Music City Food + Wine Festival has added the Sunday Gospel Brunch, with a menu crafted by Matt Bolus (404 Kitchen) and a live performance by award-winning steel pedal guitarist Robert Randolph and the Nashville Friends Choir. The brunch is set for Sunday, Sept. 20 at 11:00 a.m. at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, and is part of the third annual festival, running Sept. 19 – 20.

The event is produced by Kings of Leon, world-renowned chef Jonathan Waxman, Vector Management’s Ken Levitan and Andy Mendelsohn, and Austin-based C3 Presents.

The festival grounds at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park will feature live cooking demonstrations, book signings, samples, wines, cocktails, and giveaways.

Saturday’s Harvest Night offers plenty of celebrity chefs and music performances at Walk of Fame Park, though the musical line-up has not been announced.

New Uber users can apply the promo code “FOODWINE” to receive a free ride up to $20.

Music City Food + Wine Festival ticket options include a Saturday Day Pass ($150), Sunday Day Pass ($150), Harvest Night Pass ($225) or All-In Pass ($500).

Details at www.musiccityfoodandwinefestival.com.

In more foodie news, Waxman is launching Chef’s Night Out, a dinner series at his restaurant Adele’s. The first event will feature award-winning chef Andrew Zimmern on Thurs., Sept. 17. Cost is $80 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Following on Oct. 6 is guest chef Marcus Samuelsson. Call 615-988-9700 for reservations.

BLA Adds To Artist Roster

Buddy Lee Attractions (BLA) has added Andy Griggs and Mark Wills to the booking agency’s roster of notable country music entertainers, which includes Darryl Worley, Daryle Singletary, Halfway to Hazard, Radio Romance and more.

“The Country music sector has long provided a venue for a wide variety of musical styles,” said Donna Lee, Owner and CEO, Buddy Lee Attractions. “Griggs and Wills have made it evident, with their consistent demand, that their style of music can put bodies in seats at any venue. Promoters recognize their ‘test of time’ entertainment value.”

 

Catch This Music Adds Executive Assistant

Catch This Music has added Kathryn Graham in an executive assistant role. A graduate of Full Sail University, she worked for five years at Bluewater Music. Her career path has also included stops at Lyric Financial and ClearBox Rights.

“I’ve always felt the artists/writers were missing a trusted source where administrative and creative thinkers come together to form a family circled around the growth of their music. CTM is this place,” says Graham.

“I’m so excited to have Kathryn join our CTM family,” says CTM President/CEO Eddie Robba. “Kathryn brings great value and excitement to our team.”

 

Fundraiser For Industry Member Matt Rizor

Just over one year ago, booking agent Matt Rizor was left in a coma after being hit by a car in Nashville. Today, after months of therapy, Rizor is walking, running, and talking, though still on the road to a full recovery.

He has had therapy at Stallworth Center in Nashville, the Shepard Center in Atlanta, and at NeuroRestorative in Michigan. Friends and family hope to raise $15,000 to cover therapy and travel expenses for continued therapy for Rizor, as Medicaid will not cover therapy at NeuroRestorative.

To donate, visit youcaring.com.

Legendary Aerosmith member and budding country music artist Steven Tyler will give a live performance on Thursday, Sept. 10 at the Melrose Ballroom in Long Island City, New York for an exclusive Front and Center public television episode.

Set to air in early 2016, the acoustic event is part of the Country Music Association’s (CMA) Songwriters Series additionally featuring hit songwriters Rebecca Lynn Howard, Eric Paslay, Lindsey Lee, Nuno Bettencourt, and Marti Frederiksen.

Tyler and his guests will perform stripped down versions of songs from his forthcoming Dot Records country album, including lead single “Love Is Your Name,” along with his mega-hits from Aerosmith.

Together, Tyler and Aerosmith have nine No. 1 hits including  “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” in addition to co-written titles “Jaded,” “Cryin’,” and “Livin’ On the Edge.” They have sold more than 150 million records worldwide that have included 18 platinum and 12 multi-platinum album certifications. He has won four Grammy Awards, an Emmy Award, and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. In 2013, Tyler was awarded with the Founder’s Award at the ASCAP Pop Awards and was inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame. Tyler and Aerosmith recently finished their North America Blue Army tour.

Tickets for the Front and Center taping are available from $95-$150.

In advance of his taping, Tyler will be a part of a CMA’s reveal of final nominees for its annual awards. He will also perform at the Pilgrimage Festival in Franklin, Tenn. on Sunday, Sept. 27.

For most high school students, senior year is a flurry of SATs, classes, college applications and planning, and extracurricular activities. Rising artist Macy Martin had a few extra activities on her schedule—including recording sessions, songwriting sessions, tour dates, radio station visits, and running her charitable organization, Macy’s Toy Box.

Martin, who comes from a family of doctors and lawyers, fell in love with music at an early age, and recorded her first album in Texas at the age of 13.

Martin recently visited MusicRow‘s office to perform a trio of songs from her latest 12-track project, Find My Melody. Music industry veteran Kent Wells (Dolly Parton) produced and co-wrote several tracks. During the visit, Martin performed her flirty current single, “Baby What Ya Doin’,”  as well as the pop-country ballad “Beginning of the End” and “Headway.”

Macy’s Toy Box, which Martin founded when she was nine years old, collects new and gently used toys for underprivileged children. The organization has collected thousands of toys for children since its inception, and also works to assist Bridge Ministries in Nashville. 

Martin will continue to balance school with her recording career, with plans to move to Nashville and attend Belmont University.