A look at Columbia through the lens of a Dave and Buster’s photographer

Reporters note: I worked with Ed Rode back in the early 1990s at the now-defunct Nashville Banner newspaper. I was delighted when Ed called me to say he was photographing Columbia for murals to be installed in the new Dave & Buster’s restaurant and arcade being built in Harbison. He wanted an insider’s tour.

Veteran photographer Ed Rode left the newspaper business in 1995 to become a freelance photographer in Nashville, Tenn. In the more than two decades since, he has chronicled the lives and careers of more country and pop music stars than he can count, from Neil Diamond to the Dixie Chicks to today’s country hit maker Jason Aldean.

Rode accompanied Aldean on 2015’s “Burn It Down” tour in the United States and Europe and has produced a book by the same name available on jasonaldean.com. He is also compiling a book of his 25 years photographing the Music City’s top songwriters.

But when he is not shooting stars, Rode is traveling the country photographing cultural and historical sites for Dave & Buster’s restaurants. The company is opening a store in Harbison later this year.

Rode is shooting in Columbia and Myrtle Beach this week.

Q. What do you like most about the Dave and Busters gig?

I love history. And with this job I get to go to all these cities and photograph their amazing cultural and historical landmarks. I meet with local historians, and love learning about all the stories and places that most people don’t know about.

Dave and Buster’s uses my photographs for murals in their restaurants. Commissioning artwork shows a huge commitment to the cities where they locate. I think it reflects positively on them as a company, their willingness to invest in a city’s cultural and historical identity.

Q. How many cities have you visited and which is your favorite?

I’ve been doing this for three and a half years and I’ve lost track, but it’s been from Anchorage, Alaska, to Miami, Fla. I can’t pick a favorite because each city has something special. I love finding that special identity and put a lens on it.

Q. What was your favorite photograph in Columbia

The chain on Main Street. I love that piece of artwork. It showed the community coming together in a positive way. It’s a great idea, a great story and a great visual.

(The piece is called “Never Bust,” by artist Blue Sky. The sculpture links, literally, two historic building — the Sylvan building and the Kress building. It was installed in 2000 when a third historic building burned between them. Blue Sky wanted to fill the gap left by the fire.)

Q. What surprised you most about Columbia?

The way things are exploding here. There’s so much growth, so many new things. And it is really a friendly place. Everybody was so helpful. And I loved the history. I was surprised by how much history there is here.

Q. Where did you eat, drink and make merry?

I wasn’t there very long, and I’m really looking forward to coming back when the restaurant opens. But I wandered into the Oyster Bar (on Park Street in the Vista) and loved it. Spent quite a long time there. A couple dozen oysters. I loved meeting the local characters around the bar. Great place.

I also loved the Congaree swamp. Absolutely beautiful. I loved that whole experience.

Follow Rode on Instagram at @edrode

This story was originally published June 3, 2016 at 3:29 PM with the headline "A look at Columbia through the lens of a Dave and Buster’s photographer."