Hurricane Mills, Tenn., Oct. 11—The Tennessee Motorcycles and Music Revival throttled into Hurricane Mills, TN September 28–October 1, for its inaugural year and delivered an event of top quality production, with a grassroots southern hospitality feel. Guests are saying this was a “class act event” revolving around all things motorcycle, music and camping.
The event hosted motorcycle riders of all makes and models at one of the most storied and beautiful ranches in the great state of Tennessee, Loretta Lynn’s Ranch.
Attendees enjoyed live music at multiple locations within the ranch including top acts such as; Ben Haggard, the youngest son of late country music legend, Merle Haggard, legendary John Anderson, who kicked off the first night by performing some of his top hits from the more than 40 singles he’s charted over his 30 year career. Also performing was Tim Montana, who spent the past year touring with ZZ Top and Kid Rock. Last spring, Tim’s collaboration song with Billy Gibbons “This Beard Came Here to Party,” became a soundtrack to the Nashville Predators’ NHL Stanley Cup run. Taking the stage on Saturday night was Jared Blake, a motorcyclist himself, who performs at rallies across the country, a wider audience knew him as a contestant on the first season of The Voice, reaching top 4 on Blake Shelton’s team.
Guests also enjoyed The Steel Woods, Bishop Gunn, Keith Anderson, Stone Senate, and Mountain Sprout, who played some of the best bluegrass music late night down at the waterin’ hole by the creek.
The highlight of the event, of course, was Miss Loretta Lynn herself taking to the stage; this was her first appearance since her stroke back in May of this year. This was an extraordinarily intimate afternoon with Loretta and her family, along with singing some of her top hits, Loretta shared stories as she embraced the crowd to let them all know just how happy she was to welcome them all to her ranch. For those in attendance, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience to be so close and intimate with the legendary Queen of Country.
The entertainment didn’t stop with the music; Rhett Rotten’s Wall of Death was providing shows all weekend along with the “Hillbilly Flat Track” mini bike racing hosted by Bean’re. The Hogway Speedway had their version of “fast hogs” for guests to enjoy and some of the very best Nashville food trucks were on hand serving up some delicious eats. Bill Dodge of Bling’s Cycle hosted the “BC Moto-Invitational” a custom motorcycle show featuring hand-selected craftsmen and women displaying some extraordinary hand-crafted custom motorcycles. Bill himself has chosen what he calls a “top section” of some of the most talented custom motorcycle builders such as Pat Patterson of Led Sled Customs and Paul Wideman of Bare Knuckle Choppers. Some of the other builders were Jeff Cochran, Former owner of Sucker Punch Sally’s Motorcycles and Zach Johnson, son of the horsepower king, Kendall Johnson.
“We created this event with a goal of providing motorcycle and music lovers something different than what is currently out there; all of the entertainment was from the region and Nashville, the country’s hottest and most popular music city,” stated co-promoter Buck Shaw.
“We wanted to feature music representative of the incredible musicians, song-writers and performers of the area and to fulfill what many motorcycle enthusiasts have been asking for—a destination event in a unique location that celebrates the rhythm of a great road trip. I am confident we delivered that and if you read all the comments on our Facebook page, you will see our guests also feel the same way,” says Carrie Repp, co-promoter of Tennessee Motorcycles and Music Revival.
“While motorcyclists know what it takes to have a good ride, adding a great destination can make for the perfect trip. Ride the rolling hills of Tennessee, visit the area’s unique attractions, and come back to Loretta’s Ranch for fun and great music with fellow riders,” says Tayla Lynn, granddaughter of Loretta Lynn and Lynn family spokesperson. “Memaw and my family have hosted the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Rocky Mountain ATV/MC, AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship for nearly 40 years. We absolutely enjoy having moto-enthusiasts here at the Ranch, it’s what we do!”
Wrapping up the four-day festivities was Loretta’s Ride for Mission 22, a multi-spoked charity ride benefiting Mission 22, a nonprofit organization that provides treatment programs for veterans suffering from PTSD and TBI, while raising awareness on the tragic issue of veteran suicide.
22 separate motorcycle rides rolled in from six states, all culminating at Loretta’s Ranch for an all-star performance to celebrate our Veterans. Loretta Lynn was determined to greet the riders and support our veterans, as she has always done throughout her career. Loretta’s Ride for Mission 22 was able to raise $20,000.
More detailed information including band and musician schedules, Loretta’s Mission 22 Charity Ride and plenty more can be found at www.motorcyclesandmusic.com
