FIND A CONTRACTOR BUYER'S GUIDE
BECOME AN INDUSTRY PARTNER
MCAA Logo
MEMBER LOGIN JOIN
NEWS
The 2026 MCAA Annual Online Auction is Now Open ↗

Alley Cassetty hosts the 2014 West Tennessee SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® Regional Competition

Words: Will ScottThe 2014 SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® Regional Competition for Central and West Tennessee was held at Alley Cassetty in Nashville, TN on Friday, September 19th, 2014. Nine teams of highly skilled masons and tenders vied for a competition spot in the 2015 SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 World Championship held in Las Vegas, Nevada. There, they will compete for over $100,000 in cash and prizes including a new 2015 Ford F-250 4x4 Super Duty XLT truck.

The competition kicked off on a beautiful and sunny day in Music City, Nashville, TN. This year’s host, Alley Cassetty, had a perfect location in downtown Nashville where the skyline of the city was the beautiful backdrop. Several masonry industry members as well as the competitor’s family and friends were in attendance to watch the show and cheer on their favorite competitor. Many Fans were entrenched in the competition while others were able to enjoy the Carnival like atmosphere that surrounded Alley Cassetty’s beautiful location. Fans feasted on freshly grilled hamburgers and hotdogs while signing up for prizes generously donated by the local sponsors. Several local and national sponsors set up booths at the regional event giving industry members valuable information on the latest materials and equipment in the industry. Local sponsor Hunter Sand and Gravel was once again a big crowd favorite, bringing outstanding giveaways including gift cards and even an I-Pad Mini. Attendees also got into the competitive spirit with a game of bag toss against the masons and tenders as well as a game of “heads and tails” for two flat screen TV’s. The Tennessee masons proved their competitive prowess by also taking home both the TV’s!

The whistle blew and the teams were off. You could feel the stress in the air as the bricklayers moved like well-oiled machines. As the competition came to a close the judges knew right away this was going to be as tight of a finish as Nashville has ever seen. As the dust settled and the mortar hardened, only 34 brick separated the first through third place finishers. Each held their breath knowing that just one deduction would change the grand prize winner and a chance to compete at the Championships in Las Vegas for the title of “World’s Best Bricklayer”. As the judges made their final tallies it was Brian Wade and Bill Rice with Wade masonry that took home the title of not only fastest bricklayer In the West Tennessee region, but also won this years’ distinguished Nashville’s Top Craftsmanship Award.

Thank you to all our local and national sponsors who donated time, material and manpower to this event. We could not do it without your support.

Final Results

First Place

Mason — Brian Wade — 617 Brick Tender — Bill Rice
Wade Masonry

SPEC MIX TOP CRAFTSMAN

Mason — Brian Wade — 617 Brick Tender — Bill Rice
Wade Masonry

2nd Place

Mason — Howard Coleman — 592 Brick Tender — Jason Kraus
All About Masonry

3rd Place

Mason — Zac Guire — 583 Brick Tender — Oscar Herrera
WASCO Inc.

For more information on the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER Regional Program call 888-SPECMIX or go to www.specmixbricklayer500.com.
 0
Is Contact with Wet Mortar or Grout Dangerous?
April 2026

In the world of masonry, few materials are as common as mortar and grout. Whether you are laying brick, concrete masonry units (CMU), or pouring grout into masonry walls, wet cement and mortar are constant companions. However, beneath their utility lies a

Zach Everett
Technical Talks
Read More
The Importance of Instructor Support
April 2026

Whether you are a new or veteran masonry instructor, we all need support throughout our careers. We can never stop learning, and keeping up with ever-changing technology, materials, and installation techniques can be overwhelming alongside the everyday pr

Curtis Hoover
Resources
Read More
Vibing Masonry #11: Innovative Concrete Masonry Technologies in Healthcare Design
April 2026

In the high-stakes environment of healthcare design, every material choice is a clinical decision. Architects, engineers, and facility administrators are tasked with creating spaces that are not only resilient and code-compliant but also conducive to heal

Steve Blye
Technical Talks
Read More
Why Termination Bars Still Matter: A Practical Look at Long‑Term Flashing Performance
April 2026

In recent discussions across the masonry industry, I have heard termination bars described as “old school.” The implication is that with modern materials, primerless peel-and-stick flashings, advanced sealants, and structural insulated sheathing, mechanic

Linda Potter
Technical Talks
Read More