To the Editor:
I would like to thank everyone for helping make Parrots and Tails IV, Concerts at the Covered Bridge such a huge success. The community support shown through our sponsors allowed us to cover all expenses and begin the benefit with a positive financial balance that put us at the half-way mark to accomplishing our goal.
It would be impossible to do such a huge musical show without the help of my good friends, Jeff Hashbarger, Morrell Music and Steve Hebert. It is due to the equipment and their expertise that created a quality sound and kept the fast pace throughout the entire show. The media coverage was nothing short of outstanding. Our hometown newspaper, the STAR, gave exceptional coverage and was joined by local WBEJ radio along with The New Loafer and Mountain Escapes Magazine, WCYB-TV, WJHL-TV and WXBQ.
The musical talent was over the top with Jim Miller, Mark White and Scottie Melton, H.B. Beverly, Under the Table, Halfmoon Trench, Luke Broyles and Acoustifried.
Our vendors downtown, Jiggy Ray’s, the Friends Group, Jolly Wallys, Kona-Ice, and Olive Oil Divine, gave the attendees a great selection of tasty treats throughout the day. There were 14 delicious homemade cakes donated by my church, Bluff City Diner, the Parrot Heads, and the Friends Group that was used for cake walks between performances, which were a great delight to everyone and generated over $600 in revenue.
A benefit of this magnitude could not be possible without volunteers. Over 20 volunteers came together, including Charlie Gingrow and the Hillbilly Parrot Head Club, Mike Barnett and the Friends of the ECCAS, and our county mayor, Rusty Barnett. Finally, a special thanks to John Kubenka, the Friends Group accountant for his excellent work in keeping track of everything for the record.
We were blessed with a beautiful day, an enthusiastic group of people and some very entertaining pets for the MUTTeritaville Dog Show and the backdrop of our own Covered Bridge Park. This all came together to generate $9,200 donated to support our local animal shelter and their continued efforts to make our shelter the absolute best it can be.
Thank you all.

John Bland
Event Coordinator, ECCAS