Check out any number of my previous posts for why I think this is the best thing going for a Monday night or just believe me and go. You might actually see me there!
I have a resentment toward this guy because he held me up one New Year’s Eve when I was running sound at Cafe Coco. However, I remember him as being uber-talented so I will let it go and suggest you check him and a number of other great up and coming artists out at this weekly event. This is a favourite Nashville venue that I need to add to my list.
Although Steve Martin, Edie Brickell & Steep Canyon Rangers at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center was my first pick, I couldn’t get tickets, atleast without missing a car payment! I will however settle for my new favourite band who you just aren’t going to stop hearing me talk about for a while, sorry. James Otto is no slacker himself either.
Kristen is another singer, songwriter, artist who has been on my radar for a number of years. Her soulful and sultry performance can be seen on a regular basis these days at The Springwater. The Springwater Supper Club, as they call it, is one of the oldest musical establishments in Nashville but don’t be fooled if you haven’t been there before, it’s a dive bar with a stage. Still a fun hang for a Thursday night.
I haven’t seen this band but it’s been recommened to me by a friend, Roy Agee has been known to play trombone with them and it’s one of my favourite venues in town and, oh yea…they play Steely Dan!
I have always thought I should join a chorus in Nashville and perhaps one day I will. I think this would be my first pick. As their website says, they “use music to build community and create social change”. This will be the last show of the season after they take their message to the streets from Knoxville to Nashville.
I just can’t get enough of this duo and it’s Lightning 100‘s “Nashville Sunday Night” Be aware though, you have to go to the venue to hear Striking Matches. Paul Kelly will be the only one featured on the radio show, pity.
Day two of the grand opening of Nashville’s new Convention Center downtown . I checked the place out yesterday and it is BIG. I think day one was a great success and I loved the use of all the great live music Nashville has to offer throughout the whole opening. From small duos in the hallways to the Symphony playing the Grand Ballroom. I got catch a little bit of Music City Blues and the Soul Choir as well as a hear Phil Vassar sing the JoDee Messina song he penned “Bye Bye”
I remember Jerry Reed as a little girl and how funny he was but as a grown up I’ve discovered he was one heck of a guitar player too. I became friends with his daughter a few years ago and Iknow how proud she was of her dad.
If you read this blog on a regular basis (Mom, Melissa, Keith maybe) you know this is my new favourite band and Music City Roots is pretty much always my go to for a Wednesday night.
I am not exactly sure what this will be but I have tickets for Saturday night. I know it has something to do with Cirque De Soleil and it involves the Nashville Symphony so I am pretty sure it will be awesome.
Etta is getting some well deserved recognition these days. She’s a powerhouse of a vocalist who you have probably heard many times as a background singer. Friday at 3rd and Lindsley is a great chance to see & hear her in the forefront.
I fell head over heels with Street Corner Symphony and acappella music watching the Sing Off with Ben Folds (who I also learned to really appreciate watching that show). I also think East Nashville’s own Alanna Royal is the bomb and I haven’t had a chance to catch her live yet. Take a chair or blanket and prepare to have a very enjoyable afternoon.
Okay this is a weekend long event and it’s not exactly in Nashville but the lineup is awesome and it’s the best time of year to go camping in this part of the world. I hope Darrell Scott is playing on Sunday, amazing songwriter, instrumentalist…wow!
I have loved Lyle Lovett’s music forever and I saw him last year with John Hiatt. Seeing him live and experiencing his infectious personality only made me even more excited about a show with him and his acoustic band.
I had never heard of this band before but they were highly recommended by a good friend whose musical taste I trust. Not my most favourite venue but a good place for a Tuesday night.
I was introduced to the music of Brian by a former roommate when we had a party in our backyard. This long time road warrior is getting some well deserved recognition by the Nashville community. The rest of the lineup will most likely be great too especially since Jim Lauderdale pretty much always opens up the show.
This is a benefit for the Brentwood YMCA. It’d be great if you would support it because they often hire one of my clients, Mr. Bond, The Science Guy! It’s always a party when Jeffrey Steele is in the house but the list of friends performing will make this one heck of a night. Charlie Crow, Phil Barton, Travis Howard, Kurtis John, The Shuggah Pies, Jimmy Stewart and more…
If you have not heard this incredible vocalist you are in for a HUGE treat. I can only imagine how amazing she will sound backed by the incredible musicians that make up the Nashville Symphony.
I first saw this band at an Americana festival at Montgomery Bell Park. I was talking with a friend and they hit the stage and we stopped, stared and were hooked. I called them bluegrass punk and since then I have seen them many times including standing on a fence behind Grimey’s during Record Store Day just to catch a glimpse. This will be my first large arena experience with the Avetts and although I’m not a fan of this size of a show I’m pretty psyched.
Sunday and Monday will be the grand opening of the gigantic Convention Center in downtown Nashville. They have two nights of music slated to introduce Nashville to the Center at its grand opening. Should be an incredible extravaganza.
I would have to say Striking Matches is my newest favourite local band. Great songs and even more amazing guitar playing. Read about them and check out their video on a previous blog or just take my word for it and go. Presented at the new “Backstage” venue – hmm that’s what we called the venue at Cafe Coco.
5/7/13 A Night of Honoring the songs of Tim Johnson Ryman Auditorium
This is a unique and amazingly kind night put on by the Nashville music community. Nashville songwriters and some well-known artists will be performing the songs of this great songwriter who passed away from cancer last year. His friends and community want to make sure his songs are not forgotten and hope someone who is looking for songs for their next release will hear something they will record, in turn helping out his family for years to come. It’s a free event but tickets are required by calling (615) 889-3060
She was recently featured as local artist of the week on Lightning 100 and was also part of Music City Mayhem. This will be an enjoyable evening no doubt!
Another night from a giving Nashville music community. This one is to benefit the tragedy in Boston. The incredible Mike Ferris along with the equally remarkable Long Players will cover the music of the 70’s – 80’s top 40 hitmakers, “Boston”.
The Nashville Jazz Workshop presents one of the greatest recordings of all times in the lobby of The Frist Center for the Visual Arts. It’ll be a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon especially if it rains again!
I apologize for missing last week. I was bit by a dog Sunday morning and was in no shape to type Sunday night. I hope this week makes up for it!
4/29/13 Mike Henderson Band with Michael Rhodes & Kevin McKendree Bluebird Cafe
I pretty much go between the Bluebird Cafe late show on Monday nights and the Time Jumpers at 3rd and Lindsley. It’s a Monday night but there’s still so much choice in Nashville TN!
Kacey is a fabulous and refreshing Nashville songwriter and her music is bringing me back to country radio. She opens for Little Big Town but she will be headlining in no time at all. Check her out in September on the Southern Ground show.
5/1/13 Rush Bridgestone Arena or Music City Roots with Annie Sellick and The Hot Club of Nashville Loveless Cafe
I have to give the shout out to my homies…LMAO but really I’m not a fan of big stadium shows so you will probably find me at the Loveless Cafe listening to the gorgeous vocals of Miss Sellick.
5/2/13 Pam Belford, Lisa Aschmann, Maarten Muller, Sam Lewis Bluebird Cafe
When I saw Maarten Muller’s name on this line up I thought heck ya. This is just a really good round of dedicated, honest to goodness Nashville songwriters.
I noticed this is a fundraiser for the Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt which always makes one feel good to support a good cause while listening to good tunes.
This is one of the most compelling and beautiful nights of music you can witness in Nashville. It feels as if history is being made as well as remembered at the same time.
I went out Saturday night to hear a friend’s husband (who happens to be one of the best bluegrass bass players in town) play with 18 South. This band has now become my new favourite. This weekend was made even more special with the guest appearances of Sam Bush and John Oates! Before I headed to The Station Inn I hit Music City Mayhem at the new East-Centric Pavilion, not only was the music great and it was the place to be Saturday afternoon but I’m super excited about what music and festivals will be coming to the East-Centric Pavilion. I may never need to leave East Nashville again.
I’d like to say “Tipper Whore” at Mercy Lounge because the name is so funny but I know nothing about them. The Time Jumpers as I’ve mentioned before are a sure bet!
An all-star line up of the “real deal” country music folk to benefit The Country Music Hall of Fame, a place I spent much of my time volunteering when I first moved to Nashville. If you’ve never been there do check it out. It looks like a pip squeak next to the new convention center but it’s a wonderful place both architecturally and historically.
I don’t know a whole lot about this band but I first heard them featured as a local band on Lightning 100 and loved their song. I have no idea who AER is but I’m sure if they are matched up with these guys it will be a good night. If you don’t want to stand up and dance get there early to get a seat up top.
If Russell’s “Delta Lady”, “Superstar” or “A Song For You” aren’t enough then go to hear hit songwriter Pahanish or former band member for the incredible Bonnie Bramlett, Foster.
I have no idea who is playing but the venue is great and if it’s a nice day it’s going to be the place to be between 10 am and 4pm! Afterwards head back across the river to see Rock of Ages at TPAC . If it’s as much fun as the movie you’ve nothing to lose!
I fell in love with this duo at Tin Pan South. Check them out in this intimate setting while you have a chance. They will be selling out the Ryman in no time.
I’m too tired from last week to go anywhere this week, but if I change my mind I’ll let you know. Meanwhile check out my last upcoming events entry here.
This is a recap of my last week’s adventures.
I don’t consider myself a reviewer, I just know what I like and what I don’t. My weekly blog usually consists of what I would go see each night of the week around town but like most everyone I have an opinion, I just don’t necessarily feel I need to share it with the whole world all of the time.
(The below pics are mainly videos, I’m not sure why they aren’t showing up that way.)
The following are a few of the brightest moments for me this week. Thank you Nashville.com for supplying the press passes, it was a great week to be in Nashville.
On Thursday night I found myself at Winner’s Bar & Grill which isn’t where I originally started out but I found myself in need of some of the country music I knew and loved growing up and when I was still in love with country music. I found it at a couple of rounds at Winners. I caught the second half of a set with Richard Leigh who as I walked in started singing his Reba McEntire cut “The Greatest Man I Never Knew” then in the next round “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” and finally one of my favourite Dixie Chicks songs “Cold Day in July.” Jamie Teachenor was also in the round and I loved his Jerry Lee Lewis cut “You gotta rock if you’re gonna roll with me”.
I stuck around for the following round because one of my favourite singer/songwriter’s was playing. Lisa Carver played a song I used to cover on cruise ships called “I’m Old Enough To Be Your Lover”. I used to see her play at the Broken Spoke and knew she would be playing with the “big boys” eventually. Lisa said that Pam Tillis just cut this song and it will be on her next album. It’s about time!
Marcus Hummon was also in this round and he played his Sara Evans and Darrell Scott co-write, “Born To Fly”. And the highlight of this round for me was his performance with a song he and his son Levi “Make It Love”
Jason Matthews performed his Julie Robert’s cut “Break Down Here” which was also a treat for me!
I cut out early because Gary Nicholson, Lee Roy Parnell, Mike Reid and Greg Barnhill were playing the Rutledge. I arrived just in time to hear Lee Roy play “That’s my story and I’m sticking to it” but the highlight for me was his performance of both “Love Without Mercy” and “I”m Holding My Own”. I also enjoyed the camaraderie between these four, obviously long time, friends. Gary’s “The Upside of Lonely” was a hit and also a fun jab at Leroy and his multiple marriages. But I can understand, the man just seems to get sexier with age…sorry but it’s true. Although I’m not sure whether I missed Mike Reid play his Bonnie Raitt hit, “I Can’t Make You Love Me’ or whether he just didn’t play it, I did get to hear Greg Barnhill play his Trisha Yearwood hit “Walkaway Joe”.
Friday night I was back at Winner’s to see Jen Foster, Granville Automatic and Nicole Witt. Someone yelled out during Jen’s song “Taking Bob Dylan” that it was the best song he had heard all week. Jen is a great singer and songwriter and I found it pretty special that NSAI president Bart Herbison attended this show when there were so many he could have attended. I also really enjoyed Granville Automatic’s “Never on a Sunday”
I cut out early as I had tickets for TedX Nashville Saturday morning and I have to tell you the performance by Mike Ferris of Mary Gauthier’s “Mercy Now” at 9:30 am was absolutely stupendous. I believe he said it will be on his next album.
I dragged my butt out to one last show Saturday night. My good friend Charles Alexander had put together a round with Gabe Dixon, Alyssa Bonagura and sister duo Adelee & Gentry. By far this was one of the best rounds I saw all week. I had never heard Charles live and was truly impressed by his voice as well as the unique life experience he brings to his songwriting as a Malaysian born immigrant living in Nashville with both “America” and “Immigrant”. Adelee and Gentry had some very sweet singable songs with that delicious sister harmony. I was, however super psyched about seeing and hearing both Alyssa Bonagura and Gabe Dixon and neither were a disappointment.
Alyssa Bonagura was all smiles through everyone’s performance, she seemed very genuine and even loaned her guitar to the two “youngins” to her left when their guitar went wonky during one of their songs. She played or sang along whenever appropriate on other’s songs and was never obtrusive. Alyssa’s songs were all fantastic but her performance with guest Jessie James (a duo they are calling “Jackie Blue”) and the song she’s had great success with via a Lowe’s commerical “I Make My Own Sunshine” were definitely my favourites.
Gabe Dixon finished off the set with a request from the audience and sounded great on Hard Rock’s acoustic piano which was needless to say a little out of tune. Straight up honky tonk but Gabe called himself a purist and I appreciate him all the more for being one. FYI all that noise in the background was Jessie James and her crew (I’m just saying…)
