Main Street Live ready to walk the line

Let's try that again...

Main Street Live is scheduled to kick off the 2025 season Friday with a performance by Johnny Cash tribute artist JC Cole. The free concert series' debut was delayed one week after last Friday's scheduled concert by The TC Bryant Band was canceled due to rain.

"We sure hated to miss last week's show, but we're looking forward to Friday night with JC Cole," Main Street McMinnville Executive Director Jennifer Flatt Meredith said. "We're praying for clear skies."

As an outside event, the Main Street Live summer concert series is at the mercy of the weather, often leading to difficult decisions which must be made hours before the event. Anyone familiar with Tennessee weather in the summer months knows how daunting a task it can be to make a call based on what may or may not happen hours later.

"When it rains hard, the parking lot and grass can flood quickly. This makes it unsafe - and often impossible - for our sound crew to set up thousands of dollars-worth of equipment," Meredith said. "Part of our contracts with the bands and vendors is that we have until noon Friday to make any weather-related decisions. This allows us to factor in not only local weather, but travel time for our artists - many of whom are coming from several hours away - and the safety of everyone involved."

Set-up for each week's show begins at 4 p.m., meaning storms in the area during that critical window could put the entire event at risk.

"We appreciate the community's patience and understanding," Meredith added. "We want these show to happen just as much as you do."

At the time of this writing, Accuweather.com predicted Friday would be "humid with times of clouds and sun and an afternoon thunderstorm in parts of the area" with a high temperature of 84 degrees, a 44% chance of precipitation and a 26% chance of thunderstorms.

JC Cole is no stranger to McMinnville, having played the Park Theater on March 1. During that show, Cole opened for Waymore's Outlaws, Waylon Jennings' band. His tribute to Johnny Cash caught the attention of Main Street Live organizers, who invited him to take the stage at Security Federal Savings Bank's West Lawn.

Cole presents a striking on-stage persona, embodying both the appearance, style and performance of the legendary country music artist. Cole's look and sound has even been endorsed by Cash family members and former members of Cash's band.

Assuming the weather cooperates, vendors will open at 6 p.m. and Cole will take the stage at 7 p.m.

Main Street Live is presented by Main Street McMinnville and is sponsored by Main Street Media, Security Federal Savings Bank, Main Street McMinnville, Bridgestone, McMinnville Electric System, Scooter's Coffee, Dr Pepper, Ben Lomand Connect, Law Offices of Galligan & Newman, Warren County, City of McMinnville, The Cafe at Tree City, The Butcher and Middle Tennessee Natural Gas Utility District.