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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Nashville Landmarks/Personalities/Events)
October 9, 2008
Nashville, Tennessee
Marathon Man Jam
Friends and fans of "Marathon Man"
Barry Walker have organized a benefit concert to be held
in Nashville on November 1, 2008. Walker, the notable Nashville
businessman who revitalized Marathon Village, was involved
in a near-fatal motorcycle accident near Chattanooga on
July 12, 2008, and is recovering from serious physical injuries.
Marathon Village, Walker's pride and joy,
was once a crumbling factory complex left over from the
turn of the 20th century. From 1910 to 1915, the 4-block
area near Charlotte Avenue was home to Marathon Motor Works,
producers of the Marathon automobile, now a rare and valuable
collector's item. In 1986, way ahead of his time in recognizing
a viable "brown field", Barry saw a future for
the area.
With the dream of creating a center for
creative enterprise and commerce, Walker began purchasing
the antique buildings, renovating them one at a time. In
the late 80s, the area was still virtually unknown to the
general public, but local filmmakers, photographers, musicians
and artists were on to it. Marathon Village buildings, in
various stages of repair, were already providing rich and
colorful backdrops for concert rehearsals, photo shoots,
commercials and music videos.
Today, after years of painstaking restoration and adaptation,
Marathon Village has become a vibrant urban center. With
over a quarter of a million square feet of usable space,
the complex is currently home to radio station Lightning
100, microbrewery Yazoo Brewing Company and its Tap Room,
along with numerous studios, workshops and galleries.
Spaces in some of the beautifully preserved
buildings are available for events, and many a memorable
occasion has been hosted there. No longer an obscure destination,
Marathon Village - 100 years after its first heyday - has
rejoined the fabric of Nashville culture. Thanks to Barry
Walker, this historic architectural treasure has become
a landmark preservation district in our growing city.
Now facing the fight of his life, Barry
continues to make daily, sometimes amazing, progress at
the Shepherd Clinic in Atlanta, where his indomitable spirit
has charmed and inspired both staff and patients. Pushing
hard to recover, he is focused on returning home and rejoining
friends, family, and his beloved Marathon Village. His latest
goal is to attend the November 1 concert event in Nashville.
The upcoming Marathon Man Jam will feature
music from The San Rafael Band (Latin/salsa), The Heard
(think Tower of Power), and Mac and Oceana Gayden with Zenphonic
(southern rock with R&B influence). Yazoo Brewery, Ingrid
Grassman Reed of Cooking Creations, and TomKats Catering
will provide cash bar and food at reasonable cost. The event
will include a silent auction of original artwork, autographed
musical instruments and unique gift items.
The Marathon Man Jam takes place Saturday
night, November 1, from 6-11 p.m. The event will be held
at DR&A Studio, a film studio and equipment house located
near downtown Nashville at 45 Willow Street. For directions
to DR&A, look for Marathon Man Jam notices at: www.marathonvillage.com.
Requested donation at the door will be $10
minimum - for a great cause, you can't get much cheaper!
Advance tickets may be purchased at Marathon Village offices,
1305 Clinton Street; Nashville, TN; 37203.
Donations may also be sent to Marathon Man
Jam Fund, c/o Ken Goddard, Senior Vice President; GreenBank;
2621 Lebanon Road; Nashville, TN 37214.
Addendum/Contacts: Marathon Man Benefit Jam
Some recording artists who have filmed music videos at
Marathon Village:
Sam Bush - Sawyer Brown - Darryl Worley
Billy Graham Evangelical Associates Artists
3 Doors Down - Craig Morgan
Marathon Village:
Jim Lawrence 615-327-1010
www.marathonvillage.com
Event Organizer for Marathon Man Jam:
Joni Wheeler 615-298-5664
* * * * *
Dear Members of The Press,
Thanks for your time in reading this, your
good will and good writing in getting the word out.
Sincerely,
Marathon Man Jam Production Team
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