An original group called Runaway Home will take the stage Friday night at 7 p.m. as the Main Street Live summer concert series takes an Americana theme.
Out of Nashville, the band was founded by three performers looking for a road back to the music they grew up on, says Mark Elliott.
“We met by chance at a small-town venue,” Elliott said. “We discovered something we had all been looking for, a three-part harmony over lyrics that matter.”
Elliott, considered the “troubadour of the group,” founded the band with Gary Culley, the “guitar slinger,” and Lisa McCarter, the “mountain songbird.”
Elliott has logged countless miles as a solo folk and bluegrass artist. The Oklahoma native was a protégé of musician Tom Paxton. After opening for him in 1988, Elliott found himself relocating to Nashville and signing as a writer with Cherry Lane Music — the first of many publishing houses.
Culley, a Chicago native, moved to Nashville in 1991 and found success as a staff writer for Sony-Edisto Music. He recorded his own CD and became an integral park of the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Words and Music Program.
McCarter was born and raised in the heart of the Smoky Mountains. As one-third of the Warner Bros. group The McCarter Sisters, she released two albums and had seven hits, including three top 10 singles.
Runaway Home is currently rounded out by two more musicians, drummer/ percussionist Chip Chipoletti and bassist Lisa Horngren.
Elliott says he is looking forward to Main Street Live, after getting to check out the venue June 14.
I got to attend when Craig Morrison performed,” said Elliott. “I think concert series are a great thing for towns to do. They are getting less and less common. Main Street Live is well produced with the sound and staging.”
There will be a variety of food and beverages available from vendors. Parking and admission are free so bring a chair and enjoy the music. Come early and stake out a good spot.
Runaway Home will take the stage and begin entertaining at 7 p.m. on the West Lawn of Security Federal. Food and beverage vendors open at 6 p.m. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited. Smoking is not allowed in the crowd.
Main Street Live summer concert series is a production of Main Street McMinnville. Events are free due to sponsorship by Dr Pepper Bottling Company, the Law Offices of Galligan and Newman, Security Federal Savings Bank, River Park Hospital, Middle Tennessee Natural Gas, Ben Lomand, McMinnville Electric System, city of McMinnville, Peg Broadcasting and the Southern Standard, your source for local news.