16th Annual Grammy Block Party Lights Up Music Row

Nashville’s music industry gathered under a balmy sky on Tuesday (May 13) at Owen Bradley Park on Music Row to celebrate the Recording Academy’s 16th annual Grammy Block Party.

Warner Music Group’s For King and Country captured the attention of all who gathered, making the most of their brief set by offering “Fine Fine Life” and “Light It Up” while performing in the middle of the industry throng, standing on chairs, and even climbing on production rigging.
The band, fronted by brothers and Australia natives Joel and Luke Smallbone, now calls Nashville home. “We love Australia, but Nashville-Franklin, Tennessee is definitely home now, so this is sort of a home crowd audience,” Joel Smallbone said.
After engaging the crowd in an a cappella rendition of “Amazing Grace,” they concluded with their 2012 hit “Proof Of Your Love.”
Industry stalwart Jim Lauderdale offered several musical gems, including the Buddy Miller-penned “Hole In My Head,” and welcomed Randy Kohrs for “Halfway Down” and “King of Broken Hearts,” a song he dedicated to Gram Parsons and George Jones. “Halfway Down” was penned by Lauderdale and became a hit for Patty Loveless in 1995.

The evening’s entertainment factor kicked up another several notches thanks to Martina McBride, who brought a color-coordinated horn section and superb background singers for the set, which included soul covers from McBride’s recent chart-topping project Everlasting. McBride was clearly right at home on covers of “Wild Night,” “In The Basement” “My Babe” “Come See About Me,” and Pink’s “Perfect,” as well as a rendition of her own 2001 hit “When God-Fearin’ Women Get The Blues.” The flawless production kept McBride’s powerful voice at the center of the musical spiral, and her revered vocal captured the audience with her signature ballad “A Broken Wing.”
As the industry crowd dined on burgers, hot dogs and drinks, two surprise guests for the evening offered samples of their music. Lennon & Maisy (best-known for their roles on ABC’s Nashville) enchanted the industry audience with their family harmonies and polished stage presence, offering “A Life That’s Good,” while Brandy Clark thrilled the crowd with her smart songwriting on “Stripes” and “Hold My Hand.”

Kacey Musgraves’ all too short set included her breakout hit “Merry Go ‘Round” and “Follow Your Arrow.”
The music-filled evening closed with sets from Chris Young and rock band Vintage Trouble. “I’m lucky to have gotten to do so many things in my career,” Young said. “One of my favorites is the Grammy nomination,” referring to his 2010 nomination in the Best Male Country Vocal Performance category for “Gettin’ You Home.”
The Recording Academy’s Nashville chapter is the organization’s third largest in the nation, and is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.