October 24th, 2007
Ryan Adams & the Cardinals blew the doors off the War Memorial last night. I had never seen a show there (although I did walk across the stage there at my high school graduation), and didn’t know about the acoustics…no worries on that count. That lovely wood floor made for a nice live room with lots of bounce, and Mr. Adams and band were in fine form. I had balcony seats, but at the last minute my partner-in-crime decided that he was feeling a mite too under the weather to venture out on a wet Tuesday night. I headed on out, and was able to sell my two balcony seats for a general admission, and enough cash for a t-shirt and limited edition print. Sweet!! But I digress, when Ryan took the stage, the whole house fell under his spell. Althought there was an underlying current of muted tension as the we all wondered what kind of humor he was in, and would some jackass shout out “Play Cuts Like A Knife” and prompt him to walk offstage, I am happy to report he was in a fine mood, and the two sets were chock full of classics, beautiful harmonies, some of the best steel guitar I’ve ever had the pleasure to hear, and a funny mock meltdown.
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October 17th, 2007
Oh be still, my beating heart–the great Shelby Lynne is coming to the Belcourt, and my sweet man has already gotten tickets for us!! My understanding is that Shelby will be doing Dusty Springfield covers, which suits me just fine. I’d listen to that girl sing the words off a cereal box. Also, word is that she will have a new album out in early 2008. I’ve been lucky enough to see her at the Ryman a couple of times, and she just absolutely blows me away. I cannot for the life of me understand why she is not a huge star, other that she isn’t obsessed with selling out and sucking up to get there, because she has more talent in her little toe than most folks flooding the airwaves have in their entire being. I’ve heard the stories about her being difficult to work with, blah blah blah, but when you’re dealing with a real, true talent, sometimes that comes with the territory. And I’m not saying they’re true or not, just that what everybody sees things differently. Shelby was signed to Epic a hundred years ago when I was a lowly A & R intern there (this was when it was still CBS Records, before Sony bought them out), and she won the Academy of Country Music’s Top New Female Vocalist in 1990. But as so often the case in Nashville with a great talent, she couldn’t be put in just one box, and didn’t want to follow the paint by numbers you are a country star picture. And I am soooo glad she didn’t. Shelby has so much depth and soul, she can sing anything. 1999’s I am Shelby Lynne, which led to her Grammy for Best New Artist (talk about paying dues), is one of my top 10 desert island discs. Get your tickets quick, they won’t last long!
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October 16th, 2007
Congratulations to last night’s ASCAP awards winners! John Rich won his 3rd consecutive Songwriter/Artist of the Year award, some of his big hits for this past year included “8th of November”, “Amarillo Sky”, Sunshine and Summertime”, and “Why”. Craig Wiseman (gotta love those Hitmen of Music Row!!!) won his 3rd Songwriter of the Year awards, having co-written the hits “Hillbilly Deluxe” (which I personally loved), “Something’s Gotta Give”, and “Summertime”. Mr. Wiseman was sparkly in a Manual-designed vest adorned with blue rhinestones–what else are you gonna wear in Nashvegas?!
Song of the Year honors were shared between “Before He Cheats”, which was performed by Carrie Underwood (for those folks living under a rock), and written by Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins, published by Big Loud Shirt, Might Under Dog Music, and Sony/ATV Music Publishing, and “If You’re Going Through Hell (Before The Devil Even Knows), performed by Rodney Atkins, and written by Dave Berg, published by BergBrain Music and Cal IV Entertainment.
Kenny Rogers won an ASCAP Golden Note Award, some of the previous winners include luminaries such as Garth Brooks, Tom Petty, and Stevie Wonder. During the ceremony, Chris Stapleton, Rivers Rutherford, and Don Schlitz (who penned Roger’s classic cut “The Gambler”, which he rode to #1 in 1978 and is a Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member) sang some of Roger’s hits. Rogers then turned the tables and surprised Schlitz with ASCAP’s Creative Achievement Award.
The year’s five most performed songs were “Before He Cheats”, “If You’re Going Through Hell”, “Summertime”, “The World”, and “Give It Away”. Writers who received multiple awards: Dierks Bentley, Dave Berg, Brett James, Kelley Lovelace, Tony Mullins (another Hitman of Music Row!!), Tim Owens, Brad Paisley (love him), John Rich, Jeremy Stover, Phil Vassar, and Craig Wiseman.
Sony/ATV Music Publishing won publisher of the year for hits like “Beer in Mexico” (Mr. Chesney took a break and stopped by, as always), “Before He Cheats”, “I Loved Her First”, and “Life Ain’t Always Beautiful”.
And the fabulous and so generous Amy Kurland and the Bluebird Cafe received an honor in recognition of 25 years of showcasing songs and songwriters. Kudos to Amy!!
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October 14th, 2007
Last night’s John Hiatt/Peter Frampton double bill at the Ryman, benefitting Cumberland Heights, was a stellar show! Hiatt played by himself with an acoustic guitar, covering favorites like “Feels Like Rain” (covered by Buddy Guy, don’cha know), “Drive South”, “Tennessee Plates”, the always beautiful “Have a Little Faith”–which he did on piano, and others. He also played a couple of cuts of the upcoming album, and both were classic Hiatt. I especially liked the “How ’bout Them Dogs” (I’m not sure if this is the working title, but it’s the lead line in the chorus), it made me smile from way down deep, and also touched me heart as he reflected on what a special place our canine companions have in our hearts, and our lives. I always knew that he was a good feller, and this sealed the deal. Can’t wait for the new album, and is there any sweeter sound than hearing that man sing in the Ryman? (Maybe him, and Shelby Lynne, and Keb’ Mo, and the North Mississippi Allstars, and the Crowes all on one bill. Yeah, right, I know it’ll never happen but still it makes me happy to dream…)
And Peter Frampton, how cool was that. I am dating myself here, but I can remember getting 1975’s Frampton from my uncle. I was in the 5th grade, and went to sleep with that on my turntable every night. Thanks, Mitch! He sounded great, vocally and of course he hasn’t lost his chops at all over the years. He had a great band, featuring none other than Nashville’s own Audley Freed (who’s played with the likes of the Black Crowes, Dixie Chicks, and Gov’t Mule). They played several instrumental tracks of the Grammy-winning Fingerprints album, as well as classics, “Show Me the Way”, “Do You Feel (Like I Do)”, “Signed, Sealed, Delivered”, and “Baby I Love Your Way”. Former Nashvillian himself, Frampton’s set was both a trip down memory lane, and a look at some of the best instrumental work today.
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October 1st, 2007
The annual benefit concert for Cumberland Heights is Saturday, October 13th at the Ryman, and this year’s show features hometown legend John Hiatt and superstar guitar hero Peter Frampton. This is to benefit a wonderful cause, and the evening promises to be one to remember. Hiatt will be playing solo with an acoustic guitar, and Frampton will be backed by his incredible band. You can pick up tickets through Ticketmaster, or the Ryman. Mr. Hiatt had been working on a new, anxiously awaited new album, and I hope to hear some new songs from that upcoming release. Frampton won a Grammy for his last outing Fingerprints, which is instrumental, and showcases his virtuosity.
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September 30th, 2007
Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga–I say GO GO GO GO GO to the show! Spoon’s out on tour promoting their new album, and will be playing the Cannery Ballroom October 26th.
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September 30th, 2007
Feist will be breezing into town to play the Ryman on Wednesday, November 21st. The show starts at 7:30, and tickets are $32 and $25, and available through www.ryman.com as well as www.ticketmaster.com. Should be a good show, and I expect it will sell out, but if I see the iTunes commercial one more time–I think I’ll scream!!
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September 25th, 2007
Grimey’s big bi-annual outdoor bash is this Saturday, September 29th from 11 am till the sun goes down (and maybe till the proverbial cows come home)!
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September 23rd, 2007
Brandi Carlile’s new album is getting rave reviews, and thanks to VH1 and their “You Oughta Know” promotion of new, breaking artists, she’s getting mainstream exposure. She’ll be playing City Hall on September 26th with A Fine Frenzy opening.
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September 20th, 2007
The second annual Mucklewain festival will be taking place in Pinewood, Tennessee Friday and Saturday, September 28th and 29th, with an incredible lineup! Organizer Joie Todd Kerns has moved this year’s big doings a lot closer to Nashville (about 45 minutes away) as opposed to last year’s gig in East Tennessee, and it’s two days of music, art, and Southern culture instead on one. The lineup includes Todd Snider, Lucero, the reunited Drivin’n'Cryin’ (love love love them..”I’m goin’ straight to hell”), Will Hoge, Bobby Bare, Jr., Old Union, Jason Isbell (formerly of the Drive By Truckers), Those Darlins’, Dixie Dirt, and Glossary, just to name a few. For more info, check out www.mucklewain.com or www.myspace.com/mucklewain.
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