Tim Preston
The Independent
ASHLAND —
The aroma of hickory smoke lingered over during the lunch hour on Judd Plaza in downtown Ashland on Friday as the duo known as Sister Redden Hair harmonized with the help of a cool breeze on a hot day and created a fun and relaxing atmosphere.
The wood smoke came from across the street at First Presbyterian Church, where grill masters Bill Jackson and Mark Riggs were cooking 120 pounds of pork shoulder for a community event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. Pastor Garrett Bugg said the church made a point of inviting area police, fire and emergency workers to the Saturday barbecue, adding those individuals “certainly had a busy day yesterday,” responding to events including a car explosion and an industrial leak of liquid oxygen.
“In about 12 hours it will be good,” said Riggs, explaining the pork roasts had been brined and rubbed before being placed on the grill for slow cooking. Bugg said the church would also be open to serve as a cooling center for anyone who needs a break from the intense heat of summer.
Opening their show with Cheryl Crowe’s “My Favorite Mistake,” band members Danny Craig and Angy Hall carried on with a set that had their audience singing along with each verse. Despite sound issues that sent their engineer Eddie Riffe scrambling to switch cords between the sound board and speakers, Hall and Craig kept their stride as they offered renditions of tunes made famous by the likes of Alanis Morissette, The Beatles, Credence Clearwater Revival, Tracy Chapman and Bill Withers.
“All right, we need some toe tappin’ and hand clappin,’” Hall said as the duo launched into a version of Bad Moon Rising.
With music in the air, artist Janet Lester from the nearby Pendleton Art Center sat in the shade at a picnic table and worked on her interpretation of an antique photograph depicting her husband’s mother and her sister.
“I’m doing it in sepia tones, which will make it look antique,” Lester said, soon adding she enjoys painting ‘plein air’ or out in the open, although she was quick to add, “I’ve chased a lot of paintings down the street before,” as the light breeze gave an unexpected gust and Craig provided background with a solo rendition of Gordon Lightfoot’s “If You Could Read My Mind.”
The art and music during Friday’s lunch hour was the third in the Melodies and Masterpieces series sponsored by the Arts Council of Northeast Kentucky.
TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2651.
