Cryin’Mary-6
LucianWadeGreen-10
FoodTrucks-16
TapTheMic=22
Who’sOnTheDrums-24
SamClay-28
AhavaHotYoga-34
Writers
JonDuncan
KimCargill
JamesCargill
Photos
Jon Duncan
Chris Layton
Kim Cargill
Art
Jay Mean
Kyle Cargill - Garretson
Editer
James Cargill
882-B
Cryin’ Mary is a Power Trio from the Nashville/Murfreesboro Area. Bassist Levi Allen, guitarist Michael Davidson and Drummer Joseph Jernigan are one hell of a band! We caught them at Revel House’s Tap the Mic and it was powerful!
The three split off from the band Vintage Soul to form the three piece band they had been dreaming of, taking the name from Jimi Hendrix’s “The Wind Cries Mary”. The new band started off playing covers in bars and restaurants in Meridian, Mississippi, hometown of drummer, Joseph. They soon had a feel for the new band and decided to move on to bigger and better things…Nashville! They were asked to open for Sadie Fine at DRKMTTR in Music City. The band unleashed original songs at this show and never looked back. They have been extremely thankful to Sadie for that opportunity!
The show we saw at Revel House was an outstanding debut in Clarksville! They will be back there on March 30th, don’t miss it!
So many influences for these guys, including: Allman Brothers, Led Zeppelin, Hendrix, White Stripes and more
TO FIND US AROUND THE VILLE, HEAD TO OUR SOCIALS AT SMASHNBEEFCO
“I feel better about myself as a musician than I have in a long time, and I think it’s because of songwriting.”
Lucian Wade Greene is sitting on my couch, a glass of Jack Daniels in his hand. He’s 33 years old, married, and father to a one-and-a-half year-old son On stage, he often wears a flat brim hat over his dark hair and close beard, his t-shirt sleeves rolled up around his tattooed biceps like a 50’s greaser, and lace-up leather boots. His demeanor is reserved when speaking- he responds in efficient, measured sentences, never letting himself ramble.
On stage, he rarely says much into the microphone- In fact, he once played an entire Lone Watie show on a bet without speaking to the crowd. Once his pick strikes the first string, however, a ringing wall of sound and raw emotion floods the room. His voice carries a raspy edge, often accompanied by a cigarette hanging from his lips He maintains a masterful control over the microphone, using distance and the angle of his face to even out the forcefulness of his surprising vocal range. From low, whispery tones to full-throated belting, he sings with fearless confidence and abandon. Lucian plays his guitar with the same deft energy, wringing wails and screams out of his Gibson L-00 that an acoustic was never meant to project. Wood and steel are pushed sometimes to the point of pulling the strings out of tune, the body showing pick wear from the sound hole to the top binding. Five people at a solo dive bar gig get the same show as a packed festival crowd - Lucian has one speed, and it’s all the way in. He never takes a lead guitar break lightly. Whether playing a Jason Isbell cover or performing one of his original Still Moves songs, he’s always searching for something to say musically- sometimes soaring, sometimes staggering up the fretboard of his Faded Black Smoke Burst PRS CE 24 electric guitar, taking the audience on an exhilarating roller coaster ride. He has a seasoned control of the ebb and flow of building a song up, whether solo or with a full band, making use of space and time to give each song its full dynamic impact.
Lucian first held a guitar at three years old, bought for him by his dad, Donald Greene. Within a year, they were both on stage, performing at a church Christmas service together. At seven years old, he got a Baby Taylor, with Donald teaching and encouraging him Donald shaped Lucian’s early playing, teaching him the shuffling honkytonk rhythms of classic country artists like Merle Haggard. At age 14, Lucian got his hands on his first electric guitar, and dove into the rolling, bluesy rock of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Jimi Hendrix, and Eric Clapton. Soon, he started taking lessons from Syd Hedrick, an established Clarksville lead guitar player who still performs around town.
By the time Lucian was a senior in high school, he was playing lead guitar and singing harmonies in his dad’s band, the Backlot Pickers Lucian honed his ability to improvise solos during this time, learning licks and runs from the other guitarist, Jason Runyon. He began picking up solo coffee shop gigs in college while expanding his influences to John Mayer and Matchbox 20. Lucian began playing venues after landing a gig at the Gilroy (now the Revel House) with a band called “Uncle Lenny”, named after Lenny Lamb, a regular at Poor Man’s Country Club and friend of his dad. During this time, he had also begun playing duo sets on Wednesday nights, with Cindy McElroy singing and playing congas on songs like the Civil Wars’ “Barton Hollow”, “Dear Prudence” by the Beatles, and “What’s Up?” by 4 Non Blondes. Cindy had been a member of The Beagles, a hugely popular Clarksville band, and Lucian credits her for opening doors when he first started booking gigs
It was also at the Gilroy where Lucian first met local guitar legend Lee Miller, who would later be an early member of Still Moves, playing live with the band and recording on the albums. At the time, Lee was playing in the Last Train, which included vocalist Lynn Halliburton. “He’d heard people talking about me being a guitar player- which he was a way better playerand still is,” Lucian says. “I’d heard about him as well, obviously. So I’m down there with some buddies listening to the band, and Lee had a wireless system on his guitar. And he’s just standing on top of a booth staring down at me, ripping a “Comfortably Numb” solo. Just staring dead at me, like ‘I’m the fucking bad ass here’. He was wearing glasses, fat, still looked like a cop back then,” Lucian adds with a laugh. That introduction turned into Lee being a staple on stage with Lucian, from playing acoustic/electric duo sets to rocking venues as the full, all-star cover band Lone Watie, with Jon Hassell on keys, Evan Bourne on drums, Isaac Frost on bass, and the late Henry Rives on saxophone. Ultimately, Lee would add his guitar to Still Moves, Lucian’s current main project.
Lucian stops mid-interview to answer a call. “Yeah, we got some whiskey.” Within minutes, Isaac Frost, only hours back home from a week-long tour with Chris Knight, saunters through the door, pours himself a glass, and settles his long frame into a chair, full of unshaven humor and swagger. Even before becoming the heart of Still Moves, Lucian and Isaac have long been a package deal There’s an easy familiarity palpable between them, a bond born of mutual respect and admiration, set in stone by countless late nights performing, writing, and recording together. Lucian’s reserved, serious demeanor relaxes instantly as they trade wisecracks and digs at one another with the ease of old friends. When asked how they first met, Isaac interjects from his chair in a mock old-lady voice- “You need to go play with this boy!” Lucian laughs. “My step grandma kept telling me someone she worked with had a son who was really good at guitar and that we needed to play together. I was like, yeah, sure he is,” Lucian quotes sarcastically. ‘Then I heard him play, and I was like, ok, he’s alright. Not great, but alright.” Isaac laughs, enjoying the dig.
It wasn’t long before Lucian had the opportunity to pursue writing and performing original songs with the hard-rock band Fever- a popular but short lived project featuring Lucian, Ryan Gardner (Brother Ryan) and Cody Parrish all playing lead guitars, Isaac Frost on bass, Evan Bourne on drums, with Lucian and Ryan sharing vocals.
“Starting out, I was terrified,” he says about writing his first song for Fever, “Smoke Clears”, which Fever ended up recording and making a music video for that still lives on YouTube.
“Cody Parrish had come up with a riff. I couldn’t come up with anything at all for it, didn’t think I’d be able to do it. Then the hook just came to me when I was in the shower. Within 30 seconds, the lyrics and melody followed. And that's how I’ve been writing ever since.”
“Now, for me, the melodies always come first. I think if you’ve got a strong melody, the rest will just come with it. Sometimes it comes to me in dreams. There’s been times where in the dream, I was listening to a song on the radio. When I woke up, I realized it wasn’t a real Jason Isbell or Chris Stapleton song. I don’t really remember the lyrics but sometimes I can recall the melodies. Like ‘Silver’. That riff came from a dream. It took six months to finish it. Certain songs just flow quicker. ‘Flowers’, I wrote that in a day. Ike told me to write a song about killing someone, so I wrote a kind of Western ballad about someone killing their wife’s lover.”
“Momento came from an interview we were doing with Tony Centonze about Henry,” Lucian says. Henry Rives was a close friend and early member of Still Moves who died shortly after recording their first album. ‘During the interview, Ike was talking about going downstairs and listening to Henry’s breathing on his saxophone tracks I jotted that down in my notes, and later on I came up with the guitar pattern for it. The rest of the whole verse just came along with it. I was home and Ally (Lucian’s wife) was in the next room. She heard me record that verse and she just walked in crying, and that’s when I knew it would work.”
When asked how he views himself musically, Lucian is humble. “I don’t think that I’m overly great at any of the things- I think I’m a good singer, a good guitar player, and a good songwriter, but I don’t think I’m necessarily great at any of it But I like that I can do all of those things I put more time into songwriting, that’s my focus now. I don’t practice guitar anymore, or singing. It’s a lot more rewarding to put out something that I can say, you know, me and Ike did that, instead of just playing covers. It's something that will always be there, like when Townes (Lucian’s son) gets old. Songwriting is my favorite thing now about being a musician. The feeling you get when you finish a song, it’s hard to beat Whenever you’re in the process of writing it, beating yourself up over lines, you know, when you finally get it done, that’s my favorite thing.” Isaac interrupts: “And then he comes over to record and I get a hold of it…” Lucian laughs. “Yeah, and then Ike puts some reverse reverb on it.” He credits Isaac for filling out and refining the sound of the songs he writes for Still Moves. Some of his additions have become iconic “That part in ‘Southside' where when we play live the crowd sings back the echo, that’s really cool. I wait for it now, but I probably fought him about it at the time. He’s got such a creative mind, he just transforms whatever I bring to him.”
When it comes to writing the instrumental parts and guitar solos for his music, Lucian approaches them in a more relaxed manner. “With the early stuff, like Southside, I kinda knew what I wanted for the solo. I’d want everything ‘like this’. Now, I write songs more as a concept and me and Ike and go back and forth It can be moved around, and I think the songs are better because of it. Ike’s adding more.”
Isaac puts his spin on it: “Well, you already know what the fuck you wanna hear, you just don’t always know how you want to hear it.”
“I’m writing with simpler ideas,” Lucian explains “And we’ll jam and see where it goes A lot of those solos aren’t even mine, it’s Isaac or Lee. I don’t play the solos the same way, I like to experiment every time. I mean, it’s hard to play what Lee Miller played on the album,” Lucian says with a laugh. Issac joins in, “Lee Miller is hell of a guitar player- I get intimidated just playing on stage with him!”
“Sometimes when recording, I’ll just play three or four solos and then Isacc will blend them together,” Lucian says. “The ‘Keep Tame’ solos were like three different takes blended. Playing live, I improvise 99% of the time. The 1% is Southside. Some things, the main parts, the riffs, we play the same.”
With the debut and sophomore Still Moves albums out, and a third EP about to drop, Still Moves has been steadily growing a following.
“The momentum is starting to pick up, you know We’re getting tighter now live, and the last show we played at Joelton Hardware, I felt like every song came together. We’re doing more on social media, and that’s my big thing for this year, pushing social media more. We’re playing outside Clarksville now. We had shows around Nashville, North Carolina, we played the Preservation Pub in Knoxville, and Southgate House Revival in Kentucky. Me and Ike are doing a lot of these as a duo instead of the whole band When I write now, I’m writing songs that’ll still sound good as a duo with me playing on an acoustic guitar and Ike on lap steel.” When asked where he’d like to be musically in 5 years, Lucian responds with measured optimism. “I’d like to play music and make a living at it. It’s tough to do though, even if you're doing covers. I think if we keep writing, keep playing more, doing runs of shows, play some festivals- even if we’re the bottom line we might get lucky- you just gotta keep writing, keep playing, man ”
To experience Lucian Greene playing live, stop in O’Neals on a Wednesday night, where he keeps a residency. To catch him with Still Moves, follow their Facebook or Instagram page and watch for upcoming shows. Their albums can be found on all the usual streaming platforms.
So many people pitched in after the tornado to feed our community. These are just a few of Clarksville’s best that were out every day supporting our town! Let’s support those who support us
Open mic is no new concept, but let me tell you, Revel House puts it out there like nobody else!
Sign ups at 7 music at 8. Seems simple enough. But when Cody Parson gets on the mic to read out the rules and bring out the first guest, people definately take notice! 22
Somevisitorsrecentlytoldmethatthisopenmicisdefinatelysuperiortoonesthey haveseen.Itsnotahousebandwithguestssittingin...thisisCodyclearingthestage forsoloperformere,fullbands,comedians,poetsandothertalentedpeopletobring theshow.SomenightsareslowerthanothersbutIhaveneverattendedonethat didn’thavesometing,shit,manythingsworthexperiencing.Someofthenightsareso wild,you’dswearitwasSaturdaynightinthecity!
Revelowner,DawnMarie,isasteadyfixtureatanyTaptheMicshow,slingin’drinks, takingvideosandcheeringalongwiththecrowd.Greattimes,deliciousfoodand amazingmusic!
Our Drummer this time is a big favorite from one of my favorite bands, Wynton Existing. Gavin Gates has impressed me from the first time i saw Wynton Existing at Wicked Good. His personality shines through as he kicks ass on drums and sings amazing backups! I love doing this piece as drummers always seem to get shoved to the back, probably for being too loud… Here is Gavin to tell us about his amazing experiences as a working drummer!
How long have you been playing? What were your early days as a drummer like?
I’ve been playing since I was 8.Just messed around and hit things. Listened to a lot of Rage against the Machine. It wasn't until later in high school that I wanted to learn more from this instrument and and start working with others. Started my first band when I was 19,
Who are your biggest influences as a drummer?
Brad Wilk, David Silvria, Ian Paice, Recently Ive been listening to more players like Benny Greb and Tommy Igoe.
What Gear are you using?
Tama drum kit, Sabian AAX cymbals, and I love Vic Firth 8Ds!
What bands are you in?
My man Wynton Existing and my boys Zip-Zapp!
Favorite thing about Clarksville music scene?
That there is actually a scene. I never had a community like this where I grew up in Pennsylvania.
Any particular shows you’ve played stand out as your favorite?
Possumstock 2023 was fantastic! Anytime I’ve played Hop Springs in Murfreesboro. 5 Spot in Nashville is great. But probably one of my favorites is when we played the Grunge Pit Hoiuse venue in Nashville. The crowd was so ready to hear some music. Moshes were had! Oh and anytime I’ve played Cleveland Ohio was so flippin RAD!!
What’s on your playlist, what do you listen to?
King Gizzard, Thee Oh Sees, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets and I always find myself coming back to the Doors and Hendrix. I also love my dubstep and EDM.
QUOTE:
Better to be a one trick pony and a multiple BAD…TRICK…PONY
Sam Clay is an up-and-coming solo artist born and raised in Clarksville Tennessee. His style can be described as hard rock with elements of metal, blues, and hints of funk. Sam fell in love with music at an early age, putting on concerts in the living room playing air guitar and singing along to Tom Petty and the Heartbreaker and KISS records. Influences include Van Halen, Motley Crue, KISS, Alice Cooper, and Guns N Roses. Guitar specific influences include Eddie Van Halen, Richie Kotzen, Steve Lukather, Neal Schon, Slash, and many more. He received his first guitar for his 8th birthday and took lessons for 10 years while performing in various bands, and playing in church before getting accepted into the Belmont School of Music for commercial guitar performance.
120
ByKimCargill
If you are looking for some bend and zen in your life I highly encourage you to take a class at the new Ahava Yoga in Clarksville. Located on Tiny Town Rd, near the intersection of Trenton Rd the new space is incredibly warm, welcome and inviting to all. Many of you in the yoga community will recognize Billy Barefoot Yogi and Padhma Dharmata from previous studios that they have had in Clarksville/Hopkinsville and we feel very fortunate to have them back. Along with several other instructors, and two business partners, they have built a full offering of classes. Although most of their classes are heated they offer non heated classes as well.
Many years back I attended my first hot yoga class. I knew that the first class was all about doing what I could do physically but more importantly allowing my body to adapt to the heat. Ideally the temperature is around 105 degrees with 40% humidity. I struggled with the heat but I fell in love. At the heart of yoga is your breath. I know that sounds so simple, we breathe all day but we rarely think about it. This breathing style is really about tuning back into your breath. Feeling your lungs fill with air. Letting it go, pushing it all out through your mouth. Filling your lungs back up again with fresh clean air. Slowing your heart rate down. Setting your intentions, whatever that may be, to relax, to let go, to forget your day, to forget your to do list, to just be. When you take your body back to the very basics, your breath, you will soon realize how much distraction there is in all of our lives. From the phone, the kids, your partner, your messy kitchen, sometimes you just need to stop and breathe.
As you move through the series of poses within a 60 minute class you will be treated to a great playlist of tunes. Music is an important part of your journey. On Friday nights they are offering artist and genre themed classes. I recently attended the Taylor Swift night, the week before was Ozzie Night. There is something at Ahava for everyone, in music and in movements. You will see others around you doing similar postures but maybe at a less difficult level or even a more advanced level. For all yoga poses, there are modifications. Billy, who has taught yoga for twelve years, often says “Yoga meets you where you are” and it is so very true. Just do what you can, where you can. Some days your balance will be on point and other days you will feel like you are just wobbling all over the place but I promise you by the end of the class you will realize how amazing your body and soul feel. The heat allows your body to be so much more flexible than you expect and often in the midst of a pose you will realize you have reconnected your heart and your body, you are listening to your soul and it is a purely magical experience. Yoga High is a very real thing - I leave every class feeling so light, full of love, incredibly motivated to do more and I always get the best rest on the nights.
I hope to see you on the mat
Love,
Kim xo*The first and last Friday of March wil be Fuck Yeah Yoga – think Rage against Machine, Metallica, etc.
Look for a 90’s Rap night coming soon, Michael Jackson and a black light yoga event.
