Vinson’s Variety: There’s live music all around county
Here in McMinnville, we often hear complaints along the lines of, “This town is so boring. There’s nothing fun to do.”
Granted, McMinnville does not feature a smorgasbord of entertainment jumping out at you, as does, say, 2nd Avenue in Nashville, but to say McMinnville suffers from a total drought is faulty. Along with others, here are a few possibilities to keep your ears and eyes open for.
For those who listen to Kelly Marlowe and Bobby Newby on local radio show “Town Talk” (WBMC, 960 AM on your dial, 8-9 a.m., Monday-Friday, 7:30-9 a.m., Saturday), you’ll learn that top-notch bluegrass music is available to the public some weekends at the Rocky River Community Center.
Too, several quality gospel qroups sing around town. Again, you might want to call “Town Talk” and talk to Kelly, considered one of the better gospel singers in the area. He probably can provide you with some direction concerning the gospel music scene.
Charley’s Bar-B-Q, located next to Raceway Market on Sparta Highway, has offered live music in the past. Charley informed me he has built a new banquet hall behind his restaurant and plans to offer live music this fall.
Still, live music can be heard at Bernie’s Karaoke Sports Grill, located next door to Discount Tobacco Outlet, on the Smithville Highway. Watch for advertisements featuring members/former members of Confederate Railroad and the Charlie Daniels Band performing two-man acoustic sets.
Ever been out to Jack’s Club, located on Starlight Road off Highway 70, not far past the VFW? Every Friday night, and every other Saturday night, you can hear the Jack Holland Band do a balanced blend of rock, blues, R&B, country, and country-rock. For those who like to dance, a large dance floor is available. Ex members of Dr. Hook and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young have sat in with the Jack Holland Band.
For that matter, keep an eye on the large billboard sign out front of the VFW, which offers live music from time to time. Da Kingfish Band, a well-known rock group featuring Warren countian Kenny Kuhn on lead guitar, played the VFW some time back. The Moose Lodge, Smithville Highway, also features live bands some weekends. Further, Da Kingfish Band recently played a free outdoor show on The West Lawn of Security Federal on Main Street. Live gospel music is schedule for the Main Street Live concert series tonight.
So you want to whoop it up a bit! Try W.T.’s Roadhouse & Deli on Karate Lane, just off the Manchester Highway, across from Warren County High School. Local band Outlaw Sally, a hard-drivin’ rock outfit, has played to packed houses more than one weekend at W.T.’s. (NOTE: Outlaw Sally has a new CD, titled Second Coming. Check it out.)
As of late, the Max Johns’ Maximum Blues Band, from Murfreesboro, has been entertaining listeners at W.T.’s. I guarantee your feet will not remain still if you check out this band do its own brand of Delta blues and straight-ahead rock.
Some band members have performed live with the Four Tops and Sam Cooke’s Soul Stirrers. At their last performance at W.T.’s, Max and band were joined onstage for a jam session by guitar legends Lonnie Mack, known by some as “The Father of Modern Guitar,” and Wayne Perkins, lead guitarist for Leon Russell, Bob Marley, Delbert McClinton, etc. Things got so hot, I thought I might have to grab a fire extinguisher!
So, come Friday and Saturday nights, instead of sitting on the couch bored and wearing out the remote, put your feet in motion and go have some fun. There’s a little something out there for almost everyone.
(Mike Vinson is a Warren County columnist. He can be reached by e-mail at: vinsonmike—b—@hotmail.com.)