MusicRow: Industry Pics: Tin Pan South, SiriusXM

Jessica Nicholson • March 26, 2015 • 

 

The Doobie Brothers’ Tom Johnston, along with Casey James, Charlie Worsham, and John Cowan brought their music to Nashville’s Third & Lindsley during this week’s 23rd annual Tin Pan South.

The evening showcase, presented by BMI, was reunion of sorts for the four musicians. James and Worsham are both featured on The Doobie Brothers’ latest collaborative album, Southbound, while Cowan has spent the past five years as a bassist and background vocalist for The Doobie Brothers.

Pictured (L-R): BMI Sr. Director Bradley Collins, Casey James, Tom Johnston, Charlie Worsham, John Cowan and NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison. Photo: Moments By Moser

Pictured (L-R): Casey James, Tom Johnston, Regions Bank EVP Jim Schmitz, and Charlie Worsham

Newcomer Bryson Jennings recently performed his debut single, “Young Nights,” for SiriusXM’s Sr. Director Country Programmer John Marks. The singer-songwriter also performed the ballad “I Can’t Right Now” and “Buy You A Drink,” which are also featured on his upcoming EP.

Pictured (L-R): John Marks, Bryson Jennings

Music City Arts Update:'Tin Pan South' Performances Wow Music Lovers On First Night

'TIN PAN SOUTH' REPORT

Day One: March 24 (Tuesday)

         "Tin Pan South" is in full swing, spotlighting professional songwriters at various venues around the city. It's always a challenge deciding which shows to attend. The level of talent in Nashville is amazing. On Wednesday night, hanging out at 3rd and Lindsley seemed a good thing to do... especially with performers such as Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, Casey James, Tom Johnston, and Charlie Worsham. Their performances did not disappoint.

(Left to Right): Casey James; Doobie Brothers Tom Johnston and John Cowan; 

Charlie Worsham at 3rd & Lindsley late show. Photo: Moments By Moser 

(Provided by Campbell Entertainment Group)

Kick-off Show (Early Show at 3rd and Lindsley):  

         Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne and Brandy Clark, with surprise guest!

         This show may turn out to be my favorite this year.  All of these singer-songwriters are riding the crest and deliver a great performance.  Each one witty, entertaining and masters at their craft.

         Josh opened by saying "Tin Pan South" is sponsored by Regions Bank. “A few years ago I didn’t have enough money to open a bank account, (but) now I have a Regions Bank account.”  I’ll bet he does!  Osborne then got things going with the familiar "Leave The Night On", a number one song by Sam Hunt, which he wrote with McAnally.  He also treated us to "I Got A Little Drunk Last Night" recorded by The Eli Young band. We heard Reba’s upcoming killer single "Whichever Way It Hurts the Least". He closed with Blake Shelton’s new release "Sangria".

         This is the first time I saw Brandy Clark live.  I was not disappointed.  Her velvet, rootsy voice reminds me of what country music is all about. I could listen to her all night.  She got the groove going with Miranda Lambert’s #1 "Mama’s Broken Heart". Brandy cracked us up with "Big Day in a Small Town" and brought us to the edge with "Hold My Hand", a song from her debut album.  I sure hope you caught her performance of this ballad on this year’s Grammy’s with Dwight Yoakam.  Unbelievable!  We also heard the number one "Better Dig Two" recorded by The Band Perry.  She had us laughing, identifying and sympathizing with the words to "Get High", another song from her CD. Clark closed with The Craig Campbell cut "You Can Come Over".  This girl knows her way around the guitar oozing out some great accompaniment. 

         Shane McAnally told us the story behind Reba’s "The Day She Got Divorced".  It was about his mother!  Early on, his mom asked him to stop telling people it was about her.  She was embarrassed.  That was until the day she met Reba backstage and told Reba that Shane had written the song about her.  Shane and Josh performed the Blake Shelton hit "I Really Shouldn’t Drink Around You", which came about after a night of drinking with Osborne.  The next day, Josh sent Shane pictures of silly things he was doing and quotes of things he said which lead to the title of the song.  I just loved the line, “There ain't really no such thing as gin and platonic”.   McAnally and Clark had us smiling on the upbeat "Follow Your Arrow", which they wrote with Kacey Musgraves, who turned it into a hit.  Shane left us rockin’ on the Lady Antebellum chart topper "Downtown", co-written with Natalie Hemby and Luke Laird.

         These three writers are responsible for 11 or the 12 songs on Kacey Musgraves’ Grammy-winning album “Same Trailer Different Park”.  So it was no surprise when she was called to the stage to perform her new single "Biscuits", written with Brandy Clark, Josh Osborne, Shane McAnally, and Luke Laird.

         Josh, Kelly, Shane, and Kacey are close friends who wrote together before their songs were cut and made them a lot of money.  They have laughed, drank, kidded and encouraged each other for quite a while.  The ease that they share with one another made this show one to remember.  

-- Wil Comstock, MCAU Contributing Writer

BMI Show (Late Show at 3rd and Lindsley):

         The BMI show featuring Casey James, Tom Johnston and Charlie Worsham (with special guest John Cowan) was splendid from start to finish. An enthusiastic audience was treated to a mix of country, blues pop and Americana songs performed by expert singers, songwriters and musicians. The sound was top-notch with up to six stringed instruments being played at the same time (plus percussion). It was an unforgettable blend of classic and young, with each songwriter holding his own weight.

         Tom Johnston wowed the crowd with stirring renditions of his hits "China Grove" and "Listen to the Music". His voice was in top form, taking Baby Boomers back to the Doobie Brothers days. The audience sang along eagerly, seeming to know every word. The artist introduced the harmony-laced "Nobody" saying, "We do this because we love to make music. Music should be authentic and real, getting you through a tough time."

         It was a pleasant surprise to see John Cowan (who was not listed in the "Tin Pan South" program). The American soul music and progressive bluegrass vocalist/musician, who served as the bassist for New Grass Revival, was outstanding. He played bass (including a beautiful green one) for most of his songs. Cowan showed his range with the remarkable (and moving) ballad "This River" and the fast-moving (clever) tune "Six Red Birds in a Joshua Tree".

         Johnston was very complimentary of brilliant newcomers Casey James (of "American Idol" fame) and Charlie Worsham (a storyteller that someone sitting near me described as a younger Shane McAnally).

         James was eager to play as many of his bluesy, spirited tunes as possible, and the audience urged him on. His ability to powerfully sing original tunes (such as "Devil Down") while playing complicated, syncopated riffs on his guitar inspired Worsham to deem him a "triple threat". "You're a triple threat, too," James replied back.

         Worsham proved James was right with a strong voice, weaving melodies, and creative guitar licks. He is an excellent wordsmith, too. The crowd loved his tongue-in-cheek song "Wired That Way". The thought-provoking (and fun) "You Can't Please People" could be a hit (if he remembers the words).

         We left 3rd and Lindsley invigorated, inspired and ready for more.

-- Chuck Whiting, MCAU Editor

NASHVILLE.com : Great Night Last Night At Tin Pan South

(l. to r.): Casey James; Doobie Brothers Tom Johnston and John Cowan; Charlie Worsham at 3rd & Lindsley late show.

Pleasant spring temperatures brought out the crowds for the first night of the 23rd Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival Presented by Regions Bank. Packed Festival venues all across town presented a diverse group of songwriters that covered virtually every genre of music, and there was no shortage of surprises last night. Festival sponsor Southwest Airlines stunned the patrons at the early Douglas Corner Café show by giving everyone in the audience a $100 voucher good toward a future flight. Later that evening at the same venue, Linda Davis asked for audience participation when she sang her hit Reba McEntire duet “Does He Love You.” She heard a fan singing passionately, stopped the song and handed a mic to Candace Kuykendall, and they sang the song together as the original duet.
At the 3rd & Lindsley early show, Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne delighted the sold-out crowd with hit after hit. Midway through their set, the trio invited Kacey Musgraves up to perform her new smash single “Biscuits.” She joined them again later for a duet version of “Merry Go ‘Round” with Josh. At the Station Inn late show, round leader Matt Warren, who has six cuts on Gary Allan’s new album, invited James T. Slater (“In My Daughter’s Eyes,” “High Cost of Living”) to sit in.
Tonight’s highlights include the “Girls Night Out” round at new Tin Pan venue The Sutler Saloon with Lauren Lucas, Danielle Peck and more. Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John Oates is scheduled for the round with Victoria Shaw and Tosha Hill at The Bluebird Café early show, and the “Michael Martin Murphey and His Cosmic Cowboys” show is set for 6:00pm at another new venue, Blue Bar.
Ten of Nashville’s top music venues are hosting more than 350 songwriters performing 92 shows at the 23rd Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival Presented by Regions Bank through Saturday, March 28, 2015.
Fast Access Passes sold out in record time and may be picked up at the NSAI office, 1710 Roy Acuff Place, Nashville, TN 37203, ­­today through Friday, March 27 from 8:00am to 4:00pm. Individual tickets ranging from $­­­10 to $25 will be available at the door for most shows on a first-come, first-served basis.
Produced by Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), Tin Pan South reigns as the world’s largest all-songwriter festival. Thousands of music fans attend the event annually to hear songwriters tell stories behind hit songs they have written and perform the songs as they were originally composed.

TIN PAN SOUTH 2015 KICKS OFF

TIN PAN SOUTH 2015 KICKS OFF Surprises Abound on First Night

(Nashville, Tennessee...) -- Pleasant spring temperatures brought out the crowds for the first night of the 23rd Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival Presented by Regions Bank. Packed Festival venues all across town presented a diverse group of songwriters that covered virtually every genre of music, and there was no shortage of surprises last night. Festival sponsor Southwest Airlines stunned the patrons at the early Douglas Corner Café show by giving everyone in the audience a $100 voucher good toward a future flight. Later that evening at the same venue, Linda Davis asked for audience participation when she sang her hit Reba McEntire duet "Does He Love You." She heard a fan singing passionately, stopped the song and handed a mic to Candace Kuykendall, and they sang the song together as the original duet. At the 3rd & Lindsley early show, Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne delighted the sold-out crowd with hit after hit. Midway through their set, the trio invited Kacey Musgraves up to perform her new smash single "Biscuits." She joined them again later for a duet version of "Merry Go 'Round" with Josh. At the Station Inn late show, round leader Matt Warren, who has six cuts on Gary Allan's new album, invited James T. Slater ("In My Daughter's Eyes," "High Cost of Living") to sit in. Tonight's highlights include the "Girls Night Out" round at new Tin Pan venue The Sutler Saloon with Lauren Lucas, Danielle Peck and more. Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John Oates is scheduled for the round with Victoria Shaw and Tosha Hill at The Bluebird Café early show, and the "Michael Martin Murphey and His Cosmic Cowboys" show is set for 6:00pm at another new venue, Blue Bar. Ten of Nashville's top music venues are hosting more than 350 songwriters performing 92 shows at the 23rd Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival Presented by Regions Bank through Saturday, March 28, 2015. Fast Access Passes sold out in record time and may be picked up at the NSAI office, 1710 Roy Acuff Place, Nashville, TN 37203, ­­today through Friday, March 27 from 8:00am to 4:00pm. Individual tickets ranging from $­­­10 to $25 will be available at the door for most shows on a first-come, first-served basis.  Produced by Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), Tin Pan South reigns as the world's largest all-songwriter festival. Thousands of music fans attend the event annually to hear songwriters tell stories behind hit songs they have written and perform the songs as they were originally composed. Regions Bank returns for the eighth year as the presenting sponsor of the event. For up-to-date lineups, tickets, venues, schedules and other festival information, visit tinpansouth.com. Updates can also be found on the Tin Pan South Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram. Hi res photos available. Photo Credit (unless otherwise noted): Moments by Moser (l. to r.): Casey James; Doobie Brothers Tom Johnston and John Cowan; Charlie Worsham at 3rd & Lindsley late show. (l. to r.) Lee Blank, Regions Bank; Shane McAnally; Josh Osborne; Brandy Clark; Lisa Harless, Regions Bank; Jim Schmitz, Regions Bank (l. to r.): Larry Gatlin, Eddy Raven and Frank Myers at the Sutler Saloon late show. (l. to r.): Josh Osborne, Kacey Musgraves and Shane McAnally at the 3rd & Lindsley early show. (l. to r.) Scott Stevens, Alex Kline and Kellys Collins, are surprised to receive $100 flight vouchers from Southwest Airlines at the Douglas Corner Cafe early show. (l. to r.): Aaron Eshuis, Johnny Bulford, Chris Gelbuda and Jason Matthews at BB King's Blues Club early show. Credit: Preshias Harris (l. to r.): Lang Scott, Tin Pan South patron Candace Kuykendall, Linda Davis at Douglas Corner Cafe late show. Credit: Krista Darting About NSAI: The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) is the world's largest not-for-profit songwriters trade organization. Established in 1967, the membership of more than 5,000 spans the United States and 10 foreign countries. For more than 40 years, NSAI has been dedicated to protecting the rights of and serving aspiring and professional songwriters in all genres of music. For more information, visit nashvillesongwriters.com. About Regions Financial Corporation: Regions Financial Corporation (NYSE:RF), with $120 billion in assets, is a member of the S&P 500 Index and is one of the nation's largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management, mortgage, and insurance products and services. Regions serves customers in 16 states across the South, Midwest and Texas, and through its subsidiary, Regions Bank, operates approximately 1,650 banking offices and 2,000 ATMs. Additional information about Regions and its full line of products and services can be found at www.regions.com. Organizers of the 23rd Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival would like to thank the following Platinum and Gold sponsors: Regions Bank - Presenting Sponsor ASCAP BMI Ford News Channel 5 - Official Broadcast Sponsor ole SESAC Southwest Airlines - Official Airline Sponsor Vident Financial Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. nashvillesongwriters.com                                              tinpansouth.com

MusicRow Magazine: Bobby Karl Works ‘MusicRow’s’ Rising Women On The Row Breakfast

Bobby Karl • March 24, 2015 • 

 

(L-R): MusicRow‘s Sarah Skates with Rising Women on the Row honorees Kele Currier, Tiffany Dunn, Dawn Gates, Jensen Sussman and Lou Taylor, and MusicRow’s Sherod Robertson

All photos by Bev Moser’s Moments By Moser.

Chapter 485
This year’s edition of MusicRow’s “Rising Women on the Row” breakfast gala raised the bar in every department.
Staged in the classy Omini Hotel ballroom on Tuesday morning (March 24), the event set a new attendance record with more than 310 celebrants on hand. The entertainment, by precocious East Tennessee singer-songwriter Emi Sunshine, was a revelation. The honorees’ speeches were the most uplifting and professional that they’ve ever been. The Omni’s food, sound system, wait staff and overall hospitality were all beyond excellent.

Special guest speaker CMT’s Leslie Fram (L) with Sherod Robertson

“This is our 4th year, and once again we are sold out,” said MusicRow’s Sherod Robertson in greeting the attendees. “So thank you for coming to celebrate. This is an event to honor women in the music industry who kick ass!”
This year’s guest inspirational speaker was CMT executive Leslie Fram. Her Q&A with Sherod was full of pithy observations.
“First of all, you have to believe in yourself,” she told the crowd. “I am positive that this is going to be a great year for women.” Leslie launched the network’s “Next Women of Country” franchise to promote and empower female artists.

Kele Currier accepts her honor from Sarah Skates and Sherod Robertson

One conventional country radio industry bit of “wisdom” is, “Women don’t want to hear other women.”
“None of that is true,” asserted Leslie. “We’re the ones who have to change the conversation,” she added, pointing out how female-driven the pop charts are.
“I think it’s important to give back, to mentor,” she added. “Be impeccable in your words. Explore all your passions. Believe in your intuitions.”

Sarah Skates, Tiffany Dunn and Sherod Robertson

Sherod then presented this year’s five Rising Women honorees. Kele Currier of ASCAP noted that she returned to the work force after being a stay-at-home mom. “Who knew that old dough can rise?” she joked. “I love America. I really appreciate this opportunity.”
Tiffany Dunn of Loeb & Loeb said, “I’m honored to get to work with creative people every day of my life. I definitely believe this is a team sport. This is not a job—this is a lifestyle.”

Dawn Gates accepts her honor.

“It’s an honor to be recognized, especially because there are so many women I work with who are just as deserving as I am,” said UMG’s Dawn Gates.
Honoree Jensen Sussman of Sweet Talk Publicity noted that she is a breast cancer survivor, hence her co-founding of Women Rock for the Cure. “This is such an amazing honor,” she added. “You’re all so amazingly strong and fearless and confident. So I thank all of you.”

Honoree Jensen Sussman

Lou Taylor of Tri-Star Sports & Entertainment began her acceptance speech by asking her entire staff to stand—all three banquet tables’ worth. “I’m the one who’s talking, but they do all the work,” she said. “I am nothing without them.
“I love and respect all of the women I work with. I am most proud of having created a [work] culture where the only ceiling that exists is the one on the second floor.”
All five women received commemorative plaques as well as gifts from Tiffany’s, courtesy of presenting sponsor City National Bank.

Honoree Lou Taylor with Sarah Skates and Sherod Robertson

“I am proud to say I am an early adopter of this new talent, and I want you to be an early adopter, too,” said Sherod as he brought on Emi Sunshine. The singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist is 10 years old, but conducted herself with the poise of a grown-up.
She led an acoustic band on her co-written old-timey waltz about facing death, “Carry Me Home,” then strummed the acoustic gem “Sweet Lilly.” She told Robertson that her influences were Julie Miller, June Carter Cash and Dolly Parton, the last of whom she does resemble as a child star. She concluded her set with the bluesy, rollicking “I Am Who I Am.”

Emi Sunshine

The crowd was clearly stunned and erupted in applause.
Debbie Carroll, LeAnn Phelan, Beverly Keel, Holly Bell, Erika Wollam-Nichols, Shawn Williams, Brandi Simms, Lori Badgett, Martha Moore, Caryl Healy, Lisa Harless, Claire Cook and Diane Pearson were among those in the cheering section.
This female-centric honors event attracts many top male executives as well. Tom Lord, Woody Bomar, Mike Dungan, Kevin Lamb, Neal Spielberg, Todd Cassetty, Clay Bradley, Michael Martin, Dale Bobo and Tim Fink were clapping just as loudly as their distaff counterparts.
“Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to honor you,” said Robertson in bidding the crowd adieu.

MusicRow Magazine: Bobby Karl Works The Tin Pan South Preview Party

Bobby Karl • March 24, 2015 •

Chapter 484

Pictured (L-R): Bart Herbison, NSAI; Lisa Harless, Regions Bank, songwriter Bobby Tomberlin. Photo: Moments By Moser

Perhaps the most underrated party of the year is the one that annually kicks off the Tin Pan South festival.
Those of you who do not attend are missing one of Music Row’s great “hangs.” This soiree has it all. The bar isn’t crowded. The drinks are free. The food is super. The guest list is full of songwriters. What’s not to love?
It also gets points for being a world-class schmoozefest. Because it isn’t overly crowded, Bobby Karl can really work this room.
This year’s Tin Pan South launch party took place in the Regions Bank lobby at the Roundabout on Monday evening (March 23).
Jimbeau Hinson, James Dean Hicks, new pop showcaser Lara Johnston, Rich Fagan, Harry Stinson, Matt Warren, Steve Bogard and country newcomers Brit Willson and Mignon Grabois were among the music makers partaking of all the gratis goodies.

Pictured (L-R): Danielle Peck; songwriters Greg Friia and Joie Scott. Photos: Moments By Moser

Larry Weiss reports that he is working on a “Rhinestone Cowboy” musical. Nashville Opera CEO John Hoomes was thrilled to be mingling with hit writers. Veteran hunk Bernie Nelson is en route to Ireland, where his Blue CD is getting mucho airplay. “Wait until they find out I don’t have a 32-inch waist,” he quipped.
Marc-Alan Barnette is performing with Jimbeau Hinson, Paul Jefferson and Lisa Brokop billed as “a trip down memory lane.” “It’s rough when you’re now the veteran,” he moaned.
“I hate it when they start calling you ‘Mister,’” I commiserated.
Ole honchos John Ozier and Randall Foster were celebrating their publishing company’s ongoing expansion. Dave Pacula was eager for the conventioneers to see and hear his Black River artist Kelsea Ballerini.
John Briggs, Wayne Halper, Tammy Ragusa, Scott Johnson, Kira Florita Hilley, Craig Campbell, Doak Turner, Sherrill Blackmon, Writer’s Den Music’s Bobby Rymer, Chuck Whiting, Jerry Crutchfield, Preshus Tomes, Hank Adam Locklin, Randy Perkins, Kate Richardson, Blake Chancey, D. Brett Holladay, Brad Peterson, Roger Nichols, Vernell Hackett and Butch Baker were working the room like the pros they are.

Pictured (L-R): Erika Wollam Nichols, NSAI; Steve Bogard; Beverly Bogard; Karen Turley, NSAI Liverpool exchange writer. Photos: Moments By Moser

“I just want to be known as a ‘fabulon,’” said Chris Keaton. “That’s my life’s ambition.” Consider it done.
The cocktail supper was catered by Maggiano’s Little Italy, and you can’t quibble with that. Chicken pesto sliders, cucumber slices with herb cheese, tomato caprese skewers, pulled pork sliders, miniature meatballs (“miniature” being relative, since this was plus-portioned Maggiano’s), veggie slices and artesan cheeses were on hand, as was a dessert station of cookies, gelato and other delights.
Host Lisa Harless glided through, catching admiring glances with her mix of silver-and-turquoise jewelry and snug designer jeans. The NSAI’s Bart Herbison, Erika Wollam-Nichols and Jennifer Turnbow greeted one and all.

Pictured (L-R): Tin Pan South sponsor Peter Nesbitt of Matchless Transportation on a Regions cruiser bike. Photos: Moments By Moser

They are justfiably proud of their week of stunning songwriter events. Not only is this party a bona fide bonanza, the whole Tin Pan South fest is. The clubs participating are B.B. King’s, the Blue Bar, the Bluebird Café, the Commodore Grill, Douglas Corner, the Hard Rock, the Listening Room, the Station Inn, the Sutler and 3rd & Lindsley. Among the more than 350 (!) folks you can catch in these 10 Music City clubs on Tuesday through Saturday are Gordon Kennedy, Chuck Wicks, Jeff Stevens, Karen Staley, Michael Martin Murphey, Alan Rhody, Kim Williams, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Kye Fleming, John Oates, Victoria Shaw, Lori McKenna, Hugh Prestwood, Even Stevens, Gary Burr, Georgia Middleman, Don Henry, Gabe Dixon, Benita Hill, Colin Linden, Mark D. Sanders, Rob Crosby and Allen Shamblin.
Plus Gary Morris, Linda Davis, Lang Scott, Rebeca Lynn Howard, Will Hoge, Angaleena Presley, Lance Miller, RaeLynn, Josh Leo, Stephanie Bentley, James Otto, Tony Lane, Jessi Alexander, Barry Dean, Paul Overstreet, Ray Scott, Jeannie Seely, Leslie Satcher, John Scott Sherrill, Ella Mae Bowen, Lee Roy Parnell, Mac Davis, Larry Gatlin, Billy Montana, Kevin Kadish, Roger Cook, Brandy Clark, Charlie Worsham, Bill Anderson and Shane McAnally.
Be there or be square.

Focus On The 615: Nicki D. Checking Out The Grand Opening Of Harrah’s Metropolis

By intern on February 1, 2015 in In The News

 

Photo credit: Bev Moser/Moments by Moser

Nicki D. had a chance to check out the all-new Harrah’s Metropolis, the closest casino to Nashville, as she celebrated the grand opening in November with award-winning country group, Lonestar.

Re-live the grand opening weekend and watch her interview below with Lonestar: