Amy, Melissa and Madison: AmericanaFest Spotlights Legends and Soon-to-Be’s

 

“There’s a beauty to wisdom and experience that cannot be faked. It’s impossible to be mature without having lived.” — Amy Grant (AmericanaFest is going full blast with a host of talented acts taking stages at music venues across Music City. On Tuesday night, we had the opportunity to see legendary artists at 3rd and Lindsley, including the remarkable Amy Grant and blues-rock lady Melissa Etheridge. Amy, who hasn’t performed live for a long time, sang fan favorites including “Big Yellow Taxi” and “Baby, Baby.” Melissa’s renditions of “Come to My Window” and “I’m the Only One” had us rockin’ and rollin’ to our feet. Another venue not too far from there called The Blue Room featured the incredible Madison Cunningham on Thursday night. Madison first wowed me during an outside performance in Lexington, Virginia, several years ago. She impresses even more now with brilliant avant-garde arrangements and voicing’s that leave music fans speechless. I have felt the same way in the past listening to Joni Mitchell, Yes, and others. Another wonderful thing about AmericanaFest is being able to hear newer, yet-to-be well-known artists. You might want to check out Hollow Hand, Aubrie Sellers, and Maggie Rose. MCAU contributing writer Wil Comstock has been busy writing reviews for some of the performances we’ve taken in. You can check them out at https://musiccityartsupdate.blogspot.com .) #ChuckWhiting #ChucksDiary #AmericanaFest #AmyGrant #MusicCityArts 9-18-26 

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Chuck’s Diary: A Hidden-Away Treasure of Nature on the Gulf Coast

 

“If it weren’t for the rocks in its bed, the stream would have no song.” — Carl Perkins, musician (I visited a lot of places during the summer months. One of my favorite stops was the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve on the Gulf Coast of Florida. This beautiful, hidden-away escape features trails and boardwalks that lead through a forest and savannah in the Apalachicola-Chattahooche-Flint watershed. There are several wandering paths with one leading to a pier on the bay (offering a view of the Saint George Island Bridge to the south). A 5,400-square-foot nature center includes aquariums with fish and reptiles; a discovery room with skeletons, fossils and preserved marine life; and historic artifacts from the fishing industry. The Watershed Walk features a 270-foot boardwalk scaled to match the 530 river miles (with markers denoting landmarks) from the headwaters of the watershed to Apalachicola Bay. Small signs provide plant information and quotes from famous people… a nice touch. A shop owner in Carrabelle suggested we stop on our way to Saint George Island. For more information, visit www dot Apalachicola Reserve dot com.) #ChuckWhiting #ChucksDiary #CarlPerkins #ApalachicolaReserve #NatureCenter #Eastpoint #Florida #ApalachicolaBay #Savannah #Forest #Boardwalks #Watershed #Nature #Outdoors #GulfCoast #SaintGeorgeIsland #Apalachicola #Fish #Reptiles #Aquariums #Plants #Fossils #Travel #Hiking #Outdoors #Art #Arts #MusicCityArts 9-27-23