Hello, good evening, and welcome to another edition of East Side Storytellin’. Right now, like 34 shows before, we will highlight some of the best local authors and musicians around town. First, you will hear from a local author that will share his words, history, and passion for Baseball, America’s pastime. Then, you will hear from a fantastic leading lady playing alongside her husband and jamming out to some of the best bluegrass sound around. Yessir, this show has bluegrass and baseball, two of my absolute favorite things about Spring time every year. After the featured guests blow your minds and enlighten your pollen-filled worlds with their stories, I have them all back up on stage together to share some of their personal journeys, creative processes, and ties to Nashville in general. This is East Side Storytellin’ 35.
The first featured guest of the evening was another local boy made good. A native Nashvillian, graduate of Memphis State University, a sporting goods sales rep for New Era Cap Company for over a generation, a secretary of Nashville Old Timers Baseball Association, a member of SABR (Society of American Baseball Research), and the Grantland Rice-Fred Russell (Tennessee) Chapter of SABR, a past president of the Sporting Goods Agents Association, a father of 7, a grandfather of 14, I’d say it’s safe to say this guy has a lot on his home plate, to say the least. A Nashville Sounds’ fan, creator of SulphurDell.com, and author of the excellent book that you can find at East Side Story called Baseball in Nashville, I tipped my ball cap to introducing one heck of a man, the one and only Skip Nipper!
Skip had arrived earlier than even Tom and me before the show. He was dressed, ready for the game. He had his New York Yankee hat on to go along with his Nashville Sounds retro, commemorative jersey on top. He was ready to get in and start the game. Once the crowd filled the seats, young and old (just like the baseball park this time of year), I gave Skip the microphone to throw out the first pitch.
Skip stepped up to the mound, or the plate depending on which metaphor you prefer, and immediately commanded a calm respect and attention for the sake of what he had to say. He told everyone about the coincidental facts that this day in history, April 15th, held two major milestones in Baseball history. First, it was the day that Jackie Robinson broke the race barrier in professional baseball ranks back in the day. Second, it was the same day that Babe Ruth had his final professional at bat. Not only that fact, but the Babe walked on his final at bat- he was pitched to by a man who had played ball in Nashville as well. I’ll let you listen to Skip tell the stories in the recording below, mostly because he did an amazing job and can explain all of this more thoroughly than I can write it after the fact. But, all in all, Skip did a wonderful job and delivered like the pro he is on a daily basis with his love for, admiration, and respect he has to the game.
After Skip took a seat on the bench, the musical portion of the show was supplied by a married couple like you’ve never seen or heard. The leading lady had already made history in the past and continues to make more every day she performs. She was the first woman ever to appear on the cover of Flatpicking Guitar Magazine, and is widely known for her work with the award-winning Colorado-based band of the title Hit & Run. A powerful voice, picker, and storyteller in her songs and own right, it’s no surprise to me that you’ll be amazed to hear in the link below with her and her songwriting, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and record producing of a husband wowing you endlessly if you choose to listen to the recording over and over again. I was honored to introduce and welcome the likes of John E Frazier III and Rebecca Frazier to the East Side Storytellin’ family!
Nobody in the crowd knew it, but Rebecca had told me before sound check that she had fallen ill the past few days before the show and that her voice wasn’t up to par. I felt bad when I heard that, but I was not alone in the crowd in feeling amazed by the sounds that she and her husband put out from start to finish. They had in-between-the-songs-banter like old Opry shows, and they were impeccably in tune with each others’ words, skills, and emotions throughout the performances. It was so much fun to watch and experience. The crowd didn’t wait to applaud at the end of songs, many times giving rounds of applauses after each solo instrumental run during the songs. These two were meant to play together, sickness be damned, and everyone in the building was better for having experienced their music live. Before we knew it, they were finished with their portion.
I promptly moved along with the creative conversation portion of the show, and everyone was calm and relaxed. I say that, but I did have my first heckler in the crowd. Apparently the drag bingo drag queen host was jealous of not having the spotlight before 8:30. Yes, I said it. I called out the drag queen, AND it’s no secret that drag queen bingo follows our show when upstairs on show nights, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. I ain’t scared of no ghosts … or drag queens looking for attention. In all jest, it was a funny moment or two and I was able to stay focused on getting great answers from some great artists and people featured for the show, as usual. Every day, every show is a new experience, and I’m always amazed, thankful, and a better version of myself after going through them all.
That said, here is the edited version of East Side Storytellin’ 35 with Skip Nipper and Rebecca Frazier (featuring John E Frazier III too). Enjoy, and feel free to share it after you listen to it over and over again:
https://soundcloud.com/eastsidestorytn/sets/east-side-storytellin-35-skip
I’d like to give a big round of thanks for the featured guests of the evening- for Skip Nipper and John and Rebecca Frazier for sharing their stories, talents, and time with us. Please keep the gratitude going for Tom Eizonas, for the recording and sound of the night, Clay Brunton for the art print, and to my lovely wife 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.
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 – http://eastsidestorytn.com/in-our-own-words/
But we are not finished.
The NEXT East Side Storytellin’ event will be …
Date- Tuesday, May 6th, 2014
Time- 7 pm sharp (Central)
Location- Mad Donna’s (1313 Woodland Street)- http://maddonnas.com
Need information or details about Mad donna’s, call 615-226-1617. Otherwise it is first come, first available seats.
Who will be featured- poet Chet Weise (@chetweise) and music by Heath Haynes (@heath_haynes) and special guest Caitlin Rose (http://thecaitlinrose.com). I promise it will be big and awesome and I hope to see you all and more there on the 6th!
That’s all for tonight’s show. Thanks for coming out. Remember to be nice to one another out there. Thanks and good night. Much love.