In Loving Memory of Lee Solomon
June 26, 1944 - April 5, 2025
07.12.2025 - On a beautiful Saturday afternoon it was only fitting that the Harvester Event Center hosted such a significant event, celebrating Lee's vibrant life. His son, Aaron Solomon, stepped into the role of master of ceremonies, guiding the day with warmth and sincerity. The entertainment featured a six-piece band, showcasing musicians from the various bands Lee had performed with throughout his life, including Truckstop, The Eclectics, and OMF.
The consistent message from family and friends was clear: Lee had a profound impact on everyone through his encouragement, insight, and creativity. My own family had known Lee since the 1970s, and the connections we shared shone brightly that day. Lee was a constant source of support in my life, and I will dearly miss our weekly conversations.
As I recounted fond memories to Aaron, he echoed our shared sentiments about the value of those experiences. The band was exceptional, performing a range of songs from The Beatles to heartfelt tributes. One standout moment was when Butch Baker, a longtime friend and musician, took the stage. His a cappella performance resonated deeply, embodying the spirit of community and uplifting everyone present.
Lee’s granddaughter, Tessa James, performed “Imagine” by John Lennon, which left a remarkable impression on the audience. Testimonials flooded in from colleagues at Crane Industry, WJLE, and his bandmates from across the nation, highlighting Lee’s lasting legacy.
This celebration was not just an alternative to traditional funerals; it was a testament to the joy of life and the spirit Lee left behind. While there was a sense of loss, the atmosphere was filled with positivity, leaving everyone uplifted.
I extend my gratitude to Linda, Courtney, Tara, and Aaron, and the entire family for bringing together friends from near and far. Special thanks to Tami Studer for the delicious catering and to the exceptional staff—David, our house manager, and Phillip, who managed the stage, Ava and Carrington and the rest of the bar staff…The Harvester truly became a crown jewel of the Upper Cumberland through their efforts.
Overall, this celebration was a wonderful embodiment of Lee’s spirit and community, and I feel blessed to have been part of it.
Blessed Be our Own Staff Spiritual Advisor - Lee Solomon
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From Bert: On a Saturday afternoon, we gathered to celebrate the life of my dear friend, Lee Solomon. One of our favorite things was to relive moments together, sharing stories and lessons learned. We often played a game of pitch and toss, reflecting on the past. Thankfully, much of our journey has been documented, thanks to our dedicated social media team over the years.
As I reflect on our time together, I want to highlight our collaborations on multiple stages, media influence and Center Hill Radio, which we launched in the summer of 2023. Lee was instrumental in this project. He diligently took notes after our events, sharing them with me to polish and finalize. For 99% of our output, by the next morning, we had a complete recap, with photographs, showcasing everything that had transpired the night before: something that we strive to do to this very day. Therefore, anyone can go back in time and relive the many wonderful events hosted at both The Burlap Room and The Harvester
Lee taught me so much about the inner workings of the music industry, invaluable lessons that guided me and contributed to our success. Together, we organized incredible shows, connecting with amazing talent and creating unforgettable sounds. Looking back, documenting our efforts was truly a labor of love, but more than that, it was immensely rewarding.
At the core of our collaboration was a shared vision: we both wanted to make something extraordinary happen. We put in the hard work, spending countless hours together, and I will deeply miss his presence as a sounding board, his encouraging words, and simply having him by my side. Our bond has significantly influenced me and my family over the years.
Thank you, Lee, for being such an important part of my life. You will be missed, but your impact will be felt forever.
- Bert
Up next: join us at the Harvester for an Alt 80's Tribute Night featuring RAYGUN on Friday, 8/1, and explore our downtown even more at the Historic Downtown Smithville Fourth Annual Art Walk on Friday, 9/19. Stay tuned as we have new event announcements coming soon, and stay up-to-date' with all the events in the Bert Driver Network (Nursery, Burlap Room, and the Harvester) by signing up for our ‘The Local Vibe Newsletter - released the first Tuesday of the month, straight to your inbox! And don’t forget the Harvester is for rent: corporate events and parties, weddings, receptions, graduations, baby showers, or whatever you’re celebrating, we host ‘em all! Contact us for more information, and check us out on Wedding Wire or The Knot!
