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Bee Bops for Burgers and Daily Specials: We’ve Got it Good in Owensboro Kentucky!

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Bee Bops in Owensboro Kentucky- Daily Special, the Manhatan!The Manhatan at Bee Bops in Owensboro, how delicious does that look?!?!

My husband and I ate lunch at Bee Bops in downtown Owensboro this afternoon. Delicious, delicious, delicious! He had the Daily Special, which today was the “Manhattan” (Texas Toast with Roast Beef, Mashed Potatoes, and Gravy – shown in all of its beauty above) and green beans. He ate it inside of three minutes, yet your’s truly still had the gall to ask, “So. How was it?”

You guessed it, outstanding.

As great as today’s daily special sounded, I HAD to try their Bopper Burger and Onion Rings. I was tempted by their crinkle cut french fries, but you know me and my onion ring obsession. My rule: If onion rings are on the menu, order onion rings. If they’re not on the menu, demand an explanation. So, yeah, I’ve eaten onion rings all over God’s green earth – and I’ve never had any that were any better than the ones in Bee Bops 50′s Diner.

They were excellent. My burger was, too, as a matter of fact. Just thinking about the burger and onion rings right now makes me wish I could go back in time and do it all over again. I know my husband would jump right in the time machine with me.

Although the past might not be THE place to be. After all, tomorrow’s special at Bee Bops is Shrimp Burgers. Oh, man….

If you haven’t been to Bee Bops yet, what in the world are you waiting for. The workers are uncommonly friendly, the food is delicious, the prices are great, the 50′s music and decor is adorable, and the entire experience is a lot of fun.  You’ll also want to visit Bee Bops for Breakfast.

Bee Bops in Owensboro, Hamburger and Onion RingsBee Bops Hamburger and Onion Rings – I’ve never had better onion rings.

Filed Under: Owensboro, Restaurant Reviews, Reviews Tagged With: , , ,

Old Hickory BBQ in Owensboro Kentucky, Outstanding!

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Old Hickory BBQ in Owensboro, Kentucky

I had lunch yesterday with my youngest daughter (Stephany) and future son-in-law (Rusty) at Old Hickory here in Owensboro. It’s one of our favorite places to eat – lunch or supper. The food is just outstanding. Truth be told, simply sitting in the parking lot with your nose pointed upward is a other-worldy experience. The experience only gets better when you go through the doors.

They’ve recently added mashed potatoes and gravy to the menu and I wanted to hug them for it. Stephany ordered this as one of her sides, along with macaroni and cheese. Rusty went with the macaroni and cheese and green beans, which I’m pretty sure he could eat his weight in. He ordered the “Combination” Plate which came with his choice of 3 meats, in addition to two sides. One of his meats was ham because, this is something you really need to know, Old Hickory has THE best ham in the world. True story.

He also had ribs which looked amazing. I can’t remember what the third meat was because I was busy enjoying my own meal. (Although I did eye that ham!)

Stephany and I almost every single time order chicken, ham, or chopped Bar-B-Q pork. They’re just EACH so outstanding, ordering something else seems silly. However, curiosity got the better of us and we BOTH ordered a catfish plate.

Seriously? We entered one of the best Bar-B-Q restaurants in Kentucky and we ordered catfish? How strange for mother and daughter to both lose their minds at once. The catfish wasn’t bad, by any means, but if I’m going to be honest, it doesn’t at all compare to every other meat on Old Hickory’s menu. Again, it’s not bad (it’s actually crunchy and flavorful), it just simply gets overshadowed by the world’s best ham, chicken so good you want to weep, and pork bar-b-q that makes you wish you had 2 mouths so you can enjoy it twice as much.

If you read very many of my Kentucky Restaurant Reviews on Genuine Kentucky, you know how I feel about sides. I hate (with a cruel and unusual hatred) for a restaurant to focus solely on it’s meat items. It’s as though they say, “We have great steaks, what does it matter if our baked beans taste like microwaved pork ‘n beans?!”

It matters, buddy, it matters.

Old Hickory obviously doesn’t rest on the laurels of it’s spectacular meats, their sides are so remarkable that you actually have to sit and think before choosing, With most restaurants, you order the same sides each time because they’re the only two worth ordering! Old Hickory plays a different game with their sides – every single one of them is mind numbingly delicious. It causes a real dilemma, to tell you the truth.

  • Potato Salad – Excellent
  • Cole Slaw – Excellent
  • Bar-B-Q Beans – Excellent
  • French Fries – Excellent
  • Onion Rings – Excellent
  • Green Beans – excellent

And now they’ve gone and added mashed potatoes and gravy that are also Excellent.

Another pet peeve is when restaurants overcook their fries or home potato chips.  Someone needs to tell them that food continues to cook when it’s removed from the oil – so if you allow it to become a little dark in the oil, it’ll be positively brown when it makes it to the plate.  This never, ever happens at a couple of restaurants and Old Hickory is one. Perfect fries and/or onion rings each and every time.

The Bar-B-Q Plates each come with pickle, onion, bread (our catfish came with wonderful fried cornbread!), the meat(s), and two sides.  The meats include mutton, pork, beef, ribs, mutton ribs, chicken, chix strips, turkey, ham (did I mention that it was the best in the world?), and catfish.

Sandwiches include: Sliced mutton, chopped mutton, sliced pork, chopped pork, sliced beef, sliced turkey, sliced ham, sliced ham and cheese, chicken, hamburger, cheeseburger, grilled cheese, and catfish.  They also serve chili (but it’s seasonal), burgoo, and bean soup (with cornbread).

If you have room for dessert after all of the excellent food, you can choose between various fruit cobblers (blackberry, apple, cherry) or pecan pie.  Order your dessert “A la mode” for just a little more.

Old Hickory gets extra bonus “Genuine Kentucky” points for serving Coke products.  Oddly enough, that’s one of the first things I notice about a menu!

Just to give you an idea of how much our family LOVES Old Hickory, we don’t just frequently eat there for lunch or supper, we gave them the ultimate compliment in October of 2010.  Our oldest daughter (Emily) and my now son-in-law (Dill) were planning their wedding.  We all looked at the many different choices for catering and unanimously chose Old Hickory.  One of the most important dates in our family’s history and we invited Old Hickory to the celebration.

Everyone loved the food and asked where it was from… as well as how to get to the restaurant.  And they hadn’t even tried the ham!!!

Old Hickory is on 228 Washington Avenue in Owensboro Kentucky – Off of Frederica.  There’s a large parking lot, with parking on either side of the restaurant.   Use the map below for directions – I don’t want you to miss out on this outstanding food.  It’s the flavor of Owensboro, and it’s really something to enjoy.


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Visit Old Hickory on Facebook.

Filed Under: Owensboro, Restaurant Reviews, Reviews Tagged With: , ,

Breakfast at Bee Bops in Downtown Owensboro

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Since opening in downtown Owensboro, Bee Bops has developed a reputation for having one of the best burgers in town.  In fact, my youngest daughter (Stephany) is amongst the crowd who says they have THE best burgers in Owensboro.  You know what, I’ve honestly never had one of their burgers yet, so I can’t say one way or another.  However, I hold Stephany’s opinion as highly as I hold anyone’s opinion, so I’m VERY anxious to try a Bee Bops hamburger. If she says they’re the best, I suspect they very well might be!

My husband, Michael, and I did eat breakfast there this morning and I was very pleasantly surprised.  I had no idea they even served breakfast! Pancakes sounded outrageously good to me this morning, so I ordered the pancakes meal with a side of bacon. The meal included a couple of eggs (I take mine over easy and they were done to absolute perfection). The bacon was even better than the eggs… and there was so much of it!

My husband got grits, biscuit and gravy, ham, and eggs. Like the bacon, the ham was off the charts. I was really impressed with the generous portions they serve. Very nice – especially at a time that most restaurants seem to be skimping each and every time they plate your food.

The coffee was darn good, too.

I loved the decor – the diner’s all decked out in 50′s splendor. If you’ve ever been to my Hollywood Yesterday website, you’ll know what I mean when I say I was in absolute Heaven.

The staff couldn’t have been any friendlier or happy to see their guests if the guests had been long lost relatives. These are the sort of people you think of when you think of Southern hospitality and “Kentucky warmth.” And the prices?! Michael and I were both shocked at how reasonable the prices were.

Quite frankly, I’m really proud to have an extra special diner like Bee Bops here in Owensboro. Make a point to visit Bee Bops for lunch OR breakfast as soon as you can. I know it’ll become a favorite spot.

Directions To Bee Bops in Downtown Owensboro:


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Filed Under: Downtown Kentucky, Owensboro, Restaurant Reviews, Reviews Tagged With: , , ,

The Hank Williams Experience at Grand Rivers Variety: WOW!

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Hank Williams Lost Highway at Grand Rivers Variety

I laughed. I cried.  My goosebumps had goosebumps.  So, how was your Saturday?

My husband, Michael, our close friend, Trapper,  and I were out late last night. We didn’t just tear up the town, we tore up several towns. We threw back the drinks, ate too much, laughed, told stories (a few even may have been true), and had a great time.  Okay, so the only drinks we threw back were coffee, and eating too much is expected when it’s catfish at Willow Pond and coffee and desserts at Kentucky Dam Village.  Truth be told, I had coffee at every stop we made – that’s how I roll… highly caffeinated.

Michael and I got back home to Owensboro really late.  I stayed up a little bit talking to our youngest daughter, Stephany, so by the time I got to sleep, Granny Clampett was somewhere waking up.  There’s no way I should already be up drinking coffee (yes, I’m addicted) and eating a piece of leftover catfish (yes, I’m nuts) – yet, here I sit.

Here’s the thing: Before our tour of catfish, coffee, and chocolate began, the three of us saw Hank Williams: Lost Highway in Grand Rivers at the Badgett Playhouse.  I was SO impressed and SO moved that I couldn’t wait to get up and write about it.  We go to a lot of different entertainment venues.  We catch shows at The Grand Ole Opry regularly and we’ve seen every show put on at the Badgett Playhouse (they serve really good coffee, by the way).  We’ve even seen the Broadway musical CATS (If you ever get the chance, GO!  Take everyone you know and half the people you don’t know!)

I’m not being boasty or toasty – I’m just setting the stage.  So to speak.

I’ve never seen any show, production, or performance that left me any more speechless or moved me any further than Hank Williams: Lost Highway at Badgett Playhouse.  A couple of times I’m pretty sure that my mouth was gaping open as tears filled my eyes.  Not a particularly good look for me, but it was beyond my control.

For my 12 websites and blogs, I write many (MANY) reviews each week (are you beginning to understand the coffee fetish?).  I’ve found that it’s much easier to write about books, restaurants, products, or shows that you’re lukewarm about.  It’s even easier for me to write about ones I hate.  I don’t.  But the ones that blow me completely away?  It’s as though my words fail to show up because they know they’re going to be inadequate anyway.  I also fear leaving something out.  It’s like having a fantastic meal at a fantastic restaurant – how can you give equal praise to each item on your plate AND the friendly server AND the ambiance?  How can you make sure you cover everything and attempt to do it all justice?

My approach?  Take a big swill of coffee, roll your sleeves up,  jump in feet first, and do your darnedest.

I’ve loved every show we’ve ever seen from Grand Rivers Variety.  I’m blown away each time – wondering how we got so lucky and blessed to have so much talent accumulated right here in Kentucky.  Each time we go, I spend the entire ride home wondering how I can spread the word about the shows at Badgett Playhouse.  To date, I”ve written many articles here on Genuine Kentucky about Grand Rivers Variety AND I’ve written letters to quite a few local (and not so local) newspapers.   Most newspapers have it set up to do so on their websites, and I’ve done just that.  That reminds me, it’s been about a year, I think it’s time to make the rounds again.

If they ever print up t-shirts, I’ll be first in line to buy seven – one for each member of my immediate family. We all gadabout all over Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana and we’d let our t-shirts spread the message.

What can I say? I’m a huge fan.

I’m an even bigger fan after last night.  Hank Williams: Lost Highway was one of the best shows I’ve ever, ever seen at Badgett Playhouse – or anywhere else for that matter. I’m as obsessed with the Greater Tuna shows as I am with coffee, so I can’t put it above them, but it sits at the top of the rest. It was THAT special, THAT entertaining, THAT moving, and THAT remarkable.  If you don’t grab tickets for Hank Williams: Lost Highway immediately and see it right away, you’ll be making one of the biggest mistakes of your life.   It doesn’t matter if you were a huge Hank Williams fan or not.  Heck, it doesn’t matter if you really aren’t even sure who Hank Williams was.

It doesn’t even matter if you think of Monday Night Football when you hear the name!  (It was his son, by the way, but really it doesn’t matter).

Everyone involved with Hank Williams: Lost Highway deserves pages of accolades and heaps of praise. A great, great, great deal of work, effort, time, and talent obviously went into the production, the gorgeous costumes, the songs, the music, the lines, the directing, and so forth.  This is an exceptionally well-done show and it’s abundantly obvious that everyone connected to Grand Rivers Variety busted their backsides to contribute.  Excellence doesn’t just happen. Excellence is earned.

Here’s a list of the cast, a partial list of those who chased (and caught) excellence:

Ross Bolen – Hank Williams

Stephen D. Keene – Tee Tot

Kirsten Cannon – an adorable waitress! Kirsten is what you call a scene-stealer and she was PERFECT for the role.

Scot Durham - Pappy (I’ve seen Scot in many different roles at Grand Rivers Variety and this was, in my opinion, him at his best. Great job!)

Sara Lynn Minihan - Audrey (Remarkably talented and hilarious as always – and the girl makes the costumes, too. I’m never less than totally amazed by her.)

Kay Scarbrough – Hank Williams Sr.’s mother (This, along with Bus Stop was one of the best shows at Grand Rivers Variety and Kay was absolutely priceless in each.)

Steve Sherling and Barry Jobe - Hank Williams Sr.’s friends and band members.  They delivered the perfect amount of humor to offset the drama of the show. They were brilliant! If you love the Greater Tuna shows as much as I do (not sure anyone could love them quite as much as me, but we won’t split hairs), you’ll recognize Steve Sherling. It’s Steve (along with the equally hilarious Bill Minihan) who makes these tuna shows so outrageously priceless.

And, of course, the irreplaceable and talented musicians Eddie Holland and Thomas Michael. Flawless as always.  I think we all are spoiled by their greatness – something that can be said of everyone associated with Grand Rivers Variety.

While I’d love to spend the entire day applauding each member of the cast and crew – I think my readers would begin to tune out after page 7 or 8.  So, I’m going to give my attention to the two of the cast members who are totally new to me.  As for the “regulars” who are anything but just regular, you were amazing as always.  Flawless, prepared, professional, engaging, entertaining, and a credit to artistic performers everywhere.  You’re so freaking amazing that it’s becoming kind of old hat, you know?   You people remind me of watching a Johnny Depp movie. Of course the Depp’s going to be devastatingly amazing.  He’d incapable of anything less.

Ditto to each and every one of you.  You’re sailing excellent waters with Captain Jack Sparrow.  How’s that working for you?

I’ll turn my attention to the two crew members who are new to me.  Mind you they aren’t newcomers or stowaways – I’ve simply never had the pleasure of seeing (or hearing) them in action.  God willing, it won’t be my last time either.  Stephen D. Keene and Ross Bolen made an embarrassing wrong turn, you see.  These young men should be in Nashville making records and playing before sold out crowds at The Grand Old Opry.  Let’s not tell them that Grand Rivers isn’t Nashville and Badgett Playhouse isn’t The Grand Ole Opry – because, frankly, when they’re on stage it feels like they are.

Truth be told, the same could be said about quite a few of the performers at Grand Rivers Variety, but remember, I’m trying to stay within a reasonable word count here.

Ross Bolen didn’t just “play” the role of Hank Williams, he as much as became Hank Williams.  He is the embodiment of Hank Williams – right to the core. The demons that tore through Williams seemed to be tearing right through Ross Bolen.  At one point,  some of the most mesmerizing and intoxicating music I’ve ever heard filled the playhouse as the equally mesmerizing and intoxicating Stephen D. Keene sang (seriously, man… where are your CD’s..).  Ross Bolen’s Hank Williams sat on the stage, sort of writing as the demons were winning the battle.  This was one of the times I got goosebumps.  They accompanied the gaping mouth and tear-filled eyes.  At one point I realized I was holding my breath.

That sort of thing’s expected when you’re transfixed.

The show opened beautifully and emotionally and it never missed a beat.  They spellbound you from the very start and don’t release you until you walk out the front doors.

In case you couldn’t notice, I’m sort of scrambling for words here.  I work with words all day, every day and yet here I am…. chasing them around my home on an early Sunday morning!  Where are the words that can tell you just how powerful Ross Bolen was as Hank Williams and how otherworldly Stephen D. Keene’s voice is? When he first opened his mouth and this AMAZING voice came out,my husband leaned over to me and said, “If James Earl Jones could sing, THAT’S what he’d want to sound like!”  I can’t argue with that, and Mr. Jones wouldn’t be alone.

Ross Bolen and Stephen D. Keene blew me so far away that I’m not expected back for days.  As always, when you leave Badgett Playhouse, the audience is able to shake the performers hands and say a few words before leaving.  There was quite a crowd, so unfortunately I didn’t have a chance to shake each person’s hand.  I did make my way to Mr. Keene, however.  As I shook his large hand and looked up into his smiling face, I felt like a giddy fan, backstage at a concert.  All the great, profound words at my disposal flew out the window and all I could do was giggle and say, “I could listen to you sing all day!”

Seriously? That’s all I had?

I guess I should say, that’s all I had left.

Hank Williams: Lost Highway isn’t just a great show.  It isn’t just a series of outstanding performances.  It isn’t just an eye-popping production with gorgeous costumes.  It isn’t just 2 hours of heart-thumping excitement and heart-touching emotion.  It isn’t just an excellent way to see how you look when you’re transfixed (as enlightening as that is).  Hank Williams: Lost Highway at Grand Rivers Variety is a once in a lifetime experience that’s waiting for you.

Useful information and links:

Click the following link to learn more about Hank Williams: Lost Highway and it’s excellent cast.

Click here for other shows and dates at Grand Rivers Variety.

Dates for Hank Williams: Lost Highway

  • May 20 at 7:00 pm
  • May 27 at 7:00 pm
  • May 28 at 2:00 pm
  • June 3 at 7:00 pm

As you can see, your opportunities are limited – so please don’t miss your chance to see this extraordinary show. Go to Grand Rivers Variety’s website right now and grab your tickets.  You have the chance right now, so GO!  Take everyone you know and half the people you don’t know!

 

Filed Under: Entertainment, Events, Grand Rivers Variety, Reviews

The Oxford American, The Barry Hannah Issue

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The Oxford American Barry Hannah IssueI’ve written about The Oxford American before on Genuine Kentucky. Great magazine. Outstanding, really.

If The Oxford American were a human, it would be a very well-read, profoundly interesting, with, colorful, and well-rounded individual.

With a Southern accent.

The newest issue (Issue Number 72) features author Barry Hannah on the cover. Barry Hannah, who died in 2010, was a gifted author who also taught creative writing for nearly 30 years at the University of Mississippi.

Hannah was a longtime contributor to The Oxford American and even had a story featured in its first issue.  Featuring the prolific writer on the cover is a great tribute, as is the collection of reflections from his students, fans, and friends in a section titled “Barry Hannah in the World.”

Like all issues, Issue 72 of The Oxford American is filled (and I mean FILLED) with extremely well-written and thought-provoking short stories and essays.

While it was a tough choice, my favorite essay from this issue is Colors That Bleed.  Written in honor of the Civil War’s 150th birthday, the essay looks at something that I, personally, feel very (VERY) strongly about.  The Confederate flag.

While I always listen intently to other people’s opinions, I’ve never been one to shy away from giving my own. I suppose it could be counted as one of my best traits and one of my worst.  Either way, I don’t know if I’ve ever bitten my tongue.

But I do know I won’t start now.

I HATE with a cruel, un-Christian hatred to see the confederate flag flying in the breeze. I HATE to see images of it on t-shrits, hats, jeans… anywhere, actually.  It is not a symbol of the south, the rest of simply won’t stand for it.  It’s a symbol of bigotry, prejudice, and intolerance.  Those of us who are true Southerners and want our part of the country to be represented as it truly should wish all symbols of the rebel flag would fall off the face of the earth.

I told you I have no qualms about speaking my mind.

I love my home state of Kentucky and I love the south. However, I also love my country and love it dearly. I’m thankful and honored to call myself an American and I’m grateful that the Civil War turned out American Flag as it did.  Extremely thankful.  Merely saying the words “I’m an American” fills my heart with pride!  If there are any people who don’t feel the same way, I’d be the first to tell them, “Planes fly out every day.”

I’m proud that when our Southern ancestors WRONGLY fought to secede, our ancestors from the North fought to keep them on the same team.

Both sides made mistakes before, during, and after the war – make no mistake about it but what some seem unable to accept is, THE WAR’s OVER! The good news is, we all won.

As the wonderful essay points out, the Confederate flag is still an issues for some people in the south.  Those in favor fly is as a SUPPOSED symbol of Southern pride.

Sorry but that just doesn’t ring true.  Those of us who are truly proud of the South are prouder of where we are now than where we were then.

Just a final thought:  No one – and I mean no one – looks at the Confederate flag and thinks, “Ooooh, Southern pride.”  We all look at it being worn or flown today and think one thing.

Redneck.

Well, I guess that little ranting diatribe best illustrates an earlier comment: The essays and short stories in The Oxford American are thought-provoking!  The authors cause you to dig deep and think and, let’s face it, in an age where so much time is spent in front of technology, good old fashioned brain storms are just what we all need!

The Oxford American is excellent. Believe me, after you’ve spent a little time with your first issue, you’ll be anxiously awaiting your next. They’re always edgy, always fascinating, always interesting, always filled with mind-blowing photographs and art, and… yes, sirree…. always thought-provoking.

 

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: ,

Ring of Fire: The Johnny Cash Musical Show at Grand Rivers Variety

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Johnny Cash Ring of Fire at Grand Rivers Variety

Saturday night, my husband and I took a couple of friends to see Ring of Fire: The Johnny Cash Musical Show in beautiful Grand Rivers, Kentucky at the Badgett Playhouse.  If you’ve read Genuine Kentucky for any length of time, you know that we frequently see shows at the Badgett Playhouse.  They’re always a lot of fun and this show was no exception.

Before I launch into Ring of Fire, I just want to rave a little bit about Badgett Playhouse, Grand Rivers, and the Variety! Music, Memories, & More shows and cast. My husband (Michael) and I also frequently go to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. We see shows at the Opry as well as the Ryman. We always have a great time – Nashville restaurants, combined with the great talent keep us coming back.

I’d love for more Kentuckians (as well as people in other states) to realize that we have a “baby Nashville” in our own backyard. No, Grand Rivers doesn’t have as many restaurants as Nashville (Thank goodness! Who needs the traffic?!) – but many would say that the infamous Patti’s Settlement more than makes up for it.

A few quick facts about Patti’s Settlement (from Grand Rivers.org)

  • VOTED #1 Restaurant for Tourism by the State of Kentucky
  • Blue Chip Award given by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
  • Pork Producers Award
  • General Manager was voted Manager of the Year by Kentucky Restaurant Association
  • Voted #1 by Southern Living Magazine’s Reader’s Choice Award for Best Small Town Restaurant in Southeast United States

Other outstanding restaurants in the area include Willow Pond (Calvert City and Eddyville), Lake Barkley State Resort Park Lodge’s restaurant, Catfish Kitchen (Draffenville),  and Majestic Pizza and Steakhouse (Draffenville – some of the best pizza anywhere!).

Trust me, I can vouch for each of these restaurants – they’re excellent.  If you’re lodging in the area, and time isn’t a problem, you can find even more restaurants in Paducah, Benton, Murray, and Aurora.  If you ever get a chance to eat at Aurora’s Willow Pond, do so. The hush puppies will blow your very mind.

The Variety! Music, Memories, & More shows are as entertaining as the shows we see in Nashville.  Each time I leave, I wonder, “Why aren’t these singers, comedians, musicians, and dancers in Nashville?”  I don’t say it out loud, of course, because I don’t want Nashville to know they’re here.  Why spoil a great thing?!

Ring of Fire: The Johnny Cash Musical Show

Have you ever raved about something (a restaurant, movie, tv show…) to someone, then when they watch it – held your breath, hoping they liked it as much?  With most things in life, it sort of plays out like that.  However, whenever we take friends or family to a Variety! Music, Memories, & More show, I’ve never held my breath once. I KNOW, beyond a hint of doubt, that the people involved will never let us down.

Never have. Never will.

The friends we took were from Nashville, so they’ve seen, and heard, some great entertainment.  It was wonderful to know that they’d see great entertainment on this night as well.  One minute into the show, they were laughing, tapping hands on their legs, and having a great time.  Honestly, there was never any doubt in my mind that the rock would roll just like that.

The show was one that every Johnny Cash fan will want to see.  Not only do the ridiculously talented singers and musicians do the songs GREAT justice, you’re treated to precious footage and memories of Johnny Cash, his life, and his childhood.  It all blends together perfectly to celebrate the life and music of the Man in Black. It’s a 2 hour tribute that you wish would last a couple of more hours.

The show included “regulars” that we know and love: Sara Minihan, Scot Durham, Eddie Holland, Thomas Michael, and Stephanie Jo Newton. I was reminded, again, of how much Stephanie Jo Newton’s voice reminds me of one of my favorite country star’s, Lee Ann Womack. Thomas Michael, who is consistently a crowd favorite, was featured heavily in this show and it was a stroke of genius. His rich, beautiful voice was ideal for Johnny Cash songs. The musicians were, as always, outstanding. Unfortunately, the website (Grand Rivers Variety) doesn’t have the Cast list featured for this particular show, so I can’t give the name of the drummer – but he was really something special!

Fortunately, my husband and I were so impressed with two new faces that he took my notebook and asked Bill Minihan for their names! Barry Jobe and Chad Mullins blew us away. Suffice to say, they were two more performers who had me wondering, “Now… just why aren’t they on stage at The Grand Ole Opry or in Nashville making country music?!” Of course, this was wondered silently. Many times over. Shhh, we don’t want Nashville taking them away just yet.

Barry Jobe did quite a few vocals and did so beautifully. Chad Mullins also did vocals, in addition to playing the banjo unlike I’ve ever heard it played before. I was mesmerized. If either is ever in concert, I’m so there.

Front row.

The whole night was memorable, fun, and very entertaining. One of my favorite moments was the song Jackson by Thomas Michael and Stephanie Jo Newton.  Their voices were wonderful together and each did their parts perfectly.  Stephanie Jo, at a young age,  is outstanding at something that many performers (even veterans) don’t quite get: You don’t have to “oversell” great songs, great writing, and great talent.  You just let it flow.   It’s something I’d noticed before about her and, when I realized that she’d be singing Jackson with Thomas, I thought, “This will be a true test..” After all, the song is so spirited and fun, it would have been really easy to go overboard with facial expressions and try to FORCE the audience to have a good time.

Stephanie Jo and Thomas each realized that the song, the lyrics, and the story they told were the real stars, and they gave them center stage.  By doing so, they showed their own star power.

I hope you’ll make your way to beautiful Grand Rivers, Kentucky and see Ring of Fire: The Johnny Cash Musical Show.  The show will play through mid-May.

Filed Under: Blog, Country Music, Entertainment, Featured, Grand Rivers, Grand Rivers Variety, Reviews Tagged With: ,

You’ll Love the Oxford American 12th Annual Southern Music Issue

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Oxford American 12th Annual Southern Music IssueOxford American: The Southern Magazine of Good Writing isn’t just an outstanding publication, it’s a consistently outstanding publication.  Each issue goes out of its way to entertain, enlighten, and even educate the reader. Unfortunately most publications (whether they’re magazines, journals, newspapers, etc) play the old hit or miss game – one issue will blow you completely away while the next bores you to tears.

With Oxford American, you can count on being blown away each time you open the front cover… or the back cover if you roll in reverse.

This publication is jut that good.  They apparently set a high standard early on and refuse to lower it even in the slightest.  In an effort to just keep it real, however, how could Oxford American not be exceptional?  It speaks with a Southern accent.

The current issue is one every Southerner (and non-Southerner) will want to get their hands, eyes, and ears on.  Yes, even ears.  The 12th Annual Southern Music Issue comes with a GREAT CD featuring 27 songs celebrating Alabama music.  Great stuff!  I can’t even count the number of times I’ve listened to this CD but suffice to say I have the words, the songs, and even the song order memorized.

It’s beyond excellent and I know you’ll love the Alabama Music CD as much as I do – again and again and again and again….  Naturally, it takes more than just a killer CD to make a magazine exceptional.  The brilliant writers who contribute to Oxford American are their secret weapon.  The outstanding articles and stories are unlike anything you’ll find in other publications.

It pretty much hearkens back to the accent with which they speak thing.  But ya’ll already knew that.

From Oxford American.org:

This is the second year that The Oxford American‘s award-winning and critically acclaimed Southern Music Issue focuses on the musical heritage of a particular Southern state. (Arkansas was featured in last year’s edition.)

“Because of the wealth of musical genres that come from Alabama, and the wealth of great artists within those genres, it is impossible to define Alabama music in a single blurb,” says Marc Smirnoff, editor of The Oxford American. “Which is just the way we like it. We enjoyed the complexity and richness of our target state.”

Over the years, The Oxford American‘s Music Issue and CD has generated much praise, from the BBC to the New York Times. The Houston Chronicle has called it “the single best music-related magazine of any given year,” while the Boston Globe simply termed it “a welcome fix.” Musicians like Dolly Parton, Chris Isaak, and Tom Petty have also gone on record to praise it.

The Oxford American ‘s Music Issue and CD is an annual treasure trove for music fanatics who welcome the introductions to lesser-known but fascinating musical artists from the South.

Visit Oxford American.org to get a taste of the high quality writing and graphics you can expect in each issue. While on the website, you’d wax especially brilliant if you go ahead and subscribe to the publication.  For just around $20 a year, it’s an ideal way to celebrate, embrace, and flaunt everything that makes being a Southerner so very, very special.

Filed Under: Blog, Bluegrass Music, Country Music, Reviews Tagged With: , , ,

Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park: Your Jaw Will Drop

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Michael and I recently ate at Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park.  We dined in the lodge’s dining room, the Clifty Creek Restaurant.  The name, alone, should prepare you for the incredible view afforded by the many large windows!  But more about the view in a minute.   Let’s eat first.

My catfish (Yes, in fact I do order catfish just about everywhere I go!) sandwich was out of this world. I also had onion rings which were pretty darn good too.  The catfish was the star of the show, however – it was so big it spilled out the sides of my bread.  I SO love it when that happens.

The tarter sauce was excellent as well.  Tarter sauce is like coleslaw – when you eat out, you have to approach with caution.  It seems like it’s either spectacular or down right disgusting (little shout out to those restaurants with yellow coleslaw – knock it off, you’re making me ill!).

The tarter sauce served with my mammoth catfish was perfect – that’s all, just perfect.  However, the catfish was seasoned so well that I only put tarter sauce on half of the sandwich.  We catfish lovers know that that’s the true sign of great catfish – if it needs no tarter sauce.

As delicious as the food was, I have to say that the view from the restaurant is what will stick with me the most.  As a web publisher/writer, I work with words all day, everyday.  They’re my co-workers, my livelihood, and my constant companions.  However, there are times when they simply abandon me.

This was one of those times.  The view is so breathtaking that words simply won’t show up – they aren’t sure what to say.  They know that nothing they say could make the experience any better…. so why even try?

The water was shiny and rippling with the breeze.  The many (many, many, many, many) trees were breathtakingly symbolic of what makes Kentucky Kentucky.  A native Kentuckian (which I am) simply takes in a view like this and thinks, “THIS is why it’s so hard to be humble when you’re from Kentucky.”

The view would be spectacular any time of the year, but on this particular autumn day, it was extra colorful as the trees were dressed in their colorful attire.

Every now and then a leaf would ride down to the ground courtesy of a gentle breeze and I forgot all about my meal.  Yes, even the catfish.

Many times, when I’m admiring nature, I’ll “picture” what it must look like during the other seasons.  I can only imagine how incredible a snowy, wintry day must look from this view!   No doubt summer and spring would leave me searching for words as well.

Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park is one of the most beautiful State Parks we have here in Kentucky.  It isn’t one you hear the MOST about, but it is one you should go the MOST out of your way to see.  If you are a parent or grandparent and you want to instill a love of and wonder for our beautiful state in the younger generation, please take them to Kentucky State Parks.  Eat in the dining rooms, shop in the gift shops, chat with the workers (most are exceptionally friendly and warm), take lots of pictures, and simply bask in the beauty that is Kentucky.

When words fail to show up, just enjoy the silence.

By all means, make your way to Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park as soon as possible.  It’s “genuinely Kentucky” and breathtakingly so.

Pennyrile State Resort Park
20781 Pennyrile Lodge Road
Dawson Springs, KY 42408-9212
Telephone: 270-797-3421
Toll Free: 800-325-1711
Park Manager:  Peter Bowles

Filed Under: Blog, Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, Restaurant Reviews, Reviews

Pangea Cafe in Owensboro: Extraordinary, Exceptional..

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Throw out the thesaurus, there simply aren’t enough words in it to describe Pangea Cafe in Owensboro, Kentucky.  I’m not sure what I love the most – the ridiculously friendly people who work at Pangea, the extraordinarily delicious food they serve, or how unexpected it is to find Pangea on Carter Road.  Carter Road is a very laid-back, quiet little stretch of Owensboro. Until Pangea came along, it’s main claims to fame were Lee’s Chicken and Little Caesar’s (a couple of my favorite stomping grounds).  Suffice to say, Pangea’s large green building with it’s elegant interior decorations and outstanding cuisine aren’t what you’d expect to find cozied up next to the Dollar General Store.

Unexpected, but deliciously so.

But seriously, who am I kidding, I know what I love the most… the food!

My oldest daughter, Emily, and I eat lunch at Pangea regularly. It’s just out of this world delicious.  I almost always get the Asian Vegetable Wrap (Napa cabbage, julienned carrots and peppers, chow mein noodles tossed in a soy-sprite vinaigrette served in a spinach wrap) with Homemade Potato Chips.  Seriously, you have to try each of these. The Asian Wrap isn’t just ideal for those of you who are vegetarians or those of us who are health-concious.  It’s ideal for anyone with taste buds that appreciate food so delicious you can’t get it off of your mind.  Honestly, I can have an Asian Vegetable Wrap from Pangea on Friday afternoon and still be mooning over it when Wednesday rolls around.

Emily usually gets the House Made Chicken Salad Sandwich (Seared chicken breast tossed with fresh herbs on sourdough bread) with house made pesto ranch pasta salad as her side.  Also outstanding!  She recently ventured out and had the Hummus Roasted Vegetable (House made hummus with roasted vegetables, Swiss cheese, basil pesto on sourdough bread) and raved endlessly about it.  She offered me a bite and, since my mom didn’t raise a fool, I took it.  Wow! It’s even better than you’d expect it to be. I guess we were both feeling our cheerios because, on the same trip, I ventured out and had Fish Tacos and a Black Bean Cake (it reminded me of a salmon patty but with black beans instead of salmon).  They were unbelievably delicious but, if pressed, my favorite is still the Asian Vegetable Wrap.  It’s simply unlike anything you can get anywhere else.

I guess that last sentence kind of sums up the Pangea experience.  The food, the decor, the whole beautiful ambiance… it’s highly special and quite original.  From the iced tea served in beautiful, slanted glasses to the homemade potato chips, everything is extra-special.  Eating lunch at Pangea is like treating yourself to something wonderful. You step into the cafe and allow them to pamper you.

It’s like a culinary spa.

As for the price, the lunch menu is very reasonable.  My girls and I eat lunch out fairly often and it’s very much “on par” with most restaurants (okay, maybe not Subway, but you know what I mean).  I’ve never eaten dinner at Pangea but I’ve heard that the dinner prices are quite a bit higher than the lunch prices are.  However, as someone who has eaten the food, I can only say, “Some things in life are worth the extra cost.”

If you want quality food, you have to pay for it.  Personally?  I want quality food.

About Pangea and Chef Justin Crandall, C.C.

Chef Justin Crandall, C.C., a graduate of the Florida Culinary Institute, started his culinary career as a private chef and completed a two year internship under Chef Auguste Carriero CEC CCE CC, a former Executive Chef at the PGA National Resort. Upon completion of his internship, Chef Crandall then went on to take a saucier position at the Biltmore Estates. After spending a year at the Biltmore, Justin then spent the next two years traveling and working, discovering unique tastes. Along the way, he worked in Florida at the Harbour Ridge Yacht and Country Club, as well as in New Hampshire at the Bald Peak Colony Club. While there, Chef Crandall was asked to open The Cafe in Ames, Iowa. A year and a half later, Justin was offered the executive chef position at The Teacup Cottage in Acworth, Georgia where he worked to perfect his food and philosophy.

The next time you’re wondering where to eat lunch in Owensboro, Kentucky – simply head to 1320 Carter Road.  When you see a large, avocado green building you’ll know you’ve reached your destination, also known as culinary Heaven.  Click HERE for more professional directions!

If you’re there for lunch, chances are you’ll see me and Emily. We’ll be the two brunettes talking about UK Basketball as one devours an Asian Wrap and the other tackles a Chicken Salad Sandwich or Hummus Roasted Vegetable Sandwich.  Be sure to say “Hi,” unless of course you’re wearing a Tennessee Vols  jersey… in which case we’ll snub you royally (kidding-ish).

Visit Pangea’s website to sign up for Weekly Specials AND grab a coupon to use for your next trip.

Filed Under: Blog, Featured, Food, Owensboro, Restaurant Reviews, Reviews Tagged With: , , ,

New Fudge at The Hitching Post for Pumpkin Pie Lovers

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My husband (Michael) and a buddy of his recently played golf in the Land Between the Lakes area.   Since I didn’t marry a fool, the wandering golfers ate dinner at The Willow Pond in Aurora and paid a visit to the Hitching Post Country Store.

Sigh. I love a man with a brain.

I also love great catfish, so I love all of the Willow Pond restaurants.  But the Willow Pond in Aurora is extra-special.  Their hush puppies, for one thing, are simply the best.  The staff is extra-friendly, the food exceptional and…

…. it’s just down the road from one of my favorite spots in the entire state:  The Hitching Post Country Store. While there, Michael sampled the fudge.  I would have been beside myself except for one thing – he brought me a piece back.

My favorite varieties of fudge are peanut butter, Tiger Butter, and chocolate. H-O-W-E-V-E-R, the piece of fudge he brought back has thrown itself firmly into my list of favorites.  Pumpkin!  When I opened the paper, my dessert ninja nose knew instantly that this piece of fudge had pumpkin pie on its mind.

It was outstanding – far better than mere words can describe.  So, you know what that means, right?  You must take yourself, and every sweet tooth in your head, to Aurora, Kentucky asap and let the exceptionally friendly and warm people at the Hitching Post hook you up with this autumn-ly, Heavenly fudge.

While there, you’ll also wax brilliant if you buy a jar or two or twenty of Red Pepper Jelly.  Then, when you get home, take said jelly and pour it over a block of cream cheese.  Served with Ritz crackers, it’s a snack you’ll never forget.

Filed Under: Aurora, Food, LBL, Restaurant Reviews, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
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