Although it looks like it could have the accent on the second syllable, it's pronounced by the locals to sound like "Katie's."
Geographically, from a Nashville perspective, it's on the other side of Ft. Campbell, so it's not far past Clarksville.
But to the Kentuckians who live there, it's a town with a unique history and role, as the county seat of Trigg County, which is where Land Between The Lakes was formed after the U.S. government built dams on the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers.
Cadiz is small, just over 2,000 population, but they have lots of spirit. They run the Trigg County Country Ham Festival, which features, among many attractions, the world's largest biscuit.
The WannaBeatles were chosen as their Friday night entertainment at the Trigg County Country Ham Festival.
They were excited about our coming there. Kim Allen, with local radio station, WKDZ, interviewed us a few weeks before the show, with a conference call we took at Dennis's house. She interviewed us again after we arrived, during their live coverage of the festival.
On October 9, John Lennon's 75th birthday, we drove up in two cars, Dennis and me in his Camry, and Nathan and David in Nathan's van.
We were greeted at the Cadiz Fire Department by Kerry Fowler, who led us to the parking area behind the stage.
Sign on the door of Kerry's truck
David's Dad
Dennis and I discovered after we arrived at the stage that David had been on the phone to his family in Florida, where he learned his father was dying. This was a major life event to deal with in the middle of a normal job, and it brought a layer of sadness to an otherwise enjoyable day.
As we went through the motions of loading gear (with townspeople assisting,) getting interviewed for the local radio station, and posing for photos on the statue of a pig, David was absorbing the weight of the news, while finding moments to talk to family members and investigate airline schedules, to plan a trip to Florida as soon as possible.
Knowing what was going on for David that afternoon explains why he looks a little distracted in the photos. As it turned out, he found a flight out of Nashville early the next morning, but his father died before he could get there. He spent the next week in Florida for the funeral and to be with his family, which meant we had to find another drummer for a few gigs that couldn't be avoided, and that's another story, coming up in another blog.
But meanwhile, back in Cadiz, we met WKDZ radio personality Kim in person, as she interviewed us on the street for their local coverage of the event.
David, Nathan and Kim at the WKDZ tent
Kim offering us a free ham
Dennis found a great opportunity for his unique wit, calling the free ham "The Jewish Dilemma." That made David laugh.
We were dealing with rainy weather, but there was a cover over the stage, so the only question was whether the audience would get rained on.
David setting up his drums
Nathan with his Hofner
Our sound man
Installing hay bales in the rain
We were impressed with the energy of the people of Cadiz.
(insert street sign, city hall)
Street sign
City Hall, which also served as our dressing room
The WannaBeatles posed for a final goodbye on the golden pig before saying goodbye.
As a followup, I had left my ear plugs on the stage that night, and Kerry made the effort of contacting me and mailing them back to me. In that package, he also included special maps and brochures of Cadiz, and an official Key to the City.
Key to the City of Cadiz
(not to be duplicated without authorization)
The WannaBeatles have never received a key to any city before. It made us feel like Dorothy at the end of the Wizard of Oz. Now you see why we will be happy to return to Cadiz, whether it's for another Ham Festival or just an ordinary day.
Thanks to Kerry Fowler, of the City of Cadiz, and Kim Allen, of WKDZ radio, for your hospitality. You really made us feel at home.
Bloggin' Bryan 29December2015
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