9
“Freedom Anthem” at LampLight Theatre
15
Arts In The Park Artists’ Deadline
...plus so much more
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August 18, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 3
Volume 29 • Issue #37
It’s BRISTOL BABY!
Publisher Luci Tate
Editor Graphic Arts Director Don Sprinkle Office Manager Luci Tate Cover Design Bill May Advertising Dave Carter Terry Patterson Lori Howell Contributing Staff Jim Kelly Andy Ross Ken Silvers Mark Marquette Brian McManus Joshua Hicks Karie Grace Duncan Brian Bishop Nathan Cox Distribution Jerry Hanger Teresa Hanger Published by Pulse Publishing, LLC., P.O. Box 3238, Johnson City, TN 37602 Phone: 423/283-4324 FAX - 423/283-4369 www.theloaferonline.com info@theloaferonline.com e-mail: editorial@theloaferonline.com (editorial) adcopy@theloaferonline.com (advertising) All advertisements are accepted and published by the publisher upon the representation that the agency and/or advertiser is authorized to publish the entire contents and subject matter thereof. The agency and/or advertiser will indemnify and save the publisher harmless from any loss of expense resulting from claims or suits based upon contents of any advertisement, including claims or suits for defamation, libel, right of privacy, plagiarism, and copyright infringement.
Founder: Bill Williams
happenings 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
BMS Race Schedule Steve Tyler Headlines Pre-Race Concert Speedway Children’s Charities Race Week Activities Gordon’s Final Battle at BMS Keith Anderson at Earhart Campgrounds Racing to Save Lives JRT Kicks Off Season with “Anything Goes” Food City Race Night Returns Nascar Legend Passes Away Farce Of Nature at JCCT BMS & Yee-Haw Brewing Announce New Seating Area
music & fun 22 40
15 Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers at NPAC 17 “Charlotte’s Web” Coming to the ARTspace Theatre 19 Robert Randolph & The Family Band on Tour 29 Jake Krack & The Bing Brothers 32 Presentation by World Class Guitarist 35 Odds Bodkin to Perform in Jonesborough 36 “Rhythms Of The Mountain Empire” 37 Arts Array’s Fall 2015 Season 38 BMS Race Week Schedule
Spotlight - Great Music & Fun Times Crossword & Sudoku
columns & reviews
18 Batteries Not Included - Dinner Becomes Awkward 24 Mountain Movers - Lightnin Charlie Interview 26 Stargazer - Meteor Shower Bonds People Under Stars 27 Skies This Week 30 Screen Scenes - “Fantastic Four” 33 The Trivial Traveler - Looking for Amanda Hugginkiss 41 Lock, Stock & Barrel - Problems With Concealed Carry 42 Kelly’s Place - LOL Is No Laughing Matter
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UNOH 200 PRESENTED BY ZLOOP & BUSH’S BEANS 150
Wednesday, August 19, 2015 6:00pm-10:00pm 2 Races. 2 Series and Family Night All rolled into one! Kids Under 15 are Free and with adult pricing starting at JUST $30, you can’t beat our Wednesday Night! Don’t miss a second of the racing action of The Bush’s Beans 150 Whelen Modified Series Race, followed by the UNOH 200 Presented By ZLOOP Camping World Truck Series Race. The great family activities included are: • Free Bristol Kids School Packs (while supplies last) • Meet Mascots Bump and Run • Team FMX Freestyle Motocross show between the races • Post-Race Track Walk and More
NASCAR TRANSPORTER PARADE
Thursday, August 20, 2015 9:00pm-11:30pm Watch NASCAR’s brightly-colored, multi-million dollar heavy haulers parade the cars of your favorite Sprint Cup Series drivers into the Last Great Colosseum. The 18th annual Transporter Parade rolls from the NEW Location of the Pinnacle Shopping Center at 9PM, just after the conclusion of Food City Family Race Night, for a 10-mile trek down Volunteer Parkway (Hwy. 11E) that culminates at the World’s Fastest Half Mile. Fans also may watch the haulers park from the grandstands by entering through Gate 10 (just outside Turn 3). Scheduled for Thursday, August 20, mark your calendar now for this can’t-miss Bristol tradition!
FOOD CITY 300 & BASS PRO SHOPS QUALIFYING
Friday, August 21, 2015 4:00pm-5:00pm What do you want? More value for your dollar right? How about 50 more laps? Will that do? Well, you got it! The Food City 250 is NOW the Food City 300. And it is the best XFINITY Series Race on the circuit. You can watch Chase Elliott, Ty Dillon and others bang fenders with vets like Sadler, Harvick and Busch inside the Last Great Colosseum. OH - And throw in knockout-style NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Qualifying. You get that too. Now that’s value.
IRWIN TOOLS NIGHT RACE
Saturday, August 22, 2015 7:00pm-10:00pm It’s your time. Your late August weekend. Where do you want to spend it? Your answer (we hope) is Bristol. The campfires, the laughs, the racing, the music, the sights, smells and the check off your bucket list. That sounds like a good use of time right there! That’s Bristol.
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Steven Tyler To Headline Pre-Race Concert For IRWIN Tools Night Race
The iconic Steven Tyler, with Nashville-based band Loving Mary, is bringing his undeniable swagger and sound to Bristol Motor Speedway for the August 22 IRWIN Tools Night Race. “Aerosmith front man, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Grammy-award winner—Steven Tyler is not just an American icon, but a worldwide phenomenon,” said Jerry Caldwell, general manager of BMS. “You put him together with the Night Race, one of the top five motorsports events in the world, and the energy in the grandstands will just be amazing.” Tyler’s appeal crosses generations and genres. With credentials stretching back over five decades, the dynamic performer is now enjoying a new era in his career-a foray into country music. In a journey that he says is a return to roots, he’s moved to Nashville, signed with Big Machine Label
Group (home to artists like Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, and The Band Perry), and released a new single, “Love is Your Name.” The song is earning chart position, airplay, and even a blessing from Loretta Lynn, who wrote on her Facebook page “Tyler can sing the fire out of anything he wants.” During the pre-race concert, Tyler will perform his new single, the first from his upcoming solo album with Dot Records. Ticket holders will also be treated to some familiar Aerosmith favorites. “Steven Tyler’s heard some loud applause throughout his career, but the roar that will go up on race night will be a new experience for everyone involved,” said Caldwell. “Ticket sales are already strong, and having Steven here will help take the Night Race to a whole new level. We have a big Bristol family that includes lots of rockers, lots of country music fans,
and we’re all excited to welcome him to the Birthplace of Country Music.” Voted a Top 5 Motorsports Race in the entire world by the USA Today Reader’s Choice Awards—the only NASCAR event that made the list—the IRWIN Tools Night Race will take place August 22 at the World’s Fastest Half Mile. IRWIN Tools Night Race tickets, which include the pre-race concert, start at just $74 for single-day tickets, with weekend packages as low as $99. Additionally, a limited number of Steven Tyler SuperPacks are available. These include a pre-race SuperPass (track walk, plus on-track access to the concert and Sprint Cup driver introductions), a Cold Pit Pass (for pre-race access to the Garage area), and select Steven Tyler merchandise. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit BristolTix.com or call (855) 580-5525.
Photo Credit: Zack Whitford
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Speedway Children’s Charities Announces
August 2015 Race Week Activities
With August Race Week at hand, the Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities (SCC) is providing guests with a range of sporting tournaments, memorabilia auctions, chance-of-a-lifetime ride-alongs and more, all to benefit regional children in need. In 2014 the charity distributed $749,000 to 88 area organizations, a record they’re seeking to match, and possibly break.
“We work to exceed expectations, especially when it comes to helping disadvantaged children in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia,” said Claudia Byrd, executive director of the Bristol Chapter of SCC. “We have the wonderful responsibility of helping our guests experience all the excitement, competition and fun that goes along with race week. We also have the privilege of see-
ing the many hundreds of children who receive health care, nutritional assistance, education and more as a result. It’s a very exciting time of year for us and we’re grateful for each and every guest who supports Speedway Children’s Charities.” Race guests and area residents have a wide range of opportunities to support SCC.
The list of events benefiting the Bristol Chapter’s outreach includes: Krispy Kreme Booth Sales—HOT NOW Doughnuts available Friday, Aug. 21 and Saturday, Aug. 22 at the Krispy Kreme Booth in the corporate display lot alongside Beaver Creek at Bristol Motor Speedway (BMS). Johnsonville Brats Sales—Johnsonville Brats will set up in the front display lot (next to Volunteer Parkway) to sell brats and beverages on Friday, Aug. 21 and Saturday, Aug. 22. Memorabilia Live Auction—Thursday, Aug. 20, third floor of the Bruton Smith Building at BMS. Preview items at 5 p.m. with auction beginning at 6 p.m. Many items from favorite racing teams will be on the auction block including sheet metal, autographed jackets, rides with drivers, and more. Superpass—Saturday, Aug. 22, join SCC for an exclusive BMS Track Tour. Guests will enter at the Start/ Finish line and have two hours to experience the track prior to the race. Samples, coupons, pit crews, and more will be available to enjoy. Purchase of Superpass also includes pre-race ceremonies, pre-race concert and driver introductions. Check out www.bristolmotorspeedway.com for more information. Portion of proceeds to benefit SCC. Flex Seal Charity Cornhole Classic—Qualifying tournaments take place Friday, Aug. 21 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 22 at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. The top four teams from each qualifier automatically move into the Championship Tournament held Saturday, Aug. 22 at 3 p.m. Cost is $40 per team and each player will receive a tournament t-shirt. Pre-Register online at https://bristol.speedwaycharities.org/events/. Sharky 500 Tickets—Purchase a shark ticket for $10 for the opportunity to win a new John Deere 825i Gator all-terrain vehicle! The rubber sharks will be released October 11 in Beaver Creek behind BMS. First shark to race 500 yards and cross the finish line wins! Other great prizes will be awarded for 2nd through 10th places. Tickets are available to purchase at http://bristol.speedwaycharities.org/events/. NRA Shooting Stars Tournament—Tuesday, Aug. 18 at Shooter’s Edge Indoor Range in Piney Flats, Tenn. Join some of NASCAR’s rising stars for the fifth indoor shooting range fundraiser. Participants will be outfitted with a .22 caliber firearm and ammunition to take aim at 15 different targets. Additional sponsors include ABC 19, Mitch Cox Companies and Acorn Electrical. Call SCC at 423-989-6975 to register. Seat Time Racing School—Test the World’s Fastest Half-Mile at high speeds like NASCAR drivers do! Seat Time Racing Experience is setting up for experiences on the track from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 20. For a list of opportunities, call 704-998-1957 or visit www.seattimeracingschool.com. Portion of proceeds benefit SCC. The Night Race 5K presented by Bojangles—Don’t miss THE Night Race 5K, Thursday, Aug. 20 at 8:30 p.m.! Runners will follow a winding route that includes a sprint down Thunder Valley’s legendary drag strip, a spin around the Speedway’s challenging high banks, and a finish line party celebrating the arrival of NASCAR’s finest haulers as they pull in to the track. For more information, visit www.bristol.speedwaycharities. org. For more information on participating in these Race Week events or to learn more about Speedway Children’s Charities, visit www.Bristol.SpeedwayCharities.org.
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BMS to Commemorate Gordon’s Last Ride
It’s a bittersweet thing, welcoming Jeff Gordon to his final battle in the Last Great Colosseum. At the August 22 IRWIN Tools Night Race, for the first time in years, guests will get to see Gordon run in his iconic Rainbow Warrior paint scheme. But it’ll be his last appearance at Bristol Motor Speedway (BMS) as a full-time Sprint Cup driver, and emotions will be high. A standout at BMS since his first race in 1993, the four-time Sprint Cup Champion has accumulated more than 21,500 laps around the half-mile, and led for 2,713 of those. In 45 starts at Bristol, he has five victories, 17 top-five finishes, 25 top -10 finishes and five poles. “Jeff Gordon has given us more than two decades of superb racing and sportsmanship, and racked up an amazing record that includes a four-year win streak at the spring race,” said Jerry Caldwell, general manager of BMS. “He’s a large presence in the life and history of this track, and it’s an honor for us to salute him.” Several honors for Gordon are in the works for the IRWIN Tools Night Race, including: • A tribute video during opening ceremonies.
• A fan salute on lap 24 of the race, when fans will cheer on the No. 24 car with branded rally towels. More than 100,000 towels will be distributed at the gates, courtesy of Bristol Motor Speedway. • Branding of the outside track wall with No. 24. • A custom-designed cover for the souvenir programs, created by motorsports artist Sam Bass. Featuring Gordon’s No. 24 Axalta Chevrolet, the programs are limited edition and available for $10, tax included. In addition, collectors’ t-shirts are available in Speedway World, located in the Bruton Smith Building,
and in select souvenir stands on grounds. • A tribute wall, located in the fan zone, where guests can leave personalized notes. Signage throughout the facility will also honor the champion. Advance tickets to the IRWIN Tools Night Race tickets start at $74 for single-day access with weekend packages as low as $99. All singleday tickets increase $5 beginning Sunday, Aug. 16th. For more information, visit BristolTix.com or call (855) 580-5525.
Jonesborough Storytellers Guild Brings Graveyard Tales to Rocky Mount Jonesborough Storytellers Guild brings spooky Graveyard Tales from Appalachia to the Rocky Mount Historic Site on Saturday, Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. Stories for this year’s theme, Tales from the Graveyard, are sure to bring a chill on a hot August evening. Creepy tales unfold from supernatural occurrences within the graveyard, from the grave, or beyond it. Graveyard Tales will take place on August 22 at 7 p.m. at Rocky Mount Historic Site located at 200 Hyder Hill Rd. Piney Flats, Tenn. yard Tales is not recommended for ing 423-753-1010 or visiting jonesTickets are $10 for adults, $8 for children 12 and under. boroughtn.org seniors and $6 for students. GraveTickets can be purchased by call-
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Anderson, Blount, Blake Headline Earhart Campgrounds FREE Concert Series BMS Race Week
Motocross Demonstrations, Monster Trucks Also On Tap, Along With Keselowski, Petty Appearances Grammy-nominated country music singer Keith Anderson, America’s Got Talent finalist Benton Blount, and The Voice’s Jared Blake, headline Earhart Campground’s free concert series that will take place during the August NASCAR races at Bristol Motor Speedway, Aug. 20-22. Music isn’t the only reason the campground will be rockin’ however, as driver appearances with Brad Keselowski and Richard Petty also are on tap, along with Monster Energy’s Freestyle Motocross Demonstrations and the Toyota Thrasher Monster Truck Car Crush. Anderson, Blount and Blake are just three of the eight acts that will appear on the Miller Lite Rockin’ & Racin’ stage over the course of three days and nights. Anderson, whose hits include “I Still Miss You” and “Pickin’ Wildflowers,” will hit the stage on Aug.
20 at 9:45 p.m. Blount, who will be performing live at Radio City Music Hall in New York Aug. 11 as part of America’s Got Talent, thanks to his rousing rendition of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene,” will appear at Earhart Campground twice, at 9:30 p.m. Aug. 21 and again at noon Aug. 22.
Jared Blake, who was a top four finalist from Blake Shelton’s team on the first season of The Voice in 2011, will perform at 7 p.m. Aug. 20 and again at noon on Aug. 21. Lance Stinson, who played at Earhart Campground in April, kicks off the concert series Aug. 20 at 5 p.m., followed by Blake at
7 p.m. and Anderson at 9:45 p.m. The motocross demo is at 8 p.m. that evening, followed by the Toyota Thrasher Monster Truck Car Crush at 8:30 p.m. Friday’s action begins at noon with Blake on stage, along with motocross demos at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Dan Deel will perform
at 2:30 followed by Chris Hennessee at 4:30, preceding Blount’s 9:30performance. Blount kicks off Saturday’s entertainment at noon with Jacob Powell taking the stage at 2:30. McKenzies Mill will wrap up the concert series at 4:30. Motocross demos will continue at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Petty will make his appearance at 6 p.m. while the time for two-time BMS winner Keselowski’s appearance has not yet been determined. While fans staying at Earhart Campground for the races will get to enjoy all of the entertainment at no additional cost, fans not staying on the grounds also can attended the concerts and other events for a $10 parking fee on Thursday and for $20 on Friday and Saturday. For more information, contact Earhart Campground at 423-7644406 or at info@earhartcampground.com
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Racing to Save Lives
about each of its major systems and how they function and relate to each other. The specimens have been preserved through the process of polymer impregnation so they can be view in a dignified, educational way, identical to their pre-preservation state. Hands On! Regional Museum is located at 315 East Main Street in downtown Johnson City. The museum served over 70,000 individuals last year and offers daily programming and exhibits focused on the arts, sciences, and humanities for all ages. For more information please call (423) 434-HAND or visit http://handsonmuseum.org. Donate Life TN is a proud participant in the Our Body: The Universe Within exhibit. The main focus Donate Life wants to make in the exhibit is how organ donation saves lives. Right now in the U.S. 130,000 people are waiting for a life saving transplant. When you see Bristol Motor Speedway’s sisting of actual human bodies and attendance during race week of organs appropriate for all ages. It 150,000, imagine that all the peoliterally goes “under the skin,” ple waiting for a transplant could revealing the mysteries of the hu- easily fill the grand stands. Sign man anatomy. Visitors can learn up and save lives at donatelifetn. about the history of medicine, see org. inside the human body, and learn
Donate Life to Give Out Mary Jo Gase Volunteer Appreciation Award
NASCAR race car driver Joey Gase, #52, will visit the Our Body: The Universe Withinexhibit at Hands On! Regional Museum for the recognition of this year’s Mary Jo Gase Volunteer Appreciation Award on Thursday, August 20, at 10:00 a.m. Each year during the August race, Donate Life sponsors NASCAR Driver Joey Gase. Joey’s mother, Mary Jo Gase, died suddenly when he was 18 years old, leaving him to be the next of kin. She chose to give the gift of life through organ donation, and Joey helped her honor this last wish. Through her donation she was able to save and enhance many lives. In honor of Mary Jo, The Mary Jo Gase Volunteer Appreciation Award was created to award a volunteer in our region that has gone above and beyond in the last year. Donate Life TN/VA is the only
Donate Life chapter that hosts this award. The feature exhibit, Our Body: The Universe Within, is on display at Hands On! Regional Museum through November 1st. It is a unique, artful presentation con-
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Farm-to-Fork Dinner Planned for Downtown Blountville Don’t miss this unique, FarmTo-Fork Dinner to be held at 6:30 PM on August 29, 2015, in downtown Historic Blountville! During this special event, our guests will enjoy a six-course, open-air dinner. The Sullivan Central High School Culinary Arts Team will prepare a delightful meal with the Blountville Farmer’s Market summer harvest. Dinner will be served on the main street of Historic Blountville in front of the Sullivan County Courthouse. Enjoy an evening of culture, great food, live music and community fellowship. Ticket prices are $50 per person, and tickets are limited for this special occasion. The event is a first annual fundraiser sponsored by the UT Extension Office. Call (423) 279-2723 for reservations and ticket information. For other upcoming events, please visithistoricsullivan.com.
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Jonesborough Repertory Theatre
Kicks off New Season with Anything Goes
Set sail on the U.S.S. American with Jonesborough Repertory Theatre’s season opener, Anything Goes. Romance, hijinks, disguises, and of course singing and dancing come to the JRT stage August 21 through September 13. The musical, directed by Jennifer Schmidt, features music and lyrics by Cole Porter and is home to such memorable songs as I Get a Kick Out of You, You’d Be So Easy to Love, De-Lovely, You’re the Topand the title song of Anything Goes. The story follows Billy Crocker, a down-on-his-luck stockbroker, as he stows away on a luxury liner in hopes of wooing the debutante Hope Harcourt away from her rich fiancé Lord Evelyn Oakley. Also aboard the ship are Reno Sweeney, an evangelist turned nightclub performer, and the not-so-famous gangster Moonface Martin. Just like the previous 1940s USO Show and Singin’ in the Rain productions, tap dancing is back on stage at the JRT. Choreographer Lindy Ley leads the cast in several
dance numbers. Two group numbers, Blow Gabriel Blow and Anything Goes, are both seven minute long song and dance numbers and highlights of the show. The cast includes Jill Janaitis, Lucas Schmidt, Brittney Whitson, Tim Reynolds, Corey Tickles, Holly Marshall, Shawn Hale, Janette Gaines, Blake Yarbrough, Austin Bird, Heather Allen, Kate Anderson, Jen Fields, Jessica Shelton, Austin Wingate, Megan Knight, Stephen Howard, Don Squibb, Sharon Squibb, Karen Elb, Ryan Gray and Alex VanBuren. Anything Goes runs August 21 through September 13. Show times are Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.. Tickets are $16 general admission, $14 for students and seniors. Group rates are available for parties of 15 or more. To purchase tickets call the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center at 423.753.1010 or visit jonesboroughtheatre.com.
BMS Track Facts
0.533-mile concrete oval Degree of banking in corners: Variable, 24 to 28 Degrees Degree of banking in straights: Variable, 6 to 10 Degrees Straightaways: 650 feet Concrete racing surface is 40 feet wide
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Food City Race Night Returns to State Street
As the area prepares for the onslaught of race fans and RV’s, the folks at Food City are gearing up for the annual Food City Race Night, which paves the way for a weekend of action-packed Nationwide and Sprint Cup racing at one of NASCAR’s most popular venues. The event will take place on Thursday, August 20, 2015 on State Street in downtown Bristol, VA/TN. Food City has hosted the highly popular event, which has contributed over $525,000 in proceeds to area non-profits for more than twenty-five years. Fans can expect a fun-filled evening jam-packed with driver autograph sessions, show cars, simulators, souvenir trailers, entertainment and a smorgasbord of free food samples. The action will get underway at 1:00 p.m. and continue until 9:00 p.m. $5.00 advance tickets are available at area Food City locations. Tickets will be $6.00 on the day of the event. Children twelve and under are admitted free of charge. Proceeds from the event will benefit Family Promise of Bristol. This year’s media sponsors are Bristol Herald Courier and News Channel 11. Food City has already received confirmation from several big name drivers and attractions, with more expected in. Among those already confirmed are Kevin Harvick (6 p.m., 250 wristbands will be given out at 1 p.m. at the Armour display), Kyle Busch (6:30-8 p.m.), Regan Smith (7-8 p.m.), Eric McClure (5-6:30 p.m.), Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. (6-6:30 p.m., 75 wristbands will be given out at 1 p.m.
at the Kellogg’s display), Austin Dillon (5 p.m., 250 wristbands will be given out 4 p.m. at the beginning of his line), Joey Gase (5-7 p.m.), Michael McDowell (6-8 p.m.), Morgan Shepherd (7:308:30 p.m.), Gray Gaulding (6-8 p.m.), Caleb Holman (6-8 p.m.), truck series driver Chris Lafferty (5-7 p.m.), Whelen series driver Kylin Hammer, K&N series driver Chad Finchum, ARCA driver Blake Jones, Lonesome Pine driver Kevin Wolfe, NASCAR Legends Paul Lewis, Brownie King, Larry Utsman, John Utsman and Travis Tiller, Kart drivers Dillon Hodge, William Foster, Vintage drivers Danny Casteel, Brian Voiles, Gary Potter and Haskell McKee, Late Model driver Matthew Eades, Street Stock driver Colin Eades, Kingsport Speedway drivers Dennis Deese, Craig Phelps, Tim Abelseth, Kevin Darnell, Jerry Miller, Sr., Jerry Miller, Jr., Larry Bowens and Adam Bolyard, Pron Con driver Ashton Higgins, Mini Cup driver Heather Seal and drivers Adam Gray, Mike Blevins, Brandon Rogers and Chris Lowery. Special appearances will also be made by Hermie Sadler of SPEED, NASCAR Artist Sam Bass, Miss Food City Kassie Perkins, John Earnhardt, Jack Links Sasquatch and local authors Chuck Thompson, Joe Tennis, David McGee, Michael Manual and Larry Timbs, Jr. The Food City Big Cart will also be on hand. Live entertainment on two stages is schedule to begin at 2:00 p.m. Cody Shuler & Pine Mtn.
Railroad will perform from 2-2:45 p.m. on the Pepsi stage, followed by Chris Lafferty from 3-3:45 p.m., Blue Carpet Corner 4-4:45 p.m., Budlight Illusionist 5:05-5:25 p.m., Hillbilly Bad 6:45-7:45 p.m., Cadillac Blue 8-9 p.m. Performances will also be given on the downtown center stage by George Goode & Southern 76, Retroville and Shooter. Join Food City for Welcome ceremonies at 5:30 p.m., as they honor driver Kyle Busch, followed by a Q&A hosted by event MC - Larry McReynolds. Special presentations will be made to Richard Petty and Second Harvest Food Bank. Free food sampling will be available from 4 until 9:00 p.m., while supplies last. Shuttle services will be available from 11:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. Pick-up and drop off locations include: the Bruton Smith Building (front entrance) at Bristol Motor Speedway; Tower C/Speedway Blvd. at BMS; Hwy. 11E & Whitetop Road; Hwy 394 and Whitetop Road; Hwy. 394 & Copperhead Road and the Bristol Mall - Exit 1 off I-81. The event site is just minutes from Bristol Motor Speedway. So mark your calendar and make plans to attend. For a complete listing of attractions, please visit the website a www.foodcity. com, where updates will continue to be posted as they become available. Please note that driver autographs are limited to time available and schedules are subject to change.
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NASCAR Legend Buddy Baker Dies from Cancer at 74 One of NASCAR’s most beloved drivers, Buddy Baker, passed away Monday morning. He was 74 years old. Baker left his co-hosting slot on Sirius XM’s NASCAR show, “The Late Shift” only last month when he shared the news with listeners about of a massive inoperable tumor in his lung. He left his listen-
ers with these final words - “Do not shed a tear. Give a smile when you say my name. I’m not saying goodbye. Just talk to you later,” Buddy Baker. With a career spanning more than five decades long, Baker saw success from behind the wheel and on the airways. One of his most notable accomplishments was being the first official NASCAR driver to break the 200 mph barrier in a stock car on a closedcircuit course, a feat that was accomplished during a test session. NASCAR founder, Big Bill, even flew to Tallageda to witness Baker’s record-breaking achievement once it was surmised that Baker was making history that day, March 24, 1970. Baker, fondly known as the “Gentle Giant,” a name bestowed upon him as his 6-ft 6-inch frame towered over his competitors, was named to NASCAR’s top-50 drivers list in 1998. At Bristol Motor Speedway, Baker competed in 25 events, led 331 laps, and collected five Top 5’s and seven Top 10’s. “Buddy was always wide open and that’s the way he raced and lived his life. He was always full of energy,” Hall of Fame driver Richard Petty said. “He was a person you wanted to be around because he always made you feel better. He raced with us, shared
barrier (Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, March 24, 1970) • First driver to win the Big Four (Daytona, Talladega, Darlington and Charlotte) • Ranks ninth on NASCAR’s alltime list for top-five finishes (202) and top-10 finishes (311) • Ranks 10th on the all-time list for pole positions with 40 • Career earnings: $3,995,500 • Inducted into the National Motorsports Press Association’s Hall of Fame at Darlington, (S.C.) Raceway (1997) • Inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in Talladega, Alabama. (1997) • Inducted into Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway Court of Legends (1995) Champion: • 1980 Daytona 500 with an average speed of 177.6 mph (a record that still stands) • Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte, North Carolina (1972-1973) • Talladega four times (1975 (2), 1976, 1980) • Charlotte four times (1967, 1968, Buddy Baker set the fastest time in qualifying for 1972, 1973) • Darlington (1970 & 1971) the 1975 Southeastern 500. • Daytona (1980 & 1983) • Atlanta (1975 & 1979) his stories with us and became our Buddy Baker’s Racing Achieve- Post-Racing Career: friend. Buddy loved the sport and ments: • Television color commentator he made a lasting impression on • Won 19 races on NASCAR’s top for TNN’s NASCAR race telecasts the sport on the track, in the televi- National Circuit and Sirius XM radio sion booth and on the radio.” • First driver to break the 200 mph
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Keep your pants on - Farce of Nature opens Aug. 20
From the writers of The Red Velvet Cake War, Christmas Belles and Always a Bridesmaid comes a fresh new comedy that will win audiences over hook, line and sinker! Farce of Nature, written by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten, opens Aug. 20 at JCCT for a two-weekend, limited run. Performance dates are (Thursday – Saturdays) Aug. 20, 21, 22, 27, 28 and 29 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 23 and Saturday, Aug. 29 at 2 p.m. This Southern-fried farce highlights one day in the life of the Wilburn family at the Reel ’Em Inn, a fishing lodge in Mayhew, Arkansas. There’s D. Gene Wilburn, the owner and proprietor, who is only trying to “keep a roof over his head and a hook in the water.” (If only his pants would stop falling down.) And there’s his wife, Wanelle, who has taken drastic measures to improve their lackluster romantic life. D. Gene’s feisty sister, Maxie, a dedicated (but rather incompe-
tent) member of the law enforcement field, has been assigned to keep the extremely jittery Carmine DeLuca (who is in the witness protection program) alive for the weekend – a task that’s going to prove to be much harder than she bargained for since she keeps losing both her gun and the bullets. Things turn zany when gangster Sonny Barbosa shows up in hot pursuit of his wife, Lola, who is in hot pursuit of D. Gene and
Wanelle’s son, Ty, who is in hot pursuit of the mystery man that his girlfriend, Jenna, is supposedly now dating. In the deliciously funny romp that ensues, they all hide, lie, disguise themselves, cross-dress and slam doors chasing one another, all while trying to figure out the source of an increasingly awful stench. Doesn’t anybody just want to fish anymore?
Farce of Nature stars Emily Barnes (Boeing-Boeing), Larry Bunton (The Woman in Black), Angela Dannhardt (Funny Little Thing Called Love), Dottie Davis (Mama Won’t Fly), Adam Honeycutt (Funny Little Thing Called Love), Chris Jones (Other Desert Cities), Vicky Livesay (Always a Bridesmaid), Shelly Mangiacotti (Nuncrackers) and Matt Quick (Like Kissing Moonlight). JCCT expresses its appreciation
to Bass Pro Shop and Mahoney’s for their provision of set items. For tickets, call 423-926-2542 or visit www.jcct.info. Tickets are $15, with a $12 discount available to military, seniors and students. About Johnson City Community Theatre: Located in Johnson City, Tennessee, JCCT is a non-profit legacy in community theatre. As the oldest community theatre in Tennessee and ranked as one of the top 10 oldest community theatres in the nation, JCCT is thrilled to celebrate its 103rd season this year. Our patrons love us for our black box stage, which allows our actors to form a more intimate connection with the audience. For our 2015 season, we have six shows dedicated to challenging our audience emotionally, as well as making them laugh. We are always looking for more people to join our JCCT family since we are a strictly volunteer organization. We promise there is a place for you – on stage or off!
Page 14 | The Loafer | August 18, 2015
It’s Amazing Views and Craft Brews as BMS and YEE-HAW Brewing
Announce New Seating Area
BMS Track Facts
Bristol Motor Speedway celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2011. The half-mile oval hosted its first NASCAR Sprint Cup event July 30, 1961. In August of 2010, Kyle Busch made NASCAR history by sweeping the Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series’ events at BMS. It was the first time a driver had won all three events at the same track in the same week/weekend. Darrell Waltrip leads all drivers in the win category at BMS with 12 victories. Tied for second with nine wins each is Dale Earnhardt, Rusty Wallace and Cale Yarborough. Jeff Gordon and Kurt Busch are the current drivers with the most wins with five apiece.
In the AC/DC song, on the Intimidator’s legendary No. 3 Chevy, on the track walls at Bristol Motor Speedway, black is back. It’s the color of power, chosen for Chevrolet’s 2015 Midnight Silverado Special Edition, and in honor of the Bristol Blackout Powered by Chevrolet, BMS is encouraging the thousands of guests attending the August 22 IRWIN Tools Night Race (ITNR) to wear their favorite NASCAR driver’s t-shirt in black. “The Night Race is one of the most impressive spectacles in sporting events, and the sight of the track and crowd decked out in black will make it that much more amazing,” said Edward Bailey, marketing manager, Chevrolet. Sleek, sinister, and ready to work, the Midnight Silverado Special Edition will be out in force at Bristol Motor Speedway (BMS) this August. In honor of the “Bristol Blackout Powered by Chevrolet,” a fleet of the all-black 2015 Midnight Silverado Special Edition trucks will star in the ITNR, shuttling all 43 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racers during the driver introductions and parade. An additional fleet of black 2015 Silverado 2500 HD’s will power the free tram service on Speedway property and sustain the grueling workloads of BMS Operations. Race fans wishing to be a part of BMS’s pre-race ceremonies are encouraged to visit BristolBlackout. com to win two tickets to the legendary ITNR and one of two opportunities to wheel a Sprint Cup Series driver around the World’s Fastest Half-Mile in the Midnight Silverado Special Edition truck. Forty-one additional winners also will receive two tickets to the race and the opportunity to cruise in the cab of a truck hauling a NASCAR Sprint Cup driver during the parade lap. In Bristol Motor Speedway’s display lot, a limited supply of free black Bowtie t-shirts will be available at the Chevrolet fan interac-
tive unit. Other limited-edition blackout t-shirts are available for purchase at the BMS Speedway World and souvenir stands around the track and in the new Fanatics air-conditioned merchandise tent. For more details on the promotion or the Bristol Blackout Powered by Chevrolet visit BristolBlackout.com or call (855) 5805525. Voted a Top 5 Motorsports Race in the entire world by USA Today Reader’s Choice Awards on 10Best.com—the only NASCAR event that made the list—the IRWIN Tools Night Race will take place August 22 and includes a pre-race concert by the legendary Steven Tyler. Gates open at 1 p.m. and the green flag waves at approximately 7:30 p.m. E.T. Singleday tickets start at just $74, with weekend packages as low as $99 at BristolTix.com.
www.theloaferonline.com
Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers
Saturday, August 22nd at Niswonger Performing Arts Center
Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin brothers are hitting the road on their 60th Anniversary Tour with a performance at NPAC on Saturday, August 22nd at 7:30 pm. Country music legends, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, began their career with the Grammy® winning song “Broken Lady,” and hits continued throughout the rest of the decade. Larry Gatlin and his brothers, Steve and Rudy, got an early start at blending pure family harmony at the ages of six, four and two. Their childhood roots of singing gospel and listening to old fashioned Southern quartets was the beginning of a life-long career, celebrating sixty years in 2015. By 1975, the Texas natives took Nashville by storm. The trio captured 33 Top 40 Singles, with seven becoming number one songs including “All the Gold in California,” “Houston,” “I Don’t Want to Cry,” “Love is Just A Game,” “I Just Wish You Were Someone I Love,” “Statues Without Hearts,” and “Night Time Magic.” In addition to being inducted into the
Grand Ole Opry, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers were nominated for awards by the Country Music Association, the Academy of Country Music and the Music City News Awards, among others. It was in 1979 that Larry Gatlin won the ACM’s “Top Male Vocalist,” “Album of the Year,” and “Single of the Year” for “All the Gold in California.” In addition to the tour, a new Gospel album that is a bit different and slightly edgy will soon be released on Curb Records, titled, Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers 60th Anniversary Celebration. Larry says, “Steve and Rudy and I didn’t get where we are by playing it safe. We have always pushed the envelope, we have always crossed borders others were afraid to cross and we’re not going to stop now… and that is the Gospel According to Gatlin.” The Gatlin Brothers have entertained audiences from dusty Texas stages to White House performances, from Broadway to Grammy® Awards, and made it to the top of country charts. Larry
Gatlin and his brothers, Steve and Rudy, present an evening of their greatest hits. Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers will perform at Niswonger Performing Arts Center (NPAC) in historic downtown Greeneville, TN on Saturday, August 22nd at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $40 for orchestra level seating, $35 for mezzanine seating and $30 for balcony seats. Tickets may be purchased online at www.npacgreeneville.com, in person at the NPAC box office, or by calling 423-638-1679. NPAC offers online seat selection with no processing or delivery fees. There is a $1.50 ticketing fee per ticket regardless of purchase method. The box office hours are Monday through Friday, 10 am until 5 pm. The 1150 seat performing arts center is located adjacent to the campus of Greeneville High School in Greeneville, TN. For venue information, and to purchase tickets, please visit www. npacgreeneville.com.
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August 2014
- “IT’S BRISTOL BABY” Photo courtesy of BMS
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August 18, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 17
“Charlotte’s Web” Coming to the ARTspace Theatre
Terrific show about friendship based on the Newberry award-winning story that appeals to all ages! Theatre Bristol is pleased to announce the fall show of its 50th anniversary season, a classic favorite of young and old. E.B. White’s Newberry award-winning “Charlotte’s Web” opens August 28 at the Theatre Bristol ARTspace with a local cast featured in nine shows over three weekends. Brought to the stage by Dramatic Publishing with a script by playwright Joseph Robinette, all the enchanting characters are here: “Wilbur, the irresistible young pig who desperately wants to avoid the butcher; Fern, a girl who understands what animals say to each other; Templeton, the gluttonous rat who can occasionally be talked into a good deed; the Zuckerman family; the Arables; and, most of all, the extraordinary spider, Charlotte, who proves to be “a true friend and a good writer.” Determined to save Wilbur, Charlotte begins her campaign with the “miracle” of her web in which she writes, “Some pig.” It’s
the beginning of a victorious campaign which ultimately ends with the now-safe Wilbur doing what is most important to Charlotte. This is a beautiful, knowing play about friendship and enchantment.” Theatre Bristol veteran Dottie Havlik will direct “Charlotte’s Web.” Havlik has been a valuable friend to Theatre Bristol and the theatre community over the years as a talented and respected actor,
playwright, and director. Havlik is known for her own Theatre Bristol portrayal of “Charlotte,” as well as many other roles, and looks forward to directing a new cast in this 2015 production. Charlotte, the wise spider, is played by Kaylie Crain and her friend Wilbur is Ben Fitton, with Young Wilbur played by Charli Carpenter. Fern is portrayed by Emma Kennedy, and her family
members are Ronnie Whittaker (John Arable), Sabrina Briggs (Martha Arable) and Avery Fick (Avery Arable). Fern’s uncle Homer and aunt Edith are played by Daniel Freeman and Rachel Locke, and their farm hand Lurvy is Braxton Thompson. Wilbur’s farm friends are Eden Phillips (Templeton the Rat), Addy Fitton (Goose), Caleb Hale (Gander), Talia Kestner (Sheep), and Nell Stigers (Lamb). The narrators are Annabelle Meyers, Olivia Stevens and Lauren Turner. Characters at the Washington County Fair are Jeanette Gragg (Announcer), Gracie Brooks and Gracie Cunningham (Spectators), Sutton Hughes, Hope Oliver and Carly Street (Fairgoers), and Luke Gray (Uncle the Hog). Rounding out the cast are Charlie Carpenter, Makayla Milker and Ava White (Baby Spiders), Cameron Roberts (Reporter), Katelyn Briggs (Photographer), and as other farmyard friends, Spencer Beck, Parker Collins, Sydney Cunning-
ham, Zaiah Gray, Isabel Gross, Zora Gross, and Bryn Kestner. Havlik is supported by assistant director Steve Baskett, stage manager Camille Gray, assistant stage manager Coy Owens, master carpenter Robert Havlik, scenic designer Jenny Carpenter, costumer James Altman, props masters Luke Gray and Ashton Bishop, and producer Laura O’Bryan. Performances will be in the Theatre Bristol ARTspace, 506 State Street, Fridays and Saturdays, August 28, 29, September 4, 5, 11, and 12 at 7:30 p.m, and Sundays, August 30, September 6 and 13 at 2:30 p.m. Call 423-212-3625 and leave a message with your name, number, show date, and number of tickets and we will call to confirm, or purchase tickets at the box office 30 minutes prior to the show. For more information, visit the Theatre Bristol’s website or Facebook page, contact Theatre Bristol at 423-212-3625, or email info@theatrebristol.org.
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Dinner Becomes Awkward
Having dinner with your friends should be an enjoyable experience. It shouldn’t be a night of good food and smart conversation that is ruined by awkward comments. I met my friends for dinner on a Friday at seven. The restaurant was full, but not overwhelmingly so. As our waiter came over and took our drink orders, all was fine, we were making idle chatter while going over the menu. When the waiter returned I wasn’t sure what I wanted, so I asked for a recommendation. “For you I’d suggest something from the lighter menu” they said, as they moved on to taking the order of the person to my right. A silence passed among us after the waiter left, we were looking at
each other, then I spoke “Was that a dig at my weight?” As we thought about it, we came to the conclusion that it was. Odd, but we were super happy about the food coming, so we carried on with our rousing chatter. When the waiter came back to re-fill our drinks, they once again did another awkward attempt at communication. “Hey! I know a joke you nerds would love!” said the waiter, who then launched into a rather lame joke that had the punch line of “Harry Potter.” We all looked at each other with a glance of “What sin did we commit to make this happen?” As the joke ended we all gave weak laughter, and the waiter left us alone. One of the group—the retiree—chimed
in that he felt like he should have handed our waiter a “gold star for effort.” The retiree’s wife ordered a plain hamburger, and as the food arrived and the waiter sat it down in front of her, the waiter commented “Here’s your sad hamburger.” Again, we were all dumbfounded as to what was going on, and how this person thought their people skills were winning. I can understand a waiter being funny, but trying too hard, their borderline unfunny Discount Don Rickels it just too much for one to take. The food was great, but the discomfort that came with not knowing what brilliant display of wit we would next be presented with brought a rather dour pall over the entire evening. As the dessert tray was brought around, each of us were treated to a delightful jab from this person who was loosing tip money faster than a breached oil tanker looses oil. The waiter looked at I and the other person wearing glasses and said “We have a wonderful carrot cake, and carrots are good for poor eyesight!” As the person with the sad hamburger looked perplexed by all of this, the waiter said to them “You should try our chocolate decadence cake! It’s great for curing depression and releasing serotonin in the brain!” I’m a big believer in tipping well, however, there are exceptions. I left a lone dollar for the waiter. I didn’t feel bad about it either. Despite the meal being so good, we were all happy to get out of this awkward meal experience. Last time we ate there, the waiter was still on staff, and still making awkward comments to people. We could hear them just within ear shot. Did we have them as our waiter? No. We requested someone else. See you next week.
www.theloaferonline.com
Robert Randolph & the Family Band on Tour
2011 Bristol Rhythm and Roots Headliner, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, will be back in Bristol on August 27, 2015 at 7 pm at The Paramount!
“Robert Randolph is an American Original,” says Don Was, President of Randolph’s new label, Blue Note Records. “He has mastered what is, arguably, the most complex instrument in the world and developed a unique voice that is equal parts street-corner church and Bonnaroo.” Robert Randolph & the Family Band first gained national attention with the release of the album Live at the Wetlands in 2002. The band followed with three studio recordings over the next eight years—Unclassified, Colorblind, and We Walk This Road—which, together with tireless touring and unforgettable performances at such festivals as Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits, and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, won them an expanding and passionate fan base. Randolph’s unprecedented prowess on his instrument garnered him a spot on Rolling Stone’s “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time” list, and also attracted the attention of such giants as Eric Clapton and Carlos Santana, who have collaborated with him on stage and in the studio. When Robert Randolph talks about his new album, Lickety Split, a few words come up over and over—”joy,” “freedom,” “en-
ergy.” Which is no surprise, really, because those are the same things that immediately spring into a listener’s mind when these twelve tracks from the virtuoso pedal steel guitarist and his longtime accompanists, the Family Band, explode out of the speakers. “My thing is really upbeat, up-tempo, with great guitar riffs,” says Randolph, summarizing his musical ambitions, “but also catchy choruses and lyrics that someday will make this music into classic tunes.” With a new label, a new dedication to his craft, and a new sense of responsibility in his life off-stage, it seems like Lickety Split might also represent the urgency Robert Randolph is bringing to all of his efforts these days. “I’m still undiscovered, and that’s really the best thing about it,” he says. “Now we have the chance to present the music right, and have the story told right, and for me to be focused on being an ambassador for inner-city kids and a role model, and also an ambassador for my instrument and as an artist. As all these things happened, it got fun again.” Tickets are $32.75 and available online at www.theparamountcenter.com or by calling the Box Office at 423-274-8927. Save 25% on tickets by using the code “summersale”
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The Gray Community Chest assists community members with basic needs including food, clothing, utilities, baby items, and much more.
stephaniesĭd at Acoustic Coffeehouse
stephaniesĭd is a pop-noir band, based in Asheville NC. They will be playing at The Next Door in
Johnson City on August 22nd, playing material from their new album Excavator, which was released this summer. the ĭd (pronounced like “kid”) is the real person, under the armor. it’s the inner wild being, the emotional mercury, the soft tissue, the genuine human. stephaniesĭd, through their
live performances, which range from deftly focused, emotionallycharged journeys to infectious dance tunes, works to excavate that inner being. The connection between the audience and the band is paramount, and audience members often find themselves directly involved in the show. The show, which is often improvisational, shows the dedication of the members to excavating new and deep musical moments each time they take the stage. “Imagine a bunch of players with the chops to play jazz, but with a healthy appreciation for the pop song format. That’s as succinct as any description of the band and its ethos. Taut, expert playing that doesn’t betray a hey-look-at-me attitude: that’s a hallmark of the songs....” --Bill Kopp, The Musoscribe “…a mesmerizing mix of songs that can be hushed and calm one moment, and then suddenly dark and explosive the next.”–Robin Hilton, NPR’s All Songs Considered
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TUESDAY - Aug. 18
JASON LLOYD & FRIENDS at Biggies Clam Bar
JONATHAN FOSTER at Acoustic Coffeehouse
WEDNESDAY - Aug. 19 THE DUO TONES at Marker “2” Grill
ANNE E. DECHANT JANUARY MAY at Acoustic Coffeehouse
THURSDAY - Aug. 20 JAZZ at Wellington’s - Carnegie Hotel SOUTHERN SOUND (Classic Country & Southern Rock) at Biggie’s Clam Bar
KIDS OUR AGE
(50’s - 90”s, country, classic roc) 7pm at Winged Deer Park Lakeside Concert
SOUTHERN BREEZE 7pm at Marker “2” Grill
LANCE STINSON - 5pm JARED BLAKE - 7pm KEITH ANDERSON - 9:45pm at Earhart Campground
ACOUSTIFRIED (Country)
BENTON BLOUNT - 9:30pm
MCKENZIES MILL - 4:30pm
BELOW 7 w/ BENT TO BREAK (Metal, Rock) at Capone’s THE JONES BOYS
SOUL SHINE
INFINATE SOUL ROCK n ROLL FREAKSHOW BLACK HAT
8pm at Quaker Steak & Lube
at Earhart Campground
7pm at Sonny’s Marina & Cafe
6:30pm at Kickin’ Back Kings Alley
SOUTHERN COUNTRYMEN BAND (Country) at The Outdoorsman LIVE MUSIC at Bone Fire Smokehouse
SUNDOWN BAND (Country)
at Amvest Post 67
ACOUSTIFRIED (Country) at Rush Street Bar & Grill
RACHEL BAIMAN BAND 7pm at Music on the Square Jonesborough
RAILWAY EXPRESS at Country Club Bar & Grill
Songwriters in the round w/ AMETHYST KIAH, MARTIN H PHILLIPS, AUSTIN BARRETT TYLER LUTTRELL 8pm at The Willow Tree Coffeehouse & Music Room
SOUL FINGER
ANDY FERRELL
10pm at O’Mainnin’s Pub SHOOTER (Country, Classic Rock, Oldies) 7pm at Marker “2” Grill
OPEN MIC POETRY
at Biggie’s Clam Bar
7pm at Holston River Brewing Company at Bone Fire Smokehouse
at The Acoustic Coffeehouse
FRIDAY - Aug. 21
PAUL WAYNE PIERCE KYLE ADEM
THE GENTLEMEN & LIARS
SATURDAY - Aug. 22 REMEDY
at Holiday Inn (Exit 7)
JON CHAMBERS & FIRENDS
8pm at The Willow Tree Coffeehouse & Music Room
DISILLUSIONED at Capone’s JAKE KRACK & THE BING BROTHERS at Carter Family Fold
NIGHTSHIFT
(Country, Souther Rock, Oldies) 7pm at David Thompson’s Produce
RAILWAY EXPRESS at Country Club Bar & Grill
LIVE MUSIC
at Bone Fire Smokehouse
STEPHANIESID
at Acoustic Coffeehouse
SUNDAY - Aug. 23
IVY ROAD at Marker “2” Grill KT VAN DYKE at Bone Fire Smokehouse
MARK MAHONEY JAKE & THE COMET CONDUCTORS at Acoustic Coffeehouse
MONDAY - Aug. 24 SAPLING GROVE
8pm at Down Home
CHRIS HENNESSEE - 4:30pm
WYLDEHEART
7pm at Marker “2” Grill
THE HONEY BADGERS
8pm at Quaker Steak & Lube JARED BLAKE- 12pm DAN DEEL - 2:30 pm
JB FIVE & DIME
BLUEGRASS JAM
at Acoustic Coffeehouse
JAMES MEADOWS
(formerly Audio Revolution) at Biggie’s Clam Bar
7pm at Sonny’s Marina & Cafe
ONE GOOD THING
FOLK SOUL REVIVAL
at Earhart Campground
at Bristol Brewery
BLACK HAT
8pm at Sleepy Owl Brewery
BENTON BLOUNT - 12pm JACOB POWELL - 2:30pm
at Hardee’s (Boones Creek) 7pm at Bristol’s Pickin’ Porch
SCOTTY MCCREERY at Appalachian Fairgrounds
SKYE STEELE QUINTET w/ LAURYN PEACOCK at Acoustic Coffeehouse
KARAOKE TUESDAY
KaraokeAt Numan’s - JCTN ***********************
WEDNESDAY
Karaoke w/ Southern Sounds Karaoke at American Legion 8pm Karaoke At Bristol VFW - BTN Turn the Page Karaoke At VFW Post 2108 - JCTN ***********************
THURSDAY
Karaoke At Numan’s - JCTN Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Electric Cowboy - JCTN Karaoke w/ Southern Sounds Karaoke at Macadoo’s 8pm Karaoke At Holiday Inn - JCTN Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment At Everette’s Bar & Grille - JCTN ***********************
FRIDAY
KaraokeAt Bristol VFW - BTN Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertaiment at Rainbow Asian Cuisine - JCTN Karaoke w/ Southern Sounds Karaoke at Sportsman’s Bar & Grill 9pm Karaoke w/ Reverb Karaoke at The Cottage 8:30 pm Turn the Page Karaoke at VFW Post 2108 - JCTN Karaoke At Elizabethton VFW Karaoke w/ DJ Marques At Holiday Inn (Exit 7) - BVA Karaoke At Numan’s - JCTN ***********************
SATURDAY
Turn the Page Karaoke at VFW Post 2108 - JCTN Karaoke At Numan’s - JCTN ***********************
SUNDAY
Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Mellow Mushroom - JC TN Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment At Everette’s Bar & Grille - JCTN ***********************
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August 18, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 23
January May Acoustic Coffeehouse Wednesday, Aug 19th
Acoustic Meets Electronic “Songs by January May are immediately identifiable by their shape-shifting soundscapes, heart-pounding
percussion and dreamy vocal harmonies.” - Belk’s Southern Musician Showcase Recently uprooted pop trio January May of Union, MO have found themselves in Austin, TX getting ready to set out for a tour in support of their debut album, Troublemade. The once duo that had their start playing for audiences of one at local bars have grown into a full band with their new album. They’re ready to positively represent their hometown by spreading their music across the nation. “We set out on this tour to impress every night and every show” says vocalist/guitarist Matthew Campbell. Vocalist Kg Lillian adds with a smirk “This is a live show you won’t want to miss, we aren’t messing around!” Come on out to The Acoustic Coffeehouse August 19th to see January May! They will also be performing in Asheville, NC at The Biltmore Concert Series on August 22nd with Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers. You listen to January May and find out more about the band at JanuaryMay.com
Spotlight Directory
Acoustic Coffeehouse 415 W Walnut St. Johnson City 423/434.9872 Amvets Post 67 Honaker VA Biggies Clam Bar 417 W Stone Dr Kingsport 423/765-9633 Bone Fire Smokehouse at the Hardware 260 W Main St Abingdon Va 276/623-0037 Bristol’s Pickin’ Porch 620 State St Bristol 423/573-2262 Capone’s 227 E Main St Johnson City 423/928-2295 Carter Family Fold 3449 A. P. Carter Hwy Hiltons Va 276/594-0676 Country Club Bar & Grill 3080 W State St Bristol 423/844-0400 David Thompson’s Produce 251 Highway 107 Jonesborough 423/913-8123 Down Home 300 W. Main St. Johnson City 423/929-9822 Earhart Campground Bristol TN • 423/764-4406 Holiday Inn (Exit 7) 3005 Linden Dr Bristol Va 276/466-4100
Holston River Brewing Company 2621 Volunteer Pkwy Bristol TN Kickin’ Back at King’s Alley 156 E. Jackson St. Gate City VA 276/386-3831 Marker “2’ Grill at Lakeview Marina 474 Lakeside Dock, Kingsport 423/323-4665 O’Mainnin’s Pub 712 State St Bristol 423/844-0049 The Outdoorsman 4535 Highway 11W Kingsport Quaker Steak & Lube 629 State St Bristol VA 276/644-9647 Sleepy Owl Brewry 151 E. Main St. Kingsport 423/390-8476 Sonny’s Marina & Café 109 One St. Gray TN 423/283-4014 Wellington’s Restaurant Carnegie Hotel 1216 W State of Franklin Rd Johnson City • 423/979-6400 The Willow Tree Coffeehouse & Music Room 216 E Main St Johnson City Winged Deer Park 4137 Bristol Hwy Johnson City 423/ 283-5816
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Lightnin Charlie Interview
If you don’t have a personal encounter story with one of the most famous entertainers from this region, here is your chance! Lightnin’ Charlie Ya’ll. If I need to say anything more than that to introduce this article, please take the time to read it, because you can’t be from around here. BRIAN: Charlie, you and I have been crossing paths for many years
and I have always been a fan. There are a lot of folks who may not have read your book or ever heard you tell your story. How did you catch the music bug and why the blues? CHARLIE: I grew up in a musicloving family, and although no one played music professionally, they instilled in me a love of listening to music from a very early age. My mother says that at age 4, I would perform stirring renditions in “footie pajamas” of Dean Martin’s “Standing On The Corner (Watching All The Girls Go By)” to everyone who would listen. She says I knew every word and would even imitate Dino’s drunken slurs! My aunt was good friends with Elvis Presley and his family, and she used to go spend long weekends at Graceland, going out to amusement parks and roller skating with Elvis and his gang. Hearing my aunt’s stories about her adventures with the biggest star in the world made as much of an impression on me as anything. I never played in bands or sang in public growing up. I sang and played guitar solely for my own en-
joyment, and never dreamed of doing it professionally, but I absolutely immersed myself in music for my entire childhood, ‘50s and ‘60s rock ‘n’ roll music mostly, learning every note, syllable, and nuance of literally thousands of songs. That has served me well through the years, as I often take requests from an audience, performing their really obscure requests---sometimes for hours, if everyone’s into it. My friend Harry Scanlon, former director of the Paramount Theater For The Arts in Bristol, was so amazed by my seemingly bottomless repertoire, and my either fearless, or stupid ability (depending on how you looked at it!) of playing and singing these requests spontaneously, that he booked me to do a few “All Request” concerts. I started college at ETSU when I was 17, and that’s when I began getting deep into blues music. My love affair with the blues was basically a continuation of my love for ‘50s and ‘60s music, and I dove face-first into all the great Chess artists of the ‘50s like Muddy, Little Walter, Buddy Guy, and others,
like the Kings (Freddy, Albert, and BB), Lightnin’ Hopkins, and Magic Sam, learning every song and every note, and studying every sideman in every band (when I probably should’ve been studying physics or software engineering!). But I still---at no time---ever had any intention (or even dreamt) of doing it professionally---I was a scholar and player of the music completely out of my abject, obsessive love for it, and not as a vehicle of any kind for me or for a career. But then in 1983, I saw an unknown guitar player from Texas named Stevie Ray Vaughan in a tiny, little club in Charlotte, NC, and after two sets, my life was changed forever. BRIAN: Now, how do I put this delicately? Things were a bit “wild” in your younger days playing here there and everywhere. Was it luck or divine intervention that you made it through all of that a little wiser? CHARLIE: I don’t believe in luck. I believe what we think of as “luck” and “coincidence” is really God acting anonymously. I know it was God’s Grace that brought me through all the dangers, toils, and snares of my past life, and has delivered me out of that desert and into the promised-land. Nobody should survive the kind of life I led on the road. I’ve played music, full-time for my living for 31 years now, and was on the road constantly. Back in the “bad old days”, I played every kind of cutn-stab you could imagine, and more. I jumped, jived, and wailed in biker clubhouses, strip clubs, honkytonks, dance halls, you name it. Redneck bars, ghetto clubs, frat houses. We once played a tavern in the south side of Chicago where
everyone was Lithuanian, and nobody spoke a word of English, and they loved us! There was no bar too far, and no hall too small. I’ve played over 200 shows per year, every year since Ronald Reagan was President, in literally thousands of drunken playpens. Places that weren’t upscale enough to provide chicken wire around the bandstand! I was singing to the roughest drug fiends and recitivist felons on Earth or any other planet. And we weren’t playing “their type of music”, by the way. I dealt with situations, night after night, that were routinely insane, and terribly dangerous. But those wild and crazy stories, tales that Stephen King couldn’t make up, later took shape in the blogs and short stories that became my book. So all things work for good, for those that love God, and are called according to His purpose. BRIAN: Multiple CD’s, videos, live performances just about everywhere and a book are among your accomplishments. How have you guided your career to where you are now? Any mentors out there you want to give some thanks to? CHARLIE: Having played music for a living for my entire adult life, I never go to work, I go to play. But what transpires for the other 22 hours a day, when I’m not onstage, is (and has been) a huge amount of work, and there’s never a time of day or night, when I’m not on-theclock. As anyone who’s successfully self-employed knows, there’s ALWAYS something that needs doing.
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The arduous and endless task of self-promotion, booking yourself, and keeping your brand viable and interesting over a span of four decades is not glamorous or fun, and is something that requires an abundance of enthusiasm, a refusal to be discouraged or deterred, and a hardcore commitment that can only come from a true love for the music. Narrow is the path that leads this way, and everyone else falls by the wayside. My love affair with music is still hot and healthy, and my career still rolling like a Mustang on a four-day drive, because my relationship with music is just that---a love affair. Ask anyone who’s happily married after 40 or 50 years how they’ve managed to stay together and they’ll probably tell you that their marriage has survived simply because they persevered through all the hardships, and still love and respect one another. I can truly say I’m still in love with music, I have a great respect for the music, and music still excites me! BRIAN: I know your wife and family are a huge part of who you
are and what matters most to you. What kind of dad and husband is Lightnin’ when the stage lights go down? CHARLIE: A very tired one!!! And a little bit crazy. They say insanity is hereditary...you get it from.your kids! My wife and I have been blessed with three beautiful and talented children. Our two boys are 14 and 13 years old, and our daughter is 5, and they’re going to three different schools this year (kindergarten, middle, and high school). We home schooled the boys for three years, but they were dying to go back to public school for three reasons: girls, girls, girls! My wife Beth and I have been married for 18 years now, and she is still the most beautiful woman in the world to me and is my best friend. The fact that we sing lots of shows and record together as a duo, is just another aspect of my charmed life. She’s also my favorite singer. So to answer your question, Lightnin’ Charlie is what I do, but husband and daddy is what I am. The fact that I can still perform 200 shows per year, yet be home, sleep-
ing in my own bed each night, and raising my kids alongside my wife, being an ever-present husband and father, is one of my greatest successes. How many full-time musicians eat dinner with their family every night? BRIAN: A significant shift in your life is turning from the wilder side of entertaining to born again redemption. What caused you to turn over a whole new leaf? Loved that album by the way! CHARLIE: Thank you Brian. My “A New Leaf” CD really opened a lot of doors for me worldwide. Every track is on constant rotation on SiriusXM satellite radio, and to my knowledge, I am the only independent artist (or one of a very select few) whose music is played on their Bluesville station internationally. My leap of faith---turning over a new leaf in my life---came about ten years ago when I quit playing the nightclubs and bars. After a
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Meteor Shower Bonds People Under Stars Cosmic debris trying to pierce through the Earth’s atmosphere showered memories of a night when strangers bonded under the stars. The Perseid Meteor Shower is one of year’s most reliable, and it did not disappoint as dispatches across the country call it one of the most outstanding display of shooting stars in recent memory. The nearly New Moon didn’t interfere with the show, allowing the faintest of meteors to catch the eye. But it was the bright, smoky ones that drew the biggest “oohs” and “ahhs” as there were plenty that flashed a shadow on the ground. I watched the celestial fireworks from one of highest and darkest places on the east coast of America—White Top Mt. near Damascus, Virginia. Joining me were four friends I met under the stars more than 30 years ago, a real treat for all of us. And for sure, this was one of the best meteor showers I’ve seen in a lifetime of stargazing. I saw more than 200 meteors all night with more than 20 rivaling the brightest stars. Several were startling, throwing a shadow in the ground. I saw a very yellow one, two that ended with a silent “pop” like the end of a Q-tip and several that had several quiet bursts like strand of jewels. And it seemed more than half had a smoky trail that disappeared in an instant, called a meteor “train.” Observing meteors takes no special equipment, just a good pair of eyes and strong desire to lie awake at night in a lawn chair. The serenity and acknowledgement of the incredible expanse of Universe that is above is a humbling and often
spiritual experience. And we had a blast in the Church of Cosmic Collisions. There on White Top Mountain, strangers bonded over shooting stars in a parking lot a little more than a mile closer to the sky. There was the retired couple in the travel camper; the family of four in their Jeep; a boy and two girl twenty-somethings; and those two late comers who’s headlights ruined out night vision or a while—and they left after an hour or so and a few dazzling memories of the Perseids 2015. We even had an outstanding photojournalist on hand, Andre Teague of the Bristol Herald Courier, who used a couple White Top photos for their Aug. 14th edition. It was great to share the Perseids 2015 with four other astro buddies I met under the stars, each around 30 years ago. They included Bristol native George Fleenor, who sells planetarium programs and software from Bradenton, Fla.; childhood friends from Bristol Bob Smith and Steve Scales; and Mike Chesman, retired Bays Mt. planetarium director. Between the Bays Mt. and Bristol astro clubs, these
Photos by MarQ
amateur astronomers have shared their knowledge at talks and under the stars to tens of thousands of interested people. So it was a great opportunity for some catching up and laughs in our favorite “man cave,” the canopy of the Universe. It’s interesting that in 2015, the five of us have all be involved in astronomy outreach for an average of 30 years. And we know considerably more about the Solar System and Universe than famous astronomers like Edwin Hubble just 100 years ago in 1920 and even Galileo 500 years ago. That’s because of our passion to follow the latest scientific breakthroughs—which seem to happen weekly in the 21st Century Space Age. As parts of a comet called SwiftTemple crash into the atmosphere at some 30,000 mph, the “meteoroids” are only the size of a grain of sand yet explode with energy and light when the fiction of Earth’s atmosphere burns them up as visible “meteors.” They ignite in the Earth’s air blanket 7-10 miles high. If large enough, some make it to the surface and are called “meteorites.” Incredibly, 10 tons—that’s 20,000
pounds—of meteorite dust lands on Earth everyday! You can actually collect this in rainwater barrels by dragging a magnet and collecting the iron particles. The Perseid meteors, like several others, are known for their smoky trains of light that puff away after the strike of needle light. Those bring out the best crowd reactions. I’ve heard about groups of meteor watchers across mountains hearing each others’ echoes of exhilaration. That wasn’t the case last Wednesday night, Aug. 12th, but a few bears, coyotes and owls might have been stirred as the meteor show from White Top Mountain was a lively one. That’s a unique spectator experience about Perseids, hearing in the dark the reaction of people when they see the unpredictable burst of light from a bright meteor. When a collective dozen or so see the same blast of light come and go in a dramatic second, the gasps and yelps become who we are…humans being exhilarated by surprise from cosmos. We are entertained by cosmic crumbs crashing into our world. Yet, lurking somewhere is the “the big one,” a mile-wide chunk of debris that could wipe out cities and alter life on Earth. After all, it HAS happened before. One of the best meteors I’ll remember from Perseids 2015 is one that exploded directly above me. The train spread out from the nee-
dle of light, looking like a silvergrey feather for brief moment in time…now frozen in my stargazing memories. Many of the brilliant Perseids were a striking blue-white. And there were three during the 8-hour night that flashed like a camera strobe, casting a shadow and turning heads skyward. Absent from the fireworks was any noise, making it that more eerie. A meteor shower is named for the region of the sky it seems to radiate from, in last week’s case the constellation Perseus. It’s like driving a car at night during a snow, the headlights make it seem like the snow is flying at you from the distant road when it’s falling all around the car. That’s what was happening Wednesday night/Thursday morning Aug 12/13. As the world turned, our part of the Earth was facing into our orbit around the Sun. And we took the brunt of the orbiting dusty cloud of debris from Comet Swift-Tuttle. And the whole event brought together strangers for a show of nature’s beauty. So on White Top Mountain in mid-August, strangers became friends with no names. My life-time astro buddies Bob and Mike pointed out constellations; Steve gave looks through binoculars, George taking photos and me showing off Saturn in my telescope. It was a magical night!
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Celestial events in the skies for the week of August 18th - August 24th, 2015 as compiled for The Loafer by Mark D. Marquette. This week the beautiful crescent Moon dances across the evening sky, becoming First Quarter on Saturday. Moonlight interferes very little with the Summer constellations and will be gone by 11 pm. Warm August nights are a great time to learn the dot-todot patterns of the constellations. Use a planisphere that dials in the sky for any time of year, or download a star chart from Sky Maps. com and begin learning the familiar patterns known since ancient times.
Tues. Aug. 18
After a long day of work, it’s relaxing to sit under the twilight sky and watch the stars come out around 8:30 pm DST. There are many bright ones that poke through the darkening blue veil of sky. One of the first stars you see is Vega directly overhead. Deneb to the north and Altair to the south will pop out of the twilight and form a giant “Summer Triangle” with Vega. As it gets darker in the west, bright Arcturus will appear. In the south, look for yellow Saturn and red star Antares way to the left of the planet.
Wed. Aug. 19
The Summer Triangle is an asterism of three constellations: to the north is Deneb in the tail of Cygnus the Swan, also looking like a giant Northern Cross; distinctly white Vega is the brightest in Lyra the Harp, and Altair is the southern point in Aquila the Eagle, a small cross of stars.
Thurs. Aug. 20
Dark skies mean the Milky Way will be easy to see from a dark site free of light pollution. Spanning from north in Cygnus the Swan to south in Sagittarius, a pair of binoculars will provide lots of entertainment. Dark nebula, star clusters and star after star after star are revealed in this long arm of our Milky Way Galaxy.
Fri. Aug. 21
The Moon is to the right of planet Saturn tonight, and tomorrow it will have moved 12.5 degrees to
the left. Place binoculars or a telescope on the Moon and gasp at the detail. A small telescope will show the rings of Saturn, always magnificent!
Sat. Aug. 22
Now the Moon is on the left side of Saturn, having traveled those 12.5 degrees westward. To understand that distance, outstretch your arm and spread your hand. The distance from your pinky to your thumb is about 10 degrees, and your pinky can cover the onehalf degree wide Moon. The Moon is speeding at 2,200 miles per hour eastward, keeping ahead of the Earth’s 1,100 mph eastward spin. That makes the Moon orbit our 25,000 mile circumference in about 29.5 days—an important time period for people of all antiquity.
Sun. Aug. 23
Scorpius looks like a giant fishhook with red star Antares in the creature’s heart. To the far right in the claws is planet Saturn. To the left is Sagittarius the Archer, though the outline is that of a Teapot. Out of the spout is steam in the form of the Milky Way. Above the spout is the center of our Galaxy, and looking in that direction—unseen by all the stars
blocking our view—is a tremendous Black Hole! Astronomers have discovered that most other galaxies have a Black Hole in the center…and they are not sure why.
Mon. Aug. 24
Here’s another reason to not believe anything about your horoscope and astrology: the Sun is in the feet of Leo the Lion (if you could turn out the daylight!); but astrology says the Sun has entered Virgo. It will be Sept. 17 when the Sun actually hits the eastern border of Virgo. And that’s a fact, Jack!
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Jake Krack & The Bing Brothers at Carter Family Fold Saturday, August 22nd, 2015, at 7:30 p.m., the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, Virginia, will present a concert by Jake Krack and the Bing Brothers Old Time Band. Admission to the concert is $10 for adults, children 6 to 11 $1, under age 6 free. At only 28 years old, Jake Krack has an impressive biography. He graduated from Berea College in 2007. While at Berea, Jake was a recipient of the Red Foley Memorial Music Award. Since that time, he has produced and released nine CDs on which he is featured. In addition, he has produced and/ or consulted on many old time CDs. Jake is an Individual Artist Coordinator for the Culture and History Department in Charleston, West Virginia. He has done internships, received scholarships, and done extensive work with Smithsonian Folkways recordings. Jake was featured on PBS television and on Senator Robert Byrd’s film Soul of the Senate. Concert
venues he has performed at include Berea College, the Smithsonian Folk Life Festival, University of Chicago Folk Festival, Mt. Airy Fiddler’s Convention, the Alleghany County Fiddler’s Convention, Appalachian State Fiddler’s Convention, the Galax Fiddler’s Convention, Clifftop Stringband Festival, Merlefest, Mountain Stage, NPR’s Prarie Home Companion, and so many others that they’re too numerous to list. Needless to say, he’s won first place in many of the fiddler’s conventions in which he’s participated. Jake has been profiled by Art Works, Fiddlers Magazine, Berea Alumni Magazine, U.S. News and World Report, Folk Works, Dirty Linen Music Magazine, the Chicago Tribune, Spectrum Magazine in Scotland, CNN, Canadian Public Television, and the New York Times. He’s been named Tamrack’s Performing Artist of the Year. Jake has done numerous workshops and served as an instructor at practically every place old time
fiddle is taught. He has done extensive research and worked with scholars and music archivists at the Library of Congress. In addition to his other pursuits, Jake operates Krack’s Fiddle Shop and does private fiddle lessons. This concert will mark Jake’s second performance at the Carter Fold. Many famous fiddlers have performed at the Fold, and we
think Jake ranks among the best. Bands who play at the Fold (and our Fold audience) know that good fiddling is a big part of a Fold concert. Jake Krack will deliver that and then some. In fact, he can hold his own with any fiddler who ever graced our stage. Performing with Jake will be the Bing Brothers. Tim Bing will be featured on banjo, and Mike Bing
will be playing mandolin. The Bing Brothers were formerly the Whoopin’ Hollar Band. Come out and join us for Jake Krack and the Bing Brothers. Don’t forget your dancing shoes, and be sure to bring all your friends. For additional information on Jake and the band, go to http://jakekrack.com. Carter Family Memorial Music Center, Incorporated, is a nonprofit, rural arts organization established to preserve traditional, acoustic, mountain music. For further information on the center, go to http://www.carterfamilyfold.org. Carter Music Center is part of the Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail. You can visit the Crooked Road Music Trail site at http://thecrookedroad.org. Partial funding for programs at the center is provided by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. For recorded information on shows coming up at the Fold, call 276-386-6054.
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In Theaters Now
Box Office Top 10
Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation (2015)
“Fantastic Four”
Most comic book and comic book movie fans have surely read all of social media about how bad the new “Fantastic Four” movie is. For non-comic fans, does the same hold true? Unfortunately, yes. The latest film version of the comic book heroes is a reboot of the 2005 original, which was not award winning material its own right. The new “Fantastic Four” movie is a origin (yawn) story, and introduces us to each character when they were kids. We learn how Reed Richards (Miles Teller), Ben Grimm (Jamie Bell), Sue Storm (Kate Mara), Johnny Storm(Michael B. Jordan), and Victor von Doom (Toby Kebbell) become the famous characters from the comics. Since he was a child, Reed has been working on a prototype teleporter with help from his best friend Ben. As the brilliant Reed heads to college with Ben in tow, they meet up with Professor Franklin Storm (Reg E. Cathey), who introduces Reed to scientist Sue, and technician and son Johnny, and eventually Victor. The trio have been working at the Baxter Foundation, and have been developing a “Quantum Gate”, similar to Reed’s invention. Soon, everyone is working together, and before you can say “flame on”, the gate proves to transport things, and a puzzled CGI chimp to a parallel dimension known as “Planet Zero”. Once the success is proven, NASA moves in to take over the machine.NASA’s take over does not stop our inventors, and soon Reed, Johnny, Victor and Ben are transporting themselves to the other dimension and planet, which is like any planet seen in a Star Trek episode. The planet oozes green slime goo, which we know can’t be good, but our trav-
his inner hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym, plan and pull off a Ethan and team take on their heist that will save the world. most impossible mission yet, eradicating the Syndicate - an Interna- Minions (2015) Minions Stuart, Kevin and Bob tional rogue organization as highly skilled as they are, committed to are recruited by Scarlet Overkill, a super-villain who, alongside her destroying the IMF. inventor husband Herb, hatches a plot to take over the world. Fantastic Four (2015) Four young outsiders teleport to an alternate and dangerous uni- Ricki and the Flash (2015) A musician who gave up everyverse which alters their physical form in shocking ways. The four thing for her dream of rock-andmust learn to harness their new roll stardom returns home, lookabilities and work together to save ing to make things right with her Earth from a former friend turned family. enemy.
The Gift (2015)
A young married couple’s lives are thrown into a harrowing tailspin when an acquaintance from the husband’s past brings mysterious gifts and a horrifying secret to light after more than 20 years.
Trainwreck (2015)
Having thought that monogamy was never possible, a commitment-phobic career woman may have to face her fears when she meets a good guy.
Pixels (2015)
When aliens misinterpret video feeds of classic arcade games as Rusty Griswold takes his own a declaration of war, they attack family on a road trip to “Walley the Earth in the form of the video World” in order to spice things up games. with his wife and reconnect with Southpaw (2015) his sons. Boxer Billy Hope turns to trainer Tick Willis to help him get his life Ant-Man (2015) Armed with a super-suit with back on track after losing his wife the astonishing ability to shrink in in a tragic accident and his daughscale but increase in strength, cat ter to child protection services. burglar Scott Lang must embrace
Vacation (2015)
Source: IMDb.com • (08/15/2015)
elers are not concerned in the least, and Victor is the first one to stick his hand in the green liquid, which shockingly, was a bad idea. Soon, the others, minus Victor, are back at the Baxter Foundation, but after nearly destroying the building, find themselves with strange powers. Reed can stretch his arms and legs, Ben is a rock creature, Johnny can burst into flame, and Sue, even though she didn’t go, was impacted by their return and can become
invisible and form force-fields. As we know, the government in movies hates those different in anyway, and immediately sends our group out to Area 51(!). Meanwhile, NASA transports a group to the other dimension, where they discover Victor has transformed into a prune-skin like creature with glowing green contact lenses and a bad attitude. Our villain of the piece has emerged. Soon the about to be named Fantastic Four
are fighting the newly created Dr. Doom to keep Earth safe. The actual fights are lackluster, and I have seen better action on “The Flash” television show. The actors are all dull, and the only excitement comes from Cathey, but that’s only when his character bursts into flame. Poor Kate Mara is extremely bad, and seems bored throughout the entire film. The only life the actress brings to the film is when she has to don a horrible blonde wig,
thanks to the re-shoots the actors had to endure, and even those didn’t help. The film ends with hopes of a sequel, but the only sequel I’m hoping for is one with a better cast and script. “Fantastic Four” is anything but, and the best part of the entire showing was the preview of “Batman v Superman” that ran before the movie.
Rated: PG-13
D
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21st Annual Friends Across the Mountains Telethon
On August 20, Friends of the Smokies hosts the 21st annual Friends Across the Mountains Telethon to benefit Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP). The event has a long history as the only telethon for a national park, and has raised more than $3 million. “As we celebrate the 99th year of the National Park Service and look ahead to its centennial in 2016, support from our partners at Friends of the Smokies is more important than ever,” said GSMNP Superintendent Cassius Cash who will be appearing during the “Friends of the Smokies volunteers field calls at the annual Friends broadcast. Across The Mountains Telethon.” This year’s broadcast will take Photo Credit Jack Williams. place from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 20, on WBIR-TV Channel 10 in Knoxville and WLOS-TV Channel 13 in Asheville. The 21st annual telethon is generously sponsored by Dollywood, Mast General Store, Tennessee State Bank, and Pilot Flying J, with enthusiastic volunteer support from First Tennessee Bank and Home Federal Bank. “The telethon has a proud legacy of providing critical funds for programs like Parks As Classrooms which educates and cultivates the next generation of park stewards,” said Friends of the Smokies President Jim Hart. “We are very thankful for the generous and loyal support that viewers provide each year to help the park.” Viewers of the Telethon will see many of the GSMNP needs which Friends of the Smokies is funding this year, more than $880,000 to support education, conservation, recreation, and historic preservation in 2015. Current projects include rehabilitation of the Alum Cave Trail by the Trails Forever crew, ongoing suppression of the hemlock woolly adelgid and other invasive pests, supporting black bear and elk management, and funding for Parks as Classrooms environmental education programs for more than 18,000 students. Last year’s Friends Across The Mountains Telethon raised more than $200,000. Donations can be made online today at www.friendsofthesmokies. org, by calling Friends’ toll- free telethon hotline during the Friends Across the Mountains broadcast to make a pledge over the phone, or calling Friends of the Smokies and ask for a donation form to be mailed to them (Waynesville NC Office, 828-452-0720; Kodak TN Office, 865932-4794 or 800-845-5665).
Historic Blountville Hosts 7th Annual Flea Market Get ready! It’s time for the 7th Annual Historic Blountville Flea Market and Yard Sale coming your way on September 12, 2015, in downtown Blountville, TN! This exciting event brings people together from across the East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia region and beyond! Fun for the entire family, c’mon out to this bargain-hunters paradise and enjoy some great food and fantastic music! Vendor spaces are $15 each and must be reserved before Sept. 4, 2015. Non-profit businesses, churches and organizations are allowed free spaces. This event is sponsored by the Sullivan County Department of Archives and Tourism. For additional information, please call 423.323.4660. Vendors may download theRegistration Form here. See you at the market! For other upcoming events, please visit historicsullivan.com.
BMS Track Facts
Nine-time BMS winner Dale Earnhardt won his very first Sprint Cup event at the World’s Fastest Half-Mile on April 1, 1979 in the Southeastern 500. Rusty Wallace snapped Jeff Gordon’s four-year Food City 500 winning streak in 1999 and got his 50th win in 2000. Cale Yarborough led all 500 laps of the 1973 Southeastern 500, the only driver to accomplish such a feat in a Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway. Timothy Peters achieved a similar milestone in the 2012 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race, leading all 200 laps of the UNOH 20. Richard Petty holds the record at BMS for most top 10 finishes with a total of 37.
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Presentation by guitar virtuoso/inspirational speaker
Aug. 24 to kick off Acts, Arts, Academia series at Tusculum College A presentation by world-class guitarist and inspirational speaker Mike Rayburn on Aug. 24 will kick of the 2015-16 Acts, Arts, Academia performance and lecture series at Tusculum College. Rayburn’s performance will be at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of the Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Building. The Acts, Arts, Academia performance and lecture series is a program of Tusculum College Arts Outreach and supported by the late Dr. Sam Miller in memory of Agnes Ault Miller, Hearts for the Arts, the Tennessee Arts Commission and Arts Outreach. With his “What If …” keynote presentation, Rayburn challenges his audience to ask what is possible using his amazing guitar skills and humor to illustrate three tools that help people carry out innovative ideas and meet goals. Rayburn draws on his success as an entrepreneur and a performer to inspire others through his presentation. Rayburn, who has received
Entertainment, Gig and Successful Meetings magazines. Admission for Rayburn’s presentation is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors above the age of 60 and $5 for children 12 years of age and younger. This will be Rayburn’s third performance at Tusculum. The second presentation of the Acts, Arts, Academia series will also be by a performer who has proven popular with Tusculum and local audiences alike. Well known Appalachian author Sharyn McCrumb will return to the Tusculum campus Tuesday, Sept. 22, to discuss her novel, “King’s Mountain,” which tells the story of the Revolutionary War battle and has received the Patricia Winn Award for Southern Fiction. McCrumb will speak in the Behan Arena Theatre. standing ovations each of the eight than 4,000 presentations and his Everyone’s favorite flying car times he has performed at Carn- comedy remains in heavy rotation will come to the stage for Theatreegie Hall, is a certified speaking on Sirius/XM radio. He has been at-Tusculum’s fall production of professional and two-time TEDx featured in USA Today, as well as the musical, “Chitty Chitty Bang presenter, has performed more Newsweek, Billboard, American Bang.” Performances are sched-
uled for Nov. 13-15 and 19-21 in the Annie Hogan Byrd auditorium. The Christmas season will be marked by performances by the Tusculum College Band Program and Community Chorus. The Band Program’s holiday concert will be on Tuesday, Dec. 1 in the Annie Hogan Byrd auditorium. The Community Chorus will perform its first concert under new director Kathy May on Monday, Dec. 7. Events for the spring 2016 semester begin in January with Central Ballet Theatre’s presentation of “Cinderella.” The performances are scheduled for Jan. 22-24 in the Annie Hogan Byrd auditorium. On Tuesday, Feb. 9, Dr. David Scott will focus on lesser known Supreme Court cases that have made a significant impact in his presentation, “American Civil Rights and Liberties” in the Behan Arena Theatre.
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Looking for Amanda Hugginkiss
Ah yes, who remembers that recurring gag from The Simpsons in which Bart would prank call surly tavern owner Moe Szyslak asking to speak with a patron with a clearly phony name? It always worked out the same, with Moe calling out for said individual only to be mocked by all the barflies. Last to get the joke, poor Moe would pick the reciever back up and launch into a profanity-laced tirade on the caller, complete with threats of violence and bodily mutilation… should he ever catch him. That gag has been used throughout the long run of The Simpsons and has supplied some of the most memorable moments from the hugely popular series. However, while the writers of The Simpsons are no doubt some of the funniest, most creative folks to grace the Hollywood film and television industry, the above concept is not original. In fact, it is based on a series of actual events that took place in the 1970′s, in which actual pranksters would place calls to an actual bar run by an actual surly bartender, incur-
ring his actual wrath. The place was known as the Tube Bar and it was located in Jersey City, NJ, just off of Journal Square near what is now known as the Journal Square PATH station. The tavern, so named for the Hudson Tubes (an earlier incarnation of the PATH system of subways connecting Newark and Manhattan), was owned and operated by former boxer Louis ‘Red’ Deutch, who opened the place back in 1933 following the repeal of prohibition. Something of a dive bar, from what I understand, it attracted a pretty rough crowd, frequented by a variety of blue collar folks, as well as several boxers including former heavyweight champ Rocky Marciano. Deutch also was not a man to be messed with, as he had been known to personally eject the occasional rowdy patron, even in his advanced age. Despite this, tormenting Red became a favorite pastime of two local teenagers, John Elmo and Jim Davidson. Known collectively as the Bum Bar Bastards, they took much delight in calling the Tube
Bar, and tricking Red into calling out for patrons with fake names that served as homophones, thus making the grizzled barkeep look ridiculous. Further more, the Bastards took to recording these calls, which eventually began to circulate the community of immature juveniles as bootleg tapes. (Collections of these recordings can today be purchased on Amazon.) As the poor Moe Syzslak would later react to such chicanery, Red’s responses to calling out for such barflies as Pepe Roni, Jim Nasium, and many other, more obscenely named folks, was immediate and vitriolic. Though he would often call out for the patron in question, upon realizing he was the butt of a joke, Red would consistently unleash a profane tirade upon the caller, threatening bodily harm, both sexual and otherwise, with a linguistic finesse that could only have come from a man with an utterly unique mastery of the English language. Alas, the Tube Bar is now but a memory. Red closed the doors in 1980, at age 85, having seen the
neighborhood around him deteriorate markedly, and moved to Florida. The site was eventually repurposed by other businesses, becoming home to several delis among other things. The building once housing the Tube Bar was eventually demolished to make way for the revitalization of Journal Square and expansion of its eponymous PATH station. While
I have yet to find a marker commemorating the spot where the Tube Bar once stood at 12 Tube Concourse, anyone is free to go take a look. Numerous stories and recordings of some of the actual calls can be easily found with minimal internet research – notably including an entire website dedicated to the old watering hole.
Page 34 | The Loafer | August 18, 2015
Register now for Bristol Tennessee Parks and Recreation 2nd annual NFL Flag Football League
Are you ready for some football, if so, check out the Parks and Recreation NFL associated flag football program? This is a fast-paced and fun football league for boys and girls. There are four different divisions based on what grade the students are in. First grade through seventh grades can compete on a team with only 10 players, so everyone sees field time. Individuals may register and be assigned a team or a group of friends may sign up as a team. Teams may be co-ed. To register for the league stop by the Parks and Recreation office at Slater Community Center, 325 McDowell Street, Bristol, Tennessee. Early registration will be from August 3-21 with fee of $50.00 or a late registration fee of $60.00 beginning August 24 through 28. There is also an additional $10.00 fee for players residing outside the City of Bristol, Tennessee. As part of the registration, an official NFL jersey will be given to each participant and will be theirs to keep at the end of the season. The season begins September 12 and continues through October 31. Games will be played on Saturdays at Whitetop Creek Park. For more information call 423-764-4023, email mratliff@bristoltn.org, or mmusick@bristoltn.org.
Thursday’s lakeside concert to feature Kids Our Age
Head to Winged Deer Park’s Goulding Amphitheatre Thursday (Aug. 20) for an enthusiastic and contagious performance by Kids Our Age. This three-member band features some of our area’s most talented musicians who have performed for thousands over their long careers. Showtime is 7-9 p.m. The free Lakeside Concert Series takes place at Winged Deer Park, 4137 Bristol Highway, and the Goulding Amphitheatre is off Carroll Creek Road. Sponsors include Bristol Broadcasting, Johnson City Parks and Recreation, Mountain States Health Alliance, and the News and Neighbor. For more information, call (423)283-5815, email jcparksinfo@ johnsoncitytn.org or visit www.facebook.com/jcparkstn. This year’s remaining concert schedule is as follows: • Thursday, Aug. 20, 7-9 p.m. – Kids Our Age • Thursday, Aug. 27, 7-9 p.m. – Daisi Rain • Sunday, Sept. 13, 6-8 p.m. – Johnson City Symphony
The Princeton Review names ETSU as a 2016 ‘Best in the Southeast’
BMS Track Facts
Junior Johnson is the all-time winningest car owner at Bristol Motor Speedway with 21 wins. Second on the list is Jack Roush with nine Ryan Newman became the first driver to record a sub-15 second lap at BMS during March 2003. Newman grabbed the Food City 500 pole with a 14.908 sec./128.709 mph lap. The only father-son combinations to have competed in and won Sprint Cup races at BMS are Ned and Dale Jarrett, Bobby and Davey Allison and Dale and Dale Earnhardt Jr
East Tennessee State University has been named a 2016 “Best in the Southeast” by The Princeton Review, an education services company known for test preparation programs and college and graduate school guides. The 140 institutions named as “Best in the Southeast” may be found in “2016 Best Colleges: Region by Region” on the company’s website at http://www.princetonreview.com/best-regional-colleges.aspx. Robert Franek, The Princeton Review’s senior vice president and publisher, says, “Our 649 ‘regional best’ colleges are a select group, indeed. They constitute only 25 percent of the nation’s four-year colleges. From hundreds of institutions we considered in each region, we selected these schools primarily for their excellent academics.” Schools were examined in the categories of Academics, Admissions Selectivity, Financial Aid, Fire Safety, Quality of Life, Green, Professors Interesting and Professors Accessibility. Princeton Review does not rank the colleges in “2016 Best Colleges: Region by Region.”
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August 18, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 35
Storyteller Odds Bodkin to Perform in Jonesborough
Storyteller and musician Odds Bodkin, a nationally renowned performer who has played at the White House and the Lincoln Center, will be the next teller in residence in Jonesborough’s popular Storytelling Live! series. Bodkin’s weeklong appearance, which is sponsored by the International Storytelling Center, will feature folk tales, myths, and ancient epic stories, as well as music on guitar and the African thumb piano. Matinee performances are daily Tuesday through Saturday, August 25 – 29, in the Mary B. Martin Storytelling Hall. The storyteller is perhaps most fond of Greek myths and stories, including the Iliad and the Odyssey. “To me, they’re the first examples of the very same stories that people are telling nowadays,” he says. “They carry a lot of juice— that kind of power that Star Wars, for instance, had. It’s grand, but it’s also meaningful and relatable material. They’re very human stories.” Bodkin has a flair for the dra-
mind of the listener.” The music is designed as a sort of soundtrack or score that runs in the background. “I put music underneath the stories like Homer did in the ancient days, or like the minstrels in the Middle Ages,” he says. “It’s kind of like background music you’d hear in a movie or a television program.” It’s a singular style, but one that has evolved organically for Bodkin. “It has emerged from the set of god-given talents that I’ve got,” he says. “It’s as simple as that. I’m a musician with some dramatic ability. But once I get up on stage to perform, it becomes something else. It’s like having a real out-ofbody experience.” During his residency, all Bodkin’s performances will begin at 2:00 p.m. sharp. Tickets are just $12 for adults and $11 for seniors, students, and children under 18. All ticket holders will save 10 matic that suits these larger-than- wind and crashes and footfalls percent on same-day dining at life tales. “I do voices,” he says. and water droplets and galloping The Dining Room, Jonesborough “Gods and goddesses and mon- horses. The goal, with the music, General Store and Eatery, or Main sters. I do lots of vocal effects like is to create a kind of cinema in the Street Café.
The International Storytelling Center’s Storytelling Live! series will bring a new performer to Jonesborough each week through the month of October. Information about this season’s performers, as well as a detailed schedule, is available at www.storytellingcenter.net. Storytelling Live! is supported by program sponsors CrestPoint Health and Eastman Credit Union, and media sponsors News 5-WCYB, FOX Tri-Cities, Tri-Cities CW, Johnson City Press, Kingsport Times-News, Herald & Tribune, Cumulus Media and Foster Signs. Additional funding comes from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Tennessee Arts Commission, the Niswonger Foundation, and the Arts Fund of East Tennessee Foundation. The International Storytelling Center is open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. For more information about Storytelling Live! or to make a group reservation, call (800) 952-8392 ext. 222 or (423) 913-1276.
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“Rhythms Of The Mountain Empire”
A Ten Part Original Series About Local Music, Supported by Tri-City Communities & Adoring Fans
Open Mic Nite A Treasure Trove Of Local Talent in the Tri..! Written by William Camelot Acoustic Coffeehouse chimes in with perhaps the oldest Open Mic Nite in the Tri…. Acoustic choses to promote Open Mic Nite on Monday evenings beginning at 7:30. Never know how many will decide to play but you can count on anywhere between 10 & 15 on any given evening. There is no host, the musicians sign in and wait their turn to play... Great low keyed environment, with an eclectic mix of people, college crowd for the most part, but there is also a nice compliment of older fans and children are allowed. A very cool vibe, treat yourself to a mixture of Bluegrass, Americana, Indie, Folk and wet your whistle with an awesome selection of mostly regional beers, featuring some very interesting summer IPA’s..! There are 21 beers on tap, so knock yourself out..! The menu is actually quite extensive with something for everyone from: vegetarian, salads, pizza to sandwiches. The acoustic coffee house complete calendar of events may be seen at: reverbnation.com/ venue/theacousticcoffeehouse.... Bristol steps up big time for Open Mic Nite..! Open Mic Nite is a misnomer; it simply depends on the evening you wish to “step out” during the week. The hotels, pubs & restaurants in the area look to attract customers’ weekdays, by offering up some fresh local talent... There were many excellent venues for local music, but we chose to visit: O’Mainnin’s Pub & Grille in downtown Bristol. They open the doors for Acoustic Open Mic Nite every Tuesday evening outside...Open mic is hosted by the
inimitable Guido Au’Some lead vocalist with New Mexico Chemical. Musicians looking to perform reach out using Facebook or contacting Guido directly. You can find anywhere between 6 to10 performers on any Tuesday, play-
ing everything from cover to original country, rock & bluegrass…So step out, find your spot, order up a longneck and maybe one of their Amazing American Burgers... Sit back and enjoy the sounds..! April the manager told us: “ Musicians come from all over to play and hopefully get a spot in the next Rhythms & Roots a 3 day annual musical festival in downtown Bristol every September; featuring: country, gospel, bluegrass and roots... Several performers have gone on to get booked at one of the many venues in town”...Open Mic Nite is their opportunity to chase the dream…”
rhythmsofthemountainempire.com facebook.com/rhythmsofthemountainempire williamcamelot@mymorningcoffee.tv
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August 18, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 37
Arts Array Begins Fall 2015 Season The Arts Array Film Series presented by Virginia Highlands Community College begins the Fall 2015 Film Series August 31 and September 1 with one of Al Pacino’s best performances on screen, “Danny Collins.” All films are presented at the Abingdon Cinemall on Mondays and Tuesdays at 4 p.m. and again at 7:30 pm. “The series continues to showcase foreign films, documentaries, and independent American films that movie enthusiasts in the area don’t have access to in commercial theaters,” said series coordinator Tommy Bryant. “The Fall 2015 season is one of the most varied and interesting ones during my time with the Arts Array.” The year’s schedule is as follows:
“Danny Collins” (August 31 and September 1)
“Far from the Madding Crowd” (September 21 and 22)
Adapted from Hardy’s classic novel, this is the story of Bathsheba Everdene and her three very different suitors. This timeless tale explores the nature of relationships, and love.
“The Stanford Prison Experiment” (September 28 and 29)
In 1971, students at Stanford University were divided into guards and prisoners in a mock jail. Now, adapted for the screen, this film promises to be one of the most authentic productions in years. “Young Frankenstein” [Throwback Film!] (October 5 and 6) Respected medical lecturer Dr. Frederick Frankenstein learns that he has inherited his infamous grandfather’s estate in Transylvania. Soon, he begins to recreate his grandfather’s work.
Inspired by a true story, Al Pacino stars as aging 1970s “Slow West” (October 12 and 13) rocker Danny Collins, who can’t give up his hard living An intriguingly off-center Western that brings together a ways, until he uncovers a letter written to him by John bevy of European talent to bear on an American frontier stoLennon. ry. Starring Kodi Smit-McPhee and Michael Fassbender.
“CITIZENFOUR” (September 7 and 8)
The story of infamous Edward Snowden, who claimed to have evidence of illegal covert surveillance programs run by the NSA in collaboration with other intelligence agencies worldwide. “’71” (September 14 and 15) Young, untested British soldier Gary Hook finds himself in a life-and-death situation one night in 1971 Belfast, at the height of the Troubles. Separated from his unit, he struggles to survive the night.
“Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” (October 19 and 20) Greg and his friend Earl enjoy making short film parodies of classic films. When his mom insists that he spend time with Rachel, he slowly discovers a deeper level of friendship.
“The Babadook” [Halloween Thriller!] (October 26 and 27)
Amelia and her son find a book about the Babadook inside their home. After they read the story of this strange creature, Amelia tries desperately to destroy the book.
“Match” (November 2 and 3) Tobi Powell, an aging Juilliard dance professor with a colorful past, is interviewed by a woman and her husband for a dissertation she’s writing about the history of dance. “Wild Canaries” (November 9 and 10)
In this fresh, new comedy, Barri and Noah begin to investigate the death of their neighbor. Tensions mount as they begin to find unsettling secrets about their building, and their other neighbors.
“5 Flights Up” (November 16 and 17)
Alex and Ruth bought their apartment forty years ago. Now, it’s worth a small fortune. They decide to list the apartment with a real estate agent, and things go awry. The Arts Array Film Series is part of the comprehensive cultural outreach program of Virginia Highlands Community College. The series is co-sponsored by the Abingdon Cinemall, the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, Emory& Henry College, and King University. Admission to the films is free for the faculty members and students at the supporting institutions. Members of the general community may attend for $7.75. Arts Array brochures can be found at the following locations: Virginia Highlands Community College, the Washington County Library, The Abingdon Cinemall, or the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center. For more information, please contact Tommy Bryant at 276-739-2451 or email him at tbryant@vhcc.edu.
Page 38 | The Loafer | August 18, 2015
BMS Race Week Schedule
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
8:00 AM - BMS Campgrounds Open (Dragstrip, The Landing, Speedway Camping) 1:30 PM - Spectator Gate 10 Open (Gate 10 ONLY) 2:00 PM to 4:55 PM - UNOH 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Practice
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
6:00 AM - BMS Parking Lots Open (South, North, Dragway, Copperhead and Speedway) 7:00 AM - BMS Parking Lot Open (Lot A - Frontstretch Accessible Parking) 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM - Kids Zone Open 10:00 AM to 10:55 AM - Bush’s Beans 150 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Practice 11:00 AM to 12:25 AM - UNOH 200 Presented by ZLOOP NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Final Practice 12:30 PM to 1:15 PM - Bush’s Beans 150 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Final Practice 3:00 PM - Bush’s Beans 150 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Qualifying (2 Laps-All Positions) 4:45 PM - UNOH 200 Presented by ZLOOP NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Qualifying (2 Laps - All Positions) 4:45 PM - 5:15 - Whelen Modified Driver Autograph Session - Inside Gate 14 (frontstretch) 5:55 PM - Bush’s Beans 150 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Driver Introductions 6:15 PM to conclusion of Event - Start of Bush’s Beans 150 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour (150 Laps, 79.95 Miles) 8:00 PM - UNOH 200 Presented by ZLOOP NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Driver Introductions 8:30 PM to conclusion of Event - Start of UNOH 200 Presented by ZLOOP NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (200 Laps, 106.6 Miles)
Thursday, August 20, 2015
9:00 AM to 10:00 AM - Speedway Children’s Charities Track Laps 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM - Food City Race Night - State Street, Bristol 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM - iBelong Reception - State Street (RSVP Event) 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM - SCC Live Charity Auction - 3rd floor Bruton Smith Building 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM - Seattime Racing School - Garage Entrance 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM - #AskBristol Show and Lance Stinson Concert - Fan Zone Stage 8:30 PM - The Night Race 5K Road Race (see SCC website for details) 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM - Transporter Parade 10:00 PM to 11:00 PM - Infield Hauler Parking
Friday, August 21, 2015
6:00 AM - BMS Parking Lots Open 9:00 AM to 11:25 AM - Food City 300 NASCAR XFINITY Series Final Practice 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM 0 Kids Zone Open 11:30 AM to 12:55 PM - IRWIN Tools Night Race Sprint Cup Series Practice 1:30 PM to 2:25 PM - IRWIN Tools Night Race Sprint Cup Series Final Practice 3:45PM - Food City 300 NASCAR XFINITY Series Qualifying (All Positions) 5:45 PM - Bass Pro Shops Sprint Cup Series Qualifying (2 Laps - All Positions) 7:00 PM - Food City 300 NASCAR XFINITY Series Driver Introductions 7:30 PM to conclusion of Event - Start of Food City 300 NASCAR XFINITY Series Race (300 Laps, 159.9 Miles)
Saturday, August 22, 2015
6:00 AM - BMS Parking Lots Open 9:00 AM - Worship/ Church Services 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM - Bristol Kids Club Track Walk with Bump and Run 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM - Kids Zone Open 11:30 AM to 6:30 PM - Cold Pass 1:00 PM to conclusion of Event - Pit Road Party Zone Open 1:00 PM to conclusion of Driver Intros - Pre-Race Garage Party Open (formerly iBelong Garage Experience) 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM - Track Walks 5:45 PM - Concert 6:30 PM to 1 hour conclusion of Event - HOT PASS 7:00 PM - IRWIN Tools Night Race Sprint Cup Series Driver Introductions 7:30 PM to conclusion of Event - Start of IRWIN Tools Night Race Sprint Cup Series Race (500 Laps, 266.5 Miles)
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Movers .....
August 18, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 39
continued from page 25
particularly rough night at the office, I came home and announced to my wife that I was finally done. As a Christian who made his living in worldly environments, I always felt the obligation to use that platform to witness to folks, on and offstage, about what Christ had done for me. I would sing songs of the gospel, and tried to always conduct myself in a sanctified manner, to represent Christ, and Christ’s love, to Christians and non-Christians alike. But after three decades in a battleground, I became spiritually convicted that those clubs were no longer the places where God wanted me to be. I don’t judge other people in that regard---all I knew was what God meant for me. And for me to be obedient to God, it meant that I had to turn away from what had been my only source of income for over 20 years. I made my living, and supported my family, by playing music. The places that hired me to play music were mainly the nightclubs. So for me to say I wasn’t going to play bars anymore was like a plumber declaring that he wasn’t going to work around water. It was crazy. My calendar, which was filled with shows, five nights a week, for the next full year, would now be blank, and me without a clue of how or where to start to fill it. But I knew a Man who did.
Virtuoso .....
I told my wife that the same God who hung the stars in the sky, and brings the oceans in and out twice a day, could surely get me a gig if it be His will. And if it wasn’t, I would just go get a job at Walmart or someplace. I was sure of what God wanted from me, and it was up to me to simply obey, and submit, as impractical as it seemed! So Beth and I prayed that prayer. And God is faithful. He put me on top, put me into gigs I couldn’t have dreamt of, gave me amazing new opportunities to play good music for good people, built me a recording studio, got my book published and into 18,000 bookstores worldwide, and completely remade my career. He turned my mourning into dancing, and my old sackcloths into beautiful robes! BRIAN: And last but not least, I know you and you are always working on something. You told me there is a new CD about to come out. What can we look forward to one this one and how do our readers get a copy? CHARLIE: My new CD, titled COVENANT, is scheduled for release by the end of this year, and is, in my opinion, my best record ever. COVENANT is a mighty mix of old-school gospel music, mostly original, featuring many special guests who have played and recorded with artists like El-
continued from page 32
Hilarity will reign in “The Odd Couple,” Theatre-at-Tusculum’s spring production. Performances will be Feb. 26-28 and March 3-6 in the Behan Arena Theatre. The Tusculum Band will present its winter concert on Tuesday, March 1, in the Annie Hogan Byrd auditorium. The FLY Dance Company will bring its brand of youthful, risktaking, clever choreography to the stage on Sunday, March 20 in the auditorium of the Annie Hogan Byrd auditorium. A group rate will be available for dance schools on request. During the 2016 Old Oak Festival, members of GLAWPIGT (Great Literature Alive, Well and Playing in Greeneville, Tennessee) will present a showcase of varied entertainment April 15-17. The series will conclude with the spring concerts by the Tusculum
Band Program and Community Chorus. The band will perform on Thursday, April 28, in the Annie Hogan Byrd auditorium. The Community Chorus will present its spring concert on Monday, May 2, also in the auditorium. Admission to the events is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors above the age of 60 and $5 for children 12 years of age and under except for the “American Civil Rights and Liberties” presentation, which will have a $7 admission, the GLAWPIGT performances, which will have a $5 admission and the Band and Community Chorus concerts which have no admission charge. For more information on any of these events, or to reserve tickets for the Mike Rayburn performance, call Tusculum College Arts Outreach at 423-798-1620, or email jhollowell@tusculum.edu
vis, Paul McCartney, Muddy Waters, Roy Orbison, Tom Jones, and Elton John, to name a few. It runs the gamut from big electric band tracks, to down-home, front-porch acoustic things, and everything in between. It’ll have some wild surprises in it, lots of great harmony singing, and lots of cool blues gui-
tar. It’s a very eclectic record, much in the style of “A New Leaf”, and my hope is that it will glorify a great, big, wild, loving God, who is full of surprises, too! COVENANT will be available everywhere---in stores and online at amazon, itunes, cdbaby, etc., and also at my website (lightnincharlie.
com). But the best place to get my book or any of my CDs is at my concerts! Come get a cheerful earful. Oh...and a quick shout out to my loyal, loving, and faithful fans, my “Lightnin’ Bugs”! Thank you for your sweet support through so many years---I love you all and sure couldn’t do it without you!
Page 40 | The Loafer | August 18, 2015
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August 18, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 41
Problems With Concealed Carry One of the topics that should be discussed in any good concealed carry course is the problems with concealed carry. Any instructor who tells you there aren’t any problems is either naïve or simply wrong. Let’s look at a few problems and some ways to simplify them The first problem with concealed carry is comfort; few concealed carry methods are truly comfortable. By this I mean that unless you are pocket carrying there will always be that extra weight on your hip, or in your back, or strapped to your ankle. One thing to consider is what and how you are carrying. For example if you are carrying a full size 1911 you’re looking at nearly 3 pounds of weight and only 7 rounds of ammunition. Whereas a Glock 21 also chambered in .45 ACP holds 13 rounds and weighs ½ a pound less. Don’t get me wrong I’m not saying a Glock is better than a 1911, I’m just saying that if you’re carrying all day a polymer framed pistol might be a better option for you. Another problem with concealed carry is prohibited carry areas. Ah yes, those pesky places you happen to want or need to go but you can’t because of the gun on your hip or in your pocket. This is a plight that plagues all concealed carry permitees. Obviously if you’re on vacation or are visiting a place you’ve never been before than you don’t know which stores prohibit firearms, so your only option is either to not carry or go to different stores. However, if you are doing the same thing that you do every day there’s no reason why you can’t plan out your day and your concealed carry accordingly. If you know every Thursday you go to the Post Office at 3pm and Federal Law prohibits possessing a firearm
on any Federal Property, than maybe don’t carry on Thursday. One of the biggest problems with concealed carry is the moral responsibility a person takes on when they strap that gun to their hip. To quote Ben Parker “With great power comes great responsibility.” I have concealed carried for years, and there hasn’t been a single time that I haven’t felt a little extra weight on my heart. Some would ask “If that’s the case why carry at all?” the answer is that for me, as I hope it is for you, I carry to defend life. I don’t want to be the one on the 10 o’clock news having survived a mass shooting knowing I could have done something to stop it. That being said if you don’t feel that sense of responsibility when you carry then I recommend you don’t. These are three of the biggest problems with concealed carrying; I hope you found the suggestions for overcoming them helpful. I don’t want to deter any law abiding, sane, and moral citizen from concealed carrying. Recognizing and addressing these problems can greatly improve your experience. As always if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to email me, I look forward to your feedback.
Page 42 | The Loafer | August 18, 2015
LOL Is No Laughing Matter
The wonderful world of “big data” has once again produced some interesting pie charts and graphs that tell us what we should be thinking and doing. This time, the data was compiled by our friends at Facebook and shows that its users find LOL passé and not very funny. Prompted by an April 2015 New Yorker article by Sarah Larson (“HaHaHa vs. HeHeHe”) that found older (i.e more than two months ago) expressions of online laughter like “LOL” and “hahaha” were being replaced by more hip terms like “Heh-heh” and “Hee-hee,” Facebook conducted its own research to find out if Larson was correct. Apparently, she is. And, as Ms. Larson advises at the conclusion of her article, we should all join her in watching reruns of “Hee Haw.” What does all this mean? Let’s try to find out, and please don’t be afraid to laugh a lot as you read this—using your preferred abbreviated form, of course. In a recent issue of Mental Floss, we are presented with a neat pie chart summarizing Facebook’s research on preferred humorous terms. According to this chart, HaHa is preferred by 51.4% of Facebook us-
ers, followed by Emoji emoticons (33.7%), HeHe (13.1%) and the oldfashioned LOL with a very small 1.9%. Heh-Heh didn’t appear on the chart at all, so I suppose next month we will be reading about the demise of HeeHee (or HeHe) in favor of Heh-Heh. Or, it might be that some other term has appeared on the scene to indicate laughter (Hee Haw, perhaps?). You probably shouldn’t be surprised that the data mongers have determined the way laughter is expressed is a function of age and geographical location. For instance, the researchers found that “young people and women prefer emoji, whereas men prefer longer hehes. People in Chicago and New York prefer emoji, while Seattle and San Francisco prefer hahas.” We can only wonder what users in the Tri-Cities prefer. If you crave even more data, you will no doubt like what the Wall Street Journal has to say about this Facebook project. WSJ columnist Cat Zakrzewski, in her August 10, 2015 piece, “Facebook’s Laughable Data Shows ‘LOL’ Isn’t Funny Anymore,” calls in linguist and “head data scientist” Tyler Schnoebelen from
language company Idibon, to add some pretentiousness to all this research. Although he is “surprised by how few people were ‘lolling,’ he observes that “We’re at a near peak of the number of people using emoji right now,” and we should be prepared to see more bilingual expressions like “jaja” and “jeje” denoting laughter. And, he urges us to pay close attention to how humorous expressions are used in the current presidential debates. Schnoebelen’s company notes that “the battleground states of Ohio and Virginia are haha states, while the candidates emoji games will surely be the key in determining who emerges victorious in Florida.” And I guess that’s no laughing matter. Wonder what term Donald Trump prefers? I can certainly think up some new expressions to describe his very laughable hair. How about “WeDo” (“weird doo”) or “Hack” (“hair attack”)? Shouldn’t there be “bad hair” requirements to determine a candidate’s qualifications to hold public office? Do we really want people with laughable hair occupying the most powerful office on earth? James Vincent, writing in The
Verge, gives us more data to digest. For instance, “we use ‘ha’s and he’s as building blocks, adding up these lexical units to convey everything from polite recognition (‘ha’) to no-really-I’m-going-a-bigmad-with-laughter (‘hahahahahahahahaha’).” Facebook researchers go further to explain that “The most common are the four-letter hahas and hehes. The six-letter hahaha is also very common, and in general, the haha-ers use loner laughter. The haha-ers are also slightly more open than the heheers to using odd numbers of letters, and we do see the occasional hahaas and hhhhaaahhhaas.” But, wait, there’s more. “The lol almost always stands by itself, though some rare specimens of lolz and loll were found. A single emoji is used 50 percent of the time, and it’s quite rare to see people use
analysis, of course, is that it is not designed to ask “Why?” but only “What?”. We can learn all kinds of things about what sorts of terms Facebook users are choosing by engaging in big data analysis, but we don’t have the privilege of seeing what sort of humor prompts their use of cute little buzz terms. Knowing what people are laughing at should be more interesting than simply knowing which terms are being used to label their laughter. And what about the types of humor being used? Are people laughing at lame humor or sophisticated satire? Neat little pie charts and emoticons are not enough. In any event, hopefully you are now able to reflect a little more deeply about the terms you use to describe laughter. So, as I prepare to bring this column to a close, I will give you my own glossary of
more than five identical consecutive emoji.” Is it just me, or is there absolutely nothing funny about all this analysis? There is something a little disquieting about being serious about being funny, although I will agree that humor is often a serious business, especially when it comes to satire and spoofing (see my brief discussion of the 2016 Presidential race above). One of the pitfalls of big data
terms that should replace LOL: ET (“embarrassed twitter”), BL (“belly laugh”), YSS (“you’re so silly”), IAL (“I am laughing”), LWYNAY (“laughing with you, not at you”), and LAYNWY (“laughing at you, not with you”). Feel free to invent your own. But, whatever you do, don’t stop laughing (ICSL—“I can’t stop laughing”). See you next week. LOL (for old time’s sake).
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