It’s still winter even though the hope of spring is in the air. Tree tips are swollen with buds about to burst, and shoots of bright green poke up out of dark brown earth.
We’re still wearing coats and gloves for the most part, so it’s hard to imagine sitting outside in the evening listening to music. But Reflection Riding’s Campfire Concert Series starts April 3 and runs through May 22. That last date is reserved for Tennessee Dead, a tribute band celebrating the music of the iconic Grateful Dead. Chances are if I’m familiar with the Grateful Dead, you are too.
Most of these concerts are on Friday evenings, but Randy Steele and the High Cold Wind takes the stage on April 25, a Saturday. You may know their music inside out, but I didn’t. The band is pretty new, formed in 2022. Called “high-energy and engaging,” the band skillfully plays instruments that include banjo, guitar, guitar, upright bass and more. Let’s just say it’s impossible to keep still and hard to stay blue when they are performing.
I went to my first Campfire Concert last summer, catching the very last one, a Phish tribute band. I don’t care if you are nuts about the music offered or not, this event is a very special and rare occasion. Reflection Riding is one of the most beautiful places on Earth, with views of the mountain range from picturesque fence-lined meadows and the wide open sky, all with the sun showing off as it sets. Really, just the opportunity to spend an evening watching the sky turn all shades of melon and pomegranate and settle into dusk as children run around playing tag and dancing and just scampering about in general is worth the price of admission.
Included in that admission is a beer or two from local brewery Hutton & Smith and as many s’mores as you want to eat. A blazing bonfire stays stoked and crackling, beckoning folks to gather around it and soak the whole experience in as the marshmallows turn a soft golden brown with the most delicate crust ever before being smashed between two graham crackers lined with Hershey’s chocolate. Wait! Let that chocolate melt a little from the hot marshmallow goo before taking your first bite.
Vendors are on site with food options, but you can bring your own picnic if you’d rather. Camping on that wide-open field is optional with a small up charge. (Imagine waking up to that sunrise!)
Bring a camp chair and maybe a blanket to stretch out on under the stars. And bring your kids or grandkids. No admission fee if they are under 12.
The Reflection Riding website states, “This series is a journey into the heart of what makes our community tick in a setting that’ll make your soul sing. As you tap your foot to the rhythm, you’re not just enjoying a show. You’re becoming part of our story. Every concert weaves you deeper into the fabric of our mission, connecting you to the land, the music, and the community we’re building together.
“So come on out, breathe in the fresh air, feel the music in your bones, and discover what happens when we combine the best of nature and culture. Each concert is an invitation to reflect, connect, and engage with both nature and our community. Join us as we harmonize conservation, education, and the arts, creating unforgettable evenings under the Tennessee sky.”
Sold.
Learn more at reflectionriding.org.
by Ferris Robinson
We’re still wearing coats and gloves for the most part, so it’s hard to imagine sitting outside in the evening listening to music. But Reflection Riding’s Campfire Concert Series starts April 3 and runs through May 22. That last date is reserved for Tennessee Dead, a tribute band celebrating the music of the iconic Grateful Dead. Chances are if I’m familiar with the Grateful Dead, you are too.
Most of these concerts are on Friday evenings, but Randy Steele and the High Cold Wind takes the stage on April 25, a Saturday. You may know their music inside out, but I didn’t. The band is pretty new, formed in 2022. Called “high-energy and engaging,” the band skillfully plays instruments that include banjo, guitar, guitar, upright bass and more. Let’s just say it’s impossible to keep still and hard to stay blue when they are performing.
I went to my first Campfire Concert last summer, catching the very last one, a Phish tribute band. I don’t care if you are nuts about the music offered or not, this event is a very special and rare occasion. Reflection Riding is one of the most beautiful places on Earth, with views of the mountain range from picturesque fence-lined meadows and the wide open sky, all with the sun showing off as it sets. Really, just the opportunity to spend an evening watching the sky turn all shades of melon and pomegranate and settle into dusk as children run around playing tag and dancing and just scampering about in general is worth the price of admission.
Included in that admission is a beer or two from local brewery Hutton & Smith and as many s’mores as you want to eat. A blazing bonfire stays stoked and crackling, beckoning folks to gather around it and soak the whole experience in as the marshmallows turn a soft golden brown with the most delicate crust ever before being smashed between two graham crackers lined with Hershey’s chocolate. Wait! Let that chocolate melt a little from the hot marshmallow goo before taking your first bite.
Vendors are on site with food options, but you can bring your own picnic if you’d rather. Camping on that wide-open field is optional with a small up charge. (Imagine waking up to that sunrise!)
Bring a camp chair and maybe a blanket to stretch out on under the stars. And bring your kids or grandkids. No admission fee if they are under 12.
The Reflection Riding website states, “This series is a journey into the heart of what makes our community tick in a setting that’ll make your soul sing. As you tap your foot to the rhythm, you’re not just enjoying a show. You’re becoming part of our story. Every concert weaves you deeper into the fabric of our mission, connecting you to the land, the music, and the community we’re building together.
“So come on out, breathe in the fresh air, feel the music in your bones, and discover what happens when we combine the best of nature and culture. Each concert is an invitation to reflect, connect, and engage with both nature and our community. Join us as we harmonize conservation, education, and the arts, creating unforgettable evenings under the Tennessee sky.”
Sold.
Learn more at reflectionriding.org.
by Ferris Robinson
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