Well, I'm sorry I'm so late getting around to commenting on last weekends fantastic music events. Friday night, April 8, the MACC Foundation hosted a dinner and concert by Fletcher Bright and the Dismembered Tennesseans. This was a fundraiser for the Mountain Arts Community Center. To say it was a success is an understatement. All 72 initial tickets sold-out rapidly and 10 more seats were squeezed in to accommodate the demand. These 82 patrons of the arts experienced a wonderful night. It started with a champagne reception hosted by Barnett & Co., a financial advising firm which has become a regular supported of MACC Foundation activities. Next, we moved into the old SME cafeteria which was elegantly decked out with black and white tablecloths and floral decorations by new florist "Poppy's" (located at Signal Mountain Plaza Shopping Center) and Crocker Produce. We had an excellent, four-course gourmet dinner prepared by the chef at Alexian Village accompanied by several fine wines and beers. Then, the highlight of the evening was 2 hours of music by Fletcher Bright and the Dismembered Tennesseans. This whole event began last fall when MACC Foundation Vice-President John Harper bid for Fletcher Bright's services at another fundraiser. John asked Fletcher if he would be willing to do a performance at the MACC. Fletcher not only agreed, but also donated the services of the rest of the band, too. In addition to Fletcher, we were also treated to a rousing rendition of "The Night They Drove Ol' Dixie Down" by John Harper, accompanied by the Dismembered Tennesseans. I was also fortunate to be included when Fletcher invited his nephew, Robert Thatcher up to perform one of Robert's tunes. As you probably know, Robert and I (along with his wife, Alice) have performed together for over 10 years as "The Orchard Band". Robert recently recorded a song he wrote for a Bluegrass Benefit CD. The song, "Kentucky Blue" is about the mountain-top removal mining technique (by the way, Robert's against it!). Since we do this song, Alice and I joined Robert on stage to perform this song, also accompanied by the Dismembered Tennesseans. It was clearly a night to remember for me! 
That alone would have made for a great weekend, but the next night the MACC Foundation followed up with a more casual concert featuring several younger music groups. Since we already had the MACC all decorated (and had already paid for insurance and liquor license...) we invited The Local Group, an acoustic duo featuring Bryce Cronan and his cousin, Jay to open, followed by Moonshoes Mumsy, an excellent original rock band from Hixson and finally closing with Bred, a dynamic power trio from SMMHS featuring Garrett Massman on guitar, Baxter Whittenberg on bass and vocals and Clare Beasley on drums. Frankly, I was impressed! Bred had an acoustic set with Baxter on guitar and Garrett on mandolin with Clare singing and playing... well it looked like a stool, but sounded like a drum.
So, live music is alive and well on Signal Mountain. The MACC Foundation has plans for more such events in the near future including a day of live music on May 7 at Signal Plaza to honor Mother's Day and raise money for the Karen Shropshire Memorial Scholarship Fund which will offer tuition assistance to low-income students at the MACC. This was started by Karen's children to honor her memory and her 10 years of service as the MACC's first director.
Before I close, I have to acknowledge several folks who really made this past weekend a success. As a matter of fact, without them it wouldn't have happened at all! First, MACC Foundation President and Vice-President Buffie and John Harper were really the initial driving force and generous donors for this event. SMMHS senior students Baxter Whittenberg and Logan Whitlow then approached the foundation about helping out with an event as their senior projects. Their energy and "elbow grease" were essential to pulling this off. Finally, last but not least, Patrick Emanuel was the organizing force that made these events happen. He worked with Baxter and Logan on all details, made contacts with our sponsors who included Alexian, Pruetts, Barnett and Co., FSG Bank, Miller and Martin Attorneys-at-law, Poppys and Eberle Bros. Tire Co. who sponsored the Saturday Nite Jam Concert. His unflagging energy was an inspiration to us all.
Hope to see everyone on May 7 and keep your eyes open for future events!
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