Vaden Landers to Headline July 13th Lyrics on the Lawn Concert
Main Street Greeneville’s Summer Concert Series celebrates ten years with the second show of 2023 on Thursday, July 13 at 7:00 pm. The FREE concert will be held on the lawn of the Dickson-Williams Mansion in the heart of downtown Greeneville, Tennessee. The concerts take place each Thursday evening in July. This week’s concert and the second of the season will open with Ten Penny Drive followed by headliner Vaden Landers. The opening act will begin at 7 with intermission scheduled for 7:45 and the headliner taking the stage at 8. The event is scheduled rain or shine on the lawn of the mansion. Severe weather may force a cancellation so stay tuned to all forms of media for updates.
Ten Penny Drive
Like the nail in their namesake, Ten Penny Drive is building something. As expected of any contemporary bluegrass group, the drive is a must, but this isn’t sledgehammer bluegrass. With every song, this group aims at creating something solid yet fine bluegrass with a sound instrumental foundation and a unique, creative polish in their vocal arrangements, songwriting, and covers selection.
The band consists of a group of Walters State Community College alumni and their former professor (guitarist and vocalist), Chip McLain, who led these particular players through various lineups of the college’s student bluegrass ensemble, the High Lonesome Senate, 
as they performed throughout the state and region. Fans of that program will remember fiddler and vocalist Laree McMurray of Church Hill, mandolinist and vocalist Ryan Henard of Rogersville, banjo and Dobro player Riley Denton of Jefferson City, and bassist Corey Kapnick of Morristown.
McLain comments on this special group of young people and their desire to continue music beyond graduation: “When COVID hit and the Senate’s 2020 lineup had to cancel shows and quarantine, it was clear that these pickers weren’t finished. We talked then about continuing as a group, and we all agreed that we wanted to build something new from that past experience. Considering both the talent and musical kinships that have developed over the last few years, I believe I’ve been just as excited to continue as the grads have been.”
The band has one album released, Upside Down, and is currently working on a new recording of mostly original materials by McLain, McMurray, and Henard. Upside Down will be available for purchase at the show, and the band can be contacted for bookings at TenPennyDrive.com.
Vaden Landers
Vaden Landers is a 27-year-old multi-instrumentalist from Eastern TN. As a teen he set out traveling the American highways and railways, learning the ways of a traveler-musician, and gaining hard-won life experience along the way. Vaden continued to hone his songwriting, singing, yodeling, and picking skills while busking and touring from Alaska to Florida, turning heads as an exciting new player in the revival of the traditional country music scene and fine-tuning his original songs, which harken back to the golden days of country music. Blending influences from honky tonk, hillbilly, folk, blues, ragtime, jazz, western swing and old-time Appalachian, Vaden Landers brings new fire to a classic sound!
Food Available
On-site event food vendors for this concert include Italian Ice Creation (full menu), Pelican Snowballs, and Main Street Greeneville. More vendors to be added throughout the series. Food service is scheduled to start at 6:00 pm. Note: Italian Ice Creation, Pelican Snowballs and Others will locate across the street from the mansion. Main Street Greeneville will be located near the stage selling water and popcorn. Other options can be from the downtown area merchants. Cumberland Presbyterian Church plans to set-up dining tables and chairs near the food vendors for guests to enjoy.
Greeneville City Schools’ Book Bus – this week only
Every child likes to read books or at least look at the pictures. July 13th is a great time for the kiddos to attend Lyrics and visit the Book Bus. Please note this opportunity is open to all children not just those attending city schools. The bus will be across the street from the mansion in the lot with the food vendors. Plan now to head on over to the bus on the 13th and happy reading!
Family Friendly
The Lyrics on the Lawn concerts are family friendly and open to all. Folks are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket. You are welcome to bring a picnic supper. The event is Smoke Free with a designated area. The event is not permitted for alcohol. Please note pets are welcome, however they must remain within the designated Fido Friendly area at the top of the hill during the event.
Event Partners
Joining Main Street Greeneville to bring the community this concert are Lyrics on the Lawn sponsors, known at press time, Andrew Johnson Bank, Casper’s Body Shop and Wrecker Service, Consumer Credit Union, Eastman Credit Union, Gosnell’s Stereo & Music, Greeneville Energy Authority, Greeneville Federal Bank, Heritage Community Bank, Marsh Propane, Edward Jones Investments – Billy Endean, Nickle Ridge Winery, Skyline Restoration and Maintenance, LLC, Southbound Real Estate, Spiritual Care Counseling, Tusculum University, and A. Dave Wright Architect.
Additional partners of Main Street: Greeneville helping to bring the concerts to life are Creamy Cup, Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Dickson-Williams Historical Association, EMS, General Morgan Inn, Mamma T’s Eats & Treats, Radio Greeneville, Road Show Mobile Stages, Sound Studio Live, Top Dog Hot Dog, Town of Greeneville, Public Works, Greeneville Fire Department, and Greeneville Police Department along with a host of volunteers.
Donations Welcome
Although the concerts are free to attend, donations are welcomed by Main Street: Greeneville, a non-profit 501c3 organization. Donations collected at the concerts help to defray series expenses. Jann Mirkov, Main Street’s Executive Director stated, “Words can’t express how thankful we are to those that donate to our program. As a non-profit, we rely on the generosity of those in our community to support our efforts to revitalize our downtown. We thank everyone for their generous donations.”
The Lyrics on the Lawn series was created by Main Street: Greeneville in co-operation with the Dickson-Williams Historical Association to showcase regional musical talent.
The Dickson-Williams Mansion is located at 108 North Irish Street, adjacent to the General Morgan Inn in the heart of historic downtown Greeneville, TN. Mansion tours leaving from the hotel lobby are offered daily at 1:00pm
July 20th Lineup opens with Moon vs Venus followed by headliner Wyldeheart. Visit www.mainstreetgreeneville.org for additional information.
