Today’s survey of current Americana sounds has both old friends and fresh faces.
First things first. Drop whatever you are doing today. Go find the new album by Natalie Hemby. Give it a spin and prepare to be dazzled. It is absolutely brilliant. It is also the Disc of the Day.
We had plenty of first timers to choose from. Next to Natalie, my favorite was the new Nashville male-female duo Terra Bella. Give those kids a DisCovery Award.
HUGH PRESTWOOD/I Used To Be The Real Me
Writer: Hugh Prestwood; Producer: Hugh Prestwood; Publishers: Hugh Prestwood/Judy Collins, no performance rights listed; Wildflower/Cleopatra (track)
– The latest album by this Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member is on Judy Collins’s label. That’s sort of a “full circle” thing, since she was the first person to have a hit with one of his songs (1979’s “Hard Times for Lovers”). Judy sings with Hugh on two of the new CD’s tracks. Its compelling title tune is a rhythmic story song about a broken man who ruefully remembers better days. Also included is his own version of his celebrated “The Song Remembers When.”
ME AND MOLLY/Old Friend
Writers: Molly Stevens/Declan McGarry; Producers: Jeff Crawford/Molly Stevens/Declan McGarry; Publishers: Me and Molly, no performance rights listed; Tiny Human (track)
– This Nashville songwriting duo has a strummy, folkie sound. Both are strong singers. Amid this title track’s gently rhythmic track are their note-perfect harmony vocals. He carries the lead. She soars above.
THE NITTY GRITTY DIRT BAND & JACKSON BROWNE/These Days
Writers: Jackson Browne; Producers: Michael Davis/Jeff Hanna; Publisher: Open Window/no performance rights listed; NGDB (track)
– The soundtrack to this band’s 50th-anniversary PBS TV celebration has now been released. Guests include John Prine, Vince Gill, Alison Krauss, Jerry Jeff Walker and Rodney Crowell. The inclusion of Jackson Browne is apt, since he was briefly a NGDB member in the band’s early days. The band evocatively backs him with echoey licks on performance of his signature 1973 song. On the track, he reveals that he actually wrote it way back when he was in the group. Recommended, as is the whole package.
TERRA BELLA/Road To Forever
Writers: Joseph Costa/Dave Gibson; Producer: Johnny Garcia; Publishers: none listed; TB (track)
– This couple made the move from California to Music City and got married. They are staging their disc debut with a six-song EP. Its title tune is a tough little country rocker with many hooky pleasures. Producer Johnny Garcia has been Trisha Yearwood’s guitar accompanist for years, and it sounds like he has a future behind studio boards.
JENNY GILL/Lonely Lost Me
Writers: none listed; Producer: Vince Gill; Publishers: none listed; JG (track)
– Vinnie’s daughter sings with a confident pop lilt. Her dad’s accompanying track has an irresistible groove embellished with guitar and organ accent notes. Very listenable. Very sweet.
SAINTS ELEVEN/Coming Back Around
Writer: Jeff Grossman; Producer: Walt Wilkins/Ron Flynt; Publisher: none listed; ASCAP; JG (track)
– These three are evidently a big deal on the live scene in Texas. Their third CD’s title tune moans the blues with plenty of twang and heart. There’s a raw, authentic edge to frontman Jeff Grossman’s honky-tonk drawl.
JIM LAUDERDALE/This Changes Everything
Writers: Jim Lauderdale/Bruce Robison; Producer: Tommy Detamore; Publishers: Laudersongs/Mighty Nice/Tiltawhirl/Bluewater, BMI; Sky Church (track)
– This prolific Americana record maker enters the new year with a solid 11-song collection that kicks off with this smoothly shuffling title tune. The band cruises like a finely tuned car, while Lauderdale’s vocal hangs back ever so slightly. This behind-the-beat phrasing keeps you hanging on with anticipation, note for note. As always, Lauderdale is reliably country throughout the album.
NATALIE HEMBY/This Town Still Talks About You
Writers: Natalie Hemby/Kelly Archer/Jnan Schott; Producer: Mike Wrucke; Publishers: none listed; GetWrucke (track)
– She’s been cowriting hits for Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Toby Keith, Lady Antebellum, Keith Urban and other top stars for years. Now a CD titled Puxico introduces her as a record maker. Her expressive, languid vocal on this track is matched with a dreamy, atmospheric production by her hubby, Mike Wrucke. It goes without saying that it is brilliantly written. Definitely don’t stop with this tune; hang around for the whole collection and get bathed in beauty.
RENEE WAHL/See You On The Way Down
Writers: Renee Wahl/Bill Maler; Producer: Patterson Barrett; Publisher: Renee Wahl/Ten Gallon Fat, BMI/ASCAP; Double R (track)
– Like many of our community’s Americana record makers, this gal is an East Nashvillian. Her six-song EP kicks off with this plaintively sung roots bopper. She’s not the strongest vocalist in the world, but the chugging production and hearty harmony vocals give her the oomph she needs.
BILL COOLEY/In Search of Home
Writer: Bill Cooley; Producer: Paul Martin/Bill Cooley; Publishers: Nancy Lee, ASCAP; NLM (track)
– Cooley has been Kathy Mattea’s accompanist for decades. He periodically issues instrumental guitar collections, and this is the title tune of his latest. It’s an acoustic tone poem with lovely filligreed picking that’s so inventive and involving that you forget you’re listening to just one instrument. Mattea drops by to offer a vocal on the Jesse Winchester song “That’s What Makes You Strong.” Enchanting listening.
Third Man Records To Celebrate Detroit Vinyl Production Facility Opening Feb. 25
/by Jessica NicholsonThird Man Records will open a vinyl production facility in Detroit’s historic Cass Corridor neighborhood on Feb. 25.
The pressing plant will include eight of the first newly-built presses built in 35 years, as well as four extruders and four hydraulic generators. The presses will accommodate 12″ LPs or 7″ singles. Capacity for the facility is estimated at 5,000 records per eight-hour shift, with a cycle time of approximately 45 seconds per record.
The environmentally-conscious facility will minimize water waste by using recycled water from the record curing process in the air conditioning system. Each pressing station is outfitted with a digital touch screen control for temperature, hydraulic compression, and extruder speed, equaling increased control for staffers.
The manufacturing facility will not only press vinyl records for Third Man Records’ label releases (which will also continue to be produced at Nashville’s United Record Pressing), but will also fulfill orders from outside labels.
Americana Music Association To Welcome Rodney Crowell For Free Nashville Event
/by Jessica NicholsonRodney Crowell
In the second collaboration with the Americana Music Association, Union Station Hotel Nashville will hold a special edition of its Riffs on the Rails featuring Rodney Crowell. The complimentary event is open to the public and will be held in the grand lobby of the Union Station Hotel on Wednesday, Jan. 25, at 6:30 p.m.
Crowell’s forthcoming album, Close Ties, is slated for release March 31 on New West Records. During Riffs on the Rails, attendees will enjoy a conversation with Crowell—interviewed by author and musician Peter Cooper—as he talks about the making of Close Ties and performs songs from the project. The event will also be broadcasted live on Facebook, hosted by the Americana Music Association and shared by Union Station Hotel and New West Records Facebook pages.
Union Station Hotel’s ongoing Riffs on the Rails live music series gets up close and personal with some of the city’s singers and songwriters, including Billy Bragg, Joe Henry, Boss Cotton, Holly Norman and Donna Frost, among many others. Each session offers an intimate performance from local talent and the stories that inspired their songs.
Union Station Hotel offers valet parking for $15 for up to 2 hours. Additional self-parking can be found behind the hotel on the south side of the property.
Artist Updates: Eli Young Band, ‘Nashville,’ Brothers Osborne, Kristian Bush
/by Lorie HollabaughEli Young Band Bus Blaze
“We’ve lost more than a bus here. There are memories and possessions that we can’t replace! It’s really sad to see her go. We’re just happy that our driver Randy is safe!” said lead singer Mike Eli.
The band will resume their tour schedule this Friday in Mahnomen, MN.
New Nashville Tracks Hit iTunes
Gunnar Scott and Scarlett O’Connor, The Exes, played by Sam Palladio and Clare Bowen Photo courtesy of CMT
The cast of Nashville will release new tracks each week as the show airs on CMT this season. Two new songs, “All Of Me,” and “Burn To Dark,” will air during tonight’s (Jan. 19) episode, and are now available on iTunes. Since the show’s 2012 debut, Big Machine Records has released 10 Nashville soundtracks that have collectively sold more than one million albums and over five million single downloads to date.
Brothers Osborne’s NASH Nights Live Visit
(L-R) John Shomby, Elaina Smith, TJ and John Osborne, Shawn Parr and Universal’s Donna Hughes
Brothers Osborne stopped by NASH Nights Live studios in Nashville yesterday to talk about their new single “It Ain’t My Fault.” They also chatted about their upcoming trip to the Grammys, winning the CMA Vocal Duo trophy, and more during their visit.
Kristian Bush Gets His KICKS
Pictured (L-R): Zack Seabaugh, Cadillac and Dallas (Kicks morning show), and Kristian Bush
Kristian Bush recently stopped by the Kicks 101.5 morning show in Atlanta to chat with Cadillac and Dallas.
Brothers Osborne Nashville Date Shows They’re Next Level
/by Eric T. ParkerBrothers Osborne surprised with Platinum plaques for No. 1 hit “Stay A Little Longer” before Nashville show. Pictured (L-R): John Osborne, UMG Nashville Chairman and CEO Mike Dungan and TJ Osborne. Photo: Reid Long
A well-seasoned Brothers Osborne took to the stage before a sold-out crowd at Nashville’s Marathon Music Works on Wednesday, Jan. 18 as the third to final show, wrapping their headlining Dirt Rich Tour.
If you consider Nashville their hometown, the last time the Maryland-native John and TJ Osborne played a full show in Music City was four years ago. That was said to be prior to their signing with EMI Records Nashville, which almost a year ago to date spawned the duo’s full-length Pawn Shop album.
Since that time, the biological brothers have advanced their performance swagger tremendously and have gone on to become the reigning CMA Vocal Duo of the Year, garner two nominations the past two years for Best Country Duo/Group Performance at the Grammy Awards, and make their Grand Ole Opry debut.
At Marathon Music Works, the audience remained on their feet throughout the evening to witness the duo hit home run performances of every song from Pawn Shop. Highlights included the phenomenally nostalgic “21 Summer” and their Platinum-certified “Stay A Little Longer,” both of which have received Grammy nominations.
John, TJ Osborne. Photo: Eric T. Parker
It has long been known the brothers are guitar virtuosos, but that sound has morphed into a telling narrative. With a handful of radio singles, the two have also developed an unabashed social stance. Their platform has elevated same-sex couples in music videos, their live show highlights historical nods to the assassination of President Kennedy and Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. during various songs, in addition to a bold-for-country-music cover of the long ostracized blue party-supporters Dixie Chicks (“Goodbye Earl”).
Further covers were tastefully made of Willie Nelson’s “Whiskey River,” John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” and a bluegrass version of Bruce Springsteen’s “Atlantic City.” With ease, the two played through their more unknown debut single “Let’s Go There,” and its more well-known follow-up, “Rum.”
Lucie Silvas, John and TJ Osborne. Photo: Eric T. Parker
Show opener—the soul infused sparkling bride of John Osborne—Lucie Silvas joined them onstage for “Loving Me Back” (Lee Ann Womack provided the harmony vocal on the album version). Silvas was one of two openers throughout the tour since October, trading off with the youthfully exuberant five-member group LANco.
Taking the punches as they come on the road, the brothers literally brought the house down at the Fox Theatre in Hanford, California when the venue’s roof collapsed minutes before they were scheduled to take the stage. The duo’s alternate plan was to perform on the roof of their tour bus outside.
Safe inside the Marathon complex prior to their Nashville encore, the brothers played their latest stomper single, “It Ain’t My Fault.” The title has debuted as the No. 1 most added song at country radio this week (Jan. 17), further proving the duo not only can fill concert venues but can climb the ladder of the charts. It’s sure to be a storied ride from here on out.
John, TJ Osborne. Photo: Eric T. Parker
Music City Roots Set For Big Band Performance At Nashville’s War Memorial Auditorium
/by Jessica NicholsonDJs Reno Bo and Jacob Jones of the Electric Western Dance Party start the night with a pre-show dance hour at 7 p.m. Then, Jim Lauderdale and Peter Cooper will co-host the special edition of Music City Roots, taking the audience on a trip to the 1940s, with appearances by Darrell Scott, Elizabeth Cook, John Cowan, and The McCrary Sisters accompanied by the full 20-piece Nashville Jazz Orchestra, Music City’s finest Big Band.
Tickets starting at $35 are on sale now at WMArocks.com, by phone at 615-782-4030, and at the TPAC Box Office, 505 Deaderick St., in downtown Nashville.
“As a child, even before there were my beloved Beatles singles, I had my parents’ 45 rpm Big Band singles as my earliest musical diet. Miller, Dorsey, Ellington … my first concert was Count Basie. While it’s not ‘Americana’ by definition, it is a wonderful part of the ‘roots’ of American popular music history,” said John Walker, executive producer of Music City Roots. “My hope is to find yet another point of unification between generations as younger music fans discover the sheer analog power and rich harmonic texture that only a large ensemble can provide. I thought the best way to do that would be to feature iconic artists in our community that you wouldn’t normally hear in this context.”
“The venue itself is one of the night’s stars, embodying the best of the old and the now. War Memorial Auditorium was dedicated in 1925, the same year WSM radio went on the air from the fifth floor of the National Life & Accident Insurance Co. across the street,” said Craig Havighurst, producer and co-host for Music City Roots . “WSM aired concerts from the auditorium, including those of the Nashville Symphony, and hard core country music fans will remember the auditorium was the home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1939-1943, just before it moved down the hill. Today, its elegance and extraordinary acoustics make it the perfect setting for this one-of-a-kind show.”
Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Little Big Town Take Home People’s Choice Honors
/by Lorie HollabaughBlake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, and Little Big Town were Nashville’s big winners during last night’s (Jan. 18) People’s Choice Awards.
Blake Shelton made history when he became the first country artist ever to win a People’s Choice award for Favorite Album with If I’m Honest. The win was a big coup for the singer, who beat out Rihanna, Beyonce, Ariana Grande, and Drake for the trophy. Shelton also performed his new single, “Every Time I Hear That Song,” during the telecast, and took home his second consecutive award for Favorite Male Country Artist during the evening as well.
“It’s so cool to be recognized by the people who are spending the money and taking time out of their day to vote,” Shelton said. “I could not be more thankful. All I’ve ever wanted to do is sing country music, so to win Favorite Male Country Artist is incredible. And to be the first country artist to ever win Favorite Album is beyond words. I’m so proud of If I’m Honest and to know that it’s resonating with fans is why I make music.”
Other country artists were also big winners during the evening including Carrie Underwood (Favorite Female Country Artist), and Little Big Town (Favorite Country Group).
The Voice star has had plenty to celebrate lately — just this week he earned his 23rd chart-topping single with “A Guy With A Girl.” He kicks off his Doing It To Country Songs tour in Bakersfield, California with Sundance Head and RaeLynn on Feb. 16.
Lady A Announces New Album, Single, Tour After Hiatus
/by Lorie HollabaughLady Antebellum is back in a big way with a new single, album and world tour after their hiatus to pursue separate solo projects over the past year. The trio returns to radio with the new single “You Look Good” today, and has announced their new album Heart Break will be out this summer on June 9. In celebration of the new music, Lady A’s Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood will host a Facebook Live fan event premiering the new music tonight at 8 p.m. CST here.
“We knew right away that we had to name this album after a track that is a play on the word ‘heartbreak,’” shared Scott. ”It’s all about those personal growths everyone goes through and it was liberating to get back in the studio with Charles and Dave to intertwine those feelings into the recording process. I feel like we’ve reemerged stronger than ever and I can’t wait to share more music!”
The new single was produced by busbee.
“We’ve always loved experimenting with different instruments and sounds in the studio, but we’ve never used horns before,” said Haywood. “The energy they brought to this song is really fun and was validation for all three of us that it had to be our first single back.”
The three are also returning to the road as they launch their You Look Good World Tour May 26 in Bakersfield, California, with special guests Kelsea Ballerini and Brett Young. The tour will include a stop in Nashville.
Presented by Nabisco, the tour will hit more than 65 cities around the world including a first-time trip to South Africa and several European stops as well. Fans can purchase tickets beginning Jan. 27 for select cities as part of Live Nation’s Country Megaticket at www.Megaticket.com and on www.ladyantebellum.com beginning Feb. 17. Brancott Estate is the exclusive wine sponsor for the tour, and Hilton serves as the official hotel sponsor and will give its HHonors members access to original content and once in a lifetime experiences throughout the tour.
YOU LOOK GOOD WORLD TOUR North American Markets:
Bakersfield, CA
Mountain View, CA
Sacramento, CA
Albuquerque, NM
Phoenix, AZ
Los Angeles, CA
Chula Vista, CA
Charlotte, NC
Raleigh, NC
VA Beach, VA
Philadelphia, PA
Washington DC
Cincinnati, OH
Toronto, CAN
Detroit, MI
Indianapolis, IN
New York, NY
Cleveland, OH
Hartford, CT
Gilford, NH
Jacksonville, FL
Tampa, FL
West Palm Beach, FL
Detroit Lakes, MN
Omaha, NE
Rogers, AR
Darien Center, NY
Holmdel, NJ
Boston, MA
Columbia, MD
Kansas City, MO
St. Louis, MO
Chicago, IL
Austin, TX
Houston, TX
Dallas, TX
Denver, CO
Salt Lake City, UT
Boise, ID
Puyallup, WA
Portland, OR
Atlanta, GA
Nashville, TN
DISClaimer: Natalie Hemby’s Dazzling ‘Puxico’
/by Robert K OermannToday’s survey of current Americana sounds has both old friends and fresh faces.
First things first. Drop whatever you are doing today. Go find the new album by Natalie Hemby. Give it a spin and prepare to be dazzled. It is absolutely brilliant. It is also the Disc of the Day.
We had plenty of first timers to choose from. Next to Natalie, my favorite was the new Nashville male-female duo Terra Bella. Give those kids a DisCovery Award.
HUGH PRESTWOOD/I Used To Be The Real Me
Writer: Hugh Prestwood; Producer: Hugh Prestwood; Publishers: Hugh Prestwood/Judy Collins, no performance rights listed; Wildflower/Cleopatra (track)
– The latest album by this Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member is on Judy Collins’s label. That’s sort of a “full circle” thing, since she was the first person to have a hit with one of his songs (1979’s “Hard Times for Lovers”). Judy sings with Hugh on two of the new CD’s tracks. Its compelling title tune is a rhythmic story song about a broken man who ruefully remembers better days. Also included is his own version of his celebrated “The Song Remembers When.”
ME AND MOLLY/Old Friend
Writers: Molly Stevens/Declan McGarry; Producers: Jeff Crawford/Molly Stevens/Declan McGarry; Publishers: Me and Molly, no performance rights listed; Tiny Human (track)
– This Nashville songwriting duo has a strummy, folkie sound. Both are strong singers. Amid this title track’s gently rhythmic track are their note-perfect harmony vocals. He carries the lead. She soars above.
THE NITTY GRITTY DIRT BAND & JACKSON BROWNE/These Days
Writers: Jackson Browne; Producers: Michael Davis/Jeff Hanna; Publisher: Open Window/no performance rights listed; NGDB (track)
– The soundtrack to this band’s 50th-anniversary PBS TV celebration has now been released. Guests include John Prine, Vince Gill, Alison Krauss, Jerry Jeff Walker and Rodney Crowell. The inclusion of Jackson Browne is apt, since he was briefly a NGDB member in the band’s early days. The band evocatively backs him with echoey licks on performance of his signature 1973 song. On the track, he reveals that he actually wrote it way back when he was in the group. Recommended, as is the whole package.
TERRA BELLA/Road To Forever
Writers: Joseph Costa/Dave Gibson; Producer: Johnny Garcia; Publishers: none listed; TB (track)
– This couple made the move from California to Music City and got married. They are staging their disc debut with a six-song EP. Its title tune is a tough little country rocker with many hooky pleasures. Producer Johnny Garcia has been Trisha Yearwood’s guitar accompanist for years, and it sounds like he has a future behind studio boards.
JENNY GILL/Lonely Lost Me
Writers: none listed; Producer: Vince Gill; Publishers: none listed; JG (track)
– Vinnie’s daughter sings with a confident pop lilt. Her dad’s accompanying track has an irresistible groove embellished with guitar and organ accent notes. Very listenable. Very sweet.
SAINTS ELEVEN/Coming Back Around
Writer: Jeff Grossman; Producer: Walt Wilkins/Ron Flynt; Publisher: none listed; ASCAP; JG (track)
– These three are evidently a big deal on the live scene in Texas. Their third CD’s title tune moans the blues with plenty of twang and heart. There’s a raw, authentic edge to frontman Jeff Grossman’s honky-tonk drawl.
JIM LAUDERDALE/This Changes Everything
Writers: Jim Lauderdale/Bruce Robison; Producer: Tommy Detamore; Publishers: Laudersongs/Mighty Nice/Tiltawhirl/Bluewater, BMI; Sky Church (track)
– This prolific Americana record maker enters the new year with a solid 11-song collection that kicks off with this smoothly shuffling title tune. The band cruises like a finely tuned car, while Lauderdale’s vocal hangs back ever so slightly. This behind-the-beat phrasing keeps you hanging on with anticipation, note for note. As always, Lauderdale is reliably country throughout the album.
NATALIE HEMBY/This Town Still Talks About You
Writers: Natalie Hemby/Kelly Archer/Jnan Schott; Producer: Mike Wrucke; Publishers: none listed; GetWrucke (track)
– She’s been cowriting hits for Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Toby Keith, Lady Antebellum, Keith Urban and other top stars for years. Now a CD titled Puxico introduces her as a record maker. Her expressive, languid vocal on this track is matched with a dreamy, atmospheric production by her hubby, Mike Wrucke. It goes without saying that it is brilliantly written. Definitely don’t stop with this tune; hang around for the whole collection and get bathed in beauty.
RENEE WAHL/See You On The Way Down
Writers: Renee Wahl/Bill Maler; Producer: Patterson Barrett; Publisher: Renee Wahl/Ten Gallon Fat, BMI/ASCAP; Double R (track)
– Like many of our community’s Americana record makers, this gal is an East Nashvillian. Her six-song EP kicks off with this plaintively sung roots bopper. She’s not the strongest vocalist in the world, but the chugging production and hearty harmony vocals give her the oomph she needs.
BILL COOLEY/In Search of Home
Writer: Bill Cooley; Producer: Paul Martin/Bill Cooley; Publishers: Nancy Lee, ASCAP; NLM (track)
– Cooley has been Kathy Mattea’s accompanist for decades. He periodically issues instrumental guitar collections, and this is the title tune of his latest. It’s an acoustic tone poem with lovely filligreed picking that’s so inventive and involving that you forget you’re listening to just one instrument. Mattea drops by to offer a vocal on the Jesse Winchester song “That’s What Makes You Strong.” Enchanting listening.
Little Big Town Reveals Track Listing, Album Art For ‘The Breaker’
/by Jessica NicholsonLittle Big Town has released the album art and track listing for their upcoming eighth studio album, The Breaker, set to release Feb. 24 via Capitol Nashville. Taylor Swift penned the group’s current single, “Better Man.”
The 2017 project follows Little Big Town’s pop-infused Wanderlust, which released in June 2016 and found the group collaborating with Pharrell Williams.
The Breaker Track Listing
“Happy People”
“Night On Our Side”
“Lost In California”
“Free”
“Drivin’ Around”
“We Went To The Beach”
“Better Man”
“Rollin'”
“Don’t Die Young, Don’t Get Old”
“Beat Up Bible”
“When Someone Stops Loving You”
“The Breaker”
IBMA Announces Leadership Bluegrass Class Of 2017
/by Jessica NicholsonLeadership Bluegrass boasts more than 400 alums and each year approximately 25 individuals are invited to take part.
The class of 2017 includes: (name/association/hometown)
Erik Alvar – Jim Hurst Trio, Gainesville, FL
Lee Bidgood – East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN
Jeff Burke – Music Educator, Nashville, TN
Adam Engelhardt – SonyATV Music Publishing, Nashville, TN
Anna Frick – Airshow Mastering, Boulder, CO
Barb Heller – North Country Public Radio-NCPR, Canton, NY
Justin Hiltner – Artist, Nashville, TN
Kathryn Jenkins – Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music, Sevierville, TN
Bronwyn Keith-Hynes – Mile Twelve, Jamaica Plains, MA
Irene Kelley – Artist, Nashville, TN
Uri Kohen – Westport Folk & Bluegrass Festival, Westport, County Mayo, Ireland
Brennen Leigh – High Plains Jamboree, Austin, TX
CJ Lewandowski – The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, Sevierville, TN
Corrina Rose Logston – Artist, Whites Creek, TN
Laura Mainer – Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers, Johnson City, TN
John Meyer – Museum of Appalachia, Tennessee Fall Homecoming, Clinton, TN
Ashley Moyer – Rounder Label Group, Nashville, TN
Joe Newberry – Artist, Raleigh, NC
Akira Otsuka – Bluegrass 45, Gaithersburg, MD
Ricky Gene Powell – Artist, Wintergrass, Burien, WA
Craig Reed – Downtown Raleigh Alliance, Younger Brother Productions, Raleigh, NC
Bobby Rymer – Writers Den Music Group, Nashville, TN
John Smith – Free Dirt Records & Service Co., Washington, DC
Bill Thibodeau – Rhode Island Bluegrass Alliance, Cumberland, RI
Kris Truelsen – Radio Bristol, Birthplace of Country Music, Bristol, VA
Rachel Whitney – Pandora Media, Nashville, TN
Leadership Bluegrass 2017 takes place March 20-22 at BMI in Nashville. The course will be facilitated by Trisha Tubbs for the seventh consecutive year. Leadership Bluegrass is made possible through the support of its Platinum Sponsors including BMI, the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation and the Wintergrass Music Festival (Acoustic Sound).