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

Brentaroo, free home tour, and more...

I'm wondering if the black stretch limo I saw driving down Concord Road this week was on its way to pick up one of our Brentwood superstars for a CMA Music Fest/Fan Fair appearance?
Love living here, love seeing the tour buses at Harris Teeter (guess all the new action at Brentwood Place made it too busy to accommodate them) and wondering who's getting on, who's getting off and where they're headed.
Love seeing stars shopping in Kroger and TJ Maxx and having dinner at Peter's just like the rest of us, and because they can, without worries of being deluged by autograph requests.
Love this place.

Don't miss Brentaroo on Sunday
If you didn't make it to Bonnaroo and the CMA fest is too much for you, just head to Crockett Park Sunday night. 7 Bridges: The Ultimate Eagles Experience will be in concert beginning at 7 p.m. Last week the Eddy Arnold Amphitheater filled up fast, so get there early. As always, bring chairs, blankets and bug spray.
You can learn more about 7 Bridges, and hear some of their music, at http://www.7bridgesband.com/.

Cornerstone home tour
Ever gazed at Cornerstone, the beautiful estate on the corner of Granny White Pike and the entry to McGavock Farms? Its owners are hosting a free home tour from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. today and tomorrow. Guests may see furnishings that include French settees, an architectural table designed with angels, Pembroke tables, Chippendale chairs, Russian cut glass and much, much more.
Your tour guide? Berenice Denton, estate sale queen. Park on McGavock Road.

Neighborhood sales
Speaking of sales, two neighborhood sales are being held this weekend.
The huge Brenthaven subdivision between Concord Road and Moore's Lane is today and Saturday. Princeton Hills homeowners will open up their garages Saturday from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. At least 20 families are expected to participate. Enter from Franklin Road or Murray Lane.

Etta at Arrington
Feeling the need to break out of Brentwood? Check out Kelly Gilfillan's blog, http://www.outsidethebrentwoodbubble.blogspot.com/ for details on tonight's Etta James concert at Arrington Vineyards. That's the winery owned by former Brentwood resident Kix Brooks.

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!