RAZOR NASHVILLE
DEC 2013 - JAN 2014 | RAZORNASHVILLE.COM
BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE NEW A&E REALITY SERIES
e ll i v h s a N s t r a e H Cra zy ALSO IN THIS ISSUE - THE LUST LIST - HOLIDAYS GONE WRONG WINTER FISHING - MIKE FISHER - JIM FARMER - GUY GUYDE - AND MORE
RAZOR NASHVILLE
FEATURES
CONTENTS
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SEASON ONE
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ISSUE THREE
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DEC 2013 - JAN 2014
THE LUST LIST
Everything you could ever dream about wanting for Christmas... but probably can’t afford! by Rob Youngblood
Theover C tory S
CRAZY HEARTS NASHVILLE
Behind the scenes of the new A&E reality show. by Heather Byrd
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THE GETAWAY
The top ten winter fishing spots in Tennessee. by Joey Monteleone (with Bridgett Howard)
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GUY GUYDE
24 / THE LINEUP
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People, ideas, details, words, places, information, intelligence, talking points, random tidbits, and whatever else you might find useful.
HOLIDAYS GONE WRONG
Who says that every Christmas has to be perfect? by Erica Rains
28 / LAUNCH PARTY
RAZOR had a little get together with about 250 of our close friends.
30 / LIFE LESSONS
He has beat cancer and guarded Michael Jordan. Jim Farmer should know a few things.
50 / MEAT & THREE
Puckett’s is the stop this issue for some yummy southern goodness!
52 / (HIS)STORY
The facts behind the Franklin Square Monument. by Rick Warwick
GET SMART
Finding the perfect Christmas Tree.
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34 / COOKIES & COCKTAILS
Great recipes from the legendary Loveless Cafe.
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THE DRIVE
Behind the wheel of the luxurious new Hyundai Equus. by Rob Youngblood
60 / FIT BOSS
Are you pushing yourself (and your workouts) too hard? by Brandi Binkley
RAZOR SHARP
PARTY PERFECT
Planning for your holiday guests.
The best dressed men in Nashville. This issue it is the very dapper Jonathan Powell by Sonya Stanley
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62 64 / LEADING LADIES
40 / LEGACY CHRISTMAS Giving the gift of fresh water. by Shari Lacy
44 / TABLE TRADITIONS
What will you be eating around your holiday table? by Kate Alger
HOLIDAY HANDSOME
Get your wardrobe ready for every event this season. by David Levy
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Amy Kurland and the Bluebird Cafe.
66 / SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN Nashville Predator Mike Fisher.
The End / LAST CALL Velvet Angelos from Saint Anejo
68 / WISE WORDS
from Humphrey Bogart
1
Snoring – what’s normal and what’s excessive? There is no normal or no excessive when it comes to snoring. Each individual has a unique threshold for loudness. It boils down to when your bed partner complains. That’s excessive. If you disturb your bed partner’s sleep, no matter what the intensity level is it’s too much. Some things that would be concerning if you sleep alone are waking with a very dry mouth, wake feeling fatigued or wake with morning headaches. Those are all indicators of sleep apnea, which is the problem. Snoring is just a symptom of apnea. If you are a snorer with a history of high blood pressure, that’s a big red flag for apnea.
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Sleep is the restorative phase of the day for the body, and the immune system is enhanced by sleep. Sleep also rests some of the vital organs. Your heart rate and blood pressure are lower when you sleep. Sleep is very important for normal body functions like digestion and bowel function. It is also critical to how you function during the day. If you are sleep deprived, all kinds of bad things happen. You lose concentration and you are at higher risk of a heart attack. It’s a key part of our body’s normal restorative cycle in order to refresh and restore your body for the day.
Each month Williamson Medical Center’s board-certified physicians will provide answers to your questions on a variety of health-related topics. Let us know what you want to know and we will bring our experts to you. December can be a stress-filled month, so we solicited your questions via Facebook about sleep and sleep disorders. Aaron Milstone, M.D., is board certified in sleep medicine and performs dozens of sleep studies each week at Williamson Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine at Williamson Medical Center. He reiterates the importance of sleep, something that can be the first thing to go when life gets busy and stressful this time of year. Make yourself a New Year’s Resolution to get more – and better – sleep in 2014. Did you know that what you
Why do we even need sleep?
3
eat, when you exercise, the position you sleep and even the temperature of the room you sleep in can all affect the quality of your sleep? For more information on Dr. Milstone or sleep medicine, call Williamson Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine at
Are there links between sleep disorders and depression? Yes. People with insomnia patients have a very high rate of depression and depression itself may cause insomnia. The lack of good quality sleep can just get to you after a while. Up to 50 percent of those with insomnia can have depression. But it’s hard to know which is causing which. I recommend seeing your healthcare provider to see which is the source. Start with your primary care physician and if you don’t get the results you are looking for, consider seeing a sleep specialist.
615.790.4159 or visit www.williamsonmedical.org.
4
I love my snooze button. Is that helping or hurting my quality of sleep? Great question! It is natural to think that hitting the snooze button helps you get more sleep. However, when you hit the snooze button your body begins its sleep cycle all over again. It is very likely that you will wake up in a deeper part of your sleep cycle. This leads to more grogginess rather than less.
*SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS FOR NEXT MONTH'S TOPIC: HOSPITALISTS // INFO@WMED.ORG
5
What can I do about post-menopausal insomnia if I prefer not to take drugs? First and foremost, I think it is critical to maintain a set sleep and wake time. Consistency trains the brain to realize that it is time for sleep. With insomnia, a person lies in bed trying to fall asleep and the mind begins to associate the bedroom with wakefulness, not sleep. If you can’t fall asleep in bed, don’t lie there beyond 10 minutes. Get up and do some mundane task. Go read a book, for example, but don’t do it in bed. The other thing I’d recommend is don't exercise right before bed. Exercise raises your core temperature which tends to enhance insomnia. You need to exercise in the morning, but if the evening is your only option, do it a minimum of three hours before bedtime. Lastly, there are some holistic options such as mint or chamomile tea out there that tend to soothe post-menopausal symptoms. As long as they are caffeine free, those might be good options as well because they have been associated with fewer hot flashes and night sweats.
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Have there been any advances in CPAP machines and those awful masks? Yes. CPAP today has gotten much smaller than it used to be so it tends to be more comfortable and more portable. The older ones gave set pressure to the airway. Now we have auto CPAPs that have flexible pressure depending on how much you need. I really avoid the word ‘mask’ when talking about this device, because they have come so far. Now it’s more of an interface. They are being made now with gel at the pressure points to make it more comfortable. The nasal pillows are also smaller and more comfortable. There are also new alternatives to CPAPs such as dental devices, so not everybody has to go with a CPAP.
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Is there a healthy minimum number of hours of sleep a person should get each night? This depends on your age. When we are young, we need the maximum amount of sleep. Infants require up to 12 hours a day, but that decreases with age. By the time you get middle to late age you might only require 6 to 8 hours a night. But the current accepted amount is 7 to 8 hours a night for an average adult. It can get complicated because there are some people that require more than that. There are people known as short sleepers and long sleepers. But if the average person isn't in that 7- to 8-hour window, they could be at risk for diabetes and other problems. The best way to know the optimal number of hours you need is to know how much you need so you aren’t groggy, you have a good memory and good concentration. How functional you are during the day dictates how much sleep you need.
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What can I do to try to alleviate my restless leg syndrome? We now know that complete avoidance of alcohol and caffeine greatly helps restless leg syndrome. There are also a number of medications that can cause RLS. Antidepressants, for example, have been known to cause it. Low iron stores in the body can also be associated with RLS, so make sure you are checked for anemia and do a thorough prescription review with your physician. There is a plethora of new medications that have come out recently, so inquire about those as well.
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Why do I wake up so groggy some mornings even though I have gotten plenty of sleep? Grogginess could mean many things. Medications you take at night can carry over to the morning, or interactions between something you ingest like alcohol can cause morning grogginess. If this doesn’t happen to you every night, maybe that’s because you don’t drink every night or take that cold medicine every night. You could have sleep apnea when you sleep in a particular position. Maybe the nights you sleep on your side, you don’t have morning grogginess, etc. Also, the temperature in your room could be affecting the quality of your sleep. Studies have shown if your room is too cold or warm, it affects the amount of deep sleep you get. You never get into deep sleep if you are too cold. Those are variables that change every night and could be contributing to your morning grogginess.
Faces of WESTHAVEN The eBar
100% Certified Organic, 100% Certified Gluten Free, 100% Certified Kosher, 100% Full of Taste
In his life, Westhaven resident David Dalton has found that when he’s supposed to "change his direction," resistance comes out in full force! But, it is also then that he knows he has no choice. But, when you are doing something for the right reason, it's different. You know it's not about you, or your success or failure. It's about something bigger than you. It may sound cliche, but that is how he and wife Jan feel about eBars.
No person is more important than another. All of us deserve to be treated with dignity. It is through eating healthy and providing the highest quality of ingredients in the eBars that the Daltons are trying to make a difference. David and Jan Dalton, founders of eBars.com, will be the first to tell you that following their dream of creating, manufacturing and distributing the eBar, has been the journey beyond journeys for this Westhaven couple, but they know they’ve created a very unique product that is far beyond any other bar on the market.
“Rarely does a day pass when someone tastes one of our bars, or holds a package in their hand and then asks me, "did you do this?" The answer is no. There are 100s of moving parts at eBars and all of them bear the marks, the sweat, the tears, and much more of the unseen from so many good people. This is just a portion of our story and it deserves a book to be written about it. God only knows how "crowded" the nutritional market was when I first heard the "whisper" to go down this path,” says founder David Dalton. It would be akin to a friend of yours saying, "I think I have a salsa recipe I want to take to market." Regardless of where this all ends, it's been worth the journey.” While many bars on the market are considered organic, very, very few receive the coveted 100% organic stamp that eBars has received. They are a 100% Certified Organic, Certified Gluten Free and Certified Kosher company. That means the highest standards for how their products are grown, manufactured and distributed. All of their ingredients are grown without any synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. This prevents the poisoning of their water supply, soil and atmosphere. They’ve given the utmost care and thought to every aspect of the product, all the way down to the packaging the bars arrive in. Conventional packaging does not work with their product. There is no whole food bar that uses the same material they do to protect their product. The process in sourcing this material took months and hundreds of hours in research and development. We needed to protect the integrity of our fresh ingredients.
In order to protect their product against premature spoiling, they use a package that is proprietary and currently not recyclable. However, it can be substantially compressed, thus reducing its impact on the environment. Their commitment is to push for changes in the way this packaging is made, so that they can be even more sustainable.
Visit eBars.com to find a list of locations where you can buy the bars and taste the difference for yourself! Learn more about the Westhaven Community at www.WESTHAVENTN.com advertisement
Memorability
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A
SOUTHERN L AND
COMPANY
COMMUNITY
WESTHAVEN REALTY OFFICE OPEN DAILY www.W E S T H A V E N T N .com
615.599.1764
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1001 WESTHAVEN BOULEVARD, SUITE 100
MON-SAT 10-5, SUN 1-5
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FRANKLIN, TN 37064
©2013 Southern Land Company | Broker participation welcomed. Prices, plans, dimensions and specifications subject to change without notice. Void where prohibited by law. Some restrictions apply.
RAZOR NASHVILLE
ROB YOUNGBLOOD Publisher - Editor-In-Chief - Creative Director rob@razornashville.com
KATE ALGER Business Director - Senior Editor / kate@razornashville.com LAUREN DEVENS Account Executive / lauren@razornashville.com WENDY GARRETT West Coast Marketing Director / wendy@razornashville.com SHARI LACY Contributing Editor / shari@razornashville.com KAY MAGHAN Travel Consultant / kay@razornashville.com AIMEE MCCRAY Sales Manager / aimee@razornashville.com SHERI ONEAL Staff Photographer / sheri@razornashville.com SONYA STANLEY Fashion Correspondent - Photographer / sonya@razornashville.com JANE YOUNGBLOOD Accountant / accounts@razornashville.com EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Brandi Binkley - PhysioFit Nashville Bridgett Howard and Joey Monteleone Erica Rains - The Chef and I Catering Rick Warwick - The Heritage Foundation of Williamson County VISIT RAZORNASHVILLE.COM to learn all about our staff and contributers.
CONTACT US 188 Front Street, Suite 116-106, Franklin, TN 37064 Office - 615.472.8339 General Inquiries - heyman@razornashville.com On rhe Web - razornashville.com
RAZOR Nashville is free due solely to our wonderful advertising partners. Please support them as they so generously support us! Want to advertise on the pages of RAZOR Nashville? For our current media guide, and for general inquiries, please send us an email at heyman@razornashville.com. You can also visit the advertise page of website at razornashville.com for more information.
All contents of RAZOR Nashville are subject to copyright 2013-14, and all rights are reserved. Reproduction, in whole or part, without the written consent of the magazine is prohibited. Content and photos, as well as opinions expressed on these pages, do not imply any endorsement or support of any product or person. We are not responsible for, nor will we return, any unsolicited photos, product samples, editorial content, advertisements, or manuscripts and we may use any and all material at our sole discretion, printed or otherwise. “LIKE” us on Facebook - facebook.com/razornashville “FOLLOW”us on Twitter - twitter.com/razornashville
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18 / RAZORnashville.com
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Franklin’s Most Unique Indoor Shopping Experience 230 Franklin Road in Historic Franklin | 615.791.1777 | www.factoryatfranklin.com
Abide Studio - Act Too Players Advantage Models and Talent - Always In Bloom - Amish Excellence - Annette Charles - Antiques at The Factory Artisan Guitars - Boiler Room Theater Burke Coffey Architects - Constant Craving Caterers - Dave's Barber Shop E-1 Entertainment - Essy's Rug Gallery Franklin Farmers Market - Gulf Pride Seafood - Happy Tales Humane I.S.I. Defensive Driving - J. Chastain Photography - Franklin Brentwood Arts Academy - Jeremy Cowart Photography - Journey Church Franklin - Little Cottage Children's Shoppe Little Cottage Toys - Mark Casserly Architectural Woodworking Music City Dog House - Nature's Art - O'More College of Design Saffire Restaurant - Second Impressions Clothing - SouthBranch Nursery, Inc. - SouthGate Studio & Fine Art - Spring Tree Media - Stonebridge Gallery - The Glass Touch Stoveworks Restaurant - Third Coast Clay - Times Past & Present Tuscan Iron Entries
...not your average guitar shop!
“Where Artistry Meets Craftsmanship” 866-265-5993 | 615-595-2544 | artisanguitars.com
Custom Cabinetry and Furniture www.MarkCasserly.com / 615-794-8045
Nestled deep within the historic Factory at Franklin,
Saffire is a neighborhood restaurant with a big city feel.
It’s a sought-after destination for both locals and visitors
who know it is well worth the trip outside of Nashville to experience everything that only Saffire can provide. Wonderful creative cuisine and spectacular wine,
welcoming surroundings and attentive service; this is Saffire.
saffirerestaurant.com / 615.599.4995
JEWELRY ACCESSORIES APPAREL EYEWEAR
615 9TH AVENUE SOUTH, NASHVILLE, TN 37203 I 615.248.4318 I WWW.KINGBABYSTUDIO.COM
GUY GUYDE
MORE POWER
Dec‘13 / Jan‘14 People, ideas, details, words, places, information, intelligence, talking points, random tidbits, and whatever else you might find useful.
HOLIDAY PERFECTION
What do you mean you haven’t seen the best holiday movie ever!? There's hardly a scene to forget in this near-perfect, nostalgic look at where Americana and Christmas meet. The story of a young boy's epic quest to get his hands on a Red Ryder BB gun provides the hilarious backdrop for a timeless tale full of family hijinks, frozen tongues and, of course, sex-oozing leg lamps.
Even if we don’t always want to admit it, us guys like power tools. Yes ladies you are correct, we will probably never need (or use) anything more than a basic drill but still, something about knowing we can build a three story house from the ground up makes us feel good and manly. Nevermind the fact that we actually have no idea exactly HOW to build the aforementioned house, but that is not the point. The point here is that we simply need the tools! And here is the perfect place to start. The new Dewalt 18V Cordless XRP Li-Ion 6-Tool Combo Kit. A cordless hammerdrill, an impact drive, a reciprocating saw, a cut-off tool, a high torque impact wrench, a flexible floodlight, and Li-Ion extended runtime batteries. Plus, it’s Dewalt... do we need to say more?! Learn the details at dewalt.com and don’t miss our “Lust List” Holiday Guide on page 80.
A LITTLE HELP FOR JANUARY ONE
You know you will be heading to the Gulch, or Broadway, or some swinging private party on New Year’s Eve and you fully expect to enjoy yourself. But for most of us who might have one too many, the ugliest face we own will greet us on the first day of the new year. On the one day when that supposed “fresh start” should begin, you start instead in a zombie-like stupor. There are as many dumb “cures” for hangovers as there are for hiccups, but what most guys overlook are the tried and true, everyday ways to heal a hung-over face and body.
1. Shave like you’re going to work. Prepare for hangover recovery like it’s a real 9-to-5 job. Shaving will help you get in the zone to actually treat your symptoms, as opposed to just enduring them.
2. A mug a cup of coffee and an ounce of moisturizer. Even if you’re feeling fine on the inside, your face will bear the evidence of your bad decisions. For perking, lifting, and stimulation of facial skin cells, a great moisturizer will do the trick. The coffee is because you need the caffeine to wake you up enough to actually give a rat’s ass about moisturizing!
3. Clear up the windows to your soul. Because the skin around them is so sensitive, your eyes require some targeted healing. Use your pinky finger to dab under-eye treatment around any dark circles.
4. Numb away the ache. All that (probably bad) dancing felt magical last night, but today you’re feeling the hurt. Spread on some soothing muscle rub liberally. 24 / RAZORnashville.com
JOKES WOMEN LOVE - #119
At a cocktail party, one woman says to another woman "Aren't you wearing your wedding ring on the wrong finger?" The other woman replies "Yes I am, I married the wrong man.”
A DICKENS OF A GOOD TIME
Travel back to the Victorian era for a two day holiday celebration. This year, Dickens of a Christmas continues its tradition in Historic Downtown Franklin, Saturday and Sunday, December 14th and 15th. The free street festival, is expected to attract 50,000 visitors over the weekend. More than 250 volunteers participate in the event as characters from Dickens stories, vendors, or street performers. Show up any time over the course of the weekend, and you’re sure to meet Ebenezer Scrooge, his unfortunate partner Marley (the ghost in chains), little Tiny Tim Cratchit and his family, and many more characters including Father Christmas. Truly one of the best festivals of the year in the Nashville area. historicfranklin.com
DID YOU KNOW
26 / RAZORnashville.com
The words "good to the last drop" were first uttered by President Franklin Roosevelt, after sipping coffee at the famous Maxwell House Hotel. Those words then became the slogan for the Maxwell House coffee brand, a coffee created locally by the Cheek family, whose home is now Cheekwood Botanical Garden & Museum of Art. Once located on the northeast corner of Fourth Avenue North and Church Street, the hotel was destroyed by fire on Christmas night 1961.
FORTY POPULAR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS
(in no particular order)
1. Read more books 2. Save more money 3. Lose weight 4. Redecorate 5. Take better photos 6. Travel more 7. Start a new romance 8. Buy a tablet/smart phone 9. Organize your closets 10. Do something for charity 11. Spend more time with kids 12. Take up a new sport 13. Watch less TV 14. Connect the computer to the TV 15. Leave work on time more often 16. Spend less time on social media 17. Totally revamp the wardrobe 18. Try a new hairstyle 19. Get a six-pack (not beer) 20. Eat less chocolate 21. Socialize more in real life rather than online 22. Drink less alcohol 23. Start a new hobby 24. Start a new business 25. Tell someone you love them 26. Quit smoking 27. Get a promotion 28. Learn how to use Twitter 29. Run a half or full marathon 30. Call people more than texting them 31. Cut someone out of your life who isn't good for you 32. Meet online contacts in real life 33. Learn to cook 34. Clean out the garage 35. Try to save a relationship 36. Try an extreme sport 37. Get better at social networking 38. Stop contacting/going back to an ex-partner 39. Have a face-to-face with your boss 40. Improve your sex life
GUY GUYDE nightlife
LAUNCH PARTY
W
e don’t usually do “event photos” but we thought that we should make an exception in this case since it was, after all, our own event! The RAZOR Nashville Launch Party took place at the Lucchese Store in the Gulch. We had a great turn out with well over 250 people stopping by the event. Guests enjoyed great food, great conversation, and great music from both Chris and Lolly and the duo Love and Theft and, as they say, a good time was had by all! We want to say thanks to all of our great partners who made the evening possible. The Pub for supplying the awesome food, Yazoo Brewing Company for the suds, Trianon Tequila for the shots, Liberty Party Rentals for the odds and ends, the staff at Havey Public Relations for the great planning, and Lucchese Nashville for the use of their gorgeous store. And, last but not least, a huge thank you to all of our friends and fans for making the night very special. Check out more great photos from the evening on our Facebook page at facebook.com/RAZORnashville. RN
28 / RAZORnashville.com
The RAZOR Nashville Staff
RAZORnashville.com / 29
GUY GUYDE people
S
A Gentleman Farmer
ports has always been a big part of my life, both personally and professionally but, without a doubt, the birth of my son was the greatest day of my life. The second best day of my life was being picked 20th in the 1st round of the NBA draft by the Dallas Mavericks.
My son James is six and he wears me out but, if God would have come down here and let me order a son, I wouldn’t change one thing! He is everything I ever wanted. He is a mini me, for better and for worse.
One of my favorite places in the world is Cap Jaluca, Anguilla, where my wife and I honeymooned. But I truly love middle Tennessee. If I had to live anywhere else it would be back home in Dothan, Alabama so I could be closer to my family. However, Franklin is the 17th town I have lived in since college. I have jumped around the country a lot with basketball. It is time to stay in one place.
When I was 20 years old, I thought I knew everything... but now I know that my parents were always right. With every decade that passes I realize I didn't know half as much as I thought I knew.
Ten years ago, I had stage three colon cancer. At the time, I knew it was bad but I had no idea how bad it really was. I later found out that 98% of guys who had what I had, at my age, are dead within the first year. I always thought I was Superman and nothing could get to me. I was wrong. But I had always beat the odds at everything I had done and I knew cancer was something that I just had to whip. I am lucky and blessed to still be here.
Growing up I definitely wanted to play pro football and be a Dallas Cowboy. I didn’t get the football part accomplished but I still got the pro athlete part. Playing in the NBA was a dream come true.
I was fortunate enough to share the court with some of the greatest players of all time. Guys like Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson. I played against Michael and played with Magic for four years on his All-Star Touring Team, but my favorite player to hang out with was Charles Barkley. We always had a good time.
Speaking of MJ... every time I tried to guard him I almost felt helpless, knowing he could do whatever he wanted and there was nothing I could do about it! You didn't want to end up on a poster of him dunking over you! At times you were just like a fan, in awe of his abilities. 30 / RAZORnashville.com
I think the NBA is struggling as a league right now because the game has become more about athleticism and one on one play than about executing the game of basketball. But I am a little biased toward college hoops anyway. I think that college ball is better because everyone is playing for the pride, the school, their teammates, the fans, etc. In the pro game it is more of a business where guys play for themselves or their contract.
When you’re young, sex is certainly not over-rated but, as you get older, you realize there are a lot of other things in life that are far more important. The sexiest trait a woman can have is to carry herself with class, and confidence, and just a little bit of vulnerability. But the worst mistake a woman can make is being weak and giving into a man. A man always wants what he can't have.
I waited until I was 41 to have a child. I am very set in my ways and, admittedly, even a bit spoiled. But it is no longer about me anymore. I have learned that I have to give more of myself to my wife and family. Once you learn that, it makes life a lot easier.
I’m not a great singer but I think I am an OK singer, as good as a lot of people who have done well, I’ll say that. We never released a single from my attempt at a country music career but I am very proud of the album I made back in 2003. I worked really hard at the music business but ultimately, my battle with cancer made me reassess my priorities. Cancer changed me a lot, in a lot of ways, and it made me not want to be in that world anymore. It was time for me to settle down and get on with my life.
The best advice I was ever given was that things are never as good as you think they are and things are never as bad as you think they are. How true. The best advice I could give someone is to never doubt yourself and give 110 percent in everything you do. Because anything worth doing, is worth doing right.
The worst mistake a guy can make is being weak and unsure of himself and not being a man of his word. I am a man of principal and I always try and do what I say I am going to do.
Bottomline... remember that the cream always rises to the top! RN
Father Husband NBA Baller Cancer Survivor
LIFE LESSONS from Jim Farmer
RAZORnashville.com / 31
GUY GUYDE
knowledge
GET SMART PICKING THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS TREE Whether you buy a pre-cut tree or
cut your own, there are a few things to look for when selecting a tree
that will stand up well throughout the holiday season.
Thanks to the crew at the Franklin Home Depot for helping us out with these great tips!
F
irst, consider what kind of tree to buy. If your tree knowledge only goes as far as “I want a green one” then ask an expert at a local tree farm or store for a long-lasting variety. Balsam, fir, spruce and some varieties of pine are popular tree choices. Blue spruce have a pretty silvery-blue color to them, are well liked and will hold up well, but many other types of spruce drop their needles very quickly and make poor (and ugly) tree choices. Standing trees (that have not been cut) usually last the longest, as they've had no time to dry out and/or begin to die. As long as a tree is healthy looking, free from signs of insect damage or disease, there is little to be concerned about when buying a tree that will be cut by you or tree farm workers. Look for bark that is intact, no splits, gaps or holes and with no signs of fine sawdust on the trunk or beneath the tree. These are good recommendations when buying a pre-cut Christmas tree as well. Additionally (and also for standing trees), check the needles. Pull hard on a few and if needles pull off easily, the tree is drying out and will not hold needles once you get it home. The warmth and heat of your house will just speed up the process. Brittle, browning, and yellowing needles are also signs of a dying tree. Bend the needles to see that they are pliable and do not break easily. Living Christmas trees, balled and wrapped in burlap, can be planted outside your home after the holidays have passed. Look for trees that are tightly wrapped in their native soil. To test for this, gently wiggle the trunk of the Christmas tree. It should not move around in the wrapped soil, but the ball should move with the tree. Trees balled in soil other than what they were grown in do not transplant well and will likely die. The soil should be moist and not at all dried out. If you plan to transplant your living Christmas tree, dig a hole before the ground freezes and fill it with mulch. This way, you will have the space ready for planting when you can’t dig because of the frozen soil. Living trees that will be planted should only be kept indoors for about ten days. The number one reason why Christmas trees die early, and drop their needles, is dehydration. When you get your tree home, set it up immediately and water it, or place in a bucket of water until you get it set up. Give pre-cut trees, and trees that have been cut for a while, a fresh cut to open up the trunk so the tree can drink. If you do not have a safe way to do this at home, ask the seller to give the tree a fresh cut before you leave. Keep the water in your tree's base full, checking it daily. Be sure living trees are kept moist as well and water them every day. Once you let the water dry up, the tree will begin to lose it's ability to drink water. There are also many tips and tricks for keeping trees healthy and fresh. Adding sugar to tree water, feeding the tree with ginger ale, or mixing the two are said to make a Christmas tree last and hold its needles. Some professionally prepared water additives are available as well. One last but not least note. Place your Christmas tree as far away from heat sources as possible. Not only will they dry out less quickly and last longer, but this will be much safer too. Real Christmas trees are a source of great beauty and joy throughout the season and, with these simple tips you will have a long lasting, great smelling tree this year. RN
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GUY GUYDE
eat & drink
COOKIES & COCKTAILS
Special to RAZOR Nashville from the Loveless Cafe
SPARKLING GINGER CHAMPAGNE AND APRICOT PINE NUT COOKIES Simple ginger syrup added to a glass of Champagne gives this beverage a splash of elegance that is enhanced by the subtle flavors of pine nut and apricot in the cookies
WHY DO YOU THINK SANTA HAS SUCH ROSY CHEEKS?
D
ecember is packed with Christmas parties, holiday gatherings, company events, and millions of commitments. The holidays are so special that you want to share the spirit of the season in your own home with friends and family but it’s almost impossible to imagine where you are going to find either the time or the energy to plan a party. Perhaps having something a little less formal and a little less involved is the answer. A casual “drop-in event” opening up your heart and home for friends and family to share and enjoy in a relaxed, informal setting should do the trick! This type of event requires minimal preparation, minimal service involvement, simple serving vessels and enables you to relax and enjoy your guests as they stop in. To get you started, we’ve paired up some deliciously festive beverages with equally scrumptious cookies and we have even more pairings online. Select a few to offer at your event and complement them with other family-favorites. SPARklINg gINgER CHAmPAgNE – SERvES 12 1 ½ tablespoons finely-grated peeled fresh ginger zest of 1 orange / 1 cup sugar / 1 cup apple juice or water 2 bottles Champagne or sparkling wine skewered cranberries for garnish (optional)
Add the sugar, ginger, orange zest, and ¼ cup water to a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Simmer for 2-5 minutes. Set a fine mesh strainer over bowl and pour the mixture through the strainer into the bowl. Using the back of a spoon, press the solids lightly to extract all the syrup and discard the solids. Store the syrup in airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. When ready to serve, pour approximately two tablespoons of syrup into the bottom of the glass and top with Champagne. Stir very gently, serve, and enjoy responsibly. Mixture can also be made in a large pitcher for easier serving. APRICOt PINE NUt COOkIES ½ pound butter / ¾ cup sugar / ½ cup light brown sugar 2 eggs / 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla / 2 cups flour ½ teaspoon baking soda / 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup diced dried apricots / ¾ cup pine nuts
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a bowl with an electric mixer, cream room temperature butter with sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla and incorporate fully. Sift flour, salt, and baking soda into mixture and combine. Fold in apricots and pinenuts until fully combined. Place dollups of dough on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 8-12 minutes until very lightly browned. 34 / RAZORnashville.com
HOT BUTTERED ‘SHINE AND OATMEAL CARROT RAISIN COOKIES A twist on the classic Hot Buttered Rum, this cocktail swaps out rum for Apple Pie Moonshine and is a foolproof version of the favorite warm cocktail. The flavor is complemented by another cold-weather staple, Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. While these cookie favorites can sometimes become a little dry, the addition of freshly grated carrot to this recipe keeps them moist and delicious!
HOt BUttERED ‘SHINE – SERvES 12 4 tablespoons butter (do not use margarine or whipped butter) ½ cup dark brown sugar, lightly packed ½ cup vanilla ice cream, softened ½ teaspoon apple pie spice / Apple Pie moonshine cinnamon sticks for garnish (optional)
In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium and add the sugar until dissolved and remove from heat. Add the apple pie spice and whisk in the ice cream until blended. Pour the mixture into a container and refrigerate or freeze until needed. When ready to serve, spoon one tablespoon of the “batter” into a heat-safe glass or mug. Add one ounce of Apple Pie Moonshine and top with hot water. Stir and serve. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and enjoy responsibly. Tip - This recipe can easily be adapted to the traditional Hot Buttered Rum by substituting a dark rum for the moonshine. Additionally, you can also freeze the batter into ice cube trays, making pre-measured portions for cocktails. OAtmEAl CARROt RAISIN COOkIES ½ cup butter / ½ cup sugar ½ cup light brown sugar / 1 egg ½ teaspoon vanilla / 1 cup flour 1 ¼ cup rolled oats / ¼ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon baking powder / ½ teaspoon baking soda ½ pound raisins / ½ cup finely shredded carrots
WHISPER CREEk AND “COAl” – SERvES 12 8 cups strong black coffee Whisper Creek tennessee Sipping Cream
Cool the coffee in a refrigerator before pouring into ice cube trays and freezing overnight. Place a few cubes in the bottom of the glass before pouring two ounces of Whisper Creek over top. Serve and enjoy responsibly. PECAN SANDIES 1 pound butter / ¾ pound light brown sugar ½ teaspoon salt / 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 ½ cups pecans / 4 cups flour powdered sugar (optional)
In a bowl with an electric mixer, blend the room temperature butter with sugar and brown sugar until combined - do not overmix. Add salt and vanilla and incorporate. Using the paddle attachment, add flour and pecans and incorporate fully. The dough will be firm and a little crumbly, but can be shaped into a log, chilled and sliced. Bake at 325 for 8-12 minutes until lightly browned. Optional - toss in powdered sugar to coat.
Preheat oven to 325. In a bowl with an electric mixer, cream room temperature butter with sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and incorporate fully. Sift flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda into mixture and combine. Mix in oats, raisins and carrots until fully combined. Place dollups of cookie dough on a parchment-lined sheet and bake for 8-12 minutes until lightly browned. WHISPER CREEK & “COAL” WITH PECAN SANDIES Made in Nashville, Whisper Creek is an American version of Irish Cream, Tennessee style! Delicious in hot coffee or on the rocks, we blended those options by freezing strong black coffee into lumps of “coal” and pouring the deliciously smooth cream liqueur right over the top. The buttery Pecan Sandies are an outstanding balance to the flavors of caramel and pecan.
Recipes for all of these great cocktails and cookies, as well as more pairings, can be found online at lovelesscafe.com. RN RAZORnashville.com / 35
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Sometimes the best holiday events happen at home, just socializing in your own comfortable place with family and friends. But, is your home guest ready?
hether you’ll be planning and prepping for big dinners, intimate gatherings, or mid-size seasonal soirees, the key to executing every party perfectly is in the planning. To help you get your home in shape for any event you’re hosting, we put together some simple tips to prep your home for holiday parties.
DE-CLUTTER We all let things pile up and spill out of drawers and cupboards but there's no place for clutter at a holiday party. Now is the time to get organized and create a clean, clear space for guests. The more organized your space, the Quick tip: easier it will It's also a good idea be for guests to clear clutter off of to mingle as many surfaces in and for you your house as you to create the can. This means atmosphere bathroom counters, you really coffee and end want, not to tables and even your kitchen counter. mention how Everything will look much easier much neater and it is to decomore polished, and rate your you can utilize the home when space better once you create guests arrive, more space. especially counter We suggest space which will be getting rid of at a premium once anything you the party gets going. no longer need or use. Now is the perfect time to donate unwanted goods to charities helping those in need. CREATE STORAGE Having a houseful of guests also means having a houseful of coats, purses, shoes, etc. Chances are, many of those guests will also be toting gifts, which means you need storage space for all the extra bags, boxes and winter gear that will soon be inundate your home. Move any 38 / RAZORnashville.com
PARTY PERFECT
coats, jackets or shoes you and your family aren't currently using and put them in the basement or in a bedroom closet if you have extra space.
PREP THE GUEST ROOM If you know you'll have guests staying with you on one or more occasions this holiday season (or even if you think you might), it's a good idea to get the guest bedroom ready. Clear out the clutter and create storage (as we already mentioned) so guests have somewhere to store their belongings. Dust, clean, change the sheets on the bed, and add some small comforts such as a book or two, an extra blanket, towel, pitcher and glass for water, and some travel-size toiletries (soap, shower gel, lotion) to really make guests feel at home.
ENHANCE YOUR ENTRY Welcome guests in style by jazzing up your entryway. After all, it is the first thing people see as they walk in to your space. Large vases featuring festive poinsettias, or indoor planters filled with branches wrapped in white twinkle lights or red and silver bows will anchor the space and look stylishly seasonal. Light some candles lightly scented with cinnamon, nutmeg or pine and place a few freshly wrapped gift boxes on a table or bench to further amp up the festive atmosphere.
INVEST IN EXTRA SEATING The last thing you need once guests arrive is to realize you don't have enough chairs. Even if you're not quite sure what your final head count will be for various parties, stock up on some extra seating anyway. Either rent some or pick up some simple folding chairs from Home Depot or Target. They can be left folded up and kept out of the way until you need them.
PLAN YOUR MENUS If you haven't already, now is the time to plan your holiday menu (or menus if you're throwing more than one bash). Make a list, check it twice, Quick tip: and then buy Think too about whatever nonadding some perishables you folding trays, card tables need. If there's or stools on anything you which guests can can make now, rest their drinks freeze and then if your surface bake (casseroles space is minimal. come to mind), do it. The more food planning and prep you can do now, the easier your life will be once the big day arrives. Now sit back and let the good times roll! RN
NOVEMBER OVEMBER 29 – DECEMBER DECE EMBER E 31 1 ’Tis thee season! With ’Tis With h joyful j sights,, sounds sound nds and holiday spirit, spiri pirit, it, it’s the most st wonderful time w me of the year to visit Cheekwood. classic holiday C Cheek kwood. Continue ont holi liday traditions, tr aditions, s, share share your cheer cheeer with inspired friends and nd family, fa fam and nd get inspir i ed with a vvariety vaariety of seasonal seasonal se nal activities to create cr eate memories memorieess that last la a lifetime. presented pr pre esented by
HOLIDAY HOLIDA AY WEEKENDS WE
NEW Sunday Hours DURING NG G HOLIDA HOLIDAY O Y – 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
Through December 22
drop-in studio: holiday ‘A ‘ART’ivities ART’ivities EVERY EVERY SATURDAY SATURDAY & SUNDAY SUNDAY 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Create cool crafts and warm memories in our drop-in family art studios.
live rreindeer! eindeer! EVERY SATURDAY EVERY SA ATURDA TURDAY & SUNDAY, SUNDAY, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Two Santa’s T wo off Santa’ S t ’s trusted companions will be visiting from the North Pole.
museum concert series 2:00 - 3:30 pm Live music in the Cheekwood Mansion eevery very Saturday and Sunday Sunday..
portraits with portraits santa in his workshop SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS & SELECT FRIDAYS* FRIDA AYS* YS* 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
cookie decorating decor ating EVERY SATURDAY EVERY SATURDAY & SUNDAY SUNDAY 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Sprinkle your own custom design on a deliciously iced holiday cookie! SPONSORED BY
Visit Santa in his North Pole Workshop Workshop and leave with a one-of-a-kind professional souvenir photo. Additional fees apply. apply. *EXTRA! Join us on Fridays in December to take a photo with Santa in his Workshop! Workshop! orksho Fridays, December 6, 13, 20 - 10:00 am - 2:00 pm pm
Send a taste of Nashville when you order Christie Cookies online at ChristieCookies.com!
NOVEMBER 30
Nashville Caroling Company
DECEMBER 1
Blair Children’ Children’ss Choir
DECEMBER 7
Brentwood Suzuki Strings
DECEMBER 8
Nashville Philharmonic Flute Ensemble
DECEMBER 14
FBC Sanctuary Ringers
DECEMBER 15
W.O. W .O. Smith Musical Ensemble
DECEMBER 21
George’ss Reverie Reverie St. George’
DECEMBER 22
Smoky Mountain Christmas with Craig Duncan
GUY GUYDE giving
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o, how do you get the singer from the world renowned, Grammy award winning group, The Chieftains, along with some of Nashville’s finest musicians, to help you create a top-notch Celtic Christmas album to raise money for your non-profit organization? Just ask Steve Young, Executive Director of the organization Living Waters for the World, and his passion for reaching out to those struggling becomes apparent. This is a year round endeavor for him. Living Waters for the World is an organization that raises funds to put clean water systems into communities around the world that are lacking in fresh and drinkable water. “There’s a big need for clean, drinkable water all over the world,” says Steve. “Most of us live in areas where we can’t imagine not having clean water and it can be a real eye opener to discover that the need is great.” This need prompted Young to resurrect his former life as a musician/songwriter as well as his deep connection to his family’s Celtic/Scottish history and craft a Christmas album to help raise 40 / RAZORnashville.com
The inside of Iona Abbey which is located on the Isle of Iona, just off the Isle of Mull, on the West Coast of Scotland
LEGACY CHRISTMAS Music For A Cause by Shari Lacy
money for their cause. Legacy Christmas is the result of this endeavor and is a great way to give back this holiday season. Proceeds from the album benefit Living Waters for the World. Taken heavily from the traditions of the early ancient church, and music handed down from generation to generation, Young chose some of the most recognizable yet sacred Christmas carols for the album. They conjure up memories of family gatherings, nativity scenes, Christmas Eve services, and more. The album is much more than your traditional recording though. This album was created by acclaimed instrumentalists and features the lilting and ethereal voice of Irish vocalist, Alyth McCormack of The Chieftains. Born and raised on the Island of Lewis off the Northwest coast of Scotland, McCormack grew up immersed in the culture of these islands. Noted as a gifted performer from a young age, she would later expand on her traditional background by studying classical singing and drama at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow. This combination makes her a unique performer who works with a broad variety of
musicians both from the thriving Scottish music scene, abroad and from her new home town of Dublin. She was first asked to accompany The Chieftains on their 20-date spring tour of America in 2008 finishing at Carnegie Hall on St Patrick’s Day. Since then she has been touring Europe and America with The Chieftains to sold out crowds everywhere. The addition of her voice to Legacy Christmas is a huge honor and reinforces the belief behind this album. Working side by side with Steve throughout the creation of this album was Melissa DuPuy, a native of Greenville, SC. She brings a unique musical perspective to the project as a multi-instrumentalist and arranger with a background in classical music from Furman University who holds a Masters in Appalachian Music from Appalachian State. Her deep insight into the nuances of acoustic and roots music brings a great deal of flavor to each song. She plays guitar, both acoustic and electric, banjo, mandolin, bass, keys, and an assortment of traditional instruments, including dulcimer, Irish bouzouki, bowed psaltery, and bodhran.
She has performed onstage with artists including Steve Earle, John Hartford, The Nashville Symphony, The Chieftains and legendary music pioneers Bill Monroe and Doc Watson. As a recording engineer and studio musician she has played on or engineered projects for BMG, Curb Records, RCA Nashville, MCA Records, Capitol Records, Rounder Records, Sony/ATV Music, The Nashville Network, and CMT. In addition to her performance, Melissa served as producer, co-arranger, and recording engineer for Legacy Christmas. “Melissa has been an invaluable resource for this project,” Steve says. “She is incredibly talented and really seemed to know what each and every song needed to be most impactful. She was an integral part of this project.” Other stellar musicians on the project include native Nashvillian, Russell Davis, one of Nashville's most accomplished accompanists. Davis has produced over twenty recording projects for vocal and instrumental artists including five solo projects and is a featured artist on the Green Hill Music roster. He was the music director for the music theater program at Belmont University where he was a vocal coach and accompanist, and currently serves as accompanist for Tennessee Repertory Theater, Nashville Children's Theater, Harpeth Hall, Oak Hill, and University Schools. He has performed with artists like Amy Grant and Broadway’s Sutton Foster, had his music featured in the movie “Four Christmases,” and has five solo CD’s to his credit. Fiddle player Deanie Richardson is a powerhouse instrumentalist. She has appeared on the Grand Ole Opry, toured with country mainstay Patty Loveless, and played on Loveless’ critically acclaimed “Mountain Soul” record in addition to several others. One of her biggest
moments was being nominated for the 2010 Academy of Country Music Fiddle Player of the Year award. She’s also played with Vince Gill and has toured with The Chieftains. One of the most recognizable sounds of Celtic music is often the flute or Irish whistle. Sam Levine brings that element to Legacy Christmas with great finesse. He has played for film soundtracks, flute for Mandisa, clarinet for Wynonna, penny whistle for Amy Grant or saxophone for Lynyrd Skynyrd. He has recorded for Vince Gill, Aaron Neville, Carrie Underwood, and Kenny Chesney in addition to playing with folks like Sammy Davis Jr., Henry Mancini, Dolly Parton, Liza Minnelli, and Michael McDonald to name just a few “It was amazing to see how Melissa, Russell, and Deanie worked collaboratively to create the core arrangements of the carols for the record,” Steve says. “Traditional but refreshingly unique.” He continues to be amazed at the quality of the project and the doors that opened in order to make it happen. “Melissa reached out to involve Russell and Deanie and they in turn brought Alyth and Sam into the project. From the beginning, Legacy Christmas has been a project built on relationships and that is carrying all the way through to the sharing of clean water,” he adds. “Putting out an album like this, where people can really embrace the meaning of Christmas by giving to those in great need is a real honor,” Steve says. “I hope people enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed recording it.” RN
Each day, 780 million people in the developing world have a stark choice to make - either drink no water, or drink water that is contaminated and will make them sick and leave them diminished. Living Waters for the World, an organization that trains volunteer teams to work with community leaders to install, operate and maintain water treatment systems and lead ongoing health and hygiene education, believes they can all do something about this preventable reality - that there’s a part that each of us can play. Not everyone can go through the clean water training and travel to the developing world to change and save lives, but there’s a part that all of us fortunate enough to have clean water at the turn of a tap can play. Financial support is essential to power the work of the all-volunteer teams, and everyone can help spread the word about the world’s water crisis and the work that organizations like LWFW are doing to help.
To purchase a copy of Legacy Christmas visit iTunes.
Get more information about Legacy Christmas at legacychristmas.net
WILLIAMSON COUNTY’S LEADING SALON
AND ONE OF ONLY SEVEN REDKEN ELITE SALONS IN TENNESSEE! artistry SPASALON
Located at Westhaven Town Center in Franklin 188 Front Street, Suite 120 615.567.6300 www.artistryspasalon.com - The Official SPASALON of RAZOR Nashville -
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TABLE TRADITIONS
he holidays are full of traditions. What decorations are put on display, whose home you gather at for Christmas Day and/or eve, when the tree gets put up and decorated, and so on. A big part of these traditions is the Christmas meal. And while quite different from region to region, there is definitely similarity in the intent and design for the meal. For instance, in the Midwest it is common to see lutefisk at the dinner table while in the south collard greens are a more customary theme. And while we are speaking of the south, have you ever wondered how some of the traditional dishes came to be on the table every year? Let’s take for example. the beloved Christmas cookie. Surprisingly enough, they did not manifest out of your Grandmother’s sheer genius skills in the kitchen. Christmas cookies are said to have been started as early as the 1500s in Germany with a gingerbread version. The Christmas cookies we today are fond of
44 / RAZORnashville.com
FOOD FOR THOUGHT by Kate Alger
came from English traditions that revealed a sugar cookie recipe. The cookie cutter type Christmas cookies did not evolve until early 1900s. By the early 1960s, we can thank the one and only Betty Crocker for the ingenious conception of the Christmas cookie exchange. South of the Mason - Dixon line, one will be hard pressed to find a table sans the collard greens most of the time but particularly during both Christmas and especially New Year’s Day. Yet, so many stare in wonder at the heap of green nestled gently on the table and ask “How on earth did collards become such a staple?” Well inquiring minds, collard greens are actually not a native vegetable plant to this area. During the time of slavery, slaves brought collard greens with them from Africa and they quickly became a staple in the south between all races and statures. There is always a plethora of pies this time of year as well. Everything from
pumpkin to pecan can be found everywhere! In the southern region of the US, you will also find Chess pie. The Chess pie is a very simple pie (and some believe bland) with, at times, the addition of a peculiar ingredients such as vinegar and/or cornmeal. This traditional southern dessert is evidently still in debate as to how the pie actually got its name. Some believe that it was a derivative of the English Curd pie because the Chess pie is so similar in ingredients. While others think that the name evolved because Chess pie had so much sugar in it and therefore could be stored in a pie chest instead of an ice box. With a southern drawl, “chest” came out much more like “chess.” At the end of a lovely southern holiday feast, an after dinner drink is to be shared. Regionally, this drink could commonly be Syllabub, a drink that originated in England and can be traced back to the Tudor Dynasty. It also has a juvenile name that makes it even more fun (especially after a few!) Usually made with sherry, brandy, cognac, or white wine, this drink also calls for cream. This ingredient allowed for quite the show when preparing the cocktails. Instead of intimidating a Tom Cruise scene from the movie Cocktail and spin bottles, early mixologists would milk a cow directly into the ale pot in which this cocktail was being prepared. One southern tradition that no one can disagree with, is the calculated focus to make everything from scratch. Great ingredients beget great food and when you can create this yourself (toss in a little TLC as well) it only makes the dishes even more wonderful to enjoy. And while enjoying all the southern foods this holiday season, take a moment to not only enjoy the dish but also ask what and where they came from. You will be amazed at some of the intriguing stories that will evolve while sharing about food, over food. RN
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HOLIDAY HANDSOME
Special to RAZOR Nashville from David Levy, Levy’s Clothier for Men and Women
he best dressed guy in the room, any room, that is your goal this holiday season. And I am here to help. There are thousands of choices for clothes that can be purchased by men online or in stores today. However, there is very little information about how men should dress for holiday parties, specifically here in Nashville. When given an invitation to a holiday event, or told to attend a party by your significant other, you need to research the proper dress code and not wait until 15 minutes before leaving the house. After all, last minute decisions on dressing are usually disasters in the making. So, how do we men decide what to wear to these holiday soirees? First, listen to the women in your life. Somehow, the women in the world have accumulated taste for proper dressing that we men lack. Ask your partner what they are wearing and try to equal, or ever so slightly, improve on their look. It is not a competition, however. If you dress better than the one you are with, you will be noticed, enjoy yourself more, and they will benefit from being with the someone receiving the extra attention. Invitation wording has gotten more diluted since casual dress came into the workplace so read the handy chart (at right) for a bit more clarification. One of the best ways to properly handle cocktail attire, festive attire, or even business attire, is to wear one of the many “hybrid” casual jackets that are offered today. They usually are washed in cottons or in soft wool, and look like something between an outerwear jacket and a sport coat. Black blazers, or the new hybrid casual jacket, are replacing the classic navy blazer more and more. There are also key items that can be worn to different holiday theme parties. Here is my list... Thanksgiving Day Lunch Don’t shop, enjoy your family. But do not show up in sweatpants. You might try a hybrid jacket over dressy jeans. Wear darker patterns because the large amount of tryptophan causes more spilling and dark clothes will cover it up! Orange is required... especially if you are a Tennessee or Auburn fan. Office Party You may wear only one item that has a holiday theme, maybe a red or green Christmas tie or holiday socks. Do not overdo it.
Hanukah It is early this year so be ready. Those oily latkes require loose clothes and if you bring matches for the Menorah, you could be the hero. 46 / RAZORnashville.com
Christmas Eve You should step it up some from the Thanksgiving Day lunch wardrobe. Your dress should almost be cocktail attire however do not overdo it since Christmas is, after all, a birthday party. Christmas Day You can wear work out clothes or pajamas until noon depending on the amount of children or grandchildren running around the house. It is also ok to lighten up your colors for Christmas Day. Try reds, light blues, or heather grays, a bit dressier than what you would wear for sitting by the fireside.
New Year’s Eve Don’t rent the tuxedo! It is hard to imagine a man wearing clothes that may have been worn by 25 other dudes
and cleaned at the cheapest dry cleaner in town. Rental tuxedoes are known for having as few quality features as possible and alterations kept to a minimum. Basically, you are wearing an outerwear quality coat and pants with extender metal and plastic in the waistband. Don’t do it... especially with pleated pants. New Year’s Day This is the only day that sunglasses are allowed inside!
Holiday Invitation Dress Code Guide
Black Tie This is clearly a formal defined invitation - tuxedoes required for men. This means (usually) a black tuxedo with white tuxedo shirt, stud set, suspenders, formal shoes, black socks, a dressy satin necktie or bow tie, and optional cummerbund. Black Tie Optional The easiest option here is to dress the part and make it Black Tie (see above). Alternatively, pull out your black suit, white shirt, and dressy satin necktie with black shoes.
Elegant Attire Talk to your partner on this one. Men can again wear that tuxedo or look elegant or a nice suit and necktie. Ties are again required.
Cocktail Attire Men should dress in nice dress pants and a dressy sport shirt. Alternatively, check to be sure that your preferred dress shirt looks good without a suit or sport coat. You can start to use your “hybrid” sport coat this night or a sport coat with out a necktie.
Business Attire This is typical attire for a work party. Depending on the dress code of the employer, you should dress appropriately.
Casual Attire Here, there is no formal dress code. You can again look better than other men can by wearing your hybrid sport coat. Nice jeans allowed just no logoed knit or sport shirts! Casual Chic Men, this is a bit more edgy than Casual Attire. Again, ask your partner what they think might be good for you. Remember, the best advice for your wardrobe can always be found in a one-on-one situation at leading specialty stores... like Levy’s! RN
RAZORnashville.com / 47
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MEAT & THREE
five star to family style, the best food on the best menus, all over town
Puckett's Grocery and Restaurant
Talk to a local and you’ll eventually work your way around to talking about Puckett’s. With roots reaching back to the ‘50s, the restaurant and music venue, now in Nashville, Franklin, and Columbia, has been focusing on great food and Southern hospitality ever since it was just a little grocery store in Leiper’s Fork.
If you’re looking for a down-home dish or a home-cooked family recipe, that’s where Puckett’s shines. Their daily “meat-n- three” specials are something to write home about (where else is mac and cheese considered a vegetable of the day?) and you’re crazy if you pass up the famous pulled pork BBQ. The secret to the barbecue goodness is the 18-hour process, one that includes “slow ‘n’ low” cooking over cherry wood and a wrap that mimics the sous vide tradition. You can’t go wrong with any of the sides, but the last time we were there (and trust us, we go to the Franklin location a lot. It is even a spot for many RAZOR staff “meetings”), we paired the pork with cole slaw, baked beans, and squash casserole. Lip-smackin’ goodness, we tell you... especially when you wash it all down with a little sweet tea! We love the fact that Puckett’s is an award-winning restaurant that feels like a community kitchen, complete with supper time pickin’ performances just a few feet from the table. But it’s the awesome authentic comfort food that keeps the locals (and us) coming back again and again. Learn more at puckettsgrocery.com
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GUY GUYDE
knowledge
(HIS)STORY
THE FRANKLIN SQUARE MONUMENT EXPLORING THE PAST OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY WITH RICK WARWICK
O
The dedication of the Confederate Monument, November 30th 1899
n November 30, 1899, Franklin dedicated the Confederate monument located in the center of the Public Square. Over the past 114 years this stone shaft, with marble soldier on top and surrounded by four period Civil War cannons, has greeted all who entered the historic square. The monument is thirty-seven feet, eight inches tall and is made of Vermont granite. The statue on top is six feet, six inches high and made of Carrara marble. The statue represents a Confederate soldier with slouched hat, service uniform and rifle, standing at “parade rest.” For many years, the soldier has been nicknamed by locals “Chip”, after the fact that during his rise to the top a wagon wheel got entangled in the ropes causing the statue to bounce against the staff, breaking-off part of the hat’s brim. Attempts to repair the brim over the years have been unsuccessful. The monument was the handiwork of the Franklin Chapter No. 14 of the United Daughters of the Confederacy at a cost of $2,350. The Williamson County Confederate Monument Fund was started on July 4, 1889 by a group of ex-Confederate veterans with a goal of $10,000. Their efforts stalled but the project was continued by the U.D.C. with fundraising dinners in the courthouse and house-to-house solicitation. 42 / RAZORnashville.com 52
On dedication day, The Williamson County News reported ten thousand people witnessed the monument unveiling. The following two paragraphs set the tone of the festivities in Franklin on that day. A few minutes after 10 o’clock the hoarse blast of a steam whistle announced the arrival of the train and a rush of thousands was made for the depot. The engine panted to a standstill, the car doors were flung open and the long string of coaches emptied themselves into the the crowded depot square. Two companies of old vets in the once familiar uniform of gray jeans, with rifles and accouterments, came out under the command of Captains Mark Cockrill and George F. Hagar, of Nashville, with them mingled the fresh, unfaded blue of the State Guard--two companies, B and D, of the new Fifth Tennessee Regiment. Gov. Benton McMillin, Judge S.F. Wilson, Gen. G.W. Gordon, of Memphis, Rev. D.C. Kelley, Maj. T.F.P. Allison and other prominent Tennesseans formed a distinguished group of our city’s guests on this, her grandest gala day. They were met by a reception committee and escorted, with the ladies attached to the party, to the elegantly decorated carriages reserved for their use. (continued)
The scene while the parade was forming was an inspiring one. All the air was aglow with warmth and color, with flutter of flags and snapping streamers as the vehicles, each one rich with the intermingled hues of vivid scarlet and white and crowded with Old Williamson’s loveliest daughters in beautiful costumes, wheeled into line. The long lines of gray swung into column of fours and with rifles at right shoulder, stood ready for the signal to march. Behind them stretched the ranks of blue--once hated color, but now the symbol of one common country.
Ex-Confederate Veterans with Monument
Inscriptions on the sides of the monument read “In honor and memory of our heroes, both private and chief, of Southern Confederacy. No country ever had truer sons, no cause nobler champions, no people bolder defenders, than the brave soldiers to whose memory this stone is erected.”
United Daughters of the Confederacy, Franklin Chapter No. 14
“We who saw them and knew them well are witnesses to coming ages of their valor and fidelity; tried and true, glory-crowned. 1861-1865.” “Would not it be a shame for us If their memory part from our land and hearts, And a wrong them to and a shame on us. The glories they won shall not wane for us. In legend and lay, our heroes in Grey Shall ever live over again for us.”
Today ironically, the Confederate monument greets far more visitors and residents northern born than those who dedicated the landmark 114 years ago could ever had dreamt. The majority circling the Square do not realize its historic significance or purpose. Many believe that it memorializes all Civil War veterans. And for those who have not read the inscriptions, let them enjoy Franklin’s monument and adopt it as their own. The photograph at right, taken in 1965, provides a stark contrast of Franklin then and what Main Street looks like after the Streetscape project of 1989. Chip stands guard over a Main Street lined with unsightly utility poles, parking meters, and bleak signage. The welcome mat is always out in friendly Franklin and a special invitation is extended to RAZOR Nashville readers for the annual holiday celebration, “A Dickens of a Christmas” It will be held this year on December 14th and 15th. Make sure to join the other 50,000 festive folks on one of Tennessee’s most popular Main Streets. And now, you know just a little bit more about “Chip” as he will definitely be in attendance at the festival this year! RN
Chip Stands Guard on Main Street in 1965 RAZORnashville.com / 43 53
GUY GUYDE on the go
THE DRIVE
2014 HYUNDAI EQUUS
Surprising Luxury Inside One Very Elegant Ride by Rob Youngblood
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I
f you have read any of my reviews over tha last couple of year you know that I am a fan of Hyundai. The South Korean brand that has slowly made its way into the U.S. market with sleek styling, affordable pricing, and reliable vehicles. The 2014 Equus has now made me even more of a believer. Hyundai says the Equus’ primary rivals are the Lexus LS460 and the Mercedes S550, hardly run-of-the-mill models. To compete with top-tier sedans like these the car had better be a sweet ride and it is.
REFRESHED Hyundai cleaned up the exterior. Most notably the grille and front bumper have been revised and the horrible chrome accents are now gone. Auto-leveling xenon headlamps are a nice addition and the side-view mirrors have been tweaked to reduce wind noise. In the rear, the car features new LED tail lamps. Nineteen-inch “turbine-blade” wheels are standard. Inside is where the biggest changes have been made. The Equus’ instrument panel has been completely overhauled. It features a lot of leather as well as a microfiber headliner and premium wood trim. Common touch points, like the shifter and steering wheel, have been upgraded and so has the center stack. Other standard goodies include threezone automatic HVAC, lane departure warning, and smart cruise control that can stop and start the vehicle in traffic. Hyundai’s Blue Link system is also included and the technology allows drivers to remotely lock or unlock the doors, sends them maintenance reminders, offer turn-by-turn navigation, and even send out automatic crash notifications in the event of an accident.
LUXURY TAKES A BACK SEAT, LITERALLY Hyundai also upgraded the Equus’ back bench. Ultimate models treat rear-seat riders to more luxury features than passengers flying first class. For starters, the outboard chairs are heated and cooled, plus they’re adjustable so passengers can get comfortable in any weather and nifty power window shades help block the sun. There are also two nine inch display screens that are integrated into the backs of the front headrests. The car is as well equipped as just about any other flagship sedan on the market today, with a complete roster of high-end features.
UNDER THE HOOD Every 2014 model is powered by a beefy 5.0-liter V8 giving you 429 horses to work with. This engine likes to run and the high-tech features, like variable valve timing and direct fuel injection, add performance and improve efficiency. The car stickers at 15 and 23 mpg’s, city and highway. The Equus also comes with a standard eight-speed automatic transmission. Strangely enough, the transmission seems smoother under heavy throttle than it does when driven gently. It shifts seamlessly at higher engine speeds but it’s a little bumpy through the gears when driven like a normal person.
RIDE AND HANDLING Clearly the Equus is designed to coddle passengers in a lot of comfort, but how does it ride? Like a cloud. It felt sleek and soft and refined. The adjustable air suspension helps with the smooth ride. Acceleration is brisk and the car is eager to throw you quickly into the illegal part of the speedometer.
Shhhh... hear that sound? It is the sound of complete silence. The Equus’ interior is amazingly quiet. I honestly can not remember being in any car this quiet, not even a top of the line Lexus sedan.
PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP Hyundai raised the customer-service bar with its first-generation Equus and their efforts are paying off. According to J.D. Power, Hyundai buyers are more satisfied than BMW and Mercedes owners. There are several benefits to buying an Equus compared to a competing luxury car. First, customers can schedule an inhome vehicle demonstration so there’s no need to drive to a dealership to check out the car. After the sale, owners are treated to no-cost maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles. In addition, the company offers a special valet program. They’ll actually pick the car up from an owner’s home or office and provide a loaner vehicle for any service that’s required. Base price for a Signature model, which is expected to make up 70 percent of sales, is $62,000. The range-topping Ultimate version is a bit pricer (but well worth it) coming in at $68,900 out the door.
BOTTOMLINE The Equus is a serious luxury vehicle that undercuts its main rivals by tens of thousands of dollars. Sure, it lacks the branding and prestige of the German big boys but it’s still an excellent car and one that comes with service that cannot be beat. If you are looking for a high end sedan (that won’t make you sell stock to buy it), the 2014 Equus should be at the top of your shopping list. Learn more at hyundaiusa.com/equus. RN RAZORnashville.com / 57
GUY GUYDE fitness
I
FIT BOSS
with Brandi Binkley from PhysioFit
WHY YOU SHOULD KNOW RHABDO (RHABDOMYOLOSIS THAT IS)
n the United States there are roughly 30,000 cases reported every year and at least half of those are caused by extreme exercise. The term “myo” means muscle and “lysis” means death. Translation: muscle cell death. Until recently most of you had probably never heard the word rhabdomyolosis. It’s been the hot topic in fitness and all over the news for the past few weeks. Its close relationship with a very popular workout trend has gotten the attention of experts and enthusiasts in the exercise world. Some of the trendier fads and programs in exercise are currently under a lot of critical observation due to so many injuries and in some cases death regarding rhabdomyolosis. Because of the interest, I think it pertinent to expand on Rhabdomyolosis and its relationship with exercise. Rhabdomyolosis is a serious medical condition where skeletal muscle is quickly broken down and as a result the muscle releases cell contents into the plasma. As a result of this process kidney function is compromised because the kidneys cannot remove the waste and high concentrations of urine quickly enough.
WHEN AND WHY DOES IT HAPPEN
Rhabdo happens more often than we realize. It is important to know that this can happen to anyone. The chances that it happens to a highly trained individual are less likely than it happening to the untrained individual, nevertheless it can still happen! Specifically, with regard to exercise, it will occur during training however 60 / RAZORnashville.com
it isn’t until the post workout hours that we really start to notice that something is really wrong. Most often, mid-workout symptoms might be things like cramping, extreme muscle stiffness, which prevents movement, or even weakness. The unfortunate part of this is those of us who workout fairly regularly and are used to some stiffness and feelings of working to “failure” can mistake the signs of Rhabdo for the feeling of a really good workout. Rhabdo is both a metabolic and a mechanical issue. It commonly occurs when we are doing eccentric exercise at a faster rate than our cells can regenerate ATP or energy that fuels the muscle cell. We ask our bodies to do too much, too quickly, and the body simply can’t keep up.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
It is often prematurely treated as dehydration or cramping. We feel signs or symptoms of muscle tightness initially, cramping, maybe a little shaking, and instability. Be concerned when you have persistent muscle soreness and tightness around the joints and/or have a drastic change in urine color. Any trainer worth their salt should be able to explain aerobic and anaerobic thresholds to you. They should also be able to lay out parameters for each individual they that they train. This is where the breakdown happens in group settingsto many people in a class or group where there are not enough educated instructors. If you are attending a group class DO NOT expect the instructor to know your personal health history, honestly they usu-
ally don’t care. For them it’s about the numbers. It is up to you to know your limits and it is also up to you to stop when you need to. If you aren’t comfortable with that then you should get a personal trainer or workout with a friend.
PREVENTION
The single best way to prevent Rhabdo is by gradually increasing your exercise and intensity. It has been my experience that while high intensity exercise is a great calorie burner, It is not designed for those beginning a workout program and especially not in a group setting. I can not stress this enough. Another rather unfortunate thing people overlook when working out in groups is the credibility and/or education of the instructor. I am a stickler for this because so many “trainers” have no clue what to look for or are well versed enough to handle small or large groups of participants. That being said, there are some really bright and motivated trainers and coaches who know their stuff and care about your health, you just have to find them. Whether you are a beginner or seasoned athlete it is imperative that you start at your current level and progress forward. Be sure you are hydrated. Those participating in exercise whether high intensity or not need a minimum of 2 liters of water per day. Remember, more is not always better. You must listen to your body. It is a well designed machine and, even though we don’t always treat it right, it will be your best indicator of when to stop. That being said don’t be scared to push yourself! RN
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GUY GUYDE style
RAZOR SHARP The Best Dressed Men in Nashville
with Sonya Stanley
Jonathan Powell Owner, JandHP Custom Men’s Suits
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I
t was evident when I walked into Jonathan (Jonny) and Holly Powell’s East Nashville custom men’s suit store, JandHP, that I had stepped into something truly unique and special. It was a quaint white room with three simple yet super swag mannequins (showcasing Jonny’s tailoring abilities), a small conversational seating area in the center, and an awesome display of collar selections in the window. This couple cannot be missed anywhere, just as they were not missed by me at a local awards event in town earlier this fall when I pulled them aside purely for how their amazing style stood out. That specific topic was echoed when I sat down with Jonny for an interview. “Nearly every opportunity I've ever gotten has almost always been because someone notices me. Just like you noticing Holly and I because of our style and look.” He says. “It's the way you look, taking pride in your appearance. It's like love at first sight, job at first sight. I feel if people would put more into their appearance, then more opportunities would be given to them.” He continued, “When Holly and I go out, people are always staring, always. I'd rather be who I am. I never feel better than when I'm in a suit! That's just me. If you never feel better than when you’re in your favorite jeans, then be you. Just be true to you. I wish more people would simply try. Just put effort into you.” Jonny is from New York City where he dove headfirst into fashion and followed those gifts, working in design for Ralph Lauren and managing a flagship store in SOHO. He also worked for several editorials in town. He and Holly, moved to California several ago but quickly became stir crazy. They started JandHP during their last year there. They moved back east mainly for the style and the seasons they love. Within months they opened up their first brick and mortar store. They have never advertised, three years and it’s all been word of mouth. “It's all about that one guy and just making sure we nail him. And he'll bring in 5-10 guys if he leaves happy, with no surprises.” It was great to learn that when they start to get a feel for who their client is and what they want, they can start tailoring their closet to fit them and build from there. Whether it be one suit or ten. Jonny says one of the main things that has frustrated him about living in Nashville, is that whenever he's dressed the way he does he is constantly asked, "What's the occasion? Where are you going?" He noted, “When I stop being asked those questions, I’ll know this town is there with fashion and accepting people.” He feels strongly that one of the things that stops genuine expression is how, instead of just paying a compliment, people question him. He fears that people may not take chances because they don't feel like dealing with the questions. “If it bothers them, they won't ever do it.” Jonny added, “We have a lot to offer this town. We are really aiming to add to it one suit at a time. One perfect fit at a time. For people who want to take their look to a more refined direction.” “I'm about being true. This town needs people who are willing to come here and be who they've always been. Create true genuine expression in town. Create who you are. We offer that. Opportunity to step outside run of the mill. Or do run of the mill another way.” At the end of the day, Jonny wants to be known for what he does. With him, it’s a lifestyle, not a trend. The mantra of his style and store… Timeless style. Flawless fit. Genuine expression. Learn more at JandHP.com RN RAZORnashville.com / 63
GUY GUYDE people
LEADING LADIES CLASSIC / CONFIDENT / CONTEMPORARY
Bluebird Cafe Founder Amy Kurland
The Bluebird opened in 1982 and has been the starting point for some of the biggest names in country music. It was originally just a restaurant in a small strip mall in Green Hills. But, with her love for music, Kurland began inviting local artists to perform on her small stage inside the restaurant and the rest, as they say, is country music history. The setting offered a safe haven for many songwriters and artists to perfect their music and try new things. In 1987, Garth Brooks’ career began when a record exec saw him substituting for a performer who had not shown up one evening. Lucky for him, that exec saw great talent in Garth and signed him immediately. Many other artists, such as Radney Foster, Vince Gill, Rodney Crowell, Kenny Chesney, Dierks Bentley, and Taylor Swift, have also played the Bluebird. Today, more than 65,000 people visit The Bluebird Café annually. In 2008, Kurland transferred her ownership to the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI). For Kurland, it was more of a donation than a sale, and she believes it was the perfect way to continue Bluebird’s relationship with songwriters and the community. RN 64 / RAZORnashville.com
GUY GUYDE people
SOUTHERN GENTLEMEN
REFINED / RELEVANT / RESPECTED
Nashville Predator Mike Fisher
One of the most intriguing things about the evolution of Nashville is that it is no longer attracting just those in the music industry. Since the arrival of the Nashville Predators in 1998, a new demographic of transplants have hit the local scene including the endearing hockey center, Mike Fisher. Originally from Canada, Fisher started his professional hockey career with the Ottawa Senators in 1999 where he was nominated for the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the best defensive forward and helped the Senators to the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals. Throughout his time with the Senators, even though he suffered three knee injuries, he still set a career high with 23 goals in the 2007-08 season. On February 11, 2011, Fisher was traded to the Nashville Predators and scored his first goal with the team just five days later against the Vancouver Canucks. The following year, Fisher was the winner of the 2012 NHL Foundation Player Award which is given to the player "who applies the core values of (ice) hockey - commitment, perseverance and teamwork - to enrich the lives of people in his community.” Fisher is an avid participant in the local organizations, Room In the Inn; Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, and Cottage Cove Urban Ministries. In addition to helping these groups financially, Fisher has also made unannounced visits, purchased tickets for the Fisher’s Friends ticket program for youth groups, and donated the sales of his book, Defender of Faith: The Mike Fisher Story to World Vision and Room in the Inn. Round out this professional powerhouse with his aggressive passion for charity, unshakable faith, and of course, his unmistakable bride, and we believe Fisher may have been the best trade the Predators, and Nashville, have received so far. RN 66 / RAZORnashville.com
GUY GUYDE
WISE WORDS life
“There never seems to be any trouble brewing around a bar until a woman puts that high heel over the brass rail. Don’t ask me why, but somehow women at bars seem to create trouble among men.” Humphrey Bogart
Ingrid Bergman and Bogie on the set of Casablanca in 1939 68 / RAZORnashville.com
"BE ACTIVE. BE WELL"
IT’S NOT JUST A MOTTO. IT IS THE WAY WE APPROACH EVERY INTERACTION WITH OUR CLIENTS.
BRANDI BINKLEY FITBOSS AND OWNER
PHYSIOFIT VISIT OUR NEW LOC ATION IN NASHVIILE LOC ATED AT 707 BERRY ROAD 615 - 970 - 7460 GETPHYSIOFIT.COM
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RAZORFEATURE 72 / RAZORnashville.com
CRAZY HEARTS
e ll i v h s a N
AN INSIDER’S LOOK AT THE NEW, ORIGINAL REAL-LIFE SERIES COMING TO A&E IN JANUARY by cast member Heather Byrd
RAZORnashville.com / 73
y r o t S r e The Cov
It’s 7a.m. on a brisk Saturday morning and I’ve just pulled my vehicle into the back parking lot of Foobar in East Nashville. Normally, at this hour on a weekend morning, I’d still be resting from a work-filled week and more importantly, the antics of the night before, but on this day, at this hour, I find myself converging upon this bar for an all together different reason. A crew of 40, many of whom ain’t from around these parts, along with numerous production vans and two super-sized motor-coaches for hair, makeup and styling have taken over the venue, transforming every nook and cranny into multiple TV-ready backdrops which will be used for photo shoots to promote the show in the coming weeks. The only recognizable reminder of this beloved east-side haunt is the smell of a hangover four hours after the last smoker has left the building. And even though myself and seven others have been not-so-secretly filming in various locations around town for over three months, for whatever reason, at this very moment, it all hits me... I’m on a reality television show! Crazy Hearts:Nashville is a new, original real-life series from the A&E Network that is following Nashville’s hottest rising stars for a first-hand look into what it takes to live and love in Music City. The cast is a diverse group of aspiring country music artists and industry insiders struggling to balance life, love and the pursuit of stardom, one gig at a time. Cameras follow the group backstage and into their lives and lyrics as they try to hit it big, fall in love, and live to sing about it. In a town where relationships mean everything, there is no shortage of love triangles, fiery friendships and stiff competition between the rowdy songbirds causing rivalries both on stage and off. These passionate folks raid the Nashville social scene every night, partying and singing the blues while waiting for their big break allowing viewers to experience the music, struggle, romance , and drama that fuels our iconic city over the course of eight, one-hour episodes. We’ve filmed at landmarks all over Nashville from the honky tonks to The Bluebird Cafe to The Parthenon to nearly every music venue in town. The cameras have even gone inside each of the characters’ homes. Not only will viewers hear the songs that these musicians are plugging but they will see the stories that inspired them, the heartaches and late night drunken 74 / RAZORnashville.com
shenanigans that lead to mornings full of regret as they struggle to create something beautiful and memorable. The show is produced by Eastern, a full service media production company with offices in New York and Atlanta for A&E, a network known for original programming now reaching more than 100 million homes across the globe. A&E proudly presents television that you can’t turn away from, where unscripted shows are dramatic and scripted dramas are authentic.From Bates Motel to Longmire, Those Who Kill, Storage Wars and the most wildly successful reality show of all time, Duck Dynasty. No pressure, right? What have I gotten myself into? What if people hate me? These questions have been playing over and over again in my mind for months and yet somehow this trump-card answer always wins: this is simply too big of an opportunity to not participate. And just like that, my F.O.M.O. (Fear Of Missing Out) has won again. Truth be told, it always does and it always has. It’s one of the most powerful aspects of my personality and the thing that keeps me going... out every day and night of the week. Something tells me that even if my F.O.M.O. had on OFF button, I would probably never push it.
But how did this all get put into motion? Well, I received a surprise phone call from one of the executives at Eastern. She had gotten my contact information from a mutual colleague and wanted help reaching out to a handful of Nashville notables and friends of mine for a new show she was working on. I never once thought,
or even really hoped for that matter, that I might be asked to participate. A few months later, the production company flew into town to focus on the lives of eight friends and acquaintances, all of whom are completely honored, smitten, and terrified by the idea of sharing their stories with the world... or at least that part of the world that will tune in, week after week, to see us try our best to make it in Music City. There’s no turning back now, contracts have been signed, cameras have started rolling and we’re all in this together, for better or worse. So, who are we - the “Crazy Hearts” of Nashville? Well, there’s Anthony Billups, the singing, songwriting, showman and visual artist with a heart of gold who would do just about anything to put a smile on your face. Anthony’s biggest challenge, thus far, in Nashville hasn’t been making music connections but rather recovering from a broken heart courtesy of his one true love - Amy Wilcox, a talented songbird anxious to chase her own dreams of country stardom and make her parents proud. Then there’s Anthony’s musical mentor and drinking buddy, Leroy Powell. Leroy is a rock and roll/country outlaw, loner type of fella with a raucous stage show and a penchant for loving the ladies. (continued)
There’s no turning back now, contracts have been signed, cameras have started rolling and we’re all in this together, for better or worse.
This ain’t his first rodeo, but as of late, one special lady has caught Leroy’s eye in the form of Lee Holyfield, a country songwriting princess with a Hall of Fame songwriter for a father and one of my best friends. Unfortunately Lee’s fondness for Leroy could lead straight to heartache since he also seems to have an affinity for Hannah Fairlight, the new girl in town and a singer/songwriter who has been living a free-wheeling, gypsy lifestyle for years. Then there’s Jimmy Stanley, an easy-on-theeyes bartender at the legendary Bluebird Cafe hoping that mingling with country icons night after night will eventually lead to his own success in country music. In order to make that happen, Jimmy has enlisted the help of manager April Nemeth, a gorgeous, young business-minded gal hoping that her first client, Jimmy, will allow her to focus completely on building her new artist management firm... if only the two can keep from blurring the lines of professionalism. And finally, there’s me - Heather Byrd - just a gal working her tail off in the freelance media and PR world in Nashville with a knack for being in the right place at the right time when it comes to business but never when it comes to matters of the heart.
I’m hoping to change that last part. In fact, we’re all hoping to make changes in our lives for the better. It’s what unites us. And this show, as unnerving as it is to be a part of, is potentially a vehicle to do just that. It’s a mirror into our lives and I truly believe that by looking into that mirror, we can all evolve, for the better that is, if we choose to watch it, which is a decision I have yet to make since the mere thought of seeing myself on television makes me want crawl out of my skin. I do, however, hope that others watch the show. Perhaps they’ll see a little bit of themselves in one of the cast members and be able to identify with their struggle. After all, none of us are perfect but I can assure you, all of us are real. RN
MEET THE CAST
< ANTHONY BILLUPS
Twitter / @AnthonyBillups
“the chance of your dreams coming true at the end of this ride is the best part about all of this.”
Anthony Billups is a singer/songwriter, visual artist, and co-owner of East Nashville events and music venue, The Building. Billups brings his heart of gold from Rockton, Illinois to Nashville and has opened shows for Luke Bryan, Billy Currington, Montgomery Gentry, and many more. He takes much of his inspiration from his younger brother, Nick, a special needs child who shares a love of music just like his older brother and often joins him on stage at performances. Together, these brothers have raised money and awareness for multiple Special Olympic and Disability organizations. 76 / RAZORnashville.com
< HEATHER BYRD
Twitter / @HeatherByrd
“Being honest and true to yourself are the most important things we can do while working on this project. the moment that any of us strays from those ideas is the moment that we get ourselves into trouble, which is, of course inevitable.”
One of Music City’s well connected insiders, Heather is a sought out writer, photographer, publicist, and red carpet correspondent covering the white-hot entertainment scene for national media outlets and Do615, a targeted music and events website in Nashville. With a self-diagnosed “clinical fear of missing out,’ Heather takes every available opportunity to be involved in the entertainment scene in town. From shooting concerts, parties, and events to searching for new musical talent, dedicating her time to local, charitable causes, performing in “Bye Bye Liver,” a sketch comedy show, or just hanging out with friends, you won’t keep up with Heather unless you’re on the go. As a communications professional in Nashville for over a decade, Heather also maintains her own self-branded entertainment website “Byrd’s Eye View,” a content source that bridges the traditional gap between media and public relations..
HANNAH FAIRLIGHT >
Twitter / @HannahFairlight
"I've always been outgoing, and have no trouble getting up on a stage and performing but wearing my heart on my sleeve for this show has been more of a challenge than expected. I think the hardest part is maintaining healthy relationships with ourselves and with each other outside the excitement of being on camera." A risk taker with a boisterous personality and tough chick exterior, this flinty songwriter, performer, and multi-instrumentalist was born in Lufkin, Texas and grew up in small towns all throughout the Midwest. In her early 20s, with stars in her eyes, Hannah succumbed to wanderlust and backpacked solo across the US, living out of her van, crossing paths with fellow troubadours who inspired and helped season her songwriting. Spontaneous, free-spirited, and wildly ambitious, Hannah is also a self-proclaimed explosion of “fairy glitter, whiskey, and karate chop sunshine.”
< LEE HOLYFIELD
Twitter / @LeeHolyfield
“this experience has been exciting but also very, very scary and eye-opening because you’re making yourself vulnerable and the things you would typically want to run away from, you can’t. Everybody is in a tough position and you’re trying to represent Nashville well and make the town proud but you’re also not in control of how everyone else behaves so you just have to take care of yourself and the people you love.”
Nashville native Lee Holyfield is the daughter of Songwriter Hall of Famer, Wayland Holyfield. With music in her blood, this aspiring singer is also a very talented songwriter. Lee is always looking for ways to express her creativity, often through art or cooking. Now, after dabbling in various careers in the past, she is following her heart and kicking her music career into gear.
LEROY POWELL >
Twitter / @LeroyPowell
“I’ve never considered myself to be an asseen-on-tv kinda guy. But when I realized that this opportunity could help me buy a trans Am, well, I was all about it.”
Leroy Powell is a rock and country guitarist hailing from Redlands, California who has spent his adult life touring the country, spreading his unique brand of music. Getting his first taste of success when he joined Shooter Jennings’ band in 2004, son of legendary outlaw Waylon Jennings, Leroy proved himself by showcasing his arranging and songwriting skills highlighted by show stopping antics. Leroy then formed his own band, power trio, Leroy Powell and The Messengers with the current lineup of bassist Dean Tomasek and guitarist and vocalist Hugh Mitchell. Leroy has shared the stage with musical legends such as Dickey Betts, Kid Rock, Sheryl Crow, ZZ Top, 3 Doors Down, and Gretchen Wilson. With a new album set for release in early 2014, Leroy continues to be a thrilling stage performer with a diverse brand of music that appeals to a wide range of country and rock and roll music fans and a sharp wit that keeps his friends laughing and the ladies guessing.
< APRIL NEMETH
Twitter / @AprilNemeth
“I hope that this show gives Jimmy some leverage for his career because right now, Jimmy’s career is my career.”
This aspiring artist manager from Ventura County, California is quite the go-getter. She recently started her own management company, Spark Music Management, and signed her first client, Jimmy Stanley, who also happens to be her on again, off again boyfriend. Currently juggling two supplementary jobs in addition to building her own business, April's ultimate goal is to grow her client roster and help develop her artists’ careers so that she’ll be able to focus solely on making them stars.
< JIMMY STANLEY
Twitter / @JStanOfficial
“I definitely think working on this is a confidence booster, in a sense. But just as quick as this show is here, it can be gone and then you’re back in the same spot where you started. I want to be known for my music, nothing else.”
Jimmy Stanley, a singer/songwriter originally from Eustis, Florida has been pursuing a career in the music business for eight years. Growing up in a small town, Jimmy raised horses on his parents’ farm. In addition to living the Greek life in college, Jimmy learned to play the guitar, pulling his inspiration from the likes of Waylon Jennings, Keith Whitley, Kris Kristofferson, and George Jones. When he’s not playing or writing his own music, Jimmy lends his hand to The Bluebird Cafe, a famous Nashville space where the “heroes behind the hits” come to perform their own songs. The Bluebird has been a second home to Jimmy since the day he moved to town and he’s spent his time there learning from and developing close relationships with some of the biggest and most talented songwriters around. Growing up listening to everything from The Bellamy Brothers to John Anderson, Jimmy’s true passion is performing and he dreams of a long career in the music business where he can perform on stage for years to come.
AMY WILCOX >
Twitter / @AmyEWilcox
“It’s been a crazy ride of both exhilaration and anxiety jumping out of my comfort zone and sharing my life on camera. I am so thrilled to have this platform to share my music and experiences trying to break in to Nashville.”
Amy Wilcox, an Oklahoma native raised in Virginia, started singing in Nashville three years ago but grew up performing in church and throughout college in various acappella groups. Despite receiving a soccer scholarship to Vanderbilt University, Amy jumped right into her true passion of music upon graduation. Since then, she has performed with numerous cover bands on the stages of Nashville’s honky tonks and opened for country star Kellie Pickler. She hopes to one day be an established touring artist and songwriter. RN
Crazy Hearts: Nashville premieres on the A&E Network on January 16th at 10p.m. CST. For more information about the show visit AETV.com/Crazy-Hearts-Nashville. To keep up with the cast when the cameras aren’t rolling, follow Crazy Hearts on Twitter at @CrazyHeartsAE and on Facebook at facebook.com/CrazyHearts. RAZORnashville.com / 79
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RAZORFEATURE
LUST LIST The Razor Nashville
First things first. Let us just say that we really don’t like Holiday Shopping Guides. everybody does them and they are usually kind of lame. They’re filled with all the same items year after year and honestly, do you really need another recommendation for where to get a tie or what is the hottest blender this season at the local big box store? Of course you don’t. Instead, why not dream big? Just like when we were kids and we asked Santa for the biggest, baddest, most expensive toy we could find. So, with that in mind, we put together a little “Lust List.” Some very cool stuff that most of us probably can’t afford but hey, it doesn’t cost anything to look (and drool). And for those of you who are lucky enough to have a lot of extra cash burning a hole in your pocket, just make sure to please call us for our sizes and color preferences before you go shopping. Now, go get your naughty and nice list and turn the page to get started. Merry Christmas!
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PICKIN’ AND GRINNIN’
Custom Alligator Guitar - $100,000
It’s Nashville, everybody has a guitar right? Well, we are guessing not one like this. Made by Rock Royalty, this one-of-a-kind KAGED alligator guitar has a Fender Telecaster body and features two handmade volume knobs with 11.88 carats of natural fancy black diamonds set in sterling silver finished with black ruthenium. It also has a selector switch with 2.3 carats of red rubies set in sterling silver finished with black ruthenium, and six custom tuning keys with 15.54 carats of natural fancy black diamonds set in sterling silver and finished with black ruthenium. This guitar is wrapped in natural black alligator from Louisiana. Just remember one thing, it may look amazing but it still takes actual talent to make it sound good! rockroyaltycustomguitars.com
IT’S A SHORT DRIVE TO BOWLING GREEN
2014 Corvette Stingray Convertible - base price $57,000
The CZ7 Vette is perhaps the best version of the American Icon to roll out of the southern Kentucky manufacturing plant in 50 years. The ‘14 Chevy has been redesigned from the ground up and the drop top version is downright stunning. It’s aggressive, elegant, and sporty all at the same time. And when you throw in 450 horsepower, a power roof that operates at speeds up to 30 mph, and the ability to upgrade to the track worthy Z51 Performance Package you have a roadster that is nothing short of perfection. chevrolet.com/corvette-stingray-convertible
SAY CHEESE
Leica M9-P “Edition Hermès” - $50,000
Leicas cameras are expensive to begin with, but throw in a special edition and the price skyrockets. This M9-P, designed with French luxury goods and fashion house Hermès, could be the most expensive digital camera ever made. In comparison, a standard M9-P costs about $5K, while the “cheapest” version of the coveted Hermès Birkin handbag costs just under $10K. Leica says the camera, which features handcrafted leather construction as well as multiple lenses, will be “strictly limited”... meaning even if you have the money, you probably can’t find one. And we doubt this toy will be popping up on EBAY anytime soon! us.leica-camera.com
COWBOY UP
Bucket List Boots - Up to $13,000
You must have flashy boots to walk the streets of NashVegas and here are two of our faves. For him (right) - $995. A clean, refined boot called “Knox.” Made from fine royal calf, this boot is supple, soft, and rich. The overlaid hand-tooled detail is surrounded by fine chording, creating a look perfect for the man who wears his boots with his suit as often as his jeans. For her (left) - $2450. An exquisite floral hand-tooled filigree wraps around the top of “Sweetwater”, a time-honored detail that's been perfected by an El Paso, Texas artisan. A hand-laced pattern mimicking rosemary climbs up the quarters of the boot from the vamp, connected by a covered side seam. Every boot making detail and desire is covered is this beauty.
Both are made by Lucchese and FYI, the $13K price tag gets you a stunning pair of men’s full American alligator belly boots with a bias cut vamp! lucchese.com or visit the Lucchese store in Nashville.
A BOURBON FOR THE AGES
A.H Hirsch Reserve 16 Year Old Bourbon - $1,300
Michter's Distillery in Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania was the foster home of A.H. Hirsch Reserve bourbon. Michter's was distilling whiskey as early as 1753, when there was a small distillery on this farmstead. Ranking with the world's best whiskies, the A.H. Hirsch 16 year old, is without question, one of the absolute highest quality whiskies available today. Hirsch Reserve is the only example of their type currently available (and no longer produced). These rare bourbon whiskies were distilled in the time-honored Kentucky pot-still tradition, a slower, more work intensive, more expensive relic of a bygone era. The 16-year old spirit was distilled in the spring of 1974 at Michter’s Distillery and the whiskey was then left in the distillery to mature until bottled in 1990. Hirsch Reserve stands in the class of top-flight single malt Scotch Whisky offering a silky smooth texture which coats the mouth, and perfectly balanced flavors of sweet oak, maple and spice with plenty of mint, evergreen, dried apricots, toffee, and vanilla. The finish is round, rich, very long, and mellow. Just a few short years ago you could’ve bought this for about $40 a bottle now, not so much! The price is going up at a pace of about $250 per year as this rarity becomes harder and harder to find! But we found a stash... at Cool Springs Wines & Spirits. coolspringswines.com
NOT SO SECRET AGENT Luxury Lace - Up to $1200
What lust list would be complete without great lingerie? Agent Provocateur did for luxury lingerie what Victoria’s Secret did for everyday bras. You may not know the name but, trust us, she does. Elegant, expensive, beautiful, and erotic. With $300 bras, $800 bodysuits, and $1200 robes, these are great gifts that you both will enjoy! agentprovocateur.com
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FLY ME TO THE MOON
The OMEGA Speedmaster “Dark Side of the Moon” - $12,000
As they say, it is difficult to reinvent a classic. A brand tinkers with an icon at its own risk, potentially infuriating die-hard fans and losing hard-won prestige. Consider OMEGA's classic and legendary Speedmaster. There have been countless iterations of the Speedmaster, including the version approved by NASA as standard equipment for manned space travel, known as the "Moonwatch". Out of the entire Speedmaster lineage, that Moonwatch (the Speedmaster Professional) is still the one to own, and OMEGA has been wise not mess with it since 1969. Still, there is one modern Speedmaster that is as good as the 40 year old version. The new “Dark Side of the Moon” edition sports a nearly all-black design with a black ceramic 44.25mm case and chronograph pushers, a black zirconium oxide ceramic dial, a sapphire display back, indexes in white gold, and a rhodium-plated, red-tipped chronograph hand. Tying it all together is a black Cordura strap with a black ceramic buckle. You may not be able to be an astronaut but this watch just might make you feel as cool as Buzz Aldrin. omegawatches.com
Scott “Radian” Fly Rod - $795
FLY ME TO THE STREAM
The new Radian (9-foot, 5-weight) fly fishing rod is a game changer. Not only for it’s action and beauty but also for its new technology. The company says the improved tech minimizes vibrations in the rod and improves recovery in the blank, without the need for added material. What you ultimately get is both the feel and power normally associated with fast action rods. Many anglers swear by the company's saltwater models for their fast and powerful feel and now, there is one more weapon to put into the arsenal. scottflyrod.com
A CLASSIC IN A NEW FORM
2014 Indian Chieftain - $23,500 in Indian Red
America’s first motorcycle company is back in a big way! A long time favorite of Leiper’s Fork local (and American Picker) Mike Wolfe, Indian motorcycles are a true piece of Americana. The Chieftain is the first Indian to offer a molded front end, or fairing, with integrated driving lights, and a power windshield. Standard features include hard saddlebags featuring remote locks and quick-release anchors, a high-output audio system featuring integrated Bluetooth smartphone connectivity, and a tire pressure monitoring system. An Indian has always been a classic cruiser and the new version stays true to Indian’s roots. They were very innovative and progressive back in the day and they are still carrying that torch in the new year. This baby is perfect for the roads of Middle Tennessee. indianmotorcycle.com
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MAN CAVE MUST HAVE
Samsung 85” S9 Smart TV - $40,000
At over seven feet, this TV is truly larger than life. It features a minimalist, high tech look, "Precision Black Pro" display for an extremely high contrast ratio, 2.2 channel audio, and integrated scaler to make your 1080p videos viewable at the higher res. You also get all of Samsung's Smart TV features like a quad-core processor, voice and gesture control, and numerous on board apps. For TV junkies, words can not express the pure joy this monster will bring! samsung.com
SHE WILL ALSO WANT MATCHING SHOES
Givenchy Lucrezia Printed Leather Tote - $3,375
Shoes and purses... you know you can never go wrong with either when buying for a woman. This little number from Givenchy is sure to get a very big “Thank You!” come December 25th, or any day of the year for that matter. Available at mytheresa.com
NOT JUST ANY OLD SUN, SAND, AND SURF
Little Palm Island Resort & Spa - All Inclusive Island Grand Suite - $19,000 per week
Accessible only by boat or seaplane, Little Palm is Florida's most secluded and romantic retreat, a bona-fide tropical locale set along a white sand beach on a private 6-acre island in the Keys. Thirty thatched-roof bungalows surrounded by towering palms, turquoise sea, and a coral reef add to the far-away feel. Bask in the sun for hours doing absolutely nothing or adventurous guests can delve into scuba diving, kayaking, sailing, deep-sea fishing, or skydiving. At the end of the day, the island’s SpaTerre provides a soothing retreat that morphs right into sunsets at the bar and candlelit dinners on the shore. littlepalmisland.com
s y a d Holi Gone g n o r W
C
Give Yourself a Break !
RAZORFEATURE
CHRISTMAS ISN’T PERFECT
lark’s boss sat tied to a chair in disbelief. The Christmas garland held him captive at the home of the Griswold’s. He had just been kidnapped by a very alarming character in an RV, who called himself “Cousin Eddie”, and both man and vehicle were quite unstable. When Clark Griswold put on his unfortunate festive sweater and grabbed his special moose antler cup on Christmas Eve, he didn’t expect in the next hour to be screwed out of his Christmas bonus and have a SWAT team crashing through his windows with automatic weapons. But hey, Christmas isn’t perfect. It’s true that an ugly, scary, or even flammable mishap may have happened during holidays of yesteryear in your own world, but my money is on Clark W. Griswold’s being worse. As an evolving society, we are getting a bit too caught up in the garland. And frankly, we cannot breathe. In my effort to set out and talk to the folks who make Nashville grand, I quickly learned that underneath the holiday store display explosions and plastic Santa smiles there is a dark underbelly: reality. Although not always pretty, it can be quite humorous. It happens to the best of us. From famous musicians to pro-athletes to bankers and chefs and everyone in between. So let’s embrace the crazy. Let’s celebrate the dysfunction. In addition, let’s give ourselves a bit more credit. So much pressure exists to make the holidays perfect in an impossible environment. Think about it. Families are brought together, made up of people that may not have seen each other since last year, and those who could quite possibly have all kinds of juicy underlying issues with each other. Throw in some awkward teens and an elderly, crazy uncle all trapped in one house (and often over food), mix in a little bit (or massive amounts) of alcohol, and you have the perfect storm. Brace for it because it’s going to be a glitter bath. However, for us lucky folks who know it is on the horizon, let’s just take solace in knowing that no holidays are perfect. And if you do know someone who really has a perfect holiday, let me know. I will have them kidnapped and delivered to your doorstep covered in turkey gravy and wrapping paper. There are several types of holiday “imperfections” that you may experience, and I was lucky enough to uncover several of them in my interviews. Enjoy!
THE YEAR OF THE SCREAMING TREE from John Oates, Hall & Oates
When not in Nashville, we live in a log home in the mountains of Colorado. The perfect setting for a perfect Christmas tree. Roaring fire, deep snow outside, dogs curled up on the rug… just the way you would want it to be. Each year we take the truck to the foot of the mountain and buy our tree from the guys at our local fire department. Every year our son begs and works us for a bigger tree. For a young boy, bigger is always better. Well, being the soft touch parents that we are, every year the tree always seems to get a bit larger. One year, after we set it up in the living room and started decorating it, we realized that we didn’t have enough ornaments and lights for such a huge tree. At which point our son had an epiphany and suggested we just decorate the front of the tree… makes sense, right? No one looks in the back anyway. So we began decorating and just when we were almost done and about to put the star on the very tip top branch, we heard an ominous creaking, squeaking sound as the front heavy tree began to tip under the weight of all those decorations and of course, our son was sitting right in front of it! Crash went the tree as the screams echoed from underneath the tinsel and bulbs. After safely extricating him from this Douglas fir fiasco we put it back up and Christmas cheer was restored. As a side note, the next year he still wanted a bigger tree! RAZORnashville.com / 87
RAZORFEATURE
My wife and I encountered a hairy situation when our street in Bellevue became an ice rink. McCrory Lane yurned into a collection area for cars attempting to make it down the road... and failing miserably. By the time we made our way on to the street, weary from our trip back from Cincinnati, it was too late. Our car also became part of the pile, we had to get out, and walk the rest of the way home… at 10pm…with luggage and dogs. One of them (dog, not human) was shaved and freezing. The next morning, we went to get the car, and apparently it was in the direct path of an ambulance overnight. It had been towed. I can assure you that we are now one of the first streets in our community that gets salt upon first sign of snow or ice.
BEAN BAG CHAIRS AND ANTIQUE ORNAMENTS from SHEIlA mckINNEY, Photographer
Back in the 80s, big oversized bean bag chairs were all the rage. My sister and I were only 17 months apart but vastly different in our personalities. She was very dramatic and the trouble maker of the group. I, of course, was the perfect little angel (ha!). One Christmas morning we came downstairs to all of our presents and over by the tree were two large, vinyl bean bags. My sister being her usual over enthusiastic self screams, “WOW! bean bag chairs!” She then tore across the room and jumped on her bean bag. As she did, it went careening right into the Christmas tree. CRASH! As the tree tipped over, all I could hear was the smashing of ornaments and the heavy sighing of my mother who had been carefully storing these ornaments, which were one-of-a-kind, antique treasures that had been handed down through our family, for years. Needless to say that was a Christmas we can all look back on and laugh about now, although at the time we thought it was the end of the world. Today, my tree is missing a few family ornaments that belonged to my grandma few decades ago and I think, I will think twice before letting Santa bring bean bags down the chimney for my twins!
MCCRORY LANE ICE RINK FOR CARS from COlE EvANS, good People Creative
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
from RICHARD COURtNEY Christianson, Patterson, Courtney, and Associates.
It was the Christmas of 1990 and I was the listing agent for a home in Hunterwood in Williamson County. The buyers were eager to get into their home by Christmas, and were in the process of their final walk through with Sandy Haury, the builder. He took them up into the attic area over the garage to show them how they could convert the space into a bonus room. The insulation had been blown and was covering the joists (the lumber that supports the ceiling below)as we made our way around the room. Those of us familiar with construction knew to walk only on the joists. The wife of the buyer was unaware of that necessity. As the builder was talking, we heard a gasp, and suddenly the wife disappeared from sight. Her groans drew our eyes into a pile of insulation where her head eventually merged. “My nylons! My nylons! I’ve ruined my nylons!” she shrieked. We realized that she had stepped in the insulation that rested atop the ceiling drywall below and had fallen through. “Go down and push her back up!” Sandy screamed to me. I rushed into the garage and looked up only to see a pair of nylon covered legs dangling like a chandelier from the center of the room. I ran over, looked up, and decided that her husband was better suited for the task of pushing his wife back up through the opening she had created. The house was completed and the family enjoyed their first Tennessee Christmas. Perhaps Santa delivered a brand new pair of nylons to the home that year.
TURKEY MURDER IN TENNESSEE
from CHRIS RAINS, the Chef and I Catering
During the holidays one year I got a phone call from my stepfather, Bill. He said he shot a wild turkey in his backyard and wanted me to prepare it for the holidays. (continued next page) 88 / RAZORnashville.com
Coming from a hunting family, and being a chef, this request wasn’t strange. But how the turkey came to be on the table definitely was. For weeks, my stepfather had been watching a group of turkeys hanging out in his front yard and was willing them to strut their way into his backyard so he could shoot one. Finally, his plan worked, and the turkeys came a gobblin’ down the driveway to the back. Bill crouched behind the trashcan and took out the big Tom after getting a clear shot. BAM! Turkey time! Except one major problem. As my stepfather enjoyed the excitement of the “hunt”, his neighbor came screaming down the driveway that Bill had killed one of his pet wild turkeys. He called Bill every name in the book. Unfazed, Bill took the turkey inside only to get a knock on the door about an hour later. Standing in the doorway was the local game warden, who was sent to check out the neighbor’s claim of a turkey murder in Tennessee. After hearing the story, Bill was cleared of any wrong doing. No wonder the holiday main course was so filled with buckshot.
A FEW TIPS FROM LOCALS TO HELP MANAGE THE HOLIDAY SEASON INSANITY
ERICA RAINS (the writer of this feature) I try to simplify... my life before it gets crazy. You can create almost a quiet before the storm in which you mentally prepare. An unexpected side effect is you may actually become more organized as you reflect and ready yourself, thus making the entire holiday experience more enjoyable. Surprise!
Relax... and stop feeling guilty about it. Have you met you? You are busy and we are all guilty of taking on too much. Chill. Meditate. Watch mindless TV. Whatever helps you mentally detach is going to be key for at least some sanity this year.
Schedule... visits, parties, and events. Obviously scheduling something is not new, but adding an end time for yourself might be. Schedule a visit to your in-laws from 4 to 8 pm, and honestly tell them you are so looking forward to it, you can stay for four whole hours but will need to leave by eight sharp. Do the same for your office and/or neighborhood party
AllEN BAIlEY (Paradigm group) recommends... A Workout... I exercise at 4:30 in the morning. After doing an Ironman, nothing seems overwhelming. You don’t have to be
a workout nut but just try to hit the gym... even though it feels like there is no time. It will help keep your energy levels up and, at the least, counteract the extra calories you likely consumed during the month. Also, try to eat small , healthy snacks throughout the day as well if you know you will be having a meal fit for a royal person later that night.
Prioritize... Keep things in perspective in terms of what’s important and what’s not. Not everything is an emergency. Don’t worry about keeping up with the Griswold’s down the street. Just ignore other people’s stress.
DAvID lEgWAND and family (Nashville Predators) says... Get interactive with the kids. The “Elf on the Shelf” situation got a bit out of control last year, with the elf swinging from the chandelier and finding himself in precarious locations like the visor of the car. However, the we would not dare enter this holiday season without this fun interactive game. This year it's on! I've already been to the website (yes, that exists) and the elf now has outfits and is even making an appearance at my son Ryder's birthday... in a cupcake outfit! This season it will be a fun thing for the whole family!
Mandy Johnson Photography
BRIAN glEASON (DesCase Corporation) says to... Shop smart... Start your Christmas shopping early, and on line. For instance try Fandango.com. Surprisingly, movie tickets are a gift people don’t give enough. Getting away to see a flick in a nice, dark (hopefully quiet) theater is just what the holiday doctor ordered. It is more personable than a gift certificate, and allows the receiver to choose the movie and time of their choice. They might even take you, if you are lucky. Put that smart phone to work... Use an app to stay organized and keep your shopping list by your side at all times. Try the app called Gift Plan, which allows you to categorize people and list gifts by priority or price, and shows a countdown to Christmas, birthdays, and anniversaries. leave... Brian’s last tip is my favorite, and one I am highly considering. Cabo around Christmas is guaranteed to reduce stress. This is the second time Cabo San Lucas has come up in the last 24 hours as I finish this article. If I hear it a third time, I am booking a flight. Santa could probably use great tequila and a break anyway. Chances are, he is putting too much pressure on the holidays too. I hope he’s reading this. RN RAZORnashville.com / 89
WINTER on the WATER
The Top Ten Winter Fishing Holes for Middle Tennessee Anglers Special to RAZOR Nashville from Joey Monteleone
RAZORFEATURE
I
y a w a t e G e h T
’ve been fortunate enough to travel all across North America fishing. But, in the immortal words of Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz, “There’s no place like home.” Blessed with a unique diversity in types of water and species of fish, Tennessee is loaded with beautiful spots to “wet a line.” Whether you want to cast for cash in tournaments or fish for fun, there’s a place here for you. Walk the bank, wade, or cruise in a boat - big, small, motor-powered or a paddle boat either way, Middle Tennessee has some type of fishing hole that’s sure to suit you. Grab your fishing gear and follow me to my top 10 destinations for Volunteer State anglers.
10 - Center Hill Lake
With more than 18,000 surface acres, “The Hill” was formed in the late 1940s and is a short trip up I-40. With deep and clear waters similar to many limestone lakes, it contains great populations of all three major bass species (largemouth, smallmouth, and Spotted Kentucky). Other favorite fish are slab-sized crappie, giant bluegill, and the great-tasting walleye. Center Hill is narrow and has lots of rocky shorelines and gravel banks that harbor bait in the form of shad, minnows and crawfish, all of which are on the menu for gamefish that roam these waters. Cold-water species, such as catfish, walleye and crappie, all feed through the winter months.
Starting point: Edgar Evins Boat Ramp in Silver Point
9 - Dale Hollow Lake
The lake is bordered by Tennessee and Kentucky, and is the site of the revered world-record smallmouth bass catch taken in the early 1950s. While hard-hitting bass steal the headlines, healthy populations of rainbow trout, crappie, and walleye abound. The wintertime bite is great. Want a chance at a state-record muskie? Dale Hollow has a good number of transplanted muskellunge 92 / RAZORnashville.com
Sunset on Dale Hollow Lake
swimming its cool waters. The lake is another example of a deep highland reservoir. Steep bluffs and long points are good areas for prospective anglers to cast. Excellent water quality, more than 600 miles of shoreline. and a well-managed state stocking programs keep the fishing topnotch. Starting point: Horse Creek Boat Dock in Celina
8 - Pickwick Lake
I once asked my close friend Bill Dance, “If you could fish only one place for one fish, where would it be?” He quickly responded, “Pickwick for smallmouth bass!” Pickwick is a fabulous river-system lake located on the extreme south border of Tennessee, and continues into north Alabama. A mile wide and eight miles long, the fertile waters of Pickwick offer ideal habitats for several species of fish in addition to bass. Outstanding catfishing is available throughout the year for BIG bluecats all up and down the lake, as well as other frigid-water species, such as the popular sauger. Starting point: Pickwick landing State Park in Shiloh
7 - Kentucky Lake (South)
Long famous for legendary crappie catches, Kentucky Lake has since gained notoriety for lots of bass, including trophy-size largemouths. Little-known secrets are the excellent bream fishing and the smallmouth bass that are swimming the waters of the lake. A TVA-operated lake consisting of 157 miles (the entire reservoir) of prime fishing water, Kentucky Lake has become famous for “ledge fishing,” which heats up in the summer months and continues into the fall. Crappie fishing remains excellent year-round.
Starting point: Paris landing State Park in Buchanan
\
with Bridgett Howard
6 - The Cumberland River
There are several places to fish the river in middle Tennessee, but near Clarksville or the Shelby Bottoms in Nashville are two good launch points. Almost immediately, you are in water that holds bass, bluegill, and monster catfish. While the river currents make fish location more predictable, they also make their shorelines ever changing; but the challenges are worth it when you find yourself wrestling with a giant catfish or several of the other species found in this long, historic river. Big catfish (bluecats and flatheads) feed heavily from November into February. Starting point: Shelby Bottoms in Nashville
Catfish from Pickwick Lake
Don’t let the cool weather fool you regarding your fishing endeavors. A little light maintenance work now will help make your fishing days more successful year-round. • Low Down on Line - Fishing line should minimally be re-spooled every six months, but you do not strip all the line from your reel. Remove 2/3rds of your line, tie a good knot to connect the lines and fill your reel. • Guides, Check - Running a Q-tip around the guides on your rods will reveal any cracks or breaks in the eyes as small traces of cotton can identify damaged guides. Repair or replace as needed. • Hook N’ Up - Now is a great time to sharpen or replace hooks on your crank baits. Use a diamond-file to sharpen and use split-ring pliers for replacing existing hooks. • Organizing - Organizing and labeling terminal tackle is a great way to increase fishing time and decrease frustration. Assemble a small box of hooks and sinkers and attach labels showing size and weight of each; more fishing, less searching.
5 - Caney Fork River
Around 140 miles long, the Caney Fork is a favorite spot for trout enthusiasts. Originating in Cumberland County and flowing into the Cumberland River, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency stocks more than 100,000 rainbow and brown trout into its waters the entire winter season. The Caney stays at about 52 degrees year-round, and support bass, walleye, and stripers. Along with a fishing license, a trout stamp is required, and it is important to note that the TVA generates water from the dam into the Caney Fork River. The generation schedule is accessible by visiting the TVA website (tva.gov) or by calling (800) 238-2264. The generation causes a swift change in the current and water levels, which is most important to wading trout anglers, so check this schedule prior to your trip. Fly-casting, while the most popular, is not the only method for catching Caney Fork trout. Small spinners, minnow-imitating baits, and live night crawlers all take their share of rainbows and browns. The premier guide on the Caney Fork is Chris Nischan with Rod & Gun Guide Service; (615) 975-2766.
• Get Reel - Sometimes equipment just has to be retired. Take the time to evaluate and say good-bye to those that have seen better days.
• Smooth Operator - A small bit of oil applied to gears and external mechanisms keeps reels running smoothly. Real Magic is a spray applied directly to your line and or reels to help reduce line memory and increase casting distance.
Bridgett Howard
RAZORFEATURE
STAYING ON TOP OF YOUR GAME DURING THE WINTER MONTHS
Get organized. More fishing, less searching.
4 - TWRA Managed Lakes
These lakes are some of the best-kept secrets in Tennessee. There are 20 of these jewels across the state, ranging in size from 22 acres (Lake Graham in west Tennessee) to 560 acres (Gibson County Lake). The lakes are family-friendly and are managed for numbers as well as trophy fish, and there is one close to you. Concessions, rental boats, and bait are available at some locations. For more information and to find a lake nearyou, visit Tnwildlife.org. Gibson Lake often gives up bass in excess of 10 pounds, and Marrowbone Lake is minutes from Nashville. Check out the other 18 for some outstanding angling adventures. Bring the family, fishin’ poles, and a camera!
3 - Reelfoot Lake
Located in the northwest part of the state, Reelfoot is teeming with fish and history. The lake was formed in 1811 when an earthquake caused the Mississippi river to flow backward, forming this 15,000-acre, shallow-water outdoor paradise. While it is a bit of a drive (about three hours from Metro Nashville), the fishing and local hospitality make it well worth the trip. Enormous crappie, big bluegill, largemouth bass averaging more than three pounds, and the picturesque landscape make Reelfoot a can’t-miss destination. Cypress trees, lily pads, ducks, and eagles migrating in the winter, and year-round fishing typify Reelfoot Lake.
Progressive Insurance Boat & Sportshow The show (NashvilleBoatShow.com) has long been a popular attraction in Music City and a fun way to beat the winter doldrums. The show promises to be bigger and better than ever this year as it moves into the brand new Music City Center.
Dates and Hours
January 23rd to the 26th, 2014 Thursday, January 23rd from 2 to 9pm Friday, January 24th from 12 to 9pm Saturday, January 25th from 10am to 9pm Sunday, January 26th from 11am to 5pm
Things To Do and See
- Get on board and try out hundreds of boats from the region’s top dealers. - Try out paddleboarding in an indoor pool. - Dive into the brand-new indoor scuba diving tank. - Stop by the kids area for family-fun activities - Check out the large demo fish tank to learn which bait you should use on your next fishing trip - Take part in contests, giveaways, and seminars for new and experienced boaters alike.
Tickets
Adults - $9 (ages 16 and older) Children - Free (ages 15 years and under) Opening Day - $6 admission
Starting point: Blue Bank marina and Resort in Hornbeak
2 - Small Rivers
This may come as a surprise, but anglers should not overlook all the small rivers flowing through Middle Tennessee. The Elk, Harpeth, Duck, and Stones rivers all are postcard-pretty and offer fun, incredible scenery, solitude, and a wide variety of fishing opportunities. The fastest-growing segment in boating is kayaking. The scenic ribbons of water running through Middle Tennessee are ideal for a leisurely float in a kayak, canoe, or possibly a flat-bottom “Jon” boat. Because they have a constant flow, these smaller rivers are rich in oxygen, and stay cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, making them attractive angling hotspots for all four seasons. Cool, clear water and a multitude of fish to target make these places perfect for the novice or seasoned angler. Don’t be fooled into thinking these places harbor only dinky fish. Trophies also swim here. 94 / RAZORnashville.com
Kayaking and River Bass
1 - J. Percy Priest Lake
Metro Nashville has easy access to “Priest.” This lake continues to produce amazing catches year after year, with great populations of multiple species of fish and a legitimate chance for one day producing a trophy bass, a limit of crappie (currently 30 per day), or the opportunity to tangle with a catfish, rockfish, and more. Priest is a great place to launch at any time. The cold-water species - crappie, smallmouth bass, and catfish are very active every month, but are particularly active from fall through early spring. Virtually everything that swims can be found, and the lakeside amenities make the trip memorable and comfortable. Every form of recreational fishing is available at Percy Priest - a shallow lake that looks “fishy” around every turn. Percy Priest is 14,000 acres of fun and fish just waiting for you. Launch ramps are located all over the lake.
Starting points: Elm Hill marina, Four Corners, and Fate Sanders.
A foggy morning on the banks of J. Percy Priest Lake
The 2014 Progressive Insurance Nashville Boat & Sportshow is a one-stop shop and great place to find your next boat, plus all the fishing and boating accessories you need before you hit the water. There are free on-site fishing seminars from some of the country’s most knowledgeable anglers sharing new tricks and techniques to help you land more and bigger fish. There’s something for everybody, including aisles of entertainment for the entire family. This is the best chance to compare features as well as prices and to buy the boat of your dreams. Come join us and “catch your limit of fun” at the 2014 Nashville boat show. I hope to see you there!
MEET JOEY MONTELEONE Joey has earned national attention as he has fished, guided, and instructed all across North America. Among Monteleone’s major accomplishments are catching over 29,000 bass in the last three decades and documented catches of more than 1,100 trophy bass, largemouth and smallmouth over five pounds in his career. Joey has made numerous national TV appearances on many outdoor TV shows and as a “guide” on the award-winning, nationally syndicated show Tennessee’s Wild Side. As the longtime outdoor editor on legendary radio station 650 WSM, his Inside the Outdoors is now a daily spot that Monteleone co-hosts along with Hall of Fame DJ Bill Cody, Wild Side radio. This popular spot provides “on air” advice to fishermen, hunters and outdoorsmen, reaching 38 states and Canada.
Crappie from Priest Lake
GUY GUYDE drink
LAST CALL
from Saint Anejo
Velvet Angelos
Shake together 2 ounces of Lunazul Reposado Tequila 1 ounce prickly pear puree 3/4 ounce Velvet Falernum Liqueur 2 dashes of Peychauds Bitters 1/4 ounce lemon juice Splash of 7-Up Serve in coup glass and garnish with lemon wheel!
THE END / RAZORnashville.com
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