News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The community group Hip Cookeville is bringing back live music Saturday with two shows at CPAC.
Hip Cookeville Founder Blair Dudley said his group started on Facebook looking to promote local businesses, organizations and community. Saturday rock and roll is back in business but socially distanced, with The Petty Junkies.
“These guys are professional touring musicians with artists like Garth Brooks and Reba McEntire and Peter Frampton,” Dudley said. “The lead singer was also a singer in Little Texas, they are the real deal.”
Two shows are set for 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Masks are required to enter the concert and CPAC seating will be max out at 120 seats. Dudley said this concert would not be happening if CPAC was not on the same page as Hip Cookeville.
“Frankly, we would not do the show if that wasn’t in place,” Dudley said. “They’re an incredible partner to us, they take it all very seriously.”
Because of the pandemic, Dudley said trying to put concerts is not a big money venture. Dudley said promoting the arts and music in Cookeville has to be the goal.
“When you have to pay for a band and the facility and the lighting and the sound and the promotion and all that, I mean it’s difficult not to lose money,” Dudley said. “We don’t want to be responsible in any way shape or form for a spread of Coronavirus to any other human being.”
Dudley said Hip Cookeville canceled an outdoor show in August over a rise in COVID number.
Tickets can be purchased over the phone or the online through CPAC. Ticket cost is $32.00 for the opening show in the abbreviated 2nd annual Hip Cookeville Concert Series.
