Cove Ridge brings stage shows every Saturday

It was a postcard Watauga Lake sundown on a recent Saturday evening at Cove Ridge Marina in Butler. The sky aglow. The still water reflecting the colors like a mirror. A hint of a fresh mountain breeze. And 50 people enjoying live music in the midst of it all. It's a dream come true for marina co-owner Ben Arnold, a Kingsport native whose love of business, finance and logistics has always played second fiddle to the sound of music. "I've loved live music since I was a little kid," he said as Adrian Bundy and his Honky Tonk Hearts laid down a heartfelt David Allan Coe tune. Arnold admits he can't play a lick. His musical talent is giving an audience to those who can. He loves all kinds of music — country, rock, alternative — and for the past two summers the marina's pro-quality covered stage has hosted them all. Even though the evening shows are free and refreshments (beer and soda) are available, the crowds have tended to be small-ish "That's our biggest struggle," he said, "getting the word out." Arnold and his business partner, Vanessa Raper of Knoxville, are committed to making The Stage at Cove Ridge Marina a central gathering place for the surging Johnson County population, especially in the area surrounding Watauga Lake, the highest in elevation of all the Tennessee Valley Authority lakes. The free shows will continue through the summer, although Arnold said there may be a cover charge for some of the bigger acts in the future. He sees music as the magic for Cove Ridge. "We're kicking around the idea of open porch jams on Sundays," where anyone can set a spell and join in. Arnold's journey to the mountain lake is a sort of ramblin' man's song in itself. After getting his business masters degree from the University of Tennessee, he drifted through business and tech jobs in Nashville, Denver and Atlanta. "It was my time in Nashville, seeing all the artists and venues" that got him hooked on the idea of staging shows himself, he said. When COVID wrecked his tech job at the time, rumors that the marina was up for sale was music to his ears. He and his partner have added roughly 60 boat slips, a few more sites for campers, freshened up the floating dockside grill and, of course, added The Stage. They also own the Sports Mill bar in Kingsport, which also has a live-music stage, although much smaller. Arnold, 49, knows there is a lot of musical talent in our area, and a scant few places for them to play, especially ones with a big stage and a bigger view. "It's awesome," Adrian Bundy said while his band took a break. "It's a really cool setup and a beautiful place. I've known Benji for a good while now and him and everyone out here are great." On Saturday, June 27, the Cody Fair Band of Elizabethton plays and, on the Fourth of July, Gray Stone takes the stage. Shows start at 7 p.m. and end at 10 p.m. For the full event schedule go to Cove Ridge Marina's Facebook site. The marina is located at 947 Piercetown Road in Butler. There's a buzz among local musicians about the July 18 open mic competition on The Stage hosted by Appalachian Artists Live. All comers are welcome. Arnold said there's a fitting prize for the sweetest music played that night. "The winner gets to play a paid gig here on the last night of the season."