Bluegrass for the spirit (05/17/08) Shelbyville Bluegrass Gospel Festival, which organizers plan to make an annual event, took place Friday and Saturday at H.V. Griffin Park, drawing bluegrass gospel performers from as far away as Florida and Michigan. The event was hosted by the CrossPoint String Band from Shelbyville, which had hosted a similar festival in Lewisburg the past two years before deciding to move it here. ...

Weekend events (05/15/08)

Bikers blast into Bell Buckle (05/15/08) Be sure to keep a sharp eye on Bedford County rural roadways on Saturday as hundreds of bikes will be taking to the open highway, heading for Bell Buckle. This weekend is when riders will gather from across the state for the fourth annual Bell Buckle Motorcycle Days, which promises to be the biggest event yet...

Antique seminar focuses on selling (05/13/08) The uncertainty in the American economy is turning up in unexpected places -- such as antique stores. "People are going into their attics, looking for items to sell," said J.T. Thompson, a professional antiques appraiser from Franklin. "It's a buyer's market."...

Last-minute shopper? Don't forget Mother's Day (05/09/08) For those who haven't been near a newspaper, television, radio or billboard in the past few weeks, here's a news flash: Sunday is Mother's Day. Don't panic! Even if you have waited until the last minute to get that special mother a special gift, there's still time. The wide variety of shopping choices available in Shelbyville also means a wide variety of unique items, tailor-made for Mom, even if they were purchased with moments to spare...

Musical fund-raiser set for Cataldos (05/05/08) Several bands will gather Friday to help raise funds to offset medical expenses for local family Benjamin and Irene Cataldo and their new son Arthur. The event will take place at Wartrace Park and will cost $5 for adults and free for children 12 and under...

Stuart to headline Wartrace MusicFest (05/01/08) The sounds of guitars and voices will fill the air at the end of May in Bedford County, with country and bluegrass artists converging once again for the Wartrace MusicFest. The event is set for the weekend of May 30-31 and is funded in part by the Tennessee Arts Commission and the Tennessee Department of Tourism. The festival begins at 2 p.m. that Friday and 10 a.m. on Saturday...

VIDEO: Rehearsal for the big concert (04/28/08) Kelly Corcoran, assistant conductor of the Nashville Symphony, visited Cascade High School on Monday afternoon to rehearse with the Cascade band. The band will join the symphony for Tuesday night's Symphony at the Celebration concert at Calsonic Arena. Tickets ($5 for adult general admission, free for children and students) will be available at the door...

Red Hatters help salute moms (04/21/08) If all of the women wandering the square Saturday in their red and pink hats and purple and lavender outfits don't remind you Mother's Day is coming up, then one of the non-profit booths will. The Next Step Home will have a booth at Red Hat Day on the square, which marks the 10th anniversary celebration of The Red Hat Society. ...

Horse country delights tour group (04/17/08) A Vermont-based tour company made a stop in the land of walking horses Tuesday as part of an Elderhostel Tour that included tourists from all over the country. Elderhostel is a non-profit organization that offers in-depth and behind-the-scenes learning experiences and adventures in all 50 states for folks over 60. ...

Shakespeare Festival names artistic director (04/16/08) The new Tennessee Shakespeare Festival, taking place in Bell Buckle this summer, has named a stage and television actor as artistic director. The board of directors has named actor-director Lane Davies to the post. Davies is best known for his TV roles, appearing recently on "Scrubs" as the character Dr. Simon Reid...

Korean GSE team arrives in Shelbyville (04/10/08) Five young professional men and women from South Korea arrived in Shelbyville Tuesday afternoon for a group study cultural exchange program sponsored by The Rotary Foundation. The group is in Tennessee touring Rotary District 6780, which includes Shelbyville and parts of Middle and East Tennessee, to share their Korean culture with Tennesseans...

Tickets now on sale for Nashville Symphony concert (04/05/08) Tickets are on sale now for "Symphony at the Celebration," the annual concert by the Grammy-award-winning Nashville Symphony at Calsonic Arena in Shelbyville. This year's concert will be April 29. As always, it will be casual and family-friendly, with children and students admitted free of charge. ...

Garden tour coming June 7 (04/02/08) The 2008 Garden Tour, sponsored by Bedford County Beautification Committee, will be held June 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ten gardens in Bedford County have been selected by the committee. They will be in full bloom for the many visitors expected to view them on the first Saturday in June...

Pickin' and grinnin' for a cause (03/27/08)

Rotarians ask for whom the bell tolls (03/25/08) The 86-year-old bell and gavel belonging to the Shelbyville Rotary Club are missing. Noon Rotary President Barbara Blanton filed a complaint with the police department that the historic bell had been taken from its home at the American Legion building somewhere between Feb. 28 and March 13...

Bike show roars back to Calsonic Arena (03/25/08) Spring may mean that it's time for all the green and flowers to appear, but it also means the bikes will be rumbling into town once again. The 6th Annual Spring Thaw Bike Show and Swap Meet is set for this Saturday at Calsonic Arena, and this year's event is looking to be even bigger than the last...

Red Hat wearers to parade in April (03/24/08) If you like red or pink hats, Shelbyville's square will be a feast for your eyes April 26. The Main Street Program has announced Red Hat Day, with a special parade in honor of The Red Hat Society's 10th anniversary. Red and pink hatters are wanted for the parade, said Cindy Stephenson, who is coordinating the event along with other members of the Main Street program. ...

UPDATED: Fisher 'Deal' won't air tonight (03/20/08)

Planning continues for April 29 symphony concert (03/15/08) Planning continues for the annual "Symphony at the Celebration" concert, featuring the Nashville Symphony, April 29 at Calsonic Arena on the Celebration grounds. The Cascade High School Band will also perform, both on its own and in tandem with the symphony. Motlow College Jazz Band will again provide pre-concert and intermission entertainment, and local National Guard members will provide a color guard during the National Anthem at the beginning of the concert...

Photo may be used in documentary (03/03/08) An image of Christian Golczynski, published here nearly a year ago, may be used in a documentary and music video to illustrate psychological impacts of war on Americans. The photograph, by now-retired Times-Gazette editor Kay Rose, portrays the son of slain Staff Sgt. Marc Golczynski, who grew up in Lewisburg. Her photo shows an 8-year-old boy receiving the American flag that had been draped across his father's coffin at Wheel Cemetery...

'To Kill A Mockingbird' will be presented (03/01/08) The Bedford County Arts Council will present "To Kill a Mockingbird," based on the novel by Harper Lee, for five nights in March. The Arts Council chose this play to honor Black History month, which was in February. "We couldn't get the dates worked out in February so we decided to do it in March," said Janice Cole, director of The Fly and producer of the play...

Cornerstone opened from historic school (02/25/08) Various publications, course catalogs and even a blank check were found in a 1914 cornerstone from Turner College, which was opened Sunday in observance of Black History Month. Margaret Stewart, who led the service at Woodfork Chapel AME Church on Lipscomb Street, called the cornerstone opening "a once-in-a-lifetime occasion."...

Faxon wins national award (02/25/08) Bell Buckle-based sculptor Russ Faxon's bronze casting "The Signing" was among 15 award-winning statues selected last week by judges of the 75th Annual Exhibition of the National Sculpture Society in New York City. In an e-mail to friends on Thursday, Faxon reacted with his typical reserved and understated comment: "EeHaaaa! How about that?"...

Cheerleading director to speak at luncheon (02/19/08) Stacie Kinder, director of cheerleading for the Tennessee Titans, will be the speaker for the 15th Annual Professional Woman's Luncheon, April 23 at Blue Ribbon Circle on the Celebration Grounds. The event, which also includes presentation of awards to four outstanding local women, is organized and presented each year by WLIJ-AM (1580) and WZNG-AM (1400). Nominations are now being solicited for the awards:...

Journal gives a glimpse into Civil War days (02/19/08) Attention all history buffs! Anyone who's interested in Civil War history, reading or simply Middle Tennessee heritage will find something entertaining in L. Virginia French's War Journal, published by Jerry Smith of the Blockade Runner sutlery in Wartrace...

Faxon's work on display in New York (02/18/08) Russ Faxon, the Bell Buckle sculptor whose best-known work in Bedford County may be the veterans monument on Shelbyville's public square, has been selected by the National Sculpture Society to have one of his bronze castings on display for the society's 75th anniversary exhibition in New York and South Carolina...

Civil War re-enactment planned here (02/16/08) There will be a thunderous noise heard in middle Tennessee during the second week of June, but it won't be the Bonnaroo Music Festival. Instead, men dressed in the colors of blue and gray will gather during this time in Bedford County to commemorate the 145-year anniversary of the Tullahoma Campaign of the Civil War, which took place along the banks of the Duck River...

Looking for, and finding, goodwill (02/16/08) Several years ago, a single panel cartoon in a magazine showed a young boy looking at their TV set along with his father. The boy asked: "Has there ever been any good news?" That's what Pat Price, who was born with spina bifida, and his father Scott, both of Nashville, hit the open road to find out...

Top 20, for the 20th time (02/16/08) The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration has been named a Top 20 Event by the Southeast Tourism Society. It marks the 20th time in the last 21 years that The Celebration has been listed as a Top 20 Event. "We appreciate this honor very much," said Celebration Interim CEO Virgil Johnson. "We were put on the list for the very first time in 1988 and it has been our goal to continue to work extremely hard to earn that honor again each and every year."...

Plans underway for Daffodil Day (02/14/08) If you are one of those who are getting tired of the cold weather, here's a bit of news to brighten your day: Daffodil Day in Bell Buckle is coming! The annual event is scehduled for March 15 and is sponsored by Bell Buckle Chamber of Commerce and the Bell Buckle Tree Board...

TWH museum posts big numbers in 2007 (02/13/08) The Tennessee Walking Horse Museum in Lynchburg posted strong attendance numbers for 2007, with 12,180 visitors stopping by. A joint venture of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors Association and the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration, the museum is open year round and chronicles the history of the breed and its world championship show...

Black History Month events scheduled (02/07/08) A play, a gospel singing extravaganza, an essay contest, a quiz bowl, and a banquet are all scheduled during February and March as part of a Black History Month celebration sponsored by the Black Awareness Community Coalition. According to Coalition President Coleman March Sr. of Lynchburg, all proceeds from these events will go toward financial awards to selected college students in the coalition's membership area...

Young thespian takes the stage ... as a poodle (01/30/08) She wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up, but Alexandria Bradford will settle on acting for now; the stage is what seems to be occupying this 5-year-old's time lately. Murfreesboro Little Theater recently cast Alexandria in the upcoming play, "101 Dalmatians," and production is set for late February...

Red Hat queens visit Shelbyville (01/26/08) They're not organized and there's really no major philanthropic purpose to the group of ladies in red. Basically, there are only two requirements to be part of their group. But those two requirements are no laughing matter to these ladies of royalty...

Lone Star Rodeo returns Feb. 2 (01/22/08) Lone Star World Championship Rodeo, a perennial favorite at Calsonic Arena, will make its annual Shelbyville stop 7:30 p.m. Feb. 2, with show time at 7:30 p.m. Billed as "the largest one-day rodeo in Tennessee," the event will include sanctioned competition in bareback bronc riding, calf roping, breakaway roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, cowgirls' barrel racing, team roping and brahma bull riding...

Free-form late night (01/16/08) Who knew Conan O'Brien could sing? Probably the highlight of the return of the late-night talk shows this month, after two months of the writers' strike, has been the rockabilly performances by Conan O'Brien the past two Fridays on his NBC show "Late Night with Conan O'Brien." On Jan. 4, he did a rousing rendition of "Blue Moon of Kentucky," and last Friday he did "40 Days," and did a credible, entertaining job on both of them...

Hot chili in cool Bell Buckle (01/15/08) "Next to music," said band leader and trumpet player Harry James, "there is nothing that lifts the spirits and strengthens the soul more than a good bowl of chili." Bell Buckle Fire Department is preparing for its second annual Chili Cook-off, which will be held Jan. 26 at the James Elkins Fire Hall in Bell Buckle...

Bell Buckle to be featured on RFD-TV show (01/14/08) For Bell Buckle, one of the county's biggest tourist attractions, getting nationwide exposure is a must. That is what is due to happen over the next few months as the town is to be featured on one of the country's fastest-growing television networks...

'Flippo this House' to air (01/14/08) Just add an "O." A Bell Buckle couple will be featured on a television show modeled after "Flip This House," next Tuesday. Cecelia and Steven Flippo will star in "Flippo This House," a one-hour show on local charter channel 22 that airs at 9 p.m. Tuesday...

The Bard in Bell Buckle (01/08/08) "The play's the thing," said Hamlet, and Bell Buckle will be the choice location for fans of classic literature this summer as the first Tennessee Shakespeare Festival is slated to be held, with help from a daytime television star. The event is scheduled for June 27-29 and July 4-6 on the campus of The Webb School...

Local writer's book offers glimpses of Vietnam (12/27/07) Bedford County resident, journalist, and Pulitzer Prize-nominated poet Veita Jo Hampton joined forces with California photographer Scott Clarkson, a former student at a school where she formerly taught, to create "Windows to Vietnam -- A Journey in Pictures and Verse."...

Planning begins for symphony concert (12/19/07) Preliminary planning has begun for the 2008 "Symphony at the Celebration" concert featuring the Nashville Symphony at Calsonic Arena. The steering committee for the concert met on Tuesday at the Fly Arts Center. Dawn Holley was re-elected chair of the committee, which includes both local representatives and Nashville Symphony staff members...

'A Christmas Story' tops web site poll (12/13/07) "A Christmas Story," the 1983 film based on the autobiographical stories of humorist Jean Shepherd in which a young boy longs for a BB gun for Christmas, was chosen as the favorite holiday TV viewing by respondents to an online poll at the Times-Gazette web site...

Stones River ornament on White House tree (12/05/07) Stones River National Battlefield's ornament is prominently displayed on this year's official White House Christmas Tree. The tree is the centerpiece of elaborate decorations celebrating the theme of "Holiday in the National Parks." "It is an amazing honor for the National Park Service to be selected as the theme for the White House holiday decorations by the President and Mrs. ...

Wartrace music fest changed to May 30-31 (11/27/07) Dates for the 2008 Wartrace MusicFest have been changed to May 30-31, according to MusicFest chairman Don Gallagher. "Due to a scheduling conflict, we've moved the festival ahead one week," said Gallagher, who is also mayor of Wartrace and an established guitar maker...

'Christmas in Lynchburg' planned (11/26/07) Lynchburg will hold its annual Christmas celebration this Saturday, with a day full of holiday events: For more information, call the Lynchburg Chamber of Commerce, (931) 759-4111, or go to www.lynchburgtenn.com . For more information about the tour of homes, call (931) 993-1791 or e-mail tutoads@bellsouth.net...

A Celebration of Christmas Past (11/24/07) Plans are being finalized for Bedford County Bicentennial Organizing Committee's "Celebration of Christmas Past," Dec. 1 on and around the Shelbyville square. The event is scheulded to run from 3-5 p.m. Activities will include: In addition, later that night the dinner theatre productin of "Exit the Body" will be presented at The Fly. Call 703-7613 for reservations...

Non-commercial FM applications received (11/23/07) Two different applications have been filed with the Federal Communications Commission to start a non-commercial FM radio station for Shelbyville at 89.9 FM, while another has been received for that same frequency but proposing to serve Cornersville...

Celebration lights brighten holidays (11/20/07) The lights will go on tonight, marking the renewal of a growing tradition in Shelbyville. "A Celebration Christmas" has begun and will run through the end of the year. "The holiday light show is our gift to the community for what they do for us all year," said Celebration CEO Ron Thomas. "They work so hard to help us make The Celebration such a terrific event, it seems right for us to add to their holiday season."...

It's all about the dressing, say T-G poll participants (11/20/07) Grandma may slave for hours over the turkey -- but, according to a non-scientific Times-Gazette web site poll, stuffing or dressing is the favorite part of the meal for more than half of the people who will sit down to Thanksgiving dinner this week...

Two His Glory launch new album with local concert (11/17/07) Two His Glory will release their third album, titled "Life Is Good With You, Lord," this week. Steven and Cecelia Flippo, husband and wife gospel artists from Bell Buckle, will follow up the CD release with a live performance Nov. 25 at 6 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church in Shelbyville...

You'll get a kick out of this holiday classic (11/17/07) In 2002, as a result of a last-minute call from a Gaylord Entertainment press representative, I ended up going to the "Radio City Christmas Spectacular Starring The Rockettes" at the Grand Ole Opry House. I don't know what I was expecting -- it was nothing I had any interest in buying tickets for -- but I accepted the comp tickets, thinking I could take my niece. ...

'Ted' would love Grinch exhibit, widow proclaims (11/15/07) NASHVILLE -- Audrey Geisel almost didn't make the trip. The 86-year-old businesswoman and philanthropist could easily have approved a tribute to her late husband's work without making the trip from La Jolla, Calif., to see it in person. But somehow, someone talked her into it, and she's awfully glad they did...

Dinner Theater production planned (11/15/07) Rehearsals are now underway for "Exit The Body," which will be presented as a dinner theater production Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 7 and 8 at the Fly Arts Center on South Main Street. Tickets are now on sale; call 703-7613 for reservations. The mystery-comedy by Fred Carmichael takes place in New England in the 1960s. ...

Fisher heads to Hollywood for 'Deal' (11/14/07) Mike "Fish" Fisher is packing his suitcase for a trip to California, but he doesn't need to take a briefcase. Where he's going, they already have 26 of them. Fisher, who ran for county mayor in 2006, has been selected as a contestant on the NBC game show "Deal or No Deal," in which contestants win money by choosing from among 26 briefcases containing prize amounts ranging from a penny to $1 million...

Vaughn will be honored in West Tennessee (11/08/07) One of Bedford County's unique treasures, Tennessee Poet Laureate Margaret Britton "Maggi" Vaughn of Bell Buckle, will join luminaries including John Grisham, Shelby Foote and Eudora Welty when she is awarded with the Germantown Arts Alliance Medal for Literary Arts...

Parade contest could mean $50,000 prize (11/08/07) Parade magazine's biennial "What America Eats" issue, which will be included in Sunday's Times-Gazette, reports that more men are picking up the slack in the grocery store and the kitchen than 20 yeas ago, when the magazine first conducted its survey...

Community presents 'The Crucible' (11/02/07) Community High School's Smokestack Theatre Group will present its production of Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" on Sunday at 2 p.m. in the school auditorium, and next Friday and Saturday, Nov. 9 and 10, at 7 p.m. "The Crucible" is a 1953 play by Arthur Miller describing events that occurred during the Salem witch trials. ...

Police will protect Halloween spooks (10/30/07) Wednesday evening will bring the kids out in force for their yearly search for treats and that means the Shelbyville Police Department will have extra patrols on the move. Chief Austin Swing said the patrols will be keeping a close eye on schools and neighborhoods on Halloween night and officers will even be patrolling undercover...

Haunted evening ahead in Bell Buckle (10/25/07) Thirteen is an appropriately-spooky number for a Halloween-themed event, and the town of Bell Buckle hopes for spooky fun Saturday as it hosts its 13th annual “Old Fashioned Haunted Evening.” The event, presented by Bell Buckle Chamber of Commerce, kicks off at 6 p.m. and continues until 9. Admission is $4, which includes a hot dog, chips, Moon Pie and drink...

Shrine Circus delights crowd (10/24/07) The Al Menah Shrine Circus, presented by George Carden Circus International, delighted visitors to Calsonic Arena for two shows Tuesday night, and was so well-received that the circus has already booked the facility for a return appearance in October 2008. Attractions included tigers, monkeys, elephants, aerialists, and six motorcycles in the traditional "globe of death."...

Former owner's ghost haunts Wartrace hotel? (10/23/07) When the Walking Horse Hotel in Wartrace reopens its doors later this fall, guests might want to keep an eye out for a lingering presence that supposedly walks the halls -- the ghost of a previous owner. According to the book “Haunted Hotels” by Robin Mead, now out of print, the spirit of Floyd Carothers, famous for training Strolling Jim, the first walking horse world champion, has haunted the historic building in years past. ...

Haunted House items recovered (10/18/07) A group of grateful monsters -- that is, Shelbyville Jaycees -- have regained items stolen from their annual Halloween Haunted House after four persons were charged . "The Jaycees appreciate the A-1 job the Shelbyville police did," CEO Kevin Holton said Wednesday as Jaycees members picked up the items at police headquarters...

Books are here to stay, says luncheon speaker (10/17/07) Humorist and novelist Bunkie Lynn told a Shelbyville audience on Tuesday that as a book lover, she hopes Shelbyville can break ground on a new library soon just as her own community, Hendersonville, recently did. Lynn was the keynote speaker at the Friends of Argie Cooper Public Library 2007 Author's Luncheon and donated half of her book sales at the luncheon to the Friends organization, which is trying to raise money for a new library...

Library observes 'Teen Read Week' (10/13/07) A variety of Teen Read Week activities will be held next week at Argie Cooper Public Library on South Main Street: Pumpkin Carving Contest: Bring in carved pumpkins starting Monday and ending Oct. 19. They will be displayed, and first, second and third place winners will be announced at the Teen Book Club meeting on Oct. 20. This contest is for ages 13-18, although the library will also have a pre-teen pumpkin carving contest (for ages 9-12) running at the same time (see below)...

Edgemont hosts "CrossRoads" program (10/12/07) For the past three years Edgemont Baptist Church has done something different in place of a fall revival meeting, and this year they'll do it again. The church will host "CrossRoads" all next week, a live event that will take its audience on a journey they won't soon forget...

Webb Art & Craft festival nears (10/08/07) If arts and crafts are your passion, then the streets of the Webb School and Bell Buckle should be your destination in two weeks. The 31st Annual Webb School Arts and Crafts Festival takes place from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20 and from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 21...

Film with Wartrace scenes will be shown Oct. 18 (10/08/07) An independent film that was partly shot in Wartrace is set to be screened later this month. Middle-Tennessee-based screenwriter Jonathan Richard Cring will be premiering his new movie, "The Drive," on Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. at the Palace Theater in Gallatin...

Fate of donated instruments still in doubt (10/08/07) NASHVILLE (AP) -- Bob McLean was once lauded as a guardian angel protecting American musical history -- buying and donating prized instruments played by some of the founders of country and bluegrass. But the fate of the artifacts is in doubt after the 60-year-old was found dead behind First Christian Church in Shelbyville Sept. 25 in an apparent suicide, months after investors accused him of fraud by collecting $40 million in an alleged Ponzi scheme...

Shrine Circus heading for Shelbyville (10/06/07) The 2007 Al Menah Shrine Circus will be at Calsonic Arena in Shelbyville on Oct. 23 for two shows, at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. The Shrine Club of Shelbyville receives 50 percent of all advance ticket sales, according to members Thomas Smith and Ralph Allen. All of those local proceeds will benefit the Shrine Children's Home...

Ducks Unlimited banquet planned (10/04/07) Ducks and wild geese are often the subject of artists' rendering, statues and even cartoons, but on Oct. 13 at the Blue Ribbon Circle, the annual Ducks Unlimited Banquet will take center stage with dinner, an auction and lots of information regarding the preservation of America's wetlands...

Humorist to speak at library luncheon (10/04/07) Supporting local libraries is a passion for Nashville-based humorist and author Bunkie Lynn, who will share that and more with a Shelbyville audience at the upcoming Tennessee Box Luncheon held by the Friends of Argie Cooper Public Library. The event is to take place at Blue Ribbon Circle at noon on Oct. 16. Tickets are $15 and are available at the library or from this writer at the Times-Gazette offices...

Lifehouse returns for third year (10/03/07) Fair Haven Baptist Church will present its third annual "Life House," a walk-through drama in 12 scenes which is meant to be an alternative to haunted houses in its depiction of the consequences of various lifestyle and spiritual choices, Oct. 23-25 and 27-30 at the church...

Marty Stuart, Cherryholmes to headline Wartrace fest (10/02/07) Bluegrass and country headliner Marty Stuart and the 2005 International Bluegrass Music Association's Entertainers of the Year, Cherryholmes, will perform at the 2008 Wartrace MusicFest on June 6-7. Don Gallagher, Mayor of Wartrace and chairman of the town's MusicFest committee explains, "Our 4-year-old music and craft festival continues to grow, and by securing two nationally known headliners with a large fan base, we hope to put MusicFest, and Wartrace, on the summer festival map."...

Chesney wows fans at video shoot (09/28/07) "Ready ... ready playback and ...." With lights, camera and a crew of 70, country music superstar Kenny Chesney was busy in Wartrace Thursday shooting a video for a yet to be released song. Secrecy has been air-tight surrounding the shoot for the past few weeks to prevent a huge crowd of fans from showing up or kids skipping school to see their idol. And for the first two hours of the shoot, that was the case...

Cedar Rock Fall Fest debuts next month (09/27/07) Fall is finally here and traditionally, that means it's time to gather up the kids and head out to find a fall festival or a corn maze. However, after this year's freeze and extreme drought, there are few to be found in middle Tennessee. But a new event in Bedford County is promising to be lots of fun this year...

B.R.A.T. cyclists pass through Bell Buckle (09/18/07) Be sure to keep a sharp eye out this week when you are on Tennessee's backroads, because you will likely encounter groups of brightly dressed bicyclists during your travels. A group of nearly 300 cyclists are taking the week off to participate in B.R.A.T., which stands for Bike Ride Across Tennessee. Bell Buckle was an early morning stop for the bikers Monday, who hale from all over the state and the nation...

Bell Buckle Art & Music Festival (09/14/07) A new Bell Buckle festival is hitting town today and runs through Sunday as the Bell Buckle Art and Music Gallery festival is introduced to the community. As a part of the event there will be juried competitions in the fields of wood turning, ceramics, and glass where winning artists will earn prizes totaling $3,000 for the best in each class. The event is sponsored by the Bell Buckle Art Gallery and Bell Buckle Caf�...

Expensive guitar heads to Norway (09/12/07) If Pete Townshend, the aging rocker with the reputation of smashing guitars to bits, ever shows up in Wartrace, craftsman Don Gallagher of the world famous Gallagher Guitars, may want to hide his unique creations. That's because Gallagher has just sold one of his handmade six-stringed instruments for $13,000 to a customer in Norway...

Nipper captures equine images (08/30/07) Hailing from East Tennessee, artist Billie Nipper is the type of friend one instantly warms to, regardless of where you're heading or where you've been. Her warm personality and sweet sense of humor is a blessing to tired bodies in need of a quiet touch of humanity...

Gilliland log home will honor Fred Hendricks (08/30/07) It was the dream of Fred "Pete" Hendricks to see the log home at the Gilliland Historical Resource Center used for educating young people, but Hendricks passed away before his dream could be realized...

Bell Buckle to host art, music festival (08/28/07) Bell Buckle is known all over the South for their festivals and artists and in just a little over two weeks, they will be hosting a brand new event. The first Bell Buckle Art and Music Gallery festival is set for Friday through Sunday, Sept. 14-16, and will showcase juried artists of North American in the fields of wood turning, ceramics, and glass...

Drawing leads to success for Lutes (08/25/07) Larry Lutes, II of Sikeston, Mo., never intended to spend his life as an artist. It just happened. However, he isn't regretting his talent. In fact, he's displaying it today at World Champion Horse Equipment for all to see. "I enjoyed roping and riding," the father of one said, looking back on his younger years. "I really enjoy horses but I had a terrible accident that prevents me from doing much of that now...

Lynchburg event features musical variety (08/09/07) The final planning stages are underway for the Moore County Band Boosters-sponsored Concert in the Park to be held on Aug. 25 at the Wiseman Park in Lynchburg. Diane Crowell, booster club vice president, has played a fundamental role in organizing and routing the vendors and bands that will perform on the day...

Documentary explores state's scenic waters (07/31/07) NASHVILLE -- The Duck River figures prominently in a new documentary about Tennessee's waterways which will be aired this weekend on Nashville Public Television (WNPT-TV Channel 8). "Beautiful Tennessee: Our Scenic Waterways" was screened for the media and other invited guests Monday night at the Belcourt Theatre in Nashville. ...

TWHNC included in book of must-see sights (07/17/07) The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration is listed among the top 1,000 places to see in North America, according to a best-selling author and travel writer. Travel writer and author Patricia Schultz revolutionized the way we think about travel with her runaway New York Times bestseller 1,000 Places to See Before You Die. Now she turns her sharp eye to our own continent with 1,000 Places to See in the USA and Canada Before You Die...

Antiques can be a profitable investment (07/16/07) Investments come in different sizes and shapes from land parcels to bank accounts, rare coin collections to movie memorabilia. The important thing, as continually reiterated by financial advisors and accountants alike, including those of governmental occupation, is to be prepared for retirement age, before retirement age...

'Our Very Own' hard to find in hometown (07/06/07) While "Our Very Own" was released on DVD nationwide Tuesday, people that live in the town where it was filmed learned that there weren't any copies for sale. But the blame can't be placed on local stores -- instead corporate decisions with major retail chains have resulted in the movie made about Shelbyville not being available to its very own citizens...

Cunningham joins 'Mamma Mia!' cast (07/06/07) T. Scott Cunningham, a Shelbyville native, has been selected to join the cast of Mamma Mia!, an award-winning Broadway musical that has been seen by over 30 million people worldwide. Cunningham will play the British banker Harry Bright in the Las Vegas production beginning July 30...

'Idol' competition returning to Fair (06/29/07) Among the activities planned for 10th annual Bedford County Fair returns a favorite competition among the many on the agenda. Though no Simon Cowell will be present to rib the contestants, Bedford County participants will present their singing talents beginning on July 23 at the Bedford County Idol show...

Bicentennial plans for upcoming events (06/18/07) Bedford County Bicentennial Organizing Committee has had a presence at recent events like the Spring Fun Show and the Wartrace Music Festival; the next stops will be the Duck River Cleanup this weekend and the Independence Day festivities July 4 at H.V. Griffin Park...

Horse whisperer will highlight county fair (06/11/07) Shelbyville's Sam Powell is renown in horse circles around the world. Known by many as the Horse Whisperer, his abilities in working with the equine world will be demonstrated to audiences during this year's Bedford County Fair. As head of Sam Powell Equine Consulting Services, Powell daily introduces horse owners to his system of non-violent and effective training. ...

Bonnaroo will bring traffic through Shelbyville (06/11/07) Motorists should expect to see more traffic moving through Shelbyville this week as music fans begin to gather for this weekend's Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester. With over 80,000 people are expected to attend this year's Bonnaroo, traffic will be much heavier in Manchester and surrounding areas during the festival period...

Travel Channel to visit RC / Moon Pie fest (06/09/07) If you're going to be in Bell Buckle next weekend for the 13th Annual RC-Moon Pie Festival, be sure to smile because you might end up on television. A crew from The Travel Channel's "Taste of America with Mark DeCarlo" are to visit the tiny village next Saturday. The crew will be filming Linda Simmons of the Bell Buckle Country Store making homemade Moon Pies in the kitchen of Dennis and Carla Webb, Mayor and First Lady of Bell Buckle...

Return of the 'roo (06/06/07) The 6th Annual Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival opens their gates next Thursday outside of Manchester and if past events are any indication, this year's could be one of the biggest and best yet. Bonnaroo not only means lots of music and traffic for the area, but cash too, according to a study conducted last year by Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU)...

Almost Moon Pie time (06/05/07) The 16th of this month may be known to most as the third Saturday in June, but to the folks of Bell Buckle, it only means one thing: RC Cola and Moon Pie time! This is the 13th year the two Southern traditions have been celebrated and with more than 15,000 people attending every year, it is one of the biggest summer events in the county...

Fairest of the Fair set for July 21 (06/05/07) The Bedford County Fair Fairest of the Fair, an annual event in the community, will kick off the 2007 festivities on July 21 at 7 p.m. The pageant is open to girls of all ages from birth to 21 years old. Boys are also welcome to participate with age bracket ranging from birth to 5 years old...

July 4 observance will have Bicentennial flavor (06/01/07) Erma Bombeck, noted newspaper humorist, said, "You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism."...

Sophomore's passion for music takes him far (05/30/07) Brandon Compton says that playing tuba in the Community High School band is his passion, and that passion has helped him to excel in his music. Compton was named first chair tuba player for the All-State Wind Band this spring. "This is a high honor for Brandon," said Stephen Givens, Community band director. "And it's rare for a sophomore to become first chair. All-State Band is like an All-State sports team, it's the best of the best."...

Flute teacher gives local students joy of music (05/26/07) Flutist and teacher Kerry Maree Shaffer says taking her students to a Nashville Symphony summer concert in Schermerhorn Symphony Center can help raise the standards for their art and motivate them to continue the hard work necessary for success. Shaffer lives in Williamson County but has a handful of Shelbyville students. ...

Music Fest will have Wartrace in tune (05/23/07) Wartrace is famous for many things, beginning with its name. It is the birthplace of the Tennessee Walking Horse and the home of Gallagher Guitars. On June 1-2, it will roll out the red carpet at the Wartrace Horse Show grounds for a stage full of award-winning performers during Wartrace Music Fest...

Bicentennial fair called a success (05/21/07) Bedford County Bicentennial Organizing Committee members said this morning that the feedback from this month's Bicentennial Fair on the Square has been overwhelmingly positive. "Everything that I heard about ... was absolutely awesome," said Dixie Parker, who chairs the committee...

Motorcycle Days doubles from last year (05/21/07) More than 2,000 motorcyclists descended upon Bell Buckle for their third annual Motorcycle Days on Saturday. This year's event, which is the Official Tennessee State Bike Show Championship, was about twice as big as last year according to organizers, so much so that parking became an issue early on Saturday...