Out N About Magazine, July 2015

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JULY 2015

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area 1651 W. Elk Avenue Elizabethton, TN 37643 www.tnstateparks.com/parks/ about/sycamore-shoals www.sycamoreshoalstn.org

“Liberty!” to open 37th season on Thursday, July 9 ELIZABETHTON - The Official Outdoor Drama of the State of Tennessee begins its 37th season July 9 at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area in Elizabethton, and continues for a three-weekend run – Thursdays through Saturdays – beginning each evening at 7:30 at the Fort Watauga Amphitheater.

Tennessee’s official outdoor drama is presented by a cast of local performers against the backdrop of Fort Watauga. Liberty! portrays the significant history of Sycamore Shoals during the late 18th century.

The outdoor drama offers a very unique format in which to experience a theatrical performance. Without a doubt, live theater, performed beside the cool waters of the Watauga River, with Fort Watauga as the backdrop to the play, is unlike any other. Theatrical lighting, professional sound, and a host of unexpected effects completely immerse the audience in the trials and challenges of life in the late 18th century.

As the story unfolds, long hunters and settlers begin leaving the protection of the English Colonies, crossing the Appalachian Mountains in violation of the British Proclamation of 1763. Along the Watauga Old Fields, families soon made their homes, formed a new government, bought and traded land from the Cherokee, and ultimately, helped secure our freedom during the American Revolutionary War. The series of events that unfolded at Sycamore Shoals were critical to state and national history. These dramatic chapters in America’s westward expansion set the tone for a number of events that helped propel the British colonies towards independence and a democratic form of government. These stories are proudly shared with our guests during each performance of Liberty! The

Saga of Sycamore Shoals.

The 2015 season will also mark the 6th exciting year for Carter’s Trading Post, a venue named in honor of the original store opened by pioneers John Carter and partner William Parker shortly after they arrived on the frontier in 1771. A fine menu of mouthwatering treats will be offered each evening for Liberty! guests.

NEW this year, we will be offering additional ticket price discounts and the option to purchase your tickets in advance, online ( www.TheLibertyDrama.com). All seating is general admission. Take advantage of this new service to insure your admission on the night of your choosing.

Liberty! runs Thursdays-Saturdays, July 9 – 11, 16 – 18, and 23 -25, in the Fort Watauga Amphitheater at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area in Elizabethton. Performances begin nightly at 7:30 (Box office opens at 6 pm). John Carter’s Store (concessions) opens at 6:30 pm.

For more information, please call the park at (423) 543-5808.

Sponsored by Friends of Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area.

CONTENTS

Out-N-About Publisher Scott Pratt Operations Director Dylan Pratt Managing Editor Kelly Hodge Associate Writers Trey Williams Daniel Bratton Ron and Anita Fink Harrison Jenkins Melinda Curry Lester Bean Cover Design Nathan Wampler (photo by Delona Surgill Wampler) Page Design Kelly Hodge

Cover story 4 Hog Heaven After more than a century, Harley-Davidson still appeals to the masses with its distinctive styling, muscle and sound

Features 8 Summer Tradition Fun Fest gears up for its 35th anniversary in Kingsport, highlighted by a performance by The Band Perry 12 On the Move A Chicago couple joins with Trek to open only its second store in the state in downtown Johnson City 14

July Q&A Ed Snodderly sits down

with Trey Williams to talk music, acting and life at The Down Home

18 Brights Zoo You don’t have to go any farther than Limestone to get a close look at wild and exotic animals 20 Flies That Bind When it comes to fly fishing, there aren’t many better places on the planet than right here 22 Happy Campers Taking a spin around the region to find the best spots to spend some time outdoors 24 A Place to Laugh The Comedy Zone is still giving a stage to funny people, up-andcomers and veterans alike 25 Bowling If you’re a smoker, the Lit Hookah Lounge & Bar may be the resting place for you

Photography Andy Rowe Cartoons Terry Warner Out-N-About magazine is a monthly production of Phoenix Flying Inc. We strive to be informative, entertaining and, above all, interesting. Thoughtful feedback is welcome at outnaboutmagazine@ gmail.com. For advertising opportunities, call Dylan Pratt at 423-202-8664.

The July issue, along with previous issues, will be archived at outnaboutmagazine.com.

July 2015

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thenewsherald.com

American icon < After more than a century, Harley-Davidson still rules the road

By Kelly Hodge

J

4

ustin Campbell loves his Harley.

Most days it wouldn’t rank up there with his wife or kids, or even his dog, but at times the call can be close. Winding through the countryside on a crisp fall afternoon, wearing his black leather garb, the chrome of his Electra Glide Ultra glistening in the sun, well, it can be close indeed.

Out-N-About

Campbell is among the more than one million owners of Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the United States.

The scenic roadways of Northeast Tennessee, Western North Carolina and Southwest Virginia are full of guys, and gals, just like him.

July 2015

Everywhere you turn, in fact, someone is going somewhere on a Hog. And they seem to be feeling pretty good about themselves. The passion shows.

“There’s not much I’d rather do than just get on my bike and ride,”

said Campbell, a 52-year-old Gray resident. “It doesn’t matter if I’m alone or with friends, it’s always a pleasure. The way the seat feels, the sound, the freedom … it’s easy to love a Harley.”

Many would agree. After more than a century, through service in two world wars, countless miles of club tours and police duty, biker See HARLEY, Page 5

Harley

club maintains the strong bond between the company, its employees and consumers.

The overriding message: Harley-Davidson is an American icon.

Continued from Page 4 brawls and all sorts of social gatherings, Harley-Davidson motorcycles still rule the roads. Or at least hearts and minds.

There are few companies in this country that can rival the name recognition.

“There’s no one main demographic as far who rides a Harley,” said Joe Bishop, a sales representative at Black Wolf Harley-Davidson in Bristol, Va., who has owned one for the last three decades. “It’s all types — doctors, blue-collar guys, bikers, attorneys, secretaries. There’s a camaraderie when you talk with people who own them.

We all like the adventure of the ride.

“Harley-Davidson is an icon of American muscle that is amazing.”

Maybe it’s the styling that draws buyers to the brand.

Or it could be the sound — that distinctive roar (which comes at an extra cost) that says “Harley” from any distance.

Whatever it is, it’s working.

“The attraction is always a combination of things,” said Bishop. “It’s whatever interests you. The unique thing about Harley-Davidson is you can start with the same bike and customize it any way you want. You can make it your own.”

More than 35,000 of the motorcycles were sold in the U.S. in the first three months of 2015 alone, according to registration information provided by Harley-Davidson dealers and compiled by the company. (Another 20,000 were sold worldwide.)

There are 22 different models out this year, Bishop said, running from about $7,000

A

Nathan Wampler

Mark Wampler’s “bagger bike” was the result of a six-month customizing project. to $44,000. The top-line bikes have 103 cubic-inch (1687 cc) engines that push about 90 horsepower. There are maybe a half-dozen color schemes offered with each model.

“Of course, there’s one color that you can get for over a hundred years,” said Bishop.

“Black.”

T

he company founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1903

by William S. Harley and the Davidson brothers, Walter and William A., has had plenty of twists and turns in its long history.

It survived the Great Depression — one of only two U.S. motorcycle manufacturers to do so, along with Indian — and has weathered financial crises and quality issues that threatened to take it down.

The first factory was built in 1906, and about 50 bikes rolled out off the line that year. By World War I, Harley-Davidson was becoming a player on another front; the U.S. military purchased about 15,000 for combat duty.

It was the largest motor-

cycle manufacturer in the world by 1920, with over 28,000 bikes produced and dealers in 67 countries.

And then along came the Depression; sales fell to less than 4,000 a year, and the company was in danger of collapsing.

Harley-Davidson’s production received another boost from World War II and looked to be on solid footing until competition from Japan and quality-control problems intervened. Again, it almost went bankrupt in the 1970s before being bought out by AMG. The move saved the company but led to many other issues.

“You had a bowling ball company trying to make motorcycles,” said Bishop. “That didn’t work very well.”

A grandson of co-founder Arthur Davidson helped buy the company back, and the resurgence began anew in the ‘80s.

There have still been some turbulent times since, but Harley-Davidson, with more than 6,400 employees, now appears stronger than ever.

The company sold 268,000 new motorcycles worldwide in 2014 and revenue topped $6.2 billion, up from $5.9 billion the year before, according to cycleworld.com. The company generated another $875 million in parts and accessories, and $284.8 in general merchandise, including MotorClothes apparel.

There’s considerable power in that black and orange shield.

“Harley-Davidson has marketing genius,” said Bishop. “They have their name on everything, and the styling goes way back. They had clothing with their name on it in the early 1900s. It’s a symbol that’s been etched into the brand.

“I have a grandson, and whenever he sees the Harley-Davidson logo, he goes, ‘Papaw, there’s your company.’ When a 3-year-old recognizes that, you know you have something.”

Interest is fueled by the Harley Owners Group (HOG), more than a million members strong, with 1,400 official chapters around the world. Created in 1983, the

July 2015

Harley is a Harley, but really it’s not.

It’s whatever you want it to be.

Mark Wampler of Kingsport rides a so-called “bagger bike,” a sinister-looking black 2012 Road Glide Custom with the saddle bags and loads of customizing.

The faring is mounted to the frame, allowing it to stay stationary when the forks turn.

There’s a CD player, cruise control and air ride where the rear end can be dropped lower to the ground.

It is a unique ride, no doubt, and Wampler figures he’s invested about $35,000 in the project overall and spent six months working on it.

“We cut the frame and raked it out to accommodate a 26-inch wheel on the front,” he said. “We stretched the tank and side covers and saddle bags. It looks real proportionate. I started out with a $20,000 bike and ended up with this.”

Wampler’s creation has won some awards at area bike nights. When it comes to custom Harleys, there’s plenty of competition out there.

“There are a lot of good-looking bikes here in the Tri-Cities,” he said.

“People come from all over to ride the roads of Tennessee and North Carolina.

They’re curvy, you’ve got the mountains, the Blue Ridge Parkway, all the scenery.

There’s even a stretch down in Maryville called the Dragon that has 318 curves in 11 miles.”

See HARLEY, Page 6

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Jim Stagner

Harley

Continued from Page 5 Wampler readily admits he could have gone deeper with his bagger concept. Much deeper.

“The sky is the limit,” he said.

“Whatever taste you have, you can build a bike to suit it if you have the money. There are just so many aftermarket parts out there; you can buy kits and work from there.”

All in all, it’s a different kind of game than John Clark has known for most of his riding days. Nicknamed “Doc” for his mechanical and design skills, Clark goes back with Harley-Davidson “maybe 54 years,” as best he can tell.

Asked how many of the motorcycles he’s owned through the years, he chuckles.

“I couldn’t count ‘em; I really don’t have no idea,” he said before going on a June ride with the Veterans of Vietnam Motorcycle Club. “I’ve had all the brands, but I always had a Harley regardless of what I’ve run.

The first Harley I owned, I actually built it. It was kind of a Johnny Cash thing, a mixture of parts, and I had that bike a while. I had Triumphs before that. The first new Harley-Davidson I ever had was 1973. I went to Knoxville and bought it, and it was

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22 hundred and 75 dollars. You can buy parts for a Harley that cost that much now.”

Clark has a colorful history with motorcycles, as you might imagine.

“I just know what I like in my

Kelly Hodge

Members of the Veterans of Vietnam Motorcyle Club, top, head off on a group ride through Northeast Tennessee to support veterans causes.

Dave Collier, left, was among the riders. He’s been active in the club since taking up riding Harley-Davidsons after retirement.

head, and I’ve actually built several bikes,” he said. “I built one in 1997 that was featured in Easy Rider magazine. I’ve got a 2014 Harley now, which is the best one I’ve ever owned in my life.”

They haven’t all been sweet. That one that cost $2,275 in ’73 — back during the difficult days when AMG owned the company and quality-control took a dip — left a bad taste in Clark’s mouth.

“It had a short in it, and I like to never found it,” he said. “It was the worst Harley I ever owned, and that’s why I bought a Honda, and I had a BMW at that time. I didn’t buy another new Harley until 1985.”

Clark hasn’t had to look far for a riding companion in recent years. His wife Donna is good to go most any time. And she won’t be sitting on the back of his bike.

Donna is among the growing group of women who gladly take the handlebars in their own hands. She started riding in 2008 and now has her own Dyna Switchback.

“I just decided I wanted to ride and I took the riders’ course,” she said.

“I liked it the first time I rode. The feeling is just hard to explain.”

The Clarks made the pilgrimage to the Black Hills of South Dakota last year for the notorious Sturgis Rally, which draws thousands of bikers annually. It was the fourth time for John, the first for Donna.

“It’s pretty cool,” he said. “Round trip, we rode 4,400 miles in two weeks.”

See HARLEY, Page 7

Harley

Continued from Page 6 The two-wheel connection apparently helps keep the marriage strong.

“When you get up in the morning, you don’t say, ‘What do you want to do today?’” said John. “It’s, ‘Where do you want to go?’”

T

Kelly Hodge

Jim Stagner has been riding his FXR Police Special since 1994.

Jim Stagner

Sometimes three wheels work better than two for serious travelers.

he Clarks were among a group of about two dozen riders who made the rounds through Northeast Tennessee VFW and Elks posts last month in support of veterans. More than 120 showed up a year ago, but the rainy forecast cut down on the numbers this time.

Even with light showers peppering the rows of spit-shined machines in the parking lot of the Johnson City VFW post off Buffalo Road, the atmosphere was fun. The group ride was just another opportunity for all the Harley riders — and a stray Honda or two — to enjoy some fellowship.

“We do this one and a few others to support veterans and other charitable causes,” said Dave Collier, standing beside his 2011 Electra Glide Limited. “We probably do four or five rides through the year.”

Collier definitely looked the part of grizzled Harley veteran, with his gray beard and wire-rimmed glasses, black leather vest full of patches, black gloves and boots. He took up riding motorcycles again after retiring a few years ago and has already taken a three-week trip with his wife to Glacier Park in Montana.

“When I retired and got my daughter out of college, I told my wife that I wanted to ride again,” he said. “She said, ‘Well, if you don’t get one now, you’re going to be too old to ride the damn thing.’”

Collier never had much doubt about what he’d be riding.

“I knew it was going to be a Harley thing,” he said. “The vibra-

tion, the sound, the feel … it’s just a free ride. This is freedom. I don’t knock anybody for riding (a Japanese-made bike), I just like the feel of the Harley. And the people you meet on the road, the culture.”

His wife has been staying close through many of the adventures, more than 110,000 miles’ worth on two bikes so far. Right behind him, in fact.

“Even today, she says, ‘I don’t want one of my own,” said Collier.

“I want to sightsee and be able to drink beer.”

A

s it continues to cement its stature with older riders, Harley-Davidson continues to cultivate a following with the new generation. Reportedly, it has become the No. 1 seller of new street bikes to U.S. adults ages 18 to 34.

But by and large, at gatherings large and small, it is still an older man’s game.

The average age of a Harley owner is about 48, which means a lot of riders are sporting gray hair, even if it’s a little longer than most of their contemporaries.

Jim Stagner of Johnson City is part of that group and has been riding his white FXR Police Special for over 20 years. At 71, the chance to strap on the helmet and hit the road still captures the imagination.

“Naturally, I don’t feel as confident about certain things as I once did,” said Stagner. “Some of the people I rode with have quit, or died. But it’s still a special feeling to get on the highway and feel the breeze.”

Stagner is an artist and has featured Harley-Davidsons in perhaps a half-dozen of his paintings through the years. They just fit. The brand conveys a certain feeling or state of mind, just like it has all these years.

“Harley people stick together,” said Stagner, “and you can make a friend right quick if a bunch of them are around and you’ve got one. It’s just not like anything else.”

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Fun Fest expects big finish

By Trey Williams The Zac Brown Band and Lynyrd Skynrd drew massive crowds at Fun Fest, but The Band Perry’s sweet home Tennessee might leave their contemporaries Greene with envy.

The country music superstars from nearby Greeneville could generate a record turnout when they play the Kingsport festival’s 35th anniversary finale on Saturday, July 18.

“It’s the first time that I’m aware of that we’ve been able to bring The Band Perry back to the area for them to do their big, big show — the full production,” Fun Fest director Lucy Fleming said. “I think that’s what we’re very excited about. We had a huge turnout for Zac Brown and we had an equally huge turnout for Lynyrd Skynyrd. But we do

Young fans showed up in droves last summer to see the Train concert at J. Fred Johnson Stadium.

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expect a really good turnout for The Band Perry … It’s one band that’s been on the tip of everybody’s tongue. They’ve been a wonderful group to work with.”

The Band Perry, comprised of siblings Kimberly, Reid and Neil Perry,

won a Grammy for Best Country Group Performance on their latest single, “Gentle on My Mind.” Their self-titled debut in 2010 included “If I Die Young,” which went to No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs and Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks

Fun Fest

July 2015

The famous Perry siblings from Greeneville, brothers Reid and Neil and sister Kimberly, are now one of the hottest music acts going.

The Band Perry will perform in Kingsport on July 18.

charts. Their follow-up album “Pioneer,” which was released in 2013, includes No. 1 singles “Better Dig Two” and “DONE.” Fun Fest has assembled an impressive lineup of musical artists.

Co-headliners on Friday are Thompson Square and David Nail. Thompson Square’s “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not” and “If I Didn’t Have You” were No. 1 singles.

“And they’ve got a cool new song and video out now called ‘Trans Am,’” Fleming said. “At the Memorial Day car show I was going all through the car show photographing Trans Ams because of it. They performed at the country music festival that’s in Nashville the first of June and got some really good reviews.”

Nail has been nominated for a Grammy and is best known for “Let It Rain.” It topped the charts in 2011.

“He’s the type of singer that’s Americana and country and says things that touch people,” Fleming said.

Rapper TobyMac will headline See FINISH, Page 9

SCHEDULE (See funfest.net for details) WEDNESDAY, JULY 8 Trash Barrel Paint-In, 10 a.m.

THURSDAY, JULY 9 Fun Fest for the elderly, noon FRIDAY, JULY 10 The Story of the Carousel guided tours, 10 a.m.

Mardis Gras, 11:30 a.m.

Free admission to Bays Mountain Park, noon Rediscover Kingsport scavenger/ treasure hunt, noon One-pitch softball tournament, 6 p.m.

Fun Fest parade, 6 p.m.

Broad Street Boogie featuring Scat Springs Band, 8 p.m.

SATURDAY, JULY 11 Stop Hunger Now, 8 a.m.

Kids fishing derby, 8 a.m.

Volleyball tournament, 8 a.m.

Kingsport Birding Trail bird walk, 8

Finish

a.m.

Fire safety rodeo, 8 a.m.

Crazy Cardboard Boat Race, 9 a.m.

ReArt at the ReStore, 10 a.m.

Extreme Showdown 10 clinic and competition, 10 a.m.

Kids Fest, 11 a.m.

Historic Netherland Inn & Victorian Hammond House tour, noon ASL comedy show featuring Keith Wann, 2 p.m.

Wine tasting, 4 p.m.

Healthy lifestyles expo, 5 p.m.

Little 8s and Speciall 8s, 6 p.m.

Hymn Fest, 6 p.m.

Dance for the physically and mentally challenged, 7 p.m.

Fun Fest at the Ballpark, 7 p.m.

Johnson City Community Concert Band, 7 p.m.

3K Moon Walk, 8:58 p.m.

Crazy 8s 8K Run, 9:58 p.m.

SUNDAY, JULY 12 War on the Floor 3-on-3 basketball, 9 a.m.

Croquet at Allandale, 1 p.m.

Allendale Mansion open house, 1 p.m.

Farm Fest, 2 p.m.

A Funny Thing Happened to Me on My Way Through the Bible, 2 p.m.

Miss Kingsport 2016 scholarship

pageant, 2:30 p.m.

An Evening at Allandale featuring John McCutcheon, 7 p.m.

MONDAY, JULY 13 Fun Fest for the elderly, midnight Kids Central, 10 a.m.

Children’s Fun Shops, 10 a.m.

Fun with Ronald McDonald, 11 a.m.

Create Memories at Brushstrokes, 1 p.m.

Rhythm in Riverview featuring Liquid Pleasure, 3 p.m.

Picnic for the physically and mentally challenged, 5 p.m..

Mountain bike rally and family ride, 5:30 p.m.

The Has Beens Big Band afternoon dance, 5:30 p.m.

Pet dog show, 5:30 p.m.

Rebel wrestling beginners camp, 6 p.m.

A Civil War Evening, 6:30 p.m.

A Great Delight of Harmony Fun and Dinner Show, 7 p.m.

TUESDAY, JULY 14 Senior Fest, 9 a.m.

Putt Putt tournament, 9 a.m.

Haydini: Rare Magic, Well Done, 11 a.m.

Pool party at Kingsport Aquatic Center, 4 p.m.

Photography workshop, 6 p.m.

Wolf Run 7 Mile Trail Race, 6:30 p.m.

Community square & round dance, 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 15 Splash dance, 1 p.m.

Smiles & Sight Community Appreciation, 2 p.m.

The Taste, 4 p.m.

A walk through history with your veterans, 4 p.m.

Family Fun Zone, 4 p.m.

Lazy Crazy Triathlon, 6 p.m.

Giant screen outdoor movie, 7 p.m.

THURSDAY, JULY 16 Bread-in-a-Bag, 6:30 p.m.

TobyMac, 7 p.m.

Moonlight hike at Bays Mountain, 8 p.m.

FRIDAY, JULY 17 Thompson Square & David Nail, 7 p.m.

Hot Air Balloon Glow, 8 p.m.

SATURDAY, JULY 18

Breakfast with the Balloons, 6 a.m.

Hot-air balloon rally, 6:30 p.m.

Eagles Nest disc golf tournament, 9 a.m.

Mini Maker Faire, 9 a.m.

Cornhole tournament, 10 a.m.

Dan’l Boone car show, 10 a.m.

Angels Share Craft & Barrel Aged Beer Festival, 1 p.m.

The Band Perry, 7 p.m.

Eastman Fireworks Spectacular, 10 p.m.

Continued from Page 8 Thursday’s Christian Contemporary Concert.

“TobyMac had been on our radar,” Fleming said. “When we started doing the Christian concerts we came up with, like, a dream list, and so it’s taken a couple of years where their availability and our schedule coincided.”

Five-time Grammy nominee and multi-

Dove Award winner Brandon Heath opens Thursday’s show.

The craft-beer buzz will reach Fun Fest this year. A wine tasting and triathlon will also make Fun Fest debuts. The beer tasting will be held at Hunter Wright Stadium on Saturday.

“We’ve got a beer festival this time that we’ve added because craft beers are so popular,” Fleming said. “The first part of that, the people will be able to watch the (Kingsport) Mets get in a practice before they go off site to their ballgame. It gets people to a different location. I think baseball is coming into its own again. …

“That is on the last Saturday. You get up and do the hot-air balloons, then you run to the ballpark and try a couple of beers and then run back and see The Band Perry.”

Sounds like a plan for closing Fun Fest’s 35th year in style.

“I think, to our credit, we’ve been very fortunate to have an event that’s stayed strong for so long,” Fleming said. “In this business, being able to survive that amount of time is quite a feat.”

Register Now! 282-2540 studiodancejc.com

July 2015

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Jonesborough Days

Festival ‘building on new traditions’

Kelly Hodge

The dynamic husband-wife duo Shovels and Rope closed the Founders Park show.

Blue Plum passes ‘litmus test’ for future

By Kelly Hodge

If the 16th annual Blue Plum Festival indeed offered a glimpse of its future, organizers liked what they saw.

The three-day festival staged the first weekend of June drew an estimated 80,000 people to downtown Johnson City for music, food and fun. This was the first year new Founders Park was used, and it hosted an expanded craft-beer gathering on Saturday and three bands that evening — all ticketed events.

The Charleston, South Carolina-based duo Shovels and Rope closed it out with a stirring performance under the stars.

“This year was a true litmus test of what can happen in Founders Park and with these other events,” said Tracy Johnson, vice president of the Friends of Olde Downtowne, the

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non-profit organization that oversees Blue Plum and First Fridays. “Fortunately, we had great weather, so we got a truer picture. I guarantee that all the people that were here this year will be back next year, and they’ll tell their friends.”

“Honestly,” said Johnson, “the biggest part is just an awareness of what’s going on. The festival is for the whole community, and we think once people come down and experience it, they’re going to like it.”

Like a lot of new ideas in Northeast Tennessee, it can take some time to capture the imagination. Many people around town were still wondering where Founders Park was as the festival approached.

The sliver of green space sandwiched See TEST, Page 11

Jonesborough Days celebrates its 45th anniversary the first weekend of July, and organizers are hoping to keep the festival fresh while touting the theme, Stars & Stripes: Celebrating Old Glory.

“A lot of things we’ve been doing the past couple of years we’re doing again, and we’re excited about those,” says Melinda Kopp, Main Street director and chair of the Jonesborough Day committee for the last eight years. “I guess you could say we’re building on new traditions.”

That begins with a kickoff dinner Thursday night at the International Storytelling Center. It’s a Lowcountry shrimp boil sponsored by Food City, which donates all proceeds back to the festival.

The Beach Nite Band returns that night for the second straight year.

“They play Carolina beach-style music and a lot of patriotic tribute songs,” said Kopp. “We had them last year and it was a lot of fun.”

The three-day festival begins at 5 p.m. on Thursday and runs until 10 o’clock. The last two days it’s a 10-to-10 schedule, with highlights being a fireworks show on Friday night and an appearance by the Wannabeatles on the Fourth of July.

The Wannabeatles return to Jonesborough for the second straight year. The Beatles tribute band from Nashville played a Music on the Square concert last summer and drew one of the largest crowds in the series’ history.

“We’re very excited to have them back,” said Kopp. “They called Steve (Cook) about

Christmas and said they were passing through the area.

It worked out real well for Jonesborough Days.”

There will be plenty of music all three days.

The regular Music on the Square performance Friday night includes American Bandwagon at 6 and My New Favorites at 8. JV Squad will play the early slot on Saturday night before giving way to Wannabeatles.

The traditional Jonesborough Days parade will start Saturday morning at 10.

One thing that has grown in popularity is called “Doc’s Front Porch.” It honors the late Doc McConnell, the famous storyteller who was a popular draw in Jonesborough, and features music and storytelling from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

“We’ve done it the last six years,” said Kopp, “and it’s become a pretty good tradition.”

There’s also an art walk where viewers can vote for their favorite pieces. The winner will be announced before the Wannabeatles concert.

For the offbeat competition, three food-eating contests are scheduled. The fare: chili peppers, pancakes and watermelon.

— Kelly Hodge

Concert schedule JULY Johnson City The Down Home (downhome.com) 2 — Scott Pleasant; 8 a.m.; $12 8 — Liz Frame and the Kickers; 8 p.m.; $10 10 — A Great Disaster; 8 p.m.; $10 11 — String Fever; 8 p.m.; $10 18 — Beth Snapp; 8 a.m.; $14 31 — K.T. Van Dyke; 8 p.m.; $10 Acoustic Coffeehouse (acousticcoffeehouse.net) 6 — Red Neckromancer; 10 p.m.

7 — Brie with Jesse Lopez; 8 p.m.

9 — Twin Courage, 8 p.m.; Samuel Barker, 10 p.m.

10 — Moonshine District; 10 p.m.

11 — Jason Edwards, 8 p.m.; Tommy Shortt, 10 p.m.

12 — Jangling Sparrows; 10 p.m.

14 — Alex Klug Trio, 8 p.m.; Jake McKelvie and the Countertops, 10 p.m.

16 — Twin Courage, 8 p.m.; KAMIKA with Colamo, 10 p.m.

17 — Kara Beth Wilson, 8 p.m.; Kyle Adem, 10 p.m.

18 — Andy Sneed, 8 p.m.; 33 Years, 10 p.m.

19 — The Hunting Party; 10 p.m.

21 — Joe Cat; 8 p.m.

22 — Kevin Schlereth with Kept on Hold, 8 p.m.; Families Band, 10 p.m.

23 — Emily Barnes, 8 p.m.; Fort Defiance, 10 p.m.

24 — Joe Cat, 8 p.m.; FOLKNROLLN Derek Astles, 10 p.m.

25 — Powell, 8 p.m.; American Gonzo, 10 p.m.

26 — Cancellieri; 8 p.m.

28 — Chris Long; 8 p.m.

30 — Ben Blankenship; 8 p.m.

31 — Drew Gibson, 8 p.m.;

Test

Continued from Page 10 between State of Franklin Road and Wilson Avenue was developed as part of the city’s stormwater retention plan, but it has quickly become an attractive events venue, with its amphitheater, looping sidewalks with local artwork and, the signature feature, Brush Creek flowing along the length of the property.

(A 20,000-square-foot, $1.95 million pavilion and farmers market space is currently under construction on the site and is expected to be completed in early November. The Johnson City Development Authority recently recommended naming the center The Pavilion at Founders Park.)

Officials estimated about 900 people were in the park during the Saturday of the festival for the combined Blue Hops Brew-Haha and the concerts that followed. The space would accommodate many more.

“I think we could get a couple thousand people in the park pretty easily if we were to push back the area from the stage and use the am-

The Royal Buzz, 10 p.m.

Willow Tree Coffeehouse and Music Room (thewillowtreejc.com) 3 — Folk all-stars of Johnson City; 5 p.m.

25 — Bombadil; 8 p.m.

31 — Dangermuffin; 8 p.m.

Capone’s 3 — Toby Juggs, 10 p.m.

10 — A Course of Action, Dirty White Lies, Subconscious; 10 p.m.

17 — Mark Larkins; 10 p.m.

24 — Demon Waffle, 10 p.m.

——— Jonesborough Music on the Square (musiconthesquare.com) 3 — My New Favorites and American Bandwagon 4 — WannaBeatles and JV Squad 10 — Michael Reno Harrell 17 — David and Valerie

phitheater for the Brew-Haha,” said Johnson. “We still have to work with some of the infrastructure, power and water issues, and getting food into the park easier. Founders Park was developed as the answer to a stormwater problem, so there will be some trial and error as far as staging other events there.

“I think most everybody agrees that it’s a beautiful green space for the downtown.”

Johnson was instrumental in lining up music acts, and she was pleased with how that played out over the course of the three days.

“Ed (Snodderly) has incredible contacts,” she said, “and one of the things that was important to me was that all the artists were taken good care of. I wanted to make sure every one of those folks went back to their agents and told them they had a really great time. We want to earn the reputation of being a very friendly festival.”

At the same time, organization also impresses the masses.

Johnson credited Blue Plum director Deanna Hays with being “so instrumental in running what appeared to be a pretty flawless festival.” Hays

Mayfield 24 — Jeff Little Trio 31 — Get Right Band ——— Bristol Border Bash, Downtown 4 — Bill and the Belles, 7 p.m.; Band of Drifters, 8:30 p.m.; free 17 — Appleseed Collective, 7 p.m.; Blank Range, 8:30 p.m; free Full Moon Jam, Downtown Center (Concerts are free and begin at 7 p.m.)

2 — Retroville 7 — Glen Harlow and Friends 9 — Free Falling 13 — American Floyd 14 — Ken Morrell and Family 16 — Lance Stinson 23 — Thomas Taylor 28 — Kody Norris Show 30 — Daisi Rain ——— Asheville, NC The Orange Peel

took over as director in November when the previous director, Cindy Hagemann, resigned to take a fulltime job.

“I was a co-director last year and had been a volunteer in the past in different capacities,” said Hays, who is interested in giving the Blue Plum some continuity in the position. “It takes a moment to set a bit of your own course. I wanted to learn from everything that happened before me and make appropriate changes.

“This is a very exciting time to be involved with downtown events.”

About a hundred community volunteers, coordinated by Stephanie Sherwood, helped make the festival run smoothly. “It was a good group,” said Hays, “and I hope we can get many of them to volunteer for several years in a row. The more familiar people are with the operation, the better.”

The addition of a CrossFit competition, the 5K run being moved to the evening, and the omnium bike race on Sunday were all viewed as great successes.

Hays still noticed room for improvement as planning for next year began in earnest. Near the top of her list were power and water needs for

(theorangepeel.net) 1 — Breaking Benjamin Unplugged; 9 p.m.; $35 3 — Welcome to the Rage featuring Mindelixir; 9 p.m.; $10/12 5 — Teatro del Gusto; 7:30 p.m.; $20 10 — Natural Wonder: The Stevie Wonder Experience; 9 p.m.; $12/15 11 — The Protomen; 9 p.m.; $12-15 16 — Leon Russell; 8 p.m.; seating $30/32, standing $25/27 17 — Rip Haven; 8 p.m.; $5 20 — Dirty Heads; 8 p.m.; $22/25 21 — In This Moment; 7 p.m.; $24/26 24 — Matisyahu; 9 p.m.; $25/28; VIP $50/60 26 — Raekwon & Ghostface Killah; 9 p.m.; $28/30 28 — Slayer; 9 p.m.; $47/50 30 — Viva Ashevegas!; 8 p.m.; $12/15

vendors.

Like Johnson, she also saw great potential at Founders Park.

“It seemed that it provided something fresh and an option,” said Hays. “Everyone enjoys a free festival, certainly, but there is something to be said for having an event in a certain timeframe with more concentrated options.

“I think Founders Park will evolve into a wonderful event venue.”

The greater question now is how Blue Plum evolves, or whether it evolves at all.

Bele Chere, a popular city-sponsored event across the mountain in Asheville, North Carolina, was discontinued in 2013 after a 35-year run.

“Like Bele Chere, a lot of these free festivals are difficult to sustain year after year,” said Johnson. “We have great corporate sponsors, about 20 of them this year, but we need to keep looking at different ways to make the festival more viable and add value to it.

“I’m anxious to see in three years where it will be. We know now that we can do some new things and people will come and enjoy themselves.

I think there’s still a lot of potential with Blue Plum.”

July 2015

Out-N-About

11

Kelly Hodge

The Trek name now looms large on the ground floor of the newly renovated London Lofts building in Johnson City.

Two wheels and a change of pace

By Kelly Hodge

Kelly Hodge

The bicycle store has over 5,000 square feet of space.

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For most Chicago guys, packing up and moving to Northeast Tennessee to sell bicycles would be a real leap of faith, not to mention a bit of culture shock.

Chad Wolfe hasn’t looked back.

Wolfe and his wife, Annmarie, opened the eye-catching Trek Bike Shop in downtown Johnson City in May and have been happily blending into their new community. He marvels at the changes that have gone on just in the six months he’s been in the area, even quipping that the downtown streets are “paved with gold.”

“It’s an amazing thing to be part of, how quickly things are moving,” said Wolfe, 35, who now pedals to work from his home in the Tree Streets neighborhood. “Twelve months from now, downtown Johnson City will be totally unrecognizable, much less two years from now. And I’m confident we would not be able to afford to do in five years what we’ve done here now.”

What they’ve done is design a 5,300-squarefoot Trek concept store on the ground floor of

the London Lofts building that was recently renovated by Brett Long and Ernest Campbell.

There are 20 apartment units above them in the building, which was built in 1920.

The storefront windows offer a wraparound view of Market and Commerce streets and are topped by rows of the original glass block, all recently polished. The light cascades in upon a colorful assortment of Trek bikes and accessories.

Combined with the tin ceiling, which was salvaged and recoated, there’s an airy but comfortable feel about the place that conjures up images of a bygone era. It makes you want to stay awhile, maybe buy a new bicycle.

Wolfe, who spent more than a decade working at a Trek store in Schererville, Indiana, a suburb of Chicago, thinks it’s the perfect fit for the emerging business environment here. He was sold on the project once he saw Campbell’s renovation work upstairs.

“The loft apartment we looked at, that was the home run for us,” said Wolfe. “We wanted

See PACE, Page 13

Pace

managing to stick to its humble roots.

The second-generation family business is still located in the tiny town of Waterloo, Wisconsin, where it was Continued from Page 12 founded in 1976. Trek currently prothat look for the Trek store, conveying duces 294 models of bicycles, Wolfe an East Tennessee feel in a hundredsaid, running from a few hundred year-old building that was being redollars up to about $15,000. purposed. We knew all 20 of the units Wolfe says a very serviceable enabove were rented before they were try-level bike with accessories can be completed, which showed that there’s had for about $500. expendable income and people who He has already seen customers come wanted to live downtown. It’s a lifein from all over the region, some of style, typically a younger generation, which had never even been to downyoung professionals who are active. town Johnson City. They made the “Johnson City is doing an amazing special trip because of the Trek store. job of providing things that appeal to “We get all kinds of people who that younger generation. Bicycles play never had a reason to travel to the right into that.”

Tri-Cities or Johnson City before,” said Wolfe, who holds a psychology Wolfe. “My wife and I see cycling as one of the things people like to do as opposed to the only thing they do, and that’s the way we treat the business.

Bikes are wants, not needs. Trek understands that, too.”

The majority of his business has been selling the “dual sport” models.

“They’re 50/50 Kelly Hodge bikes — 50 percent Owner Chad Wolfe has a long history with Trek. on pavement and 50 percent on gravel or degree from Indiana State, still had to dirt,” said Wolfe. “In East Tennessee, convince Trek to green-light the projwe have tons of opportunities on all ect. After some early concerns, you types of surfaces.” now see the company’s 109th concept The mountain bikes have also sold store. (The designation means at least well — “East Tennessee and Western 85 percent of the merchandise carries North Carolina have some of the best the Trek name.) mountain biking in the world,” he Only two of those stores are in Tensaid, “and you just go to the trailhead nessee; the other is in Chattanooga. and ride all day” — while the road The Wolfes used to vacation in the bikes have more limited appeal.

Asheville, North Carolina area, which All in all, life on two wheels is good. is a cycling haven, and started looking The Chicago native is winning over around. They worked their way back friends and family who might have secup I-26. ond-guessed his move from the big city.

“We love this area, the Appalachian “It’s amazing how many have come mountain range,” said Wolfe. “Ashehere to vacation, and they’ll go whiteville has 15 or 16 bicycle stores, and water rafting on Saturday and hike the they’re all thriving because they’ve Appalachian Trail on Sunday. There created a culture there. Johnson City are so many things to do right here,” is on the other side of the mountains, said Wolfe. “Back home we’d drive for and there are all sorts of opportunities two hours for everything, just to get that can be created here.” to work … I haven’t been honked at in The Trek name carries a lot of clout six months. It’s just a more conducive in the cycling community. It has belifestyle for us here. come one of the biggest brands in the “We’re thrilled to get a cycling culture world over the last four decades while to coincide with where we live now.”

July 2015

Out-N-About

13

July Q&A

Snodderly keeps the beat going E

d Snodderly has always fiddled around with a purpose, and he’s become a well-versed slice of Americana.

Music and acting have helped Snodderly carve a niche that includes a verse of his “The Diamond Stream” being engraved on a wall in the Country Music Hall of Fame, lengthy tours across the country and abroad, and even a small role in the Coen Brothers’ “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”

He teaches songwriting in East Tennessee State University’s “thriving” Appalachian Studies program, and he’s been a successful solo artist and built a significant following as part of the Brother Boys with Eugene Wolf, who has also worked with Snodderly on stage in such productions as “Fire on the Mountain.”

Of course, Snodderly’s premier feat in the ears of many music lovers has been keeping The Down Home music venue relevant for five decades, giving Johnson City a front-row seat to some heavyweights. The iconic marquee at the corner of Main Street and Watauga Avenue has touted the likes of Doc Watson, Townes Van Zandt and Willie Dixon since the Red Clay Ramblers’ performance christened the reincarnation of the condemned Montclair Apartments building on June 18, 1976.

More than 39 years later, The Down Home is now polishing a new website, and Snodderly’s forthcoming record, due out this fall, includes a song dedicated to his down-home abode away from home. In fact, as he told Out-NAbout writer Trey Williams in a recent interview, the new album could even end up with “Down Home” as its title.

TW: So many accomplished performers have played The Down Home, which seems tailor-made for live music. Did you and Joe “Tank” Leach really book the Red Clay Ramblers for its debut before you even had a place prepared for them to play?

ES: Yes. We were up at the Wes-

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July 2015

Thompson of the Red Clay Ramblers to get a date. He gave me June 18.

And that was a week or two before we started building the place. So we had, like, three months to make it.

edsnodderlymusic.com

ley Foundation on campus at ETSU, because he and I were involved in the little coffee house that’d been going since the early ‘60s. And then we started playing at the Red Pig and people were just noisy as hell. We still had fun, but I’d been traveling around playing and telling Tank about all of these cool places like the Exit/In in Nashville or Club Passim up there in Boston, and that’s just kind of where the idea came around: Let’s just start a place where people come to listen to music. It took us a while to weed

Over more than four decades, Ed Snodderly has left some indelible impressions as a musician and actor. One of his most impressive feats is keeping The Down Home music venue open and relevant.

out — to let people know, ‘Hey, you know, if you wanna talk, go to the Holiday Inn or the Crows Nest.’

The coffee house was in the basement of the Wesley Foundation parsonage. It was a cool place. Mike Seeger, Jean Ritchie — all kinds of people played there. That’s the first place I ever played when I was a senior in high school (at Science Hill in 1970). And it meant a lot to have that place and it was a cool, little place. It was called the Fatted Calf. I think I even used their phone to call Tommy

TW: And it went off without a hitch, I take it?

ES: Well, the band came and stuck their head in, saw sawdust on the floor, there were still sawhorses, people scrambling around and they go, “Uh, are we gonna still play here tonight?” And we said, “Yeah.” And by the time evening came we had the rocking chairs out and the place was ready to go and we had cold beer and that’s where it began. And it was a very cool, fun night. …

I think the last thing it had been, maybe, was a little junk store. There were still people living in the apartments upstairs and all through the building when we started, and they continued to live there for the next four, five or six years.

TW: Do you recall the first song you did at the Fatted Calf?

ES: I think it was something that I’d written. And we did some traditional pieces. We did some Bob Dylan stuff. I can’t remember. Oh, one of my partners, he did something from “John Wesley Harding” like “I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine.” We did some little bluegrass pieces.

TW: Who were your partners during that first performance?

ES: Alan Webb and Roger Rhinehart. We had a little trio called The Country (chuckling). That goes way back; that’s 1970 right there we’re talking about.

TW: Much like the boon “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” generated for bluegrass and old-time country music, movies such as “Bonnie and Clyde”

See Q&A, Page 15

Q&A

Continued from Page 14 and “Deliverance” and TV shows with Andy Griffith and “The Beverly Hillbillies” must have helped when Down Home was getting started. What was the musical scene like around here in ’76?

ES: One thing for the Down Home, when we opened, no one else (in the region) was doing much promotion of music, let alone providing a place — we were really being particular that you kind of had to be quiet. In ’76 we opened. In like ’70 or ’72 that “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” record came out.

I think that got people interested. But in the first month or two that we were open we had John Hartford and Norman Blake, and that was kind of the cool part of bluegrass. We never really had too many straight-ahead bluegrass bands for a little while. But we had a little more of that progressive, alternative kind of thing, and a year or two into that we had the New Grass Revival and then Doc. So it helped our stock getting those people to play, because it was like, Man, you can’t get much better than that.

TW: Everyone from Doc Watson and John Cowan to Chuck Brodsky and the Drive-By Truckers’ Mike Cooley has described Down Home with reverence. How satisfying is such praise?

ES: Well, here’s the deal: people like Doc (Watson), people like Chuck (Brodsky) and Robin and Linda Williams and Malcolm (Holcombe) — just anyone that’s played the Down Home — they’ve traveled the country and they know how rare and how hard it is to keep a venue like the Down Home open. So they appreciate it for several reasons. It’s a good gig and we’re here for the right reasons, and that is to promote and to listen and to honor the music or just do whatever the music is telling us to do, dance or shout or whatever. There is a reverence for it, because there are not as many places as you would think that are dedicated to this. So I think that’s where that comes from. There should be one of these in every town, and there are people that try. But it’s not an easy thing to do.

Frank Ziperer

Snodderly’s new album, out this fall, was recorded at The Down Home.

TW: Were you there to see Mike Cooley, and how he alluded to the educated audience and ambience?

ES: For someone like him, I thought he was a little — intimidated may not be the right word — but some people come in and they’re not used to an audience that is there listening and being right there for them. I think he might’ve been in that situation. He’d just started playing solo and I think it’s like, “Oh, there are no distractions here. Everyone’s listening to me.”

It’s sometimes easier when there is distraction and you’re second or third on the attentive level.

TW: Would you say the building has some powerful ghosts in it?

ES: You could say that. There’s a lot of good vibrations going on here. And that’s sort of silly, but after all these years there’s been a lot of music and a lot of really soulful performers in here.

I think it makes a difference. I actually recorded this new record upstairs at the Down Home, and the vibe continues upstairs. There are a lot of ghosts — good ghosts.

TW: July will mark five years since the death of Down Home fixture David “Brother Dave” Jackson. How

important to that vibe was the spirit of Brother Dave?

ES: Brother Dave and a few others — in the early days for a year or two — were just coming every night that we were open at the Down Home. And Brother Dave was always into music and he grew up here and used to see the bluegrass bands that came to play on TV. He was just a total BSer, you know. He was full of it, but yet you loved him and he just became part of the family here. He had the personality to be outgoing, and in that, you know, people come in off the road playing and he’d be a breath of fresh air making a joke or whatever, or just making someone feel comfortable being here. We miss him dearly. He was a good ambassador for the Down Home, and he loved the place. But we’ve had so many people to be a part of this place, and some have passed on. That’s why this place has the ghosts and the vibes that it’s got. I mean, being into this music and being into what we do here — it’s not mainstream and it’s a little bit, you know the culture of it — we’re a little rebellious in lots of ways and all that.

It adds to the flavor of this place. But we do miss Brother Dave.

and Old Crow Medicine Show are among many said to have “nailed it” while playing the Down Home.

What have been some of your favorite shows?

ES: My favorite show was Willie Dixon — and Billy Joe Shaver. And the Amazing Rhythm Aces, heck yeah, they were great. We’ve had so many and there’s just been so much good music, and we’re gonna keep on keeping on. We’ve gotta keep people realizing that this is the Down Home. And you know, we take a credit card now, but we haven’t been taking them that long. We’re set in our ways and we’re stubborn and we’re ornery, but what we’ve got going is something real.

And I think people want real more so than they even know they want it, you know. … One of my regrets is that we never had an autograph book or a book just to sign. We’d have a lot of autographs in that thing and a lot of messages from all kinds of people.

TW: I have an excellent recording of a Scott Miller live performance at Down Home. The acoustics in that room are ideal. What are some of your favorite recordings from live performances there?

ES: One of the cool things that we did — my ex-partner Phil Leonard did — is that they produced 13 live concerts that went on a satellite and went to about a hundred stations around the country and the world back in the ‘80s. Those are some really great recordings and I hope to be able to do something with those sometime. It was Doc, J.D. Crowe with Keith Whitley, the Corklickers. It was all kinds of people. Scott Miller did the V-Roys live down here, which is a really good record. Just a year or two ago a bluegrass group called NewFound Road did a good live recording here. There’s been a mess of ‘em.

TW: You were steeped in music growing up in your family. Were there really weekends at the same venues as Roy Acuff?

ES: Yes, my dad and his brothers, they would take turns from time to time with Roy Acuff or when Roy wasn’t going to be there. My parents kind of are from that generation, and my dad’s from that part of the coun-

See Q&A, Page 16

TW: The Amazing Rhythm Aces

July 2015

Out-N-About

15

Q&A

‘We don’t sell anything except cold beer and music. I still don’t think there’s any place in the area that does what we do. And for good or bad, I just like the way we do it.’

Continued from Page 15 try where Roy was from (Maynardville), give or take 20 miles. Yeah, my grandfather was a good fiddle player and there was a lot of good music.

But it was mostly at family reunions.

Music was always a part of it. Farming was the central part of work for my grandfather and some of those folks.

But playing music, I really value my grandfather. He made music the way a lot of people made music in the early teens and ‘20s and ‘30s. You would play music after you worked your butt off all day long, you know, learn a song or whatever. He was a good fiddle player. I loved the opportunity to play with him. He would always ask me, “What are you listening to?” or “What have you learned?” So I’d try to muster up something that I’d heard, some kind of Bob Dylan song or I don’t know what else. So it’d be kind of an interesting dynamic there.

TW: Could you tease your forthcoming album, how excited you are?

ES: It’s a batch of 13 new songs.

It’s just a different little direction for me. Some people have listened to it.

They’re very excited about it in the sense that it’s a little bit more mainstream. It’s not quite so folky. But it’s still all of those things. And then I’ve got a 12-verse song that talks about the Down Home. It’s just about the Down Home. So I’m excited about that. I played it the other night at an anniversary party and people really went, “(Wow), that’s good.” I’m excited about it, because I think the new record’s gonna be very accessible to a lot of different kind of people. I think it hits on a lot of different places.

And I think it’s a good batch of songs.

When you’ve got new songs and they’re good and you believe in them, then it’s exciting to get them out there.

It’s like your art — putting your work out on the sidewalk.

TW: Is it a wide variety of music?

ES: It’s a variety of musicians. Eugene Wolf sings on it. Robin Ellis sings on it. John Gardner plays percussion.

He works with everybody. And then my old buddy Brandon Story on bass.

A couple of folks from the university

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program. Dylan Fields recorded it and we did it on location (in the Down Home), and not in the studio. It just has a good feel. It’s a pretty well-produced record. A fellow plays keyboards on it as well, and B-3 organ.

TW: How exciting was it to be honored by the Country Music Hall of Fame with your “The Diamond Strings” lyrics being immortalized in a wall?

ES: I’m really proud of that. Anytime I’m with somebody and I have the opportunity, I’ll say, “Hey, you want to see something cool?” And I’ll take them in there. It’s the last thing you see when you go through the whole museum. It’s up on the third floor. It’s really cool. I did not know they were gonna do it, but the guy who (engraved) it had the song hanging around for awhile, and he knew what he wanted to do. Yeah, it’s a real honor. There wasn’t any money in it, but it didn’t matter about money.

It’s like Jerry Douglas said, “That’s in there forever.”

TW: How did the role of the fiddling village idiot in “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” come about?

ES: The casting music director called me. The Road Company — we use to produce plays that we created and we’d made a play called “Echoes and Postcards.” And we traveled all over the country and we went to Russia and some other worldly places.

We also did it at a place in Nashville called the Station Inn. So the person who ended up being the musical director knew I played music and also knew I acted. And she called me up and said, “Hey Ed, you wanna go to Mississippi and be in a movie with the Coen Brothers?” I said, “Absolutely.” So I went down and did that for a week. I was part of the band scene.

July 2015

And then I came back and they needed another part filled and they flew me out to Los Angeles for that. I had to audition for that. They called me, like, in the morning and said, “We’ve got you a flight at two today.” I said, “I’ll be on it. I’ll be there.” I hadn’t shaved or nothing. I get out there and we were dancing and this and that.

So that’s how I ended up being the village idiot. I wish they’d call again, because it sure is fun to do movies.

And if you’re gonna be in a movie, that’s a good one to be in.

TW: Were there any memorable moments with a John Goodman or George Clooney?

ES: We hung out a week with George Clooney. He would come and hang out with us musicians, because people were trying to get his autograph — the extras. In a nutshell, it was fun and he’s a cut-up and he’s really cool, as were the Coen Brothers.

They’re just kind of like you or me: “Hey, we’re doing our job; that’s all we’re doing. And we’re having fun.”

They were making a little bit more money than I am, but it was fun. John Goodman had already done his part by the time I got to Mississippi, but yeah, it was a good experience. I look back on it and go, “Man, that was pretty good.” And I learned a lot. And I will say that making movies is hard work. You work hard. And I just had that little bit. I still get a little royalty check from time to time. It’s not a lot, but it’s fun to get it.

TW: Is there more acting on the horizon?

ES: From time to time I’ve done a play called “Fire on the Mountain,” which is documenting coal mining.

We’ve done that in Seattle, Denver, Chicago, Louisville and a few other places. That may come around again,

which would be great. But really, what’s on the horizon for me is this new record and I’m playing MerleFest next year. I’ve got a little tour out to the Midwest and Arkansas, Oklahoma and I’ve got some other tours lined up.

So on the horizon for me is performing and sharing the music that I play.

TW: Has the success of Rhythm and Roots and the Blue Plum Festival had a positive impact regionally well beyond those weekends?

ES: I think it’s great. You know, the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Festival is one of the best festivals you can play — probably in the world anymore.

Blue Plum has its own special personality and I think it’s great. This year seemed to be a really good success in trying something new. I think it’ll be even better next year. I like the whole Founders Park — the whole downtown scene’s good. We just need people supporting it, a good demographic of people, not just a young person that likes to get out and drink beers and specialty craft beers or whatever.

Down Home’s not quite on the walking path of that, but I’m hoping that we sustain what we’ve got. We continue to bring in up-and-coming artists.

And all the up-and-coming artists that we used to have, they’ve come on pretty good through the years and people look at them as icons now — anyone from the Red Clay Ramblers to New Grass Revival.

TW: Do you have a bucket list of performers you’d like to book for Down Home?

ES: The bucket list is to keep getting new and up-and-coming, exciting artists (like Parker Millsap) coming in, and then get people coming out for them. I will say next year will be our 40th anniversary; I’d love to have some of the guys that have played here through the years — some of the very great musicians — to return.

We’re trying to maybe have that as a celebration for our 40th, but we’ll see. … So the bucket list is to keep promoting music, having the Down Home and just having people realize what it is. We don’t sell anything except cold beer and music. We don’t have any other angle on something. I still don’t think there’s any place in the area that does what we do. And for good or bad, I just like the way we do it.

July 2015

Out-N-About

17

Brights Zoo: Up close and personal

By Kelly Hodge

A baby camel draws plenty of attention.

A baby Thompson’s gazelle is in good hands.

Melinda Bright

A prehensiled-tail porcupine is a sharp-looking fellow.

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July 2015

Every day is a new day for David Bright and his family.

That’s the way life unfolds when you’re in charge of about 500 wild and exotic animals.

Since 2008, when Brights Zoo first opened to the public, the rolling 55-acre spread in Limestone has been an intriguing attraction, to say the least. Where else in Northeast Tennessee can you go to feed a giraffe? Or gaze at a Bactrian camel?

Running a zoo, of course, presents unique challenges.

There’s a maze of rules, regulations and laws in procuring exotic animals. And once you get through that, the labor involved with keeping them healthy and happy is intensive in ways few other jobs could be.

But that’s all part of the appeal for the Brights, who have plenty of experience working with large animals.

“Back in the ‘90s, we were a Quarter Horse race farm and had been raising different kinds of hoof stock,” said David, a 44-year-old Knoxville native. “We started filtering away from horses and more into zoo animals or exotics in the mid-‘90s. It started with a pair of zebras and kind of blew up from there.”

There are five zebras now, along with three giraffes — the tallest is 17½ feet and growing — and all sorts of antelope species, primates, rare birds, even a red panda.

The collection encompasses 95 species in all, and more are in the plans.

The zoo will expand next year with development of an adjacent 45-acre tract.

Bright’s parents, Tony and Connie, own the land just off Highway 11E. David serves

Melinda Bright

Zoo director David Bright talks to a group of visitors as monkeys enjoy their day behind him. as the zoo director, with wife Melinda performing a variety of administrative roles.

The family is assisted by a staff of eight — six full-time “keepers” and two employees who handle guest relations.

“Most of us are working seven days a week and rarely go on vacations,” said David, “but we’re all still having fun, still really enjoy what we’re doing. This is something you hope stays with you forever.”

Said Melinda, a Johnson County native with a degree in biology, “I always liked the idea of the zoo, because I thought we needed something

See ZOO, Page 19

Melinda Bright has a few words with a yellow-naped Amazon parrot.

Zoo

Continued from Page 18 like it in this area, especially from a conservation point of view. It’s 13-hour workdays, but never a dull moment.”

The zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through October, weather permitting.

The typical day for the staff starts about 7 o’clock with head checks — making sure every animal is accounted for and healthy. They’re all then fed and watered — 9 to 11 is prime viewing time for guests — and keepers continue the checks throughout the day. (Three different veterinary practices are available when needed.)

The process begins anew the next day.

“This is an adventure you go through for the love of it,” said Bright, “not for the money. We’re still a long way from being at a break-even point. Last year we spent over one million dollars at the zoo.

If you count animal sales and tickets, we brought in about a half-million.” Between 50 and 100 guests visit on a typical weekday, with perhaps 200 coming in on the weekends.

“Our long-term goal is to double and then triple those numbers,” said Bright.

A busload of kids scurried about on a recent June day, sizing up the animals and reading detailed descriptions of them on displays outside their habitats. The temperature was headed toward the mid-90s.

“Starting in springtime, usually everybody is really active all day long,” said Bright.

“One or two animals may be hiding in the heat, but for the most part they’re all out.”

The red panda is one that doesn’t care for sweltering conditions. He was long gone by late morning.

Not so for the pair of rare Grevy’s zebras that were grazing in the sun, the ostriches

Feeding time for the giraffes brings out plenty of carrots as treats.

The red panda looks ready to beat the heat.

Melinda Bright

Lorikeets find a new friend to feed them. that strutted back and forth or the Eastern bongos, an endangered species of antelope from Kenya. They all seemed to enjoy watching and being watched.

Bright said he almost always knows what to expect when he takes on new varieties of animals.

“Not a lot has surprised us because we’ve done a lot of research before we bring in any animals,” he said. “The zoo world is so unlike any other world that we know. In any other business, you figure out your niche and what works and keep it to yourself.

In this business, you share what you learn with every other zoo so the knowledge is there for everybody.”

A Red River hog piglet runs through another bottle of formula.

Some animals are brought in from other zoos, and many are imported from South America and Africa.

Depending on the country of origin, there is any number of hurdles to clear before being able to get them to Northeast Tennessee.

“The last one we’ve been working on for two years,” said Bright. “Right in the middle of everything, they had a re-election in South America and we had to start over.

Sometimes you have to learn and adjust as you go.”

Several years ago, Brights Zoo was designated as the first quarantine center east of the Mississippi River for boer goats from South Africa, and the learning process picked

up speed.

“We’ve had to work with the fish and wildlife people to get permits, and we’ve learned a lot about the process,” said Bright. “Then we started getting more exotics and making more contacts through zoos. We find out a little more every day.”

Bright’s most formidable challenge in maintaining the animals, he says, is temperature.

“Most of them are native to South America and Africa, so the winters here can be tough,” he said. “All our barns are heated, and there are times where we’ll go through 4,000 to 5,000 gallons of propane in a couple of weeks. We do everything

we can to make the animals comfortable.”

The zoo’s typical winter fuel bill is about $70,000, which is a fraction of the $170,000 cost to feed the animals each year. Support is generated from the public in the form of donations and the “Adopt an Animal” program, which allows special access and privileges to particular animals.

The cost of admittance for self-tours is $19.95 for adults ($17.95 for seniors), $15.95 for students with college IDs and children over 13, and $12.95 for kids ages 3-12. Guided tours are offered.

Group rates and other discounts are also available. See brightszoo.com.

July 2015

Out-N-About

19

On the fly

Trout fishing in area offers world-class opportunities threeforksranch.com

By Kelly Hodge

T

he mountains, waters and backcountry of Northeast Tennessee are full of hidden gems for those who seek a sporting adventure.

When it comes to fly fishing, this area is world class. Experts say there’s nowhere quite like the South Holston and Watauga rivers for pulling out trophy trout.

“Montana would be the most known mecca of fly fishing in the West. We are the mecca of the East,” says Ben Walters, owner of Eastern Fly Outfitters in Piney Flats. “You have the most legitimate shot of catching a fish over 20 inches here; the biodiversity of insect life grows big fish. Out West, the average fish may be 18 to 20 inches, but there are no real giants. Here, the average is 10 to 14 inches, but you have a chance of catching a giant.

“In the last month alone, we’ve boated nine fish over 25 inches.”

EFO, the only stand-alone fly shop in the area, has six guides working the rivers and area lakes daily. It provides a wide range of services and equipment.

Most of Walters’ clients are fishing from boats and often reeling in bountiful catches of rainbow and brown trout, with the occasional brook trout.

“You always have good days and bad days fishing,” he said. “Bad days are five to 10 fish caught; good ones are 10 to 15. An excellent day could be as many as a hundred.”

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Out-N-About

July 2015

The reputation of the South Holston and Watauga waters is growing. Just in recent months, Walters’ business has entertained customers from Sweden, Finland, Australia, New Zealand, Dubai and Japan.

“The sport of fly fishing has grown a lot,” said Walters. “About a decade ago it was pretty small; there were not very many of us. Once Facebook and social media were invented, the fly fishing community started sharing destinations and things kind

Eastern Fly Outfitters

of took off.”

If you’re one of those who has thought about trying the sport but are intimidated by images of veteran fishermen expertly whipping their lines back and forth before the fly eventually lands in just the right spot, Walters has some advice: Don’t be afraid.

You don’t have to have any experience to enjoy a fly fishing adventure.

“We take people out all the time who have never fished,” said Wal-

A happy client shows off a trophy brown trout he caught during a guided trip on the South Holston River with Eastern Fly Outfitters.

Behind is guide Charlie Parker.

ters. “It doesn’t take strength, it doesn’t take agility. You just need a little coordination and the proper technique. And patience.”

W

alters, 33, is an Ohio native born into a military family with five kids.

They traveled around the South, from Louisiana to Florida to Georgia before settling in Tennessee.

See FLY, Page 21

EFO owner Ben Walters, left, with guide Jonathan “Huck” Huckaba.

Kelly Hodge

Fly

Flies come in an endless array of designs. They can take a few minutes to tie, or several hours.

and precise the action, the higher the cost.

“I hear all the time that fly fishing is expensive,” said Walters. “It’s really not when you compare it to some other sports. If you bought what you need, you could get a setup for $250, excluding waders, which are about $200.

“I follow the model of good, better, best. We don’t have any junk in here, so any setup you go with is going to be good. I tell people when they first get started that they’ll be in this price range, but they’ll end up here. You can do it once or twice, but if you enjoy the sport, you’re going to move in that direction.”

The store is loaded with fly fishing gear, and that includes a full line of Hyde Drift Boats, specially designed for serious anglers. You’ll see them lined up in the parking lot as you pass.

EFO carries fly rods, made of graphite and resin, costing anywhere from $100-800 and aluminum reels from $40-800. The more lightweight

t the heart of any productive fly fishing expedition is the fly itself. Creating, or tying, something that will entice trout to strike is an art form with closely guarded secrets.

“Every guide has his own secret stash of flies that he trusts,” said Walters. “Some may share among

Continued from Page 20 Fishing was always a great escape for Ben. “My dad was in the Air Force, and back then we didn’t have a whole lot of money,” he said. “Fishing was something fun we could do together.”

Walters had his first fly-fishing experience at his grandparents’ property in the North Carolina mountains and has since expanded his horizons considerably. He has fished waters from Alaska to Belize.

Walters earned degrees in marketing and business finance from East Tennessee State University while continuing to stay in touch with fly fishing as an employee of Mahoney’s Outfitters in Johnson City. He gained ownership of Eastern Fly Outfitters in 2011 and set up shop on the Bristol Highway, just on the edge of Piney Flats.

bentonbox.com

Kelly Hodge

The store is the only stand-alone fly outfitter in the area.

A

themselves. Some don’t talk about their flies at all.”

Walters is a signature designer for Umpqua, one of the biggest fly companies. It’s a skill he takes a lot of pride in.

“There’s a lot of creativity, ingenuity and manipulation of different materials as far as fly behavior in the water, which is referred to as action,” he said. “You try to mimic nature and trick the fish with the feathers and fur, and there are a million different patterns out there. It can take anywhere from a minute to several hours to tie a fly.”

EFO offers guided tours for trout fishing on the South Holston, Watauga and Fort Patrick Henry rivers, along with many small streams that are home to the native brook trout.

Or you can stalk bass, muskie and carp on the Nolichucky, Holston Proper and French Broad rivers.

Saltwater trips are also available.

See easternflyoutfitters.com for rates.

July 2015

Out-N-About

21

Happy Campers

The natural beauty of Watauga Lake offers a spectacular view from the Cardens Bluff campground.

Ron Fink

Roughing it or not, fine destinations await

By Ron and Anita Fink All of us in Northeast Tennessee have been truly blessed by geography, and we’re here to share a few observations as we go “OutN-About” in our little Livin’ Lite camper.

We are new to vehicle camping, having always backpacked in our younger days. But heavy packs, sleeping on the hard ground and (forgive me) relieving yourself in the woods just isn’t as appealing as it once was.

We are newly retired and still enjoy being outdoors, hiking and seeing new places with our pup, so we decided to buy a small pull-behind camping trailer. It seemed the perfect answer. We still get to experience the great outdoors, but we have a fixed bed with a soft mattress off the ground; we have a bathroom complete with a toilet and shower, and a refrigerator to store the food to prepare our gourmet meals.

A lot of people would laugh at us

22

Out-N-About

July 2015

Linville Falls has a small but well-maintained campground. and say, “That’s not roughing it.”

And it is not rough; it is lots of fun!

Our ultimate goal is to do some long-haul trips — one to the American Southwest, one to Maine and

Anita Fink

hopefully into Canadian Maritime Provinces. But the overwhelming logistics of these trips and our lack of experience towing are the things holding us back at the present time.

For now, we are enjoying finding little “gems” in our own backyard.

Over the past few months, we have been searching different types of campgrounds within easy towing distance in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and, of course, Tennessee. Every trip we find cool things, and when we tell our friends about them we always get the same reply: “Wow, I have never heard of that!” So we decided to write down some of our adventures for those of you who might be interested in knowing about what’s out there.

We have learned several interesting things (and still have loads to learn) about camping and the people who enjoy it. We are discovering that there is a wide variety of camping installations, from state and national parks, to government recreation areas, to privately owned campgrounds. Each of the ones we have visited has pros and cons.

It seems the state parks tend to have the most “private” sites, usually See CAMPERS, Page 23

Campers Continued from Page 22

spaced farther apart and with vegetation growing in between sites. Often, the privately owned campgrounds have sites stacked up on one another.

But that’s not always the case.

Over in Linville, North Carolina, Linville Falls has a very small campground, and they have done a fine job keeping the sites maintained and establishing some privacy with plants. While we were there last fall, the owner was even replanting some shrubs between sites that had been damaged by storms. This campground is just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, which makes it a great home base for lots of activities.

Beautiful Linville Falls and Linville Caverns are a short distance away. We hiked the upper and lower falls; both offer easy hiking with several overlooks. Definitely worth seeing. The lovely little town of Blowing Rock is

approximately 30 minutes up the parkway. That drive itself is spectacular as you cross the Linville Cove viaduct and drive beside Julian Price Lake.

Of course, some people prefer to be more out in the open as evidenced by “Anchor Down,” another private RV park located on Douglas Lake near Sevierville. This campground has concrete pads stair-stepped up a hill with no trees at all, so every campsite has an unobstructed view of the lake.

And a beautiful lake it is.

We didn’t stay there, just drove through scouting. Scouting is what you do on a pretty day when there is not time for a camping trip, but you want to see what is out there to plan future trips.

The next part to choosing a campground is to check what “amenities” are offered. Many of the Tennessee and Virginia State Parks have power and water hook-ups. This means that you can basically camp in your private hotel room on wheels. No roughing it here; with power and water you can have all the creature comforts you choose from a gas/fan

powered furnace or electric heater to air conditioning to a refrigerator and freezer. Us, well we choose not to have a TV or internet. It keeps us out at night by the fire watching the stars.

Back in April at Hunting Island State Park in South Carolina, when the overnight temperature fell to 29 degrees, I was sure glad to have my electric heater to knock off the chill.

Even the tent campers had extension cords running across their campsite into the tent. I’m sure that was for a heater, or at least an electric blanket.

Two very nice Southwest Virginia state parks we have found are Claytor Lake and Smith Mountain Lake.

Both campgrounds have hook-ups and are within walking distance of their lakes.

Obviously there are multitudes of recreational choices when you camp near a lake — fishing, boating, kayaking and hiking, to name a few.

One discovery that we found most interesting is a series of small lakes in North Carolina and Virginia that were formed by dams built by the Army Corp of Engineers. We grew up know-

ing that South Holston, Boone and Watauga dams were built for flood control and recreation, but we had no idea that many other area lakes were created in the same fashion.

Near Wilkesboro, North Carolina we camped at W. Kerr Scott Reservoir with campsites right on the water and again with electric and water hook-ups. The sites were a bit more open than camping in the woods but had beautiful views of the lake.

From our camper, we could walk across grass right to the water’s edge. It goes without saying that most of the people staying at this campground brought their rods and tackle boxes with them. Many even had their boats parked next to their camper or tent.

We chose the campground for a completely different reason. Wilkesboro put us at the head of the Yadkin Valley and within easy distance of many vineyards and wineries of that region. On our trip, we visited three very nice wineries and met wonderful people at Sander’s Ridge, Elkin Creek and Grassy Creek.

Beneath the

Tahitian Sunset THE HOPE GALA

AUGUST 15, 2015

Presented by:

Join us at sunset for an elegant evening with dinner, dancing, live entertainment, auctions, and more, while we raise funds to help the American Cancer Society finish the fight against cancer.

To purchase tickets, call 423-975-0635.

July 2015

Out-N-About

23

In the Zone

Calendar of events

Comedy club still getting the laughs

By Daniel Bratton For the better part of two decades, the premier place in the Tri-Cities to watch live standup comedy is the Comedy Zone in Johnson City.

Located at the Holiday Inn inside Reflections restaurant, the Comedy Zone has been showcasing the talents of a wide variety of comedic talent. On an unassuming stage, every Friday and Saturday night at 8 and 10:15, the brave men and women who make standup comedy their lives ply their trade for appreciative local and visiting audiences.

The Comedy Zone has been a place for young startup comedians to hone their skills as well as seasoned veterans who never got that big break but have still made a living working on the road.

In my experience, this local treasure has been overlooked and never seemed to make it into a must-see event for a weekend out. For one reason or another, it had fallen off my radar.

I decided to change that and went to see a live performance on a Saturday night in late June. I arrived early for the 8 o’clock show to get a feel for the place that has been an institution in our area for so long. The bar and restaurant staff were competent and friendly, and I settled in for a night of laughs and entertainment.

The feature acts for the night were Jeremy “Burpie”

24

Out-N-About

Daniel Bratton

Kenny Smith rolls through his routine during a recent performance at the Comedy Zone.

Alsop and Kenny Smith.

Alsop, as he was introduced, had a confidence and stage presence that got the crowd’s attention and respect. He told tales of parenting, sibling rivalry and the ignorance of racism that made him an instant crowd pleaser. It was a hit with the crowd and showed that he had been honing his craft for years.

The headliner was Smith, who according to his introduction has appeared on the Bob and Tom Show. The man had a confidence about him

July 2015

that showed no fear in the least.

He was articulate, funny and told stories of awkwardness, humiliation and seemed to derive great pleasure in making fun of himself. He owned the stage and the crowd was his for the taking. A definite veteran comedian that has spent his life on his craft, Smith was unapologetically real and over the top with his delivery. Very funny stuff.

I caught up with Alsop after the first set of shows to get his take on per-

forming here in Johnson City. When asked if he did anything different when he performed in conservative, Southern areas, he casually shrugged.

“Not really,” he said. “I do tailor my performances to the crowd, but I just feel them out as I go. It doesn’t make a difference to me what city I am in.”

Alsop has been performing like this for six years and spends most of his time on the road. He has opened for many comedy legends, such as Dave Chappelle and Katt Williams.

He described having to change the delivery of jokes when they have to have time to reach the entire crowd when playing 10,000-seat venues. He did speak to the fact that the early show is more of a PG-13 environment and the less censored material was reserved for the late show.

There was a brotherhood among comedians that I saw, and Alsop and Smith were very happy with any promotion for the Comedy Zone.

They spoke of times when more people came out.

These men both are road warriors and make ends meet by people showing up and buying t-Shirts and other merchandise. They were both very real, unpretentious people that just enjoyed making a living making people laugh.

I have to say that I will be making The Comedy Zone a more regular stop on my weekends out. It’s a great way to have fun with friends, new and old. I have also gained a new respect for comedians and their art.

JULY 1 — Opening of The Understudy, Barter Theatre, Abingdon, Va. 2-4 — Jonesborough Days 2 — Lyrics on the Lawn; Dickson-Williams mansion, downtown Greeneville; 8 p.m.

2 — Music & Movies in the Park; Cumberland Square Park, Bristol; music (Duty Free) at 6:30 p.m.; movie (The Boxtrolls) at 9 3 — First Friday, Downtown Johnson City (downtownjc.org) 3 — Red, White and Beach party, Abingdon Market Pavilion, 6-9 p.m.

3-4 — Comedy Zone, Holiday Inn, Johnson City (shows at 8 and 10:15 p.m.)

4 — Pepsi Independence Day Celebration, Freedom Hall Civic Center, Johnson City; music featuring Brad Puckett at 5 p.m., fireworks at 9:55 4 — Jonesborough Days parade, 10 a.m.

4 — Bristol Independence Day celebration, Cumberland Square Park, begins at 6 p.m., fireworks at 10 4 — Kingsport Independence Day celebration; parade begins on Center Street at 10 a.m; Broad Street festivities.begin at 5 p.m., fireworks at 9:45 4 — Watauga Lake Boat Parade; begins 2 p.m. at Watauga Dam; fireworks at Lakeshore Marina at sundown and Cove Ridge Marina at 9 4 — Welcome Home Veterans parade; begins at 11 a.m. in Food City parking lot, North Main Avenue; vets treated to complimentary hot dot lunch at Veterans Memorial Park after parade 4 — Rocky Mount Historic Site presents an Old-Fashioned Independence Day; tours conducted from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

9 — Lyrics on the Lawn; Dickson-Williams mansion, downtown Greeneville; 8 p.m.

9 — Music & Movies in the Park; Cumberland Square Park, Bristol; music (Ivy Road) at 6:30 p.m., movie (Annie) at 9 10-18 — Fun Fest, Kingsport

See CALENDAR, Page 25

Calendar

Up in smoke: the hookah treatment

Continued from Page 24

By Daniel Bratton

A tradition hundreds of years old is being kept alive at the corner of Spring and Tipton streets in downtown Johnson City.

The Lit Hookah Lounge & Bar has been operating for the last few years, catering to the newly inquisitive and longtime hookah smokers alike.

Hookahs are single-stemmed water pipes that allow the smoke to pass through water, cooling it before it is inhaled. Flexible tubes or hoses are used, sometimes multiple tubes on the same device, to allow for an ease of use since the hookah itself is stationary.

The tobacco-based substance is called shisha and is a mixture of specialty tobaccos, glycerine and molasses. Hookah is something that needs to be enjoyed first hand to really get an appreciation for this method of smoking tobacco.

Upon walking through the doors of Lit, it is almost impossible not to feel relaxed and welcomed with the low lights, music and large couches that adorn the large, open space. Flags of countries all over the world decorate the walls.

There really is a worldly and social element to smoking hookah as multiple tubes can be attached allowing two or more people to experience it at the same time.

Upon meeting with manager Dylan Beauregard, it is immediately apparent that this is more than a job to him. It is a passion.

He was quick to explain that this was a different and, in his eyes, much better expe-

Daniel Bratton

Lit has a tranquil atmosphere.

Daniel Bratton

rience than smoking a cigarette. As he set up my hookah, helped me select my flavor of shisha and gathered the coals, I could tell that this was going to be something special.

This was not going to be a 15-minute break from work to inhale a quick blast of nicotine to help cope with the stresses of a busy schedule. This was a slow, ritualistic process that reminded me more of religious ceremony.

When Beauregard was finished and had the coals burning red, he handed me the hose and my journey began. As the smoke began to fill my lungs, the flavors of citrus and lime became apparent almost immediately. Lit offers a wide range of flavors and strength levels, so finding the perfect fit is nothing that needs to be a concern.

After only a few draws off the hookah, the soothing, calming effects began to take over and the hectic, chaotic pressures of everyday life began to fade away. This continued with every draw and only became more relaxing to the point that I let myself sink down into the plush couch and drift into a totally peaceful state of mind.

Lit offers this experience to individuals 18 and over and even has a good beer selection for those over 21. The clientele is mostly college age.

Depending on what flavor of shisha you select to enjoy the prices range from $5 to $9 per person. The smoking experience can last well over an hour.

10-11 — Comedy Zone, Holiday Inn, Johnson City (shows at 8 and 10:15 p.m.)

16 — Lyrics on the Lawn; Dickson-Williams mansion, downtown Greeneville; 8 p.m.

16 — Music & Movies in the Park; Cumberland Square Park, Bristol; music (Shooter) at 6:30 p.m., movie (Night at the Museum) at 9 17-18 — Comedy Zone, Holiday Inn, Johnson City (shows at 8 and 10:15 p.m.)

21 — Opening of Rapunzel, Barter Theatre, Abingdon, Va. 23 — Lyrics on the Lawn; Dickson-Williams mansion, downtown Greeneville; 8 p.m.

23 — Music & Movies in the Park; Cumberland Square Park, Bristol; music (Kids our Age) at 6:30 p.m., movie (Now You See Me) at 9 24-25 — Comedy Zone, Holiday Inn, Johnson City (shows at 8 and 10:15 p.m.)

27 — Full Moon Jam, Downtown Center, Bristol; 7 p.m.; free 30 — Lyrics on the Lawn; Dickson-Williams mansion, downtown Greeneville; 8 p.m.

30 — Full Moon Jam, Downtown Center, Bristol; 7 p.m.; free 31 — Comedy Zone, Holiday Inn, Johnson City (shows at 8 and 10:15 p.m.)

AUGUST 1-10 — Virginia Highland Festival, Abingdon, Va. 1 — Comedy Zone, Holiday Inn, Johnson City (shows at 8 and 10:15 p.m.)

5 — An Evening with Mark Dawidziak, Barter Theatre, Abingdon, Va. 6 — Music & Movies in the Park: Bark in the Park, Cumberland Square Park, Bristol; bring your furry friend; music at 6:30, movie (Beethoven) at 9 7 — First Friday (Our Northeast Tennessee Great Outdoors), Downtown Johnson City (downtownjc.org) 7-8 — Comedy Zone, Holiday Inn, Johnson City (shows at 8 and 10:15 p.m.)

11 — Full Moon Jam, Downtown Center, Bristol; 7 p.m.; free 12 — Opening of Spit Like a

July 2015

Big Girl, Barter Theatre, Abingdon, Va. 12 — Opening of The Blind Man’s Tale, Barter Theatre, Abingdon, Va. 13 — Full Moon Jam, Downtown Center, Bristol; 7 p.m.; free 14-15 — Comedy Zone, Holiday Inn, Johnson City (shows at 8 and 10:15 p.m.)

15 — Hope Gala: Beneath the Tahitian Sunset; American Cancer Society fundraiser at the home of David and Linzi Hatley; dinner, dancing, live entertainment and more; call 975-0635 to purchase tickets 16 — Mountain Stage with Larry Groce, Barter Theatre, Abingdon, Va. 18 — Full Moon Jam, Downtown Center, Bristol; 7 p.m.; free 18 — Opening of Consumed, Barter Theatre, Abingdon, Va. 20 — Full Moon Jam, Downtown Center, Bristol; 7 p.m.; free 21-22 — Comedy Zone, Holiday Inn, Johnson City (shows at 8 and 10:15 p.m.)

24-29 — Appalachian Fair, Gray Fairgrounds 25 — Full Moon Jam, Downtown Center, Bristol; 7 p.m.; free 27 — Opening of Shake, Rattle and Roll, Barter Theatre, Abingdon, Va. 27 — Full Moon Jam, Downtown Center, Bristol; 7 p.m.; free 28-29 — Comedy Zone, Holiday Inn, Johnson City (shows at 8 and 10:15 p.m.)

SEPTEMBER 1 — Full Moon Jam, Downtown Center, Bristol; 7 p.m.; free 3 — Full Moon Jam, Downtown Center, Bristol; 7 p.m.; free 4 — First Friday (Main Street America), Downtown Johnson City (downtownjc.org) 4-5 — Comedy Zone, Holiday Inn, Johnson City (shows at 8 and 10:15 p.m.)

8 — Full Moon Jam, Downtown Center, Bristol; 7 p.m.; free 10 — Full Moon Jam, Downtown Center, Bristol; 7 p.m.; free 11-12 — Comedy Zone, Holiday Inn, Johnson City (shows at 8 and 10:15 p.m.)

12 — Watauga Lake Triathlon, Butler (wataugalaketriathlon.com) 12 — Opening of The Three Musketeers, Barter Theatre, Abingdon, Va.

See CALENDAR, Page 26

Out-N-About

25

I

Trying to make sense of the senseless

n the past, I’ve been faced with offering comfort, solace, and words of reason in times of horrific events. Those events have occurred at different times over my journalistic career.

The first time I wrote about an inexplicable tragedy was in July of 1984. I was working the night shift at the Johnson City Press-Chronicle or the Johnson City Press or whatever it was calling itself at the time, and a man named James Huberty walked into a McDonald’s in San Ysidro, California, and commenced to killing twenty-one people and wounding nineteen others before he was killed by a police sniper.

He did it because he said he was mentally ill, and that was quite obviously the case. He wasn’t a racist, and he’d tried to

Calendar

get help. But he was ill, and no help was forthcoming because he hadn’t shown any real signs of the murderous rampage upon which he was about to embark.

Scott There have been many, many other Pratt instances since then.

Whites have killed blacks. Whites have killed Jews and Jews have killed whites. Whites have killed whites. Blacks have killed whites. Blacks have killed blacks. Latinos have killed blacks and whites and whites and blacks have killed Latinos. Every race has killed police officers and police officers have killed every race. In other words,

Email calendar items to outnaboutmagazine@gmail.com.

26

Out-N-About

accept that there are risks to democracy and to the melting pot of ethnicity that makes us so vulnerable, yet so intertwined by common experience that there is no society — not one — that is as strong as ours. We are like rope, yarn woven and twisted together until it becomes so strong that it cannot be broken.

The Charleston murders will not be the last we see in this country. We live in a society that, by it’s very nature, is rife with risk. But with each tragedy, we become a little more vigilant, and because the tragedies are now so quickly publicized and analyzed, we become a little more self-aware. We must pay attention, we must look out for one another.

Only then can we hope to minimize the meaningless tragedies we have all come to abhor.

Lester Bean

Jenner’s journey far from over

Continued from Page 25

15 — Full Moon Jam, Downtown Center, Bristol; 7 p.m.; free 17 — Full Moon Jam, Downtown Center, Bristol; 7 p.m.; free 18-20 — Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, Downtown Bristol (bristolrhythm.com or 423-573-1927) 18-19 — Comedy Zone, Holiday Inn, Johnson City (shows at 8 and 10:15 p.m.)

21 — Taste of Johnson City, JCCC 22 — Full Moon Jam, Downtown Center, Bristol; 7 p.m.; free 24 — Full Moon Jam, Downtown Center, Bristol; 7 p.m.; free 25 — Opening of Curtains, Barter Theatre, Abingdon, Va. 25-26 — Comedy Zone, Holiday Inn, Johnson City (shows at 8 and 10:15 p.m.)

OCTOBER 2 — First Friday (Autumn in Appalachia), Downtown Johnson City (downtownjc.org) 2-3 — Unicoi County Apple Festival 2-4 — International Storytelling Festival, Jonesborough

everybody has killed everybody for some reason or another.

And what shall we do about it? Shall we put more people in jail? We already imprison more people per capita than any developed nation in the world. Shall we get a handle on gun control? Forget it. Our politicians simply do not have the courage to implement any kind of meaningful gun control reforms.

Do we do away with racism? We can try, but racism runs so deeply in this country that it will be a long, long time before it is eradicated. Don’t get me wrong. Meaningful steps have been made. But the Dylann Roofs of the world are still out there and they aren’t going to disappear magically.

So what do we do? We accept that there is risk to living in this society. We

My buddy Homer Jones was sitting next to me at Miss Kitty’s Honky Tony and Laudromat when they showed him… er… her… well… that person on the television.

“What do you make of that?”

Homer said, sticking his chin in the direction of the TV. You mean Jenner?

“Yeah, what do you make of it?”

I don’t make much of it at all, Homer. I try to occupy my mind with more important matters. Like beer, for instance. I’d rather think about beer than Bruce Jenner.

“I think he’s the biggest phony since the emperor.”

The emperor?

“Yeah, the one that wasn’t wearing no clothes and convinced everybody that he was. Paraded around naked in the streets while they all cheered and told him how beautiful his new clothes were. Jenner’s like that. He’s a con man. A snake-oil salesman.”

But he’s a transgender now. He’s transformed himself from a man into a woman and he’s done it in a way that has touched thousands, maybe

July 2015

millions of people.

“The transgender population in the U.S. is about .02 percent, so he ain’t touching many lives. And he ain’t no woman. He’s a man who paid a bunch of doctors four or five million dollars to turn him into a sorta woman with big feet and big hands.”

But he’s discovered himself, Homer.

He’s going to live out his life at peace with his sexuality. Don’t you think that’s inspirational? Don’t you think that’s a beautiful thing?

“He’s had three wives and he’s fathered six children. He won the Olympic decathlon, for Goodness sakes, and got himself put on millions of boxes of Wheaties. He was covered in enough hair to keep an Eskimo warm. There ain’t much estrogen in there, brother Lester. Never has been.

This just ain’t natural.”

There apparently is some estrogen in there now, Homer. Have you seen him lately?

“The doctors and his money have helped him turn himself into a circus sideshow, which is exactly what those reality TV people are looking for. Do

you think he’ll take his newly discovered sexual serenity and drift off into a life of dignity and privacy? Heck no, he won’t. The book deal is signed and the reality TV deal is signed. He’s going to make boatloads of money by becoming a woman, as if he didn’t already have boatloads of money.

He’s worth a hundred million dollars, you know.”

No, Homer, I didn’t know that.

“And you know what he’s going to do when he’s made his new boatload of money and after he’s received all the newest fragrances and finest fashions from the hottest designers?”

Hook up with A-Rod? “Sometimes you’re uncanny, Lester.

That’s exactly what I was thinking.

He’ll hook up with A-Rod. But do you know what will happen after that?”

Enlighten me, please.

“He’ll realize that A-Rod is way worse than Kris Jenner and he’ll spend millions more going back to where he belongs.”

Funny how life works out sometimes, ain’t it?

There’s no good place for this flag to fly

By Melinda Curry

Real change has nothing to do with Stars and Bars

By Harrison Jenkins Here were go again. Something bad happens and the liberals start clamoring that we must DO something. We must make a CHANGE. The change will have no meaning, but we must implement some sort of reform so the bad thing doesn’t happen again.

The bad thing of which I’m speaking is the unspeakably horrific murders of nine worshippers at Charleston’s Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church by the alleged young murdering racist Dylann Roof. Roof walked into the church, which apparently had no security at the time, sat around for an hour or so, and then opened up with a .45 caliber pistol.

He reloaded several times.

He took his time. And then, like the coward he is, he ran away. They caught him in North Carolina more than two hundred miles away.

So what CHANGE has the liberals come up with that will salve this wound? They aren’t talking much about reforming gun laws, which isn’t surprising since they weren’t able to make any headway with gun reform after another twenty-year old walked into an elementary school and murdered twenty children and six adults at Sandy Hook a couple of years ago. The CHANGE this time, the ANSWER, is to remove the Confederate flag that hangs above the South Carolina statehouse.

You can say what you want about the symbolism of that flag being in that particular place. It was placed there in protest to the heavy-handed methods being employed by the federal government during the civil rights movement. Strom Thurmond — the darling of Watergate — took umbrage to the feds telling him and his fellow legislators how to run their state and in

what he might even regard now as a bit of a knee-jerk reaction, he led a movement to place the Confederate flag above the statehouse.

Should it come down? Even I, staunch conservative that I am, believe it should. It serves absolutely no purpose. But it should come down in due time, because the South Carolina legislature believes it to be the right thing to do. It should not come down as a concession to the media and the left.

Because one thing is for certain. Removing that flag from the South Carolina statehouse isn’t going to do a single thing to ease the tremendous racial tensions that remain in this country. Race relations haven’t really changed much since the late sixties. White people don’t really want black people to become empowered and to prosper, and as long as that attitude prevails, the more things change, the more they’ll stay the same.

The Confederate flag must now be relegated to its proper place in history. It should be displayed in a museum or three or perhaps occasionally tied to a small pole and hung in the bed of a pickup truck belonging to a misinformed, uneducated teenager who thinks it symbolizes revolution or states’ rights.

The Confederate flag, as it is popularly known, was first sewn in 1861 as the flag of General P.G.T. Beauregard’s Army of Northern Virginia. Beauregard’s army won the first battle of Bull Run at Manassas, Virginia.

There were about a hundred and twenty other versions of the Confederate flag sewn and displayed during the Civil War, but Beauregard’s was the one that endured.

So, in the beginning, the Confederate flag was a battle flag, a flag that symbolized violence. And what was the basis of that violence? The Civil War. And what was the basis of the Civil War? Slavery. You can talk about states’ rights all you want, but the Civil War was fought because the southern states wanted to continue to earn huge profits from their agrarian culture, and they couldn’t do it without slaves.

Had there been no slavery issue, there would have been no Civil War. And for the past fifty years we have had the flag hanging high above the

July 2015

state house in South Carolina, the same state where nine innocent, defenseless black worshippers were murdered in their church by a deranged racist last week. And why was the flag of P.G.T. Beauregard’s Army of Northern Virginia fluttering in the breeze above the South Carolina statehouse? Because the racist Strom Thurmond and his racist colleagues voted to hang it there as an act of defiance against the federal government for implementing civil rights legislation — legislation designed to level the playing field for blacks. Other states who have been bastions of racial equality — Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi — stopped short of flying the Confederate symbol of hate over their statehouses; instead they incorporated it into the design of their own state flags. Even in Tennessee, I’m ashamed to say, you can order a license plate for your car that displays a Confederate flag.

Will removing the battle flag of Northern Virginia from above the statehouse in South Carolina eliminate racism in this country? No. Will it be a start? Probably not. But at least we can show the thirty percent of South Carolinians who happen to have been born black that we will no longer support sticking a symbol of hate and divisiveness in their faces every day of every year.

Out-N-About

27

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