Chapter 487

Even without kiddies squealing on the water-splash plaza, scaling the rock-climbing wall, strolling the wildflower paths or cavorting in the roly-poly playground, Cumberland Park was a little piece of heaven on Tuesday evening (May 12).

Situated on the east bank of the Cumberland River between the Siegenthaler Pedestrian Bridge and Korean Veterans Bridge, adjacent to Titans Stadium, the park also contains a lovely little amphitheater that proved to be the ideal location for the 17th annual Grammy Block Party.

Adding to the ambiance were balmy temperatures, comfortable accommodations and cooling riverfront breezes. Not to mention free food and drink.

The talent lineup didn’t hurt, either. All of the acts booked had a “wow” factor – Janice Gaines, John & Jacob, Blackberry Smoke, Lee Ann Womack, Hunter Hayes and Meghan Trainor.

“I see all kinds of friends: I love this!” exclaimed Womack from the stage. That’s because the crowd was comprised of the invitation-only, elite Nashville members of The Recording Academy. Who voted her a Grammy Award in 2002.

The who’s-who attendees included Pat McMakin, Patrick Clifford, John Styll, John Briggs, Jon Freeman, Scott Robinson, Scott McDaniel, Scott Hendricks, Nick Palladino, Nick DiFruscia of the national NARAS staff, Chris Farren, Chris Keaton, Eric Parker, Erika Wollam-Nichols & Roger Nichols, David Corlew & Carolyn Corlew, Bruce Bouton, Bruce Dees, Daniel Hill and Daniel Miller.

The crowd was notable for the singers and songwriters in attendance. David Nail, Mandy Barnett, Trent Summar, Gary Burr of Blue Sky Riders, Victoria Shaw, Brandon Heath, Shannon Sanders, Eddie Perez of The Mavericks and Chris Carmack of the Nashville TV show cast all turned up. Adding to the celeb vibe, mayoral candidate Howard Gentry was working the room.

And what a “room” it was. Flanking the stage were giant golden Grammys, and behind it was a spectacular view of the city skyline. The grassy floor of the amphitheater was backed with a low wall plus cocktail tables on the perimeter. On the knoll above that was a walkway dotted with draped tables and umbrellas. Hospitality tents held bars, wine servers, beer dispensers and food.

Catering was by Peg Leg Porker, who offered barbecue sandwiches and/or chicken-salad cups, plus bacon green beans, crispy pork rinds, baked beans and pasta shells with cheese.

Wine came courtesy of rock star Dave Matthews. I particularly liked his Dreaming Tree dry, light white.

Gliding through the crowd were such lovelies as Chandra LaPlume, Carla Wallace, Tree Paine, Lori Badgett, Hunter Davis, Leslie Fram, Tracy Gershon, Trey Fanjoy, Karen Clark, Sher Bach, Diane Pearson, Joanna Carter, Ronna Rubin, Laura Lamb Little and Lisa Harless.

Perhaps not so lovely, but equally delightful to greet were Ben Fowler, Frank Liddell, Julian King, Jeff Balding, Alan Valentine, George Flanigen, Andrew Kintz, Fletcher Foster, Woody Bomar, Doak Turner, Jim Catino, Shelby Kennedy, Earle Simmons, Bill VornDick, Chuck Ainlay, Walter Campbell, Wayne Halper, Greg McCarn, T.K. Kimbrell, Mike Sirls, Rod Essig, Terry Hemmings, Ed Salamon, Randy Perkins and Doug Howard.

The Nashville chapter of The Recording Academy now has 3,400 members, making it third in size behind L.A. and N.Y. We have more student members, 1,400, than any other chapter. Here’s something cool: Even non-voting Associate members can go a party as fabulous as this, with as classy a room to work as you’ll find.

All photos courtesy of The Recording Academy®/Photo by WireImage.com ©2015 

Producer and songwriter Nathan Chapman is best known for his work with artists including Taylor Swift, Shania Twain, Lady Antebellum and others.

But the multi-talented musician recently stepped back into the studio as an artist to craft his new independent album, Revival. The project marks Chapman’s first album as an artist in nearly 20 years.

The 10-track project features co-producer Stephanie Chapman, with additional production by John McBride and Michael Rhodes. Co-writers on the project include Chapman, Leslie Satcher, Lori McKenna, Tyler Hilton, John and Jacob, Ashley Monroe, Hillary Lindsey, Chantal Kreviazuk, Andrew Dorff, and Mary Steenburgen.

Several of his industry colleagues gathered at Nashville venue The Basement recently to celebrate the album’s release. Attendees included Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley, Satcher, Annie Chapman, and more. Chapman had a stellar backing band during the performance, including Rhodes, Chad Cromwell, Justin Schipper, Mike Rojas and Kenny Greenberg. McBride handled sound for the evening.

The project is available for $12 on Chapman’s official website, nathanchapman.com.

Revival track listing

1. Revival
2. Freedom Has It’s Own Kind of Chains
3. Lady Loneliness
4. I Broke The World
5. Wild Love
6. The Devil’s House
7. Settle Me Down
8. Get Me To My Baby Tonight
9. Sticking With You
10. Shipwrecked

Country fans are sure watching TV talent shows. That may be one take-away into White House, Tenn.-native Clark Beckham‘s inclusion in the top two of American Idol on FOX, while ex-Steel Magnolia singer Meghan Linsey has made it to the final-four on The Voice on NBC.

Strangely enough American Idol is auditioning for its final 15th season contestants at the same time and location of its season 14 finale tonight, Wednesday May 13. That’s when the FOX-network winner will receive a recording contract with Scott Borchetta‘s Big Machine Label Group. There is a 50/50 chance the winner will be from mid-Tennessee. It’s down to Beckham and Nick Fradiani, a Connecticut native.

Lindsey, a member of Team Blake, will perform as the final four on The Voice next week.

Ashley Monroe is not a stranger to Jack White‘s Third Man Records in Nashville. Nor is the Warner Nashville star unaccustomed to a flawless live performance. Monroe has performed with legends Wanda Jackson and then with Willie Nelson for his 80th Birthday CMT event at Third Man Records, but last night (May 12) was for her direct-to-acetate live recording.

Her artistic magic was on full display at the gathering in Jack White‘s famed Blue Room. Three musicians joined Monroe in front of an audience of around 300 VIP guests, many part of the Music Biz 2015 conference.

“It’s very crucial we get this right,” said Monroe as she took the stage with John Shaw (guitar), Jenee Fleenor (fiddle) and Johnny Duke (lead guitar).

Born to perform, Monroe kicked off with “Two Weeks Late,” a track off her Warner debut, before recording began with additional major label debut tracks “Like A Rose” and “Weed Instead of Roses.” Her 2006 title “Satisfied” was recorded during the B-side phase of the evening.

Performances of highly anticipated new material included the superb title track off the forthcoming release, The Blade, in addition to “Dixie,” “Bombshell,” “Has Anybody Ever Told You,” “I’m Good At Leavin'” and her current single “On To Something Good.” Monroe closed out the evening with a solo-acoustic performance of “Hickory Wind,” Gram Parsons‘ 1968 hit.

The studio records only a handful of performances a year for its Live at Third Man Records series. Performances are available to attendees with a black/blue 12″ LP, then to the general public as traditional black vinyl.

Monroe’s sophomore Warner Bros. album will be available July 24.

Photos: Music Biz