REVIEW: Hank Williams Jr. Rowdy Tour Nashville

Hank Williams Jr. does not disappoint anyone when he says he is bringing his rowdy friends and hosting a shin-dig! Hank, Jamey Johnson, Eric Church and the Grascals all entertained the more-than-ready-crowd with beer glass raising and boot kickin’ bluegrass and country-rock performances on Friday night (Apr. 23) at Nashville's downtown Bridgestone Arena

The Grascals did double duty, as they first enlightened fans outside while waiting in line to get into the arena with songs off their recent CD including “Last Train To Clarksville” and a Hank Jr. medley. Inside, their set list included a performance of a rousing rendition of 'Orange Blossom Special' and Merle Haggard's 'Today I Started Loving You Again.'

Eric Church, known for his “rile up the crowd” antics and country-rock took to the stage and included his songs 'Lotta Boot Left to Fill,' 'Guys Like Me,' 'Smoke a Little Smoke' and 'I Love Your Love The Most’ in his set.

Following Church, was Jamey Johnson who let down no one. His edgy demeanor and powerful lyrics had the crowd begging for more as he sang 'High Cost of Living,' 'You Can't Cash My Checks,' 'Even the Skies Are Blue' and 'Actin' Like I'm Playin' the Part.' He covered Waylon Jennings' 'Mental Revenge' and Vern Gosdin's 'Set 'Em Up, Joe,' and finished out the evening with his mega hit 'In Color' and the George Strait tune he co-wrote, 'Give It Away.'

When Hank Jr.' stepped on stage, the crowd went insane from the first sound of 'Rockin' Randall' all the way to the end of the show; which he closed with 'Family Tradition. He picked up the fiddle for his version of 'Kaw-liga' and sat behind the piano while he reminisced about what it was like to be the son of Hank and Audrey Williams. "My childhood was not normal," he said, in what might have been the understatement of the evening. "When I was a little bitty boy all these cats would come over to my daddy's place ... and my mom would say, 'You got to help me do something with this boy, all he wants to play is boogie-woogie.' So there was this one cat who told her, 'If he wants to boogie-woogie, why don't you let me teach him how to really boogie woogie?'"
There was also a moment during the set in which Hank was alone on stage with an acoustic guitar and sang along with the audience on such songs as 'Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound,' 'A Country Boy Can Survive' and a few Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash songs, 'Lonesome, On'ry and Mean' and 'I Walk the Line,' 'Feelin' Better,' 'Dinosaur,' 'There's a Tear in My Beer' and 'All My Rowdy Friends Have Settled Down.’

"You know, I've got some of the best fans in the world," he told the audience at one point. "I only do about 20 dates a year, and I can take a year off and when I come back, they're right there with me. I think you're the most loyal fans in the world."

Eric Church, Jamey Johnson and the Grascals all came back onstage as Hank sang 'Family Tradition,' giving each of them a line in his 'if you don't like so-and-so, you can kiss my ass' part of the song.

For more photos of this event please visit http://www.momentsbymoser.zenfolio.com/

Photos: Moments By Moser by Mark Vikingstad

REVIEW: James Otto Playin' For A Promise

The 1st Annual Playin' For A Promise concert took place on Tuesday, April 27th featuring James Otto and other special guests at Loser's Bar and Grill in support of The Playin' for a Promise Fund. Loser's house band "Hotel Coral Essex Band" opened the show with original songs and many cover tunes. They brought on stage Deryl Dodd to perform "That's How I Got To Memphis".

Brinley Addington did a very country set and dedicated their last song to Hunter Tucker; stating it was his favorite song titled "Watchin' You"

The line up also included special guest performers including members of Lynryd Skynyrd, Aaron Lewis from Staind who is in Nashville recording for his new album he had heard about the benefit and asked if he could be a part of it. Aaron sang his new song "A Country Boy is All I'll Ever Be" and also sang "It's Been Awhile". Also performing was Josh Hoge as well as Brasher Boque Project who sang "I Might Be Lonely" and "Outlaw".

James Otto got the crowd going with several upbeat songs including "Shake What God Gave You" and the Bob Seger hit song "Night Moves". He also did "No Gettin' Over Me" as well as his own big hit songs.

Many members of the Predators hockey team were on hand and showing support of the cause as were country artists Jake Owen and David Nail and hit songwriter Wynn Varble.

This special fundraising concert was a benefit for Hunter Drake Tucker; a 7 year old boy fighting a battle against Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia; and to honor the life of a local legend, Forrest Bernadsky, who passed away suddenly from a massive heart attack.

With the creation of the First Annual Playin' for a Promise concert, this year served as the springboard for the Playin' for a Promise Fund. A group of community minded individuals became aware of the struggles of the Tucker family as their young son has been aggressively undergoing chemotherapy to eradicate the rare blood cancer. Young Hunter Drake Tucker has a wish to go to Disney World and to be transported to the most magical place on earth for the chance to step away from his daily battle with this disease. This child's simple wish has become the driving force behind a new fund that will benefit those in need from the Middle Tennessee area.

The 1st Annual Playin' For A Promise Concert was sponsored in part by: Roberts Brothers Coaches of Springeld, TN, Harbor Entertainment of Nashville, TN, and Brantley Sound Associates.

The Playin' for a Promise Fund is volunteer driven with a mission to help the community, provide care and support both emotionally and financially to those in need across the Middle Tennessee area. The signature event, Playin' for a Promise, was created specially for Middle Tennessee with the idea to give assistance to disadvantaged individuals in the community. While most foundations tie themselves to a single event or disease, The Playin' for a Promise Fund will be supporting the community with the proceeds being distributed on a local level.

For more photos of this event visit http://www.momentsbymoser.zenfolio.com/.

NOTE: Photos Moments By Moser by Pam Stadel

ARTICLE: T.J. Martell Best Cellars Dinner

photo: Luke Bryan and his wife Caroline, Whitney Duncan, Danny Gokey and Sarah Buxton

The 11th Annual Best Cellars Dinner was held at the Hutton Hotel in Nashville on Monday April 26th.

Celebrity guests included Sara Buxton, Mike Diamond(Beastie Boys), Danny Gokey, Jewel, Big Kenny, Martina McBride, Whitney Duncan, Blake Shelton, Kellie Pickler, Phil Vassar, Luke Bryan and Big Kenny.

The event is presented by Eco-Energy Inc. and benefits the T.J. Martell Foundation’s Frances W. Preston Labs at Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center.

The Best Cellars Dinner is one of the Foundation’s signature events that is known for pairing Best Sellers (country music’s top selling artists and other celebrities) with Best Cellars (Nashville’s top wine collectors) plus an extraordinary gourmet meal prepared by a guest chef. The event has raised more than $1.5 million for the mission of funding ground-breaking cancer research.

The Nashville Best Cellars Wine Hosts play a special role in the dinner by
providing premier wine from their personal wine cellars to share at their tables.

The T.J. Martell Foundation is proud to honor our 2010 Best Cellars Wine Hosts:
• Joe Bastianich
• Larry and Jamie Beckwith
• Tom Black
• Jim Clendenen
• Bruce Fingeret
• Billy Ray and Nancy Hearn
• T.k. Kimbrell
• Irv Lingo
• Eliza Kraft Olander
• Keith and Deby Pitts
• Bill Shea
• Dave Sokolin

Some of the wines poured included a 66 Haut Brion, 82 Pichon Lalande, an 89 Margaux, an 82 Mouton, a 95 d’Yquem and a 97 Montrachet and many more of the greatest world class wines.

The menu was prepared by honored guest Josiah Citrin Chef and Owner of Melisse Restaurant in Santa Monica CA.

For exclusive photos of the T.J. Martell Best Cellars Dinner visit www.momentsbymoser.zenfolio.com

REVIEW: Stars celebrate in honor of Roy Orbison's 74th birthday

Roy Orbison was an American singer-songwriter and musician, well known for his distinctive, powerful voice, complex compositions, and dark emotional ballads. Friday April 23rd would have been Roy Orbison’s 74th birthday, but it did not go unnoticed. Nashville music industry artists, executives, friends, family and fellow band members turned out for a night of tribute songs and remembering the amazing talents and achievements of the late Orbison; whose career spanned over five decades. Proceeds from the event benefited Musicians On Call. Orbison passed away December 6, 1988 of a heart attack.

Hosted and emceed by his wife, Barbara, the night was filled with beautiful memories and stories of Roy’s life as well as amazing renditions of some of his hit songs.

Mallary Hope opened show with two songs, with the second being an astounding rendition of "Cryin'". She told the crowd that Roy's songs were some of the first songs she ever heard and they are what inspired her to pursue the music career.

The legendary guitarist and Country Music Hall of Fame member Harold Bradley took the stage holding a guitar that was near and dear to his heart as it was the same guitar he played when recording with Roy. He brought it out just for the occasion

The evening did not lack in star power nor talent as Rodney Crowell took the stage to do a couple numbers. Also adding to the festivities were Sweethearts of the Rodeo and Edens Edge; who knocked out a fan favorite and had the crowd cheering with their version of Blue Bayou. Bill Drees did not miss the opportunity to add a little flair of his own to a very special and unique version of Happy Birthday.

Another big name in the music industry who was on hand to celebrate was Cowboy Jack Clement, a long time and well known musician, producer and record label owner. Newcomer, Eric Paslay, a recording artist with EMI performed a breathtaking version of "Anything You Want" and hit singer / songwriter Jeffrey Steele rocked the house with an unbelievable rendition of the hit song “Pretty Woman”.

Family members on hand besides Barbara included Alex Orbison, Roy Jr. and Wesley. Also contributing to the celebration was close family friend and artist Chris Rodriguez, who accompanied several of the artist during their performances. Big Machine Records, Scott Borchetta and his wife Sandy also joined the festivities.

A birthday party is not complete unless there is a birthday cake and this party had a very special one made depicting a replica of one of Roy's guitars, which was enjoyed by everyone who came out to celebrate one of the music industry’s greatest.

Orbison was initiated into the second class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 by longtime admirer Bruce Springsteen. The same year he was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Rolling Stone listed Orbison as No. 37 in their list of The Greatest Artists of All Time. In 2002, Billboard magazine listed Orbison at No. 74 in the Top 600 recording artists.[4]Rolling Stone rated Orbison at No. 13 in their list of The 100 Greatest Singers of All Time in 2008.[

For more exclusive photos of this event please visit www.digitalrodeo.com/drphotos/photos/album/InHonorofandCelebrationofRoyOrbisons74thBirthdayattheHardRockCafe .

INTERVIEW: Jamie Tate "I'll Give My All"

Jamie Tate is not taking any conventional path’s in her life. She is doing double duty as a law student, a new wife and a country music singer and songwriter. She recently recorded her song “I’ll Give My All” with the 82nd Airborne All American Chorus at Black River Studios in Nashville. In her own words it was”Amazing to see the professionalism and honor in the faces of these amazing heros!”
I was along with her in the studio during the recording and we took a few moments to chat about the experience and her expectations.

Bev: Good morning Jamie, thank you so much for inviting me to join you this morning for this memorable time in your career. Lets start with talking about the excitement of recording with all the men and women from the 82nd Airborne and how this came to be.
Jamie: This song is called “I’ll Give My All” and we are recording it with the 82nd Airborne All American Chorus this morning. When we first wrote this song, we thought it would be amazing to put a chorus on it and we would really be able to reach the listeners if we could put a military chorus on it. In short, we contacted the 82nd Airborne, they loved the song and, we got approval within two weeks to do the song with the 82nd Airborne military chorus. The song gives a past, present and future glimpse into the life of someone that serves in the military..
Bev: Who wrote this song with you?
Jamie: Myself, Bob Crumley, Elaine Caudill and Blake Neevus and Renee Griffith out of North Carolina. Renee is the one that came up with the idea.
Bev: I know many times when you have a project of this magnitude, you try and incorporate other events and activities around it to help get the music heard. What promotions are you working on?
Jamie: The song is part of a promotion where we want to deliver one million free downloads to the military men and women of our country. Right now, the game plan is to find sponsors who will pay for the downloads. It can be individuals, corporations or businesses that will sponsor a certain number of songs and then they will be distributed to military men and women through download cards. The recipients can then go online and download it. The goal is to get a million free downloads to the military.
Bev: Is there a game plan in place already as to how they will be delivered? Will it be through another organization that is established in delivering packages?
Jamie: I am not quite sure how they are going to give them out. I know they are talking to several companies about distribution. Also, all of the band members and people in my organization are going to be carrying cards with us to hand deliver them during concerts and shows.
Bev: Will there be an opportunity for people to purchase the song individually or maybe ten dollars worth?
Jamie: Yes. It can be anyone, an individual that wants to support our men and women and wants to purchase these to give to others to say thank you. It’s a great way to say thank you. They can purchase one, five, ten or whatever they feel in their heart they want to give.
Bev: Do you have a personal drive or special meaning to your involvement with this?
Jamie: When I first heard this song, it really pulled at my heart strings and I thought that this song could be a great way to say thank you. Honestly, I don’t think there are enough words to say thank you to our military people who have fought and even given their lives for the freedom of this country and the freedom of other countries around the world. My emotions continue to grow closer to my heart as I work with this song. The more I listen to it, the more I sing it, the more it grows. We want people to know that this is a way that they can say thank you as well.
Bev: What has been the reaction from those that have heard it so far?
Jamie: People react differently. Some people feel very proud and it makes them want to go do something and help and they want to say thank you. But it can be a way to step back and get emotional. The song takes a look at a little girl’s past; of her Father going off to war, the present with her going off to war and the future with her children going off to war. If that doesn’t give you chill bumps, I don’t know what will. It is not just about the military family, it is knowing that each generation does what it has to do to protect this nation and to protect people around the world. The song is definitely getting different reactions from different people.
Bev: After hearing the chorus do the background vocals, what thoughts are going through your head as it is coming to fruition?
Jamie: It is a little surreal in my mind. I think it is so awesome. I was so excited to hear their stories, what they do and, what their thoughts are. I heard their stories of serving in Iraq and what some of their families go through. I have friends and family in the military but to hear emotional stories where I am not so biased is so emotional.
Bev: Do you plan to do a USO tour?
Jamie: I think we are looking into that with the 82nd Airborne. I think that’s definitely a possibility in the near future.
Bev: As far as your whole career, what has been your biggest surprise?
Jamie: I would have to say the 82nd Airborne chorus is the biggest. I have only been in Nashville and recording for about a year. To have something this big going on so soon in my musical career is definitely exciting. I am so grateful and thankful for them to be a part of this.
For more information on Jamie Tate visit http://www.jamietatemusic.com/ and for additional photos of Jamie during the recording session with the 82nd Airborne visit http://www.digitalrodeo.com/drphotos/photos/album/JamieTateinthestudiorecordinghernewsongIllGiveMyAllwiththe82ndAirborneAllAmericanChorus
Transcribed by Pam Stadel