Unique Metal Art Studio
The Iron Gate by Brad Cox
drink your coffee out of a hand thrown mug, you can sense the communion of material, maker, and yourself. It is a strange phenomenon, but I have heard folks say that they were just poking around in some shop and a piece of pottery called out to them. I think craftwork is like music. A musician works and hones a song, polishes the delivery, then turns it over to the person who should hear it.
Music is a sure Brown County inspiration. To paraphrase a famous lyric,“ These hills are alive with the sound of music.”
A fiddle player was no doubt among the first half dozen or so settlers here. Back in the early part of the last century there was a couple of musicians from Brown County by the names of Doc and Diner( that would be dialect for Dinah) Biesel who got semi-famous. They played“ Old Time” music in the old-time way.
The Brown County Jamboree was established in the 1940s. It showcased local talent as well as national touring acts. In 1952 a Kentucky mandolin picker with a high tenor voice bought the Jamboree. His name was Bill Monroe and he set the Jamboree on a new course resulting in the longest running Bluegrass festival in in the country.
The beauty of Brown County inspired Hoagy Carmichael to compose“ Brown County in Autumn.”
Back in the 1960s, the local Stringbean String Band was burnin’ up the woods with their music.
We once had a venue called The Little Nashville Opry that hosted lots of famous country music stars.
Now we have the new Brown County Music Center. This center is still in its infancy, but from the shows I’ ve seen, it is one of the best venues for music that you can imagine.
The Brown County Playhouse is also a wonderful smaller venue that goes back 70 years.
While I’ m on the subject of music, about half the residents of the county are pickers of one kind or another, and the other half wishes they were.
So, that’ s my take on Brown County and why we love it. It speaks to our individual souls.
The question remains.“ What to do we do until we can get back to being inspired?” Well, I think maybe we could put our memories and dreams on paper or canvas. We could learn a musical instrument— maybe take up the banjo. I’ m workin’ on a new hiking staff. We can all put in time doing the things Brown County has inspired us to do.
When it’ s safe to venture out again, Brown County will still be here to inspire us. •
COX CREEK MILL
Unique Metal Art Studio
home of
The Iron Gate by Brad Cox
Brad Cox and his wife Stephanie invite you to discover their studio and mill located along the banks of Salt Creek just 10 minutes from Nashville.
4705 Annie Smith Rd. Nashville
theirongatebybradcox @ yahoo. com
Your Headquarters for the Great Outdoors
Hours vary. Call ahead.
CAMPING SUPPLIES: Tents, Camping Lights, Sleeping Bags, Grills, Fire Starters, Coleman Heaters & Lanterns, Cooking Utensils
• Fishing Tackle • Horse Tack
• RV Replacement Parts
• Bee Keeping Supplies
• Maple Syrup Supplies
• Pet & Livestock Food
• Antiques
We Fill Propane Tanks
WE SELL & DELIVER BULK MULCH & TOPSOIL Salt Creek Plaza • Nashville( 812) 988-8888 • www. BearHardware. com
Mon.– Sat. 7:30am – 7:00pm • Sun. 10:00am – 4:00pm
May / June 2020 • Our Brown County 49