Six good lookin’ single men. One gorgeous wedding spot—Tomlinson Family Farm Wedding and Event Venue in Lebanon. Coffee, donuts, and a bright and freezing photo shoot morning.
It‘s a tradition as old as Wilson Living itself: 1. Assemble a handful of our most eligible local bachelors. 2. Get them to dress up, pose for pictures, and answer a whole list of difficult (or just plain silly) questions about themselves. 3. Present them for the general entertainment of you, our readers.
This year for the wedding issue, we’re dedicated to making sure the women of Wilson County have everything they need for their big day. Doesn’t it make sense give them a handful of groom options, too? (That’s the hardest part.)
We give you the Bachelors of Wilson:
Name: John McFadden
Age: 53
Occupation: Chief Executive Officer, Tennessee Environmental Council… Father
Favorite way to spend your down time: Running and hiking, listening to music with friends
One person (dead or alive) you’d like to have lunch with:Teddy Roosevelt
Favorite book: Wild at Heart
An unusual skill: Whitewater raft guide, wilderness first responder
What you look for in a woman: Christian, loves kids (I am a big one and so is my 14-year-old), open minded/willing to try new things, adventurous.
One of your favorite date activities: Listening to live music
Where you see yourself in five years: Sailing and camping more, working less
Your hero: My dad and mom, Elijah my son
What do you think makes a relationship work? Open and honest communication
Favorite quote: “Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.” -Teddy Roosevelt
He’d never say it about himself (but somebody else did): “Well, maybe this isn’t the best thing to say to a potential date, but they’d find out soon enough—he is passionate and enthusiastic about everything, especially trees and the environment. But the thing that sticks in my mind about him, since he was young, is that he doesn’t take no for an answer. He is persistent and compassionate. Also, he loves the heritage that comes from family. He values it.” –Miriam McFadden, mother
Beer or whiskey? Merlot
Name: T.K. Eads
Age: 25
Occupation: Carpenter—Dillon Cabinet & Millwork
Favorite way to spend your down time: Kayaking, camping out on Center Hill Lake
One person (dead or alive) you’d like to have lunch with:George Jones
Favorite book: Lone Survivor—it’s a book about what snipers go through on a day to day basis, what they do to keep our freedom.
An unusual skill: If it has a steering wheel, I can drive it.
What you look for in a woman: Personality for #1, definitely has to like the outdoors in some way, shape or form. Definitely likes to do her own things on her own time, open minded, outspoken. And of course, the eyes are a big thing.
One of your favorite date activities: I would probably say kayaking. Not too much on the fancy restaurant scene—I’m more laid back.
Where you see yourself in five years: Probably still doing the same thing I’m doing! I love my job. I get to travel all over.
Your hero: My father—he’s ambitious, a hard worker… the ideal father figure.
What do you think makes a relationship work? Honesty, being able to spend time apart—if you can handle a relationship over the phone for a week or two at a time, I believe it’ll work.
Favorite quote: “Dream as if you’ll live forever; live as if you’ll die today.” –James Dean
Beer or whiskey? Depends on the occasion
Records, tapes, CDs, or soundbytes? Records. I’ve got a record player, not an old one—probably from the 90s.
Name: Jesse Hannam Reynolds
Age: 29
Occupation: Quality Assurance in Software Development (ForceX Inc.); Intelligence Analyst for the Tennessee Air National Guard
Favorite way to spend your down time: On a normal afternoon I enjoy a long run to clear my head from the day. On the weekends I look for any reason to put my kayak in the water and I like to top the day off having dinner with my family.
One person (dead or alive) you’d like to have lunch with: Jimmy Fallon
Favorite book: My favorite book is The Five People You Meet in Heaven. This book addresses love, sacrifice, and the purpose we have here, tying all of these topics into an intriguing read that paints a picture of how even the smallest of experiences are interconnected within our lives.
An unusual skill: I can crush the ABCs in reverse.
What you look for in a woman: I’m initially intrigued by a genuine smile and from there I look for a friend I can laugh with. The most important trait is that she has a strong relationship with her friends and family and can make the most of any situation. I am intrigued by so many things and am looking to find a women that is adventurous and wants to experience all that life has to offer.
One of your favorite date activities: My favorite date would be grabbing some tacos and margaritas and going to watch a concert.
Where you see yourself in five years: I recently became an uncle and that solidified the fact that I want to have my own munchkin, or two, crawling around by then. I can see the joy my sister and Stewart have when they’re holding their daughter and I am ready to experience that part of life.
Your hero: My parents truly are my heroes. I’ve learned a tremendous amount from them and I can now see characteristics of each of them in everything I do.
What do you think makes a relationship work? Trust and laughter, but I’m probably missing a few. If I had that figured out I wouldn’t be a part of this article.
He’d never say it about himself (but somebody else did): “I think most people are drawn to Jesse for the same reason I was initially intrigued by him: he simply does not understand the concept of having a bad day. I’ve personally never had a hard time talking to Jesse, and I’m not necessarily a conversationalist, myself. But if his magnetic personality isn’t enough to charm you, he’ll easily win you over with his laid-back style, keen sense of humor, and his appreciation for all-things-new. Of course, he does owe me twenty bucks though…” –Brice Rochelle, friend
Superman or Batman? Correct
Boxers or…? Boxer briefs
Records, tapes, CDs, or soundbytes? Live music all the way. I’m a concert addict.
Name: Brandon Carver
Age: 22
Occupation: Lawyer-in-training at Rochelle, McCulloch, & Aulds; Piano Instructor at Carver Class of Music; Pianist at Bethlehem United Methodist
Favorite way to spend your down time: By the fire in the winter; somewhere outside in the summer; meeting friends at a new restaurant in the meantime.
One person (dead or alive) you’d like to have lunch with: Reagan
Favorite book: Anything Fitzgerald; anything on etiquette.
An unusual skill: I can sell anything.
What you look for in a woman: A sense of adventure, a sense of humor, independence, and class. Someone I can take anywhere; someone who gives me the same feeling I get when I see the server bring my food out.
One of your favorite date activities: Anything neither of us has ever done before.
Where you see yourself in five years: Somewhere sunny and 75
Your heroes: My mother and father
What do you think makes a relationship work? Mutual interests, mutual attitudes, honesty, and two people that laugh at the same things.
Favorite quote: “The better you dress, the worse you can behave.”
He’d never say it about himself (but somebody else did): “Well honey, first of all, he’s absolutely handsome. And he’s intelligent, intellectual, has the highest integrity—you know, he graduated from Lipscomb University. He’s a kind and sensitive young man, a dedicated Christian, a marvelous pianist, has a fabulous voice. I would consider him a true southern gentlemen. I just think he’s a dream in waiting for the right young lady.” -Sue Garay, family friend
Beer or whiskey? Beer. Preferably Stella Artois.
City or country? City by week; country by weekend.
Introverted or extroverted? Outgoing introvert
Name: Kason Lester
Age: 25
Occupation: Student at Belmont, singer/songwriter, and I work at Lester Farms with my brother Mitch.
Favorite way to spend your down time: Playing music and writing songs
One person (dead or alive) you’d like to have lunch with: Brett Favre or Kid Rock, as random as that sounds.
What you look for in a woman: Someone who’s good looking and isn’t attached to her cell phone.
One of your favorite date activities: The movies
Where you see yourself in five years: Not real sure about that one, but I’d like to be making a living in the music industry.
What do you think makes a relationship work? Both people being able to completely be themselves around each other and not having to hold back.
Favorite quote: “Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.”
He’d never say it about himself (but somebody else did): “Artsy charismatic personality with a large heart for family, friendship, and God.” –Jana Pastors, family friend
Superman or Batman? Spiderman.
Would you rather be deaf for life, or blind for life? Blind; a world without music would be pretty tough to live in.
Name: Mitchell Lester
Age: 21
Occupation: Farmer
Favorite way to spend your down time: Eating at grandma’s house, spending time with family, watching Shark Tank and The Office
One person (dead or alive) you’d like to have lunch with: Robert Herjakavec (Shark Tank)
Favorite book: My Side of the Mountain
An unusual skill: I can grow pretty good strawberries.
What you look for in a woman: Genuine, kind, driven, attractive
One of your favorite date activities: Dinner and movies, early morning breakfast—however, the best moments are usually the unplanned ones.
Where you see yourself in five years: Stable enough to support a family through a job I am passionate about.
Your hero: Not necessarily heroes, but I respect my Mom and Dad above most.
What do you think makes a relationship work? Respect for each other and ambition to live life fully.
Favorite quote: “Ask yourself each night, ‘If I lived everyday like I did today, what kind of future would that create?” –Unknown
He’d never say it about himself (but somebody else did): “A determined individual with a mission to break ground on new beginnings.” –Jana Pastors, family friend
Beer or whiskey? Don’t do a lot of drinking.