Depot’s Brown Bag Lunch Concert Series Starts Friday with Mean Mary

Depot’s Brown Bag Lunch concert series starts Friday with Mean Mary

COOKEVILLE – Music and lunch will come together four Fridays in October – starting this Friday with Mean Mary – for the Brown Bag Lunch Concert series at the Cookeville Depot Museum.

“This is a long-running series that has been very successful due to its variety and location,” Chad McDonald, Cookeville Leisure Services cultural arts superintendent, said. “Listening to great music while sitting outside on a nice fall day at the depot is about as good as it gets.”

Concerts are 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., and admission is free. Blue Coast Burrito lunches may be purchased on site beginning at 11 a.m.

“Mean” Mary James, known internationally for her “lightning-fast fingers, haunting vocals and intricate story songs,” according to her Facebook page, will entertain audience members with her folk-rock, bluegrass and blues tunes. The singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, novelist and producer has recorded 16 albums, the newest being Alone.

Also scheduled to perform are Rachel Cole on Oct. 9 and Ridin’ the Rails on Oct. 16. (The Oct. 23 performer will be announced at a later time.)

Rachel Cole is a folk-driven singer-songwriter from Nashville who has toured extensively around the country as a solo act as well as with other groups. Her debut unplugged single, “Rugged Road,” is out now.

Ridin’ the Rails offers an entertaining look at the American Railroad through song and story. This three-piece, high-energy band consists of Darrell Varley (vocals, guitar, banjo, mandolin and fiddle); Doug Roberts (vocals, guitar and ukulele); and Jim Hardaway (vocals, bass and guitar) performing songs relating to trains in a folk, bluegrass and nostalgic rock style.

“From country to bluegrass to jazz, there is something for every taste,” McDonald said. “The depot serves as the perfect backdrop for the performers.”

Brown Bag Lunch Concerts are presented by the City of Cookeville Department of Leisure Services and funded in part by the Cookeville Arts Council.

Limited seating on the east patio is provided. Attendees may also bring lawn chairs.

“Eating lunch at the intersection of three streets in the middle of town while listening to a concert is an experience in and of itself,” McDonald said. “It’s a relaxing juxtaposition to the business of everyday life.”

The Cookeville Depot Museum is located at 116 W. Broad St. For more information, call 931-520-4386.

Rachel Cole

                                                                    Ridin the Rails