a preview tour, chaos ensues due to the combination of industrial sabotage and a tropical storm. A "cat and mouse" game between humans and dinosaurs makes up the majority of the first film.

The second film is set four years after the disaster at Jurassic Park, and the characters discover a Site B located on nearby Isla Sorna, where the dinosaurs were grown and hatched for the theme park. More excitement between humans and dinosaurs ensues, providing for a fun and satisfying sequel. The year 2001 saw the release of "Jurassic Park III", probably my least favorite of the film series. This effort was not directed by Spielberg, and only featured actor Sam Neill from the first two films in a major role. In my opinion this film was too brief in running time, missed opportunities for story development, and involved a group of people searching for their missing son who, after an accident, ends up on Isla Sorna with the dinosaurs. There is plenty of excitement, but this film is the weakest of the series in my opinion. Thus, the first JP trilogy ended with a thud. Moving forward to 2015, a new trilogy of films began with "Jurassic World", directed by Colin Trevorrow, and the film was a mega hit.

New characters and actors were introduced in the new trilogy, including Chris Pratt, and Bryce Dallas Howard. The plot involves a new park called Jurassic World, a dinosaur theme park once again housed on Isla Nublar.

The park is huge, and features a dinosaur that never existed

in real life, and was invented for the park (trouble!). Due to unexpected happenings, the dinosaurs break free, putting the park visitors in extreme danger.

The really awesome part of this film is how Chris Pratt's character Owen Grady has trained a trio of vicious Velciraptors, one of which is his favorite named Blue.

The raptors will eventually play a role in helping save our human characters. The film ends with the park being abandoned like in the original film. 2018 saw the release of "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom", and was also very successful. The stars of the 2015 film returned and the plot involves an attempted rescue of the remaining dinosaurs from an impending volcanic eruption on Isla Nublar. While on the island Owen and Clare (Howard) discover a group of

mercenaries are attempting to gather the dinosaurs and bring them to the US mainland. After much excitement on the island, the dinosaurs are transported to a large estate, where they are to be sold on the black market.

Of course, Owen and Claire are attempting to prevent this from happening, and by the end of the film all the dinosaurs are released to roam across the United States, setting up the new film in the final trilogy (?), now in theaters.

"Jurassic Park" has been a fun and exciting film series, and who doesn't love dinosaurs?

The original film brought about groundbreaking special effects, which like the original "Star Wars" film, forever changed the landscape of cinema.

theloafer.net | June 21 2022

The "Jurassic Park" Film Series

theloafer.net | June 21, 2022

22

Tri-Cities Faces and Places Celebrating the people and places of our community!

23

When Jennifer told me her wedding reception would feature karaoke, and that it was somewhat mandatory that everyone does a song I had the benefit of months to figure out what I should, and could, sing. Karaoke at the wedding reception should be fun, but it puts pressure on everyone. I can sing, sorta.

Would it be cliché to sing a love song?

Would it be expected to sing a love song?

The first two people got up and sang love songs, “Everlasting Love” and “Time After Time.” Right around then is when Jennifer came by me and said “I hope you’re going to sing a song!” I smiled and said I was, she was whisked away by the photographer for photos. I went up to the signup sheet and looked. It was all love songs and now I was feeling even more insecure than usual.

I decided I would just go with something fun and goofy and sing “Ana Ng” by They Might Be Giants. It would be unexpected and I figured the couple would like it. I wouldn’t go first, that’s too much pressure and I’ll be nervous about singing in public. I must let others at the reception go first. Maybe I should have a drink too?

I don’t think “Ana Ng” would work in this context, so instead, I began to figure out what love song to go with. The only thing I could think of was “Nothing Compares 2 U” so I wrote that down. That has a beautiful chorus, I think the bride and groom would appreciate that. I went to have a small drink to steady my nerves and listen to the other singers before it was my turn.

The food so far has been great, there’s been some dancing. I was halfway through my second slice of wedding cake when the DJ said “Alright everyone!

Jennifer tells me it’s almost time for karaoke, so come on down here and sign up with the song you want to sing.”

Some eager people rushed up to write down songs, about six of them. I thought that would be a good buffer, I’d go up and write my song down after I finished the cake and a few of them had gone.

Batteries Not Included

By Andy Ross theloaferonlineprint @gmail.com

My name was announced. Light applause broke out. I looked over at Jennifer seated at the head table and she rocked a double thumbs up with a very enthusiastic head nod. I wasn’t nervous, I was excited. I was ready. I knew this would be a beautiful moment to celebrate the great love between

Jennifer and Brian. I hoped this would be a moment they would remember for a long time.

I was hazy on the words but they had a screen there, thankfully, otherwise, I doubt I would have gone with a song I wasn’t too familiar with. The music began, I looked at the screen and I sang “It’s been seven hours and fifteen days since you took your love from me.”

Oh, no. Wait. Is this a breakup song!? I thought it was a love ballad!

“I go out every night and sleep all day since you took your love from me.” Crap!

This is a breakup song! “Since you’ve been gone, I can do whatever I want, I can see whomever I choose.” Dammit!

What have I done? I can’t just stop. I’m committed to this song, everyone is looking at me. Close your eyes and give it all you got.

“It’s been so lonely without you here.”

Brian is going to kill me, he’s going to think Jennifer and I had a fling and that this is my last-ditch chance to get her back. What have I done? Can’t stop, I gotta power through this chorus. “ ‘Cause nothing compares, nothing

compares to you.” Do I dare open my eyes? Do I dare see the anger, the resentment, the disappointment in the eyes of everyone? Are they reading the torches and pitchforks?

I open my eyes slowly while keeping up with the song. Nothing is going on, people are eating and too drunk to understand what’s going on. I’m thankful this is a moment when people only pay attention to the chorus of a song. The groom isn’t even listening, he’s off taking selfies with his bro buddies. I end the song, light applause happens again. I rush to find a darkened corner of the venue to hide and reconstitute myself.

Thoughts and self-gathered, I reemerged into the crowd and was quickly spotted by Jennifer. Getting a huge hug from the bride who told me what I sang was “beautiful” made me feel more at ease. There was no dreadful outcry from my snap decision. I was grateful and knew that if I should find myself in need of doing karaoke at a wedding again I would stick with Frank Sinatra. See you next week.

theloafer.net | June 21 2022

Person Realizing They Picked The Wrong Wedding Karaoke Song

JOHNSON CITY’S NEW PREMIER PLACE FOR COUNTERTOP SALES AND INSTALLATION

3314 West Market Street Johnson City, TN 423-946-1500

Hours: M-F 9-5 Sat 10-3 • GRANITEQUARTZGREENEVILLE.COM

GRANITE | MARBLE | QUARTZ | QUARTZITE

STONE COUNTERTOPS SALES • FABRICATION • INSTILLATION

We install within 7-10 business days after template.

Family owned and operated.

100’s of colors available.