23 minute read
Boomerocity
BRIAN RAY
Talks About McCartney and... Bonnie & Clyde?
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BY RANDY PATTERSON, BOOMEROCITY.COM
IN CONCERT PAUL MCCARTNEY’S GOT BACK TOUR • THOMPSON-BOLING ARENA • MAY 31
WHEN ONE listens to or reads interviews with rock musicians, it is not unusual for them to reference seeing The Beatles on Ed Sullivan or to hearing the first hits of the Fab Four as their inspiration to become a musician.
What is unique, however, is when a musician gets to play regularly with a former Beatle. Those few musicians who have played - or are playing - with one of the four legends form a unique fraternity and are viewed as the cream of the crop.
Brian Ray is one of those special few who has played guitar (lead, rhythm, and bass) for Paul McCartney since his performance at the Super Bowl half-time show in 2002. In the 20 years since, Brian has toured with Sir Paul, as well as played on many of his albums - especially the live albums. Look for Brian when Paul McCartney plays the ThompsonBoling Arena on May 31st.
Brian has also worked with many other renowned artists throughout the years. His career started with a bang by playing guitar for the legendary Etta James. He’s also worked with The Reggie Knighton Band, Steve Goodman, Crystal Lewis, Rita Coolidge, Stephanie Mills, Brenda Russell, Johnny Hallyday, and many others.
Equally impressive, Brian co-wrote the title song for the huge Smokey Robinson album One Heartbeat that went to number one on the Billboard R&B chart in 1987.
The pandemic has sidelined many popular music acts - Paul McCartney was among them. As with most musicians in that situation, they have used the time to create new music and to spend quality time with their loved ones. Such has been the case with Brian.
I connected with Brian via Zoom from his getaway home (complete with an amazing vanishing edge pool in the shape of a Les Paul guitar!) in Palm Springs, California. Why Palm Springs?
“I bought a little getaway pad out here in the desert because for my whole career I’ve loved coming out to the Desert Hot Springs/ Palm Springs area to just relax after a loud noisy busy tour. It’s a perfect sort of complement to that. It’s the opposite of the noise and hustle-bustle of a tour. So I’ve been coming out here a long time, finally got a little getaway pad - a small, nice little place.”
Commenting about the impact of the pandemic, Brian said: “Like everyone else, I’m really tired of it. I would love to be free of this embuggerance. Also, a lot of my work when I’m not on the road is the sort of stuff that you have to do alone - like writing in my home recording studio is alone. I will be alone, writing quite a bit. Then, I’ll be alone with my engineer, recording, and he’s vaxxed and safe. Fortunately, I have a small home studio at my main house. So it has been actually, in some ways, a productive time.”
Then, concluding the glimpse into his private life, Brian shared that he had begun a “really beautiful relationship,” had done a lot of songwriting, and completed a podcast series called On Tour with Brian Ray. (Definitely worth a listen in my opinion!) He went on, “I got busy doing the things that you can do alone. And, to be honest with you, I don’t mind my own company. I wasn’t one of those persons that got homicidal or suicidal - thank goodness.”
Among the other things that Brian accomplished during the pandemic is a great song and a music video titled “The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde” that is built on the infamous poem written by Bonnie Parker of the actual “Bonnie and Clyde.” Brian shared the story behind the song.
“Mandi Wimmer, who produced the On Tour with Brian Ray podcast, has a really good podcast media company that she owns with her brother called Black Barrel media. One of the shows that she does, called Infamous America, is about people just like Bonnie and Clyde. When they were about to do a new season, they were starting the Bonnie and Clyde episode, which was going to be a few episodes long. They approached me about doing some music for it.”
Brian discovered that Bonnie Parker’s poem, “The End of the Trail,” held a special, pleasant surprise.
“We found that it was public domain... she didn’t want it owned by somebody.” After approaching his longtime friend, Australian musician Orianthi, about the idea of a guitar and vocals duet, they “cherry-picked” some ideas and edited the long poem to make it work as a song. Brian explained that they connected so well that “she was over at my house for maybe three hours, and we’re done with it.”
Brian was “really proud of it” and will be using it as the B-side of his upcoming solo single put out by Wicked Cool Records, so look for it on vinyl later this year.
There is much more to this interview online, where Brian talks about his early influences, his extensive guitar collection, and how fortunate he feels about a career that “never gets old!” You can watch it in its entirety - including a scoop about what’s next musically for Brian - at Boomerocity.com.
Randy’s first interview was at the tender age of 13 with none other than Col. Tom Parker. Thirty-six years later he founded the webzine, Boomerocity.com, and has conducted close to 200 interviews with some of the most interesting people in music.
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Not only are Bona finishes and sealers better for you and the environment, they dry faster and don’t “yellow” over time like other finishes - maintaining the beauty of your floors. With a reputation for exceptional performance, you can understand why Valera and his team at European Fine Hardwood Floors use only Bona’s innovative products and machines.
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UT Gardens’ Plant of the Month Zinnia Are Colorful Favorites! Featuring Profusion and Zahara Series
BY CELESTE LUCKEY SCOTT, UT EXTENSION MADISON COUNTY
ZINNIAS ARE a longtime favorite of home gardeners. They come in a wide variety of colors and flower forms ranging from single to fully double, cactus flowered, and even crested. They are easy to grow from seed, relish full sun, are loved by pollinators, and have a long vase life for cut stems. They also are tough and drought tolerant, requiring little to no additional watering once established. What more could a gardener ask for than a flower that has attributes like these? How about disease resistance?
The typical garden zinnia, Zinnia elegans, falls short in one category: disease resistance. It is susceptible to a wide range of foliar diseases, including powdery mildew, cercospora leaf spot, alternaria leaf spot, and bacterial leaf spot. Some Z. elegans cultivars claim resistance to these diseases, yet none can compare to the clean foliage offered by the hybrid Profusion and Zahara series. These series are hybrids of
Photo by marisolsauer at Pixabay Z. elegans x Z. angustifolia, which incorporate desirable attributes from each parent. Z. angustifolia, commonly known as the narrow leaf zinnia, has natural resistance to foliar disease and passes that trait along, while Z. elegans provides an array of flower
Photo by Celeste Luckey Scott, courtesy UTIA The soft contrasts of color and leaf forms create a pleasing display at the University of Tennessee Gardens, Jackson. Featured here are zinnia ‘Profusion Red Yellow Bicolor’, Flamethrower™ Salsa Verde Coleus, and castor bean. color and larger blooms up to 2.5 inches in diameter. There are some tradeoffs, however. The hybrids have a compact growth habit of only 1 to 1.5 inches height similar to that of Z. angustifolia. This change in stature shifts its use in the garden from that of a striking mid-border cut flower to a non-stop flowering front-border plant.
Profusion and Zahara have been recognized through the years for their endurance and performance in the landscape as All-America Selection (AAS) winners. In the early 2000s, ‘Profusion Orange’, ‘Cherry’, and ‘White’ each received AAS recognition. In 2010, ‘Zahra Starlight Rose’, ‘Double Zahara Fire’, and ‘Double Zahara Cherry’ were recognized, followed by ‘Profusion Double Deep Salmon’ and ‘Profusion Double Hot Cherry’ in 2013. Most recently, ‘Profusion Red’ and ‘Profusion Red Yellow Bicolor’ received AAS winner award status. This broad color range allows makes for a very versatile plant in the landscape and containers.
Zinnia in general do not look particularly attractive to shoppers in cell packs or small containers and for this reason may be difficult to find at local garden centers. However, they are very easy to start from seed and can even be direct-seeded outdoors once soil temperatures rise and all threat of frost has passed. The University of Tennessee Gardens, Jackson grew ‘Profusion Red Yellow Bicolor’ in 2021, and it was phenomenal all the way until frost. The older blooms faded to shades of orange and pink, while the new growth simultaneously produced new flushes of vibrant yellow-red blooms. All three UT Garden locations grow at least one example of these outstanding Profusion and Zahara zinnias during the summer months.
The UT Gardens includes plant collections located in Knoxville, Crossville, and Jackson. Designated as the official botanical garden for the State of Tennessee, the collections are part of the UT Institute of Agriculture. The Gardens’ mission is to foster appreciation, education, and stewardship of plants through garden displays, educational programs, and research trials. The Gardens are open during all seasons and free to the public. Visit utia.tennessee.edu/state-botanical-garden for more information.
May in the Garden
BY LISA GRUGIN
IDON’T THINK I’ve ever seen a more erratic spring than the one we’ve had. Those ups and downs made it hard on some of our plants and on us! Let’s cross our fingers that the craziness is past.
May is one of a gardener’s busiest months, so let’s get started on your to-do list: • It’s critical that you do a good checkup on your yard this month. You need to know how much damage was done by the cold. Tender plants and plants with new growth took quite a hit, so you may need to do some careful pruning. Please remember that they’re not dead if the branches are flexible! If you need guidance, give us a call. • Remember to look up. Check the trunk and canopies of your trees. Do you see sparse areas, dead or dying branches, woodpecker holes, or mushrooms? Is there sawdust anywhere at the base? Are there holes that seem to be too small for woodpeckers (toothpick size)? Do you have oozing areas? All these are signs that your tree could be struggling. If so, you need an arborist, which is basically a tree doctor. Call us for recommendations. • Look down. Do you have signs of moles or voles? They can be chased off with a repellant. If something is digging, it is likely possums, squirrels, or skunks looking for grubs. You can apply a grub killer.
Do you have brown patches or dead areas in your lawn? Come in and talk to Steve the lawn guy. He is here every
Saturday morning! • Look all around. Check for signs of disease and insects on your plants. So far we’re seeing a lot of fungal infections, azaleas with lace bugs, crepe myrtles with bark scale (another reason to NOT commit crepe murder, as it makes them more susceptible), and laurels with phytophthora root rot. It’s easier to treat an outbreak before it becomes an infestation! • If you’re planting this year, try to get larger trees and shrubs in by the end of
June so they can establish root systems before they start battling the heat. It will also behoove you to not postpone planting this year, as we are encountering even more plant shortages. • Smaller shrubs and ornamentals can be planted throughout the spring and summer but may require a little more attention to help them get established.
They are trying to put down roots and grow at the same time. Don’t overcrowd them, and give them a gentle boost with an organic fertilizer regularly. • Let’s talk about water, because over or under-watering is the number one plant
killer. Remember that sprinkler systems are great for grass and flowers, but they are often inadequate for trees and shrubs. You need to get 1” of water to the roots of larger plants every week. If it gets dry, I drag the hose out to my trees/ large shrubs and turn it on just a trickle. I let it run for 20 minutes or so, then move it to the next plant. I strongly suggest you set a timer, as I have turned my yard into a bog a couple of times by leaving the hose going overnight! It’s important to water deeply and less frequently to encourage plants to develop deep roots instead of shallow roots. It’s also best to water in the morning. Water at soil level instead of overhead. Watering the foliage encourages fungal growth. • Did you mulch this spring? If not, apply a fresh layer or top-dressing or at least go out and rake old mulch to “fluff” it, because it becomes very compacted during the winter. Mulch adds a neat look and keeps soil temperature and moisture levels stable. It also breaks down and adds nutrients to the soil. • You can prune spring bloomers once the blooms have faded. Please do some research or give us a call if you need help.
Remember that you are doing plant surgery, so don’t go out and start whacking! • Wait until the foliage has died down before cutting back spring bulbs. They are storing energy for next year’s blooms.
A little BulbTone will give them a boost. • Some of your perennials may need a little assistance as they emerge. Tall plants may need to be staked or caged, and it’s easier to do that while the plants are small.
You can also pinch plants back to encourage them to be shorter and bushier. • Be a friend to the birds and they will be a friend to you! Keep feeders and baths full and clean. Birds will remove lots of pesky insects, so attract them to your yard with plants, houses, feeders, and water sources.
We are getting several trucks in every week, so stop by often to see what’s new. Happy gardening!
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9885 Highway 11E, Lenoir City, TN 37772 865.986.7229 MeadowViewGreenhouse.com
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OPEN MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY 9AM-6PM • SUNDAY 1PM-5PM 9885 HIGHWAY 11E, LENOIR CITY, TN 37772 WWW.MEADOWVIEWGREENHOUSE.COM • 865-986-7229
New Exhibitions Opening Emporium Center May 6
THE ARTS & Culture Alliance is pleased to present five new exhibitions at The Emporium Center in downtown Knoxville from May 6-28. Most of the works will be for sale and may be purchased through the close of the exhibition by visiting in person or the online shop at KnoxAlliance.store. Denise K. Cumming and Mike C. Berry: Motion, Time, and Light in the Lower Gallery
Denise is a self-taught artist whose work includes original paintings, large-scale pole carvings and experimental photography. Her images in this exhibition result from an experimental approach to the photographic medium. The artist uses camera movement and long exposure times to “paint” unique images with the sun, various lights, and fire. The photographs are “one shot” images created in camera without use of Photoshop or composites. The resulting images are colorful, abstractly ethereal and challenge the viewers perceptions.
Mike’s works include new compositions highlighting the urban landscape; they are created in pastel and charcoal, emphasizing movement and light within the cityscape. Mike’s works have featured Knoxville and surrounding areas for the past 20 years, and he is represented by River Gallery in Chattanooga and The District Gallery in Knoxville. Four Artist TN: From this Point in the Upper Gallery
The pleasure taken from natural landscapes serves as an impetus for the four Tennessee-based artists Mike Martino, Emily McGrew, Susan McGrew, and Randy Purcell. The group that came to be the Four Artist TN met when all exhibited work in December 2012. Common ground was found in a variety of topics relating to the visual artist and the profession. They began meeting to discuss current work and professional outlook and had their first Four Artist TN show in 2017. The beginning of the pandemic in early 2020 forced some changes, and the group decided to use that time to grow. Organically, the discussion eventually touched on the idea of designating assignments that might give the work even more cohesion when presented together. In this, their fourth group exhibition, they will show for the first time group projects developed during the past two years, as well as individual artworks.
Like a camera taking pictures from different perspectives, their work shown together provides a more multidimensional model of the world we inhabit.
Sam Stapleton: Hidden Dimensions on the North Wall Artist statement: I have photographed flowers persistently for more than a decade, always in search of some new aspect or insight. I’ve frozen them, pulled them out of the neighbors’ trash, buried them in sand, and pulled them apart petal by petal to reconstruct them into imaginary new creations, all in search of some revelation about the source of their continual beauty. This exhibit reflects my quest for new dimensions within individual flowers using the power of digital processing to re-imagine their original portraits. Fiber Works by Timothy Bridges in the Atrium This new exhibition features a collection of scarves, pillows, jewelry, and apparel - all of which are based on traditional quilt patterns re-imagined in a contemporary way. Artist statement: I have been sewing since childhood, and I am fascinated by the way intricate detail can combine with color and pattern to create new forms grounded in tradition. Whimsy, fun, and a tongue in cheek attitude that is nevertheless a bit sophisticated are always a part of creativity for me. “Everything old is new again.” Timothy worked as a visual merchandising coordinator for several major department stores and spent several years designing costumes and sets for theater productions. He also designed wedding dresses Mike C. Berry and formal party wear and now devotes his time and skills to creating wearable art and home accessories in his inimitable style. TN Voices: Behind the Mask - Unmasking Mental Health in the Display Case This exhibition of theatrical mask images designed by 20 youth and young adults is to raise awareness and to promote acceptance of mental health issues. TN Voices, Tennessee’s leading mental health support non-profit, hosts this exhibition as part of Children’s Mental Health Acceptance Week May 1-7. TN Voices is an active advocate for emotional and behavioral well-being by providing services, support, and advocating for policy change at the local, state, and federal level. They are deeply committed to supporting Tennesseans by reducing stigma and increasing acceptance. Their vision is to build hope for all generations and to be the collaborative leader in guiding mental health transformation. The exhibitions will be on display at the Emporium Center, located at 100 S. Gay Street in downtown Knoxville. The Emporium is open to the public Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm. For more information, call 865-523-7543 or visit KnoxAlliance.com.
Denise K. Cumming
Spring Showers Bring Millions of Blooms to Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival
FOR A THIRD year, Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival blossoms against a Smoky Mountain backdrop to deliver brilliant floral hues to guests now through June 5. The festival features elaborate floral installations that emerge throughout the park to translate nature into living art, each coming together to create a breathtaking displays. Guests can appreciate the vibrant beauty of more than a million blooms, explore the fresh flavors of spring with an immersive tasting pass, and delight in unique entertainment offerings.
“Spring has always been so wonderful to me, because the flowers start growing, the sun shines for a little longer, and the birds start singing a new song,” said Dolly Parton. “When I was little and the weather started warming up, all us kids would gather on the porch in the afternoon and enjoy lemonade that Mama brought out for us. That’s springtime to me - getting to make memories with my family and taking in the beautiful colors everywhere.”
While admiring the vivid colors blooming throughout the park, guests can explore a menu crafted with inspiration from fresh spring flavors and Smoky Mountain flair. Returning for this year is the tasting pass, which allows guests to partake in multiple food items at different festival locations.
With the tasting pass (purchase in the park or online), guests can sample five food offerings at any Flower & Food Festival culinary location. This year’s festival menu features a Cuban sandwich with mojo sauce, Reuben spring roll, chicken and andouille skillet, beef bulgogi nachos, seafood mac and cheese, berry and honey funnel cakes, and hand-decorated flower-themed cookies and cupcakes, among many other tasty spring dishes.
A highlight of the festival this year is entertainment, including Dolly’s Butterfly Garden and the return of a former guest favorite to the park. Dolly’s Butterfly Garden is an immersive experience that allows guests to interact with nature elements in a new way. Performers from Australia combine theatrical elements and acrobatics for a thrilling new show called “Bloom!” that takes place high above ground while performers are situated atop sway poles. Guests will not want to miss this elevated display.
Dollywood’s streets are filled with music during the Flower & Food Festival. The Hall Sisters, an energetic quartet of country pop performers, will set the stage in Craftsman’s Valley. A returning favorite show, “A Brighter Day,” features five daily performances at the Back Porch Theater. All shows are included with park admission. A full schedule of live performances is available at Dollywood.com.
Back to provide shade along Showstreet is the mesmerizing Umbrella Sky, which brings together hundreds of colorful umbrellas in a brilliant, suspended arrangement that makes for an “Instagram-worthy” background. Guests looking to capture picture-perfect memories at Dollywood can stop by several locations in the park for an amazing photo. These include the Hillside Carpet Display that brings a florally-crafted sunset to Rivertown Junction, the pathways of Adventures in Imagination that are decorated with creative chalk art portraits, and Dolly’s Butterfly Garden exhibit in Adventures in Imagination.
Festival elements carry over into Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, where guests find festive décor and stunning floral accents. Daily mocktails and cocktails will be served in The Lounge at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, each drawing inspiration from the essence of springtime. Families can enjoy live entertainment in the lobby atrium, festival-inspired cuisine at Song & Hearth: A Southern Eatery, and festival-themed activities at Camp DW. Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa hosts a Winemaker’s Dinner for guests on Saturday, May 21, inside Song & Hearth: A Southern Eatery. This unique dining experience pairs festival-inspired culinary creations with exemplary wines. Reservations for the dinner can be made by calling 865-868-1246.
Dollywood looks forward to a season bigger and better than ever before. This is the perfect year to purchase a season pass in order to create memories with family and friends at the park all year long. Once the Flower & Food Festival is over, the fun continues with Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration presented by Bush’s Beans (June 18-August 7), which features an expanded drone and fireworks show every night. Experience the all-new Hoot Owl Hollow as part of this year’s Harvest Festival presented by Humana (September 23-October 29), then get in the holiday spirit with Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana (November 6-January 1, 2023). The celebration continues all year long at Dollywood.
For more information about Dollywood or the Flower & Food Festival, visit Dollywood.com or download the Dollywood mobile app.
