For all the connoisseurs of country-rock and specialists in Southern classics, Hillfolk Entertainment presented another weekend-long festival celebrating Hippie’s Birthday Bash on June 15–17 at Hippie Hill’s festival grounds, near the Hill itself, on Burk’s Hollow Road in southern Rutherford County.
The festival consisted of 12 knockout acts playing satisfyingly lengthy two-to-three-hour sets over the course of the days and well into the wee hours of the mornings. Colin Axxxwell, The Feng Shui Ninjas, Outside the Box, The Wonder Hills, Hooteroll? and many more bands appeared at the celebration. Many of these acts possess the cool, refreshing and satisfying lifeblood that makes Southern rock so crucial in rural Tennessee. If you came with a taste for classics that remind you of the simpler times of yesteryear, your thirst was quenched. If you desire the innovative sounds of tomorrow, then your progressive ears would have also dined sufficiently. If, for whatever reason, you prefer to attend festivals for the people, your social disposition would be greatly welcomed by the family-like atmosphere that seems to ooze out of the people of Hippie Hill. Nearly everywhere one could turn that weekend they would be pleasantly surprised with a warm smile, a cold drink or a big hug.
One might wonder, “Why are people so happy there? What’s the occasion?”
The occasion for the festival is the birthday of none other than Hippie (Tommy Maddox) himself. Hippie, the leader and creator of Hippie Hill, is such a large part of the community there, that they host an annual festival in his honor. The idea of a single person inspiring such a large endeavor makes sense the moment you shake hands with the man. Tommy carries such a smooth swagger, you’d think Creedence Clearwater Revival was his personal theme-song band.
Collin Axxxwell. Hippie’s Birthday Bash 2018 photo by Will Bridges.
In the midst of these sweaty and musically satisfying days, you might smell the smoky kabobs or hearty gumbo up the hill at the Cajun Cooking area. There, heartwarming cooks gladly accepted the responsibility of feeding the hearts, minds and stomachs of the travelers and festivalgoers in attendance.
The disappointment of missing such a historic event may creep into your mind now, but this birthday bash happens every summer. Follow Hippie Hill, TN or Hippie Hill Productions on Facebook for updates on next year’s festival and other area concerts.
