Musicians Corner Gears Up For Latest Season At Centennial

Musicians Corner, Nashville’s free concert series, returns this fall with a five-week season of live music in Centennial Park, kicking off Sept. 1. The free music festival will take place each Friday in September from 5-9 p.m., with an extended performance schedule on Sept. 22 from 3-9 in partnership with AmericanaFest and New West Records, in addition to a special Saturday event on Sept. 30 for the Musicians Corner Fall Market.

The Musicians Corner’s Fall Series will include performances from Rodney Crowell Trio, The Secret Sisters, North Mississippi Allstars, Striking Matches, Sunflower Bean, and many more. The family-friendly festival recently hosted more than 65,000 fans during its 2023 Spring Series in Centennial Park and will bring together a vast lineup of the city’s finest food vendors, local artisans and kids’ activities. One special day within the fall schedule is the Musicians Corner Fall Market on Saturday, Sept. 30, which will host local artisans and offer a significant variety of unique shopping opportunities at the musical event.

Black Opry Revue To Play Franklin Theater With Special Guest Wendy Moten

The Black Opry Revue is coming to Franklin, Tennessee for the first time on Sept. 2 at The Franklin Theatre. The line-up features 10 acts from the Black Opry collective, including a debut from The Voice season 21 runner-up Wendy Moten.

The Black Opry Revue lineup also includes Nick Tabron, Tylar Bryant, Layna, Lori Rayne, Carmen Dianne, Aaron Vance, Ally Free and The Kentucky Gentlemen, with special guest Moten. Featuring the Revue’s two signature formats, the evening will consist of a writer’s round followed by group performances with several participating artists accompanied by the house band, Ping Rose and the Anti-Heroes. Tickets to the event can be purchased at FranklinTheatre.com.

Warren Brothers, Kristian Bush, More Set For Franklin Theater Songwriter Series

The Franklin Theatre has announced the lineup for the remainder of its 2023 Songwriters Series. Kristian Bush will continue the series on Aug. 31; The Warren Brothers will take the stage on Sept. 21; Mae Estes, Marti Dodson and Autumn McEntire will take the spotlight on Oct. 19; Nov. 16 will feature Sierra Hull, Jim Lauderdale, Bobby Tomberlin and Lillie Mae; and closing out the series for the year on Dec. 14 will be Adam Sanders, Adam Craig and Jordan Walker. Tickets for the Songwriters Series performances are available now on The Franklin Theatre’s website.

“We are thrilled to present such an incredible lineup for the remaining performances in our Songwriters Series,” says Eric Dilts, Managing Director of The Franklin Theatre. “These artists represent the best in songwriting and performance, and we can’t wait to share their talent with our audience. We’re proud that The Franklin Theatre is becoming a home to songwriters here in Williamson County.”

Bob Dylan on stage in 1974. Photo: Barry Feinstein

The Bob Dylan Center (BDC) and Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) have joined forces to launch the new Bob Dylan Center Songwriter Fellowship.

Awarded to two recipients annually, the fellowship was created to mentor and develop aspiring songwriters. Each fellowship encompasses a $40,000 project stipend, public engagement and presentation opportunities, dedicated time in BDC’s Bob Dylan Archive to study Dylan’s creative process, roundtrip airfare to Tulsa and accommodations in the city, mentorship from UMPG songwriters and executives and recording time in Tulsa’s historic The Church Studio, the famous studio of Leon Russell.

In addition to being reviewed by BDC and UMPG executives, annual fellowship recipients will be selected by a global panel of artists including singer-songwriter Juliette Armanet, singer-songwriter Patty Griffin, singer-songwriter John Mellencamp, singer-songwriter Carla Morrison and rapper and songwriter Nas.

Now through Oct. 18, eligible talent from around the world can submit entries for fellowship consideration. To be eligible, entrants must be 18 years or older and unsigned to a publishing agreement of any kind at the time of the fellowship start date, May 1, 2024.

“The Bob Dylan Center Songwriter Fellowship is core to our mission of educating, motivating and inspiring visitors to engage their own capacity as creators, and we cannot wait to hear the entries from undiscovered talent around the world,” says BDC Director Steven Jenkins. “We are grateful to continue our partnership with UMPG—the world’s leading music publisher is already such a great supporter of the BDC—and we know that this panel of extraordinary songwriters will select deserving Fellows for our inaugural year.”

“This is an unprecedented opportunity to connect developing talent with the works of one of the greatest songwriters of all time,” says UMPG Chief Operating Officer Marc Cimino.”Beyond access to meaningful mentorship and special resources, the archives at the Bob Dylan Center are indescribable and I can only imagine how much creative inspiration they will draw. With the support of the fantastic BDC team and panel of world-class artists, we look forward to developing a new group of songwriters in this unique environment.”

Ken White

The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Board of Directors has named Ken White as the association’s new Executive Director, effective Oct. 2, following the completion of IBMA World of Bluegrass in Raleigh, North Carolina.

White joins the IBMA with a wealth of experience in bluegrass music and business leadership. Raised on the music of Bill Monroe, Ralph Stanley and Tony Rice, the Kentucky native fell asleep many nights with an ear next to the family hi-fi. As a result, he cinched the Kentucky State Banjo Championship at age 14.

He studied guitar with the late, great jazz icon Jimmy Raney at the University of Louisville Music School, while continuing to record, perform and tour with bluegrass and Americana luminaries in acclaimed venues such as the Grand Ole Opry, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, RockyGrass, Walnut Valley Festival, IBMA World of Bluegrass and The Station Inn, where he spent many nights listening, playing or helping restock the bar.

White has written for and performed with the Louisville Mandolin Orchestra, the Nashville Mandolin Ensemble and the Wichita Symphony Orchestra. His multi-instrumental prowess can be heard on many recordings, most recently, a catalog of music he has co-written with his wife, Robin Macy, inspired by Bartlett Arboretum, in Belle Plaine, Kansas, the place they’ve called home for over two decades.

In 2002, he and award-winning designer Nicole Howerton formed Howerton+White, an integrated marketing agency. For over 20 years, White has led the company’s expansion and ongoing integration of marketing and media platforms. Under his leadership, Howerton+White has become a multimillion-dollar business with more than 40 active clients on the roster.

White has also been actively involved in several community organizations. He has served as President of the Wichita Jazz Festival, and has co-produced a popular seasonal concert series at Bartlett Arboretum for 17 years. White currently serves on the Wichita Symphony Orchestra Board as well.

“IBMA is an enthusiastic international organization with a diverse and welcoming membership,” says Dan Boner, IBMA Board Chair. “That was on our minds throughout the interview and selection processes, and Ken demonstrated, very naturally, that he understands the needs and interests of all people who love bluegrass music and work to make it their livelihood.”

White will assume the position currently held by Paul Schiminger, the Interim Executive Director. Schiminger, an IBMA board member, was asked in March to temporarily step back into the role he held for six years before retiring in 2021.

“There were a handful of excellent candidates for the role, but Ken’s knowledge of our music and its community, along with his demonstrated business skills, made him stand out. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Ken through the process, and I’m excited to know the IBMA will be in excellent hands going forward,” says Schiminger.

“A vocation that tethers both heart and mind becomes purposeful work. I have loved bluegrass music since I was a small child. My 22-year career as a business owner has defined both technology and marketing strategies. I feel fortunate to have this opportunity to lead IBMA forward, fueled by these two life-long passions,” shares White.