A down-home family reunion
Hurricane Mills, Tenn., Oct. 4–7—The second annual Tennessee Motorcycles and Music Revival and BC Moto Invitational lived up to its reputation as a good time! Many were wondering if it could top last year’s party, and it did. This year’s event was bigger and better, without losing its feel as a family event.
Many started arriving on Thursday and those who did were not sorry. They were treated to some great entertainment on the main stage. The evening started out with Chopper Jam, Tayla Lynn (granddaughter of Loretta Lynn), Sister Antics and Donnie Reis. Comedian and event emcee Steve Trevino took the stage along with Biker Babes Calendar GIrls. Yelawolf was the evening headliner and they really got the crowd going with their vibrant performance.
Friday’s and Saturday’s music line-up was more traditional with Friday night’s headliner being Tim Montana, and Saturday night was Whiskey Myers. Other bands to grace the main stage at Loretta’s Roadhouse were the Matt Poss Band, Stone Senate, the Steel Woods, the Steel Union, Heathen Sons, Blackfoot Gypsies and True Villains.
Again this year, every evening ended at the Honky Tonk bar on the creek with Mountain Sprout taking the stage, a bonfire and a mechanical bull. There was even a reported Sasquatch sighting on Saturday night!
The BC Moto Invitational brought 40 builders to the barn this year to display their steel horses. Bill Dodge put together another amazing group for this year’s line-up. Some were returning from last year with new builds and but most were here for the first time. This is one event where you can mingle with the builders and they will gladly talk to you about their bikes and answer any questions—there are no attitudes here. That alone is worth the trip. Most consider TMMR a family reunion and that was very apparent as the builders lined up in front of the barn Saturday afternoon for a photo op. The builders were offered vendor space in the pavilion by the barn and you could find many of them hanging out there at all times during the day.
The campground was party headquarters for some, and quiet time for others. It is nice that it is big enough that you can have both. New this year was “glamping”; all you had to do was show up and your large teepee-type tent was set up with your bed and other amenities, which is great because if you are truly moto camping, you don’t have to pack as much stuff. Of course plenty brought RVs as there are plenty of hookups, and others just popped a tent. There are also cabins for rent if you aren’t into the whole camping thing. There are even hotels close by if you are one who needs all the comforts of home. There is truly something for everyone!
There is plenty to do on site. Rhett Rotten’s Wall of Death is always a fan favorite, and if you have never seen a Wall of Death, you really need to! It is breathtaking. I always enjoy watching the crowd’s reactions just as much as I enjoy the show. Bean’re’s Hillbilly Flat Track Races, of course, are a big part of the weekend. You can sign a waiver and ride a provided mini bike or even bring your own bike out onto the track. There were even a few baggers who took to the track this year and those guys were all smiles. They definitely have stories to tell their friends! There is also plenty of swimming in the creek to cool off and don’t forget to take your bike out for a ride while you’re there. The ranch is located in the perfect place for some backroad adventures.
Several of the entertainers graced the smaller stages of the small bars throughout the campground, so you never had to go very far to hear live music. Food Truck Alley and Vendors Row were popular places as well. You could find parts for your bike, ice cream and clothes all within a few yards of each other. There was even an art gallery where there was beautiful moto art on display and for purchase.
Both Saturday and Sunday started off with Moto Church down by the creek and included amazing testimonies from Tayla Lynn, Rhett Rotten and others. Don’t worry; if this isn’t your thing, you don’t have to attend. It’s not overbearing; if you aren’t there you don’t even know it’s happening.
If you know much about Loretta Lynn and her family, you know that they are very dedicated to helping our veterans. This year they hosted a USO ride that came in from Appleton Harley-Davidson on Sunday and keeping up with the musical tradition, there was an amazing line-up on the main stage for this special day. Best of Life started off the day, followed by Shelly Fairchild. Jared Blake’s patriotic performance included a break in the action for a special presentation to a veteran who was recently involved in a motorcycle accident and suffered injuries that now require him to ride a trike. Appleton Harley-Davidson and the USO put together funds to add some upgrades to his bike and presented them to him during the show. It was definitely the tearjerker moment of the weekend. Of course the day ended with the Lynn family taking the stage with a performance of some old-school country tunes, and a few of everyone’s favorite Loretta Lynn songs performed by her daughter Patsy and granddaughter Tayla. The event closed with a group rendition of “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”
I am looking forward to seeing where this event takes us next year, Make sure to keep updated by checking out the official website, where you can sign up for email alerts. This year they offered some really great early-bird specials, so be sure not to miss those for next year!
