Even Vendors Get the Blues

Vendors working the annual Legends of the Blues Music and Arts Festival had a case of the blues when rain poured down and cancelled the event.

Erica Morrison, DI Multimedia Scholar

Not everyone is fortunate enough to take off on Memorial Day.
Darlene Davidson was hard at work at the Legends of the Blues Music and Arts Festival celebration at Nashville’s Centennial Park amid tunes to sway the hips, chow to feed the lips and other vendors offering art and fashion tips.
Davidson, owner of Opulent Things, an online store on eBay, showcased her jewelry at the festival for the first time. Her line features beads she molds from clay, African prints, gemstones and tie-dyed beads, for which she uses “rosa clay and colors, and [prints] 10 designs.”
Most of the pieces are one of a kind and limited edition, she said. Davidson referred to her jewelry making as a hobby but said she hopes to make it her main source of income.
Also at the event were Jack and Carol MacDowall, owners of Moose Head Kettle Corn in Nashville, who are living the dream. A former head chef in Colorado, Jack decided to go into business for himself. The couple started Moose Head four years ago and has made it their primary source of income.
Not only do they attend events like the annual Memorial Day festival and movies-in-the-park events, but Moose Head also supplies all popcorn for the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, The Produce Place and a specialty basket company based in Nashville.
The MacDowells, who sell their corn online and ship worldwide, said they hope to begin opening franchises within five years. Moose Head’s goal, Jack said is to provide “a consistent superior product that is always going to be the same anytime you see us.”