#nine bullets

Music. We all love it; it brings people together. A wise woman once said “Rock n Roll can never break my heart”; I couldn’t agree more. I know I’m not alone when I say some of my greatest friends are a result of music; no matter how far away. I also can truly say that certain songs have a different meaning to me, some are hard to listen to, some bring back memories, and some (often more than the others) make me happy. Well, this event falls into the latter category; it’s a celebration!!!

Cory Hanks is a musician. He plays bass and sings back-up vocals for the Lexington, Kentucky based band “Those Crosstown Rivals”. Cory is more than that though. Cory is a great, funny, real, true-friend to many from all over the country and I’m lucky enough to call him one of my dearest friend; scratch that he’s more of a brother. Not to brag BUT I was actually the first person that he called to tell about Michelle. Love ya buddy!

Michelle Evans. Michelle is many things; kind-hearted, a blogger, a music junkie, a friend, and most importantly, a hopeless romantic who has been fortunate enough to meet and marry the love of her life. Like Hanks, Michelle has also become a close friend of mine and has been there for me in both personal and professional matters; she’s wonderful!

I mentioned earlier that music brings people together; there isn’t a better example of that than Cory and Michelle. Michelle runs a very well known blog, Dear Ben Nichols and is a contributer to the popular blog 9Bullets. Earlier in 2014, Those Crosstown Rivals released their latest album “Hell and Back” and somewhere in the dust of the album release, album reviews, selling merchandise and touring in support of the album something was forming that wasn’t music-related but was because of music. It may be cliché but it’s appropriate “and the rest is history!” Now you know the reason for the party is to celebrate the marriage of our good friends, Mr. and Mrs. Hank; however, let me fill you in on those providing the entertainment for the celebration; who also happen to be great friends of the bride and groom!

Those Crosstown Rivals - Represent a zeal for life: Celebrate what really matters, forget about tomorrow, and have a good damn time today. No matter what faces them, they will never stop believing in what they do. Give them a choice to ‘make it big’ or play in a dirty old basement; and they’ll pick filling up a garbage can with empty beer cans and whiskey bottles on any weeknight. Their music tells all. It is a means to find good in the terrible, to shake your fists against all that we can overcome. Those Crosstown Rivals consist of Bryan Minks, J Tyler Gregg and the brand new groom himself; Cory Hanks.

Matt Woods - The only one of the bunch not from Kentucky, has been a figure in the East Tennessee music scene for the past ten years and has performed in several bands as well as working as a solo artist. Woods has shared the stage with the likes of CAKE, Drivin’ n’ Cryin’, Will Hoge, Shannon McNally, Kevn Kinney, Roger Clyne (of The Refreshments), The Corduroy Road, Tim Lee, Mic Harrison (of the V-Roys and Superdrag), Doug Gillard (of Guided By Voices), Two Cow Garage, Col. Bruce Hampton & the Code Talkers, Zac Brown, Graham Colton, Brian Vander Ark (of The Verve Pipe), The Features, and a seemingly never-ending list of talented independent artists from points around the globe.

Tyler Childers - Featured on Live from Red Barn Radio, is from Paintsville, located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky, where the tradition of music thrives with the US 23 Country Music Highway Museum and Butcher Hollow. Carrying on the music tradition is native son Tyler Childers. Following his “Papaw” around to the Kentucky social institutions – church events and barber shops, to name a few – as well as a lot of coon hunting with his dad, Childers has heard a tale or two about the misadventures of a few good ol’ boys, and he gives his own spin of these accounts behind a whisky-soaked voice well beyond his age of 23.

Justin Wells - Is the lead vocal and guitar for the American alt-country, southern rock band, Fifth on the Floor, formed in Lexington, Kentucky in 2006 and consists of Ryan Clackner (lead guitar), Kevin Hogle (drums), and Jason Parsons (bass/vocals).

Doc Feldman - “Doc Feldman’s new album sounds like the weary, worn down end of a dark barroom set. Tired, frustrated, and beaten, his songs are of a particularly compelling breed of Southern gothic. There’s hope there, but the kind of hope you find at the ass-end of a hot humid Southern day as you collapse on your bed for rest. There’s depth to these songs, and weight, and something that fills up your soul just a little bit.” — Devon Leger, Hearth Music

Senora Lainhart - Is a folk singer and songwriter from Eastern Kentucky. Like any good Southerner, Lainhart has a passion for singing on porches, eating good food, and the riches of nature - and the soft, sweet delivery of her voice reflects that. With tales of young love and sinning, you’re sure to have related to every one of her heart-rending words at some point in your life.

**All information obtained from bands’ websites**

I bet you all wish you were good friends with the bride and groom after seeing that line-up, huh!? I don’t blame you, I’d be jealous too! As if all of that wasn’t enough reason to celebrate, maybe this will finally convince you: IT’S OPEN TO THE PUBLC! This event, celebration, party, concert, call it what you want, is being held at Al’s Bar in Lexington, Kentucky and expects to have people traveling from all over the country to be in attendance. Friends, families, passer-bys, fans of the musicians, and even strangers are all welcomed to attend this event. Why? Because music brings people together and all of the above is proof of that; hell, you never know who you may meet! Congrats, Cory and Michelle!! Love you guys!! – JT

**From Official Press Release:

Lexington Couple Showcase Kentucky Musical Talent at Public Music Bash

Lexington, KY couple Cory Hanks (of Those Crosstown Rivals) and Michelle Hanks will be showcasing Kentucky musical talent on Saturday, November 15, 2014 at Al’s Bar at 601 N. Limestone St., Lexington in celebration of their nuptials. The “Post-Nuptial Music Bash” will be presented by Rocket City Sounds, open to the public, FREE, and 21+.

"Music brought Michelle and I together,” Hanks explains, “but we had a private ceremony without friends or family, and we thought, you know, what better way to give back to them and the Lexington music community - the people who brought us together and have been so good to us over the years - than by putting on a free show that features some of our seriously talented friends. You know, a really special lineup with musicians they know and love. It’s gonna be a really great time."

i like this guy.

Robert Childs' Guitar Series

I thought this was very cool and touching, and I had to share this on The Trebled Wanderer.  Hope you dig it too!

Robert Childs picked up playing the guitar again and in early 2011 he decided to build one. In September 2011 the guitar was finished.  In October 2011 Childs was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer and in November he had a tumor the size of grapefruit removed from his head.

Childs' two sons didn't played guitar and the two sons thought it would be a shame to have the guitar sitting around collecting dust.  So, the two sons and their father talked about it and decided to take the guitar to musicians.  Have musicians play their songs on the guitar, recorded them playing, plaster the internet with these recordings and in some way have their father's spirit live on.

The series has been going on since about May 2012.

Sadly, Robert Childs lost his battle with cancer on December 2, 2012.

Musicians that have played Robert Childs' Guitar: Matt Woods Ben Nichols from Lucero Greenland Is Melting Justin Wells from Fifth On The Floor Shane Sweeney from Two Cow Garage Micah Schnabel from Two Cow Garage Possessed By Paul James American Aquarium Have Gun Will Travel

For more information about Robert Childs' guitar:  http://ninebullets.net/archives/introducing-robert-childs-guitar

"The Owl" By Shane Sweeney on Robert Childs' Guitar

"The Heavy Things" By Micah Schnabel on Robert Childs' Guitar