The East Nashvillian 11.1 Jan-Feb 2021

Jan | Feb 2021

VOL. XI ISSUE 1

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theeastnashvillian.com January | February 2021

Boarding pass?

Check.

Mask?

You know it.

Let’s fly. Safely.

For more about our COVID-19 safety measures, visit flynashville.com

flynashville.com

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theeastnashvillian.com January | February 2021

Choose JOY!

Whether it’s in whole class, small groups or personal learning time, our teachers make sure students experience the joy of learning. We’ve been here for generations and gladly here to shape the next. Tour our STEAM magnet schools to see for yourself.

Learn more about our magnet schools at www.mnps.org/steammagnet

The Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, creed, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, color, age, and/or disability in admission to, access to, or operation of its programs, services, or activities. MNPS does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices.

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S T I L L N E E D A D E SK FOR T H AT H OME OF F ICE?

G IVE U S A C ALL AT GOOD WOOD N ASHV IL L E FOR CU S TOM AND I N S TOC K D E SKS. 1307 D I C K ERSON PIKE N A SHVILLE TN 37207 615. 45 4.3 817 | GO O DWO O D N A SHVILLE . C OM | M A IL@G OODWOODN ASHVIL LE. C O M 8

theeastnashvillian.com January | February 2021

theeastnashvillian.com Founder & Publisher Lisa McCauley

Creative Director

Chuck Allen Layout

Benjamin Rumble

Editor-in-Chief

Photo Editing

Chuck Allen

Travis Commeau

Randy Fox

Benjamin Rumble, Dean Tomasek, Tommy Womack

editor@theeastnashvillian.com Managing Editor

Illustrations

randy@theeastnashvillian.com Contributing Writers

James Haggerty, Megan Seling, Tommy Womack, Ron Wynn

Advertising sales@theeastnashvillian.com Ad Design

Contributing Photographers

Distribution Manager

Benjamin Rumble Don Gaylord

Travis Commeau, Madison Thorn

The East Nashvillian is a bimonthly magazine published by Kitchen Table Media. All editorial content and photographic materials contained herein are “works for hire” and are the exclusive property of Kitchen Table Media, LLC unless otherwise noted. This publication is offered freely, limited to one per reader. The removal of more than one copy by an individual from any of our distribution points constitutes theft and will be subject to prosecution.

Reprints or any other usage without the express written permission of the publisher is a violation of copyright.

©2021 Kitchen Table Media P.O. Box 60157, Nashville, TN 37206

January | February 2021 theeastnashvillian.com

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a FRESH START for 2021 Start out the new year with an upgrade to all your printed items!

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Features East Comedy Club is 40 Out Open to Everyone

Know Your Neighbor(s) pa n d e m i c e d i t i o n

By Ron Wynn

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The Abstract Insurrectionist

By Chuck Allen

Fridd 16 Neil + Dana Greaves

By Megan Seling

East Nashvillians of the Year

28 30 Business: Dan & Ellen Einstein Intro

Past winners

Sweet 16th Bakery

By Randy Fox

33 34 Citizen: Ronald Gooch, Jr. Nominees 2020

By Randy Fox

Commentary

13 Atonement Editor’s Letter

By Chuck Allen

14 Did You Win?

Astute Observations

By James “Hags” Haggerty

50 Where’s My Hug? East Of Normal

By Tommy Womack

Artist in Profile

20 Madison Thorn

Photographer puts a human face on the pandemic

By Tommy Womack

Cover Design Travis Commeau

Photograph Chuck Allen

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Editors

Letter

Atonement

A

recent Facebook post by a friend of mine (and local community leader) said that “literature in the fields of peace-building and conflict prevention overflows with ideas about local and community-based and economic regeneration.”

Of course the irony of this is that I read it on Facebook, the very embodiment of the breakdown in community-based anything. But the point being made makes perfect sense and is one we’ve been behind throughout our 10-plus years as a publication.

There’s no question that social media platforms have been instrumental in the ability for lies, conspiracy theories, disinformation, misinformation, and the like to spread like wildfire through a populace susceptible to them. Even highly educated, media-savvy folks aren’t totally inoculated and can fall prey to repeating hearsay or a sharing a click-bait headlined story

without first reading it.

But how do we reconcile with our friends, family members, neighbors, colleagues, and fellow citizens in the wake of an insurrection and over 400,000 deaths from COVID-19 when they refuse to renounce their support for the individual behind all the suffering? Banish them all from social media?

Unlikely. The social media companies hope cutting off the head will cause the body to wither and die. Although the move has had a noticeable impact, poison remains in the wound.

Pandora is out of her box.

Finding a way forward requires us to navigate a new landscape and it won’t be easy.

Before the graffiti was scrubbed from the walls of the Capitol, there were calls from Republicans and pundits in the rightwing infotainment universe for the left to tamp down thoughts of retribution in the interest of “National unity.”

Basically the guy who set the house on fire and was caught

red-handed is telling the judge to let him off so he can break bred with the victims.

It doesn’t work like that.

Certainly one way to help things along would be for the GOP — and run-of-the-mill Republicans generally — to step away from this idea that individual freedom is a zero-sum game in our society. For far too long, they’ve been pushing the idea that the “common good” is somehow a threat to their right to selfish entitlement.

The Dems can help the with conversation by demonstrating that a rising tide does indeed lift all ships, in opposition to the right’s mantra of trickle-down economics and Mexicans coming to steal your jobs.

Atonement requires accountability. It’s one thing to disagree about whether or not light rail is the best solution to address the need for mass transportation.

But the body politic breaks down when one side says, “No mass transportation, ever, and if you build it, we’re gonna blow it up.”

Anyone wishing to gain insight to how we “self govern” as a representative democracy should check in on a Metro Council meeting. For that matter, maybe a requirement for receiving a ballot in Federal elections should be proof of having voted in a local one first.

The further away, politically speaking, things are from one’s own front door, the more likely one will feel disempowered by the process. An understanding of this was used to exploit vulnerabilities in our system of governance by targeting fears of the other.

The best way to assuage such fear is through interpersonal relationships. Or put it this way, it’s much more difficult to hate someone when you’re sitting in a sports bar cheering for the home team together than it is when your squaring off with them on Twitter.

And maybe that’s how this will play out: Slowly, incrementally, one interaction and demonstration of goodwill at a time.

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Astute O B S E R V A T I O N S

BY JAMES “HAGS” HAGGERTY

D I D Y O U

W I N ?

F

olks, I am so angry, sad, and disillusioned by Donald Trump’s America. For those eight blissful years under the leadership of President Barack Obama, I felt that we had turned a corner, made a significant step forward as a society. I had a sunny disposition. I didn’t realize that millions of my fellow citizens were feeling quite the opposite. I was living in a hippy bubble of love and solidarity. A significant portion of us were outside that bubble and filled

The way I see it, that’s not what happened. The way I see it, a sociopath with just enough smarts and bully charisma to harness the power of anger, disenfranchisement, and ignorance managed to empower the dark underbelly of our society, namely dumbass white people with an axe to grind. The President of The United States held up a mirror to those folks and said you’re right! The country has gone to hell! It’s the illegal immigrants fault. It’s those thugs in the inner cities! We need to bring back law and order! You know who loved law and order? Alabama Governor, George Wallace. Trump lied and lied and they loved him for it. It didn’t matter what he said. Mainstream media was evil and their guy was messing with them.

Hell yeah, pussy grabber! Sieg Heil!

The insurrection on January 6 was envisioned, created, and enabled by Donald Trump and his Republican Party. The GOP went along with all of the hate and division because the hate base vote allowed them to advance a conservative agenda and attempt to undo everything President Obama accomplished. Some of those same Republicans are now back pedaling — just like Nazis at Nuremberg. They are all scum.

So here we are. The ex-President of The United States is a kamikaze reality TV star running on adulation and blind loyalty. That (and powdered inhalants) are his drugs of choice. He lost the election and no amount of lies, threats or bullying could bring it back to him. When that sank in, he made his plan. On January 6th he put that plan into action. He harnessed his hate brigade of misfit, wannabe Rambo fetishists and rammed them straight into the world’s symbol of freedom. He threw a tantrum like a 2 year old and chucked his toys out of the pram. He is a treasonous criminal and a threat to democracy. He and his minions deserve prison. That is how I see it. Stay safe, neighbors. We need each other.

4 years 30,573 lies 2 impeachments 1 failed coup attempt 400,000+ COVID-19 deaths with hate. I didn’t realize this. Donald Trump did. His campaign of alt-right, hate-stoking radicalization carried him straight to the Oval Office.

Rupert Murdoch’s Fox News; Medal of Freedom winner; Rush Limbaugh (stop rubbing your eyes, you read that right); Sean Hannity; Bill O’Reilly; and their ilk were all poised and ready to lend a helping hand, taking misogyny, racism, homophobia, and every other piece of vile bile that spilled from Trump’s mouth and amplifying it. They sure did a great job, don’t you think? I mean, look where we ended up. America is great again, right?

Hags is a bass player, bread maker, and regular contributor to The East Nashvillian.

His mood & outlook improved considerably with the inauguration of President Joe Biden, but he’s still flabergasted.

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“When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best.

They’re not sending you. They’re not sending you. They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with them. They’re bringing drugs.

They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.”

JUNE 16, 2015: DJT ANNOUNCING HIS CAMPAIGN AT TRUMP TOWER IN NEW YORK CITY “I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose voters.”

JANUARY 23, 2016: AT A CAMPAIGN RALLY “If you see somebody getting ready to throw a tomato, knock the crap out of them, would you? Seriously. Just knock the hell out of them. I promise you, I will pay for the legal fees.”

FEBRUARY 1, 2016: AT A CAMPAIGN RALLY (Note: During the rise of the Nazi party Adolph Hitler’s preferred term for the press was “Lügenpresse” meaning “lying press.”)

“A very big part of the anger we see today in our society is caused by the purposely false and inaccurate reporting of the Mainstream Media that I refer to as Fake News. It has gotten so bad and hateful that it is beyond description. Mainstream Media must clean up its act, FAST!” OCTOBER 25, 2018: TWITTER “Big protest in D.C. on January 6th.

Be there, will be wild!”

DECEMBER 19: TWITTER

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KNOW your NEIGHBOR

Neil FRIDD B Y

M E G A N

P A N D E M I C E D I T I O N

S E L I N G

M Neil Fridd & friends

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usician Neil Fridd was just one day into a two-week March tour with his experimental electro-pop band Terror Pigeon when pandemic lockdowns began. He had several weeks worth of shows booked through the spring and summer, both with Terror Pigeon and the Massachusetts-based wizard-themed rock band Harry and the Potters. Everything was canceled within a matter of days.

“It’s horrible for everyone,” he says. “It’s certainly not my unique horrible experience. In so many ways I’ve gotten lucky. I have not gotten sick and anyone I know who’s gotten sick has recovered.” He laughs and adds, “I mean, sure, my whole life doesn’t exist anymore, but …”

In addition to Terror Pigeon and Harry and the Potters, Fridd also works with Brooklyn’s indie-poppers Rubblebucket and Canadian dance musician Rich Aucoin, splitting his time between Nashville and New York, and normally spending 11 months out of the year on the road. Work that normally accounts for 97% of his income.

hear what’s going on and I send that mix to a radio transmitter and they tune in like it’s a drive-in.”

The band acts out different scenes and the audience, generally just 2-4 people who are quarantining together in the house, have to solve puzzles and cast spells via two-way radios supplied by the band.

“Life is shitty for everyone right now and

I try and work really hard with my music and art to make stuff that, at the very least, can make people forget about whatever problems the world, and they personally, might be experiencing for a few minutes. That is the big motivation to do it, and obviously, I have a ton of fun performing. In my small little way that I like doing, I like making now more tolerable for myself and maybe a few other people.”

“

In my small little way that I like doing, I like making now more tolerable for myself and maybe a few other people.

Neil Fridd

While many bands and musicians have replaced some of their touring income through livestreams from their homes or empty venues, that’s not been the case for the bands Fridd works with. Terror Pigeon shows are energetic, intimate explosions of music, lights, and art, featuring props, projections, inflatables, bursts of confetti, synchronized calisthenics, and sweaty singalongs. It’s not an easy experience for one person to recreate in a living room.

“Performing is one of the biggest parts of my life and it’s a huge piece of how I think about myself and what I’m passionate about,” Fridd says. “I do think it’s the thing I’m best at and have spent the most time doing or thinking about, outside of what food I want to eat.”

Seeking a different way, Fridd and and his colleagues began performing truly unique shows for just a few people at a time. “[The audience stays] inside their house with all their windows shut and we’re in their yard,” Fridd says. “We have a small P.A. so we can January | February 2021 theeastnashvillian.com

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KNOW your NEIGHBOR P A N D E M I C E D I T I O N

Dana Greaves

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Dana GREAVES

T B Y

M E G A N

S E L I N G

en months ago, Dana Greaves had a thriving business in her Shoppes on Fatherland artisan jewellery retail shop, Artaya Loka. Her creations appealed to celebrities and tourists alike and earned her praise from New York magazine and Nylon, but that career trajectory came to abrupt end in March.

When the pandemic began to ramp up, just a few weeks after the March 3 tornado, Greaves paused her regular business and started sewing face masks for essential workers. She eventually began selling some of the masks, but she wasn’t focused on making a profit. “I was barely paying myself, and I was working in a way that wasn’t sustainable,” she says. “I felt like if I didn’t complete this mask as fast as possible that means somebody’s life could be in jeopardy.”

As the desperate need for masks for medical caregivers eased, a new market arose for personal masks that provided protection while also making a fashion statement. This new market led to Greaves is selling fashionable masks via her online store at artayaloka.com and wholesale outlets like Faire.

“Prior to the pandemic I rarely sold anything online,” she says. “People didn’t visit the website, people didn’t know about the website and people who did shop with me online found out about the website through the retail shop. The pandemic changed how I sell, and what I sell.”

But while this new market blossomed, Artaya Loka’s retail shop faltered and it joined a growing list of local businesses that have permanently closed due to the tornado and COVID-19. In Greaves’ case, she’s taking a set back and turning it into an opportunity for the future. With plans for a new, bigger Artaya Loka, she’s set up a GoFundMe fundraiser (gofundme.com/f/artaya), with a lofty $200,000 goal.

“When the pandemic hit, it kind of persuaded me to dream way bigger than what I was dreaming of,” she says. “I’d love to have a bigger store, I’d love to have employees, I’d love to have street visibility — those aren’t things I would’ve thought about prior to the pandemic.

“With my GoFundMe I wanted to be very

I felt like if I didn’t complete this mask as fast as possible that means

“

somebody’s life could be in jeopardy.”

Dana Greaves realistic about what it takes to have a bigger store—it’s a different ball game than the shop I’m closing,” she adds. “Yes, the amount I put there was high, but I wanted to honor myself by being realistic about what really goes down during a pandemic. It is not easy and if you don’t prepare properly then it could be damaging, financially damaging, emotionally damaging.”

She adds that she’s not only starting to feel optimistic about the future, but she’s even been feeling inspired to once again start thinking beyond face masks. “I’m absolutely optimistic.

I have moments of true inspiration, which I wasn’t expecting at all. Some of the new collections and the collections I want to produce are fueling me.”

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Artist in Profile

Madison Thorn

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Photographer puts a human face on the pandemic

By Tommy Womack

Masdison Thorn on the stage of (newly renovated) The Basement East, her home away from home during normal times. Photograph

by Travis Commeau

theeastnashvillian.com January | February 2021

“

This, I believe, is what sets the HRH series apart

from most other editorials. Instead of me being an outsider, trying to understand my subjects, I’m in

the trenches with them. We’re eye to eye on what it’s been like to be labeled “High Risk” during the pan-

demic, what it’s like for a stranger to judge our life’s worth by saying “Sacrifice the Weak”. I’m grateful for my experiences during the pandemic, as trau-

matic as they have been, because I think it’s why my fellow “High Riskers” are so willing to open up and share their story with me. We’re in this together.

— Madison Thorn

M

adison Thorn is a 30-year-old artist with a serious look in her eyes and a terrific way with a conversation. Her photographic essay, “High Risk Humans,” is a deft capturing of nice and normal local folks and some wheels in the music scene, all of whom suffer from this or that malady and are thus more susceptible to the coronavirus. They’re the High Risk Humans — we all are, but these people quite a bit more so— and still they have to venture out for bread and milk like everybody else, and brave engagement with maskless douchebags and whatever else may be hanging in the air.

On highriskhumans.com, a click on someone’s photo reveals the story behind the image. On the following pages is a collection of images from the series, coupled with a story about each image from Thorn. →

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Artist in Profile

T

he genesis — like everything else related to COVID, began last spring. “Let’s see,” she begins, “everyone had pretty much the same April, right? Our jobs were gone. Before that my career in photography was going pretty well, and then everything pretty much came to a screeching halt. And then with COVID, I’m in what the CDC calls the high-risk category. I’m a type-1 diabetic, which is an autoimmune disease, so all of a sudden I found myself in this list that you don’t want to be a part of.

“I couldn’t leave my house. I had a roommate who didn’t wash his hands. I was unsafe all the time. I don’t really remember much of March and April. And then John Prine died and it was honestly the lowest point I’d experienced in a long time. And then a couple of weeks after that there was that protest to reopen businesses in Tennessee and Nashville, and someone took the time out of their day to write “sacrifice the weak” on a sign. It wrecked me. I thought I was already at the lowest point possible and that just hit me.

“I stayed in bed for about two days,” Thorn continues. “I had three friends who were also in the high-risk category, and I texted them and said, ‘I don’t know what I’m trying to do here, but I want to photograph the high risk.’ I asked, ‘will you let me photograph you?’ and they said absolutely. So that’s where it started.”

St. Louis born and bred, Thorn tied up her wagon here two years ago. “I had a band back in St. Louis, but I didn’t come down here to be a musician,” she says, making her the only musician in history who came to Nashville NOT to be one. “I can sum everything up by saying I was born a →

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LaJuanda

“Miss LaJuanda and I spoke quite a bit about her experiences with the civil rights movement over the course of her lifetime. My understanding of the movement sparked by the murder of George Floyd was that it was unlike any before it; this one was worldwide and people of all ages and ethnicities participated. I was hopeful that this might bring true change in the world but I’m young and naïve. So, with baited breath, I asked Miss LaJuanda her opinion of the marches that happened that summer, knowing that she had witnessed countless marches before this one. She looked at me with a soft fierceness and said, ‘This time feels different.’ I can still hear those words in my head and they still give me hope.”

Stuffy

“Stuffs is open about his battle with mental health, to an extent, but I think he was more eager to be involved when I explained to him that sharing his story might aid someone who is also having a hard time. For over two hours we spoke about the difficulties of the pandemic and the strain it has had on our mental wellbeing, it was not an easy conversation whatsoever, but he did an incredible job. So I look at these portraits of my friend and I see astonishing strength and resilience. At a time where it is not even easy to exist in one’s own mind, he chose to be honest with the intention of helping others. I’m proud of him.”

Mark

Meghan

When I began the series, I was incredibly angry. My original thought on how the project was going to unfold was to make it a huge; ‘Screw you!’ to anyone who was willing to say ‘Sacrifice the Weak.’ But then I interviewed Meghan and I distinctly remember that she was the first person I heard use the word ‘empathy,’ in regards to what should be leading our actions. I knew then and there, that was my goal for the project, to promote empathy and kindness.

That moment changed the entire coarse of the series and I’m thankful for that.

Artist in Profile

Photographs on pages 18-21 courtesy Madison Thorn

“It was a lovely day when I interviewed Mark; his daughter was outside with us playing in the yard.

We chased each other around and laughed a lot, she was nothing but smiles and joy. Unfortunately, it was harrowing to watch Mark twirl his little girl around, a girl who obviously loves her Dad, as him and I spoke about what it would be like for her if he died from the Coronavirus. For him to hold his daughter in his arms and have to consider such a devastating possibility, what a disturbing time we live in. The sun was shining bright that day but I left their house feeling emotionally drained.”

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photographer and raised as a musician. I’m a third generation photographer but spent my youth running around St. Louis’s music scene,” she says.

“I think the youngest person on High Risk Humans is eight and the oldest is The Mangler (Phil Kaufman) who just turned 80” says Thorn.

“You have a broad range of individuals, and my thought was ... those who say sacrifice the weak, I wanted to make them understand what that means.”

Not that it wasn’t a personal journal for Thorn too. “You wouldn’t be able to tell by looking at me, but with my Type 1 Diabetes being an autoimmune disease, I find myself on the list of potential casualties. People of all ages and backgrounds fall into this group — and largely through no fault of their own.”

Thorn sums it up best on highriskhumans.com when she says, “Everyday battles just to exist has been the ‘High Risk’ way of life long before COVID-19 came around. These people are incredibly strong because of that — and to refer to them as ‘weak’ is simply ridiculous. We’re going to change that narrative.

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“I wanted to start this project because, more so than anything else, I felt tragically alone. After weeks of capturing portraits of friends and new friends, I have come to realize that I am far from alone. Despite these terrifying times of isolation, humanity is very much intact and thriving.”

theeastnashvillian.com January | February 2021

View the complete “High Risk Humans” photo series and submit your story at highriskhumans.com.

Caroline “We had already done several portraits and were well into the interview when Miss Caroline turned to her daughter and said, ‘I think I should take my wig off for a couple pictures.’ ‘Only if you want to, Mama!’ I could tell that Miss Caroline was a little self-conscious and maybe even nervous.

Her daughter and I insisted again that she was not obligated to be photographed without her wig. She replied, ‘No, I want to, maybe it’ll help somebody else.’ I directed Miss Caroline to the new portrait setup, she took off her wig, and as I knelt down several yards away to take her picture, the weight of the situation just about knocked me over. She was gorgeous and powerful, choosing to share her struggles in hopes of helping someone else. As I lifted my camera, tears welled up in my eyes. That was one of the single greatest acts of strength I’ve ever witnessed.”

Sean:

“If you’ve never had a conversation with an eight year old, it can be a trip. I wanted to get a genuine understanding of Sean so I let him lead the bulk of our conversation. For at least 30 minutes we talked about ninjas, marine life, job occupations, and more ninjas.

Then suddenly, undirected by his mother or myself, he quipped about his idea for helping nurses. ‘Woah! That’s really cool, Sean! Tell me more about that!’ In our 45-minute conversation, we spoke about his plan to better the world for maybe two minutes, and then it was back to dragons. But that was all that was needed to recognize that Sean has a heart of gold and a true passion for trying to make the world a better place.”

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PA ST W I N N E R S 28

2014 BUSINESS: Powell Architecture + Building Studio CITIZEN: Brett Withers

2008 BUSINESS: Meg & Bret MacFadyen CITIZEN: Bob Acuff

2011 BUSINESS: The Green Wagon CITIZEN: Eric Jans

2009 BUSINESS: Dan Heller CITIZEN: Carol Norton

2012 BUSINESS: The East Nashvillian CITIZEN: Elizabeth Chauncey

2015 BUSINESS: Matt Charette CITIZEN: Darrell Downs, Kelly Perry

2018 BUSINESS: Lockeland Table CITIZEN: Anthony Davis

2010 BUSINESS: Alan Murdock CITIZEN: Catherine McTamaney

2013 BUSINESS: March Egerton CITIZEN: Carol Williams

2016 BUSINESS: The Basement East CITIZEN: Bonnie Bogen

2019 BUSINESS: Delgado Guitars CITIZEN: Marilyn Greer

theeastnashvillian.com January | February 2021

2017 BUSINESS: The 5 Spot CITIZEN: Stacie Huckeba

the east nashvillians of the year

20 20

2020 Winners: Business Award: Dan & Ellen Einstein, Sweet 16th Bakery Citizen Award: Ronald Gooch Awarded by the Historic East Nashville Merchants Association (HENMA) from nominations submitted by the general public, and selected by HENMA members and East Nashville business owners in a secret ballot, these annual awards honor those individuals and businesses, or business owners, who exemplify the true spirit of a being a good neighborand actively seek to make East Nashville a better place. We’d like to offer our congratulations to the winners and wish them all the best in the coming year! —The Editors January | February 2021 theeastnashvillian.com

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W

2 0 2 0

Dan & Ellen Einstein standing in the doorway of Sweet 16th Bakery, located at the corner of Ordway Place and 16th Avenue North.

Photograph by Chuck Allen

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‘

W

hen Sweet 16th Bakery first opened its doors on a sunny day in May 2003, owners Ellen and Dan Einstein faced the usual opening day jitters. “Our first day open it was just Dan and I,” Ellen Einstein says. “We had no employees. We had planned and planned and were baking for days in advance. We finally got it open and sold everything in just a few hours. We had nothing left. I looked at Dan and said, ‘How in the world are we going to do this again?’”

For the last 18 years, Dan and Ellen have been doing it again and again — serving up tasty cakes, cookies, muffins, and thousands of their trademark breakfast sandwich, a doubly cheesy, egg and green chilies delight, named one of the 10 best breakfast sandwiches in the country by Food & Wine Magazine.

The decision to open a neighborhood shop powered by long hours and hard physical labor was a life-changer for Dan, the former vice president and general manager of John Prine’s Oh Boy Records, and Ellen, who worked as a caterer and high-end food stylist for video and photography shoots. Both drew inspiration from Ellen’s parents, both Holocaust survivors who witnessed their Polish-Jewish community eradicated and who understood the importance of pursing a dream.

“What they always taught us, whether it was subtly or not, was you can do anything you set your mind to,” Dan says. “They came to this country without being able to speak a word of English with only $100 in their pocket and made a great life for themselves and their kids.”

“When we were getting ready to start the business,” Ellen says, “my father said, ‘If you don’t try you’ll never know, and if you fail, it’s fine, but at least you tried.’”

Sweet 16th’s true success story is a direct result of the philosophy they’ve followed from the very beginning. “We had survived the [1998] tornado so we had the feeling we had to stake our claim and bring something back to the neighborhood,” Dan says. “Seeing the goodness of people in the neighborhood and the way everybody came together. Our thing was to make a living, pay our bills, and give back to people who live around us.”

Staying true to those simple goals made Sweet 16th a true community business in the tradition of local markets, drug stores, bars, and

Business award:

Dan and Ellen Einstein Sweet 16th Bakery

It’s just for that sense of community.

It’s amazing how many people have met through this group, formed connections, and hopefully have become lifelong friends.

—Ellen diners that once served as social crossroads for neighborhoods. That’s not to say there haven’t been rough times. Despite the initial sell-out success of their first day, it took time to build the business and also establish themselves as something more than just a place to grab pastries and go.

“It took 11 months until we hired our first employee,” Ellen says, remembered the long hours of the rough and tumble early days.

“The whole business grew organically. We had to find out what people wanted. What sells and what doesn’t,” Dan says.

As it turned out one, thing people definitely wanted was Sweet 16th’s trademark breakfast sandwich. “The breakfast sandwich is what really put us in our groove,” Dan says. “We’d been talking about the idea for a while when our friend Kim Totzke kickstarted it with a suggestion. Al Anderson, our first employee [who now owns Big Al’s Deli in the Salemtown neighborhood], and the two of us created the breakfast sandwich. It didn’t take off immediately. At first we were thrilled if we sold 10 a day, now if we don’t sell more than 10 in an hour it’s a failure.” →

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Success through collaboration has been an important part of Sweet 16th’s story. Besides Ellen and Dan the bakery has only three employees, all of whom are long-time members of the team. As a way of expressing their appreciation, and to take a break themselves, the Einsteins close the bakery for three weeks in both the summer and winter, giving their employees full pay for the time off. As Ellen notes, “It keeps everybody fresh.When we come back we still love each other.”

Not only is the staff of Sweet 16th a family of sorts, but the familial feelings extend to the neighborhood. Sweet 16th specifically refuses tips, but many customers leave them anyway, leading to the Einstein’s making bi-annual donations of accumulated tip money to neighborhood-focused charities. In the aftermath of the March 3 tornado and the COVID-19 pandemic Sweet 16th has stepped up, providing meals and other support to their neighbors, as well as keeping prices low in a tough economy.

We welcome everyone.

—Dan “We really wanted to create a sense of community and a community meeting place,” Dan says. “Obviously with COVID right now, it’s harder to do that, but over the years we’ve been able to play a role in introducing neighbors to each other, helping people find a place to live, or to find job.”

“We’ve even had a wedding in the bakery,” Ellen adds. “The couple met in the bakery and got married there.”

As Dan explains, their dedication to community extends beyond the walls of the bakery. “About nine years ago Ellen noticed there were a lot of young Jewish kids moving to the neighborhood who didn’t have associations with a synagogue or a formal group,” Dan says. “So we started a group at our house for break-fast during Yom Kippur and a Hanukkah party just to give them a sense of belonging.” Since that time, the informal gatherings have expanded to include parents, single adults, interfaith couples, and just about anyone interested in joining the celebrations.

“We welcome everyone,” Dan says. ”It’s just for that sense of community,” Ellen adds. “It’s amazing how many people have met through this group, formed connections, and hopefully have become lifelong friends.”

While the usual next-step for successful businesses is to expand and grow, the Einsteins have chosen the road less traveled.

“I was never interested in being Mrs. Fields — making a million dollars and having a million locations,” Ellen says. “It’s one and it’s done.”

Dan agrees wholeheartedly, “If you go beyond one you start to lose the community you did it for,” he says. “One thing that has remained constant, despite the gentrification, is if you go a few blocks in each direction, there are people from every economic level — literally from the trashman to the CEO. We never want anyone to feel put upon by our prices or that they can’t afford something. We’re here to serve the entire community.”

—Randy Fox

For a full menu and other information, visit Sweet 16th Bakery online at sweet16th.com or follow them on Facebook and Instagram @Sweet16thbakery

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Citizen Nominees Ingrid Campbell

As president of the McFerrin Park Neighborhood Association, Campbell’s nomination shined a light on her successful advocacy for the neighborhood through her collaboration with Metro.

Colleen Cummings

Cummings is the academic dean at Explore! Community School and is well known for tornado recovery efforts through her organiztion of the 10th and Fatherland volunteer post.

2020 NOMINEES

Ronald Gooch Jr.

Gooch is best known for his work at the Margaret Maddox Family YMCA as an advocate for community outreach and volunteerism.

Sharon Billingsley Green

Billingsly Green, the president of the board of directors at East C.A.N., was recognized for her organizational skills during the tornado recovery efforts.

Dr. Katrina Adams Green

An ER doctor at Skyline Medical Center, Dr. Green has been outspoken during the battle against COVID-19 along with being an advocate for gun violence victims and instrumental in tornado recovery.

Jim Gregory

Gregory is chair of Nashville Tree Conservation Corps and has spearheaded the planting of at thousands of trees in East Nashville since the tornado with the goal of restoring Nashville’s tree canopy.

Pete Griffin

Griffin is the CEO of non-profit Musicians On Call, which brings live music to patients and caregivers in hospitals all across the country. A corporal with Nashville’s Office of Emergency Management, he’s one of Nashville’s eight Rescue Divers and is on Nashville’s swift water (flood) rescue team.

Jim Polk

Polk is known for his work at community support work through East End United Methodist, a role he continued to pursue even in the wake of his home and church being devastated by the March 3 tornado.

Madison Thorn

Thorn is a Nashville based photographer who’s COVID19 photo series “High Risk Humans” has spotlighted the challenges and inspired empathy for the individuals most at risk in our present times.

Anthony Viglietti

District Seven’s beautification coordinator for years, Vigletti is responsible for a myriad of Riverside Drive improvements and has been instrumental in several neighborhood clean-up initiatives.

Business or Business Owner Nominees Sara Nelson and Joey Plunket, owners of Duke’s

A neighborhood bar, Duke’s has been instrumental in feeding the neighbors for free on holidays and active in get out the vote efforts, collecting donations for hospitalized children, the Nashville food project, the free store at Drkmttr, and children’s Christmas charities.

Dan and Ellen Einstein, owners of Sweet 16 Bakery

As the owners of Sweet 16th Bakery, a neighborhood favorite since 2004, Ellen and Dan operate a true neighborhood business that collects money for local charities, has assisted with tornado relief, and served as a neighborhood meeting place.

Katie Shaw, owner of Red Arrow Gallery

As the owner of the East Nashville based art gallery Red Arrow Gallery, Shaw has created a de facto community center along with giving a voice to many minority artists.

Margot McCormack, owner of Margot Café

One of the originators of the East Nashville food scene, McCormack has been a community advocate for many years. She has coordinated many community events, including fundraising for charities and serving free meal for tornado relief.

Dave Puncochar, owner of Good Wood Nashville

As president of the Dickerson Road Merchants Association, Puncochar has worked with local business owners and Metro departments to elevate the profile of the Dickerson Road corridor and to connect business owners with local community groups and organizations along with being a strong advocate for tornado recovery.

John Mark Jackson and Blake Taylor, owners of Cumberland Cooling

Jackson and Taylor worked tirelessly on the front lines of tornado recovery along with donating a portion of their business profits to tornado relief. They have also worked with Vanderbilt University Medical Center to collect N95 masks for healthcare workers during the early weeks of the pandemic.

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Ronald Gooch standing on the porch of a home left damaged by the March 3, 2021 tornado, which remains unrepaired.

Photograph by Chuck Allen

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2 0 2 0

‘

Citizen award:

E

ast Nashville has been a neighborhood in transition for over two decades.

Individuals, businesses, and landmarks have come and gone, undergone dramatic transformations, or vanished altogether. One constant is Ronald Gooch,Jr. If you visited the Margaret Maddox Family YMCA over the last 25 years there was a good chance you’d see Gooch’s smiling face — playing basketball, participating and then overseeing the YMCA’s sports programs, or serving as the Y’s Development Director for the past four years.

A native East Nashvillian, Gooch has spent the majority of his life and career on the East Side, or as he prefers to call it, “Out East.”

“When I was growing up we never called it East Nashville,” he says. “Out East is what resonates with me and my family and friends.”

His namesake was thrust into the spotlight when he was six years old and his father, Ronald Gooch, Sr., was chosen as a relay runner for the 1996 Olympic flame as it made its way through Nashville on its way to Atlanta. “I don’t remember the moment when he carried the torch,” Gooch says, “but I do remember my dad working out like crazy because he was prepping to make the run. His dedication to getting up at four every morning to be at the gym at five made a big impression. That’s when I started going to the YMCA.” Only a short walk from his parents’ home on Spain Avenue, the “Out East” YMCA became Gooch’s second home — working out with his father in the mornings and spending long hours after school. “When I was 17 and a junior in high school, the staff were like, ‘You come here every day, you’re here until we close, do you want to work?’”

Moving into a full time work after he graduated high school in 2008, Gooch eventually became the Youth Sports Director, a position he held until 2013. Although Gooch excelled as head of the program, he says in retrospect he still had life lessons to learn. “I got to a point where I was running the sports program and I began to feel it was me and not the Y that was important. That’s one of the things I hope my children always know, it’s not the name of the back of the jersey, it’s always the name on the front of the jersey. [The team] is always going to run and operate with or without you.”

Ronald Gooch, Jr.

When it comes to the neighborhood the measuring stick is not how long or how short you’ve lived here, it’s what you do. Are you just living here, or are you living here and giving something back?

—Gooch Shortly after securing a bachelors degree from Austin Peay, Gooch found himself choosing a different career path, as a sales and marketing manager for the Hyatt Hotel chain.

“I was young, I had a kid to provide for, and it was an great opportunity,” Gooch says. “It was some good years because I was exposed to a lot of new situations but most of all it enabled me to see who I really was. The turning point

came when I was working during Christmas and [my first son] Omari was about 10 months old and his mom sent me a video of him taking his first steps. A few months later he started playing soccer and I would get videos of the games I couldn’t attend, that’s when I realized I didn’t want to continue to miss out. I was still working part time at the Y, I was able to come back on full time.” →

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Gooch returned to the YMCA full time in February 2016 as Corporate Membership Sales Connector, a position that put him in direct connection with local business and community leaders. “When I came back to the Y I had a different attitude from working in corporate America. I think that’s when my life clicked. The Y wasn’t just a job, it was community. That’s when I really started to tap into what our neighborhood was becoming. I took on the role of development director for fundraising [in January 2017] which involved community outreach.”

Over the last several years, Gooch has been an ubiquitous presence at the YMCA as well as East Nashville. He’s served as a Board Chair for the East Nashville Chamber of Commerce, and is a board member of the Friends of Shelby Park and the 510 Foundation, along with serving as an ad hoc board member of East Nashville Athletics. In the last year, he has also worked tirelessly on relief and recovery efforts for East Nashville residents affected by the March 3 tornado and the COVID-19 pandemic. For Gooch, such efforts are not just acts of charity, they’re opportunities to build a better future.

“I hate to say this, but there are times when things have to be torn down to be rebuilt with substance,” Gooch says. “That is what happened to our neighborhood and what is still happening. It’s forcing people to rely on their neighbors. The house that a person paid $500,000 for was just as destroyed as the house of someone in project housing. Disaster does not care about the money you make, or the color of your skin, or your job — and disaster comes in many forms: a tornado, a deadly pandemic, or an economic recession.

“When it comes to the neighborhood the measuring stick is not how long or how short you’ve lived here, it’s what you do. Are you just living here, or are you living here and giving something back? I think in the last year since the tornado, and despite a terrible pandemic I’ve seen more people from both the old and the new (East Nashville) come together to make a difference.”

That mix of optimism, hope, and pragmatism has become Gooch’s driving force, and the results of staying dedicated to a goal was a lesson he learned early from his father and one he’s now passing on to his won two sons — the next generation of “Out East” natives. For Gooch, it’s not a question of “Old Nashville” verses “New Nashville.” It’s a matter of creating a better Nashville by bringing people together.

“I think what pushes me most is to not only expose the great things in East Nashville but also expose and address the tough things that we can work on and make better,” Gooch says. “You can’t keep shoveling dirt on a plant because you don’t want people to see it.

It’s going to keep coming up, and you have to understand why it’s there. [The community] looks a lot different than it did 15 years ago, but the mission of the Y is to bring the old and the new together, and I don’t want people to ever think the old East Nashville is gone.”

—Randy

Fox

For more information about the “Out East” Y, schedules, and to make a donation, visit the Margaret Maddox YMCA online at ymcamidtn.org/locations/ margaret-maddox.

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Bermuda Triangle “Girlz II Women” C0ver shot for the 2017 Women in Music Issue (l-r) Jesse Lafser, Becca Mancari, Brittany Howard Photograph by Travis Commeau East Nashville, Aug. 9, 2017

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where you can also find “East Side Buzz” — our weeky neighborhood news column, as well as online exclusives, giveaways, and more!

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Margo Price Cover shot for May | June 2018 edition Photograph by Alysse Gafkjen Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge Madison, TN, April, 2018 January | February 2021 theeastnashvillian.com

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Comedian & East Nashville native, Da’Herm, outside his Gallatin Avenue club.

Photograph by Chuck Allen

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Out East Comedy Club is Open to Everyone

BY RON WYNN

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he world of comedy is a rough and tumble one. It’s a highly competitive environment, one that can make or break people quickly. Few comics are willing or interested in tackling the additional challenge of running a business, but that’s precisely what East Nashville comic Da’ Herm has been doing for the past five plus months.

He’s operating the Out East Comedy Club. located at Jerry’s Corner Store. 1401 Gallatin Ave, Unit B Nashville, TN 37206. But for Herm, a 28-year-old lifelong East Nashville resident, Out East represents the culmination of a dream, and his chance both to help others and give back to the community.

“This place (a two-floor building on the other side of the store) isn’t something I really ever envisioned growing up,” Herm told The East Nashvillian during a recent interview. “It’s not like I grew up surrounded by business people or entertainers. It’s also not like I came up in wealth, though my family members worked hard. But I had a knack for telling stories and a personality that people would say was funny.

I don’t know if there’s such a thing as a natural comic, but I know I’ve been observing people and then putting what I see into stories for many years.”

“I’ve been in this business for 10 years,” Herm continued. “I’ve lived here all my life, grew up around this area. I always knew I wanted to be in comedy, but coming up and getting started the thing I would always hear is there’s no places for people like me to work. The comedy game is kind of strange sometimes. You’ve got people who aren’t comfortable with political comics, or Black comics, or urban comics, or however they want to describe it.”

“So when I got the chance to get this place, I decided I wanted to make it both a special place and also one where everyone would be welcome. Considering the history of this spot (formerly a gym and hot spot frequented by White Supremacists), I thought man wouldn’t that be a kick, to turn this into a comedy club owned by a young Black man. But at the same time I didn’t want anyone to think that it was only or exclusively for Black people. So I kind of mixed things up. I invited Black businesses

“I want to combat ... this idea that there’s so much difference between people. I think offering Black businesses some space, but also being open to comedians of all styles and types it can help unify the community.”

and vendors to have booths here, but I’ve also made the open mic nights 100% open. Anyone who thinks they can cut it is invited to come.”

Yet, unfortunately, that perception was one he had to battle in the beginning.

“There was a management agency that came to the club and saw me perform and they really liked it,” Herm continued. “But then they were a bit concerned because I said I was interested in having Black businesses be vendors here. They took that to mean I was only interested in having Black businesses

here and then by extension only Black acts. I quickly got that straightened out.”

“We are open to all businesses, but we want to encourage Black ones to utilize our site. One of the things that I want to combat is this idea that there’s so much difference between people.

I think offering Black businesses some space, but also being open to comedians of all styles and types it can help unify the community.”

Da’Herm adds that during the open mic nights, as well as upcoming performances →

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that will feature on a monthly basis such acts as comedian J. McNutt, the club will be laid out in such a way that social distancing will be observed. “We’re taking all precautions to make sure things are safe,” he adds. “We wear masks and ask that the audience do the same. We

have plenty of hand sanitizers available, and we sanitize and constantly clean the microphones after every performance.”

In addition, Out East is doing many other things aside from its open mic nights. They’re reached out to the spoken word community,

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“It was very important when I was starting out to get the chance to show what I could do, and that’s part of this club’s mission now, to let the light shine on young people and also on comedians ... who might not otherwise get the chance to develop their acts in front of a live audience.” and now there are frequently spoken word events on the first half of Tuesday nights, followed by open mic. He holds bingo tournaments and events there, a variety of other things on Thursdays, and then the main events throughout the weekends that include everything from roast shows to stand-up presentations, improv shows, karoake and comedy combinations, zoom and livestream shows, clubhouse nights, and any other concepts he can envision and/or logistically host.

Another thing that sets Out East apart from its competitors is a focus on children’s comedy. Since its inception, Out East has hosted a kids night on Sundays. “That’s a way for kids to build up their skills, get confidence on stage and also prepare some of the stars of the future,” Herm adds. “Hey if they’re good enough we can even book them for the adult

shows as well. It was very important when I was starting out to get the chance to show what I could do, and that’s part of this club’s mission now, to let the light shine on young people and also on comedians all over the city and region who might not otherwise get the chance to develop their acts in front of a live audience.”

When asked about his influences, Da Herm points to some familiar names. “Dave Chappelle, Chris Tucker, Bill Burke, Chris Rock, Kat Williams, Mike Epps, these are some of the people who I’ve always admired and whom I really respect as comics. But I have to give a big shoutout to a couple of people in terms of helping me get started.

“AG” (Anthony Granderson) and “Black Rob” (Robert Higgins) really gave me a boost and a start in the business. They’ve been my mentors and my examples for what to do in terms of running a business and of how to help others.”

Da’Herm also sees comedy as a window into bridging gaps and helping minimize conflicts and misunderstandings. “One thing is you can really talk to people about anything, any kind of issue, if you can make them laugh,” he says. “ I’ve seen it where you can be really getting into some truly controversial content, but if you present it the right way and people find it funny, they also are willing to hear what you’re saying. I’ve never really viewed myself as strictly or mostly a political type comic. I just tell the truth and tell people stories and things that I see and try to make them laugh, but also at the same time it makes them think.”

Operating Out East six nights a week and doubling as the club’s primary booker, Da Herm acknowledges that he doesn’t really have much spare time. But he’s hardly complaining about that, and in fact welcomes the extra load. He even has ambitious plans for the future in regards to expansion.

“Maybe it’s a wild goal, but I really want some day to build an empire of comedy clubs nationwide, have different places so any comic. no matter their age, race, gender, whatever, will have a place where they can work and feel free to express themselves through comedy. You can be a clean comic or use profanity, you can talk about real situations or invent stories, just be able to deliver your jokes and be funny. I really don’t have any formulas for how to do it, because I don’t think there’s any one way to be a good comic.

But I know if you believe in yourself and your material and you keep plugging away that you can succeed.”

For more information and up-to-date schedules visit Out East Comedy Club online at outeastcomedyclub.com or on Facebook @outeastcomedyclub.

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The

Abstract Insurrectionist

By Chuck Allen

O

bjective truths find little purchase in MAGA-land unless there’s a federal arrest warrant involved.

“We the people are not going to take it anymore. You are not going to take away our Trumpy-bear, you are not going to take away our votes and our freedom that I thank God for,” said insurrectionist Gina Bisignano. “This is 1776 and we the people will never give up. We will never let our country go to the globalists. George Soros, you can go to hell!” The salon owner and part-time domestic terrorist stated her full name, place of residence, and Instagram handle in a video filmed in front of the Capitol on January 6, 2021. She’s now in federal custody.

What, precisely, was she hoping to accomplish, other than preventing her “Trumpy-bear” from being a one-term President? That she had half a clue begs credulity. The riotous mob incited by then-President Trump had become untethered from reality. There wasn’t a plan, per se, because there’s never been a plan.

This moment of crazy didn’t begin with Trump’s election. Nor did it begin when Sarah Palin was picked as John McCain’s running mate back in the Tea Partying days. Or when VP Dick Cheney said, “51-percent is a mandate,” as he spoke of

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compassionate conservatism. It certainly picked up steam in a big way when Rupert Murdock gave rabid far-right propagandist Roger Ailes the green light to launch Fox “News.” One can easily argue that the origins of MAGA-speak can be traced to the rise of Rush Limbaugh (“feminazis” “environmental wackos”), and the GOP’s stance of power-at-all-costs to Newt Gingrich and the Republican Revolution.

All notable waypoints along the seditionist’s way to the chambers of Congress to be sure, but let’s face it: Ronald Reagan let the horses out of the corral; branded, worked into a slather, and ready to run.

The Gipper introduced the world to Reaganism, a socio-political + economic ideology that can be summed up in his own words: “The most terrifying words in the English language are I’m from the government and I’m here to help.”

The so-called supply-side economics or Reaganomics (referred to as neoliberalism in some circles — not to be confused with liberalism as it is known these days), which promoted slashing taxes for the wealthy, the privatization of the public sphere, and deregulation — all backed by a questionable ideology that suggested the benefits gained by the filthy rich would “trickle down” to the masses, helped seal the deal with fiscal Republicans. →

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Meanwhile, Reagan’s dog-whistling about “Welfare Queens” to the Southern-Strategy crowd bequeathed to him by Nixon gave the GOP establishment permission to ignore the racism in its base even as it actively courted them. By bringing along the Christian right of Jerry Falwell’s Moral Majority, the uneasy coalition was complete.

It’s worth noting that, beginning with Bill Clinton, the Democratic establishment began embracing its own brand of neoliberalism. Big money donors and an all-too-comfortable relationship with Wall Street helped pave the way for continued financial deregulation. This isn’t whataboutism. Without an honest look at how the left lost huge swaths of lifelong Democrats to Trump, it will be impossible to get at the truth of the discontent that fostered his rise to authoritarian demagoguery.

It should also be noted that Democrats don’t govern in opposition to governance, and they recognize the legitimacy of their colleagues across the aisle. Nor do they seek to undermine the free press, much less the legitimacy of our elections.

Speaking of which, at around 10 p.m. on election night, Trump gave a statement in which he said, “Frankly we did win this

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election” and alleged a “major fraud on our nation.” He’d been laying the groundwork for this moment for years. On Nov. 7 2012, he tweeted: “This election is a total sham and a travesty. We are not a democracy!” (Trump supported Mitt Romney in 2012).

His opening salvo challenging the legitimacy of our elections came, ironically, shortly after he won the election when he tweeted: “In addition to winning the Electoral College in a landslide, I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally.”

Throughout 2020, he continued his assault by questioning absentee ballots and went on to say during a campaign rally, “The only way we’re going to lose this election is if this election is rigged.”

Meanwhile, the Republican party made no effort to challenge him or hold him to account.

The infotainment bubble amplified the message even as Trump delegitimized credible reporting by calling it “Fake News.”

As the pandemic raged and ravaged the nation, claiming countless lives and wrecking the economy in its wake, the ideological tenets seeded by Reagan were in play. Rather than harnessing the power of the federal government to take on the disaster, Trump handed

it off to his son-in-law, Jared Kurshner, who proceed to apply “free-market” principles to the problem with disastrous results.

When Black Lives Matter protests swept the nation after the televised execution of George Floyd, the ugly underbelly of systemic racism was exposed for all to see. And rather than acknowledging what our history shows us to be true, Trump led with the tired but tried and true racist counterattack of “law and order.”

At best, his minions in the House and Senate went along for the ride; at worst, they endorsed his methods. Why? Because this is the present- day GOP. Four decades of a constant “government is bad” drumbeat, pandering to white priviledge through racist dogwhilsting, and fearmongering about religous freedoms — the seeds for which were planted by Ronald Reagan and have been amplified by a rightwing infotainment echo-chamber voiced by unscrupulous slaves to wealth and stardom — are what led Gina Bisignano to the Capitol that day.

Trump may have incited the insurrection, but how else was four decades’ worth of the GOP governing in opposition to governing supposed to play out?

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WHERE’S MY HUG?

I

need a hug.

Granted, I get great hugs from my wife, and I rely on getting them. But what I mean is going to Dee’s or The 5 Spot and hugging somebody who doesn’t live in my house. That’s what I’m looking for.

I used to get those hugs a lot.

When you can’t drink, a hug can be an intoxicant. Wow, somebody loves me!

And I love them! It’s food for the soul.

But hugs are rare nowadays. They do happen, but you can’t gainsay people for recoiling at the very thought of hugging, given the consensus on how an embrace might kill you.

Stuck in the house as much as I have been (and as much as you have been, too!), I’ve been musing over committing various insane doings.

For instance, I just lit on Amazon and am pondering whether to buy A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking.

I read it 20 years ago and have since misplaced it. I didn’t understand it then and there’s no reason to think I’d understand it more now. The back jacket says it’s a brilliant distillation of complicated physics into a form that’s comprehensible to a layman.

So it says. YOU try to read it. Five dollars says you’ll be confused before you hit the bottom of page two. And I’m considering BUYING the damn thing again. Purpose? No purpose, just insanity. Just my brain turning into an omelet full of artificial serotonin and Law & Order marathons and buying records, bringing them home and then showering to same damn Led Zeppelin record I’ve been listening to for 40 years.

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I could practice my guitar except for the fact that I can’t. When I pick up my guitar at home and attempt to “practice,” it lasts about a minute and a half. It’s easier to do it stoned but I can hardly abide the first 20 minutes of a marijuana buzz anymore, that awful period when you feel rickety and in desperate need of someone telling you you’re a good person and your life isn’t fucked beyond repair. Anyway, after 35 years of playing professionally in bands, and 20-plus years of gallivanting around the world solo playing a wooden guitar with no band so people can hear me and all my flaws — I am so over myself that there aren’t words for it. I hear myself heckling myself.

(YOU SUCK! … FREEBIRD!) Gigs WERE my practice. With more or less three gigs a week in the long-ago days before the virus hit, I retained the muscle memory to remember the chords and words. Now I don’t have that. I play live on Facebook Tuesday nights at 7:30 (drop on by!) and that’s it. And very often on these livestream shows I muff the words and chords to songs I should know in my sleep. It’s sobering, and it makes me wonder if I’ll ever get it back when the world gets back to “normal,” given how I’m 58 years old now and first exhibited signs of dementia 58 years ago.

What about doing all those little things around the house? Those little improvements and chores I’d always wished I had time to take care of ?

Well, I made a list! I still have it!

So back to the hugging. Will there ever be hugs again? Next June when everyone (except the idiots) are vaccinated, will people then feel secure enough to hug me? Some will, but others will carry on social distancing, maybe for the rest of their lives. After all, maybe they’re about to hug an idiot who refused to get vaccinated.

It’s possible. No sense taking chances, especially when dealing with a known idiot such as myself.

EAST OF NOR MAL

by Tommy Womack

Tommy Womack is a musician & writer and a regular contributor to The East Nashvillian.

Tune in to “Tommy Womack’s Happiness Hour” Monday mornings from 9-10 on WXNA 101.5FM.

marketplace Misty Waters Petak M.S., CFP ÂŽ, CLUÂŽ Financial Advisor (615) 479-6415 mistypetak.nm.com

January | February 2021 theeastnashvillian.com

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theeastnashvillian.com January | February 2021