The Kadillacs: Who knew?

City's favorite Fourth band shares all

The Kadillacs, led by Brentwood’s own Paul Ross, has headlined the city’s Fourth of July celebration for more than 20 years. And over the years, thousands of residents have enjoyed the show.

But do you really know the band? That’s what BrentWord thought. So here’s everything you’ve always wanted to know … and more … about The Kadillacs. And remember: If you want to hear them Saturday, make your way to the park early to reserve your spot in the natural grass bowl that is the Eddy Arnold Amphitheater. “Seats” are always at a premium.

So, how did the band get its name, and where did it almost meet its demise? Read on…

A little history: The band formed in January 1984 as the house band on Music City Live, a live TV show on WKRN, Channel 2. “When the show went off the air, folks loved the band and kept calling to book us,” Paul says. “We’ve never looked back since then.”

Coolest venue every played: The “Yellowstone Club” in Big Sky, Mont. Ross says it’s one of the country’s most “exclusive” club with member such as: Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Warren Miller (US Olympic star), Greg Lamond (bicycling star), and several other anonymous billionaires. “Our ‘emcee’ for the evening decked out in jeans and Eddie Bauer attire, was ‘nearly a billionaire.’”

Farthest venue played: San Diego, Calif. (on several occasions)

Most fun gig: A Derby party with Dan Akroyd (who performed his show with the band).

Longest-lasting gig (besides Brentwood, of course): Cherokee Town & Country Club’s Wassail Ball, 15 consecutive years. The club is in Atlanta.

And here at home: The Kadillacs first played the City of Brentwood’s Fireworks Celebration in 1988. “In the early days, pre-1995, we used to do Brentwood pre-fireworks, then jump into a limo and rush to play Metro’s ‘after party’ after their fireworks. We had to stop when Brentwood moved out to Crockett Park,” Paul said. “It was too far away.”

Most interesting gig: New Year’s Eve in Savannah, Ga. As part of the show, the “Flying Wallendas” did a tightrope act in the hotel atrium, 10 floors up at midnight, Paul shared.

Most scary experience: This one’s a tie. Once the band nearly froze to death (“literally,” Paul says) on a broken down bus on top of Black Mountain in N.C., in February. Another time, the band’s bus rear ended a stopped tractor trailer on I-71 on the way to a job in Cincinnati.

Longest-tenured member: Phil Rugh is the longest tenured player in the band, "but more importantly the OLDEST member of the band. That's why I keep him in the band,” Ross said, winking. Hmmm. That must make Paul the second oldest member ...

Newest member: Eric Stephens (bass player), at 2 years, 8 months

Average tenure of today’s Kadillacs: 12 years

About the name: The band had a few different names before settling on “Kadillacs” in 1987. “We once had to change our name (for one day) to the Continentals, because we played a Ford motor convention; they couldn’t bear to book the “Kadillacs!’” Paul said.

Loving those classics: The band only plays “classics.” Of course, that now includes music through the ’90s.

There she is, Miss …: One of the original “Kadillac Girls,” was Nan Kelly, former Miss Mississippi and current on-air personality on CMT.

One impressive bunch: Today band members include a nurse on the Cardiac Bypass operating team at St. Thomas Hospital; president of the Nashville Toastmasters Club; head of the Jazz Department at Tennessee Tech University; a certified adolescent drug abuse counselor; the on-air promotions manager at Fox News and, of course, the former Brentwood Chamber of Commerce board chairman.

Broadway bound? The Kadillacs’ horn section has performed for over 75 touring Broadway Show productions at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center.
Well-traveled: Today the band travels around 16,000 miles on the road, per year in addition to several trips by airplane.

For all the scoop on the city’s Fourth of July festivities, read the previous post, or just click here: www.tinyurl.com/BWFourth

Fabulous Fourth is just around the corner...

Brentwood throws its biggest party of the year this weekend, and since July 4 falls on a Saturday this year, expect it to be even bigger than ever. Here's the official press release so you can start making plans, but return soon to find more in-depth and original reporting!

The City of Brentwood will hosts its 22nd July 4th Celebration from 7-10:30 p.m. Saturday at the Eddy Arnold Amphitheater in Crockett Park. Admission is free.
As has become tradition, entertainment will be provided by Paul Ross and the The Kadillacs, a 13-piece band with four vocalists that includes powerhouse horn and rhythm sections.
The music begins at 7 p.m., with fireworks at 9 p.m. followed by more music at 9:30 p.m.
Parking is limited in Crockett Park. The community is encouraged to park at the Brentwood Library or River Park and use the bikeway. Residents that live in nearby subdivisions are asked to walk or ride bikes to the park.
At 8:45 pm, to help with traffic control, the following streets will be designated as one-way traffic:
* Crockett Road from the park to Wilson Pike
* Wilson Pike from Crockett Road to Moores Lane
* Wilson Pike from Crockett Road to Concord Road
The following streets will be closed to traffic in the direction listed below:
* Wilson Pike at Concord Road closed to south bound traffic
* Wilson Pike at Moores Lane closed to north bound traffic
* Crockett Road at Volunteer Parkway closed to east bound traffic
Entry into Crockett Park by car will stop at 8:30 pm. The festival is planned as a family affair with music, dancing, food and fireworks for everyone. No grills or alcohol is allowed.
Rain date for fireworks: Sunday, July 5, 9 p.m. at Crockett Park.

"Staycation" opportunities abound

By all accounts, except a first-hand one, cowboy band Riders in the Sky rocked the Crockett Park crowd at its outdoor concert Sunday night.
Commissioner Paul Webb called to tell me it was packed, over 3,000 people there. The show ran for almost two hours and best of all, it was free.
I have a feeling record crowds are going to be the norm for the 15th annual Brentwood Concert Series, held Sunday nights at the Eddy Arnold Amphitheater. Lots of people are on the lookout this year for inexpensive entertainment options close to home.
The question "Where are you going for vacation?" is being answered more often than not with "We're doing a 'staycation' this year." That's definitely true for the Leathers family.
Throughout the summer I'll be offering up staycation ideas as I discover them, so check back often. And if you have one to share, please share it with others in the comment section below.
If you have kids, don't miss Sunday's posting on the Summer Reading Program at the library. This is the best deal going. I may try to borrow a tyke tomorrow just so I can attend without guilt.
And in case you've tossed your postcard from the city, here's the remaining lineup for the concert series. All concerts start at 7 p.m. Picnics welcome, but leave the grills and alcohol at home. Don't forget the bug spray!

• June 14: 7 Bridges: The Ultimate Eagles Experience
• June 21: Williamson County Community Band
• June 28: The WannaBeatles
• July 4: The Kadillacs and fireworks
• July 12: The Tams

Symphony set for Crockett Park

The Nashville Symphony opens the 2009 Brentwood Concert Series at 7 p.m. Sunday in the Eddy Arnold Amphitheater at Crockett Park. Unfortunately the symphony's new Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero, who has settled in Brentwood with his family, is out of town and won't be able to make it. But have no fear, Resident Conductor Albert-George Schram is at the ready and up for the job. I understand he's really fun to watch. Best of all, he's looking forward to it too.

Here's what Schram had to say in a BrentWord exclusive....

The concert is one Brentwood residents look forward to each year. Is this anticipation reciprocated by the symphony?
Most definitely. We love performing at Schermerhorn Symphony Center, but there’s something exciting about performing for people in their own communities – the audience really feels at home, and it’s such a relaxed atmosphere. We have a lot of fans and supporters in Brentwood who come to our concerts, but it’s also gratifying to know that anytime we perform our concerts in the parks, we’re also going to reach an audience who might not have gotten to hear the symphony perform before – especially children, who don’t have as many opportunities to go to concerts.

What do you love about the venue -- the Eddy Arnold Amphitheater?
It’s such a wonderful, family-friendly environment. Compared to downtown Nashville, it has the feel of a small-town gathering, and this time of year it’s always so nice to be outdoors, surrounded by the smells and sounds of the springtime. The weather is just warm enough – but not sweltering.

What are the challenges of playing outdoors?
There are quite a few, actually. Musical instruments can be very fickle and subject to changes in temperature and humidity, so our players have to work extra-hard to make sure their instruments stay in tune. The acoustics are also quite challenging. Even if you have a band shell with some kind of roof overhead, the sound doesn’t travel the same way it does in a concert hall. So my job is to make sure that even if the musicians aren’t hearing everything they’re used to hearing, I can help make sure that they’re all working together. And once we’ve managed to tackle that challenge, then we’re really able to enjoy the rewards of playing outdoors – seeing all those happy faces, enjoying the springtime breezes and the sunshine.

Hope to see you at the park, and don't forget to bring Mom -- it is her day remember!