ClassicCoup: 2013

Chuck Beard, Bard of ESS

Think New York City’s Greenwich Village or London’s Soho—aviaries where artistic birds-of-a-feather flock together. In Montparnasse, on the left bank of the Seine, Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Joyce, Stein, Picasso, Dali, Miller and Modigliani mingled. In Nashville, on the east bank of the Cumberland, local best-selling authors and breakout artists huddle at East SideStory.

The brain child of Chuck Beard, the store exclusively carries works of local musicians, artists and writers. Fostering creative, intellectual community, Beard books events from ESS Storytellin’(schedule below)-- where tales and tunes toast -- to school field trips-- where authors and students sit a spell discussing the creative process. On February 8 his BOOK ME! program began and his monthly writing prompts challenge patrons to publish. Authors whose works are sold at ESS include Alice Randall, Susannah Felts, JT Ellison, RiverJordan, MikePentecost , Ann Shayne, John Minichillo, Ridley Wills II, Kathryn Williams , Bill Friskics-Warren, CraigHavighurst, and Betsy Phillips.

Chuck Beard, voted "Best Local Author" in the Nashville Scene’s “Best of Nashville 2010” Reader’s Poll, studied Creative Writing at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland and the Sewanee School of Letters. He is author of Adventures Inside a Bright-Eyed Sky and editor of Number, Inc, a non-profit organization focusing on the contemporary visual arts in the Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi tri-state region. He is the Nashville GalleriesExaminer and contributing writer for Nashville's heART, Nashville Arts Magazine, Native, and FringeMagazine.

At East Side Story, located in bohemian East Nashville, Montmartre meets Mayberry as Beard genuinely greets and meets everyone who visits the store. Whenever he makes a sale, he writes the author or artist an email describing the new owner and home of the book, shirt, or painting. I love hearing how Classic Coup shirts became gifts for a little sister into fairies, a husband whose hero is Atticus Finch, or one of Chuck’s chums who chuckled at “Boo Radley for Neighborhood Watch.” Chuck opened the store in 2012 as the result of winning a nationwide idea contest called “ Launch,” an initiative of Nashville’s Proof Branding Solutions. I asked the Kentucky native how he landed in Nashville and what has surprised him about his venture. He explained:

I made Nashville home because that is where I met and fell in love with my wife and she had been living here for some time. Beside the point that it is an amazing time and place for creative people to make their mark in all forms of art, it was a perfect fit for our family, friends, and creative drives.

One of the major things that has surprised me so far about working with local authors and artists is that there are so many of them. Just when you think you've heard of all of them, another person comes up out of the blue and blows you away with talent and their work in regards to stories, books, music, and art. I love meeting new, interesting people with more substance than surface and hearing good stories and Nashville doesn't lack for either.

My days are always new and refreshing. On any given day, I might get a new author bringing me their books for submission to promote and sell, I may have writers already in the store bringing their family or friends by to buy other writer's works and show them their own, I may have a little kid come in who's saved enough lemonade stand money to buy a handmade journal or book that caught their eye and heart the last time they were in, I may have some people are visiting from out of town that want to buy something Nashville authentic, and I may have people that live in Nashville come in to buy something Nashville authentic for their home, family , and friends out of town. Every day is a blank canvas that turns into a cool painting by the end of the day everyday.
Beard loves the live events:

The highlight of my gigs on Tuesday nights is, aside from being a part of it on those nights and doing everything before and after to plan and promote it ... the highlight is seeing the idea become a reality and enjoying every moment of it. My favorite thing, and I believe the most important point of each event, is the actual pairing of the featured guests and bringing together those creative worlds and seeing what comes out of it all in person.

In 2013 Chuck promises "several 'Wine and NO Whine' events.'" In addition to ESS Storytellin', he plans local poetry slams and rounds outside of East Side Story. He hopes to have local child care services reading books from the store with children while their parents participate.

East Side Story is located in Nashville at 1008 B Woodland Street. Store Hours are Tuesday-Friday 1-6 PM, Saturday 11-5 PM, or by appointment. Contact chuck@eastsidestorytn.com or 615-915-1808.

Tuesday, February 19

East Side Storytellin': Kevin Wilson and Amanda Shires

7:00 p.m.

Rumours East

FREE; Reservations required at 615.262.5346

East Side Story has partnered with Rumours East and WAMB 1200 AM/ 99.3 FM radio to present East Side Storytellin'—an evening of book readings, musical performances, and author/musician interviews designed to elaborate on the stories behind these creative processes. East Side Storytellin' is held at Rumours East, located at 1112 Woodland Street in East Nashville, the first and third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Chuck Beard, owner of East Side Story, hosts the event which is recorded by WAMB to air on the radio station the following Saturday at 2:00 p.m. Recordings of the show may also be found on East Side Story’s website www.eastsidestorytn.com. This event is FREE but space is limited. Reservations may be made by calling Rumours East at 615.262.5346.

Author Kevin Wilson will read from his sensational book The Family Fang or other original work followed by a musical performance by Amanda Shires.

Tuesday, March 5

East Side Storytellin':

Victoria Schwab and Grace Adele & Keenan Wade

7:00 p.m.

Fat Bottom Brewery

FREE

East Side Story has partnered with Fat Bottom Brewery (located at 900 Main Street, Nashville, TN) and WAMB 1200 AM/ 99.3 FM radio to present East Side Storytellin'—an evening of book readings, musical performances, and author/musician interviews designed to elaborate on the stories behind these creative processes. Chuck Beard, owner of East Side Story, hosts the event which is recorded by WAMB to air on the radio station the following Saturday at 2:00 p.m. Recordings of the show may also be found on East Side Story’s website www.eastsidestorytn.com. This event is FREE.

Author Victoria Schwab will read from one of several Bestselling books followed by a musical performance by Grace Adele & Keenan Wade.

Saturday, March 9

Beyond Books: Chapter 2 Reception

6:00–9:00 p.m.

East Side Story

FREE; Open to the public

East Side Story will be removing all of the books in the store Friday, March 8, through Sunday, March 11, 2013 and restocking the shop with some of the most amazing local book art to ever hit the shelves. Jennifer Knowles-McQuistion, owner of Brown Dog Bindery and co-founder of Handmade & Bound, will curate the show. Beyond Books is an exhibition of book art and homemade journals created by local book artists. An artists’ reception will be held on Saturday, March 9th, 6:00–9:00 p.m., at East Side Story.

Tuesday, March 19

East Side Storytellin':

Barry Mazor and Paul Burch

7:00 p.m.

Fat Bottom Brewery

FREE

Author Barry Mazor will read from his book Meeting Jimmie Rodgers followed by a musical performance by Paul Burch.

Classic Coup's first event with East Side Story was Tellabration, a global and local event held last fall featuring live music, story telling, and marshmallow roasting.