PPS Plus Returns from Tennessee with a Few New Friends… and an Award!

PPS Plus Returns from Tennessee with a Few New Friends… and an Award!
Posted on March 31, 2010 in Press Releases 
TN Tradeshow 2010Earlier this week, PPS Plus team members traveled to Franklin to attend Tennessee Association for Home Care's 2010 Spring Conference. While there, they had a chance to meet with current customers, get acquainted with potential customers, network with other vendors and visit with PPS Plus friends and partners.
"We had a great trip to Tennessee," said company president, John Shinn. "We had a chance to meet many of our customers and discuss our products with potential customers. TAHC puts on a good conference."
And what's a tradeshow re-cap without mention of awards and prizes? We're excited to announce that PPS Plus Software won the BEST EXHIBITOR BOOTH AWARD! Also, a big congratulations is in order for Phyllis Nolan of Clinch River Home Health, who was the winner of our iPod Nano drawing.
Pictured: Top: Mark Scott (left), John Shinn and Julie Bond (right) award an iPod nano to drawing winner, Phyllis Nolan. Bottom: John Shinn holds PPS Plus Software's "Best Exhibitor Booth" plaque awarded by TAHC.
Photo Credit: ©2010 Bev Moser

CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL THE PICTURES FROM THIS EVENT.

INTERVIEW: Easton Corbin


Easton Corbin’s First single, “A Little More Country Than That,” has gone to #1 since I sat down with him to visit; a tune written by Rory Feek (Joey + Rory), Don Poythress and Wynn Varble. It paints a picture of rural life that speaks to Easton’s small town sensibilities. “Even though I didn’t write it, this song identifies who I am,” he says. “It shows character and that’s important where I’m from. You learn to say ‘yes, ma’am’ and ‘no, sir,’ and to open the door for the ladies.”
We took some time during CRS to visit about his journey to this point and his excitement about his upcoming tour (which was about to be announced that he was opening for Brad Paisley). Corbin is winning hearts over across the radio waves and from the stage as his voice croons his country songs with a smooth voice that is oftentimes confused with George Strait

Bev: I know you started out when you were really young. Give me a brief overview of what got you here.
Easton: During college I had been coming to Nashville to do some demo projects, and my cousin shared it with some of his friends here in Nashville. They talked to James Phillips, a booking agent here in town who is a great guy. When I moved here, he had me come in his office and play for him and an A & R guy at Universal. I played for those guys and they really loved it, they invited me over to the label to play and they really liked it and they offered me a developmental deal. With that, we cut four sides. They listened to the songs, liked them and signed me to a full deal. That’s it in a nutshell.
Bev: You have written with some of the top writers, tell me how that feels? How has that been for you to come into Nashville and jump right into writing with some of these big writers?
Easton: It has been a great opportunity, I feel I am a developing writer and it is a great to get in there and have them share their knowledge with me. It is better than any kind of training you could get, it is always good. I love being able to get in there as a young writer with the experienced writers and get kicked around a little bit.
Bev: What is one of the lessons or words of advice that they have given you that you have really remembered?
Easton: It is to always about writing stuff that you know and can relate to.
Bev: So if you write it, you have to have lived it or at least experienced something that you can relate to it to really get into it?
Easton: Sure. It is hard to write songs about things you don’t know much about—and be accurate, anyway.
Bev: As far as performances, I know your music is just now getting out there on the radio. What has been one of the most exciting things as far as the performances for you?
Easton: I hate to be vague about it, but every time we get to perform out there is very exciting. There is not just one experience that stands out, but I will say that as the single has climbed up the charts, it has been very exciting to go out there and the crowd really knows your music and can sing along with you. That is really, really exciting.
Bev: Do you have any stage rituals you do? Chants or prayers before you go out?
Easton: Not really, I will say a little prayer usually.
Bev: When you relate your professional life to your personal life, what has been the biggest thing you have had to deal with as far as change as you become more popular?
Easton: Not much yet, I do get recognized by a few people once in awhile. Probably the biggest thing is the travel and being out there on the road; that is a pretty big adjustment.
Bev: Have you performed with any of your idols yet? Do you have one that you just can’t wait to perform with?
Easton: I would love to perform with Merle Haggard or George Jones. I wish I could perform with Keith Whitley but unfortunately, that won’t happen.
Bev: You came from a very small town when you moved to Nashville, a much bigger city, is there a big difference? Is there any similarities?
Easton: I think it is similar as far as the music business. Nashville is a lot like a small town with the music industry; everyone knows everyone. You definitely have to watch what you say!
Bev: Looking at your CD and knowing you had some input on a few songs on there, is your goal eventually to only sing what you write or do you always want to have other people involved in it?
Easton: I just want the best songs I can get whether I wrote them or someone else did, it doesn’t matter to me. It is just a matter of finding the right songs.
Bev: This album is very country, is that where you are going to stay?
Easton: I am going to keep doing the music that I love. It will always be in that vein, believe me, I don’t think I can do anything else.
Bev: Have you hooked up with anyone as far as promotion and sponsorship?
Easton: No, not yet. We are talking to a few people, there are a lot of great folks out there. Hopefully, that will change here in the near future.
Bev: What’s next? Are you set up with a lot of tours this summer?
Easton: We are looking at a very busy summer coming up and yes, we will be out on a tour. I can’t say with who yet but it should be announced this week. We will have a very busy and exciting summer.
Bev: That means you will be opening for someone relatively well known?
Easton: Yes, you can say that.
Bev: Are you actively doing Facebook, Myspace, Twitter and those types of social media? What are your thoughts on those?
Easton: I definitely do those. Sometimes I have people ask if it is me or someone working my site. I actually do go on them, look at them and I do write on them. Yes, I am very active.
Bev: What is your Twitter contact name?
Easton: It is just my name, Easton Corbin.
Bev: Do you have a favorite song on this CD?
Easton: I love all the songs, I really do. They all have a special place, I can’t name just one.
Bev: Was there anything, as you were going into the studio, that was unexpected? Something that you didn’t know how it worked?
Easton: Not really, I had a pretty good idea being involved in music for a long time. I had a pretty good idea of what was expected but it was still a learning experience because I had never been involved on this level before.
Bev: If someone new was to walk up to you today, what advice would you give them?
Easton: Be true to yourself and don’t try to be something you’re not. When you come to town, try to make as many contacts as you can. Make good contacts, that is, because there are a lot of bad ones out there too.
Bev: Has there been any memorable fan reactions?
Easton: I got my first encore a few weeks back. That was really cool!
Bev: Any strange requests for autographs?
Easton: No, I haven’t signed any body parts yet. I would be very red if someone asked me to do that. My cheeks would be as red as a fire engine.
Bev: Easton, I wish we had more time to visit, but I know I will be seeing you all week at CRS. Thanks for the visit and I look forward to next time.
Easton: Thank you Bev, and I look forward to talking to you again as well.

For more information on Easton Corbin visit http://www.myspace.com/eastoncorbin or http://www.eastoncorbin.com/

Transcribed by Pam Stadel

INTERVIEW: Hollywood Yates



Hollywood Yates has been in the entertainment business all his life; at age seven he began as an Elvis impersonator and has not stopped grabbing the spotlight since. Most well known for being Wolf on American Gladiators, he is also one of the best bullfighter rodeo clowns in the world having been in the National Finals Rodeo three times, a Bull Riders Only World Champion Bullfighter twice and wrestled on the Indie scene as well as WWE. Lately he has been working in television and in the movie industry both as an actor and a stuntman. Now he is delving into the music industry and bringing back the Outlaw Country sound; like Johnny Cash, Kris Kristopherson, Waylon Jennings

I spent some time with Hollywood reflecting on his past and discovering his plans for becoming a household name as a country music artist. He gave me a sneak peek and listen to several of the songs he has recorded for his upcoming project and shed some stories behind the music.

BEV: You have let me hear seven songs that you have recorded for your upcoming CD project, did you write them all or did you have any involvement in writing them?

Hollywood: I wrote one of the songs last year when I was there for CMA Fest with Shy Blakeman and Charlie Oxford it is called, “Makes Me Pop”.

BEV: As you chose the other songs, did you choose them because the lyrics were personal to you or because you liked the message?

Hollywood: The first song that I had for this album was “Put me in the Ground” which was pitched to me by Big Vinny from Trailer Choir. I was telling Vinny that I was starting to dive into the music and I wanted to sing the politically incorrect outlaw country with strong feelings; the kind of music I grew up with and not around anymore like Hank Williams Jr. “A Country Boy Can Survive”. Keith Anderson also sent me about seven songs and one of his songs I chose was “Worth Fighting For” which is about a guy who’s marriage is going south and he is willing to try anything, but He doesn't understand what's not worth fighting for.

BEV: Have you finished recording the final songs for the CD?

Hollywood: I have three more songs that I have gone into the studio and laid most of the vocals down; I am waiting to start mixing. There is one other song by Keith Anderson called “I Am A Renegade,” about living on the road. I have been on the road for 26 years, living in the back of cars, vans and I worked my way up doing rodeos, so the song really hit home for me. My wife and I were sitting on his bus and he was playing and said “I think this song is you”. We had two other songs that were written by Jamey Johnson’s road manager, Arliss Albritten; one of them we have chosen to be the title of the album called “Like We Used To”. It is a really great song with an old Waylon Jennings feel to it. The song reflects back on the things we used to do, but don’t do anymore because we have grown up and are not as wild and crazy as we used to be, but how we would love to be that way again.

BEV: Share a little about at what point the music came into your life and how has it evolved?

Hollywood: When I was seven years old Elvis Presley died and I remember I sat there watching all the news stories and footage and listening to the radio; I sat there crying and up to that point I did not have a true understanding about who the man was and had not absorbed that one man could affect the world with his ability to sing and entertain. That is what got me into the entertainment business. I became a seven year old Elvis impersonator. I started singing in my grandfather’s club in Oklahoma singing Elvis, but also doing country and old rock stuff like Chuck Berry and Mickey Gilley. When I was 14, I would bus tables during the early evening for my grandfather and then around 10:30 when the restaurant closed, I would go over to the club and sing at night with a 21 year old waitress. We sang Charlie McClain and Mickey Gilley or Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. When I started high school I found rodeo and began being a rodeo clown and bullfighter. It was so adrenaline based and a way that I could be both an entertainer and an athlete, so I stuck with that. I worked my way up to the top of the rodeo industry as one of the best bullfighters in the world. I started getting bored because I had been doing it so long and I decided to get into professional wrestling. I did about ten shows with WWE and was negotiating a contract when the American Gladiators came calling. In 2006 I was at a rodeo in Salinas, California and a bull gored me; ran a hole into me about nine inches and I underwent emergency surgery to save my life. It was at that point I started to focus back on my singing, but then I got the Gladiators and I was busy shooting the show and doing promotion. I was I introduced to Nashville artists at the Academy of Country Music Awards because I had done a show for CMT called Cowboy U as a bullfighter and rodeo clown. I started hanging out with John Rich, Big Kenny, Big Vinny & Butter (Trailer Choir) and Keith Anderson. When the Gladiators was canceled I started focusing on my music again. I cut a couple demos, started looking for someone to help me and met a producer in Mesa with a great studio. Kregg Barentine understood what I was trying to do with my music; he knew I was trying to go with the outlaw country mixed with the updated southern rock sound. The first song is called “Up Yours” written by Craig and Jeffery Steele. It has been a lot of work and a lot of fun and I have been pouring my heart and soul into it. It is taking a while but it is finally coming together and things are starting to look like a real album.

BEV: When the new listeners hear you and see you perform, have you experienced any conflict of disassociating you from the Gladiators? I think that most of the public knows you from that. What reaction are you getting?

Hollywood: Everyone is surprised simply because of how they have seen me on TV where I am this very intense animalistic creature out there to hurt people. When I get up and sing, they are stunned that I actually have a singing voice. Most people do not realize I originally started as a singer and it shocks them. When I do the ballads such as “Like Father like Son like Hell”; which is a dark song, but a lot of people have lived through that, I have lived through that and is one of the reasons why I liked that song; because it did touch home. Every song on the CD is from my heart; I picked them because they are all parts of my life. When my mom heard that song she turned around, was white as a ghost and she asked if I wrote it. John Rich sat and listened to some of these songs and was just amazed. He pointed to his arm and said “wow; I have chills”, so I think that is a good reaction.

BEV: What has been the hardest thing for you to overcome as far as getting this music out here? What are you finding to be the most difficult things moving into this new part of your life?

Hollywood: Mainly it is trying to get the music done and then once it is done, I still have to get radio to play it which means trying to find someone that I can hire to really promote it. Another difficulty is fighting the stereotype of being Wolf. Being Wolf opens a lot of doors, but once it gets serious and let’s talk numbers they are like oh you are Wolf so…and it’s like really just listen to it and put me on a stage. When I came out and did my showcase I was hoping to have a really big turnout from labels to come see me entertain and see that I have a voice and a lot of them did not show up, granted, the timing was bad, it was the week after the CMA’s and so everybody was tired of being out at bars and parties and so I understand that the timing was not the greatest timing. At the same time I had eleven million viewers a week and that’s the difficult part is trying to get everybody to jump on now while I still have momentum from the show rather than wait two, three, four, five years and then start out as just another guy that is trying to start a country career. Let’s use this momentum that we have going now. I am getting other deals; I have a reoccurring role on a new Disney show called “I’m in the Band” where I play the band’s former roadie turned cage fighter whose hell-bent on destroying the band and it is a funny show, they had two episodes this season and if they get picked up for another season they are talking about bringing me back more permanently so that will keep my face on TV. I also just got called for a pilot for FOX so the acting thing is still there but I want to do singing more than anything and I realize that when I got called to do this show for Disney and they wanted me to be there the week before I was going out to do my showcase in Nashville and I turned them down because I knew that the role I played on that show messes with my voice for a couple days cause there is a lot of straining and yelling and I wasn’t going to come in and film and mess my voice up and then go to Nashville and do a showcase so they ended up postponing and changing the dates so I could still do the show but I hung up the phone thinking that I had just turned down Disney and it was actually a really good feeling because as soon as I set the phone down I realized I knew what I wanted to do. I turned down a potentially good deal with Disney because I want to sing and that was one of the defining moments in my life and was one of the greatest feelings I ever had.

BEV: What ideas do you have for promoting the cd now that you are getting closer to releasing it?

Hollywood: I am trying to do local shows and trying to do some festivals. I am kind of old school, I just want to go out and perform and get it going that way, but at the same time I know how big the web is and I know how big TV is so I am working those angles and I have made a lot of contacts through the radio when I was doing the Gladiators, I did the radio tours where I would talk to 20, 30, 40 radio stations every morning and I had planted the seed when I was doing those tours as Wolf so I am hoping when I start making the calls and start sending out the singles that they will take a listen and they will start playing it.

BEV: What has been the one piece of advice someone has given to you that you have passed on to other people when they have asked for it?

Hollywood: The one thing I live by and it is something that my mom instilled in me as a kid, she always told me I could do anything I wanted to if I just believed and pushed. I always sign my autographs ‘Hollywood Yates, Believe in Dreams, God Bless’. The one thing in my life besides God being the number one thing is, believe in dreams, it is kind of my mantra because I have been so fortunate to have lived so many of my dreams. Anytime I get a dream in my head, I just push, push, push until I have reached it, I just do not give up. Singing is something I have wanted to do since I was seven, I sidetracked a little just because I knew how many people were trying to become singers, there are singers that would blow not only me but every single recording artist out there off the face of the earth with their voices, there are people that are far better than anyone who has recorded a song sitting on a street corner somewhere just playing the guitar and singing and they just do not have the right connections or the money or whatever to get them to reach the final deal and so I wanted to come in through the back door. I made myself famous in other ways so that back door would be open for me. I want to be the ultimate entertainer, I want to be Elvis. I want to be singing and selling out 100,000 seats.\

BEV: I read somewhere that you had compared it to the Garth shows that you just want it to be mind-blowing.

Hollywood: I am an entertainer and when I was doing the indoor arenas I would jump out of the ceiling of the Salt Lake City arena on a repelling rope and halfway down stop and get the crowd going and then flip upside down and then burn down the rope as fast as I could possible go head first and stop just before I hit my head in the dirt and start dancing and get the crowd into it. I have always been an entertainer and I have always liked the big things like that. I want to bring that Hollywood flair into the music; I want to bring a live action show basically. I am a stunt man, an actor, a singer, a rodeo guy and I would love to have the whole arena be set up like the Gladiator arena and while I am singing be swinging from rings; I want it to be a 360 degree experience and I want people in the very back row to feel like they are part of it.

BEV: What kind of target date are we looking at for the release?

Hollywood: My goal is to have the CD done and out by March. I am looking for someone to help me start booking so I can get out there and start hitting all of Arizona, all of California, New Mexico and Texas and start circling and build from there until I have the fans and the money to put on the show that I want to put on.

BEV: Are any songs available for fans to buy on Reverb Nation or iTunes yet?

Hollywood: Not yet, I think my producer was supposed to have sent some stuff in last week so I am hoping in the next couple weeks I can get something up on iTunes and a few of the other sites.

BEV: Are you going to do any kind of pre release push for those that are done now that you will be able to get those out there so there is that initial spark?

Hollywood: We will probably do something like that in the next couple weeks.

BEV: As always, it is a pure joy to visit with you. I look forward to hearing all the songs and seeing you perform live again. Thank you for sharing so much about you and the music. Is there one last thing you want to add?

Hollywood: Just everybody come to my MySpace music site which is www.myspace.com/hollywoodyatesmuzik and join my friends because if I start talking to labels and show them that I have got one million friends then I think that would help seal the deal.


NEWS POST: Lon Helton Country Air Check



» Orchid Around: Last night (3/2) was CMT Crossroads' first taping at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium, and Kenny Chesney and the Steve Miller Band kept it "old school" by following a Grand Ole Opry tradition. The 11-song set included Chesney's "Livin' In Fast Forward" and "I Go Back," Jimmie Vaughn's "Hey-Yeah," and SMB's "Fly Like An Eagle," "Jet Airliner" and "The Joker." Halfway through, Miller suggested, "I think we should do ["Abracadabra"] at Tootsie's after this." Chesney warned the approving crowd, "Y'all are going to be late to work tomorrow if you come to Tootsie's. [But] you can tell we don't work for a living." The trek across the alley yielded performances of "Take The Money And Run," Hank Williams' "Mind Your Own Business" and Stevie Ray Vaughn's "Love Struck Baby." The episode (minus the Tootsie's experience) will premiere in July.

RADIO NEWS: Kenny Chesney, Steve Miller (Country) Rock Nashville!




Hot Country News From K99.1FM

Kenny Chesney, Steve Miller (Country) Rock Nashville!
By Nancy Wilson @ March 4, 2010 8:55 AM Permalink Comments (0) TrackBacks (0)
One of my favorite things on CMT is the Crossroads segment, where country artists are paired with rock singers. This week, Kenny Chesney and Steve Miller recorded a show, then gave folks at Nashville's Tootsie's Bar a surprise! Read more from theboot.com's Nancy Dunham!

Kenny Chesney Takes Steve Miller to Tootsies!
■Posted Mar 3rd 2010 5:00PM by Nancy Dunham


Celebrity sighting alert! Country superstar Kenny Chesney surprised patrons at Nashville's legendary Tootsie's Orchid Lounge Tuesday night for an impromptu concert with rock legend Steve Miller.

The mini-show happened just after the two taped 'CMT Crossroads - The Steve Miller Band and Kenny Chesney' at the Ryman Auditorium, which sits just up the hill from Tootsies. The show, which had Steve and Kenny singing some of each other's biggest hits, will air later this year on CMT.

"If you're at the Ryman ... and you want to do it the way the old Opry stars did, everybody knows it was out the back door of the Ryman, cross the ally and sneak in the back door of Tootsies. Kristofferson drank there, and Willie. Hank Williams, Patsy Cline. If I was gonna show my friend what this experience was all about -- especially after a night as great as our 'Crossroads' taping had been ... then we had to do Tootsies!"

Word of the mini-concert spread fast, and the lounge was jam-packed when Kenny and Steve performed 'Fly Like An Eagle,' 'Jet Airliner,' 'Rock 'n Me' and 'Abracadabra.'

After singing Steve's famous hits, Kenny and Steve led the crowd in a rendition of 'Happy Birthday,' to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Tootsie's.

NEWSPAPER:Kenny Chesney and Steve Miller's Hot Date at Tootsie's



Has it been a lifelong dream of yours to see Steve Miller sing classics such as "Fly Like an Eagle," "Keep on Rockin' Me Baby," "Jet Airliner" and "Abracadabra" in the barroom intimacy of a haunt like Tootsie's Orchid Lounge? Yes? Well, you just missed your opportunity. Last night, after appearing with Miller for a taping of CMT Crossroads at The Ryman, country superstar Kenny Chesney persuaded the legendarily lukewarm classic-rock singer to join him at Tootsie's Lower Broad honky-tonk.

This according to a press release sent to the Scene by the Lower Broadway honky-tonk, bearing the heading Kenny Chesney and Steve Miller "Went Out Last Night" -- a title which reminded me of this. Normally, I'd use something like this as jumping off point for dispensing my pearls of praise or hatred for an artist, but I can't think of a singer I have a less of an opinion about than Steve Miller. Seriously, dude is like the tap water of classic rockers. Is there some "X factor" there that I'm missing?

PUBLICATION: AOL The Boot Kenny Chesney Takes Steve Miller to Tootsies!


Celebrity sighting alert! Country superstar Kenny Chesney surprised patrons at Nashville's legendary Tootsie's Orchid Lounge Tuesday night for an impromptu concert with rock legend Steve Miller.

The mini-show happened just after the two taped 'CMT Crossroads - The Steve Miller Band and Kenny Chesney' at the Ryman Auditorium, which sits just up the hill from Tootsies. The show, which had Steve and Kenny singing some of each other's biggest hits, will air later this year on CMT.

"If you're at the Ryman ... and you want to do it the way the old Opry stars did, everybody knows it was out the back door of the Ryman, cross the ally and sneak in the back door of Tootsies. Kristofferson drank there, and Willie. Hank Williams, Patsy Cline. If I was gonna show my friend what this experience was all about -- especially after a night as great as our 'Crossroads' taping had been ... then we had to do Tootsies!"

Word of the mini-concert spread fast, and the lounge was jam-packed when Kenny and Steve performed 'Fly Like An Eagle,' 'Jet Airliner,' 'Rock 'n Me' and 'Abracadabra.'

After singing Steve's famous hits, Kenny and Steve led the crowd in a rendition of 'Happy Birthday,' to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Tootsie's.

Kenny Chesney and Steve Miller "Went Out Last Night"



 Kenny Chesney and Steve Miller "Went Out Last Night"

March 3, 2010 -- Superstar Kenny Chesney surprised patrons at Tootsie's Orchid Lounge last night when he and rock icon, Steve Miller, gave an impromptu performance at the legendary Lower Broadway honky-tonk in Nashville. Insiders say that Chesney persuaded Miller to play at Tootsie's as it's extremely rare for the classic rocker to perform at bars. Word on the street spread fast as the always-bustling bar and live music venue quickly filled to capacity. Spirited fans sang along to every word of the Steve Miller Band classic hits including "Fly Like an Eagle," "Keep On Rockin' Me Baby," "Jet Airliner," and "Abracadabra," among others. Chesney then led the crowd in singing happy birthday to Tootsie's, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

Earlier in the evening, Chesney and Miller shared the stage across the back alley from Tootsie's at the Ryman Auditorium for a live taping of the hit CMT series, CMT CROSSROADS. CMT CROSSROADS: THE STEVE MILLER BAND and KENNY CHESNEY will premiere later this year on CMT.


Photos by Bev Moser.
For additional photos and video footage, please email info@jimhaveypr.com or call (615) 251-8802.

MAGAZINE PUBLISHED:Kenny Chesney, Steve Miller Rock Tootsie’s in Nashville

After Kenny Chesney and Steve Miller collaborated on songs like Kenny's "I Go Back," and Steve's "Jet Airliner" for a CMT Crossroads taping at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on March 2, the pair brought the party over to Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, singing songs like "Mind Your Own Business" by Hank Williams and "Love Struck Baby" by Stevie Ray Vaughan.

“If you're at the Ryman and you want to do it the way the old Opry stars did, everybody knows it was out the back door of the Ryman, cross the alley and sneaking in the back door of Tootsies," says Kenny. "Kristofferson drank there, and Willie, Hank Williams, and Patsy Cline. If I was gonna show my friend what this experience was all about—especially after a night as great as our 'Crossroads' taping had been… then we had to do Tootsies!” Kenny has previously performed at the tiny venue with the Wailers and Kid Rock.

No air date has been set yet for the CMT Crossroads episode, which also found the pair reaching back into the vault for "I Want My Rib Back," a tune from Kenny's album In My Wildest Dreams, which was first released in 1993. "Steve wanted to do this," Kenny told the packed crowd at the Ryman. "And I told him, 'Oh, my God, you've been listening to my early records'." Steve also pulled out a selection from the archives, a cover of blues great Jimmy Reed's "You Got Me Dizzy." Kenny and Steve teamed for Steve's rock classics "The Joker" and "Abracadabra," which featured a sizzling fiddle solo from Kenny's band member Nick Hoffman.

MUSIC ROW MAGAZINE:Chesney and Miller Rock Tootsie’s




Country superstar Kenny Chesney and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Steve Miller took the stage at the Ryman Auditorium last night (3/2) for a filming of the CMT series Crossroads. After treating the SRO Ryman crowd to almost two hours of music, the pair cut across the alley and ducked into Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, hitting the stage for a jam session that lasted into the wee hours.

“If you’re at the Ryman… and you want to do it the way the old Opry stars did, everybody knows it was out the back door of the Ryman, cross the ally and sneak in the back door of Tootsies,” Chesney says. “Kristofferson drank there, and Willie. Hank Williams, Patsy Cline. If I was gonna show my friend what this experience was all about – especially after a night as great as our Crossroads taping had been… then we had to do Tootsies!”

On the impromptu set list were Miller classics “Fly Like An Eagle,” “Take The Money & Run,” “Abracadabra,” “The Joker” and “Rock’n Me,” along with Chesney’s “Livin’ In Fast Forward” and Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “Love Struck Baby.” As yet, no air date has been set for the Chesney/Miller edition of Crossroads.

PRESS RELEASE: Kenny Chesney and Steve Miller "Went Out Last Night"



March 3, 2010 -- Superstar Kenny Chesney surprised patrons at Tootsie's Orchid Lounge last night when he and rock icon, Steve Miller, gave an impromptu performance at the legendary Lower Broadway honky-tonk in Nashville. Insiders say that Chesney begged Miller to play at Tootsie's as it's extremely rare for the classic rocker to perform at bars. Word on the street spread fast as the always-bustling bar and live music venue quickly filled to capacity. Spirited fans sang along to every word of the Steve Miller Band classic hits including "Fly Like an Eagle," "Keep On Rockin' Me Baby," "Jet Airliner," and "Abracadabra," among others. Chesney then led the crowd in singing happy birthday to Tootsie's, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

Earlier in the evening, Chesney and Miller shared the stage across the back alley from Tootsie's at the Ryman Auditorium for a live taping of the hit CMT series, CMT CROSSROADS. CMT CROSSROADS: THE STEVE MILLER BAND and KENNY CHESNEY will premiere later this year on CMT.

Photo by Bev Moser

MAGAZINE PUBLISHED:Kenny Chesney, Steve Miller Rock Tootsie’s in Nashville




After Kenny Chesney and Steve Miller collaborated on songs like Kenny's "I Go Back," and Steve's "Jet Airliner" for a CMT Crossroads taping at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on March 2, the pair brought the party over to Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, singing songs like "Mind Your Own Business" by Hank Williams and "Love Struck Baby" by Stevie Ray Vaughan.

“If you're at the Ryman and you want to do it the way the old Opry stars did, everybody knows it was out the back door of the Ryman, cross the alley and sneaking in the back door of Tootsies," says Kenny. "Kristofferson drank there, and Willie, Hank Williams, and Patsy Cline. If I was gonna show my friend what this experience was all about—especially after a night as great as our 'Crossroads' taping had been… then we had to do Tootsies!” Kenny has previously performed at the tiny venue with the Wailers and Kid Rock.

No air date has been set yet for the CMT Crossroads episode, which also found the pair reaching back into the vault for "I Want My Rib Back," a tune from Kenny's album In My Wildest Dreams, which was first released in 1993. "Steve wanted to do this," Kenny told the packed crowd at the Ryman. "And I told him, 'Oh, my God, you've been listening to my early records'." Steve also pulled out a selection from the archives, a cover of blues great Jimmy Reed's "You Got Me Dizzy." Kenny and Steve teamed for Steve's rock classics "The Joker" and "Abracadabra," which featured a sizzling fiddle solo from Kenny's band member Nick Hoffman.