“What you hear tonight will only happen once,” said the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Kyle Young, welcoming Alan Jackson’s sold-out crowd to the 800-seat CMA Theater.
Yesterday evening (Oct. 8) was the first of Jackson’s two-night residency, part of a CMHoF tradition where artists who have contributed a significant body of work to American popular music are given a “blank canvas” for their performance. Previous residency artists such as Connie Smith, Kris Kristofferson, Vince Gill and Ricky Skaggs have included special guests or embraced a listening room vibe, but Jackson brought his full stage show complete with 8-person band, video wall, and of course, his hits.
Selections from Jackson’s 50 top-10 songs filled his 2.5-hour set. The legend even previewed a new song to a standing ovation. “Angels and Alcohol” is one of 10 songs he is preparing for a 2015 release on EMI Nashville/ACR.
Relying on his wife Denise in the balcony, Jackson candidly recounted stories of his family, his early days as a demo singer on Travis Tritt’s “Country Club,” and inspiration behind records that went on to sell nearly 60 million units worldwide. “You know I’m 55, turn 56 next week,” said Jackson when he lost track of a thought on stage. Among numerous titles, he recalled:

• “Gone Country”—I about always kick off my shows with that song. Bob McDill wrote that song when Country was taking off after ’89.
• “Home”—”Best I can remember, this is the first song I wrote. It’s a true story,” he recalled of the log home still standing on land given from their parents.
• “I Don’t Even Know Your Name”—We always call it “Toothless.” Denise’s brother always pitched the title when we would go home at Christmas. I gave him and his son songwriter credit on it.
• “Wanted” and “All Over Again”—written in the same day in the rain in Pine Bluff, Ark.
• “She’s Got The Rhythm (I Got The Blues)”—One of three songs written with Randy Travis after his then-wife and manager lured Jackson with cornbread to their bus to write. The session also resulted in “Better Class of Losers” and “Forever Together.”
• “Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)”—I didn’t write that, God just sent it down through me. Faith, Hope and Love are just from The Bible.
• “Good Time”—I got the idea after watching my girls in cheerleading.
The open-to-the-public event included industry executives seated alongside fans who cheered with homemade signs and, during the encore, sought autographs on boots, programs and even a doll. Of course, Jackson obliged as he is known to on his road show.
One noticeable departure from his arena show was candid conversation with the audience. The crowd replied in asking, “How are you holding up?” Jackson said, “I’m holding up…This is a beautiful little room but it sure does get quiet after y’all stop talking.”
It is a true superstar whose dexterity transcends from an arena to a small venue. Jackson has long treated audiences of all sizes to performances of his masterclass catalog of hits. Although complaining of his ragweed allergy, Jackson was in top performance in a room that reflects vocal honesty. But above all, the truth of his lyric is most mesmerizing and for that, he’s already in the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Jackson’s second sold out Artist-In-Residence performance with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is slated for the same venue, on Oct. 22. Alan Jackson: 25 Years of Keepin’ It Country will be on display upstairs, there, until March 30, 2015.

The Nashville Association of Talent Directors (NATD) has announced six industry leaders who will be recognized at the 4th annual NATD Honors Gala, scheduled for Nov. 11, 2014 at the Hermitage Hotel. Honorees include Governor Bill Haslam; Rob Beckham, Partner and Co-Head of William Morris Endeavor Entertainment; Vanderbilt University’s Head Baseball Coach Tim Corbin; Founder and CEO of Parallel Entertainment J.P. Williams; Demetria Kalodimos, WSMV News Anchor and Reporter; Contemporary Christian artist Michael W. Smith; and legendary country artist Charlie Daniels.
The Gala kicks off with a reception at 6:00 PM, followed by dinner and the Awards Ceremony at 7:15 PM. Ticket information may be found at www.ticketfly.com.
The 2014 Honorees were selected by the NATD Board of Directors, led by President Steve Tolman of LogiCom. “These individuals, from a variety of professions, reflect the qualities which make Nashville the exciting, entertainment and vital city that it is today.  They lead, not only in their areas of expertise, but in their continuing support of education and scholarship, which is one of NATD’s major goals” Tolman said.
Past honorees include:
2013-Bernie Cahill, Tom Condon, Chaz Corzine, Martina McBride, Kevin Neal, and Bob Romeo
2012- Mike Fisher, Clint Higham, John Huie, George Jones, and Alan Valentine
2011- Alabama, Tony Conway, Mayor Karl Dean, James H. Gosnell Jr., and Barry Trotz

Nominees for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015 have been revealed. To be eligible for nomination, an individual artist or band must have released its first single or album at least 25 years prior to the year of nomination. The 2015 nominees had to release their first recording no later than 1989. The nominees are:

• The Paul Butterfield Blues Band
• Chic
• Green Day
• Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
• Kraftwerk
• The Marvelettes
• N.W.A.
• Nine Inch Nails
• Lou Reed
• The Smiths
• The Spinners
• Sting
• Stevie Ray Vaughan
• War
• Bill Withers

“We are pleased to present this group of nominees, as they represent the myriad places where rock and roll converges with blues, electronic, dance, Motown, R&B, funk and other genres,” said Joel Peresman, President and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. “Rock and roll incorporates the styles of so many different kinds of music and that’s what makes this group of nominees – and this art form – so powerful and unique.” The Foundation’s nominating committee selects nominees each year in the Performer category.

Ballots will be sent to an international voting body of more than 700 artists, historians and members of the music industry.

Fans can participate in the induction selection process. Beginning October 9, 2014, and continuing through December 9, 2014, fans can visit www.rockhall.com to cast votes for induction. The top five artists, as selected by the public, will comprise a “fans’ ballot” that will be tallied along with the other ballots to choose the 2015 inductees.  

Inductees will be announced in December and the induction ceremony will be held April 18, 2015, in Cleveland, the home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Public ticket sale information will be announced at a later date.

Read about the nominees, the induction process or revisit MusicRow critic Bobby Karl’s trip to the 2012 induction ceremony.

The Dallas Morning News is reporting a pair of Willie Nelson’s braided locks of hair sold for $37,000 at auction on October 5.
The specimen were part of 2,000 items Jessi Colter, Waylon Jenning’s wife of over 30-years, listed with New York City-based Guernesey’s, in part to benefit the Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
In 1983 Nelson’s braids were cut in support of Jennings’ sobriety, and presented at a party thrown by Johnny Cash.
Final values for additional items of “Remembering Waylon” have not been released, but included Buddy Holly’s motorcycle, a letter to Jennings from John Lennon, a Rolex watch, and a contract between Nelson, Jennings, Cash and Kris Kristofferson for the Highwaymen.

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Fashions and personal memorabilia from Naomi Judd will go up for auction at Julien’s Auctions Beverly Hills as part of the Icons & Idols Rock “N” Roll catalog, from November 7-8.
In part to benefit Tuckets House Charity, Judd’s Country collection includes memorable costumes (“Love Is Alive” and “Give A Little Love”), belt buckles and instruments. Additional items from Judd’s husband Larry Strickland of The Jordanaires/Stamps Quartet include Elvis Presley memorabilia and a shirt gifted by the iconic Memphis star.
A full catalog of items is available.