{Nashvilleâs Finest}
















Mar/Apr 2026



THE DETROIT COWBOY BY KID ROCK AND JOE MUER SEAFOOD BLENDS FINE DINING WITH THE SOUL OF BOTH DETROIT AND NASHVILLEâS MUSIC SCENES AND HISTORIES. JOIN US FOR HAPPY HOUR, LUNCH, DINNER, OR PLAN A SPECIAL EVENT IN ONE OF OUR PRIVATE DINING SPACES THAT CAN ACCOMMODATE GROUPS OF 10 TO 300. THE DETROIT COWBOY IS NASHVILLEâS DESTINATION FOR LOVERS OF EXCEPTIONAL SEAFOOD, STEAKS, AND STORIES. 500 11th avenue north at capitol view | thedetroitcowboy.com

PUBLISHER
Dave Mahanes
EDITOR - IN - CHIEF
Melissa Mahanes
FEATURES EDITOR
Carolyn Smith Bryant
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Charlie Mahanes
CONTRIBUTORS
Writers
Jennifer Brian
Bridget Cottrell
Matthew Cottrell
Vicki Denig
Dave Mahanes
Melissa Mahanes
Macey Phillips
Photographers
Charlie Mahanes
Melissa Mahanes
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Melissa: 615.308.9294 / melissa@slmag.net
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I am sure everyone has their story about Januaryâs Ice Storm Fern, one of the most catastrophic storms to hit Nashville in decades. At 4:30am on Sunday, January 25th, we were awoken by what sounded like a bomb, promptly knocking the power out. I jumped up to investigate and saw that a huge branch had fallen on the house, shattering the glass storm window at the front. Thank goodness it didnât break through the indoor window. Several hours later, when the sun came up, there was another crash caused by a large branch that severely crushed the stairs to my back deck. Stepping outside to assess the damage, it was eerie. The sky was grey; the ground was covered with snow; and the trees were encased in glittering ice. In the silence, the breaking of large branches and the falling of trees continued throughout the day. By 4:00 in the afternoon, with no heat, no electricity, no TV, and no internet, we decided to pack up and flee to my oldest son, Jackâs, midtown studio apartment in SkyHouse. With our beagle Dolly Parton in tow (barking the entire time), we started our way out of Belle Meade. So many roads were blocked by downed trees and power lines that we had to constantly turn around to reach Harding Pike, finally making it out by driving beneath an intimidatingly low arch formed by a fallen tree and a utility pole hanging over Lynwood Boulevard. It took us an hour to get to our sonâs apartment, when it usually takes us 15 minutes.
The four of us with Dolly hunkered down in that small but comfortable apartment for 8 days. Although not without its challenges, I truly enjoyed the togetherness, and we managed to maintain a sense of humor throughout. We made some really nice dinners and watched some great movies â I particularly enjoyed F1. We would take turns sleeping on the queen-size bed, with two on it and two on the L-shaped sofa. Walking the dog in the bitter cold and icy sidewalks was a challenge; we both hated every minute of it. Trying to work on my laptop and iPad isnât as easy as working from my home office. We finally returned to the house on Monday, February 2nd, when the power was restored. We would not have internet for several more days. The refrigerator and basement freezer were full of spoiled food, and there were many more fallen trees and branches.
All in all, I still feel very lucky, as I hope many of you were, too. The damage to my property was minimal compared to what many other Nashvillians suffered, and everyone in my family was unscathed. I know that some were less fortunate. I learned that a falling branch tragically paralyzed a former colleague. During this storm drama, I got to know my new next-door neighbors as well as my new backyard neighbor, who will soon enjoy a brand new fence. Sometimes, difficult situations do bring out the best in us.

Dave Mahanes, Publisher dave@slmag.net










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DESIGNER
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