The Wall of Dreams

There was a wall inside Bonnaroo where people would write their dreams.

Some of the items...

"Meet my biological mother"
"Travel the world"
"Find the Love of my Life"
"Blow Millions"
"Ride on a Unicorn"
"Start a Business"
"Play Music Everyday"
"Have Sex on a Plane"
"Have a Baby"
"Play Music for People" 
"Express Sans Fear" or Express Without Fear

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world."
-Harriet Tubman

Bonnaroo on Closing Day

Bonnaroo comes to a close today (6/12/16) and I have met a variety of people. Everyone from lawyers to recent high school graduates are in Manchester, TN to attend the musical event. It is a very diverse crowd at the 700 acre farm.

On Sunday, you find people asleep everywhere. In some areas, it is necessary to step over people in certain camping areas.

It is not uncommon to see someone in their birthday suit bathing in the water fountains, rinsing off days of dirt and stench. Needless to say, some areas smell worse than others.

And yes, this guy was breathing.

Bonnaroo Facts (They do surveys):

• During the event, high fiving is something that everyone does. In fact, 42% of Bonnaroo goers report that they high fived 101+ people over the weekend.
• The most used social media app at Bonnaroo was FaceBook followed by SnapChat and the third most used app was Instagram.
• 26.6% of Bonnaroo goers report finding love at Bonnaroo while 73,4% did not.
• 60% of Bonnaroo fans say the most important thing to do at the event is to "Radiate Positivity."
• As far as politics go, 80.5% of music lovers at Bonnaroo plan to vote in the presidential election while 19.5% don't plan on voting.
• 22.3% of festival goers have never been to Tennessee before, until this year.

Bonnaroo 2016

Bonnaroo 2016. 

The High Five

After your vehicle is searched (not all, but mine) and you make it into the sacred Bonnaroo grounds, a line to get into the performance area awaits you.

High fives are a requirement at Bonnaroo 2016. If you don’t slap a hand in front of you, you may be looked down upon.

For any OCD friends out there, I doubt you would want to know the back story of where some of the hands have been prior to the high five.

Standing Tall

I never aim to be political, I simply try to gather stories through photograph.

Whether you agree or disagree with the suggestion of the Sheriff of Rutherford County stepping down in light of the recent indictments handed down by the Federal courts after an FBI investigation, it takes gumption to stand out above your colleagues and make a request for a public official to step down. It takes courage to stand out and do what you believe to be right.

This morning, lone Rutherford County Commissioner Pettus Read made a request for Sheriff Robert Arnold to step down or resign as the lead law enforcement officer in the county. Sheriff Arnold is facing a maximum of up to 95 years in prison if convicted.

This is a photo from the event this morning on the steps of the Rutherford County Courthouse. In his left hand, a county commission handbook.

He's So Nashville

If this man is SO Nashville, what do non Nashvillians say? "Nashville is wicked. It's like a proper music community, but it's also quintessentially American. You bump into people there with cowboy hats that spit in jars and call you 'boy.' I just love that." Ed Sheeran

The Gangrel

Interesting faces make for interesting photos.

Meet Gangrel. The 47 year old Florida native and pro wrestler was in the WWF in 1995 and later from 1998 to 2001. In 1999 they made a WWF action figure in his likeness. How many people have you met in real life that have their own action figure?

His real name is David Heath and he has two children. I know what you’re thinking, he looks as if he would have eaten them by now. But, I have to say in reality he seemed to be a pretty nice fella.

In high school Heath was said to be a top notch football player. A serious neck injury closed out the football days early. It was thought that he would never be able to continue his love for sports, but after much rehab he was able to move on. In 1988, he debuted as a wrestler.

Heath has appeared in multiple wrestling themed movies over the years and has even been in TV series. Some of the more recent TV shows you may remember him in include Cougar Town and Star Trek: Renegades (both from 2014).

Today, Gangrel the Vampire lives in California home. 

Me and Wrestling? Hmmm

I attended a wrestling match and it was good entertainment. The event was held at the National Guard Armory in Murfreesboro, TN. 

One of the older fans in the crowd told me that he has enjoyed wrestling for the past 70-years. When I asked him who his all-time favorite was he responded, “Johnny Valentine.”

In the Golden Era of wrestling from the 1940’s to the 1960’s, Valentine alternated between being a villain in some matches and a hero in others. His wrestling career ended in 1975 when he broke his back in a plane crash. Valentine died due to health complications in 2001.  

The event was part of the Arcadian Wrestling Association, owned by Leah Hulan (former Ms. Tennessee).

“When I was a kid at four years old, that's when I started amateur wrestling with my dad and family. And when that's instilled in you, it never goes away.” - Dwayne Johnson

Young Drummer Hitting a Lick

He looked as if he were maybe 10. As for his drum set… It consisted of buckets that once contained pickles, chlorine and more. Of course, it is not the drums that make the artist.

“Stamina is the force that drives the drumming; it's not really a sprint.” Neil Peart (Rush)

Clothing makes the man... or band?

Seldom can you actually see the drummer in bands. I think I know why in some cases. You never know what the drummer is wearing from the waist down… until you go behind the band.

"Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society." - Mark Twain

Homeless Sign

He was holding a cardboard sign that read, “Homeless Need Help, Thank – You, God – Bless.”

Little Drummer Boy

At age 14 he travels each year between New Orleans, where his mother lives and Nashville, where his father lives. He spends one school year at each location. As long as he keeps his grades up, he is allowed to hit the streets to drum on the sidewalk in order to make money.

As for the drumming, he taught himself his techniques, which are spectacular.

He said that his dad had a bunch of buckets laying around the house, because his dad was a panhandler, and he got the idea to use them as drums.

Talent would be an understatement.

"I taught myself how to play the guitar, I taught myself how to play the drums, and I kind of fake doing both of them. But drumming comes more natural to me, and it just feels better." -  Dave Grohl, Nirvana and later the Foo Fighters

Native American

His long black hair stood out among the tourist that lined the streets of lower Broadway in Music City. He wore a single grizzly bear claw around his neck adorned with a turquoise stone.

He walked with a purpose, strong and proud. He stood about six foot two, if not taller. As we talked he confirmed that he is a Native American Indian. I shot a few photos of him and in conversation he said that he plays both lead and bass guitar around the Nashville area.

History tells us that Native American Indians thought of the grizzly bear as being a mighty force, which they are. No doubt, it is one of the most powerful and fierce animals to come up against in the woods.

Some Indians today wear a grizzly bear claw from their neck as it is thought to ad protection to them and bring good health. In fact, the grizzly has long been a part of American Indian rituals and celebrations.

At one point, there were about 50,000 grizzly bears living in North America. Today, the numbers are thought to be less than 2,000.

Native Americans Population:

The National Congress of American Indians reports that 2.9 million American Indian or Alaska Natives live in the United States today. That number accounts for 0.9% of the total U.S. population.

Alaska has the highest population of American Indians followed by Oklahoma and then New Mexico. 

Old Lodge Skins in the movie Little Big Man stated: "This boy is no longer a boy. He's a brave. He is little in body, but his heart is big. His name shall be "Little Big Man."

Vietnam at age 17

“I lost my older brother in Vietnam,” he told me while looking away to think. “When we joined the Army he was 19 and I went in at only 17 years old,” he then paused… “I did two tours.”

Mark Thiebold, who calls a tent his home in Nashville, TN, served our country in the 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army while in Vietnam. Total, he served in the Army for 12 years both in America and abroad.

Thiebold went into Vietnam in 1971. At the time, the United States Government was sending troops from the 82nd Division into both South Korea and Vietnam (1969 and into the mid 1970’s). The 82nd also worked side by side the 101st in some operations. He told me, “My job was to blow up bridges and build bridges, we killed innocent people.” 

Stabbed 9 Times

“I was stabbed 9 times, didn’t feel a thing until I saw the blood running down my chest and stomach,” he told me with a drunken growl. “I’m a Marine and I’m not scared of anything,” he said while moving in closer.

He then pulled out a pocket knife in an attempt to show me what happened. “See, he had the knife like this,” he slurred while holding the knife about 5 inches away from my camera that was firmly placed to my face. The knife was too close to focus on, so I took a step back as he again told me he was not scared of anything and served in the U.S. Marines for 8 years.

With a change of subject I asked, “So what brought you to Tennessee?” He again moved in close while putting his knife back into his pocket – I could smell the alcohol rolling off his breath, “I was coming through town on a bus and the driver kicked me off, he said I was having sex on his bus – I wasn’t.”

“Last thing I remember, I was
Running for the door
I had to find the passage back
To the place I was before
'Relax,' said the night man,
'We are programmed to receive.
You can check out any time you like,
But you can never leave ...”
― Eagles, Hotel California

In Nashville Four Days

He stated: “I use to live in New Orleans, but had to move after the hurricane. Then, I moved to Galveston, Texas, but later had to find somewhere else after that place flooded. I’ve been in Nashville for four days now because I heard work was here. I think I may have landed a job come Monday.” 

He told me how he wanted a Sprite. So, I got him one along with some cookies. Small things. 

Judge me not

“Judge tenderly, if you must. There is usually a side you have not heard, a story you know nothing about, and a battle waged that you are not having to fight.” ― Traci Lea LaRussa

He said to me, “I’m from Hohenwald, Tennessee, but, I’ve been all over the place.”

“Man, I’m not asking people for money, I just need food in my belly,” he told me while rubbing his stomach.

I sat down next to him looking up at the passerby’s and could not help but to notice the need for everyone to avoid eye contact. The pedestrians were doing this with everyone – not just those who were sitting on the sidewalk anxious to eat, to drink, to pill, to snort or whatever they felt they needed to fill that empty hole in their heart.

The funny thing is… if funny is even the right word, the pedestrians were on an equal mission to fill that empty hole. Some drunk, some high, others on a spending spree.  I think at times that I too am trying to feel that empty hole.

What bothers me is the judging that takes place day after day. I see it more and more today than in my past. Perhaps age has opened my eyes? Situations? Life?

I am judged daily by others, I hear the gossip and it is not kind. I see the looks, etc.

If you are reading this, I bet you hear hurtful talk about yourself at times. The question is… what do you do when you hear it? React or smile with a slight laugh? I guess what we should do is care less and less about what others say and keep living, but we are human.

As for this man I photographed, the judging has likely led to a lack of help by family, friends and those who have yet to meet him. He currently lives in a tent located near the Cumberland River in Nashville within a small community of campers who also feel similar pain.

“Who are you to judge the life I live? I know I'm not perfect -and I don't live to be- but before you start pointing fingers... make sure your hands are clean!” ― Bob Marle

Stage IV Colon Cancer may slow some down, but not Shela

A friend to the community passed away on Tuesday night. Shela Moffett-Fabri will be remembered by many for multiple reasons.

Shela Moffett-Fabri with Rion Flowers and Gifts in Murfreesboro, Tennessee had stage four colon cancer. She had been battling the disease for the past three years. Despite her situation, she never gave up and actually encouraged others to do more.

One of the many things that Shela did in recent years was the organizing and hosting of a giant soccer tournament to help multiple people who are up against the fearsome word of cancer. The fundraiser called “Kicking Cancer Mid-TN” was geared towards helping people financially that have costly treatment bills in front of them while out of work.

Why Soccer?

Shela was a big fan of soccer and was inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015. Moffett-Fabri played soccer in the 1990's at the Lees-McRae College in North Carolina. She later graduated in 1993 and appeared in 61 women's soccer matches during her time at LMC.

According to the College, the Bobcats were a dominant force with her on the team as they produced a 63-17-1 record. Moffett-Fabri scored a pair of goals, including one game-winner while producing seven assists.

Prior to college, Shela attended Oakland High School in Murfreesboro where she graduated in 1989.

Alumni of the Month:

In 2015 she was named the Alumni of the Month and an article highlighting Shela stated... "Shela currently lives in Tennessee and has been married 19 years to Keith Fabri. “I have an amazing husband who is my rock. In August, I was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer (which spread to my lung, liver and lymph nodes) and my husband has been a trooper for my family. I have a little boy, Augee, and he is nine years old and all boy! I have two step children in their twenties and two step grandchildren (Alex, 8 and Christian, 6 months).”

“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do” – Eleanor Roosevelt

I am Nashville

I am Nashville! Well, I'm not, but he is. 

I shot this photo as this man was waiting on a bus in downtown Music City, as he was listening to music. 

"If you had told me when I was starting out that I would be coming down to Nashville, kind of weaving in and out of the country scene, I never would've thought that in a million years." - Kid Rock

He is traveling because he wants to

“I always wanted to travel, so I am,” he told me with a smile from ear to ear. I asked where he was originally from and he responded, “I’m from Ohio and I’ve been places, but I really wanted to go, ya know?”

“Where did you first visit - was Nashville the first place,” I eagerly asked. “I got on a Greyhound and I got off in Jackson, Tennessee - - It was boring, I then went to Nashville,” he said.

His next stop will be out west, likely California.

“The man who goes alone can start today; but he who travels with another must wait till that other is ready.” – Henry David Thoreau