Carl J Williams

Update to the Mendota Trail News: Judge Charles Flanagan has recused himself from the case. He is a new neighbor of Bristol VA mayor, Doug Weberling and says that he feels it would appear to be a conflict of interest for him to handle the case. It’s a shame. We’d have a straight legal situation with Judge Flanagan overseeing it.
I’m told that the Carter Fold was busy last weekend. They had a tribute to June Carter Cash and Johnny Cash was there. It isn’t announced when he’ll be at the Fold – I don’t think it’ll handle 30,000 or so of his local fans.
We went to see the Barter Theatre’s version of 1776 last week. They did a great job of interpreting the characters and the Declaration of Independence story. And did it without Stan Lee, Ang Lee, or Spike Lee (it’s a pun from the show, if you haven’t see it.)
Bristol and Southwest Virginia are well represented at the Smithsonian’s Folk Life Festival in Washington DC. If you get a chance, stop by and see the Country Music Mural, the Carter Fold, and the Pickin’ Porch. Don’t miss performances by the VW boys, and especially Ralph Blizard from Blountville TN, one of my favorite fiddlers. The VW boys – Dave Vaught, a magician and musician, and Tim White, an artist and radio DJ, are good, too. If you get a chance to say “Hi y’all!” to ’em, tell them you’re from this area. If you’re not, don’t tell them that – just tell them BristolCountry said you should be neighborly and stop by to say hello.
It’s warm in BristolCountry. My thermometer said ninety degrees today, but the news is that we’ve gone about four or five days without rain. But, thunderstorms are expected tomorrow or tomorrow night.
Keep readin’ and keep on the sunny side.