Local educators, students invited to ‘Pack the Park’ on May 3

Fun and entertainment for all ages is planned for “Pack the Park for Education” activities surrounding the Saturday, May 3, Tusculum College Pioneer baseball game at Pioneer Park.

While providing a fun weekend outing for local families is one reason for Tusculum College to sponsor “Pack the Park for Education,” its primary goal is to honor those who are dedicated to providing a quality education to the community’s young people. Throughout the event, Tusculum College wants to express its appreciation to all those involved in the Greeneville and Greene County school systems whose efforts are preparing the leaders of tomorrow.

“What better way to spend a Saturday afternoon, enjoying baseball, music, food and fun, while honoring a profession central to the local community, economic development, and the future of the region, state and nation,” said Tusculum College President Nancy B. Moody.

Festivities will begin at 3:30 p.m. at Pioneer Park on the Tusculum campus with a free concert featuring recording artists Austin Baze, Michelle Leigh and Greeneville’s own Step Cousins.

Austin Baze, the duo of Brian Buckner and Nick Gunter, will be joined by musicians Dave Fowler, Jack Gavin and Jason Roller, who have played with such artists as Tracy Lawrence, Charlie Daniels, Dolly Parton, Tanya Tucker, Dave Mason and others. Michelle Leigh is an up-and-coming southern-rock performer who has toured with the “Young Guns of Country.” Local band Step Cousins mixes past and present country and has played in the popular Dogwood Park Concert Series. Dave Fowler and Dave Fowler Productions have been instrumental in helping the college provide this concert to the community. (Please see the bio information below  for more information about each of the artists.)

A “fun zone” for kids and those young at heart will feature inflatables, corn hole, face and body painting and other free activities outside Pioneer Park during the event.

Concessions will be available and an area will be open to all who want to bring a blanket or chairs and tailgate prior to the baseball game against Bluefield State.

Admission to the baseball game will be free to all students, teachers, teacher assistants, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, custodians and maintenance personnel, school board members, etc. Throughout the game, local educators will be honored in a variety of ways.

A fireworks display, sponsored by Watauga Orthopaedics, will immediately follow the game to conclude the day’s festivities.

Concert Performers

Austin Baze with Dave Fowler, Jack Gavin and Jason Roller:

Austin Baze  (Brian Buckner and Nick Gunter) –  Austin Baze is a duo from the foothills of Western North Carolina and Greeneville, Tenn., carrying on their strong music heritage and deep rooted beliefs. They grew up influenced by generations of musicians in the Appalachian Mountains.  ” I remember when we sat around the porch, hill top, or just wherever…pickin and singing with all our family and friends. ” said Brian Buckner…..” We have been singing together since we were kids in church, and other venues in the later years. “adds Nick Gunter. The years have passed and now here they are; writing songs about life, love, and their experiences. They are excited to be back together in their element doing what they love. “We are working on a new project with our producer Dave Fowler of Dave Fowler Productions, and looking forward to sharing our music with all of you!!”

 

Dave Fowler: Nashville record producer, tour manager, and professional artist.  He has composed, arranged, and recorded many original songs along with producing records for a number of artists.  He was Dolly Parton’s tour manage and band coordinator from 2005 to 2009 and has managed Collin Raye. He has played bass guitar for more than 30 years and has toured with Lorrie Morgan, Tracy Lawrence, Rhett Akins, Dottie West, Edwin McCain, Cinderella, John Michal Montgomery, Chely Wright, Dolly Parton, Collin Raye, Joe Diffie and Mark Chesnut.

 

Jack Gavin – played drums for Charlie Daniels band for 15 years. He also played and tour managed Tanya Tucker for 10 years. He and Dave Fowler were also were the rhythm section for country artist Tracy Lawrence for 5 years.

 

Jason Roller – plays electric guitars. He has toured with Tracy Lawrence, Joe Diffie, Wynonna, Dave Mason, Dolly Parton and many others.

 

 

Michelle Leigh:

Edgy and honest, Michelle Leigh brings a no-holds barred approach to her writing and her music. The Southern Rock Uprising Records recording artist’s songwriting style can only be described as raw and honest. Her songs amplify real-life situations, real-life problems and real-life solutions.  She has crafted a sound and style that mixes Southern Rock (a traditionally male dominated genre) with Country and Pop elements. Michelle has toured with the “Young Guns of Country” and won the Charlotte Music Awards 2013 Women in Rock Showcase.  Michelle performs regularly throughout the region and most recently at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino.  She spends her time between her home in Marshall, North Carolina and Nashville, Tennessee.

 

Step Cousins:

A local group providing a pure mixture of past and present country, with a light alternative sense and a feel of something new. Their high energy show appeals to people of any age.  Step Cousins was formed in the fall of 2012, cultivating a sound all their own in their hometown of Greeneville. They have had many local accomplishments since their formation, including a first place finish in the Appalachian Fair youth talent show, a performance in American Downtown, Tusculum College’s tailgate series, Coffeehouse series and a slot in the Dogwood Park series.

 

Austin Baze with Dave Fowler, Jack Gavin and Jason Roller:

Austin Baze  (Brian Buckner and Nick Gunter) –  Austin Baze is a duo from the foothills of Western North Carolina and Greeneville, Tenn., carrying on their strong music heritage and deep rooted beliefs. They grew up influenced by generations of musicians in the Appalachian Mountains.  ” I remember when we sat around the porch, hill top, or just wherever…pickin and singing with all our family and friends. ” said Brian Buckner…..” We have been singing together since we were kids in church, and other venues in the later years. “adds Nick Gunter. The years have passed and now here they are; writing songs about life, love, and their experiences. They are excited to be back together in their element doing what they love. “We are working on a new project with our producer Dave Fowler of Dave Fowler Productions, and looking forward to sharing our music with all of you!!”

 

Dave Fowler: Nashville record producer, tour manager, and professional artist.  He has composed, arranged, and recorded many original songs along with producing records for a number of artists.  He was Dolly Parton’s tour manage and band coordinator from 2005 to 2009 and has managed Collin Raye. He has played bass guitar for more than 30 years and has toured with Lorrie Morgan, Tracy Lawrence, Rhett Akins, Dottie West, Edwin McCain, Cinderella, John Michal Montgomery, Chely Wright, Dolly Parton, Collin Raye, Joe Diffie and Mark Chesnut.

 

Jack Gavin – played drums for Charlie Daniels band for 15 years. He also played and tour managed Tanya Tucker for 10 years. He and Dave Fowler were also were the rhythm section for country artist Tracy Lawrence for 5 years.

 

Jason Roller – plays electric guitars. He has toured with Tracy Lawrence, Joe Diffie, Wynonna, Dave Mason, Dolly Parton and many others.

 

 

Michelle Leigh:

Edgy and honest, Michelle Leigh brings a no-holds barred approach to her writing and her music. The Southern Rock Uprising Records recording artist’s songwriting style can only be described as raw and honest. Her songs amplify real-life situations, real-life problems and real-life solutions.  She has crafted a sound and style that mixes Southern Rock (a traditionally male dominated genre) with Country and Pop elements. Michelle has toured with the “Young Guns of Country” and won the Charlotte Music Awards 2013 Women in Rock Showcase.  Michelle performs regularly throughout the region and most recently at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino.  She spends her time between her home in Marshall, North Carolina and Nashville, Tennessee.

 

Step Cousins:

A local group providing a pure mixture of past and present country, with a light alternative sense and a feel of something new. Their high energy show appeals to people of any age.  Step Cousins was formed in the fall of 2012, cultivating a sound all their own in their hometown of Greeneville. They have had many local accomplishments since their formation, including a first place finish in the Appalachian Fair youth talent show, a performance in American Downtown, Tusculum College’s tailgate series, Coffeehouse series and a slot in the Dogwood Park series.