Young songwriters will fill the Country Music Hall of Fame^® and Museum’s Ford Theater on April 30 during the museum’s annual Words & Music Night. Nashville-area students will perform their original songs accompanied by volunteer professional songwriters during the event, which will be hosted by Grammy Award-winning artist Gretchen Wilson. The program begins at 6 p.m. and is open to performing students and their families.
Words & Music allows students to express themselves creatively and learn the craft of lyric writing. The program also provides a unique curriculum-based teaching tool for educators,” said Ali Tonn, director of education and public programming. “The Words & Music Night recital showcases the breadth, depth and quality of those student compositions. This year songs run the gamut, from a witty tune about running from zombies, to a poignant song about the heroism of President John F. Kennedy. When the students perform their songs on the Ford Theater stage with professional songwriters, it is not only a proud moment for the audience of parents, teachers and museum staff, but also an evening of first-rate entertainment. We look forward to it every year.”
Words & Music Night is the culmination of the yearlong Words & Music school program. Classes participating in the program complete creative writing lessons, developed by the museum, which highlight the lyric-writing process and support education standards in language arts and music. Students write or co-write lyrics in the classroom; the lyrics are then given to professional songwriters, who refine their lyrics and add melodies. Finally, students visit the museum for a tour and a performance of their songs by their participating songwriter.
More than 4,400 2nd through 12th grade students at 46 Tennessee schools wrote songs that were put to music by 36 volunteer professional songwriters throughout the 2012–13 school year.  This is the 34th year that the museum has offered its Words & Music program. The Tuesday night showcase will include performances by students, ranging from 4th  to 12th-graders, from Andrew Jackson Elementary, Battle Ground Academy, Bordeaux Elementary, Ensworth School, Grassland Elementary, Joelton Elementary, McFadden School of Excellence, Meigs Magnet Middle School, Mt. View Elementary, Norman Binkley Elementary, Scales Elementary (Williamson County), Spring Hill High School, Thomas Edison Elementary and Woodland Middle School.

The Recording Academy‘s Nashville chapter, in partnership with the Producers and Engineers Wing, will feature a presentation by engineer Andrew Scheps, along with a panel discussion with producer Chuck Ainlay, singer-songwriter-studio owner Ben Folds, producer and publisher Frank Liddell and mastering engineer Bob Ludwig on April 25. The panel will discuss current listening formats, sound quality, and how to capture authentic performances from artists. The event, which has limited seating and is open only to Recording Academy members, will be held at The Listening Room (217 2nd Ave. S.) beginning at 5:30 p.m. CT. Doors will open at 5 p.m. To attend RSVP here by Monday, April 22.

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Australian singer-songwriter Kane Harrison has joined SESAC‘s roster of writers. Harrison has released two singles, “Crazy” and “Slow Burn.” Harrison recently stopped by SESAC’s Nashville headquarters to celebrate the new partnership.

Pictured (L-R): SESAC’s Shannan Hatch and Harrison. Photo: Peyton Hoge

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Joanna Smith performed an acoustic set for the WDKN Open House last week.

Pictured (L-R): RG Jones, Sony Music Secondary Promotion Manager Robert Freeman, WDKN Music
Director Kenneth Forte, President/WDKN Joanna Smith, RCA artist Dale Turner,
WDKN Mornings Rusty Sherrill, Sony Music Secondary Promotion

Faith Hill will no longer be performing the opening theme for Sunday Night Football. The singer revealed the news to fans via her Facebook page today:
“Amazing 2 [sic] have been part of SNF- an honor. I’ve just let everyone there know it’s time 2 [sic] let someone else rock the open. Difficult decision. Kinda Emotional. Love all you guys at SNF – I’ll b [sic] watching!!”
Hill began performing the opening theme in 2007.

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Sugarland’s Kristian Bush has launched a new web series, Music Monday. Each Monday, the singer-songwriter will stream a different song and discuss the story behind it. The song could be a new demo or an old favorite. His first installment begins today (April 15), with “Call It Even,” from Billy Pilgrim’s 2001 project In The Time Machine. For more information, visit kristianbush.com.

Amanda Watkins and Kasey Buckley of Miss Willie Brown have parted ways. Watkins will continue to pursue a solo career. “I support Kasey as she decides to take a break from the world of music. I’m sure as you have seen over the past few years, there is nothing that will ever come between us,” Watkins said via her Facebook page. “The songs that you have been loving and playing will be ever present on my solo journey. It’s going to be a great year with lots to come! And I promise to keep you updated every step of the way through touring, videos, posts and most of all music.”
Miss Willie Brown debuted in 2011 and toured with Dierks Bentley and Josh Thompson.

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Bigger Picture Group’s Chris Janson recently participated in the ACM & Cabela’s Great Outdoors Archery Event on April 6. Also competing was Willie Robertson, star of the A&E hit show Duck Dynasty.

Pictured (L-R): Chris Janson, Willie and Korie Robertson