Saturday, January 31, 2009

Favorite Stories



I have sent out an email to dealers to relay their favorite Nashville/Tailgate & Music Valley stories. For over 25 years, we've been getting together to do this, and many friendships have formed, tens of thousands of items have sold and some really funny stuff has happened. I will open with my favorite.

My First Job

In the fall of 1983, I was an eight grader who was spending a Saturday afternoon watching my dad's booth at the Past to Present Flea Market at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. At the same time, the Home in Indiana show was going on as well as the First Tailgate in Indy- run by Rick Norton, was being held at the old motel across the street. While sitting in the booth, someone called the show for me, it was my dad, who asked if I would be willing to wear a gorilla suit and hold a sign for the antique show and flag traffic towards the show as it exited the fairgrounds. I was reluctant at first, until he mentioned it paid $10 per hour. Apparently, costume work pays well. A few minutes later I was slipping into the costume and heading out to the corner of 38th & Colisseum Blvd. I felt silly at first, but I soon figured out that the people who were exiting the fairgrounds were laughing and some were even turning into the show. All of a sudden, I was having fun- imagine fun and $10 per hour at 13 years old. Well, what I didn't know was that the dealers at the Home in Indiana show were not happy- the quotes in Maine Antiques Digest were not kind. "Like fleas on a dogs back" one dealer was quoted. Funny thing- soon she was doing shows for us and did up until a few years ago until she passed away. I guess I would have to say those few hours in the gorilla suit were my favorite Tailgate memory. I will be sharing other dealers stories between now and the show.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Appreciate A Dealer Day


Antique Show Customers:


In a previous post, I took a few shots at dealer behavior, but I would also like to point out a few things that you should appreciate when you see a dealer at a show. It takes a tremendous amount of work to buy, sell, travel and display the merchandise you are looking at. A booth at a show represents in many cases months of work. It is a tough, often thankless job that is often underappreciated by customer. Take time occasionally to thank a dealer for a job well done.


Take time to ask questions- most dealers are enthusiastic sharers of knowledge. Sharing information about antiques is good for their business. Next time you see something you like, but are shocked by the price- ask them why? They should be happy to explain why that's the case.
Photo is a Western Tennessee Cupboard by Jelly Cupboard Antiques


Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Valentine's Day Anyone?

Great photo from Donna McCormick-
Get your Valentine's present today.

Digging out from 12" of snow here in Indianapolis.

Stay safe and warm

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Cool New Stuff



Hello Blog:

Great quilt photo courtesy of Darwin Bearley.

Been working the last few days on finalizing some thing for Nashville. In the next week or so, I will be writing a few post on expectations. What should customers expect from dealers at a show and vice versa. What should dealers and customers expect from show management. It is a topic that is more relevant than ever. Anyone with thoughts??

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Climbing up on my soapbox.

Greetings All,

Sorry for the delay in posting, been a busy few days. I am going to debut a new feature today called "climbing up on my soapbox". Every so often I hear something that makes me want to bang my head up against a board with exposed rusty nails.

Our Antiques Show Indsider correspondants , Evets & Brab reported in yesterday with an interesting story. While visiting a very exclusive, very high end show in New York, they noticed two new sales techniques being utilized by some of the world's finest antiques dealers.

1. Absolutely don't be in your booth. Nothing screams "buy my $6,000,000 painting" like the dealers complete absence from their booth. Everyone wants to buy a Picasso from your assistant.

2. While in your booth- talk constantly on your cell phone. It is a proven fact that people who are on their cell phones all the time are more important than anyone else. Wait-I forgot we discovered that wasn't the case in 1995. Dealers are certainly busy people and communication is important, but put down the iphone for a breather occasionally and greet a human customer once in a while.

I know these are long shows and the economy is tough, but get your heads out of your behinds and remember that when you started in the business years ago, the only way you paid the bills was taking time to try to sell something.

On to the shows:

All three shows(TAAS, Stella Armory & Winter Show) were exceptional from a merchandise and presentation standpoint. Although by no means scientific- crowds were decent and sold tags were seen. Smalls seemed to be selling better than large furniture, which you don't usually see a ton of at these shows to begin with. Don't know about the auctions as Evets & Brab haven't made it to either auction.

Very good response to the special section in the Antiques & Arts Weekly-link in earlier post. Generating lots of interest and already hearing about items sold. Lots of excitement in New York about Nashville. That's an odd sentence- most of the time the cities would be reversed.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

What I've been doing

Sorry for the delay in posting--

Been busy doing things:

1. Talking on the phone a bunch- dealers, customers

2. Updating photos on the websites-lot's of new photos for Tailgate & Music Valley

3. Mailing out copies of the special section to our mailing list- 5,000 of you will be receiving it in the mail.

4. Watching the 'Lost' season premiere and even being more confused.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Wow- Part Two

Click on this link to view the special section
http://antiquesandthearts.com/archive%20pdf/2005/show%20sections/Music%20Valley,%20Feb.%2019-22%20%26%20Tailgate,%20Feb.%2020-22.pdf

Enjoy

Wow!

I just got my copy of the special section in the Antiques & the Arts Weekly for Nashville. Weighing in at a whopping 40 pages- it is filled with great photos from dealers & show information. The online version in full color will be available tomorrow and I will post links. The print version is being distributed to subscribers and we are mailing copies to our Nashville mailing list- Be prepared to be Wowed!!!

Monday, January 19, 2009

Favorites for Monday


Nick Domenick:

African-American Desk- probably used in church- circa 1930- Vienna, Georgia/Dooley County

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Good morning- I was trying to think how to communicate how many dealers are coming to Nashville- 300 is just a number, so how about a list. Will the blog let me make a post this big?
In reverse alphabetical order just to spice thing up.


Worden Select Objects
Woody & Nancy Straub
Wooden Nickel Antiques
William Cawood
Wildwood Antiques
Whitman/Cranford
West Branch Antiques
Wayne Grossich
Vi's Antiques
Virginia Hallett
Vintage Rose Antiques
Victoriana
VanDeest Antiques
Valerie Rogers
Ugly Ricks Toys & Advertising
T's Antiques
Too Far Gone
Tom Linscott
Tom Joseph
Tom Delach
Tom Armitage
Timber River Farms
Timber Ridge Antiques
Ticker Talker Toys
Thurston Nichols
Thompson's Antiques/Americana
Thomas Thompson
Thomas M. Rawson
Thistle
The Village Braider
The Red Door Antiques
The Kentucky Sandpiper
The Buttr'y
The Antiquarian-Hollis Broderick & Sharon Platt
That Old Log House
Texas Trash Treasures
Tex Johnson Antiques
Suzanne Baker
Susan H. Wirth
Suhrprise Shop
Studio F
Stonecrop Antiques
Steven Peterson
Steven F. Still Antiques
Steve Smoot Antiques
Stepstool Antiques
Stephen-Douglas Antiques
Stafford/Mumpower
Sparrow's Nest Antiques
Snow Leopard Antiques
Sniktaw Trading Co.
Sharon Pesek
Serendipity Antiques
Sean Davis
Scott's Antiques
Scott Estepp
Schoolmaster Antiques
Schoolhouse Antiques
Sawyer Creek Antiques
Sam Forsythe
Sandra Worrell
Sandra Leckrone
Russel Lintner
Ruchelle Davis
Rose O'Reilly
Rodney Fields
Robert Zollinhofer
Robert Siebold
Robert Perry
Robert M. Conrad Antiques
Robert Horn
Robert Burger
Riverview Antiques
River Cabin Antiques
Ringstad Antiques
Rick Moore
Rick & Dwan Mabrey
Richmond House
Renee & Terry Cormier
Remember When Antiques
Reilly & Jenks
Randy Forbes
Quintessential Antiques
Privy Antiques
Primitive Homeplace
Pratt's Antiques
Plain N' Simple Antiques
Peter Moses
Peter & Shirley Pijnappels
Perkins & Menson
Period Antiques
Patsy Eversole
Patricia Anne Reed
Pat Stallings
Pam Bauer
Paisley Pineapple Antiques
Paddlewheel Antiques
Over Hill Over Dale
Oakland Art & Antiques
Norwood's Spirit of America
Nichols & Dimes
Newsom & Berdan
New England South
Nancy Wells
Nancy Roth Antiques
Nancy Fishelson
Nancy & Craig Cheney Antiques
Mustard House Antiques
Munday & Munday
Mountain Thistle Antiques
Monty Young
ML Fancy Antiques
Mixed Bag Antiques
Missouri Plain Folk
Miller House Antiques
Mike's Antiques
Michael & Sally Whittemore Antiques
Mia Hudson
McGlamery & Pelton
Maxine Craft
Matthew Ehresman Antiques
Mason & Yvonne Romans
Mary Webb
Mary Sparger
Mary Elliott
Mary de Buhr
Marsha's Antiques
Marsha Albrecht
Marliyn Angel
Mark Morris Home & Garden
Mark Miller
Mark Dooley
Marjorie Staufer
Mario Pollo
Marie Miller
Marc Witus
Malchione Antiques
Main Street Antiques
Magoun Bros.
M T Folkart
Log House Antiques
Log Cabin Primitives
Lock 147 Antiques
Liberty Tree Antiques
Leftovers
Lana Smith Antiques
Kracker Barrel Antiques
Knight's Antiques
Kindred Spirits Antiques
Kindred Spirit Antiques
Kim Logan Antiques
Kevin Edwards
Keith & Diane Fryling
Kathy Schmidt
Kate & Howard Tanning
Judson and Karen Fults
Joy In the Morning
Johnson's Vintage Linens
Johnson & Barrett Antiques
John Kennedy
John & Deborah Melby
Joe & Mary Koval
Jo Ann Garrett
Jim Yeager
Jim Wark
Jim Stoma
Jim Pyburn
Jerry Turner
Jerry Tebbano
Jelly Cupboard Antiques
Jeff Walton Antiques
Jean Herlihy Antiques
Jean & Roy Doty
Jason Parker Counce Designs
Jantiques
Jane Langol
Jan Raber
James Island Antiques
James Humphries
J. Compton Gallery
J & G Antiques
Iron Horse Antiques
Interiors With Provenance
Houkes Antiques
Home Town Antiques
Hodenius & Kelly
Hill's Country
Higganum House Antiques
Heart 'n' Hand Antiques
Harvey Art & Antiques
Hart's Country Antiques
Hartman House Antiques
Harper Antiques
Hand Picked
Halsey Munson
H. M. Davidson
H. J. Hall Antiques
Greg K. Kramer & Co
Granthum 1763
Granite Rooster
Goodfolk
Georgia Morel Antiques
George's Antiques
George Timmons
Gary Promey Antiques
Gary & Pam Voyles
Frontier Homestead
Frank Martin Antiques
Fine Offerings Antiques
Farmers Wife Antiques
Faith Lukianenko
Emily Pfister
Elizabeth Wolff
Edna Hoffman
Eclectic Company
Easter Hill
Dover House Antiques
Doug Wyant
Doris Prizant
Don Schweikert
Don & Marta Orwig
Doll Acount
Dick & Joan Anderson Antiques
Diane Halpern
Diane Gish
Depot Antiques
Dennis Raleigh
Dennis & Dad Antiques
DebraElizabeth Schaffer
David Thompson Antiques & Art
David L. Proctor Antiques
David Horst
David Good
David A. Noll
David & Kim Leggett
Datha Doolin Antiques
Darwin Bearley
Danny DeToma
Daniel & Karen Olson
Dan Freeburg
Dan & Debbie Schrum
Country Treasures
Country Squire Antiques
Country Primitives
Country House Antiques
Country Courtyard
Country Corner
Country Charisma
Country Antiques
Corinne Burke
Colleen Kinloch Antiques
Colleen Boland Freese Antiques
Collectors Collections
Coe & Channell
Clifton Anderson
Claude & Sharon Baker
City Mouse-Country Mouse
Chuck White's Antiques
Christopher Evans
Christoper English
Christiby's
Chelsea Antiques
Charles Bachmann
Caulkins House Antiques
Carter's Antiques
Carroll Swope Antiques
Carol Kouyoumdjian
Carnine Antiques
Carla & Calvin Murphy
Cabin in the Woods
Bunny's Country Antiques
Buckingham Antiques
Bruce Rigsby
Brown's Antiques
Brad Selinger Antiques
Bottle Tree Antiques
Bobbie Pries Antiques
Blue Dog Antiques
Blandon M. Cherry Antiques
Bill Walton Antiques
Bill Kelly
Big Creek Antiques
Bette & Melvyn Wolf
Betsy Plikerd
Betsy Bond Dallaire
Benting & Jarvis
Beaver Creek Antiques
Barry Ezrin
Barbara Sharp
Barbara McDonald
Barbara Goedeke
Avatar Antiques
Artifacts
Antiques at Hillwood Farm
Anne & John Childs
American Spirit Antiques
American Heritage Antiques
Alice Dewey Antiques
Aberdeen & Co
A Little Something Antiques
1750 House

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Great Photo From Elle Decor of Marie & Larry Miller's Shop


Our friends at www.vtlarry.blogspot.com just posted this great photo of their shop in Elle Decor magazine.

More great stuff!


Rose & Tom:
Penn. Blanket Box in untouched condition with Originial Grain Painted surface. Wonderful Full and High Ogee Bracket Feet CLEAN AND HONEST C. 1800

Another Story on Nashville

To wet your whistle about the upcoming Nashville Show- Below are the links to the recent review in Antiqueweek. Each page has a different link.

http://server2.dmgworld.p2ionline.com/antiqueweek/sitebase/data/editions/156973/img/large/2119550.htm


http://server2.dmgworld.p2ionline.com/antiqueweek/sitebase/data/editions/156973/img/large/2119551.htm


http://server2.dmgworld.p2ionline.com/antiqueweek/sitebase/data/editions/156973/img/large/2119553.htm

Friday, January 16, 2009

The Vintage Journal: Music City USA & Antiques...#links#links

The Vintage Journal: Music City USA & Antiques...#links#links- someone out there is talking about Nashville.

Fave's

Jane Langol:

I am bringing a favorite piece in my favorite category of antiques—Art Pottery. I am bringing a green umbrella stand made by Weller Pottery of Zanesville, Ohio. It is in the much-desire matte green, in a pattern called “Bedford Matte), and stands 21” tall. It was first issued in 1951, so it reflects a wonderful blend Art N. into Deco design…a rare color and a great piece.
Mason & Yvonne Romans:
This is an item we plan to bring to the shoe.Description - 19th century stepback cupboard in mustard paint with original 12 lights on door, candle drawers and pie shelf.

More stuff

Kit Carter of Ticker Talker Toys:

A BEAUTIFULLY PAINTED CHILDS SLEIGH FROM PARIS MAINE CIRCA EIGHTEEN NINETY IN ORIGINAL DECORATION WITH A SANTA CLAUS VERY RARE

Kate Tanning:

an important original paint, wooden carved fish trade sign used in a landmark Pittsburgh restaurant. We are also bringing a trestle table, 19th C, measuring 79 inches long, by 37 wide.


Sharon Pesek:

One of my favorite things I am bringing to Nashville is this adorable early Ferry's Seeds box with a charming picture of five children in a boat. This is one of their rarer boxes and is in beautiful condition.

Antique Show Insider-the week in Preview

Rather than taking time to re-cap the past week- I will take a post to inform the blog what might be on schedule for the next week.

1. Warm-up: The weather is the coldest in years. Tomorrow is supposed to be 37 degrees warmer.

2. Dispatch team of crack reporters to Americana Week in New York. Won't be attending myself this year (would like to, but plate is full). Will provide second hand accounts from the TAAS and Winter Shows as well as The Armory Show, put on by our friends at Stella Show Mgmt.

3. Re-cap the Springfield Show- hopefully with some action photos.

4. Continue to post "Favorite Things Coming to Nashville"

5. Hope the NFL cancels the remainder of the playoffs since the Colts lost.

6. Try to reason with my son Graham that an 18 month old should enjoy wearing his glasses(not going well).

7. Continue getting ready for Antiques Week In Nashville.

Friday Favorites



Georgia Morel:

My favorite item going to the show is a 4 gallon brass measure.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Congratulations Jon!

Last evening I was so excited to learn that Carrell, at Country Charisma has passed along the "Proximidade" Award to the Antique Show Insider, as an Honorable Mention.
This award focuses not on the glory and fanfare of blogging, but in the PROXIMITY to one another through this on-line world (kind of a Six Degrees of Separation sort of thing)."Blogs who receive this award are 'exceedingly charming' say its authors. This blog invests and believes in the PROXIMITY-nearness in space, time and relationships. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement.
The Antique Show Insider is honored to have been dominated and proudly accepts this award. Thank you so much, Carrell for thinking of this blog! And, congratulations to you as well, for your own nomination.

More Favorites


The favorite piece I am bringing to Nashville is a 1830.'s - 16 pane solid Birdseye Maple Corner Cupboard from Western Pa. I have never seen a birdseye maple corner cupboard before or has anyone else that I have talked to about it. Bill Puchstein, American Heritage Antiques.


Tim Chambers of Missouri Plain Folk is bringing this 6' tall barn finial found in Indiana

Favorite Things Part 2


Bill Huestis:


This is a fabulous Black Forest Dog Humidor fresh out of the box from a recent buying trip to the UK.


These are a few of their favorite things!



I sent out a question to a group of dealers for Nashville- What is your favorite thing that you are planning to bring to the show. Below are some
responses.


Steve Smoot:

Ca 1890-1900 finely detailed folky tugboat model with its crew of four which includes the captain at the wheel. Incredible paint condition and surface. Approximately 13 inches long.

Nancy Holleny:



My most favorite item I am bringing to Nashville is not exactly 100 yrs. old or older, maybe half that but it is in original finish, sturdy, well carved, has original construction, is articulated (mouth moves most of the time), hands and feet attached, no cracks or tears. It works like clockwork but you have to feed it several times a day. It is in the high-end price range and tagged "as is" only because it is expensive to maintain. Photo enclosed.

City Mouse Country Mouse:
We are bringing a fabulous blue cornercupboard original paint found in Michigan



Marie Miller:
My favorite quilt that I am bringing to Music Valley is this blue and white Feathered Star quilt, circa 1860.


Mary Debuhr:
Selecting my favorite item going to the show is a tall order. At this moment I'd have to say it is a tall chest of drawers. The piece is from New England, circa 1800-30 and has 6 graduated, dovetailed drawers and dovetailed case. It retains it's original red surface. It has a simple scrolled bracket base that at one time was replaced. I also have a fragment of the original which is identical. I have enjoyed using it for the last few years. Not only is it lovely to look at, it is a very functional piece of furniture. It has simple rosette mounted loop handles. Three drawers locked and there are escutcheons on all 6 for balance. This is an uncommon piece to find with color. I see lots of refinished ones but never thought I'd have the opportunity to own one. A few brasses are replacements but one has to look closely to distinguish the difference. The condition is very good and I'll be proud to offer it at our show in Nashville next month.

The blog turns 3 (days)

Good morning- minus five here. Thought I would celebrate our 3rd anniversary (in days) by passing along a couple of stories about our most recent shows in Nashville, Tennessee. For those of you unfamiliar with Tailgate and Music Valley- after 25+ years in the Opryland Area, we moved both shows to the Tennessee State Fairgrounds. The moves presented a risk, but the results have been overwhelmingly positive. The Music Valley show article in the Maine Antiques Digest link: http://www.maineantiquedigest.com/stories/index.html?id=1054
Tailgate Show link: http://www.maineantiquedigest.com/stories/index.html?id=1055

Springfield Update- yes, it is cold in Ohio today, but Saturday is supposed to be back the 20's and yes- the buildings are heated.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Photo Du Jour(spelling help please)


Brought to you by Joe Cardetti of Kracker Barrel Antique- unusual game board with domino border. Updated dealers list on Music Valley site. 175 Great Dealers! Link on right side of blog. Intended to post more today, but it's really cold here. Fingers numb-- can barely continue-- losing feeling in hands send warmmmmmm weatherrrrrrr

Today is leave a comment day


Welcome to leave a comment day on the blog. Lots of people are looking, but we need more feedback. Maybe leave a question that we can respond to later in post. Don't like what we're doing- tell us what you want to know more about. I believe in order to leave a comment, you need to register at http://www.blogger.com/ . But it's free, easy and you are already looking, so why not share your thoughts.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

What I saw I liked today


At this time of year- I spend a great deal of time looking at photos- editing, cropping and selecting for ads. So the blog is going to reflect things that I see that caught my interest.


I really like this stag weathervane. Dennis Raleigh sent it in- don't know if it is still in inventory. I will try to make sure the photos reflect a wide range in style and price. I am sometimes handicapped by the fact that dealers send me pictures of their best things. I plan on getting some photos from Springfield this weekend. I might post again tonight-it might save me from the 2 hour American Idol premiere.

Congratulations to Lisa Maughmer!



Congratulations to Lisa Maughmer of Urban Farmhouse!!! Romantic Homes Magazine, has named her as esteemed "Romantics" this year. Check out her blog for more details at


What I've accomplished today

1. Went to the post office and got the mail.
2. Got a diet coke at McDonalds
3. Updated the dealers directory at www.tailgateantiqueshow.com - check out the updated list.
4. Helped a customer book a hotel room for February.

I'll be working on the websites later on today- should be posting some new photos to the blog later.

Interview with Jon...

I was recently interviewed by Kim Leggett from the blog rescripted. This is a great opportunity for all of us to get to know each other a little better. If you would like to be interviewed by me, follow the instructions at the end of the interview. It's fun! Let's keep it going.

1. Jon, we all know that many retail buyers today, especially the younger generation, shop at stores such as Pottery Barn, etc. If you could speak directly to one of those buyers what would you say to them to convince them to buy an antique instead? Do you think antiques will hold their value even in today's market?

The answer to this question is fairly easy. Take two examples - couple A goes to Pottery Barn to furnish their first home. They purchase several thousand dollars in contemporary furnishings. Couple B goes to a quality antique show and purchases a similar dollar value of well selected antiques. Ten years later both couples are moving into a new home and re-decorating. Couple A has a garage sale where they just hope they can get someone to haul their used furniture away, while couple B should, under worst case scenario, be able to get a significant portion of their purchase price back. If market conditions are positive, even show a profit. People shop at retail stores because of convenience. That is the struggle we have, to make what we are doing as an industry easier and more accessible.

2. Why do you think the antique show venue is the perfect place to shop for antiques?

Antique shows provide customers to a large assortment of dealers in a single location. A show gathers a great number of vendors with a huge inventory, a large base of knowledge and the ability for customers to shop, learn & compare. It allows access to a much larger amount of great material than a customer could see going to shops, malls or auctions.

3. Name some of the ways that you see the business of selling antiques is changing, or will be changing for dealers in the near future. And, what do you, as a show producer, feel that antique dealers can do to make their business stronger in this weak economy?

The only constant in this business is change. A tough economy forces vendors and customers to deal with a changing market. I think dealers need to try to visualize how potential customers might live with antiques. I am relatively young for my profession (38) and my friends seem to respond to the antiques in my home. We still struggle to market to this group in ways that make our business seem welcoming, affordable and accessible. Attracting a new generation of customers is our biggest challenge, but attainable with effort.

4. If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?

My dream dinner table would be:

Bono(huge U2 fan)
Elmo (would help entertain Graham)
Nixon and Clinton (the parallels are astounding- brilliant but flawed)
The Statue of Liberty (hear she has great stories after a second glass of wine)

5. Are you a collector? And if so, what do you collect?

Having grown up and being surrounded by the business, I actually collect nothing specifically but a lot generally. I tend to respond to color, form, texture and affordability. I was reading Sotheby's catalogs before I was 10, so my taste clearly is beyond my ability to buy. So the key is fun and affordable. Kelly (my wife) really likes Moorcroft and sterling jewelry with a Southwest or Mexican influence.



Instructions:

1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me."
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. (I get to pick the
questions).
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview
someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

(please send me an email when your interview is posted, along with your blog name and URL...thanks!)

Monday, January 12, 2009


Before I go to bed, I thought I'd share something I got today. The picture is the front cover of the special section for the Tailgate and Music Valley Shows in the January 23 edition of the Antiques and the Arts weekly. The section will also appear online in color at http://www.antiquesandthearts.com/ around the 23. It will contain comprehensive info on the shows in Nashville. I'm excited to see it. Many great photos of cool stuff. Thanks for a great first day of our blog.

WOW Congratulations!

It seems there are some "antiquer bloggers" out there. Blogging is easy, fun, a great way to stay connected and increase your business. I encourage all of you to sign up for blogger so that you can comment on the posts and follow your favorite blogs too. You don't have to create a blog to sign up, but you should, because it is so easy to do and cost nothing! Soon you'll be on your way to meeting new bloggers who would love to meet you. You can post photos of your inventory and keep your followers informed on where they can meet you in person. You can even link your website to your blog. There's power in numbers. Let's all get excited about creating our own group of bloggers who share a common interest in antiques. Happy Blogging! Kim Leggett

Celebrating our 365th visitor!

Wow- what a breakneck pace on our first day. Thought I would write to explain what I hope this blog becomes. Imagine a conversation that takes place at one of our shows on a busy day. It might be about antiques, friends or the weather. Now since we only get together on a limited basis, why not try to create a place to have these conversations on a more frequent basis. I've already invited a few people to join us, and they are thinking about what to say on their initial posts.


Good morning and welcome to the birth of our new blog- A few thoughts this crisp Monday morning. Winter is too long- all in favor of reducing January-March by a few weeks raise your hand. On to other things- take a look at http://www.countrygathering.com/ - this is the website for the companion show to this weekend's Springfield show (1/17 & 1/18). See the Springfield link on the right side of the page. I've been spending a great deal of time lately posting dealer photos to the Tailgate & Music Valley websites. I am going to share a few things that I really found interesting. One of the nice things about posting the photos, is that I get to see them first. This is an oil on board by iconic Southern Artist W. A. Walker. Check out the Tailgate Dealer Directory under Iron Horse Antiques for more details.
The photo on the right is one of a pair of lodge chairs- the other chair is red. Check out the Music Valley Directory under Tom Delach. There are currently several hundred photos of great stuff.
I'm going to try to post frequently so be sure to check back often and pass this blog onto friends, acquaintances and distant relatives, the homebound and those incarcerated with high speed access.