Well, it’s my weekly Wednesday Night Out and my bud Jeff McMahon says there’s a friend of his playing some of her work “in the round.” Even though I’m somewhat hep to the local music biz jargon I had to make a joke about the artists singing “Row Row Row Your Boat” in rounds, to which Jeff quickly said that they also do “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall.”

Anyone that lives in Nashville knows that The Bluebird Cafe is the paramount place to go to hear artists and writers. Wednesday night was my first time to cross the threshold of this landmark here in town.

For nearly 10 years now I’ve driven by this place and have created what turns out to be a romanticized image of what this venue is beyond the understated facade. Once inside my first impression was “This looks like it used to be a Japanese restaurant.”

The place was filled with friends, supporters of the artists and I assume some music business executives or wannabe’s. Not much, if any, pretension – which is nice. This venue was pretty much just an intimate (shoulder to shoulder … “is there a fire marshal in the house?”) relaxed environment … at least for the audience. The artists commented on how it can be a little intimidating to play without all the lights, stage, tech that goes with big venues.

The event was an “ASCAP Presents: In The Round with …” and they had four artists/writers. For my taste I was really struck by the talent of Kelleigh Bannen and Meghan Kabir. All four were far more talented than I could ever hope to be but the style of these two really caught my ear.

Kelleigh Bannen had a style and tone that reminded me of Patty Griffin. Meghan Kabir made me think of Fleming and John. It was fun hearing their voices and enjoy them in a pure and unproduced environment.

I’ll never bill myself as a music critique but I certainly know what I like and do have an appreciation for people’s talents.

- Kyle Dreier (Mr. Critical)

I chase light. That’s what photographers do. Whether they are controlling the light or watching the changing sky, we are constantly trying to capture the light at just the right time, the right angle, the right exposure to get what our eye and mind see into the camera.

I find myself making U-turns and driving with my head up near the windshield watching the sky in an attempt to race to a place where I can capture some of the beautiful light. Last night on my “Wednesday Night Out” I was doing just that.
Herein are a couple of the results of my chasing.

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It’s amazing how just a few minutes can make a huge difference in the qualities of the evening light. Literally seconds after these shots I had nothing – no light worth capturing. It turned gray unlike the warmth I saw here.
In addition to my light chasing, last night I began I’m working on a project that will involve about 123 images to start. These images/project will be interactive for the viewer. In fact, it will require your participate. Curious? I’ll provide more info on this in the future. It will be about a 3-6 month project.

Stay tuned … and look toward the light.

- Kyle Dreier

The search continues. Out of sheer lack of decision making energy Hunter and I resigned to a Wednesday evening of Mexican food at Cozymels. I knew better. But, out of obligation to my critical self I thought I’d give them a try thinking that maybe they possessed the ability to deliver the elusive perfect enchilada. Suffice it to say they do not have the magic formula.

To date, Ojeda’s in Dallas, Texas is the current winner.

Thankfully the evening wasn’t a total loss. The company was first class and certainly worthy of a repeat, but next time at a different venue.

- Kyle Dreier

I’m not sure what I’m really trying to accomplish with my Wednesday Night outings. On one hand, it’s a built in evening for me to exercise my trigger finger in shooting various things … shooting photographs that is. On the other hand, it’s an excuse for me to venture out a bit to try new eating establishments.

I am starting to see a pattern in how I choose where to eat. Thus far I’ve selected venues which are not chains, which are ethnic and which are a little outside my normal routine. That’s part of the adventure.

Tonight was no different. I remembered seeing a place that I’ve driven by many times. Tonight, I was looking for enchiladas to rival Ojeda’s in Dallas. A quick side note about Ojeda’s … the first time I went there was back in the mid 70’s and they have the best enchilada dinner I’ve ever had.

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Tonight my venture out took me to a quaint little place on Columbia Avenue in Franklin. It was good. It was nice. The people were nice. Does it get the prize? No. But I’ll be back.

- Kyle Dreier

Lately I’ve been more aware of how we/I just cruise through life focused on what’s next instead of what’s now. There have been a series of things that have heightened my awareness of this idea. Age. 40, thank you very much. Work. Still chasing the balance between providing and enjoying. Family. Coming up on 10 years of marriage, my oldest turning 5, and watching my parent age.

I’ve sat with my boys through countless viewings of the animated movie Cars. There are some really sweet life lessons in the story line. The contrast between Route 66 and Interstate 40 speaks to the notion of enjoying the journey verses focusing on the destination.

Wednesdays have become my day to focus more on the journey. Last Wednesday was just that. I was driving along a scenic country highway enjoying the views and the rolling hills. Then, out of nowhere I hear a live band at a very high decibel level. Off to the left I get enough of a quick look to see that it’s a band out on a driveway having a jam sessions. About a mile later I find a place to turn around and make my way back to see what I heard.

Now you can see, too.

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Probably the best way to describe what I heard was to call it “angry music” but it wasn’t. It was really heavy. It was really real. These guys were just letting it out and getting it off their chests. You gotta respect that. These guys where nice, considerate and hospitable. Maybe not what you expected based on what you see or heard.

I’m glad I turned around to see, hear and meet these guys. They helped me enjoy my journey.

-Kyle Dreier

ps. Force Fed Broken Glass … DJ, Ryan and Josh. Thanks!

Another Wednesday night out for me. I find that I’m using this as an excuse to increase the size of my box. I’m venturing out and enjoying what I find on the other side of my comfort zone. Tonight while driving down Main Street in Franklin just past the county building I almost drove right by a place that has caught my eye many times. This time I stopped and am I every glad I did.

This is my new favorite Mexican food venue. Adela (I think I have that right) was very sweet and we spoke broken languages to each other … my Spanish and her English were about on the same level. Then I met Benjamin who apparently is responsible for the very tasty fare.

While the menu is rather adventurous for me I stuck with the Chicken Quesadilla. It was so big I had to bring half of it home.

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I’m so happy I allowed myself to actually stop and enjoy what I’ve been missing all these years of driving by. I’ll definitely be back, but this time with my muchachos.

-Kyle

I’m just now thinking that when I think of “Broadway” I think of entertainment and until now didn’t really think of Broadway in Nashville as such. Well, even on a Wednesday night Broadway in downtown Nashville was full of entertainment. Music was lofting from one venue after another as I walked down the street. There was also a fair amount of music coming from various performers along the side walk. What a cultural shift from where I reside just 20 minutes south of Broadway.

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It’s pretty easy to see why they call this “Music City USA.”

- Kyle Dreier

Who would have known that such a neat little pizza joint would be tucked in a nondescript strip shopping center in the Bellevue area. So, Jeff McMahon and I embark, and indulge.

Is this “Sir Pizza?” Would you buy pizza from this guy?
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What is it with me and plates?

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Sir McMahon. Would you eat pizza with this guy?
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A good looking pie … and mug.

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The obligatory “hold it up as close as you can to the camera lens” shot.

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This was a great place for pizza. What a pleasant surprise. And, it goes without saying, I always enjoy food and fellowship with Sir McMahon.

- Kyle Dreier