Mike Moser "I Say" Published Dec. 2, 2005

Metal shaping capital of the United States?

Golf Capital of Tennessee. Mecca for patrons of the arts. National home of the chess association. Destination point for outdoorsmen from campers, canoeists to hikers to hunters. Major event on the barbecue cooking competition circuit? Metal shaping center of the world?
Crossville has the opportunity to be a major destination point for yet another group of people, that is, if the folks at Metalcraft Tools have their way.

In nine short months metal shaping, car/truck/motorcycle/tractor show and a sanctioned barbecue cookoff could become reality for our little crossroads of the Cumberlands, expanding our incoming tourism dollar and adding to the tax coffers.

The vision that Metalcraft founder Cal Davis has passed on to his son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Cynthia Cole Davis, will benefit the entire community if plans for the upcoming MotionXpo scheduled for Sept. 1-3, 2006 become reality.

And it will take a lot of help from the community to make the show an annual event.

Mark and Cynthia were guests of the Crossville Breakfast Rotary Club Wednesday where they shared their vision of thousands making the annual early fall trip to Crossville for an exposition that will mesh metal shaping and related workshops, car show, motorcycle rally, truck pull, antique tractor show and barbecue cookoff into one giant event that could draw thousands to the Plateau.

Cal discovered years ago that not only did customers need a source to purchase equipment to work on their race cars, antique tractors and to restore their vintage aircraft, but they also needed to learn the latest techniques in using the equipment.

The evolution of the English wheel into the racing industry has been a big boon to Metalcraft. Soon, however, artists and people in many other fields outside stock and NASCAR discovered the wheel and the demand for educating workers increased.

Today a mix of artisans, hobbyists and professionals travel to Metalcraft to hone their skills with equipment designed, built and sold at Metalcraft.

Recently Mark Davis traveled to a racing weekend in Indianapolis where he had planned to entertain about 30 in his workshop. Ninety-two attended his class.

The Davises decided they would investigate offering a weekend workshop where attendees could get one-on-one teachings in a host of fields related to building and restoring anything that uses metal.

The idea for MotionXpo was launched. A contact with friends associated with the John Boy & Billy Radio Network led to a promise of an estimated $400,000 worth of promotional air time nationally.

It also led to Memphis where officials with the internationally renown Memphis in May barbecue cookoff jumped on the idea of tying a sanctioned professional barbecue cookoff with the weekend in Crossville. Suddenly, barbecue cookers could come to Crossville to earn qualifying points for the national competition held each May in Memphis.

The event will also benefit John Boy and Billy's favorite charity, the Children's Miracle Network, and local organizations and clubs who sign on to help stage the event.

Sept. 1-3 was picked, Mark said, to draw off the large crowds who swarm to the Pigeon Forge/Sevierville area for the massive car show in the mountains.

The event is being planned for the Community Complex, and in addition to the shows and competitions, will also feature 10 to 12 workshops on site for those who want to learn more about the art and craft of metal shaping and related fields.

Nine months is not a long time. If you or your organization would like to jump on board to assist with MotionXpo, call Mark or Cynthia at Metalcraft at 707-7778.

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Mike Moser is the editor of the Crossville Chronicle. His column is published periodically on Fridays.