Firecracker 5K and other July 4 news

With Saturday's weather forecast for a high of only 85 degrees and just a chance of scattered thunderstorms, it looks like the Fourth of July is going to dawn just beautifully. And speaking of dawn, don't forget the annual Cadillac Firecracker 5K Race/Walk benfitting the Maryland Farms YMCA that kicks off at 7 a.m. Andrews Cadillac is its primary sponsor.
Advance registration closed Wednesday, but race-day registration is available for $30.
The race begins and ends at the Y, 5101 Maryland Way, with a route that weaves itself through Maryland Farms. For the younger set, the Luken Investments Kid's Race starts at 8 a.m. Designed for children age12 and younger, the cost is$5 for child.
All participants are invited to join the Y for its Independence Day pool party from noon-2 p.m.
For complete details, visit http://tinyurl.com/fire5K.



Chamber says "wear red!"
Just an fyi: today's the last day you can buy the bright red Fourth of July T-shirts the Brentwood Cool Springs Chamber wants everyone to wear to Crockett Park on Saturday. Well, make that the last day you can buy them at the chamber office.
Lynn Tucker shares that sales have been brisk at the office, which is open until 5 p.m. today but closed tomorrow for the holiday. However, you can buy them at Puffy Muffin today through Saturday, and at the park on Saturday.
The shirts commemorate the city's 40th anniversary and the 20th year for Leadership Brentwood. The are $15 each.
For more information, check out my previous post at ttp://brentword.blogspot.com/2009/06/red-white-and-you-t-shirts-on-sale.html



Webb to wave, wave, touch pearls
The annual Carondelet Fourth of July Parade presented by BrentWord.blogspot.com (OK, I just added the last part) is ON.
Parade organizer Michelle Lasley told me it was touch and go for a bit, but indeed the neighborhood parade will take place as it always has on Saturday morning, complete with red, white and blue Popsicles at the end of the route.
This year's Grand Marshal is Commissioner Paul Webb. Last year it was Vernon Winfrey, Oprah's dad. And let's see. A few years before that it was ... well, that's right. It was me!
"I'm currently working on getting Paul a convertible to transport him in style. Unfortunately, we lost our 65 'stang," Michelle shares. Have a really neat convertible they can us? Let me know and I'll pass it on.

Of course, the biggest event of the day will be the city's Fourth of July celebrate at Crockett Park featuring The Kadillacs. In case you missed yesterday's post listing fun trivia about the band, visit http://brentword.blogspot.com/2009/07/kadillacs-who-knew.html. For information on the event itself -- and traffic plans, road closures and the like, check out http://brentword.blogspot.com/2009/06/fabulous-fourth-is-just-around-corner.html.

Know of other fun Fourth of July activities in town? Let me know so I can share them with readers. Just email me the who, what, when and where to brentword@comcast.net.

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

"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