Thank YOU, thank YOU, thank YOU. Hello Again! Welcome to another wonderful collaboration between East Side Story and The Post. I should first say that the legend Dave Eastman, the voice with the most, showed up for his annual dedication to this show idea and growth. He said some very kind words about the show, my family, and his reverence for all of the local artists who have given their time and positive energy to this concept to date. It was, and always is, an honor. Now, let me be the first to officially, whole-heartedly welcome you to the recap and recording of the 164th epic edition of East Side Storytellin’! Like the 163, I repeat … 163, previous shows East Side Story has put together, we all decided to take a break from our busy schedules all over town in order to sit back and relax and get everyone cultured up just right in the form of a Nashville writer reading from original prose, followed by an amazing local musician performing and talking about their original music, and then a round-up creative conversation with all featured guests of this event to talk about their individual journeys and personal ties to Nashville. Without further ado, fulfilling the entertainment portion of your day, this is the recap and recording of East Side Storytellin’ 164. Let us begin, again.
The first featured artistof the night is truly an artist’s artist. She creates art via paint, photography, music, and is featured tonight because she also writes. She has said that she is inspired by nature in all its forms more than anything or anyone else. In her work, she seeks out the primal and wild sense of life. Her studies of Buddhism, creative visualization, and meditation deepen her exploration of wonder and fascination as she approaches her art as a way of centering, editing, and transforming herself and others the best she can. Usually, she is out promoting and showcasing other artists. On this special occasion, we shined the spotlight on her. Surrounded by a room of her fans, friends, and peers, it was not hard to request and receive a big round of applause for the always amazing Amy Jackson!
Amy is like dynamite. She is small, calm and reserved, but once she is given a spark she will blow the house down with her thoughts and art. The soft-spoken nature of her speech delivery pretty much forces you to lean in and into her words. On top of that going on naturally, this set was extra special because she lined up her poems in a way that reflected her newly published anthology of work. She didn’t just set up each story and line with precision, but she also set it up in a chronological manner that helped the audience follow and track their way through her fantastical creative expedition and growth through the decades. She lifted her cell phone, her enlightened manuscript of sorts, and focused on the shared journey ahead.
Amy started with a poem that she had made with fridge magnets, and then she took us back to the 80’s. The first moment I giggled out loud was when she prefaced her poem from the 90’s saying that it was when she was single, giving us permission to envision that situation and to think about ourselves being single in the 90’s too. In between spellbinding work read aloud, Amy told us about her change from visual and metaphors in the early days to more storytelling and personal experiences as of late coming through her work. She gave us stories about when she was teaching high school and being about the same size as her students. And she also brought us closer to the present moment by sharing tales of South Nashville as recent as 2 years ago. To close the set, she made it more about nature, fields and ponds. In between the personal history and personal poetry, there was and is a magic about Amy and the time and energy she shares with all those who care to slow down and listen. She changes your perspective towards progress and positive change, and all you have to do is read it and listen. Seems like a fair deal to me. I hope you’ll take the time to listen to the link and recording of the reading below.
Our featured music of the night is a duo who is very good friends with Amy, as in Amy Speace, and a very special mutual friend in Stacie Huckeba too. This group, not Amy & Stacie, hails from Martinsville, Virginia. I only know about this town because of their music and stories. It’s mentioned online that when you hear them sing songs about a couple of hard luck kids who made some bad decisions and wound up in jail, you have to remember that these two are still good friends with those kid’s family. So yes, the world setting may resemble autobiography, but these beautiful songs speak for themselves. I will definitely ask them to share the story about how they met and started singing together after this set, and I did, but know that once they started do this music thing full time and garnered a devoted following, they haven’t stopped or plan on stopping any time soon. Grateful for them to be here tonight and share their stories, also known as Wild Ponies, many of the people in the crown truly knew and know the artists by their real names Doug and Telisha Williams.
I first met this dynamic duo about an hour before the show. I knew from the time they walked in the door that this was going to be a tremendous experience. The first notes they played in sound check nearly tore the roof off of the building, and I got goosebumps off and on the entire sound check and regular set. I was glad that Doug appreciated my internet research and bio delivery, but these two have something extra special about their music and relationship that you can just feel the joy and drive in the air. Doug would eventually break a string on his guitar by the final song of the set, but that didn’t surprise me one bit. The way they approach every song with every ounce of energy they have are is nothing short of contagious inspiration for everyone within earshot to do the same in their own lives and stories. Point being, you can’t half ass listen to Wild Ponies’ music. If you don’t move your feet to the beat, the feet will do it on their own. Trust me, from experience on every track I heard.
In between songs, like Amy and her poems, Telisha and Doug mesmerized the attentive audience with stories of family, friends, creation processes, nature, happy accidents, psychological backgrounds, and everything in between. Let’s just say that it’s not hard to give all of your attention and love to and for an artist (or group) that gives you everything they are. I know that this is similar to what I’ve already typed, but I just can’t say this enough about these two. But saying all of this doesn’t just encompass the passion this group brings to their art. The songs are equally as unique and brilliant and packed with life, love, and lessons for all. Whether it’s a tale about a mean mama bird doing the best she can for her children the only ways she knows how, the true birds and bees story about how every heart beats and breaks like bones, or the epic song called Bury the Young that was inspired by the resolve and speeches of the youth from Parkland High School, these two artists just get it. Listen to one or all of the tracks in the recording below to confirm that statement and become a believer too. I can’t add more words than the link that grants you access to hear it for yourself to prove anything else. This is not a test. This is real.
Then, once again, I was given the chance to have all of the guests back on stage to talk about art and life. These three were honest, open, candid, and humorous while talking about anything and everything that came to mind and heart when asked. They spoke about their inspirations, ancestry, and motivations to inspire others beyond the words and stories in their art. These three are modern day activists, packed with powerful ideas, friends, and concepts that are destined to be put into action, locally and beyond, very soon. If it sounds like I’m talking about a life revolution and new wave of thinking about making and experiencing and talking about art, these three are on to something good. And you can count me and the others listening to what they are saying in for the long haul. Again, this is not a test. We all will pass eventually. This is real, and we have a saw in the change for hear and here and now. I can’t think of three better artists to listen to and inspire your own action and next chapter more. Enjoy the recording and the show in general.
So, here it is, the thing I’ve been writing and reminding you all about above. This is the recording of East Side Storytellin’ 164, our show at The Post East on Tuesday, November 5, 2019, featuring Amy Jackson & Wild Ponies. It was one for the ages. Now, you can share with any and everyone of all ages. I promise they will love it and thank you sooner than later. Enjoy!
Before I say goodbye for this round of fun, I’d like to give a big round of thanks for Amy and Doug & Telisha for sharing their stories, talents, and time with us.
You can read more of Amy Jackson’s writing here-
You can listen to more of Doug & Telisha’s music here-
You can listen to this show, edited, soon, alongside the previous shows too, on our website, www.eastsidestorytn.com, at our In Our Own Words Tab – see here – www.eastsidestorytn.com/in-our-own-words
I’ll keep the gratitude going for Tom Eizonas, my lovely wife and most talented artist in Emily Harper Beard (efharper), and everyone that came out live to support the show … and to everyone who has helped continue to spread the word and support the show online afterwards.
Last, but certainly not least, I’d like to give one last shout out to Tonya and Chris for making The Post so welcoming and positively life-changing for the East Nashville community at large.
Our next show will be
East Side Storytellin’ 165
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
at The Post (1701 Fatherland Street) at 7pm
reading- Jennifer Circosta
singing- Dave Coleman
That said, that’s all for East Side Storytellin’ 164 and another fabulous event at The Post with East Side Story at the helm. Thanks for coming out please remember to be nice to one another out there.
I repeat, please remember to be nice to one another out there.
Thank you and goodnight.
Much love, mE
