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.

Don't Enter Bonnaroo, say some

Outside of the Bonnaroo 2016 gates a few signs suggest that you have time to turn around and not enter as God does not want you in there. Men walking the entry road are seen holding giant crosses handing out flyers suggesting that the grounds are filled with sex and promiscuity.

This man was carrying a 14 foot cross while wearing shorts and military boots. His shirt read, "Repent and Believe the Gospel."

She now has a smile

She was a mixture of smiles and tears as she left the dentist today. Stacy has been working with Dr. Jess Sinquefield, DDS in Murfreesboro for several weeks now on a dream that many of us take for granted... our teeth. Keep in mind she had no money for her dream, but Dr. Sinquefield made it a reality for her never expecting a single dime.

She is clean today, but in the past she was a heroin addict who lived on the streets of Nashville. She has slowly crawled out of that life and now lives in a motel with her significant other named Jonathan. She actually got off of heroin on her own while homeless, desperate to change. She has now been clean for about two years and never wants to turn back.

Jonathan and Stacy provide the motel management where they stay with maintenance and maid services in exchange for a room. While that may not sound glamorous, they are thankful for having employment and a roof over their head without any government assistance.

Today, Stacy is a new person with her teeth. The self-confidence that she lacked while on the streets has vanished, with a simple smile. Today, I noticed she was more confidence than ever.

She is now looking to make even bigger changes in her life with public speaking about heroin addiction, Suboxone addiction and a possible job change in the near future. Stacy and Jonathan also have goals of having an apartment and maybe even their very own vehicle. Of course, those are still dreams at this point, but I think it will happen.

She now has a smile!

"We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do." - Mother Teresa

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.”

Street Magic in Nashville, TN

Street magic dates back to the 1400’s. Passing a hat after an act or acts has long been a tradition for street performers and street magicians.

In this photo, this man performed multiple tricks with a floating cigarette, never saying a single word. In silence, he then held out his hat. 

"Onstage, I find absolutely nothing but exhilaration in not talking." - Teller of Penn and Teller

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."

Hope...

In Nashville, Tennessee.

"Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness." - Desmond Tutu

Bishop Tutu is a South African social rights activist and retired Anglican bishop who rose to worldwide fame during the 1980's as an opponent of apartheid. Apartheid was a system of racial segregation in South Africa enforced through legislation by the National Party (NP), the governing party from 1948 to 1994. This year (2016) he is 84-years of age. 

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. 

The General Jackson

The famous General Jackson Showboat in Nashville goes up and down the Cumberland River on a regular basis. It has long represented Music City and is somewhat a museum piece. The riverboat has a full stage and auditorium inside with shows that are sometimes scheduled three times a day.

The views from the massive boat are none other than amazing if you love water and the picturesque shores of Nashville. But, how much do you know about the boat?

The name “General Jackson” came from a riverboat that was built in 1817 and named after Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States (1829-1837).

Jackson was born in the South Carolina area in 1767. By the age of 13, Jackson was captured by British troops during the American Revolutionary War. At the time of capture, Jackson was a courier. The capturing of the young boy likely gave him perspective later in life as he was said to have been mistreated by the British before being let go. Not much has been written about that mistreatment so the extent is unknown.

Jackson went on to become a lawyer and elected to hold a Congressional Office in the House of Representatives and twice holding office in the U.S. Senate.

In 1801 he called Tennessee home and was appointed as Colonel of the Tennessee militia. He was quite wealthy at the time and owned what we call today, the Hermitage Plantation. Hundreds of slaves were owned by Jackson.

He became famous during the War of 1812, which was a time where he defeated the men who troubled him as a youth… The British. During the Battle of New Orleans Jackson and his troops had an overwhelming victory over the main British Invasion Army.

Jackson later ran for president in 1824 and won.

Back to the boat named General Jackson that travels up and down the Cumberland River today (2016)… The boat was built for Opryland Theme Park in 1985. When the theme park closed in 1997, the boat remained active and is still an attraction today.

The boat is 77 feet tall and has a 7 foot deep draft. It is 274 feet long and 63 feet wide. It can hold 1200 passengers and has a crew of 157 men and women. Its top speed is 13 miles per hour. All of those numbers are quite impressive for a riverboat.

The massive riverboat is powered by two Caterpillar diesel engines and two General Electric 600 horsepower electric motors that push a 36 foot wide paddlewheel.

The boat is docked outside of Opry Mills. The river is about 15 to 25 feet deep where the Jackson is moored. The average roundtrip for tourist in the boat is only 14 miles. However, the Cumberland River has 381 miles of navigable waters from Kentucky to the Ohio River.

"I was born for a storm, and a calm does not suit me." – Andrew Jackson