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Aquapalooza At Lake Martin – Best Pictures And Video
Aquapalooza 2009 at Lake Martin proved to be a huge success.
I will admit to some head scratching in the time leading up to the event. How would all those people be shuttled to boats? Would there be enough anchor room? Would there be enough police?
Russell Marine, Sea Ray, the Marine Police, and Alan Jackson all delivered on a great Lake Martin experience. It truly lived up to the hype of the biggest party ever on the water at Lake Martin.
Sure, the lines were long for the shuttle boats. Sure, there were hundreds of swimmers in the way if you were boating up and down the lanes. Towards the end of the afternoon you needed someone in the front of the boat to yell “Move!” Sure, traffic was congested when everyone left after the Alan Jackson show. But all in all, it was very well done, and very safe considering the huge numbers of people that showed up.
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Big Thanks To Lake Martin Dock Company
As I said above, Russell, Sea Ray, and Alan Jackson deserve a lot of credit. But I will submit that Lake Martin Dock Company should be right in there deserving some praise, for three reasons:
1. They worked (almost) round the clock for weeks setting up the intricate anchor system that literally kept the flotilla together. They also supplied much of the barges, marine equipment, and infra structure.
2. The Love Shack! – see the above pic. Larry Bain and Sharon Johnston had the most creative and festively decorated spot to watch the concert. They had an old covered floating dock that they transformed into a fun, shady party structure. The Love Shack was complete with plants, Smith & Hawken lounge furniture, a gas grill, and a port o potty (with shoji-esque modesty screening). It was a watermark for everyone at Aquapalooza, as in “go to the Love Shack, hang a right, and we’re the fourth boat on the right.”
3. Hospitality – Larry and Sharon and family were kind enough to have my wife and I on board for the day. It was so nice! We are in their debt.
The Music At Aquapalooza Lake Martin 2009
We had to leave before Alan Jackson played. We were sad to go but didn’t want to burn our kid sitters out.
I must say that my favorite act was Jypsi. They were a young band, were yankees, and looked like the B-52s mashed up with the White Stripes. Looks deceived. They played some mean, fast, crisp bluegrass. I was loving it. When they cut into Muleskinner’s Blues, I got chill bumps in the ninety degree weather. I think even my Kentucky buddies would have approved.
More Lake Martin Aquapalooza / Alan Jackson Pictures And Video
Professional:
At the risk of hurting Sea Ray’s feelings, I submit that the best professional pics of Aquapalooza were taken by Kenneth Boone. Kenneth (known around town as “Mr. Perfect”) is the newspaper baron in Alex City, and is one of the best photographers I have the pleasure of knowing. He has outstanding aerial photos, band pics, and the best collection of crowd photos that I have seen. See below for the link, sorry I can’t figure out how to embed the slide show:
Link to Kenneth Boone’s Lake Martin Aquapalooza Photo Album
Amateur:
There are tons of amateur photos of Aquapalooza on the web. More being added every day. The best collection of them that are outside of social networks are posted on Bruce Pate’s Lake Martin dot com.
Aquapalooza Lake Martin Video:
Here’s a quick link to the search results for Aquapalooza Lake Martin on Youtube
Also below here is my video from the Love Shack:
and also one that Palmer (you can hear her laughing at me) shot of me getting interviewed by CMT. My (dwindling list of) friends are already sick of hearing about it, and I am sure that I will not make the final edit, but here it goes:
By the way, if you still have not totally lost respect for me from that goofy interview,
and you are interested in Lake Martin waterfront real estate- please contact me. I would love to help you!
Pictures And Video Of Aquapalooza Setup – Lake Martin
Here’s what the Lake Martin Aquapalooza / Alan Jackson stage, boat anchor lines, and swimming area looks like on Friday July 24, 2009.
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The music schedule is:
- 11am – Nationwide Coverage
- 12:45pm – Jypsi
- 2pm - Caitlin and Will
- 3:15pm - Matt Stillwell
- 4:30pm - Carter Twins
- 6pm to 7:30pm – Alan Jackson
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PLEASE NOTE – the entire area west of Kowaliga / Highway 63 Bridge is a IDLE SPEED only. The police WILL pull you over and give you a ticket.
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The stage:
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More Pictures: Slideshow of Lake Martin Aquapalooza Pictures
Also: Pictures of I Love Lake Martin Flickr Group
Notes to the wise: PLEASE make sure that you have at least one sober assistant to help the designated driver (who also should be sober). Make sure that you comply with all Alabama boating laws and regulations.
The best way to get pulled over is to drive recklessly or above idle speed in the concert area. In the 10 minutes while I was taking the above video and pictures, I saw 3 boats / sea doos get pulled over for going too fast. I have also heard of several (deserved) arrests in the past couple of weeks, so be warned, the police will take no guff from wise cracking hoolligans. Have fun, but be safe and be respectful of the law. They are trying to save our lives.
Anchor Locations For Alan Jackson Concert at Lake Martin Aquapalooza
Here are pictures of the exact locations for the anchor buoys to tie up your boat for the upcoming Alan Jackson concert at Aquapalooza 2009 at Lake Martin, Alabama.
View from the water at Sinclair's looking at Aquapalooza stage
looking from stage site (end of Sinclair's dock on left)
Mooring buoy - anchor lines will be attached to these
From Sinclair's dock looking east toward Kowaliga bridge
More anchors - this will be a no wake zone
Cement anchors that hold mooring buoys.
The anchor lines will be in concentric U shapes around Sinclair's dock
from stage looking over swimming area
from Kowaliga Bridge looking at Sinclair's dock
When: July 25, 2009
Where: Here is a google map to Sinclair’s Restaurant on Lake Martin, Alabama. But please note you can’t get there by car. You can only boat up to this free concert. That’s why they will have all the anchors out. The nearest boat ramp is on the north west side of Kowaliga bridge – directly across from, and in plain view of, the stage on the south west side of Kowaliga (aka AL Highway 63) Bridge.
How Much: FREE
More info: My Alan Jackson Aquapalooza Lake Martin post has more info and links.
What else: Alan Jackson himself has said that they are filming for a TV show I think on CMT so – will you get discovered? Also there is supposed to be a dancing barge, and swimming area.
Alan Jackson’s Lake Stage Highlights Aquapalooza 2009 on Lake Martin
Yep, you heard it right. The organizers of Aquapalooza 2009 are building a stage on the edge of Lake Martin for Alan Jackson.
And the only way to see the concert is on the water, by boat.
It’s an all day event on Saturday, July 25, with music starting at 11:30 AM and Jackson headlining at 6:00 PM. Since safety is an issue with an event this size, the concert will be over before dark.
According to The Wetumpka Herald, the stage will be built at the water’s edge, over on the western side Kowaliga Bridge near Sinclair’s Restaurant. There will be a swimming area and dance platform directly in front of the stage.
Click here for a Google map of the Aquapalooza 2009 Lake Martin location.
If you want an upclose view of Jackson, get there early (boats can begin “rafting up” on Friday at 2:00 PM Central). And please, have at least one sober driver and one sober first mate per boat. The driver will need to be alert to maneuver, and the mate will need to be the extra set of eyes and help fend off other bumping boats.
There will be mooring buoys with lines in Kowaliga Bay. Attendants on Sea-Doo® watercrafts will direct traffic and helping with boat mooring, and a shuttle service will help you to and from your boat.
Questions about this concert? Here’s a link to the offical Aquapalooza 2009 website FAQs.
Have fun and be safe.
Robert M Wins Reader Of Month Award For Elvis Photos
Lake Martin Voice is proud to give the Reader of the Month award to Robert M for his timely, well captured pictures of Elvis’ performance at Jim’s Bait Shop on Highway 50 on July 3.
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Knowing what a huge fan I am, Robert M acted fast on Friday when I sent out this post about The King’s upcoming appearance. When I realized I could not be there in person, I sent out an impassioned plea for anyone to take some pics or video. Al Gore’s “internet” did the job, spreading the word far and wide. They say that Twitter has proved its chops with the Iranian voting scandal, but I say that Elvis at Jim’s Bait Shop trumps that.
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Elvis is patriotism in a white jump suit.
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I bet he was singing Burnin Love right here.
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The King.
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On behalf of all Lake Martin Elvis fans, thanks to Jim’s Bait Shop for making this happen.
If you would like to see a slideshow of these, click here.
Do you have any pictures of Lake Martin: wildlife, scenery, people? Add them to the I Love Lake Martin group on Flickr. It’s free to join, and fun to share photos.
Or do you have any ideas or submissions for stories? If you do, send them to me on my contact form, and you could be the lucky recipient of the next ROM Award.
Elvis Will Be at Jim’s Bait Shop Tonight At 6:30
As a Lake Martin blogger, and huge Elvis fan, I must say that the above was my favorite headline I have ever written.
For those of you that are hip to the Lake Martin Voice Twitter stream, you have already heard the news.
Tonight, July 3, 2009, the King of Rock n Roll, Elvis “The Pelvis” Presley, will be appearing at Jim’s Bait Shop, on Highway 50 in Walnut Hill, Alabama, just south of Lake Martin.
I am going to try to be there to get some video – but if anyone else can get pics or video – PLEASE send it to me. Or better yet upload it to the I Love Lake Martin group on Flickr. It’s free. Or you can use Twitpic or Flickr 2 Twitter to upload pics and video, just make sure to type in #lakemartin somewhere in the description so the rest of us can find it!
And yes, the above is a picture of the back of the self car wash & and vacuum area at Jim’s. The King will truly be amongst the people.
And, as E himself said in King Creole, “Crawfish!”
Lake Martin’s 2009 Jazz Fest Will Start And End Strong
The Alex City Jazz Fest continues to provide the Lake Martin area with the best value in music and entertainment. Since the Jazz Fest is free, it’s hard to beat that value.
You can also make the case that, on the Lake Martin concert scale of things, the Jazz Fest offers some of the best music, regardless of price.
A look at prior years’ Jazz Fests rosters shows you talent that you might pay heavily to hear: Joe Bonamassa, Derek Trucks, the Neville Brothers, Dr. John, just to name a few.
OPENING WITH A BANG
Don’t be late to downtown Alex City on Friday night, June 12, 2009. The first act is old style delta blues master Kent DuChaine. He starts at 6:00 PM, so you better get there early.
Kent is a throwback to the blues pioneers of the pre-1950s era. He plays an old steel Dobro, with a slide, of course. He plays anywhere, anytime. In fact he has been in the Netherlands or something playing the week before Jazz Fest. Kent has headlined blues festivals in Europe and the US, but (for some reason) you can still see him at local bars (Marty’s in Birmingham) and private parties. He plays hard no matter if the crowd is 10 or 10,000.
I won’t go on and on about his impeccable blues lineage, except to say that through his days with Alabama blues legend Johnny Shines, he has a direct tutorial line to Robert Johnson. In fact I think he plays Johnson’s tunes to perfection. Most musicians I hear, even self b
illed blues players, do horrible justice to Robert Johnson songs. Most feel the need to try to have a modern interpretation that just falls flat. Or, they attempt acoustic and just sound weak, tinny, and condescendingly corn pone hokey. Kent plays Robert Johnson’s blues not exactly how he sounds on the Library of Congress recordings, but how he would have played them in a beer joint outside of Clarksdale, MS on a sweltering summer night. Think Clapton’s Unplugged “Rollin and Tumblin.” Rip-roaring. Brazen. Pillaging the countryside. Unafraid of the Crossroads. Mocking the hell hounds.
DuChaine also expertly covers the Chess era of the blues. Muddy, the Wolf, Sonny Boy, and the like. He switches effortlessly between the boasts of “Red Rooster” to the solemn wail of “Death Don’t Have No Mercy.” Kent also mixes in his own material with the masters.’ Solid Gold.
I’ve heard Kent play probably 30 times in my life. He only gets better. Do yourself a favor and get a taste of real authentic delta blues. I almost hate to label him like that, for fear that some may judge too quickly. But, as my wife - who “does not like Western movies” – sobbed uncontrollably through the last 2 hours of Lonesome Dove, I think that most people won’t realize he played delta blues, they will just know they loved it.
CLOSING WITH A BLAST
Susan Tedeschi will be the last act for 2009 Jazz Fest, Saturday Night at the Lake Martin Amphitheater.
She is super talented. I hear her a lot on the Sirius – XM Blues Channel. From her recordings, I think we can expect more original stuff than covers, but that’s OK by me, because she’s really good. It seems like every time I hear a strong, soulful female voice singing on the Channel, I check the artist’s name and it’s her. Tedeschi also just so happens to be married to former Jazz Fest headliner Derek Trucks.
Did I mention the Jazz Fest is free? Don’t let my lack of ink on the other acts deter you. I’m trying to say that it wil all be good.
Full 2009 Alex City Jazz Fest Schedule
Click Here for Jazz Fest on Facebook
Click Here for Jazz Fest on myspace
Tour Lake Martin’s Ridge Homes And Help Out Children’s Harbor
Will you be at Lake Martin this Saturday, May 16, 2009, and enjoy touring waterfront homes on Lake Martin?
Then you may be interested in the Third Annual Lake Martin Tour of Homes. Proceeds from the tour will benefit Children’s Harbor. Children’s Harbor serves seriously ill children and their families at the Family Center at Children’s Hospital in Birmingham and at Lake Martin, which is just south of Kowaliga Bridge on Highway 63
Last year the tour was of homes in Trillium. This year the tour will visit four homes in The Ridge designed by architects Bill Ingram and Bobby McAlpine.
The tours will begin at The Ridge Club from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tickets are $25 in advance and can be purchased in Alexander City at MacDavid & Company, Cloud Nine, The Shoppes of Queens Attic, and Catherine’s Market. Tickets will also be available the day of the tour at the Ridge Club.
To learn more about Children’s Harbor, an extremely worthy cause, visit www.childrensharbor.com.
Clean Up Lake Martin Tomorrow
If you are looking for last minute things to do around Lake Martin this weekend, I remind you that the annual Renew Our Rivers Cleanup is happening tomorrow, May 9, 2009.
As always the event is sponsored by Alabama Power – details here.
Volunteers will meet at DARE Park in Dadeville at 8 a.m. The cleanup will end at noon.
Contact: Denise Walls at 256-215-4404, e-mail [email protected], or sign up through Facebook.com, search for Lake Martin.
Usually they have a sign in post at Kowaliga Bridge, but I haven’t noticed that among the promotional items this year. It only mentions the DARE park as a sign in post.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the DARE park, it is on the eastern side of Lake Martin, off of County Road 34. Here is a google map:
Lake Martin BBQ Fans – Check Out The Red Hill Cottage Cafe
Cotton’s BBQ has some competition.
Last week I ate at the Red Hill Cottage Cafe with my fellow Lake Martin realtor John Christenberry. He had been there before, and claimed that their barbecue was as good as Cotton’s. I laughed at him and accepted the challenge.
Verdict:
John was right, it is really good. Apparently their angle is that they cook everything on Green Egg Grills. They are also distributors for the Green Egg and you can get related supplies there, as well as a bunch of other lake home decor and furniture. It all looked nice, but I was there on a mission for Q.
I am an admitted stickler for good BBQ, therefore I am really tough on Q restaurants. The Red Hill Cottage Cafe passes easily.
Method: As stated before, they cook on Green Egg Grills, so that means their Boston butts are directly suspended over the coals. The good thing about this is that when the fat is rendered out, it drips down into the coals, sizzles, and returns as flavor bombs that return to the butt. Yum.
Presentation: I ate a sandwich, and the meat was of the pulled persuasion as opposed to Cotton’s that chops. No judgement here, to each his own. But I do think that the pulled method helped Red Hill expose the fabulous job on the meat.
Sauce: The sauce was good. Tomato based, sweet yet not overwhelming. They also did not put too much on it to hide 
the meat. That’s one thing I don’t understand about some places, they purportedly spend 12 hours cooking the meat and then smother it in sauce that they cooked in 30 minutes. Personally I like Cotton’s tomato based sauce better. One suggestion – I wonder how good Red Hill’s pulled pork would fare with a vinegar based sauce that can penetrate every nook and cranny on that sandwich? Plus they would be the only ones in the area with a vinegar based sauce.
Cost: It was cheap. $2.95 for a sandwich. Every lunch gets free dessert. I would say that the same meal at Jim N Nicks would be $15 pre-tip and it would not be 1/2 as good.
The Last Word: Great – a welcome addition to the list of Lake Martin restaurants. Their barbecue is so good that I wonder why they do anything else. It is every bit as good as Cotton’s, and for me that is saying a lot. I think they will benefit each other, because they all help traffic, which helps all area restaurants. In fact, Red Hill, along with Green Valley, Cotton’s, and Catherine’s, are worthy foils to the east side eateries of Niffer’s and another of my prime favorites – Oskar’s. But thankfully Red Hill’s menu is different enough from each of them that I think all can peacefully coexist. Johnny G’s, however, had better step it up.
Where: The Red Hill Cottage (I guess it’s the name of the decor store) and Cottage Cafe are located on Alabama highway 229, just south of the intersection with Highway 50, by Castaway Island Road. Official address is 4068 Red Hill Road, Tallassee. Phone is 334-857-2233.
When: According to their menu, they are open 7 AM to 7 PM Wednesday through Saturday.
What: DOWNLOAD RED HILL’S MENU HERE – they serve a lot more than BBQ. Even breakfast. In fact, I went back the day after the Q meal and ordered 2 smoked turkey sandwiches, 1 smoked ham sandwich, 3 bags of chips, 3 co-colas, and got 3 free desserts (nanner pudding, bread pudding, and strawberry cobbler). My bill total was like $15 pre-tip. Not bad, and the sandwiches were great – a worthy “chick option” to the Q.
Hey Reader – what’s your take? Leave a reply below and let me know about your experience! If you don’t see the “Leave a reply” below this, click on the word “Comments” and leave one so we can all benefit.
