A new Nashville destination, dubbed Musicians Corner, will showcase and celebrate the Music City’s musical talent. Located in the West End Avenue corner of Centennial Park, the location will be inaugurated with a series of free Saturday afternoon lawn parties, starting July 10 and continuing every Saturday from 3:00 to 6:00 PM through October 16. A pastiche of musical performances featuring local favorites, original voices, and surprise guests will be augmented by lifestyle, food, and artisan vendors to create a community gathering space in Centennial Park.
Every Saturday promises to be a unique event, with last-minute additions resulting in spontaneous lineups. Sam & Ruby, Griffin House, Mikky Ekko, Damien Horne, Roman Candle, Courtney Jaye, Tequila Flamenco Group, The Dynamites featuring Charles Walker, and Pico vs. Island Trees are a few of the already confirmed guests for Musicians Corner dates, with more names and details to be announced soon.
Musicians Corner (www.musicianscornernashville.com) aspires to be a central point, free and open to all, where Music City will gather to perform and enjoy its music. Inspired by “Speakers Corner” in London and Nashville’s hunger for free outdoor summer music programming, the series promises to be entertaining, challenging, and compelling, as each week unannounced performers, impromptu collaborations and audience contributions illustrate the diversity, passion, and fellowship of Music City.
Musicians Corner is sponsored by Fifth Third Bank, BMI, American Songspace, Metro Parks, and The Conservancy for the Parthenon & Centennial Park. Interested artists are encouraged to submit two songs and a brief explanation why they want a slot on the Musicians Corner Stage. Visit www.americansongspace.com/submission/MusiciansCorner.
Country Stars Pay Tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd
/by contributorBalancing the band’s bedrock southern rock and outlaw country roots, Sweet Home Alabama – The Country Music Tribute To Lynyrd Skynyrd is a distinctive collection of many of the band’s most iconic tracks by artists including Eric Church, Randy Houser, Shooter Jennings, Jamey Johnson, Uncle Kracker, Randy Montana, Ashley Ray and Eli Young Band. The album was produced by Jay Joyce.
Houser delivers a soulful rendition of “Simple Man,” while Eli Young Band offers up a raucous version of “Three Steps,” both from Lynyrd Skynyrd’s groundbreaking debut. Johnson keeps with tradition on the dobro-laced “Four Walls of Raiford,” and Church’s smoky vocals are front and center on the powerfully evocative tale, “The Ballad of Curtis Loew.” The 8-song compilation will be released exclusively through Wal-Mart stores on July 20.
More than 25 years after the release of their debut album (pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-nerd), Lynyrd Skynyrd’s legacy remains irrefutable. The band has cataloged over 60 albums with sales of more than 30 million with 13 platinum or multi-platinum albums. The list of artists influenced by Lynyrd Skynyrd includes everyone from Blues Traveler to Metallica to Montgomery Gentry to Kid Rock.
Sweet Home Alabama – The Country Music Tribute To Lynyrd Skynyrd track listing:
1. “The Ballad Of Curtis Loew” Performed by Eric Church
2. “Simple Man” Performed by Randy Houser
3. “All I Can Do Is Write About It” Performed by Uncle Kracker
4. “Call Me The Breeze” Performed by Shooter Jennings
5. “Four Walls Of Raiford” Performed by Jamey Johnson
6. “Tuesday’s Gone” Performed by Randy Montana
7. “Gimme Three Steps” Performed by Eli Young Band
8. “Sweet Home Alabama” Performed by Ashley Ray
“Musician’s Corner” Comes to Centennial Park
/by contributorEvery Saturday promises to be a unique event, with last-minute additions resulting in spontaneous lineups. Sam & Ruby, Griffin House, Mikky Ekko, Damien Horne, Roman Candle, Courtney Jaye, Tequila Flamenco Group, The Dynamites featuring Charles Walker, and Pico vs. Island Trees are a few of the already confirmed guests for Musicians Corner dates, with more names and details to be announced soon.
Musicians Corner (www.musicianscornernashville.com) aspires to be a central point, free and open to all, where Music City will gather to perform and enjoy its music. Inspired by “Speakers Corner” in London and Nashville’s hunger for free outdoor summer music programming, the series promises to be entertaining, challenging, and compelling, as each week unannounced performers, impromptu collaborations and audience contributions illustrate the diversity, passion, and fellowship of Music City.
Musicians Corner is sponsored by Fifth Third Bank, BMI, American Songspace, Metro Parks, and The Conservancy for the Parthenon & Centennial Park. Interested artists are encouraged to submit two songs and a brief explanation why they want a slot on the Musicians Corner Stage. Visit www.americansongspace.com/submission/MusiciansCorner.
Ricky Skaggs Returns With “Mosaic”
/by contributorRicky Skaggs and Gordon Kennedy Perform at the Dove Awards
With his new album, Mosaic, due on August 24 from Skaggs Family Records, 14-time Grammy winner Ricky Skaggs is back with a full band sound. Following an unparalleled string of success in country music in the 1980s and early ‘90s, including eight CMA Awards (1985 Entertainer of the Year), Platinum records and a performance at the Grammys, Skaggs created Skaggs Family Records in 1997 and for the next 13 years focused almost exclusively on bluegrass and acoustic-based music.
For Mosaic, Skaggs worked closely with fellow Grammy winner Gordon Kennedy, known for his work with Eric Clapton, Garth Brooks and Bonnie Raitt, to create an album that mixes elements of country music with Beatles-esque melodies and lyrics that speak to Skaggs’ faith, resulting in what the singer describes as “music that is in my head and in my heart.”
The album’s title track signals all to realize that no matter how small we feel sometimes, we all have a unique place in life. “Someday Soon” opens with banjo and piano over a sturdy drum beat before kicking into a catchy chorus. Ethereal keys, hand drums, a 12-member choir and electric guitar played by rock star Peter Frampton kick off album standout “My Cup Runneth Over,” while “Picture” has a lush sound accented by strings and hammered dulcimer. “Return to Sender” features an orchestra and vocals from Tommy Sims.
The new musical partnership between Skaggs and Sims is the latest in a 50-year journey that has seen Skaggs work with everyone from Bill Monroe to Jack White.
“Tunesmithing” Comes To Music Row
/by contributorTom Shinness
“Tunesmithing on Music Row,” a monthly show spotlighting emerging and hit songwriters, will take place from 6:30-9:00 PM on Wednesday, July 7 at Edgehill Studios Cafe, 1201 Villa Place on Music Row.
The headliner for the evening will be singer/songwriter Tom Shinness. Also on the bill will be songwriter/actor Mike Callahan, songwriter Claudia Nygaard, and songwriter/author Debbie Watts (Word Woman).
Performers will do individual sets, presenting 25 minutes of original music. The evening will begin with an “open mic” for emerging songwriters from 6:30-7:00 PM. Writers may sign up on a first-come, first-served basis, performing up to two original songs. Chuck Whiting will emcee the show. Admission is free. “Tunesmithing” is sponsored by Whiting Publicity & Promotions. For more information about the event, call (615) 242-9857 or write Tunesmithing@Earthlink.net.
Paul Harris Brings Laughs To CMA Fest
/by contributor“I got the call from my managers that I had been asked to perform on CMA Music Fest and I knew I was dreaming,” says Harris. “I have been performing stand up and fronting my bluegrass group The Cleverlys for years, but this was out of the ball park for me. The biggest crowd I had been in front of was around 6,000 and to walk out there on that stage and see 40,000 people; wow is all I can say. The experience was great, the fans, the artists and the organizers all made me feel so welcome. I am still reeling.”
Harris is currently heading back to Missouri for this week’s performances at the Music City Centre in Branson.
First Concert at Fontanel: Songwriters Sing For Nashville
/by Sarah SkatesSongwriters Hall of Fame inductees slated to perform include Roger Murrah (Board Chairman of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation), Matraca Berg, Bob DiPiero, Kye Fleming, Dallas Frazier, Dickey Lee, Dennis Morgan, Hugh Prestwood, Mark D. Sanders, Don Wayne, Jim Weatherly, Mike Reid, and surprise guests. All ticket proceeds and all receipts from the day’s tours at the Fontanel Mansion will be donated to First Tennessee Bank for flood relief.
Tickets for members of select music-related organizations will go on sale tomorrow, (6/16) at 10 a.m. Public tickets will go on sale Saturday morning.
United Way Hosts Song Contest
/by Sarah SkatesTwo finalists will perform their songs live at 3rd and Lindsley during United Way’s “Stuff the Bus” School Supply Drive Launch Concert on June 24, featuring Kink Ador and Knapsackheroes. The winner will be announced at the event. The winner’s song may used in an upcoming video, which will be featured on UnitedWayNashville.org and emailed to thousands of partners across the city.
Songs will be accepted until 5:00 pm on June 18. Details on the contest here.
Music Council Schedules Industry Conversation
/by adminClick To RSVP
“A Conversation with the Nashville Music Council” is scheduled for June 29, 4-5 p.m. at the W.O. Smith Nashville Community Music School, 1125 8th Ave. S.
The Nashville Music Council under the leadership of Mayor Karl Dean and Mary Ann McCready, of Flood, Bumstead, McCready and McCarthy, has been meeting for over a year. The purpose of the upcoming session is to hear from the music community, find out what issues are uppermost on their minds and inform the music community about the initiatives the Council has already undertaken. Industry executives expected to attend who serve on the Council include Rod Essig, Nancy Shapiro, Mark Montgomery, Tim DuBois and Janet Miller. Valet parking will be provided.
To RSVP, please email Molly Shehan at mollyshehan@gmail.com by June 24. For questions please contact Honey Hopkins at 615-743-3079.
Voorhis Departs Skyline
/by adminChip Voorhis
“The past seven years have been incredible,” says Chip Voorhis who started Skyline Music with Paul Worley and Wally Wilson. “I’m very proud of what we’ve been able to build and accomplish. It was truly an honor to be able to work with the writers and artists, and enjoy such amazing music.”
Voorhis, who served as VP/GM, can be reached at 615-977-4727 or chipv1@yahoo.com
More Photos From Music Fest Week
/by Sarah SkatesMarty Stuart’s Late Night Jam, Josh Turner’s dance contest, Josh Thompson and more…
Marty Stuart’s (L) Late Night Jam at the Ryman Auditorium raised over $30K for MusiCares Nashville flood relief. His guests included Keith Urban (R), Vince Gill, Gene Watson and Stuart's band the Fabulous Superlatives.
Josh Turner hosted a dance contest at The Family Zone stage during CMA Music Fest. Winning first place were sister and brother Julie and Jedi Willis, from Ashland City, Tenn. Pictured (L-R), front to back: Julie and Jedi Willis, MCA Nashville’s V.P. of National Promotion Van Haze, Universal Music Group Nashville’s Sr. V.P. of National Promotion Royce Risser, Turner, and FOX’s Tennessee Mornings host Shane Tallant
Columbia Nashville's Josh Thompson performed a set of songs including his current single "Way Out Here," and his debut Top 20 "Beer On The Table," in front of a lively crowd at the CMA Music Fest River Stage on Thursday. Pictured (l-r) Renee Bell, EVP A&R Sony Music Nashville; Casey James, American Idol Season 9 Finalist; Thompson; Sheri Warnke, CMA VP/Strategic Partnerships.
Country artist Matt Gary took first place in the Andy Griggs Celebrity Poker Tournament at Cadillac Ranch on June 10. Sponsored by Digital Rodeo, winnings benefited charity organizations, including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Middle Tennessee flood victims. Participants included Jeff Bates, Bo Bice, Due West, Chelsea Field, Buddy Jewell, O’Shea, The Roys, and more. Pictured (L-R): Matt Gary (1st place), Tuff Hedeman (2nd place) and Lucas Hoge (3rd place). Photo: Bev Moser.
Blake Shelton at the Nightly Concerts at LP Field. Photo: Alan Mayor
Darius Rucker at the Nightly Concerts at LP Field. Photo: Alan Mayor
Jason Meadows jams on a mini guitar before he signs it for a fan in the Waggin Train Booth at the Fan Fair® Hall at 2010 CMA Music Fest.
Sherrie Austin at the annual CMA Music Fest Parade, the official start to the CMA Music Festival.