The Loafer May 16th by The Loafer

theloaferonline.com | May 16, 2017

on the cover

Volume 31 • Issue #24 Publisher Luci Tate

Cover Design Bill May Advertising Dave Carter Patti Barr Shawn Hale Paul Kavanaugh Julie Noecker

Contributing Staff Jim Kelly Andy Ross Ken Silvers Mark Marquette Brian Bishop Daniel Worley Jason Worley Langley Shazor 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 adcopy@theloaferonline.com 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 lossof 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 Let’s Get Social!

columns & reviews

Office Coordinator Amanda Lane

16 Stargazer What's Happening Around The Ol' Astro Neighborhood 17 Skies This Week 18 Batteries Not Included Twelve-Nine-Three 19 Pop Life Smoky Mountain Adventure Theatre 20 Appalachian Wanderers A Dolly Filled Weekend 22 Mountain Movers Dr. Vance Shaw Interview 24 Puzzle Page 27 Kelly’s Place With A Little Help From My Friends

your week’s line-up

Racks By The Tracks

Editor Graphic Arts Director Don Sprinkle

4 5 5 6 8 9 10 10 11 13 13 14 25 26

Rack By The Tracks Hillbilly Gypsies @ Carter Family fold Town-Wide Yard Sale 23rd Annual Siege of Fort Watauga Thursday Jams w/ Polyrhythmics Merry, Merry Month of May Concert Moccasin Creek & Megan Ruger @ HRBC Footloose: The Musical Ali Randolph: The Loafer Interview Johnson City Jazz Festival Appalachian Spring Conservation Celebration Spotlight Pets Of The Week Things To Do

theloaferonline.com | May 16, 2017

Saturday, May 20th: Sawyer Brown, 10K & 5K Races, and Wine & Craft Beer Tastings

theloaferonline.com | May 16, 2017

A For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit

www.RacksByTheTracks.com

or contact event organizers at 423-863-3998.

he family-friendly festival opens for lunch at noon and lasts until 10pm. The craft beer & wine tasting events are from 2-7pm. The 10K begins at 9am and the 5K begins at 10:30am. The ticketed music concert is from noon to 10pm. Entrance to the festival grounds is free and food can be purchased at menu prices. The Low Gravity Craft Beer Tasting and Concert ticket combo starts at $30. The High Gravity Beer Tasting ticket starts at $40 and provides access to the concerts, and both the Low Gravity and exclusive High Gravity Beer Tasting sections. The Wine Tasting ticket starts at $30 and also includes access to the concerts. Ticket prices increase each month closer to the festival and some events will sell-out. Readers are encouraged to reserve their tickets as early as possible.

concert by country stars Sawyer Brown, over 80 unique craft beers, more than 20 fine wines, and a wide variety of barbecue – this is what’s in store for attendees at the 10th annual Racks by the Tracks Festival on Saturday, May 20th. With over 15,000 people attending Racks by the Tracks last year, the popular festival has become one of the most popular events in the Tri-Cities as it enters its Decade Anniversary. This year’s headliner, Sawyer Brown is one of country music’s most well-known bands with 23 albums, a Vocal Group of the Year award in 1997 and over 50 singles that have reached the charts. With hit singles like “The Race Is On”, “Some Girls Do”, “Six Days on the Road” and “The Walk”, the group continues to write, record, tour and entertain fans from around the world. In addition to the headliner this year, Racks is also giving attendees the opportunity to see Faithfully, the premier Journey Tribute Band. Faithfully has been touring nonstop since 2011 and has headlined festivals

across America. Also, starring in the lineup is Mississippi Hall of Famer Webb Wilder, the well-known roots rocker. Vintage Guitar Magazine writes, "If Webb Wilder and his band are passing within 300 miles of your town, don't miss them!" Wilder is an evangelist for real Rock 'n' Roll. As a singer, guitarist, bandleader, film actor, songwriter and humorist, he may be roots-rock's only true Renaissance man. In addition, local favorites Hundred Acres and Russell Clark will be kicking-off the festival concert. Kanishka Biddanda, festival founder, says, “This started 10 years ago as a small but fun party to raise awareness & money for local charities. The magnitude that the community has supported the festival year after year, turning Racks by the Tracks into one of the highest-attended single day events in the Tri-Cities, surpasses our dreams. As a thank you, we and our nonprofit benefactors wanted to thank our attendees by giving them an outstanding concert lineup to enjoy allday long.”

CRAFT BEER TASTING • WINE TASTING • 10K & 5K RACE/WALK • BBQ & KID'S AREA www.RacksByTheTracks.com

May 20th • Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, VA thehillbillygypsies.com • carterfoldshow.com For information on shows coming up at the Fold, call 276-386-6054

he yard sale is a fundraising effort to assist with the Jonesborough Area Merchants & Services Association. Spaces are 10x10 and will cost $15 for a single, $25 for two and $30 for three. Reservations are required. The sale will take place along the sidewalks throughout the Historic District. Other shops and restaurants along Jonesborough’s Main Street will be participating in the event with a variety of bargains. The event is part of the 502 mile festive roadside sale which is held on US 11 from Meridian, Miss. through Birmingham, Ala. The US 11 sale also takes places in Dade Co., Ga., as well as Chattanooga to Knoxville and Jonesborough. Jonesborough has historically been one of the largest stops on the 502 mile route. For more information on the yard sale or to participate, contact Jeff Gurley at 423-913-2663 or visit jonesborough.com. For more information on the 502 mile sale visit www. us11antiquealley.com.

theloaferonline.com | May 16, 2017

Town-WideYardSale

Hillbilly Gypsies

Jonesborough welcomes the public to its annual spring town-wide yard sale on Sat., May 20th from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

theloaferonline.com | May 16, 2017

23rd Annual Siege of Fort Watauga

On Saturday, May 20th and Sunday, May 21st, Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park will host nearly 200 living history re-enactors for the annual Siege of Fort Watauga. Colonial, British, and Native re-enactors will converge at the recreated Fort Watauga at Sycamore Shoals to relive the days when America’s first frontier was the land beyond the blue ridge.

he Siege of Fort Watauga is a live retelling of the Cherokee attack brought on the settlers of the Watauga valley in the summer of 1776. At Sycamore Shoals, Fort Watauga offered protection to nearly 200 settlers during a twoweek siege led by Cherokee War Chief, Old Abram, and 300 warriors. Sycamore Shoals will once again be the scene of war during the Siege of Fort Watauga. The event lasts from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturday, May 20th and 10:00 am to 3:00 pm on Sunday, May 21st. Step back in time as you visit the fort, militia camps, British encampment, and Native camp. Be immersed in 18th century frontier life as you witness daily aspects of colonial culture. See the clash of two cultures as the attack on fort Watauga is recreated both days at 1:00 pm. Also, attend our auction of 18th century reproductions on Saturday. Also during the event, take advantage of colonial merchants selling period wares in “Sutler’s Row”. There will be several vendors offering a myriad of 18th century reproduction items for the colonial enthusiast or the primitive decorator. Vendors this year include “Johnson & Moffet” specializing in hand crafted wooden items and herbal remedies, Trader Bob offering tanned animal pelts and hides, Ft. Vause Outfitters specializing in finished leather goods, and several other vendors offering everything from 18th century reproduction clothing, weaponry, and original

antiques, to replica housewares and military accouterments. Several Revolutionary War living history units will be in attendance and will make the 18th century come to life during the weekend. Units include the 1st Maryland based in Hendersonville, NC, Musgrove’s Mill Militia and the South Carolina Rangers based in upstate South Carolina, and two British units; the 42nd Light Infantry and the 71st Highland Regiment. The host unit is the Washington County Regiment of North Carolina Militia based at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area. Numerous individuals also participate in the event portraying many 18th century walks of life including Cherokee Natives, Backcountry Hunters, Farmers, Housewives, Indentured Servants, Commoners and Gentry. For more information on this and other exciting events at Sycamore Shoals please contact the park at 423-543-5808 or visit the park’s website at www.sycamoreshoalstn.org. Bring the entire family and see how your ancestors played a crucial role in our region’s history and in the formation of our nation. Hear the rattle of muskets, smell the campfire smoke, and see the 18th century come to life at the Siege of Fort Watauga. This event is sponsored by The Washington County Regiment of North Carolina Militia and The Friends of Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area.

theloaferonline.com | May 16, 2017

At the Abingdon Market Pavilion

Thursday Jams

theloaferonline.com | May 16, 2017

reating vivid instrumental imagery with complex rhythms and a unique precision that redefines the term “funk” for 21st Century audiences, the 8-piece Polyrhythmics are proving to be one of Seattle’s finest exports. Founded from a collective desire to make classic vinyl recordings, Polyrhythmics have been a defining musical force and west coast institution for the better part of a decade. With four studio albums under their belt as well as a growing pile of limited-release 7-inch 45's, the boys are back at it in 2017 working on a new full length that is scheduled for release later in the year. 2016’s LP release ‘Octagon’, as well as last summer’s blockbuster single collaboration with NW Deep Funk Pioneer Lucky Brown entitled I Believe in Love, is evidence of the band’s ever evolving studio prowess, but it is the seemingly non-stop live performance schedule that has helped make the band quickly known universally for their high energy and dance floor igniting performances. Fusing elements of afrobeat, funk, psych rock, and world music, the unparalleled musicianship and undeniable chemistry that Polyrhythmics exudes has earned the band nation-wide recognition, and their stellar original songwriting and impeccable analog album production has earned the dedication of music aficionados and vinyl collectors the world over. Joined by opening act: Devon Gilfillian Thursday Jams 2017 • May 18th

Polyrhythmics

For fans of: TAUK, Pimps of Joytime, The New Mastersounds For a full listing of musical acts and dates, visit www.abingdonmusicexperience.com. For more information, call 276-676-2282 or email ssaavedra@abingdon-va.gov.

Festivals

Got an event coming up?

Events

Send it to The Loafer!

Concerts info@theloaferonline.comExhibits

Appalachian Men’s Ensemble and Lugo String Quartet

The Appalachian Men’s Ensemble (AMEn) will present a concert titled “Merry, Merry Month of May” on Friday, May 19, 7:30 p.m. at Munsey Memorial United Methodist, 201 E Market St, Johnson City, and on Sunday, May 21, 3:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 701 Florida Ave, Bristol, TN. AMEn will be joined in the concerts by the Lugo Family String Quartet, a local instrumental group.

he program includes many different genres of music, ranging from classical works by Giovanni Martini to contemporary hits such as Angels Calling to a newly-composed work by Ola Gjeilo, The Ground. All pieces feature the combined forces of AMEn and strings. AMEn is an all-male vocal ensemble of auditioned voices from throughout the greater Tri-Cities area. The group is dedicated to performing a wide range of choral repertoire – both sacred and secular – from the late Middles Ages to the present. AMEn is unique in its formation and execution, representing one of the few male choral ensembles of its size to perform music of such a demanding caliber with a limited rehearsal schedule. AMEn was founded in the fall of 2013 and has quickly gained popularity in the region. Dr. Alan Stevens, the Artistic Director, is also the Associate Director of Choral Activities at East Tennessee State University. “I always strive to develop programs that will appeal to everyone,” says Stevens, “Merry, Merry Month of May is an especially exciting concert for us. Working with the Lugo Family String Quartet will add a new level of interest to our concert program, and I’m sure audiences will be thrilled.” Concert admission is a suggested donation of $10 for adults and $5 for students. For more information, contact AMEn at AppalachianMensEnsemble@gmail.

com. Singers interested in joining the ensemble should contact the chorus manager at the same email address. The Appalachian Men’s Ensemble is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Concert updates and additional information about AMEn can be found at www.AppMensEnsemble.org or on their Facebook page www.Facebook.com/AMEnEnsemble

theloaferonline.com | May 16, 2017

Merry, Merry Month of May

Moccasin Creek and Megan Ruger to appear at Holston River Brewing Company

using a blend of hard-hitting country with southern rock riffs and a hip hop delivery, Moccasin Creek has taken the underground country world by storm. Forming in 2011 under the leadership of front man Jeff McCool, the band has tirelessly worked creating and performing to earn every single fan. Catering to the hard-working, blue-collar fanbase, Brahma Bull, as McCool is affectionately known, has lyrically painted a picture that the everyday working man can relate to. Recently signed to Nashville-based Average Joes Entertainment, Moccasin Creek has released three albums and is currently working on it’s fourth. Getting rave reviews since its inception, Moccasin Creek is not slowing down anytime soon. Appearing with Moccasin Creek is Megan Ruger, a recent finalist on The Voice.

Footloose: The Musical

theloaferonline.com | May 16, 2017

By: Paul Kavanaugh

Megan began her musical journey at the age of seven performing locally around her rural Wisconsin town. It didn’t take long until she found her way to the big stage opening for the likes of ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Rascal Flatts. As her desire to chase a dream deepened, she found herself with a one-way ticket to Nashville with no intention of returning she’s never looked back. Her musical influences range from classic country to 80’s rock to modern pop. She is a true “mixologist” when it comes to blending these influences into a cocktail of infectious sounds. These infectious sounds, coupled with her alluring personality, makes for a memorable performance every time she takes the stage. In 2014 Season six of The Voice on NBC came calling and Megan accepted. Since then she has rocketed to success. Her days are filled with everything from national anthems at NASCAR events to sharing the stage with her idol, Joan Jett. Her most recent success is her new studio album, ‘Rockstar’. To complete a perfect night of musical entertainment, top local band Wyldeheart is also appearing with Moccasin Creek and Megan Ruger. This promises to be quite an evening at Holston River Brewing Company. Tickets are $15 at the door, but there is a meet and greet available at 5:00 PM for $25.

Barter Theatre introduces “Footloose: The Musical” on Friday May 19. The production starts this week and runs until August 12 on Barter Theatre’s Gilliam Stage. The play features Joseph Matthew Veale, Sarah Laughland and other members of Barter Theatre’s resident acting company.

elling the story of rebellious teens growing up in a town where dancing is forbidden, watch as estranged families grow closer and learn to listen when it is most crucial. “Footloose” features a soundtrack that topped the Billboard charts, and is sure have inspire plenty of dancing of its own. Director Paul Russell said he was drawn to the play after recognizing a bit of himself in the main character, Ren. Ren sees a reflection of his personal loss, a father who abandoned him, in the residents of Bomont, according to Russell. “Within that mirror it’s Ren who challenges himself and Bomont toward changing a negative in to a positive,” Russell said. Corporate sponsors, Johnston Memorial Hospital and Strongwell Corporation, make “Footloose: The Musical” possible at Barter Theatre. Be sure to get tickets to upcoming Barter Theatre productions, with tickets for every show starting at $20. Call the Barter Theatre Box Office at 276-628-3991 for more information.

he first band ever to perform on the QStock stage is Ali Randolph and the Outta Luck Band. Ali Randolph is an anomaly of the modern music business. Forget everything you remember about the sweetest, most humble human being on the planet. Ali surpasses that. She’s a nice, easy going girl from Burnsville, North Carolina; then, she walks onto the stage and becomes one of the most electrifying music artists you’re likely to ever witness. She grew up in a musical family, and always “had an ear for music”. The guitar was the instrument she picked up when she was 19, but she has singing at family gatherings since she was a little girl. In 2009, she wrote her first song. “Popcorn Sutton” is a composition about a moonshiner that was a friend of her uncle. After his arrest for bootlegging, out of legal options and time, Popcorn chose to end his life rather than serving time in a federal penitentiary. She performed the song at his funeral. Next, she worked for a domestic abuse non-profit organization and wrote the song “Frankie and Charlie (Put A Stop To It)”. She wanted to raise awareness. Now, she says, “I played with Daniel ‘Raizen’ Kegley, my bass player, in another band. I’ve played music with him for over ten years. Then, I just thought I was ready to move on and start a band, and he was a hundred percent with me.” She added Dan Wise on lead guitar, and Cameron Brown on drums. “I’ve known Cameron all my life, and he’s a phenomenal drummer.” The band is magical together, “We do it for the love of the music. My guys have hung in there with me, and I appreciate them putting up with me every weekend. To me, it’s like a drug. It’s a high. When I get on stage, I couldn’t even tell you what I do. From the time I get on stage until we’re done playing, it’s just the drive, the music, and when the crowd’s into it….that just makes us more into it. By the end of the night, I am

ready to collapse, because we put it all out there for our audience. That’s what we strive to do every show.” She says, “Songs are hard to write, but when one comes to me, I show it to the guys and we learn it. Then, we just put it out there and see what the world thinks of it.” Ali and the band recorded “Black Limousine”, her latest songwriting work, at Echo Mountain studio in Asheville. She ﬁlmed the video in the mountains near her home. S h e says, “It’s a s o n g about m e . It’s me. I would rather have my horse than a black limousine.” Then, to pay the bills, she works a day job performing admissions at a nursing facility. She describes the lives of the other band members, “We all have day jobs, and we play on weekends. We practice too, during the week, and if I get an idea for a song, I pull my phone out and jot it down. We just try to juggle it all. The weekends…I look forward to, and I’m ready to rock. We’re like a family. Everybody gets along, and we just love playing together. Going up there and laying it all on the line and loving what you do, that’s the biggest part of it.” See Ali Randolph and the Outta Luck Band on May 27th, because soon they are going to be superstars in the music industry. Ali Randolph opens the show for Rock and Roll Freak Show, Asylum Suite, and the legendary Mothers Finest. Tickets are limited and available at www.wqut.com.

theloaferonline.com | May 16, 2017

The Loafer Interview by Jeffery Allen Payne

Ali Randolph

On Saturday, May 27th, 101.5 FM – Tri Cities Classic 11 Rock presents the QStock Music Festival at the Kingsport Speedway, with Bud Light, Mellow Mushroom and The Loafer. Gates open at noon, the show begins at 2:00pm.

theloaferonline.com | May 16, 2017

he event is being produced by a team of volunteers to support and promote live jazz in the region. The schedule includes a free Thursday night session at Carnegie Hotel, a free Friday night concert at Founders Park, and the main event on Saturday -- a ticketed concert at TVA Credit Union Ballpark (formerly Cardinal Park) featuring six different artists. Steve Scheu of Time & Pay is leading the effort and is the major sponsor. "We have some great jazz artists in our region but there just aren't that many opportunities to see live jazz," said Scheu. "This new festival showcases the amazing talent we have around here, plus it features some very talented artists from outside our area. And we've worked hard to make it affordable for everyone." The main event on Saturday, May 20 is the only one that requires a ticket. The organizers are working with Tyler Parsons

at the TVA Credit Union Ballpark to make Saturday fun and enjoyable, featuring a stage at second base so fans can relax in the field or enjoy the music from the stands. Food and beverage will be available for purchase, including Ensemble, a special Johnson City Jazz Festival signature beer created by JRH Brewing. "There's never been a jazz festival like this in Johnson City,” Scheu said. “We have 3 different events in 3 different venues over 3 days. It should be a lot of fun for anyone who enjoys live music." For details about the festival and to buy tickets, visit www.johnsoncityjazzfestival. com and follow the festival on Facebook (Johnson City Jazz Festival) and Instagram. (johnsoncityjazzfestival). For more information, contact Joan Scheu at 423-854-8860 or email to info@ johnsoncityjazzfestival.com

Appalachian Spring Conservation Celebration & Benefit

outhern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy hosts Appalachian Spring conservation celebration and benefit on Thursday, May 18 from 6 to 8 pm at YeeHaw Brewing in Johnson City. The family-friendly event will include outdoor games, live music performed by Redleg Husky, and presentation of the 2017 Stanley A. Murray award for volunteer service. Yee-Haw Brewing will donate $1.00 to SAHC from each beer sold at the event. Tickets: $10 in advance (does not include food or beverage) /$15 at the door. For info and ticket purchase, visit Appalachian.org.

theloaferonline.com | March 28, 2017

JohnsonCityJazzFestival

The inaugural Johnson City Jazz Festival, a three-day showcase 13 of live jazz music, is scheduled for May 18-20 at three locations in and around downtown.

theloaferonline.com | May 16, 2017

Spotlight

- TUESDAY - May 16th -

If you or your band are playing in the upcoming week and would like to be in The Spotlight, call in advance to (423) 283-4324 or go online to: theloaferonline.com. Due to last minute cancellations or changes, please call the location to confirm.

- SATURDAY - May 20th -

- FRIDAY - May 19th -

Stemwinder Rock’s Wood Fired Pizza & Grill

Joseph Huber Sleepy Owl Brewery

Jigsaw Jane Painter Creek Marina

Ryan Hutchens / The Fustics at Acoustic Coffeehouse

Crocodile Smile Sonny’s Cafe

Mark Larkins Our House Restaurant

Wyldeheart Holston River Brewing Company

Monk & Malone Our House Restaurant

Hundred Acres Racks by the Tracks

Molly Parden / Caleb Groh / Christie DuPree The Willow Tree Coffeehouse & Music Room

Kids Our Age Memorial Park Community Center

Johnson City Jazz Festival TVA Credit Union Ballpark

Phantom Damascus Old Mill Inn

Borderline Band Quaker Steak & Lube

Bess Greenberg at Bone Fire Smokehouse

Southern Countrymen Band Buffalo Ruritan

Dirty White Lies Damascus Old Mill Inn

Under The Table Band Marker 2 Grille

Revenge Technician / Natural Black Invention The Hideaway

Rusty Steel w/ Quarter Bounce Rush Street

Wolf Hills Jazz at Bone Fire Smokehouse

Stemwinder Blackbird Bakery

Moccasin Creek, Megan Ruger, Wyldeheart Holston River Brewing Company

Sullivan Street CJ’s Sports Bar

A Celtic Evening with David Curley, Tadhg O’Meachair and Joanna Hyde Studio Brew

Wyldeheart Marker 2 Grille

Jet Black Audio Country Club Bar & Grill

Wolf Hills Jazz Bone Fire Smokehouse

Hillbilly Gypsies Carter Family Fold

Whyskey Outlaws Country Club Bar & Grill

7 Mile Mushroom Acoustic Coffeehouse

Triumphant Quartet Paramount Center for the Arts

Shades of Refinement Holiday Inn, Bristol (Exit 7)

- WEDNESDAY - May 17th Open Mic The Willow Tree Coffeehouse & Music Room Chris Long and Cherubim Acoustic Coffeehouse

- THURSDAY - May 18th -

Victor Lawson / Catfish Frye (duo) Model City Tap House Dan Deel Holston River Brewing Company Jazz with Bill Perkins & Tom Peterson Wellington’s Restaurant Trail Days 2017 Damascus Brewery The Grand Ole Uproar Bone Fire Smokehouse Bess Greenberg Bone Fire Smokehouse Mal Cooper Acoustic Coffeehouse

- FRIDAY - May 19th Aaron Jaxson Band / Rhythm & The Roosevelts Capone’s Jaystorm Project Studio Brew Victor Lawson / Catfish Frye Holston River Brewing Company Dreamcatcher Bluegrass Band Down Home

The Tealights Acoustic Coffeehouse

- SATURDAY - May 20th Povertybomb / Prisoner / Ascending Conviction Ratchethead The Hideaway Andalyn Lewis Band Wild Wing Cafe

- SUNDAY - May 21st Live Music Sonny’s Cafe P150: Six Play Founders After 5 Tuna Goat Show Gypsy Circus Cider Company

Southbound Band The Silver Spur

SMASH Brothers Brawl Competion Studio Brew

Nightshift Band Country Club of Bristol

Ivy Road Marker 2 Grille

Under The Table Band Marker 2 Grille

Live Music Bone Fire Smokehouse

Stemwinder Jiggy Ray’s Pizzeria

Cameron Sutphin and Kirsten Maxwell Acoustic Coffeehouse

Acoustifried Sonny’s Cafe Broad Street Station David Thompson’s Produce

for show time & more details, visit

theloaferonline.com

- MONDAY - May 22nd Open Mic Acoustic Coffeehouse

- TUESDAY - May 23rd From The Edge Holston River Brewing Company

for show time & more details, visit

Acoustic Coffeehouse 415 W Walnut St. Johnson City 423-434-9872

Country Club Bar & Grill 3080 W State St Bristol 423-844-0400

Bone Fire Smokehouse at the Hardware 260 W Main St Abingdon VA 276-623-0037

Country Club of Bristol 6045 Old Jonesboro Rd. Bristol 423-652-1700

CJ’S Sports Bar 516 Morelock St. Kingsport 423-390-1361

Holiday Inn (Exit 7) 3005 Linden Dr. Bristol VA 276-466-4100

TUESDAY Karaoke w/ Tina and West at Dawg House Tavern Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Logans Karaoke at Numan’s - Johnson City TN *********************** WEDNESDAY Karaoke w/ Toddzilla at Sportsmans Pub Karaoke w/ Southern Sounds Karaoke at American Legion 8pm Karaoke w/ DJ Marquez & Top Shelf Entertainment at Holston River Brewing Company Karaoke w/ DJ Brad & Top Shelf Entertainment at Quaker Steak & Lube Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Smokey Bones - Johnson City TN Turn the Page Karaoke at VFW Post 2108 - Johnson City TN *********************** THURSDAY Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Macado’s - Kingsport Karaoke at CJ’s Sports Bar Karaoke w/ Top Shelf Entertainment at Painter Creek Marina Karaoke at Numan’s - Johnson City TN Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at New Beginning’s Karaoke at Jiggy Rays Pizzaria ***********************

KARAOKE

SPOTLIGHT DIRECTORY

theloaferonline.com Holston River Brewing Company 2621 Volunteer Pkwy Bristol TN Rock’s Wood Fired Pizza & Grill 3119 Bristol Hwy. Johnson City 423-262-0444 Sonny’s Marina & Café 109 One Street Gray, TN 423-282-9440

FRIDAY Karaoke w/ Southern Sounds Karaoke at Sportsman’s Bar & Grill 9pm Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Los Amigos Karaoke at Kingsport Moose Lodge Karaoke w/ Reverb Karaoke at The Cottage 8:30 pm Turn the Page Karaoke at VFW Post 2108 - Johnson City TN Karaoke w/ Toddzilla at Sportsmans Pub Karaoke at CJ’s Sports Bar Karaoke w/ DJ Brad & Top Shelf Entertainment at BoBo’s - Damascus VA Karaoke at Elizabethton VFW Karaoke w/ DJ Marquez & Top Shelf Entertainment At Holiday Inn (Exit 7) - Bristol VA Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Moe’s Original BBQ Karaoke at Numan’s - Johnson City TN *********************** SATURDAY Karaoke at The Horseshoe Lounge Karaoke w/ Toddzilla at Sportsmans Pub Karaoke at Kingsport Moose Lodge Turn the Page Karaoke at VFW Post 2108 - Johnson City TN Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment At Macado’s - Kingsport Karaoke at Numan’s - Johnson City TN ***********************

theloaferonline.com | May 16, 2017

WHAT’S HAPPENING AROUND THE Ol’ ASTRO NEIGHBORHOOD

Stargazer

By Mark Marquette since 1996 stargazermarq@ gmail.com

ASA HAS A SPACESUIT SHORTAGE— How on Earth can this happen? But it is true. Of the original 18 spacesuits manufactured around the year 2000 for spacewalks outside the International Space Station, only 11 remain, and seven are being used for training on Earth. That leaves just four spacesuits on the ISS for the maintenance spacewalks necessary every two months or so, according to an audit by NASA’s Office of Inspector General. These are the white Extravehicular Mobility Units (EMUs), not the orange flight suits used at launch. EMU spacesuits are complicated and cost around $12 million each, and those that have been used the past 15 years are getting worn out. NASA has spent $200 million on the next generation spacesuits, but they are still years away from production. One of the biggest problems are the space gloves, which are prone to lots of wear and tear from tools and sharp, microscopic spurs on the exterior of the ISS. The pressure inside a spacesuit makes it difficult to bend fingers and thumbs, in fact some Apollo moonwalkers had bleeding fingertips and aching joints from the work on the lunar surface. The space gloves are now in their sixth generation of construction, more flexible and durable—but still prone to damage. With NASA budgeting only through 2024 for their occupation of the 17-nation consortium sharing the ISS, they are hoping their remaining spacesuits will last. But just how are your work clothes holding up after from 15 years of use? SATURN BEING BUZZED BY CASSINI— The final days of NASA’s $2 billion Cassini spacecraft are upon us, and it is now buzzing between the Saturn’s cloud tops and the innermost rings sending back spectacular images and gigabytes of rare data. One of the most interesting photos is the ringed planet’s bizarre “eye,” a north pole cap that is shaped like a hexagonal stop sign staring out into space. And the unique perspective inside the rings

There’s so much going on the ol’ astronomy block, let’s hop on the imaginary Spaceship MarQ and take a quick look around the celestial neighborhood.

is dazzling the planetary scientists at Cassini Imaging Central Laboratory for Operations (CICLOPS). The headquarters for unmanned robot that has spent 13 years analyzing the data that has revolutionized everything we know about the sixth planet and its retinue of more than 60 moons. Cassini has begun the "Grand Finale" phase of its mission, a series of 22 dives between Saturn and the planet's innermost rings. On Sept. 15, the orbiter will end its life with an intentional dive into Saturn's thick atmosphere, a maneuver designed to ensure that the probe doesn't hit and contaminate moons Titan or Enceladus with microbes from Earth. To amaze yourself, check out the images of Cassini that are posted for the world to see at www.ciclops.org. As an American taxpayer, you actually own them! NEW SPACE TELESCOPE UNDER BIG CHILL— NASA’s next big telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope, is undergoing a 100-day test in a super frigid chamber used to check out systems on the Apollo moonships. Comprised of 18 hexagonal segments of gold-coated beryllium, the mirror is what the JWST will use to gather light from the distant Universe. It spans over 21-feet in diameter, making it nearly six times larger in area than the 8-foot mirror on NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope currently in orbit around Earth. The JWST has been carefully pieced together at the agency’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. Now the telescope has been delicately shipped to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, where the spacecraft will undergo extreme, minus -200 below zero temperature testing to make sure it’s ready to be launched into deep space where it will work in a special orbit one million miles from Earth. JWST will also make a pit stop at Redondo Beach, California, at the headquarters of Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems where it will be folded in a protective shroud before being shipped to South America and a

European Space Agency launch pad in French Guiana for it scheduled October 2018 launch aboard an ESA Ariane 5 rocket. TOP SECRET MINI-SHUTTLE FINALLY LANDs— Amid sonic booms that surprised Central Florida residents on May 5th, the top secret U.S. Air Force X-37B unmanned mini space shuttle landed at Kennedy Space Center after spending 718 days in orbit. The spacecraft lifted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket on May 20, 2015. Since April 2010, the Air Force has now flown its two operational X-37B spacecraft each twice for mystery missions of 224, 468, 675 and now 718 days. Each spaceship is 29-foot-long and weigh about 11,000-pounds with a cargo area the size of a big pickup truck. Stubby wing make them a glider when landing on pieplate size retractable wheels. What the X-37Bs are taking to orbit inside that cargo space is Top Secret except what the government wants us to know. It was announced that this last mission tested an ion-powered engine and the long endurance exposure of two dozen classified materials, each the size of a quarter. Whether surveillance devices were aboard the X-37B is not known. But space watchers do know its orbits did at times pass over sensitive areas of the Middle East and Southeast Asia. A retractable solar panel supplied the necessary power to the X-37B, which in photos appears to have areas in its forward section for possible windows and room enough for an astronaut or two. Just when one of the X-37Bs will fly again, or exactly how many the Air Force is building for its fleet, is, of course, Top Secret. Just keep in mind it’s all for national security and that the Department of Defense has its own space program as part of the National Reconnaissance Office with an undisclosed budget thought to more than NASA’s current $19 billion annual allowance. Spy vs. spy is very much alive in the 21st Century Cold War being waged in outer space.

earn how unwanted light at night can mess with your sleep patterns, effect the migration of birds and cost city governments 30 per cent of their budget at an important public forum on light pollution conducted by the International Dark Sky association this Thursday at 7 pm at Bristol, Tennessee High School auditorium.

Tuesday, May 16 Space Shuttle Endeavour was launched on this 2011 date in space history, the next to last mission of the 30 year program. Loaded with extra supplies and hardware like replacement motors, computers, fresh clothes and disposable products, Endeavour is now on display at the California Science Museum, south of Downtown Los Angeles. Wednesday, May 17 THigh in the east at dark with star Spica below it in the constellation Virgo the Virgin. Leo the Lion is beginning to nose down in the west from its high perch overhead, and the Big Dipper is easy to see directly north. After midnight, the Milky Way begins climbing above the eastern horizon. Thursday, May 18 TInternational Dark Sky executive Director J. Scott Feierabend will present a program on light pollution today at 7 pm at Tennessee High School auditorium in Bristol. The program will be free and open to the public. The Moon is at Last Quarter tonight, in the

domain of the after midnight skies. Friday, May 19 Two Space Shuttles were launched on this date: Endeavour in 1996 and Atlantis in 2000. The six astronauts on Endeavour spent 10 days in Space Hab in the cargo bay doing experiments on commercial space applications. Atlantis (with a new computerized “glass cockpit”) and seven astronauts docked at the International Space Station with lots of construction supplies like batteries, handrails, docking mechanisms and miles of electrical cables. Saturday, May 20 The Big Dipper is pouring its celestial contents over the north horizon, pointing to the North Pole star Polaris. It’s at the end of the handle of the Little Dipper—both dippers being star “asterisms” of the much larger constellations of Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, the big and little bears. Sunday, May 21 Corralling those bears around the night sky is an

ancient herdsman named Bootes. Follow the handle of the Big Dipper to the bright star, Arcturus, which anchors the base of Bootes—which looks like a giant ice cream cone or flying kite. Bootes is in ancient constellation, envisioned at least 2,000 years ago. Pronounced “Boo-OH-tez” in some circles, who names their kid this these days? Monday, May 22 On this 1969 date in space history, astronauts Gene Cernan, deceased, and Tom Stafford, 82, flew their Apollo 10 moonship to within 10 miles of Mare Tranquility in a full dress rehearsal of a Moon landing. A confused computer created wild bucking of their moonship named “Snoopy” for a half-a-minute of anxious moments, but the glitch was figured out and the return to Earth aboard the command ship “Charlie Brown” and John Young, 83, went well. Two months later, Apollo 11 landed at the spot scouted out by the NASA mission 48 years ago this week. Young walked on the Moon with Apollo 16, and Cernan was the last man on the Moon with Apollo 17 in December 1972.

17 theloaferonline.com | May 16, 2017

THIS WEEK

SKIES

Celestial events in the skies for the week of May 16-22, 2017 as compiled for The Loafer by Mark D. Marquette.

theloaferonline.com | May 16, 2017

Twelve-Nine-Three

Picture it! Scilly, 1922! OK, actually Andy Ross’s Childhood Bedroom 1993. I had been given as a gift the dream attachment for my beloved Sega Genesis, the amazing Sega CD.

Batteries Not Included

By Andy Ross aross@ theloaferonline.com

or those of you young children who have only grown up in the era of XBox and Playstation, it maåy seem strange that there was once a time when the idea of playing a video game off of a compact disc was mind blowing. But it was, and I was fully ready to have my mind blown. To use a slogan of Sega’s ads of the era, I was ready to enter “The Next Level.” The Sega CD model I had was the second one, the smaller model designed to go with the slimmer Genesis that had been introduced to the market. I had the first Genesis, the larger one, but the Sega CD came with an extension block that allowed it to partner it on the original model. You attached the Sega CD to your Genesis by a special connector on the side of system. The Sega CD came with a game to get you going, as was the norm with gaming systems at the time. The game my Sega CD came with was called “Sewer Shark,” and I was fully ready to put this new game into my system and see what wonders were waiting for eight year old Andy. “Sewer Shark” was a Full Motion Video game, in which instead of electronic graphics, most of the game is based on actual filmed footage of people and things. “Sewer Shark” wasn’t developed for the Sega CD. It was created for a project by the toy company hasbro called the NEMO, which was going to be a gaming system that used VHS tapes. This caused the developers to come up with the idea of interactive movie games instead of something like, say, Mario. The NEMO project was canceled and never saw the light of day outside of the company, so the development team bought the game assets and sat on them waiting to figure out how to use them. With this background, let me tell you what the experience was like for eight year old Andy when he fired up “Sewer Shark” for the first time. The game begins, after the logos of the developers and game studio, the first thing I saw was video. Actual real life footage of a ship looking thing traveling through a tunnel. I was blown away. This followed by an ACTUAL PERSON talking to me “WHAT IS THIS!? THIS IS AMAZING!!!” Now, I should point out that this footage was super compressed and pixelated to a fuzzy blur. It shows just how far technology has come in the twenty four years since. Type “Sewer Shark Sega CD” into YouTube if you want to see for yourself, it looks primitive today, but at the time it was really impressive. But things started to take a turn, shortly after this first person talked to me another one showed up. My “Co-pilot” Ghost, who immediately began yelling at

Continued on page 21

This week I am stepping away from the cinema to talk about my experience at Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Adventures theater in Pigeon Forge, Tn.

Pop Life

By Ken Silvers ksilvers@ theloaferonline.com

was honored to attend a media event at the theater on May 5th with Dolly in attendance. Prior to being seated in the theater, there is an area where you can explore the gift shop, grab a bag of popcorn, or play a quick game of checkers among other fun activities. When we were seated in the theater a video played about how Dolly's My People Fund had aided hundreds of families in the areas effected by the Gatlinburg fires. Dolly followed up the video with some updates on the project, along with the newly formed Mountain Tough organization which will take over for the My People Fund. Dolly then took her seat, and it was on with the show. The show, narrated by Dolly, features competition between the Owens family (Dolly's Mom's family) and the Partons (her Dad's family). Theater patrons are divided in half (like Dixie Stampede) for the competition. The story line of the show also involves Dolly's mom and dad meeting and falling in love, despite objections from their respective families. Soon after the show begins, so does the delivery of some really delicious food. The meal, called Avie Lee's Sunday dinner, features, among other items, fried chicken, pulled pork, a potato, corn on the cob, a fluffy biscuit to sop up some yummy soup with, and a fried peach pie. My mouth was watering while I was typing the meal we got to enjoy. At this theater you are provided a fork! While enjoying all the aforementioned food, the show kept us so entertained it was hard to concentrate on our scrumptious meal. The show features axe juggling, acrobatics, a segment with dogs, aerial stunts, a competition between two lovable dogs, and a wondering pig. The show is set in the 1930's, has some original Dolly music, and has a set that allows for all types of stunts. I also noticed there is not a bad seat in the house. The show features an extremely talented cast, which comes as no surprise as Dolly always strives for the best when any form of entertainment contains her name. I was having so much fun I hated to see the show end. As my companions and I exited the theater I had to buy a couple of mugs from the gift shop to take home as a remembrance of this fantastic show. I'm sure Dolly had as much fun as we did. I am now looking forward to a return trip to Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Adventures to catch a glimpse into the past of the Great Smoky Mountains and enjoy the story of love and rivalry. The theater is located at 2713 Parkway in Pigeon Forge only 1 mile from Dollywood. You can make reservations by calling 844-3224400 or online at SmokyMountainAdventures.com. You can also find the theater on Facebook at Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Adventures.

theloaferonline.com | May 16, 2017

Smoky Mountain Adventure Theatre

theloaferonline.com | May 16, 2017

A Dolly Filled Weekend

Appalachian Wanderers

By Jason & Daniel Worley jdworley@ theloaferonline.com

hen Dolly wrote the above lyrics for the 75th Anniversary of The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, she probably never thought it would hold a different meaning for the residents of Sevier County so many years later. Thursday, May 4th Dolly Parton surprised people as they filed into the LeConte Center to receive their final check of the My People Fund, the fund created to help those who lost their primary residence in the November wildfires recover. But this wasn’t the normal $1,000 check they expected. This day, Dolly matched the funds already received with a last check of $5,000 bringing the total received by each recipient to $10,000. “Over the last five months, we’ve given nearly 900 families $5,000 to help them recover. Yesterday, we had our last distribution and I went over to The LeConte Center to say thanks to all the volunteers and to help give out a few checks myself. We matched what they’ve received already with another $5,000 check. I know $10,000 can’t solve everything, but I do hope the money will help them to dream again”, Dolly said at a press briefing Friday morning. She also announced that at least $3 million will be contributed to the Mountain Tough Recovery Team which will serve the continuing needs of residents during the critical rebuilding period ahead. At the same press briefing on Friday, Master Storyteller Dolly Parton opened a personal story, Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Adventures Dinner and Show, featuring the romantic tale of her parents meeting and the rousing rivalry between the Owens and the Partons. “The guests who have been previewing the show love it,” Dolly said. “This is a story about my family that is fun and exciting but there is also a lot of heart. It’s a sweet story about my parents meeting but it is also an exciting competition between the Owens and the Partons”. The story is told by resident storyteller, Applejack, and is filled with music, edge-of-your-seat special effects, thrilling specialty acts and competitions, athletic dogs and lovable critters of all sizes. This riveting mountain adventure is a non-stop and exciting journey taking you back to a time telling a tale of Dolly’s own family history and how the Partons and Owens finally came together, but not before a bit of friendly rivalry kept them apart. The annual Tennessee Mountain Games pits Partons and Owens in an action-packed competition to determine which side, Mountain or Holler, will be declared “The Best of the Best” in the Great Smoky Mountains! Guests to the show will be treated to a four course meal including items such as Avie Lee’s Fried Chicken, Grandpa Jakes Pulled Pork and Aunt Dorothy Jo’s Homemade Biscuits along with other mouthwatering “Sunday Dinner” favorites. After being treated to a full show and meal at Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Adventures Dinner theater, we were off to Dollywood for our very own sneak peek of Drop Line! Drop Line, Dollywood’s newest attraction, lifts guest more than 20 stories above Dollywood’s Timer Canyon. On the ride up, the gondola takes you on a 360 degree “birds eye view” of the Smoky Mountains. Once you are at the top, don’t get too comfortable because just as you start to get peaceful with the height, Drop Line will descend back to the ground with a thrilling rush of excitement at close to 80 MPH. Guest will find Drop Line standing in the former location of removed attraction Timber Tower in the middle of the Timber Canyon themed area of the park. Later this summer, Dollywood will also unveil another new attraction, Whistle Punk Chaser. This new pint sized coaster will be adjacent to Drop Line and the award winning Thunderhead

“These are my mountains, my valleys, these are my rivers - flowing like a song. These are MY PEOPLE, my memories, these are my mountains, this is my home”.

wooden coaster. Packed full of twist and turns, this new junior coaster will get the kids ready to one day ride the bigger coasters at Dollywood with the rest of the family. Later Friday afternoon, we rushed out to the Parkway in Pigeon Forge to watch Dolly as she led the way for her 32nd annual Homecoming Parade. She proved that you can’t “rain on her parade” in her customized “pope dome” sitting high atop her Smoky Mountain Strong float. This year’s theme recognized the Smoky Mountains and the recovery efforts after last November’s fires. Dolly was dressed in a full “Woodland Sprite” outfit with over 300 live plants and trees on the float that will be planted at her Dollywood Theme Park. Saturday morning, we were up and back at the park for an emotional tribute to Don Warden, Dolly’s #1 Angel. Dolly first met Don back in 1967 when she started with Porter Wagoner. Don played the steel guitar in Porter’s band at this time. Dolly and Don became great friends and when Dolly decided it was time to leave the Porter Show, Don agreed to go along with her. Don became Dolly’s manager, her bus driver, her merchandise person, her tour planner, her accountant, and as she tearfully told us, her “Mr. Everything”. While trying to hold back tears, Dolly told us stories of her and Don through the years and why he means so much to her. Dolly brought his wife Ann and family on stage during the tribute to present them with three different plaques. One being a replica of a new star that is reminiscent of those on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This star is placed directly in front of the tour bus parked at Dollywood that Don drove the entire time for Dolly. This week we want to hear from you, our readers. If you are reading this online, you are in the right place. If you are reading a print copy of The Loafer, you will need to log onto www.theloaferonline.com and navigate to columns/Appalachian Wanderers and find this article. Once there, scroll all the way to the bottom and in the comments section tell us one of the following: 1. If you have been to Dollywood before, what is your favorite memory. 2. If you have never been to Dollywood before, why do you want to go? All comments will be read by our publisher and one lucky reader will be chosen to win a set (2) free Dollywood tickets for the 2017 season. Good Luck!

me and insulting me. The premise of “Sewer Shark” is that you’re a pilot for the sewer system in the near future(??)--it never makes it clear. Everyone lives underground, but there’s an island paradise you want to reach on the surface, you do so by riding through the sewers of mutated creatures called “Ratigators,” giant scorpions, bats, and rogue robots, and eventually brain eating fireflies. Get all that? Now the way you rid them is by flying in your vehicle, the “Hole Hawg,” which looks like an X-Wing without the wings on it. You have a cannon gun thing and you blast these creatures. Along with Ghost screaming at you for everything, you have a robot friend/scout called Catfish. Catfish looks like a metal beach ball with an antenna for a nose and rotating flashlights for eyes. Catfish scouts the sewers and opens the complicated door lock systems and tells you where the vermin are. You have to follow his directions or you hit a wall and die. Game over. Catfish--who has a southern accent like a reject from “Dukes of Hazzard”--also insults you by asking Ghost at the start of the game “What is that ugly thing in the pilot seat?” You get directions from Catfish who will say “There’s a whole bunch of hungry critters at: NINE-SIX-THREE.” Variations on that. Twelve, Three, Six, Nine. Up, Right, Down, Left. So you have to--all at once--shoot mutated things, navigate correctly, and enter recharge stations so if you don’t you blow up and die. All while dealing with various people insulting you and yelling at you all the time. To this day I have never completed a game of “Sewer Shark” all I would do is blow up and die like

15 minutes into the game. I never made it past when Ghost changes your callsign from “Dogmeat” to “Ratbreath.” There are many ways for the game to end. You can have a score not high enough and it ends. You can suddenly be attacked by a robot and it ends. You can sneeze while thinking about your first love and the game ends. It sucks on toast. So that’s it. You just keep playing this game and dying or shooting stuff and wining. Once you do win, that’s it too. There’s not any real replay value, you’ve seen all the footage the game has to offer. I was used to games with clear objectives. Mario: Rescue the princess. Sonic: Collect rings and defeat Dr. Robotnick. I was not used to a game where a bunch of dillweeds just scream and insult you while you wait to see how quickly you’re gonna blow up and die. Now, I will give them some credit. They did spend money on it, and the visuals of actually traveling through the sewers in your ship thing is kinda cool. But I still have such a feeling intense “WHY?” whenever I think about the game. Should “Sewer Shark” come back around on the market as some other FMV games have, I would like to see the game more clearly, and maybe even track down the people who made it and ask questions. As I have many. I have a lot of question that’s been inside me for 24 years on this game that some executive at Sega decided should be the BUNDLE IN with the Sega CD, so every man, woman, and child across the USA could have a B-movie actor yell crap at them while blowing up after playing the game for 10 minutes. I recently found my copy of the game in a box in my parent’s basement. I still have my Sega system and it works--but I’ve yet to have to have seen if a good number of years more of life has brought any new shine to “Sewer Shark,” or if it will still be an endless ragescape. It’s like someone took an awful USA Up All Night movie and let all the bullies from High School write it about you. OK, enough thoughts about “Sewer Shark.” I gotta go do something to get my mind off this mess. Let’s watch that dog in “Duck Hunt” laugh at me--at least he can’t tell me “your mother was a hamster.” See you next week.

21 theloaferonline.com | May 16, 2017

BATTERIES continued from page 18

theloaferonline.com | May 16, 2017

Dr. Vance Shaw The Interview

Mountain Movers

By Brian Bishop bbishop@ theloaferonline.com

Words conjure up images and some words only work in specific places. For instance yelling “fire” in a crowded theater or “shark” at a crowded beach would each spread panic. But if either of those are yelled in the opposite location, they are absurd. A word that concerns us all no matter what the environment or situation is ADDICTION. We all have a reaction to that words. If you have any BRIAN: First and foremost, thank you for taking time to talk with me. Let’s start at the beginning, where did you grow up, what was it like and how did that time in your life shape who you are? DR. SHAW: Well, I was born in Spokane, Washington, but I spent most of my childhood in Huntsville, Alabama. My father was an engineer for NASA, in charge of testing the main Space Shuttle engines. He later supervised a portion of the Hubble Space Telescope project. Growing up in that type of scientific environment

gave me an appreciation for the importance of scientific research in shaping what we believe, and what we can accomplish. BRIAN: Your time as a practicing physician has been anything but dull. What have you done in your career leading up to this point? DR. SHAW: Prior to going in the field of medicine, I was in the country music business in Nashville. I worked in several recording studios where artists like Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings recorded. I did that for about 6 years, then went on to get a degree in Molecular Biology at Vanderbilt. After completing my degree, I moved to East Tennessee to attend medical school and residency here. For about 20 years after completing residency, I worked in Emergency Departments throughout the area, primarily Sycamore Shoals in Elizabethton. It was during that time that I became acutely aware of the severe substance abuse problems that we have in this area, and during that time that I became trained in Addiction Medicine and began treating addicted patients. BRIAN: You work with ETSU and the medical program there to help train

doubt about options for treating this problem, you must consider how to treat addicts. Another word you need to know with regard to addiction is EDUCATION. The guy you need to meet who is a true Mountain Mover is the field of Addiction is my friend Dr. Vance Shaw. Take a minute to hear what he has to say. It may very well make all the difference in your life or the life of someone you love

BRIAN: Now let’s get down to some nitty gritty. There is a war going on and this region is at ground zero. Will you please give your take on the opioid problem? DR: SHAW: There are two types of diseases in the practice of medicine, chronic diseases that we manage long term like diabetes and high blood pressure, and diseases we try to stamp out like ebola and smallpox. If you try to treat diabetes like smallpox, all you will do is make everything worse. Addiction is caused by genetics and environment like diabetes. It is a chronic disease like diabetes. Trying to eradicate it like ebola only winds up eradicating addicts. We have to start treating addiction like the chronic disease that it is, and be willing to use new scientific techniques and effective treatments to help manage this disease. Using effective medical treatment

has been shown in multiple studies to cut overdose rates by 50%, yet people are resistant to using medication to treat this disease. If we developed a drug today that cut the mortality of breast cancer by 50%, it would be on the front page of every newspaper, but now that we have a medication that has proven to cut the overdose death rate by 50% in the midst of an opiate overdose epidemic, no one wants us to use it. The main enemy we face today is ignorance and prejudice. People continue to want to treat addiction with outdated ideas and judgmental attitudes instead of sound scientific principles. Until we start basing our treatment of addiction on science, like we do in every other field of medicine, the death toll will continue to climb, and more lives and families will be destroyed. BRIAN: It is a sad truth, but you and I both know somebody reading this needs help. What do you offer to them through your clinic and how can they begin the process of seeking help? DR: SHAW: The main thing we offer is education. Not just for medical students and residents, but for everyone. We offer an ‘Intro to Addiction’ class every Tuesday that helps people who suffer from addiction, and their friends and family members, understand this disease. We also frequently have medical students and other health care professionals attend this class. Anyone is welcome to attend. This class is also the first step in evaluating any individual who is seeking treatment, to make sure they understand the treatments available, and what to expect from treatment. Then we thoroughly evaluate every individual seeking treatment according to the American Society of Addiction Medicine guidelines, and recommend a course of action based on that evaluation. Addiction treatment is not one size fits all, any more than you would use the same course of treatment for every case of diabetes. But the most important thing is to take that first step and become educated about your disease. It costs you nothing, and only takes an hour of your time to at least learn about this disease, whether for yourself, or for someone you love. Or if you are a medical professional, you owe it to your patients to learn more about addiction. After all, there are just as many people who suffer from addiction as suffer from diabetes, it’s just that you know the diabetics, because they don’t have to keep their disease a secret. Everyone is affected by this disease one way or another, and we all owe it to ourselves and society at large to become more educated about addiction. Again, people are dying, and families are being destroyed by this epidemic, and the best way for us to combat it is through education and awareness, something we can all be an active part of.

“

The Loafer is the pulse of our community." Carol C.

23 theloaferonline.com | May 16, 2017

future physicians and recently received an award for those efforts. Why do you take your time to do that and why is it important? DR. SHAW: There are as many people in the United States that suffer from a substance abuse problem as have diabetes. I received thousands of hours of training on diabetes, but I didn’t receive a single hour’s training in addiction in my seven years of medical school and residency. One of the reasons we started our nonprofit clinic was to network with the University to provide an environment for medical students and residents to have an opportunity to learn about addiction, and also learn how to treat patients who suffer from this disease. We are currently the only clinical rotation available to medical students and residents in Addiction Medicine.

theloaferonline.com | May 16, 2017

Answers on page 26

Fresca is a 4 year old pit mix. She is spayed and up to date on all vaccines. This sweet girl has been at the shelter for a long time. She is longing for a furever home! She would be happiest being the only dog. Very loving girl!

Boss is a 4 year old pit mix. He is neutered and up to date on all vaccines. This sweet boy has also been at the shelter for a long time. He is such a loving companion and would do best in a home with no small animals.

May is half price adoption fees on large dogs and adult cats.

he Bridge Home has an ongoing aluminum can can collection in front of the shelter at 2061 Hwy 75 in Blountville,TN 37617. The cans are collected by a volunteer and the money from the aluminum goes towards badly needed food and supplies for the animals The Bridge Home No Kill Animal Rescue has started a pet food pantry for people that have had financial hardships because of job loss or medical problems and are struggling to feed their pet. They can come by the shelter and get cat or dog food to get through the tough time. Donations can be sent to The Bridge

Home Shelter PO Box 654 Blountville, TN 37617 Every animal in their care is spayed or neutered and fully vaccinated before being adopted. Being a non profit the shelter is funded entirely by membership dues and private donations. They always need volunteers or monetary donations. Other always needed items:pet food, cat litter & cat toys dog treats & dog toys,paper towels, cleaners, office supplies,Purina weight circles. Phone: 423-239-5237 Hours are Mon-Fri 12pm-6pm Sat 12pm3pm and Sun 2pm-4pm. Website is www. bridgehomerescue@gmail.com or like them on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/ bridgehome

25 theloaferonline.com | May 16, 2017

PETS

OF THE WEEK

theloaferonline.com | May 16, 2017

THINGS TO DO 30TH Anniversary Dawn of Hope Golf Classic Presented by Cantech Industries, the 30th Anniversary Dawn of Hope Golf Classic will be held May 22, 2017 at the Johnson City Country Club. Proceeds raised by the event will provide crucial funds for life enhancing community integrated services provided by Dawn of Hope to adults with intellectual & developmental disabilities. The tournament will be a 2-person team, select shot event with both 8:30 am and 1:30pm tee times. Coed teams are welcomed. The registration fee for each player is $150, which includes cart & green fees, a moisture wicking commemorative polo, breakfast & lunch which will be provided by Chik-fil-A of Elizabethton, Carrabba’s Italian Grill of Johnson City and Gardner Paint’s Honey Hot Dogs. There will be prizes for putting, long drive, closest to the pin, and closest to the line contest winners. All participants receive a bag of goodies, and entrance into the door prize drawing. Silent Auction items up for bid at both tee times. For more information on the golf tournament or to find out how you can make a difference in the lives of Dawn of Hope Service Recipients, visit www. dawnofhope.com, call 423-722-1689 or email lisapawley@dawnofhope.com.

Blood Drive Marsh Regional Blood Center will conduct public blood drives at the area locations. Visit http://tinyurl.com/n4aujx9 to find a location near you. In addition to scheduled blood drives, donors are welcome at Marsh Regional’s collection centers: 111 W. Stone Drive, Suite 300, Kingsport, 2428 Knob Creek Road, Johnson City and 1996 W. State St., Bristol. For more information about scheduling a blood drive at a local business, church, school or community organization, please call 423-408-7500, 423-652-0014 or 276-6794669 or visit www.marshblood.com. •••••••••••••••••••••••••• Senior Services seeking Zumba instructor Senior Services at Memorial Park Community Center, 510 Bert St., is seeking a Zumba instructor to teach classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:15-10:15 a.m., May 16 through Aug. 10. Instructors are required to have current certifications in Zumba or Zumba Gold and CPR and must carry liability insurance. Please contact Lauren Fowler at (423)4614852 or lfowler@johnsoncitytn.org for more information.

Cryptogram: The hardest thing in life is to know which bridge to cross and which to burn. DropQuote: "If we attended more to ourselves and became the center, the object of our murderous inclinations, the sum of our intolerances would diminish."

In two weeks, on June 1, we will be commemorating the 50th anniversary of the release of “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” And next week, Sirius radio will be launching its much-hyped Beatles station (Channel 18). Although I doubt we will be experiencing a return to Beatlemania as many of us, including me, knew it in the mid-1960s, there will nevertheless be lots of attention paid to the Fab Four and their continuing influence on popular culture. Coinciding with

Kelly’s Place

By Jim Kelly since 1989 jkelly@ theloaferonline.com

nlike other Beatles “experts” (and there are many out there), Sheffield isn’t all that interested in presenting us with yet another blow-by-blow account of the Beatles in the context of their times. Instead, he sets out to explore what the Beatles have come to mean since their breakup in 1969; one of his chapters, for instance, is titled “The Ballad of Eighties Beatles vs. Nineties Beatles.” And I don’t know of any other Beatles book that dares to make a comparison between the Fab Four phenomenon and the outrageous contemporaneous 1960s success of “The Beverly Hillbillies.” Contemplate this passage from Sheffield’s book, if you will: “. . .it makes sense that Clampettmania happened at the same time [as Beatlemania]-both were soothing fantasies that spoke to post-JFK anxieties about the state of the nation. . . .Jed is John, Granny is Paul, Ellie Mae is George, and Jethro is Ringo. Mr. Drysdale is George Martin, Miss Hathaway must be Brian Epstein, and The Andy Griffith Show is the Rolling Stones--which is probably where we should depart this line of inquiry.” I agree. One of Sheffield’s chapters focuses on what he calls the “list-geek gene,” which has to do with our obsessions with making lists--everything from To Do lists (that never get completed) to the all-toofamiliar lists of the best movies, TV shows, books, websites, apps, and albums. Needless to say “Sgt. Pepper” tends to make the top of most every best albums list (the “toppermost of the poppermost” in Beatles lingo). Every album released since June 1, 1967 has been played in the shadow of “Sgt. Pepper.” Some musicians have self-referenced the album, most notoriously Terrence Trent D-Arby who described his 1987 album “Introducing The Hardline” as “better than Sgt. Pepper.” Modesty was obviously not one of his most admirable talents. Interestingly enough, Sheffield’s favorite Beatles album is “Rubber Soul” and mine is “Abby Road” (all tracks except for “Octopus’ Garden”). And way back in the 1960s I found myself siding

these two landmark events is the recent publication of what I consider to be the best Beatles book ever (forgive the superlative)--Rob Sheffield’s DREAMING THE BEATLES: THE LOVE STORY OF ONE BAND AND THE WHOLE WORLD (2017). I am glad that Sheffield has turned his attention from Duran Duran long enough to confront the Beatles. Not THE Beatles, mind you, but what has become YOUR or MY Beatles (it seems everyone has a different version).

with the Stones more often than with the Beatles. Oh, the blasphemy. But I do think “A Hard Day’s Night” is one of the best films ever made. Although I hope I don’t have a dominant listgeek gene, I have compiled a list of albums I think bear comparison to the Pepper album, not in content, but in their significance as historical and musical mileposts. According to Beatle scholar Mark Lewisohn, who is in the process of writing the second volume of his massive Fab Four TMI biography, “Sgt. Pepper typifies the year of 1967 and, as such, must rank as a masterpiece, for surely the prime objective for any piece of music is that it captures the time of its recording.” This is the spirit in which the following non-chronological list was compiled. So, here goes . . . . . Pianist Glenn Gould’s masterful, and controversial, interpretations of Bach’s “Goldberg Variations” (recorded twice, in 1955 to launch his career and in 1981 as he was approaching the end of his life). And, speaking of Bach . . . . . Walter/Wendy Carlos’ pathbreaking Moog synthesizer recording, “Switched On Bach” (1968) that showed us a glimpse of what Bach would be doing had he lived to be two hundred and eighty-three years old. The Beach Boys’ “Pet Sounds” (1966), the album often reputed to be the inspiration for “Sgt. Pepper,” just as Brian Wilson was influenced by “Rubber Soul” and The Ronettes’ single “Be My Baby” (1964--also a favorite of The Beatles, who always wished they were members of an American girl group). My nominee as Best Album Of The Sixties. “The Velvet Underground And Nico” (1967), an album I didn’t listen to until the 1990s, and one I probably wouldn’t have fully understood or appreciated in 1967 when I was listening to “Sgt. Pepper,” and The Doors. The Jefferson Airplane’s “Surrealistic Pillow” (1967). Sorry, but if I had to pick my favorite 1967 album, this one would have to surpass “Sgt. Pepper.”

“Will The Circle Be Unbroken” (1972), an album featuring a stellar cast of country and bluegrass legends and put together by The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, was largely responsible for the roots revival of the 1970s and is still pretty stunning if you like that sort of thing. Willie Nelson’s “Red Headed Stranger” (1975), is the album that defined “Outlaw Country” and established Nelson, in my mind at least, as a jazz artist. This is Willie’s homage to “Sgt. Pepper.” Speaking of jazz, two albums--Mile Davis’ “Kind of Blue” (1959) and John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme” (1965)--didn’t influence me at the time of their releases, but have become touchstones for my later musical sensibilities. Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” (1982) is really more about the recording genius of producer Quincy Jones than it is about Michael Jackson’s considerable talents (and don’t forget Vincent Price’s cameo on the title tune). Yes, we have to include Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side Of The Moon” (1973) which has never left our (un) consciousness and has been adopted by nearly all genres of music, including bluegrass and jazz covers. I can remember when your were considered a social outcast if you didn’t own a copy of Carole King’s “Tapestry” (1971), an album that defines the early Seventies as well as anything, and despite its well-worn familiarity, still manages to move me, especially when I hear Carole’s version of “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” (rivaled only by Roberta Flack’s rendition). When I remember 1974, I hear two pieces of music in my head--The Hues Corporation’s predisco “Rock The Boat” (recorded in 1973, released in 1974) and Joni Mitchell’s beautiful and haunting jazz-infused album “Court And Spark.” My friends and family marvel that I find Taylor Swift’s “1989” (2014) to be one of my favorite albums; in fact, I find much of today’s music to be as good, if not better, than the music I listened to “back in the day.” So much for nostalgia. Been there, done that. Well, that’s my list, which, if I were compiling it next week, would be completely different. Getting back to “Sgt. Pepper,” I highly recommend your reading Clinton Heylin’s definitive THE ACT YOU’VE KNOWN FOR ALL THESE YEARS: A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF SGT. PEPPER AND FRIENDS. And, yes, listen to the album, especially to “She’s Leaving Home” and “A Day In The Life.” See you next week.

theloaferonline.com | May 16, 2017

With A Little Help From My Friends

theloaferonline.com | May 16, 2017