Outside the Oval: Race Fans’ Guide to Sampling Region’s Heritage - Music

Welcome, race fans. Come along for a look at the region’s other calling card, music.
Entertainment does not pause while NASCAR’s rockets cool their jets between races. Try music.
Bristol gifted the world with what has become known as the Bristol Sessions, 1927 recording sessions that spawned the start of the seminal careers of Jimmie Rodgers and Hiltons, Va.’s Carter Family. Blues legend Brownie McGhee grew up in Kingsport, Tenn. There’s much more, but you get the idea.
Now, get the music.

TWILIGHT ALIVE IN KINGSPORT
—Tupelo, Miss.’s Homemade Jamz Blues Band headlines downtown Kingsport’s summer-long weekly series Twilight Alive on Aug. 21. Led by 16-year-old guitarist and lead singer Ryan Perry, along with his 14-year-old brother Kyle Perry on bass and 9-year-old sister Taya Perry on drums, the trio is no sideshow.
Their father, Renaud Perry, said they are serious, sizzling and signed to a major record label.
“I really can’t tell you how it’s happened,” Perry said of the remarkable development of his children’s talent. “It’s like they were meant to play.”
Homemade’s debut album dawned in June. Groomed on the electric blues of such legends as B.B. King, the band gradually honed a sound that has since attracted the approving attention of King. Four years into playing music as a band, they have come on fast in recent months.
“The kids went from making $75 for two weeks in a Mexican restaurant,” Perry said, “to 45 grand a month.”
Now, it’s Kingsport. Coming soon, a tour of Switzerland and Sweden. Come hear why the Homemade Jamz Blues Band qualifies as the year’s hottest young blues band in the country, if not the world.
“It’ll probably be one of the best blues show you’ll ever see,” Perry said. “It’s incredible. If you have any doubts about it, just come on down.”

PICKIN’ PORCH IN BRISTOL
—Perhaps electric blues isn’t your thing. Bluegrass fans need only drive a few minutes and miles from Bristol Motor Speedway to find the Pickin’ Porch, located in the Bristol Mall. The show starts at 7 p.m. Aug. 21 and features the Cherokee Mountain Boys.

OTHER MUSIC VENUES
—Punk and alternative rockers can hear kindred spirits in the form of bands Say You Will and Amen at The Hideaway in nearby Johnson City, Tenn., on Aug. 21.
—Earlier that day and closer to the track, local rock band Shades of Grey revs an afternoon show at O’Mainnin’s in Bristol, Tenn. Later that evening, Woody Pines cranks his retro country meets rock meets bluegrass sound at O’Mainnin’s.
—Aug. 22 brings the Nationwide Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway. Race fans can find live music afterwards at O’Mainnin’s via white-hot rock band 10K Flames.
—Those who skip the race in favor of nightlife can find plenty by going to Johnson City to hear early shows by hard rockers Mouth Movements at The Hideway or by venturing to the Kaktus Moon Rockin’ Café in Kingsport for the country-rock of the Benny Wilson Band.
—NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series crashes the concrete of BMS on Aug. 23 for the Sharpie 500. Attendees will miss the night’s show at the world-famous Carter Family Fold in nearby Hiltons, Va. Too bad.
—However, unless cautions flags mount like bugs on the windshield, race fans can see the race and then hustle to the Down Home in Johnson City for a bit of Rob Russell and the Sore Losers – a working class band playing sleeves-up rock.
“We had an offer to sit in a luxury box at the track on Saturday night, but I’ll be playing music,” Russell said. “I hope some of the race fans will come out and hear us rock and roll.”
Russell said he will play music until about midnight.
“We’re a reflection of the different kinds of sounds you can hear around here – blues, rock, country and bluegrass,” Russell said. “If you want a buffet of East Tennessee’s sounds, then you need to come to the Down Home and see Rob Russell and the Sore Losers.”

AUG. 21
Bluegrass
—7 p.m.: Cherokee Mountain Boys, Pickin’ Porch at the Bristol Mall, 500 Gate City Hwy, Bristol, Va., (276) 645-0035.
Blues
—7 p.m.: Homemade Jamz Blues Band, Twilight Alive, Broad Street, Kingsport, Tenn.,
Country-Rock
—10 p.m.: Woody Pines, O’Mainnin’s, 712 State St., Bristol, Tenn., (423) 844-0049.
Rock
—3 p.m.: Shades of Grey, O’Mainnin’s, 712 State St., Bristol, Tenn., (423) 844-0049.
—7 p.m.: Say You Will and Amen at the Hideaway, 235 E. Main St., Johnson City, Tenn., (423) 926-3896.

AUG. 22
Rock
—7 p.m.: Mouth Movements, Gamenight and I Need Closure at the Hideaway, 235 E. Main St., Johnson City, (423) 926-3896.
—8 p.m.: Benny Wilson Band, Kaktus Moon Rockin’ Cafe, 417 W. Stone Drive, Kingsport, (423) 246-5672.
—10 p.m.: 10K Flames, O’Mainnin’s, 712 State St., Bristol, Tenn., (423) 844-0049.

AUG. 23
Bluegrass
n 7 p.m.: Licking County Hot Lix, Carter Family Fold, A.P. Carter Highway, Hiltons, Va., (276) 386-6054.

Rock
—9 p.m.: Rob Russell and the Sore Losers, Down Home, 300 W. Main St., Johnson City, (423) 929-9822.
—10 p.m.: The Crooked Beats, The Scams and Golden Arm at the Hideaway, 235 E. Main St., Johnson City, (423) 926-3896.
—10 p.m.: Cutthroat Shamrock, O’Mainnin’s, 712 State St., Bristol, Tenn., (423) 844-0049.
—10 p.m.: Hellbillies, Halo, 211 E. Main St., Johnson City, (423) 434-0799.

TOM NETHERLAND is a freelance writer. He can be reached at .