Nashville’s Bicentennial Park and Walk of Fame Park were overrun from Friday, Sept. 15-17 with Music City Food + Wine festival attendees, hungry for bites, libations and entertainment. What anchored the festival was music. 1960’s funk band, the Family Stone, Grammy winner and gospel singer Gale Mayes, Big Yellow Dog’s Keelan Donovan and DJ Mel served full-size proportions of new and classic tunes.

As for the program, the fifth annual festival experimented with updates, notably with the Sunday afternoon Gospel Brunch extracted from the Grand Taste, which was moved to Friday night.

Additionally, instead of a musical theme parading a guest lineup selected by festival host The Kings of Leon across the Harvest Night stage, the Family Stone anchored the evening. Founding Members and Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Jerry Martini (sax) and Greg Errico (drums) in addition to Sly’s daughter Phunne Stone encouraged attendees to dance along to hits like “Higher and Higher,” “Everyday People,” “Dance To The Music,” and “Thank You.” Other attendees continued to graze from celebrity chef tents and local enforcements, including Tandy Wilson (City House), Maneet Chauhan (Chauhan Ale & Masala House), Jonathan Waxman (Adele’s, Bajo Sexto), John Besh (Marsh House, L.A. Jackson), Matt Bolus (The 404 Kitchen) and Sean Brock (Husk).

Sunday’s Gospel Brunch was again hosted by Gale Mayes, backed by a seven person choir. Various members took turns at the mic. At times, the stage was relinquished to Jenn Bostic and Edward Drake, additional performers singing to tracks. But it was again, this year, Mayes whose spotlight shone bright and invited energy, spirit and handkerchief dancing to the park.

Although complementary festival handbags were not given out this year, heavy-duty bags were available (if you provided your email address to Toyota) at the car manufacturer’s tent. The hub featured music during the Grand Tastes from Big Yellow Dog writer Keelan Donovan. DJ Mel pumped music elsewhere in Bi-Centennial Park. The likes of ’90s-2000’s pop, with a flair of soul and energy. The afternoon ended with what has become tradition, a dance circle around the DJ tent.

Mark your calendars for 2018: when Music City Food+Wine Festival will return on September 14-16.

Show Stopping Culinary Highlights:

Grand Taste (Friday): The Mockingbird Nashville’s ‘Seoul Purpose,’ a healthy portion of beef barbacoa with xni pec, and a flour tortilla. Drinks were a hit from Prairie Organic Spirits, like the ‘Don’t Panic, It’s Organic’ cucumber, watermelon, mint, lime and soda. Topping it off was Le Sel’s Chamomile Creme Brûlée.

Grand Taste (Saturday afternoon): Of course Haddie B’s hot chicken sandwich was on par, but other highlights included Caviar & Bananas’ slow roasted pork belly with maple whiskey over a sweet potato biscuit with apple muscattta. Additionally on par was the Old Fashioned Slushie from Wild Turkey Burbon Whiskey and the unique Chinese Sausage Fried Rice from Mockingbird’s sister restaurant Tansuo, with lap cheong, jasmine rice, egg, garlic, onion and carrot.

Harvest Night (Saturday night): Two highlights stood out, Marcus Samuelsson’s Doro Wat lasagna and Jonathan Waxman’s dessert, a seasonal fruit crumble.

Gospel Brunch (Sunday): Hattie B’s Hot Chicken sausage gravy and biscuits were a sabbath highlight for sure, along with the perfectly seasoned mexican pork and hominy soup from Levon Wallace (Gray and Dudley).

Skyville Live’s Sept. 15 show featuring Graham Nash and special guests Ricky Skaggs, Lee Ann Womack, The Milk Carton Kids, The Secret Sisters and River Whyless produced some incredible moments during the evening taping.

“Graham Nash is synonymous with harmony singing. We learned how to blend our voices by listening to his records.  To be thought of and invited to sing with him, to combine our three voices, is the thrill of a lifetime,” said Joey Ryan of The Milk Carton Kids about the special evening.

The night kicked off with Nash performing “Bus Stop” which lead directly into “Immigration Man.” River Whyless took a turn on “Military Madness” and then performed “I Used To Be King” with Nash for the first of several of the night’s collaborations. The Secret Sisters put their spin on “Wasted On The Way” with Nash and “Hey You” accompanied by Ricky Skaggs, before Nash returned to the stage for “Myself At Last.” The Milk Carton Kids joined him to sing “So Sad,” and then performed “Just A Song Before I Go” on their own before being joined by Nash and Skaggs on “Marrakesh Express.”

The evening also included Ricky Skaggs performing “Angel On My Mind,” Lee Ann Womack, Graham and Skaggs joining in on “Our House” with the audience singing along, and a grand finale featuring Graham Nash and all performers singing “Chicago” and “Teach Your Children Well.”

“What an absolute pleasure it has been hanging with these incredible musicians…. and as an added bonus it’s my music… rarely have I ever seen my songs being done by other musicians and it was completely eye opening for me… what a compliment,” said Nash about the experience.

 

 

Music Health Alliance has announced some new staff hires and promotions within the organization.

MHA Founder Tatum Hauck Allsep adds CEO responsibilities, while Certified Senior Advisor Shelia Shipley Biddy is elevated to COO of the non-profit. Taylor Clay has also been promoted to the position of Director of Advocacy & Insurance for the company.

Bonita Allen and Allison Klein have also joined the staff at MHA. Allen, whose previous stops include BMI, MCA, Bluewater Music and Westwood One, joins as Director of Client Services & Advocacy. In her new role she will be the initial contact for all members of the music industry seeking the organization’s free services. She can be reached at [email protected].

Klein, whose background includes digital marketing and brand management, joins MHA as Director of Advocacy, Insurance & Marketing. She will oversee marketing services for the 501c3 in addition to client advocacy and individual health insurance needs and can be reached at [email protected].

“As the need for MHA’s programs and services continues to grow at a record setting pace, I am thrilled to announce these additions,” said Music Health Alliance CEO and Founder, Tatum Hauck Allsep. “Bonita brings more than 35 years of music and entertainment experience as well as a sincere compassion and a wealth of health care knowledge. While Allison’s background in digital strategy, sponsorships and marketing will add a new dimension to MHA’s communications as we grow, it’s her inherent love for helping others and resourceful nature that make her a great advocate addition. They both bring MHA closer to our mission to Heal the Music each and every day.”

Kimberly Dunn, MHA Director of Group Health, is spearheading an expansion of Music Health Alliance’s Group Health division, ensuring that the small businesses in music industry have an experienced, not-for-profit advocate on their side. Dunn continues to act as an advocate to all employees on group plans from birth to end of life to ensure that all of their healthcare needs are met.

 

Matt Maher will release his sixth studio album titled Echoes (Essential/Sony) on Sept. 29. The album is now available for pre-order with two instant downloads, the radio single, “Your Love Defends Me” along with the track “What A Friend.”

Maher has penned several No. 1 hits, including the gold-certified “Lord I Need You,” and his 2015 hit “Because He Lives (Amen).” Maher will join Chris Tomlin’s Good Good Father Tour this fall.

Echoes Track Listing:
Echoes (One Matt Maher / Mitch Parks / Aaron Smith)
Clean Heart (Matt Maher / Audrey Assad)
What A Friend (Adam, Abby, Matt (IAT) / Matt Maher / David Garcia)
Holy (Matt Maher / Chris Tomlin / Hank Bentley / Mike Donahey / Jason Ingram)
Your Love Defends Me (Matt Maher / Hannah Kerr)
Just As I Am (Matt Maher / Ed Cash / Mia Fieldes)
Awake My Soul (Matt Maher / Matt Redman / Laura Story / Jonas Myrin)
Faithfulness (Matt Maher / Stephen McWorter / Jacob Sooter)
Echoes Two (Matt Maher / Mitch Parks / Aaron Smith)
Picket Sign (Matt Maher / Mack Brock / Ike Ndolo / Josh Silverburg)
Won’t Let Me Down (Matt Maher / Jason Ingram / Brian Fowler)
Least Of These (Matt Maher / John Tibbs)
The Cross Forever Speaks (Matt Maher / Jason Ingram / Paul Mabury)
Into Your Hands (Matt Maher / Trevor Morgan / Jason Ingram / Paul Mabury)
As Good As It Gets (Matt Maher / Francesca Battistelli / David Garcia)