Thank YOU, thank YOU, thank YOU. Hello Again! Welcome to another wonderful collaboration between East Side Story and The Post. Let me be the first to officially, whole-heartedly welcome you to the recap and recording of the 90th epic edition of East Side Storytellin’! Like the 89, I repeat … 89, 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’ 90. Let us begin, again.
Our first featured artist of the evening is someone who writes about food and life, telling stories that help us see other perspectives while reminding us of our common humanity. Her formal training in food writing came from creating her own curriculum at Boston University with courses of Journalism and Gastronomy, a cultural study of food founded by Julia Child and Jacques Pepin. She worked as food culture and lifestyles reporter at The Tennessean for 6 years before a successful dive into freelance work that has been featured in Time, Serious Eats, and Southern Living, to name a few. She is the author of Nashville Eats and The Food Lovers’ Guide to Nashville. I didn’t think she was going to read from one of her favorite stories of covering a nudist community or traveling with an unsigned rock band, but I had been wrong before. I’m talking about the one and only Jennifer Justus, ya’ll.
Jennifer asked me during the pre-show set up if she could read one short story before the music and then another one after the band. As usual, I agreed. Nobody knows art like the artists who make it. Jennifer had a better feel for presenting her work that I or anyone else. She kicked things off with a pre-published work that involves Nashville hot chicken and the first date she had with her now, newly wedded, husband (Tony Keats, the same fella leading the featured band of this evening. See picture below and you can instantly see they were made for one another to be happy.)
Anyways, Jennifer read her story with humor and confidence that was radiating from the page. You can listen to hit below or Google it online, but it is a tremendous tale about an epic break-up story. No. They didn’t break up and get back together before being married. Jennifer read the story about a break-up from vegetarianism and random relationship insecurities. As with my favorite stories by Jennifer written so far, food is the springboard of her stories to much deeper meaning and life questions. The only big question I had by the end of the first story was what “steak night” is planned for September. You’ll understand what I mean after you read/hear it. Look. Jennifer is so talented at what she does that none of her stories need any condiments added to her original thoughts and words.
Our featured music of the night is a self-proclaimed band of seasoned players. A four-piece band based in Nashville, TN, with influences from artists like The Band and Leon Russell, some of our big pink personal favorites, they bring a cool, funky southern sound. Hot off a six-song EP this spring, they’re recording a new record for early 2017. Anything but ragtag slackers, each member has played in numerous projects supporting Nashville artists before coming together as this group officially in 2015. Tom and I agreed that at least once a year it’s tradition to bring in a full-size band to get really loud. Tonight, it was the likes of Brian Pitts, Tony Keats, Kyle Walsh, and Brian Rogers joining creative forces and rocking East Nashville as the group American Watermelon.
American Watermelon, was exactly what I thought it would be … awesome! These guys did have elements of The Band, when they were jamming in the middle of the songs and seamlessly transitioning between rhythms of rock, country, americana, and jazz. You could tell they have been playing a very long time individually, and that they have a great feel for where each person fills in the circle of their music when playing together. I loved each and every one of their songs, but Down South (maybe their 5th track) was my favorite. Story of my life, “Do it wrong until I do it right.” Seriously, I can’t do these guys justice (Jennifer pun here) with a wordy recap of their set or song stories. Do yourself a favor and give the entire set a listen. Then let me know what you think your favorite tune is.
After the music ended, Jennifer took the stage once again and read from a brand new story, maybe even finished hours before the show for all I know. It was a poignant, revealing and heartfelt and deeply personal, tale about a friend having a baby while coming to grips with her own decision never to have one herself. As much pressure as there is around for people to have babies, from friends and family and beyond, I think there are even more pressures or false assumptions thrown at individuals who choose not to procreate. Jennifer hits the topic right on its head, all the while tackling a humorous account of reliving a first hand experience with a close friend having her second (accompanied by the father of the child, a sibling of the child, the mother of the child, a chocolate cake for the family, and a dog named Waylon). Whether you have a child or plan to or not, this story will speak to you in a great way. Again, Jennifer is so immensely talented at what she does.
So before I called it a night, I was fortunate enough to have the still honeymooning couple, Tony and Jennifer, up on stage to speak for everyone involved in the night. It was a fun exchange of questions and answers, and I think we hit a solid groove or honesty, candid personal notes, and shout-outs to friends and family in the crowd throughout. Once again, everyone who attended was touched by the stories and talents shared by every individual who hit the stage. Ninety shows in, and it never gets old. Nashville has heart and talent and everything what’s nice about this world.
So, here is the edited recording of East Side Storytellin’ 90 that went down on Tuesday, September 6, 2016. It was a night that featured classic, unforgettable stories and songs by Jennifer Justus and American Watermelon. Feel free to share and enjoy, over and over again.
Before I say goodbye for this round of fun, I’d like to give a big round of thanks for Jennifer and American Watermelon for sharing their stories, talents, and time with us.
You can read more about Jennifer’s writing here- jenniferjustuswrites.com
You can listen to more of American Watermelon’s music here – www.facebook.com/americanwatermelon
You can listen to this show, edited, soon, alongside the previous shows too, on our website, www.eastsidestorytn.com, at our In Our Own WordsTab – 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.
I’d also like to show much love to Clay Brunton for the beautiful artwork online to promote the show.
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’ 91
Tuesday, September 20th
at The Post (1701 Fatherland Street) at 7pm
reading- Sally Anderson
singing- The Daily Fare
That said, that’s all for East Side Storytellin’ 90 and another fabulous event at The Post with East Side Story at the helm. Thanks for coming out and sharing the good word and giving some love to all of these great Nashville artists and our creative ideas. Please remember to be nice to one another out there.
Much love,
mE
