On Friday June 26, The WannaBeatles played Summerfest in Ashland City.
Ashland City is one of those small towns near Nashville that still feels like it's out in the country. It's fifteen miles from Nashville with a population of 4,500.
Ashland City is the county seat of Cheatham County, so there's a courthouse downtown.
Cheatham County Courthouse (not a summer photo)
Their Summerfest is a week-long affair held at Riverbluff Park, a couple of blocks from downtown on the Cumberland River. Right across the river is a restaurant called Riverview where we looked forward to eating dinner.
A 7:00 show meant our load in was Friday afternoon, so we anticipated traffic. WannaBeatle Dennis had suggested a 4:00 arrival, and he's usually the one who arrives first. But the traffic was so light getting up to Ashland City that WannaBeatle David, who in this case was driving the longest distance, arrived first, along with his wife Alice and their Florida friend Lisa.
Bryan and Holly (the Good Yoko) arrived next, then Nathan in the sunny afternoon, parking our cars together right at the back of the stage - one of the most convenient load-ins ever.
And then, by about 4:15, we had the historic moment of Dennis being the last one to arrive at the gig.
David and Nathan waiting to fuss at Dennis
We couldn't resist assuming mock irritation, as if Dennis is the one who always keeps us waiting, when the opposite is closer to the typical pattern.
David's, Bryan's, and Nathan's vehicles
parked in a row right behind the stage,
for maximum convenience.
The stage was covered by a tent, which had been brought by our old friend Ed, who had furnished the same tent for us last year at a show in Clarksville. You can see another photo of Ed in the blog "Clarksville & Birmingham" 6/25/2014 from almost exactly a year ago.
Last year, at the Clarksville Speedway, Ed had provided the stage and run the sound. This year, Ed provided the stage, but our old friend Jody Fraser was running the sound.
Ed and his trailer in the background
Ed offered, and some of us accepted, the use of his trailer as a dressing room.
There was a storm coming into the area. The sky was taken over by clouds as we set up, and then we had to put tarps over the gear, and move some instruments temporarily into our cars.
Jody working with tarps over the sound gear
Stage getting wet during set up
Around 5:30, with the stage wrapped in tarps, we headed across the river to dinner. This is where the blog goes the extra mile to provide the reader with "The Fuzzy Series" of photographs. Rather than boring pictures of people posing around a table, we have action shots of ketchup bottles being used, food being appreciated, and conversation continuing over dinner.
Eating at Riverview Alice, David and Dennis,
with a closeup of Holly's hands on a ketchup bottle
Dennis & Nathan at dinner
View from our table across the Cumberland:
ferris wheel at Summerfest
It started raining while we were at dinner. We stopped in the lobby for a photo.
Nathan, Alice, David, Lisa and Dennis waiting in lobby
The four of us with a Riverview tee shirt
We drove back over the river, the rain passed over, and we put our instruments back in position onstage as the crowd assembled.
Alice and Lisa
Holly & local friend Joyce following
We met local friends, some who were also photographers. We met Tony, the main organizer, who had generously provided the complimentary dinner for us at Riverview Restaurant.
Marie Pickett helped us out around the stage, and introduced us before the show, wearing her camera around her neck.
Marie introduces The WannaBeatles
Daryell Smith, a native of Arkansas and Vietnam veteran, is a photographer and creative craftsman. He took photos during our show, and showed us his hand made pens, crafted from polished bullet shells, encased in carved deer antler.
Daryell with his bullet/antler pen
To help you appreciate the detail of its bolt action and miniature rifle pocket clip, here's a close up view:
Daryell caught most of the evening on camera. These are some of his photos he posted on his facebook page.
A fan (and mom-to-be) at our WannaBeatles sign
The WannaBeatles horn section
during our opener, "Magical Mystery Tour"
Handsome Dave at the drums
Nathan rocking on bass
Dennis rocking on guitar
Full group onstage
Dennis does Ed Sullivan
A side view of David at the drums (and keyboard, etc.)
Nathan really rocking, again
BC on acoustic
Dennis and Nathan sharing mic for background vocals
David and the logo on the kick drum
Nathan a little more serious
Bryan and Dennis enjoy those rhythm parts
during "Can't Buy Me Love"
Another stage shot
We were well into our second set when it began to drizzle again. Several listeners put up umbrellas or moved to shelter in nearby tents, and we continued. But then the stage began getting wet, and we had to quit.
One final shot onstage with Marie after we played
We had fun in Ashland City. Thanks to Tony, Marie, Jody, Ed, and Daryell for helping us out and making it such an enjoyable evening.
Bloggin' Bryan 7July2015
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