Sequatchie County Fair provides setting for music video

photo Director Sam Willie talks with director of photography Jacob Strong and makeup artist Evelyn Maxey about setting up extra lights on the Ferris wheel at the Sequatchie County Fair. They are shooting a music video.

DUNLAP, Tenn. -- Picture an old-time festival with carnival rides, local music, cotton candy and tractor rides.

That's what Josh Lockhart saw in his mind when he was looking for a setting for a music video he's producing for "Wilson County Ferris Wheel Ride," a song by Nashville duo Kari Nelson and Billy Arnold, who go by the shortened name of Kari and Billy.

Although the song is named after the Wilson County Fair and some of the footage is expected to be shot there, the duo and its team wanted most of the video to look like a small-town festival. And Lockhart thought the Sequatchie County Fair fit the bill.

"It's a beautiful area; I love the mountains in the background," Lockhart said Saturday, while setting up cameras, lighting and other technical elements. "We want lots of color and for the video to be beautiful. We want it to be reminiscent of the fair itself, kind of nostalgic. The song is nostalgic."

The video, which was shot Saturday night, is expected to be ready by late August or early September and can be seen on the duo's website, kariandbilly.com, and YouTube.

Sequatchie County Fair volunteer Karen Marshall said the local event is a good fit for the description of a small-town festival.

"Here you get your beauty queens, your best-in-show jar of pickles, Grandma's quilts hanging up, Aunt Sue's chocolate pie. You get it all," she said.

Video director Sam Willey said it will have a storyline following a young boy who is afraid of the Ferris wheel. He goes to the fair with his friend, who is a little girl, and she helps him overcome his fear.

Fair officials said they're honored to be chosen as the setting for the music video and have worked hard to make the crew feel at home.

Among other favors, local businesses have given their time and equipment to keep the fairgrounds picked up and in order and offered a bucket truck so the crew could shoot scenes from a rooftop, Marshall said.

Willie said he was overcome by the hospitality.

"They have been more than helpful. I never imagined for them to have as many hookups that they have given us," he said.

Corrina Sisk-Casson is based in Dunlap. She may be reached at corrinacasson1@aol.com.

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