Thursday, August 26, 2010

Honest Abe Log Homes Joins with Mountain Heart in New Series of Commercials


Honest Abe Log Homes recently forged a unique and active marketing relationship with Mountain Heart, a well established progressive roots/alt-bluegrass band. As Honest Abe lead a search for talent to appear in a series of new commercials, Mountain Heart leaped from the pool of talent surrounding Nashville, Tennessee and became an obvious choice to partner with. This pairing is a new approach for each organization as they partner to market and expand their target demographics.

"We are thrilled and honored to be asked to partner with Honest Abe Log Homes, says Brian Smith, Principal of Leadership Artists, LLC, and Mountain Heart's manager. "As sponsors of the very popular Music City Roots series, Honest Abe Log Homes teamed up with a great performance organization that we are quite fond of, so we know that the folks we are working with are top quality, forward thinking leaders. We couldn't be happier and look forward to working closely to move the needle forward for all involved!” Mountain Heart's musical virtuosity, unmatched energy, and keen sense of entertainment dynamics have helped them to forge a highly unique sound and stage show, which appeals to an incredibly wide variety of musical tastes. From large outdoor folk music and bluegrass festivals, to sold-out arena shows opening for Southern Rock icons, to appearing in over 120 performances on the stage of the legendary Grand Ole Opry, Mountain Heart has earned their rightful place as the recognized leaders in today's progressive acoustic sound. This energetic charisma, paired with remarkable talent and a wonderful fan-base appealed directly to Honest Abe Log Homes.

John Walker of Triad Media introduced the concept and played a direct role in connecting the two parties. “As co-producer of Music City Roots, and a marketing consultant for Honest Abe for nearly 10 years, I saw this as the perfect opportunity to exemplify our core roots marketing vision,” said John Walker, Nashville producer and ad agency owner. “The message we preach is simple – create brand and demographic synergy between show content (Music City Roots), sponsors (Honest Abe Log Homes), fans (potential customers), and artists. In this case, no artist represents the marriage of old-school tradition with new-school forward-thinking better than Mountain Heart. It’s no coincidence that this is the exact mission of Honest Abe and Music City Roots as well. The partnership is a match made in Heaven…everybody wins, especially the public, because they get treated to some of the finest music on the planet. It’s all about integrity…the days of slick, deceptive advertising are over.”

Log homes, front porches and good acoustic music are just meant to be,” notes Josh Beasley, who directs Honest Abe’s marketing efforts. “We’re providing the front porch, and Mountain Heart is sharing with us their great acoustic and vocal melodies. Within that scenario, we both win. Mountain Heart fans are introduced to the idea of living in an Honest Abe Log Home, while log home enthusiasts become fans of remarkable talent they may not get to hear on their usual drive home.”

Social media stands to play a big role as well. “I think everyone involved is looking at this as a relationship, not just a one-time commercial shoot.” noted Beasley. “We look forward to being in contact with the band, Brian and John to continually seek out new ideas and ways to spread each other’s message without forcing it onto our fan base.” Mountain Heart has already dedicated to share free music in the near future, which will be available for download through Honest Abe’s web site. Early snippets of content shared on Facebook have already proven that the pair’s fans approve of the relationship.

The commercials filmed will present various messages from Honest Abe Log Homes, each with Mountain Heart singing the company’s jingle. They are set to air throughout the month of September during the morning news hours within the Nashville, Tennessee market. The commercials will also be available for online viewing on the companies web site at: www.honestabe.com.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Log Homes Council Features Navajo Floor Plan by Honest Abe Log Homes

During the month of August, 2010, the Log Homes Council, who’s parent organization is the National Association of Home Builders, is featuring a beautiful timber frame house by Honest Abe Log Homes. Honest Abe, a member and supporter of the council, is best known for designing, manufacturing and building log homes and cabins. However, this timber frame home demonstrates the diversity within the company’s line of products, and the variety available within the wood home industry overall.

This particular floor plan is no stranger to Honest Abe’s portfolio of log home and timber frame designs. The Navajo has been within the company’s line up for over fifteen years, yet still captures attention by so many log home enthusiasts. “The plan is modest, yet has so much to offer,” comments Fred Kendall, Design Manager at Honest Abe. “One wing of the timber frame home features the master bedroom and bath, while the other is split into two bedrooms and a shared bathroom. The center has an open design within the great room, which is overlooked by a loft. The kitchen is spacious and open to its surroundings.” All of this is available in an area just over 1,800 square feet without a basement.

As with most plans Honest Abe Log Homes offers, the Navajo featured in the Log Council’s article has undergone modifications as directed by the customers. Rick and Betty Blair of Apple Orchard Mountain Homes decided to construct a ‘spec’ timber frame home in The Preserve at Beach Mountain located in Hayesville, North Carolina. “The property has such a beautiful view of the mountains,” noted Betty. “So, Rick and I added more deck and porch area than called for on the original design. We also added a gazebo, which creates an outstanding outdoor living area to take in the views.” Due to the slope of the property, they added an angled corner entry as well as a walk-out basement. “A finished basement is a great way to add on affordable living area,” suggested Rick.

The Navajo is a great example of the flexibility in creative design available when constructing with timber frame or log. Imagination and budget really are the limits. Honest Abe’s timber frame construction takes customization to another level. Since the walls are constructed with posts, beams and prefabricated panels, the exterior of the home can be covered with a variety of products. Of course, Honest Abe manufactures log siding that can be applied to give the appearance of log, but some customers choose to use cedar siding, brick, stone and even vinyl siding. Rick and Betty Blair chose to use log siding for the exterior walls on the main level, while covering the gable-end walls and dormers with cedar shake siding. The walk-out basement features a manufactured stone application. All of this combined really expresses a mountain home feel with definitive craftsman style accents.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

A Modern Log Raising Hosted by Honest Abe Log Homes

Years ago, a log or barn raising was a common event throughout our country. Neighbors would come from all around to help a friend in need build their home or barn. A whole community would gather, making a big event of it, and erect a structure in a day or so. Honest Abe Log Homes, a leading manufacturer of log homes based in Moss, Tennessee, has taken this age-old tradition and added a modern touch.

In an effort to better educate log home enthusiasts, Honest Abe Log Homes hosts a number of log raising events each year. However, to attend there is no need to bring your ladder and hammer. Instead, the event is hosted indoors so the climate is controlled, and the event may be held rain or shine. The company constructs a small structure, using the same logs and products as with a full-scale home. Attendees have the ability to ask questions and even interact.

Those dreaming of building a log home can gain first hand knowledge of how an Honest Abe Log Home is constructed. Rachel Meadows, Sales Manager for Honest Abe Log Homes noted, “All of our Log Home Specialists and management attend. They are directly involved with the log raising and available for questions throughout. We also have our builders involved, which many find comforting and helpful.

As the event progresses, logs are stacked to form a small structure. Soon, ceiling beams and a second floor are built. A small roof section is then added featuring exposed interior rafters. Porches, decks, windows, doors and all the other components of a modern log home are previewed and discussed throughout the morning. After the structure is built, everyone is treated to lunch, and immediately following is a tour of the manufacturing facility.

Randy Fudge, President of Honest Abe Log Homes and host of the event had this to say, “We have never wanted our log raisings to just be an advertisement for our homes. It’s supposed to be educational, and we hope it helps the log home industry as a whole. We try to keep the mood light and the atmosphere casual.” Randy also commented that the event is open to the public and there is no fee involved.

Honest Abe Log Homes will only host three more log raising events in 2010 that are open to the public. The next will be held on July 24th, with the remaining two dates on September 25th and November 13th. Since the event is held indoors, space is limited, so the company requests that seating reservations are made prior to the date. The log raising starts at 9 AM, CST at their National Headquarters in Moss, Tennessee, and typically ends just after noon.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Hand Hewn Log Homes: Forefathers Necessity - Today's Rare Treasure

As I was filming video released by Honest Abe Log Homes on YouTube which focused on hand hewing, it occurred to me how today’s crafts were often necessities to our forefathers. Now, I realize this certainly wasn’t any ground breaking discovery. What really caught my attention is how valuable those rare crafts are. What was once a common necessity can be a treasure to us today.

Just down the road from our national headquarters in Moss, Tennessee, Mr. Willie McLerran continues to create his craft. Mr. McLerran is 90 years old, but still manages to weave baskets from white oak timber. He harvests the trees himself, and still does all the work involved with his craft. I would guess when he first learned how to hand weave baskets they were still a useful, everyday tool to many. He once filled a necessity of life, but now he creates a rare craft. His baskets are much less useful to our everyday lives, but I guarantee they are a priceless piece of history.

What does that have to do with log homes? Well, nothing directly. However, it seems the craft of hand hewing has a similar story. Hewing is an ancient practice. It was used to square, and fit timbers for construction. Hand hewing now isn’t seen as a necessity. We have machinery and mass production processes in place today which makes the fruit of the hand hewer’s labor impractical. Timbers are now cut and shaped with a variety of milling equipment. Who needs a log hewn by hand when Honest Abe can mill the same log time and time again?

Some people are just fine with a mass-produced basket from Wal-Mart that one-third of their neighbors also own. Others however, want something unique which tells a story. Some will pay a few dollars extra to buy Mr. McLerran’s basket which has its own special value.

Some people are just fine with our exceptionally milled log homes. They are beautiful just the way they are. Some are just as fine having their home hewn by machinery, although it leaves a distinct pattern that poorly represents hand hewing. Others however, want something unique which tells a story. Some will pay a few dollars extra to have their precisely milled Honest Abe logs and timbers chopped on by a craftsman. Not just anyone can pick up an adz and start hewing. It takes countless hours of hard work to learn to do well. Our craftsmen don’t just produce a product, they make art.

Want your log home to be truly unique? Talk to us about having your log home hand hewn. Better yet, come visit our headquarters, and see the process for yourself.

Joshua Beasley,
Honest Abe Log Homes

PS: If you come to visit, don’t forget to ask us where you can find Mr. McLerran. You shouldn’t leave Moss without a basket!



Friday, January 1, 2010

A New Year with an Old Resolution

Each year, millions of people around the world begin their new year with new resolutions. However, rarely are any of the objectives we set really new. One popular website (www.squidoo.com/newyears) lists these as some of the top resolutions each year:

1. Stop smoking
2. Get Fit
3. Lose Weight
4. Enjoy Life More
5. Quit Drinking
6. Get Organized
7. Learn Something New
8. Get Out of Debt
9. Spend more time with the Family
10. Help Others

There’s only one problem with this list. For log home enthusiasts it has this missing from the top of the list: “Build the log home of my dreams”.

Honestly, appraisals and financing are a struggle compared to the past several years. If you qualify to build a new log home, there may never have been a better time to do so. If you don’t, there may have never been a better time to, “Position myself to build the log home of my dreams.” That being said, create a list of “resolutions” to work through. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Do your Research: Find the log products and manufacturers you like and feel comfortable with. Learn all there is to know about log homes by reading through the magazines, browsing the Internet and so on. Attend log home shows, open houses and other events as well. The very first step might simply be to request free literature, which most log home producers distribute.

2. Pre-qualify and Establish a Budget: Whether you are planning to start building now, or not for another five years, establishing a preliminary budget is a good idea. It helps to keep our dreams in check with reality and what we can spend. Disappointment is a hard pill to swallow, and building your log home should be a joyous process. Don’t set yourself up for disappointment, set up to manage your money and future wisely. Many lenders can do a pre-qualification very quickly with no strings attached.

3. Reduce Debt: Before you actually apply for a loan, you want your credit score and income to debt ratio to be stellar. Making the list at #8 above, taking steps to reduce your debt is smart for your lifestyle all around, not just when trying to build your log home.

4. Save Money: This is a no-brainer really, but it was only a couple of years ago that financial institutions were lending at or above 100% of a home’s appraised value. That is no more. The more money you have saved, the easier it will be to qualify for a loan and construct your future log home.

5. Purchase your Land: While undeveloped land hasn’t decreased in value anywhere near the pace home values, there are still great deals to be found. Through auctions, desperate Realtors and land owners, a bargain could be just around the corner. Make sure the land is suitable for building. As beautiful as that view may be, if you can’t construct a log home on it, enjoying that view as planned with be impossible.

For many, “Building the Log Home of my Dreams” is as old and repetitive a resolution as the effort to loose a few pounds and get fit. It’s an achievable goal, one worthy of making the top of the list for many log home enthusiasts. We hope the few simple steps above might help you take an extra step or two closer to seeing that dream achieved. Here is to a prosperous and happy 2010!

Joshua Beasley
Honest Abe Log Homes, Inc.

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