Clint Alphin

by Chuck Armstrong
3/28/2019

Since making his debut in 2008 with Effigy, North Carolina’s Clint Alphin has been slowly and methodically perfecting his delicate sound. What makes Alphin’s craft delicate is not its fragility, but rather, its intricacy; each song he writes and records sounds as if he’s poured his entire life into it. That was true on Effigy, and seven years later, was even truer on Postmodern Man. Now, in 2019, Alphin, a finalist in last year’s No Depression Singer-Songwriter contest, is celebrating his fourth LP, Straight to Marrow, and seems to have perfected this sound.

As he has done throughout his career, Alphin makes no effort to fit neatly into any one genre; Straight to Marrow is at times a folk album, other times a roots rocker, and oftentimes a bluegrass paragon. No matter where his songs land on this eclectic landscape, though, the record is a cohesive experience that showcases Alphin’s beautiful songwriting skills and even more beautiful vocals.

That beauty is immediately on full display as the album opens with the heartbreaking “Should Have Loved.” Though there is anguish in his lyrics, Alphin’s guitar-playing and singing make the words feel kinder than they actually are. As he sings the chorus, “As for me, I’m gonna find someone to love me the way I should have loved you,” it’s hard to imagine Alphin singing from a place of unforgivable pain. Instead, he’s simply speaking truth that he knows his listeners can relate to; there’s no need for sugarcoating or lying.

Alphin’s commitment to that truth never wavers. On the title track, he sings, “You were a heartbreak / Somebody’s earthquake / Talking about a fair shake / You never had,” and yet, with the steady drum beat in the background, he finds his way past heartache and guides the song to a lyrical climax that requires repeating: “Sometimes words go straight to marrow / Only God knows where we wind up.”

The epitome of Alphin’s ability get to the heart of nearly anything is found in the closing track, “Grandfather; Grandmother.” Here, Alphin pays tribute to his grandparents, both of whom passed away in their 90s only a few years ago. The support and championing he clearly received from them is embodied in this song as Alphin walks through the lives of his grandfather, Jesse, and his grandmother, Allene. “Baptized in the water / That was my grandfather,” he sings, following it a little later with, “The last thing she said to me was keep singing for the Lord / I could’ve never loved another / Like my grandmother.”

In his liner notes for Straight to Marrow, Alphin thanks God “for the calling and inspiration to create and persist through challenges.” Whatever challenges or obstacles Alphin has faced in his life and career, he’s faced them head on and turned them into strikingly tranquil stories that will last well beyond his lifetime. - No Depression

In the vein of songwriters like Jason Isbell and John Prine, Alphin channels into an everyman sensibility as he writes about an interaction that feels all too real. There is a twinge of nostalgia that is complemented by slide guitar in this tune that feels laid back yet optimistic, signaling to the world that Alphin is an Americana artist on the rise. - Glide Magazine

by Michael Kornfeld
6/19/2017

Clint Alphin, a Nashville, Tennessee-based singer songwriter, won the 2017 Telluride Troubadour Competition and had the opportunity to perform a short set on the main stage during the 44th Annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival, a roots-oriented music festival set amid Colorado’s rugged San Juan Mountains, June 15-18.
The nationally recognized performing songwriter competition is open to anyone who writes and performs original music and who is not currently signed to a major recording or publishing deal.

Alphin was one of ten finalists chosen from among more than 300 entrants on the basis of the quality of their songs’ composition, vocal delivery and the overall presentation. After performing in two finalist rounds on the Elks Park Stage in downtown Telluride during the festival, Alphin was named the winner, awarded cash and other prizes, and performed a 15-minute main stage set on June 17.

“I’m really excited about winning this contest,” said Alphin. He noted that Telluride Troubadour is both the first major contest he’s won and, in 2013, the first one to accept him as a finalist.

Expressing gratitude for having been selected from among “so many talented artists,” Alphin notes: “Even more special was the ability to share this experience with friends like Shannon Wurst, Lauren Pratt, and Chase Gassaway, who have been fellow musical travelers and sources of inspiration and collaboration. I also felt like I got a dose of good fortune getting greetings and hugs from Anna Tivel and Caitlin Canty, the two past winners of this contest, whose music is as good and genuine as they are as people.”

Alphin noted, however, that there was “a touch of bittersweetness to my win this year, since the past two times I’ve been a finalist, my parents were in the audience.” Although they could not be at the festival this year, Alphin said “they were very excited and proud of me when I told them the news.”
Alphin, who moved to Nashville in 2003, hails from North Carolina and cites James Taylor, a fellow Tar Heel State native, as a major influence. Previously a Telluride Troubadour finalist in 2013 and 2015, Alphin also was a finalist in the 2015 Chris Austin Songwriting Contest and in the 2015 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition. East Coast folk fans will have an opportunity to hear him this summer when he performs at the Huntington Folk Festival on Long Island, New York (Sunday, July 29) and in the Emerging Artist Showcase at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival in upstate Hillsdale, NY (Friday, Aug. 4). More information on Alphin may be found online at www.clintalphin.com.

Second- to fifth-place honors at Telluride went to Heather Mae (Washington, DC), Lauren Pratt (Boston, MA), Heather Aubrey Lloyd (Baltimore, MD), and Chase Gassaway (Austin, TX), respectively. - Acoustic Music Scene

Finalists have been named in the 22nd annual Chris Austin Songwriting Contest, hosted by MerleFest 2014, the popular roots-oriented music festival that takes place April 24-27 on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina.

Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Jim Lauderdale chaired a volunteer panel of music industry professionals that selected the writers of 12 songs from among nearly 600 entries in four categories (bluegrass, country, general and gospel) for the opportunity to compete on the Austin Stage at MerleFest on Friday afternoon, April 25. The finalists in the bluegrass and general categories are listed below.

Bluegrass: Jim Crews (Boone, NC) for “Crossties,” Paul Harrigill (Murfreesboro, TN) and Amber Nugent (Ferriday, LA) for “I’m Blue,” and Chelsea McBee of The Random Assortment & the Christian Lopez Band (Shepherdstown, WV) for “Gone-A-Rye”).

General: Clint Alphin (Dunn, NC) for “Nobody Knows My Name,” Sarah Potenza and Ian Crossman (both of Nashville, TN) for “My Turn,” and Joseph Terrell of Mipso (Chapel Hill, NC) for “Angelina Jane is Long Gone.”

Although AcousticMusicScene.com generally does not cover country and gospel music, the finalists in those categories are as follows:

Country: Dan Buchner (Salt Lake City, UT) and Ben Childs (Oxford, MS), both of Hollering Pines, for “Cadillac,” Kelsi Robertson-Harrigill (Murfreesboro, TN) for “If You Never Let Me Go,” and Becky Warren (Nashville, TN) for “Call Me Sometime.”

Gospel/Inspirational: Gary Alan Ferguson (Alexandria, VA) for “Time To Praise the Lord,” Frank Hurd (Raleigh, NC) for “Light,” and Allen Smith and Corey Smith of Ash Breeze (Robbins, NC) for “Without Love.”

Each of the finalists will be provided with free admission and lodging for three nights at MerleFest and will participate in a mentoring session with Lauderdale. First place winners in each category will perform on the Cabin Stage on Friday night during the festival. Noted songwriters Darrell Scott, Charles Humphreys III (Steep Canyon Rangers) and Niall Toner will be among the second-round judges who determine this year’s winners.

The Chris Austin Songwriting Contest was established to honor the memory of Chris Austin, a songwriter and former sideman for Ricky Skaggs. Austin’s life was tragically cut short when a private plane carrying him and six other members of Reba McEntire’s band, as well as her tour manager, crashed in California in 1991. In the contest that is open to those whose primary source of income is not derived from songwriting or publishing, songs are judged based on originality, lyrics, melody and overall commercial potential. Previous winners of the contest include Gillian Welch, Tift Merritt, Michael Reno Harrell, Adrienne Young, Martha Scanlan, David Via, Eliot Bronson and Johnny Williams. The contest was established to honor the memory of Chris Austin, a songwriter and former sideman for Ricky Skaggs. Austin’s life was tragically cut short when a private plane carrying him and six other members of Reba McEntire’s band, as well as her tour manager, crashed in California in 1991.

MerleFest logoFounded in 1988 in memory of the late Eddy Merle Watson, son of American music legend Doc Watson, MerleFest is considered one of America’s premier music festivals. Initially created to celebrate “traditional plus” music – a mix of music based on the traditional, roots-oriented sounds of the Appalachian region — MerleFest now also embraces Americana, country, blues, rock and other musical styles as well. More than 130 artists and acts will perform on 13 stages during the four-day event.This year’s festival will feature what’s being billed as a “BanjoRama” — a one-time only assembly of some of music’s top banjo players in performance together. More information on the festival may be found at www.merlefest.org. - AcousticMusicScene.com

There is a wealth of variety on Clint Alphin’s self-published project he calls “Effigy.”
Alphin, who wrote (or co-wrote) all the tunes on this offering is a serious word-smith with
a knack for finding just the right melody and chord structure for his compositions. His vocal work on the tunes offers a fresh new take on the way Bluegrass and Folk music can be rendered. From his Bluesy style on “Nobody In This World” to his tongue-in-cheek giddiness on ”Last Guitar Player In Nashville”, Mr Alphin displays a musical maturity far beyond his young age.
The choice of players on the project is unique and as varied as the subjects the songs cover. Some of the standouts include Jonathan Maness, who produced this project and plays everything from guitar to lap steel and offers outstanding work with his harmony vocals. Rachel Renee Johnson, of the Dixie Bee-Liners does a great job with the high tenor parts while Andy Hall (that’s right, “that” Andy Hall from the Infamous Stringdusters ) adds brightness to the tracks with his fine dobro. Maness is also re-united with his former band mate from his days with Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike, Becky Buller who does some of the most tasteful fiddle work I’ve heard lately on this project. The bottom is clearly defined by the acclaimed, Mark Fain as he keeps everyone between the lines with his great Bass lines. One might try to put a better set of musicians together for a project, but for a Freshman offering you’d be hard-pressed to connect such a great group of musicians. The combined efforts show no signs of strain or forced note grabbing but rather display a gathering of expressive musicality not seen in many years.
You can almost see Betty Davis or Laureen Bacall lounging in their finery as Clint opens the album with “Angel on the Silver Screen” and you’ll have to make an effort to hold your tears in as you listen to the heart-breaking story line in “Box With a Ribbon.” My personal favorites, and the cuts I tend to spin most often on The Good-Tyme Bluegrass Show, are the jumpy “Mary Lou” and the gospel inclusion, “Gifts of Man” which could have easily been written in any of the past two centuries and fit right in with all those times.
If you are looking for the twangy, hard-banjo driven Bluegrass, you might want to look elsewhere for you music, but if a fresh new take on the style along with some fine offerings that would have to fit in the Folk or Americana categories, you’d have a tough time finding a better way to spend your money than buying Clint Alphin’s new project, “Effigy”. Here’s hoping we’ll be able to enjoy a bushel full of his music as his career progresses and more folk become aware of this fresh new talent who is now pursuing his dream and writing more tunes as he makes Nashville his new home. Congratulations Clint Alphin on a job well done. I’m sure we’ll hear more from this great talent.

Bob Barden

The Good-Tyme Bluegrass Show
91.9fm WFSS or WWW.WFSS.ORG
Fayetteville, NC

- Bob Barden, WFSS, Fayetteville, NC

CLINT ALPHIN's a country boy with a folk heart. His full-length deut, "Effigy," comprises a dozen carefully crafted, sweet sounding songs delivered in a pleasing voice, particularly on " Angel On The Silver Screen," "Box With A Ribbon," and the title track.
www.clintalphin.com

- www.rock-n-reel.co.uk (issue 14)

English translation by Clint Alphin, Original Dutch text available at

http://www.rootstime.be/CD%20REVIEWS/2009/2009-JANUARI10.htm#96

With “Effigy,” the 29-year-old Clint Alphin, originally from Dunn, North Carolina but now a resident of Spring Hill near Nashville, TN, releases his first full-length CD with 12 self-written songs. The songs all start from an acoustic guitar structure and explore the regions of folk, country, bluegrass, and Americana music. Producer and multi-instrumentalist Jonathan Maness, who plays with The Dixie Bee-Liners, contributes a large part to the success of this album, which is filled with free, southern-sounding numbers.

It was the music and lyrics of James Taylor that first inspired Clint at an early age and encouraged him to seek his own fortune in the difficult music business. After finishing a music degree in 2003 he tried his hand at a self-produced, 5 song EP simply titled “Clint Alphin.” He recorded the tracks himself, playing guitar, bass, keyboards, trumpet, and mandolin, becoming acquainted with the recording process, and gaining useful knowledge to prepare him to release the debut album “Effigy.” The new album contains rerecorded versions of the songs from the original EP. In the title track, he sings that you cannot be anyone other than who you were meant to be, and should remain true to the person you were meant to be throughout your life. Clint paid much attention to the lyrics and tries to deliver a literary quality to the songs.

In the first track of the album “Angel on The Silver Screen,” Clint’s natural enthusiasm for music, also appears to take on the form of devotion to a beautiful actress on the movie screen. “Box With a Ribbon,” is a traditional tearjerker of a song about a soldier sent to war who promises his daughter a special gift upon his return. As feared, however, at the war’s end the daughter receives not a gift-wrapped package but a coffin with an American flag. Fortunately, after such a sad song; what a switch of style to the banjo and bluegrass-style ode to “Mary Lou.” Keeping along this pace is “Last Guitar Player in Nashville” There is more heartache and lost love in “The Hard Way,” and “Remember Me Tonight,” a song about saying goodbye. The album wraps up nicely with the sincere declarations of love in “Morning and Evening” and “Let Me,” and a tender tribute to his son* in “Love You So.”

“Effigy,” is a fine debut of a talented singer-songwriter, who has launched his first encounter into the music business.

* Please note: I do not have a son or any children, and am not, nor have I ever been married. I wrote the song "Love You So" as an attempt to express sympathy and write from my own parents point of view about how I imagined they felt about letting me go and pursue my own dreams and ambitions.

for more Rootstime reviews please visit:
www.rootstime.be or www.myspace.com/rootstime.

- Rootstime

English translation by Clint Alphin, Original Dutch text available at

http://www.rootstime.be/CD%20REVIEWS/2009/2009-JANUARI10.htm#96

With “Effigy,” the 29-year-old Clint Alphin, originally from Dunn, North Carolina but now a resident of Spring Hill near Nashville, TN, releases his first full-length CD with 12 self-written songs. The songs all start from an acoustic guitar structure and explore the regions of folk, country, bluegrass, and Americana music. Producer and multi-instrumentalist Jonathan Maness, who plays with The Dixie Bee-Liners, contributes a large part to the success of this album, which is filled with free, southern-sounding numbers.

It was the music and lyrics of James Taylor that first inspired Clint at an early age and encouraged him to seek his own fortune in the difficult music business. After finishing a music degree in 2003 he tried his hand at a self-produced, 5 song EP simply titled “Clint Alphin.” He recorded the tracks himself, playing guitar, bass, keyboards, trumpet, and mandolin, becoming acquainted with the recording process, and gaining useful knowledge to prepare him to release the debut album “Effigy.” The new album contains rerecorded versions of the songs from the original EP. In the title track, he sings that you cannot be anyone other than who you were meant to be, and should remain true to the person you were meant to be throughout your life. Clint paid much attention to the lyrics and tries to deliver a literary quality to the songs.

In the first track of the album “Angel on The Silver Screen,” Clint’s natural enthusiasm for music, also appears to take on the form of devotion to a beautiful actress on the movie screen. “Box With a Ribbon,” is a traditional tearjerker of a song about a soldier sent to war who promises his daughter a special gift upon his return. As feared, however, at the war’s end the daughter receives not a gift-wrapped package but a coffin with an American flag. Fortunately, after such a sad song; what a switch of style to the banjo and bluegrass-style ode to “Mary Lou.” Keeping along this pace is “Last Guitar Player in Nashville” There is more heartache and lost love in “The Hard Way,” and “Remember Me Tonight,” a song about saying goodbye. The album wraps up nicely with the sincere declarations of love in “Morning and Evening” and “Let Me,” and a tender tribute to his son* in “Love You So.”

“Effigy,” is a fine debut of a talented singer-songwriter, who has launched his first encounter into the music business.

* Please note: I do not have a son or any children, and am not, nor have I ever been married. I wrote the song "Love You So" as an attempt to express sympathy and write from my own parents point of view about how I imagined they felt about letting me go and pursue my own dreams and ambitions.

for more Rootstime reviews please visit:
www.rootstime.be or www.myspace.com/rootstime.

- Rootstime

10/23/2008 11:17:00 AM

Local Artist Returns To Dunn For Album Release

David Anderson, Jr.
Reporter for The Daily Record

Clint Alphin is leaving the comfort of his home near Nashville, Tenn., to come back to his native stomping ground for an evening of bluegrass at the Stewart Theater.

Mr. Alphin, a Dunn native, will be opening for the Dixie Bee-Liners Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in Downtown Dunn.

The concert is designed to highlight his new album, "Effigy," which will be available for $12 at the theater.

"I really wanted to do a CD release in Dunn because that's where I started with my music, where I was born and grew up," Mr. Alphin said.

After graduating from Triton High School in 1997, Mr. Alphin earned a bachelor's degree in business from the University of North Carolina.

"After that I realized that I really wanted to continue my music career and ambitions, so I got a second bachelor's degree from Appalachian State in music industry studies," Mr. Alphin said.

He moved to Spring Hill, a suburb of Nashville, to complete an internship for his degree and ended up staying to work his way in to the music industry.

In July, Mr. Alphin, 29, was able to perform at the world renowned Bluebird Cafe - a Nashville restaurant that has launched the career of many top artists and hosted hundreds more, including Alan Jackson, Rascal Flatts, Amy Grant, Gary Allan and Garth Brooks. While food and drinks are served anytime the doors are open, wait staff discourage conversation and work to keep patrons focused on the new artists performing each night.

"It's a great place to play, because they really focus on the song and the songwriter," Mr. Alphin said. "It's a listening room, as opposed to just a restaurant where your music is kind of in the background."

He hopes the release of his first full-length album will open the door to more venues and eventually land him a contract with a record label.

"I've learned what an experience it is putting an album together and how much time and work it takes," Mr. Alphin said.

Mr. Alphin said writing songs, recording and producing an album has helped him appreciate the talent of other artists more, now that he understands the effort that goes in to a project.

"You're ears kind of open up if you try to do something," he said.

He's excited to have a professional-quality album available and hopes people will be receptive to his music.

"In music and acting and almost any form of art, you're putting yourself out there and you're taking your art and what you've worked so hard on and giving it to someone else, and they may like or they may not," Mr. Alphin said.

Hometown Roots

Though Mr. Alphin has been writing songs and performing in Nashville for several years, his career as a performing artist began in Dunn.

Mr. Alphin grew up singing in church, and further refined his vocal skills in the chorus at Triton High School.

His parents, Ernest and Teresa Alphin, as well as his grandparents, Jesse and Allene Alphin and Billy and Faye McLamb, and his sister Nina Butts, and her husband Ray still live in Dunn.

Mr. Alphin's last performance in Dunn was Triton's production of "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown," in which he played the lead role.

When he went to college, Mr. Alphin realized he wanted to continue pursuing a music career at a professional level.

While he still works part-time as a substitute teacher and as an associate at Lowe's Home Improvement to supplement his income, Mr. Alphin knows he is in the right place to get a big break.

He enjoys working with the high caliber musicians he finds in Nashville, "especially the bluegrass community," Mr. Alphin said. "It's just far beyond what I could ever ask for. I'm just very blessed to work with the people I've worked with," Mr. Alphin said.

Tickets for the show are $15. To hear samples of Mr. Alphin's work, or to order a CD online, visit www.clintalphin.com.



- The Daily Record, Dunn, NC

By ASHLEY BONE
Staff Reporter
abone@c-dh.net

Spring Hill’s Clint Alphin has proven again that he’s a talented singer, songwriter and storyteller.

Just 18 months after his debut album release of “Effigy,” Alphin's sophomore album is now available on Cdbaby.com.

Titled “Down The Road That I’ve Been Given” Alphin’s new album was released on Monday and it doesn’t disappoint its listeners.

“I’m so excited and blessed to have this album out so quickly after my first album,” Alphin says. “I hope listeners like the songs and enjoy it.”

Alphin, a Dunn, North Carolina native, penned the songs and lyrics of all 12 album tracks, which were recorded at Mountainside Studios in Nashville. They feature Alphin’s Americana and folk style combined with elements of bluegrass.

“Baby Be Good to Me” is a love song penned with clever lyrics that lend a satisfying listening experience. “Bail Me out” discusses the working man and the federal bank bailouts. The chorus of “Bail Me Out” poses the question “Who’s Gonna Bail Me Out?”

A host of talented musicians are also featured on the new album. Guitar solos are found on several tracks along with Alphin’s finger picking guitar style. His music skills go beyond singer, songwriter and guitarist proven by his harmonica playing on the song “Den of Thieves.”

The album title is derived from a line in the track “Country Train.”

“The songs are a resort of a lot I’ve reflected on after being here for six years,” Alphin says. “I’m here for a purpose on a path that’s been given to me. God puts desires in your heart and puts you in different places.”

The album features both Alphin and Johnny Hiland on guitar, Bob Mater on percussion, Mark Fain on bass and Andy Leftwich on fiddle and mandolin. Dave Talbot, a banjo player for Dolly Parton, is also featured. Chip and Amaleia Davis are the background vocalists.

It was produced and engineered by Bil VornDick, the [mixing] engineer for “Effigy” ["Effigy" was produced and engineered by Jonathan Maness]. VornDick has produced albums for Alison Krauss, Bob Dylan with Ralph Stanley, Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas and Rhonda Vincent.

He says Alphin is an excellent songwriter and artist.

“He’s got his own style and that’s really what sets him apart,” VornDick said.

Alphin is attending the International Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis this week where he’s playing in several private showcases.

“I’m excited about having the new album out in time for the conference,” he adds.

Clint Alphin is scheduled to perform at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 27 at Bethesda Market & Deli. For more information or to purchase a copy of his latest album, visit clintalphin.com or CDBaby.com - Advertiser News Spring Hill, TN

By ASHLEY BONE
Staff Reporter
abone@c-dh.net

Spring Hill resident Clint Alphin, age 29, moved to Middle Tennessee in 2003. He is just one of thousands of musicians residing near Music City in hopes of getting a big break.

Originally from Dunn, North Carolina, Alphin graduated with a music business degree from Appalachian State University in 2003.

His first full feature album titled “Effigy” will be released in mid-August. The bluegrass, folk and country rock influences found in “Effigy” showcase Alphin's creativity as a songwriter. Behind the scenes talent on “Effigy” was legendary producer and engineer Bill VornDick, who tracked and mixed the record. VornDick has worked with Bob Dylan and Alison Krauss and other well-known artists.

Jonathan Maness of the bluegrass group the Dixie Bee-Liners produced “Effigy”. Maness and Alphin graduated together from Appalachian State and have maintained their friendship.

The term “Effigy” means a representation of something.

“The song titled “Effigy” discusses being true to oneself and not giving into false representations that people may have of you,” Alphin said.

Maness said he strived to get the best tunes out of each song on “Effigy”.

“Clint is a very literary songwriter,” Maness said, adding his hopes are for Alphin to be showcased at the International Folk Alliance conference in Memphis next year.

“It's something he needs to do,” Maness said. “Clint is more of an Americana or Folk artist.”

Alphin played at the Bluebird Cafe on July 6. He has

also played at the Hall of Fame Lounge, Douglas Corner and The Listening Room. He debuted his first bluegrass festival appearance at MerleFest earlier this year.

Alphin picked up his first guitar at age 15. His process to writing a song is to first find a picking pattern that he likes.

“A melody will then present itself and the lyrics come last,” he said.

Alphin said patience is a virtue one must have in the music business.

He learned his patience from growing up with a sister, Nina, who is two years younger than him. Nina, however, is deaf and cannot hear her brother's talent. Alphin learned sign language to communicate with her at a young age before he picked up his first guitar.

“I wrote a song for her called “Someone to Lean On” and performed it at her wedding,” Alphin said. “Sometimes I wish that for one hour or one day that I would know how music communicates to her so I could have better empathy for her.”

In addition to performing throughout Middle Tennessee, Alphin’s voice can also be heard in non-profit Music City Community Chorus.

To hear his tunes, visit clintalphin.com or find him on MySpace at myspace/clintalphin.
- The Advertiser News, Spring Hill, TN

CLINT ALPHIN's a country boy with a folk heart. His full-length deut, "Effigy," comprises a dozen carefully crafted, sweet sounding songs delivered in a pleasing voice, particularly on " Angel On The Silver Screen," "Box With A Ribbon," and the title track.
www.clintalphin.com

- www.rock-n-reel.co.uk (issue 14)

By Ashley Bone
Staff Reporter

Musicians performing on a rock stage on a 10-acre plot of town-owned land is just one of many components of the second annual Taste of Thompson’s Station festival.

The festival, which was rescheduled from May 16 due to heavy rainfall, will be held from 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Saturday, June 20. An abundance of food and crafts for purchase will be a part of this year’s festival.

Starting at noon, live music featuring the sounds of rock, jazz, acoustic, country and bluegrass will perform throughout the day. Returning acts from last year are Matt Ragan and the Jazz Hands and Stillhouse Hollow. Jenai & The Reckoning, Clint Alphin, Hollow Creek and Richard Armentrout are also slated to perform.

“I expect our lineup to be better than Bonaroo’s and it’s free,” said Town Administrator Greg Langeliers.

Festival goers are encouraged to come hungry and thirsty. Kimbro’s Caf/ of Franklin will offer beer and wine coolers for sale.

While enjoying the music, attendees can feast on the wide selection of food from Moe Better Barbecue and Tennessee Tailmasters. The myriad culinary options from Tennessee Tailmasters include pulled pork barbecue sandwiches, hotdogs, grilled chicken, nachos, barbecue beans, chips and coleslaw. Moe Better Barbecue will offer homemade hamburgers, catfish, ribs, pork chops, fried bologna, Cajun fried chicken, grilled chicken and fries.

Residents seeking to shop may do so onsite with the craft fair component added this year. Handmade soaps, bath products, candles, baked goods, wooden gifts, jewelry, honey and honey products, aprons, Tupperware, vitamin supplements, birdhouses, antler products, stained glass, Civil War literature and skin care products will be for sale. The town’s Community Association will have Thompson’s Station merchandise such as blankets, hats, shirts and license plates for sale.

Targeted as a fun, family event, horseshoes and an inflatable bouncer will keep families busy during the festival. Admission is free again this year. Proceeds from the sale of food, beverages and additional donations received will be utilized for the town’s parks, playgrounds and walking trails.

“I’m excited for our second annual Taste of Thompson’s Station Festival,” Deats said. “It’s going to be a fun family experience as well as a fun time for all area residents to enjoy the community of Thompson’s Station.”

Last year’s event generated more than 700 people in attendance and town staff expects that number to double this year.

The setting is outdoors on 10 acres of city-owned property located off U.S. Highway 31 near State Route 840 and past the towns own community garden. Attendees can park in the west parking lot of Independence High School and follow the signs to the festival by foot, which bypasses the town’s community garden. Directional signs will be posted showing attendees where to go.

Those planning to attend should wear comfortable walking shoes and can bring lawn chairs or blankets, town staff said.

This year’s media sponsor is The Advertiser News.

For more information, visit thompsons-station.com or call (615) 794-4333.
- The Advertiser News, Spring Hill

By Ashley Bone
Staff Reporter

Musicians performing on a rock stage on a 10-acre plot of town-owned land is just one of many components of the second annual Taste of Thompson’s Station festival.

The festival, which was rescheduled from May 16 due to heavy rainfall, will be held from 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Saturday, June 20. An abundance of food and crafts for purchase will be a part of this year’s festival.

Starting at noon, live music featuring the sounds of rock, jazz, acoustic, country and bluegrass will perform throughout the day. Returning acts from last year are Matt Ragan and the Jazz Hands and Stillhouse Hollow. Jenai & The Reckoning, Clint Alphin, Hollow Creek and Richard Armentrout are also slated to perform.

“I expect our lineup to be better than Bonaroo’s and it’s free,” said Town Administrator Greg Langeliers.

Festival goers are encouraged to come hungry and thirsty. Kimbro’s Caf/ of Franklin will offer beer and wine coolers for sale.

While enjoying the music, attendees can feast on the wide selection of food from Moe Better Barbecue and Tennessee Tailmasters. The myriad culinary options from Tennessee Tailmasters include pulled pork barbecue sandwiches, hotdogs, grilled chicken, nachos, barbecue beans, chips and coleslaw. Moe Better Barbecue will offer homemade hamburgers, catfish, ribs, pork chops, fried bologna, Cajun fried chicken, grilled chicken and fries.

Residents seeking to shop may do so onsite with the craft fair component added this year. Handmade soaps, bath products, candles, baked goods, wooden gifts, jewelry, honey and honey products, aprons, Tupperware, vitamin supplements, birdhouses, antler products, stained glass, Civil War literature and skin care products will be for sale. The town’s Community Association will have Thompson’s Station merchandise such as blankets, hats, shirts and license plates for sale.

Targeted as a fun, family event, horseshoes and an inflatable bouncer will keep families busy during the festival. Admission is free again this year. Proceeds from the sale of food, beverages and additional donations received will be utilized for the town’s parks, playgrounds and walking trails.

“I’m excited for our second annual Taste of Thompson’s Station Festival,” Deats said. “It’s going to be a fun family experience as well as a fun time for all area residents to enjoy the community of Thompson’s Station.”

Last year’s event generated more than 700 people in attendance and town staff expects that number to double this year.

The setting is outdoors on 10 acres of city-owned property located off U.S. Highway 31 near State Route 840 and past the towns own community garden. Attendees can park in the west parking lot of Independence High School and follow the signs to the festival by foot, which bypasses the town’s community garden. Directional signs will be posted showing attendees where to go.

Those planning to attend should wear comfortable walking shoes and can bring lawn chairs or blankets, town staff said.

This year’s media sponsor is The Advertiser News.

For more information, visit thompsons-station.com or call (615) 794-4333.
- The Advertiser News, Spring Hill