Three superb singer-songwriters that represent the best of Blount
It’s no secret to anyone who’s lived here for any time at all that East Tennessee possesses an extraordinary wealth of musical talent. However, what’s not clear to some is the fact that much of this talent originates in Blount County. In order to shed further light on that fact, I am pleased to spotlight three musicians in particular who are worthy of recognition.
Bill Cabage
Cabage is a multitasker by definition. During non-pandemic times, he can be found performing with three different bands – Pistol Creek Catch of the Day (a local East Tennessee institution), Cats Away (a fiddle-swing group) and Captain Suck and the Mediocre Band (who, in spite of their name, are quite adept at what they do).
Cabage is an East Tennessee native whose day job finds him serving as a public information officer. However, it was his passion for playing guitar – an obsession he’s pursued since the age of 12 – that eventually led him to co-found Captain Suck with bassist and school chum David Smelcer. He played with drummer Steve Trent in the Everett High School marching band. Eventually, Cabage’s brother George and guitarist Scott Bell joined the fold as well.
As for the self-deprecating handle, Cabage insists it came about for the simple reason that they were looking for funny names, and Captain Suck and the Mediocre Band was the only one they agreed on. It’s a decided misrepresentation of their talents, but it does attract attention nonetheless.
The group is, by definition, a cover band, but they differentiate themselves through a superb choice of material that runs the gamut from the Beatles and the Stones to Neil Young and other examples of astute Americana.
Cabage admits that the name can convey a false impression, but it often works in their favor. “See, that’s what happens when you set expectations low,” he explains. The group’s tight-knit harmonies, highly tuned playing skills and taste in choosing their selection of songs have made them one of Blount’s best by far. After 45 years of performing together, that ought to come as little surprise. Still, credit the good captain himself for continuing to steer the band in the right direction.
Andy Sneed
Andy Sneed’s affable attitude is reflected well in his music. Relying mainly on voice and guitar, he was frequently seen pre-pandemic in clubs, coffee shops and listening rooms singing songs of his own making, as well as a few choice covers that reflect the era when he came of age (the ‘70s and ‘80s). The youngest of five siblings, he was weaned on the albums that populated his brothers and sisters’ record collections, as well as the music that was essential to MTV during its seminal years of emerging popularity.
Sneed played in bands early on but turned to a day job as an estate attorney to pay the bills. Nevertheless, with the release of his new EP “Pack It Up,” he makes it clear that music isn’t secondary by any means. An easy, breezy set of songs, it reflects Sneed’s good-natured approach and tremendous talent for crafting melodies that resonate with eagerness and enthusiasm. It’s an approach he’s perfected through numerous solo performances. His ability to hold audiences’ attention all on his own is unparalleled, which, as any performer will attest, is no small challenge.
“When you play solo with an acoustic guitar, it’s all on you; there’s no band there to help cover the mistakes,” he says. “You’re singing, playing the guitar, trying to remember the words and the chords, and you have to do all that reasonably well while also managing your own nerves.”
Nevertheless, he says, there’s great satisfaction in knowing that you’ve connected with the crowd.
Sneed, who cites The Cars’ Ric Ocasek, Bob Mould of Husker Du and The Who’s Pete Townshend as prime influences, says he’s grateful that there are venues in Blount County that were willing to host live music pre-pandemic. “I wish there were more places that wanted to host solo performers because I’d love to play out more.”
Lili Lavon
Like many performers, Lili Lavon began playing music at a young age. Citing such influences as Roy Orbison, Otis Redding, Bonnie Raitt and Billie Holiday, Lavon got an early start, composing an original musical at the age of 12. She continued to pursue her interest by playing in bands while in high school and then teaming with older musicians to play private events. Seeking a profession in which she could earn a living, she opted to become a paramedic. Nevertheless, she didn’t forsake her musical interests.
“I did an original song video for Video Jukebox,” Lavon remembers. “It was done on full 35mm film with a whole cast and crew, and it was really exciting. A year or so later, I opened up for Iron Butterfly and then got hired by Miami’s Pyramid Records to help other artists write and to record on my own.”
Still, Lavon wanted a change and chose to move to Arizona where she formed a construction company specializing in creating and designing landscape and waterfall environments. “All the while, I was really missing music,” she recalls. “My father became ill, and so I moved back to Florida to be with him, but I still had an ache to make music. I was able to find some very fine musicians and had my own bands.
Lavon focused on recording and performing for the next five years. After her father passed away, she decided once again to leave Florida, and she and her husband Bill took a road trip that eventually led them to Blount County. She started a rental management company but also shifted her focus back to making music again. A vibrant, emotive and expressive singer, she specializes in blues and is currently preparing a new album scheduled for release this August.
“My hope is to perform some shows here in the near future and share my songs,” she says. “I hope that that they can make a positive difference and inspire folks to dance and feel the simple joy of grooving to a great beat.”
Although her voice is powerful indeed, Lavon says that to the contrary, her music brings out her sensitive side. “It’s the most vulnerable thing I do, and I absolutely love it,” she insists. “I hope to continue to make music forever.”
