Monday, June 30, 2014

'Reaching Your Dream' Artist Career/Publicity Workshop to Occur in Nashville on July 26


            NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 2014) -- Artists of all kinds can receive invaluable insights on the professional steps needed to achieve success by attending the "Reaching Your Dream" workshop from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. July 26 (Saturday) at the Center for Spiritual Living Nashville, 6705 Charlotte Pike in West Nashville.

            The career and publicity training workshop will be led by country/blues/pop artist Amy Allen and award-winning publicist/educator/composer/author Chuck Whiting. Attendees will learn how to write and distribute press releases; develop a one-of-a-kind hook; believe in their talents; plan creative events; develop stage presence; form a team of experts; develop, manufacture, market and sell original products; obtain copyrights; and build Internet exposure.

Amy Allen
            Allen and Whiting will lead artists through the career-building and publicity process step by step with hands-on instructions, examples and feedback. Artist Q&A spotlights (case studies) will feature insights from Nashville filmmaker/visual artist Robyn Morshead, singer/songwriter/musician Sean O'Shea, and author/speaker/edu-tainer/edu-preneur Debbie Watts.

            Attendees will participate in an artist vision-sharing event called "Arts on the Row" from 7-9 p.m. Saturday. The first 15 professionals to sign up for the workshop will enjoy a complimentary tour and demonstrations at a local media operation on July 25 (Friday). They also will have the opportunity to receive complimentary writing and editing critiques during a brainstorming lunch on July 27 (Sunday).

            Tuition for the "Reaching Your Dream" workshop is $95 (registration by July 20) and $120 (registration after July 20). Participation in the "Arts on the Row" artist vision-sharing event, media tour, and critiques/Q&A sessions are included with registration. Meals are not included. Discounts are available for couples, company-sponsored groups, and non-profit organizations. Artist scholarships are available.

            For more information or to register for the "Reaching Your Dream" workshop, call (615) 423-9857 or (888) 80-SHINE, send an email inquiry to Arts@WhitingPublicity.com, or visit www.ReachingYourDream.net.

            "I hear many fellow artists say how overwhelmed they are with the multi-tasking involved in the career-building process," said Allen, who has collaborated with Whiting on product development, performances and publicity for her "Someday Is Today" CD project. "Overcoming self-doubt to believe in yourself can be a huge struggle. And many artists don't realize how important it is to establish a professional self-image. It's very important to develop a one-of-a-kind persona, top-notch marketing tools, and a great team. We also need to protect our intellectual property rights in a fast-changing digital world. Achieving success is a combination of heart and business."

            Allen recently landed two Top-15 country hits from her latest album, “Someday Is Today”. Amy has performed at venues ranging from the White House to the Ryman Auditorium, opening for stars such as John Conlee, Patty Loveless, and Brooks & Dunn. She has overcome a major health-related challenge to become successful in the arts. Learn more about Amy Allen at www.TheAmyAllen.com.

            A former newspaper reporter, Whiting founded Whiting Publicity and Promotions in Music City in 1993 to provide exposure for artists and the organizations that support them. He is the author/co-writer of the book/song “The Littlest Star”, editor of Music City Arts Update, and host of the songwriters show “Tunesmithing”. He teaches communication courses at Middle Tennessee State University and Motlow State Community College. Learn more about Chuck Whiting at www.WhitingPublicity.com.

Chuck Whiting
            "Our goal will be for each musician, author, actor or visual artist to have a career-changing hook, game plan, or press release in hand by the end of the weekend," said Whiting, who is completing a new CD of instrumentals and vocal tunes for release in 2014. "We will be available to provide feedback during a follow-up brainstorming lunch on Sunday."

            For more information about the "Reaching Your Dream" workshop, visit www.ReachingYourDream.net.

###

Sunday, June 29, 2014

'Tunesmithing' to Return on July 16 at Aloft Nashville Hotel on West End

     NASHVILLE - The monthly "Tunesmithing" songwriters showcase will spotlight seven professional songwriters from 7-9:30 p.m. July 16 (Wednesday) at its new home, WXYZ Restaurant/Bar at the Aloft Nashville Hotel, 1719 West End Ave. (near Music Row).

     Taking the stage for the "Professional Songwriters Segment" at 7 p.m. will be AJ Bigler (Producer/Se Live' Music), Gordon Ellis ("Memory Machine"/international airplay), Lisa Hannah & Paul Nielsen (Lisa: "Brand New Sun" CD; Paul: song cut by Little River Band), Sean & Laurie O'Shea (Laurie: former Disney World cast member; Sean: interviewed on ABC's "Good Morning America"), and Debbie Pascarella ("Wish I Was Kissing My H.S. Boyfriend"/VH1 Song of the Year Contest Winner in the country category).
Sean and Laurie O'Shea

     Admission is free. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Publicists Chuck Whiting and Scott Johnson will emcee the show. Songwriter/audio engineer AJ Bigler will handle sound. "Tunesmithing" is sponsored by Whiting Publicity & Promotions, Music City Arts Update, and Shine Time Records and Books.

     "Tunesmithing" was founded in 2003 to spotlight emerging, professional and hit songwriters. The event offers mentoring, career growth and networking opportunities for tunesmiths at all levels. Future shows include a spotlight on film and TV music (Aug. 20) and a special Americana "Tunesmithing" to celebrate the Americana Music Festival (Sept. 16).

     For more information about "Tunesmithing", call (615) 423-9857, write Info@Tunesmithing.com, or visit http://www.Tunesmithing.com.

Monday, June 23, 2014

Americana Music Festival Adds Riverfront Show Starring The Avett Brothers


            NASHVILLE - The Americana Music Association is expanding its Americana Music Festival & Conference Showcase in its 15th year by announcing its most ambitious and eclectic lineup to date.
           
            Anchored by its 13th annual Honors & Awards show on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at Nashville's historic Ryman Auditorium, the Association is also adding three-time Americana Group of the Year winners, The Avett Brothers, to a headlining slot at Riverfront Park on Saturday, Sept. 20. Admission to the Riverfront show will be included in Americana Festival & Conference registrations for the Sept. 17-21 event.

            Individual tickets for The Avett Brothers Riverfront show will go on sale to the general public for $52.50 on Friday, June 27 at 10 a.m. via www.ticketfly.com. The Avett Brothers Fan Club members will have a special pre-sale opportunity starting on Tuesday, June 24. All new fan club members must sign up at www.theavettbrothers.com before Monday, June 23 in order to be eligible.

            Throughout the festival and conference - highlighted by Travel + Leisure as a fine-tuned music destination in its June print issue - a total of 160 artists will perform in 11 venues including 3rd & Lindsley, The Basement, City Winery, High Watt, Cannery, Mercy Lounge, The Rutledge, Station Inn, Music City Roots, Downtown Presbyterian Church and Musicians Corner. A partial list of confirmed artists are outlined below.

            The growth of Americana as a genre - curated and cultivated by the Americana Music Association - is evidenced by recent partnerships with cultural epicenter Lincoln Center for "Americana NYC" from Aug. 6-10 and a new GRAMMY category created for the American Roots Field announced in early June: "Best American Roots Performance." This category is the genre's third and the only new category created by the Academy this year.

            The Americana Music Festival & Conference Showcase performing artist partial list includes the following:

Allison Moorer • Amy Ray • Angaleena Presley • The Avett Brothers •  The Barefoot Movement • Ben Miller Band • Billy Joe Shaver • Black Prairie • Brennen Leigh and Noel McKay • Buddy Miller • The Cactus Blossoms • Carlene Carter • Caroline Rose • Chatham County Line • Chuck Mead • Danny & The Champions of the World • The Deadly Gentlemen • Del Barber • The Deslondes • Doug Seegers • The Duhks • The Dustbowl Revival • Emily Barker & the Red Clay Halo • Ethan Johns • The Fairfield Four • The Grahams • Grant-Lee Phillips • Green River Ordinance • Greensky Bluegrass • Gregory Alan Isakov • Greyhounds • The Harpoonist & the Axe Murderer • Hayes Carll • Howlin' Brothers • Immigrant Union • Israel Nash • Jamestown Revival • Jason Eady • J.D. Wilkes & the Dirt Daubers • Joe Henry • Joe Pug • Joe Purdy • John Moreland • Jonah Tolchin • Jonny Two Bags • Josh Ritter • Joshua James • Lake Street Dive • Lee Ann Womack • Leo "Bud" Welch • Lera Lynn • Marah Presents: Mountain Minstrelsy • Marty Stuart • Matthew Ryan • McCrary Sisters • Nathaniel Rateliff • New Country Rehab • Oh Susanna • Otis Gibbs • Parker Millsap • Paul Thorn • Pete Molinari • Quebe Sisters Band • Rhett Miller • Robbie Fulks • Robyn Hitchcock • Rodney Crowell • Ruthie Foster • Ryan Montbleau • Sam Outlaw • Sarah Jarosz • Sean Rowe • Shakey Graves • Suzy Bogguss • Todd Snider & Friends • Tom Freund • Tony Joe White • Trigger Hippy (featuring Jackie Greene, Joan Osborne, Steve Gorman, Tom Bukovac & Nick Govrik) • Whiskey Shivers • Willie Watson

            For more details about the Americana Music Fest or to register, visit http://www.AmericanaMusic.org.

Friday, June 13, 2014

Schedule Announced for Score-Com, Film-Com and Filmolution in Nashville


2014 FILM-COM * FILMOLUTION SCHEDULE:
ARE YOU WANTING TO TAKE NEXT SERIOUS STEPS?  If you are serious about taking next steps into feature film, television, documentary or video-gaming projects...
NO ZOO. JUST BUSINESS.  Dozens of deal-making, in-the-trenches industry executives are converging in Nashville specifically to do business in Tennessee.

IT'S TIME! 
FOR EVERYONE IN THE BUSINESS...  And if you are a writer, actor, director, composer, songwriter, production pro, or a filmmaker who may not have a project quite ready to present, you need to get tix and passes ASAP to meet industry execs, financiers, talent reps and potential co-production partners before rates go way up:  http://film-com.com/2014-events/




SCHEDULE FOR THE FIFTH YEAR OF 
FILM-COM AND FILMOLUTION PARTNER EVENTS 
JUNE 13-22, 2014

FRIDAY, JUNE 13
SCORE-COM  
WELCOME DINNER 
7 p.m.
For SCORE-COM participants.
Go to www.NashvilleComposers.org or www.FILMOLUTION.com to register for SCORE-COM and location.

SATURDAY, JUNE 14
FILM-COM * FILMOLUTION KICK-OFF GATHERING
7:30-9:30 p.m.
Kick-Off party for registrants of SCORE-COM, SCRIPT-COM, Women in Film & Television Academy, Faith in Film Conference and FILM-COM.

SATURDAY, JUNE 14 
SUNDAY, JUNE 15
SCORE-COM
@ Ocean Way Studios
2-day symposium on the art and business of composing for film & television.
Produced by the Nashville Composers Association in partnership with FILM-COM
Go to www.NashvilleComposers.org or www.FILMOLUTION.org for info and tickets

MONDAY, JUNE 16 
FAITH IN FILM CONFERENCE - RECEPTION & SCREENING
@ Lipscomb University
6 - 9 p.m.
Opening Reception hosted by Media Fellowship International
Special advance screening of new Sony Affirm film, "The Remaining"
Check www.FaithInFilmConference.org for directions

TUESDAY, JUNE 17 
FAITH IN FILM CONFERENCE PANEL DISCUSSIONS
@ Lipscomb University
9 - 10 a.m. - Coffee Gathering
10 a.m. - Panel: Making of "The Secret Handshake"
11:30 a.m. to 12:25 p.m. - Networking Lunch
12:30 - 1:55 p.m. - Panel: God's Not Dead: From Conception to Distribution
2: - 3:25 p.m. - Panel: From Trailers to Tickets: The New Ingredients for Successful Christian Film Marketing
3:30 - 5:00 p.m. - Panel: Faith-Based Films - Preach to the Choir or Invite New Members to the Choir

For updating details, check www.FaithInFilmConference.org 
THE FAITH IN FILM CONFERENCE IS FREE TO THE PUBLIC - DONATIONS ACCEPTED & APPRECIATED

FILM-COM
TUESDAY, JUNE 17
FILM-COM BUSINESS MARKET REGISTRATION
3 - 6 p.m. - Laminates pick-up
@ Hilton Nashville Downtown - Film-Com Section Main Lobby

FILM-COM VIP RECEPTION
7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
For incoming feature film, television, documentary, video-gaming and transmedia executives, and filmmakers who have registered projects at FILM-COM
To participate, register projects and booths by May 28 -- info@film-com.com

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18
NETWORKING BREAKFAST WITH INDUSTRY EXECS
@ Hilton Nashville Downtown
8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
FILM-COM picks up breakfast for the execs; you pick up your own to network.

PACKAGING, FINANCING & DISTRIBUTION SUMMIT
@ Ford Theatre, Country Music Hall of Fame
10 a.m. - Panel: How to Launch an Unscripted Television Series
11 a.m. - Panel: How to Launch a Scripted Television Series
Noon - Panel: Documentaries - Financing & Distribution
1 p.m. - Lunch
2 p.m. - Feature Film Financing
3 p.m. - Funding Lower Budget Genre Pix
4-5 p.m. - Video-Gaming and New Frontiers
ENTRY INCLUDED WITH FILM-COM ALL-ACCESS PASS - TICKETS AT: 

7 - 10 p.m.
THE REALITIES OF THE BUSINESS
@ Whiskey Bent on Broadway
Special Panel: The [Often Brutal] Realities of the Motion Picture Business
Including: The DOs & DON'Ts of Pitching a Project
ENTRY INCLUDED WITH FILM-COM ALL-ACCESS PASS - TICKETS AT:  http://film-com.com/2014-events/

THURSDAY, JUNE 19
NETWORKING BREAKFAST WITH INDUSTRY EXECS
@ Hilton Nashville Downtown
8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
FILM-COM picks up breakfast for the execs; you pick up your own to network.

NEW PROJECT EXPO - DAY 1
@ Titans Stadium - West Side, Parking Lot S
10 a.m - 5 p.m.
Trade show exhibiting new feature film, television, documentary and video-gaming projects.Music for film & television showcases.
NEW PROJECT PITCH SESSIONS RUNNING EVERY 10 MINUTES
ENTRY INCLUDED WITH FILM-COM ALL-ACCESS PASS - TICKETS AT:  http://film-com.com/2014-events/

ANNUAL FILM / TELEVISION INDUSTRY GALA
@ Governor's Mansion, Conservation Hall
7:30- 10 p.m.
*Mayor Karl Dean, Keynote Speaker
*Amy Grant, Honorary Chair
*Mrs. George Jones, Honorary Guest
*Mr. Rod McGaha, Special Music Artist
ENTRY INCLUDED WITH FILM-COM ALL-ACCESS PASS - TICKETS AT:  http://film-com.com/2014-events/

FRIDAY, JUNE 20
NETWORKING BREAKFAST WITH INDUSTRY EXECS
@ Hilton Nashville Downtown
8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
FILM-COM picks up breakfast for the execs; you pick up your own to network.

NEW PROJECT EXPO - Day 2
@ Titans Stadium - West Side, Parking Lot S
Trade show exhibiting new feature film, television, documentary and video-gaming projects.
Music for film & television showcases.
NEW PROJECT PITCH SESSIONS RUNNING EVERY 1O MINUTES
ENTRY INCLUDED WITH FILM-COM ALL-ACCESS PASS - TICKETS AT:  http://film-com.com/2014-events/

NASHVILLE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA - "SINGIN' IN THE RAIN"
@ Schermerhorn Symphony Center
7 - 9 p.m.
A big screen on stage at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center will show the classic film "Singin' in the Rain" as the Nashville Symphony Orchestra plays the movie's score, LIVE.
FILM-COM industry executives will be attending.
Tickets sold separately at FILM-COM BLOCK RATE
Contact:
Sarah Rose Peacock
Group Sales Specialist - Nashville Symphony
P (615) 687-6422

SATURDAY, JUNE 21
SCRIPT-COM
Panels for film and television screenwriters with numerous industry executives and producers.
Produced by the Tennessee Screenwriting Association in partnership with FILM-COM
Go to www.TennScreen.com or www.FILMOLUTION.org for info and tickets

SATURDAY, JUNE 21 
SUNDAY, JUNE 22
WOMEN IN FILM & TELEVISION ACADEMY
"More Than Just Lipstick & Heels" 
Production Workshop - from A to Z.
Produced by Women in Film & Television Nashville in partnership with FILM-COM
Go to www.WIFTNashville.org or www.FILMOLUTION.ORG for info and tickets.

The many volunteers of FILM-COM, SCORE-COM, SCRIPT-COM, WOMEN IN FILM & TELEVISION, and FAITH IN FILM CONFERENCE have been working very hard to create opportunities for filmmakers, writers, actors, composers, songwriters, directors, producers, production personnel, and related industries. Please take advantage the business platforms that have been created to build bridges for the creative and business communities of our industry.



Author to Audition Children for 'Positive Penni' CD on June 21


            NASHVILLE -- Children ages 4-15 can audition for the opportunity to sing on a new CD for a book written by author Miranda Sullivan and illustrated by artist Erica Swenson.

            The motivational children's book "The Adventures of Positive Penni" will feature several original songs on an accompanying CD. Auditions for the recording will occur from 3-5 p.m. June 21 (Saturday) at Parlor Studios, 1317 16th Ave. S.

            "We will take as many kids as we can audition," Sullivan said. "We are looking for kids who can carry a tune, but they don't have to have a lot of experience."

            The auditions are free. Parents will be asked to sign a release form for video recordings of the performances. Finalists will be announced in the coming weeks with recording sessions set for 2015. For more information, visit www.PositivePenni.com, call (615) 975-4321, or send an e-mail inquiry to PositivePenniMovement@gmail.com.

            "The Adventures of Positive Penni" book and CD were inspired by a little girl Sullivan nannied several years ago. The first book in the series, "Trust What You Know", will feature positive songs to help children feel good about themselves. The affirmations are aimed at boosting self-esteem and promoting good choices.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

What We Liked (Or Didn't) at the 2014 CMA Music Festival


By Chuck Whiting
MCAU Editor

Wil Comstock
MCAU Writer


            This year's CMA Music Festival rocked, sweated, partied and soaked more than 60,000 music lovers young and old (well... mostly young). We tromped just about every nook and cranny of downtown Nashville to soak in the excitement and atmosphere, with achy legs and feet to prove it. Like last year, the CMF treated fans to performances and "selfies" by some of the most successful country acts in the business... but there were a few amazing (and sometimes even hilarious) moments. For the most part, a good time was had by all.

Luke Bryan wows the crowd in LP Field

            Following is a list of some of the things we liked (or didn't).

            * The smiling blonde bombshell mermaid at the Chicken of the Sea booth.
Smiling Mermaid

            *  Rascal Flatts joining band members on an a cappella performance of the song "Happy". (Amazing!)

            * WSM's traditional country spotlight that included a moving performance by Jeannie Seely.

            * Dustin Lynch's "no-show" at the Big Machine presentation at the CMA Close Up Stage (because of bad weather). (They replaced his segment with a wheel-turning trivia quiz game.)

            * Parmalee singing "Carolina" at the Chevrolet Riverfront stage. (Good job guys!)

            * The free samples of Sauvignon Blanc at the Cupcake Winery truck. (We got back in line as often as possible.)

            * The American flag-faced man standing in line at one of the celebrity signing stations. (His face was painted red, white and blue with the stars and stripes).

Jeannie Seely
            * Slipping into the Schermerhorn Symphony Center's shaded courtyard to escape the crowds. (For some reason, hundreds of other festival-goers passed by without noticing the gate was open.)

            * Watching a father hand his daughter two twenty-dollar bills so she could buy a Dan + Shay t-shirt. (It was great to see family members enjoying the festival together.)

            * Free Blue Bell ice cream... and more free Blue Bell ice cream... and even more free Blue Bell ice cream... (We weren't counting calories.)

Dan + Shay perform at the Riverfront stage

            * Sitting in the rocking chairs overlooking downtown in the Music City Center lobby. (A nice reminder of the late George Jones.)

            * Free Mountain Dew and Crystal Light drink mix (lifesavers on the hot, muggy days).

            * Attending a fascinating Q&A with Big and Rich at the Close Up Stage. (We learned about Big Kenny's mission to help the hungry and John's philanthropic efforts to help St. Jude Children's Hospital... and the Redneck Riviera project).
Big and Rich with David Ross

            * Rolling the wheel for edible prizes (free jelly beans) at the Jelly Belly Candies booth.

            * Looking at the perplexed reactions of guys waiting in line in the men's room after a man dropped his pants to his ankles (buttocks exposed) at a urinal. (The line came to a screeching halt, causing a pedestrian traffic jam.)

            * Hunter Hayes' energy and talent as a songwriter, producer, "damn good" guitarist, keyboardist and vocalist.

            * The torrential downpours (which didn't seem to dampen the spirits of die-hard country music fans).

Autograph seekers
            * A group of "hellraisers" who tried to spoil a good time for others in LP Field, but didn't. (Two young men near us continued to light up cigarettes again and again after repeated warnings from the ushers.)

            * The proliferation of chained and tattooed hard rockers who claim to be "country" stars.


Alligator riding
            * Missing Dolly... and Reba... and Loretta...

            * Enjoying curbside pizza and hotdogs on the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge.

            * Seeing Alabama on the main stage, flooding our memories and entertaining us once again.

Alabama performs at LP Field
            * The surprise appearance of Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi (a real rock star) with Zac Brown on "Dead or Alive". (Okay... We profess to being rock fans, too.)

            * The Band Perry's terrific performance with a beautiful, broad-smiling Kimberly Perry encouraging fans to sing along on "If I Die Young".

            * The long (boring) set-up breaks between evening show segments at LP Field. (Why not air videos of the legendary stars who helped make country music what it is today? Also consider including live performances of up-and-coming artists on simple mic and guitar.)

            * Watching a beautiful woman get dunked at the Cracker Jack'D Splash Party (while eating spicy Cracker Jack'D mix).

A lady gets splashed at Cracker Jack'D
            * Missing three-fourths of Travis Tritt's set because we arrived late. (He's a true country artist in every sense of the genre.)

            * The $9 and $11 beers (outrageous!), and the comical antics of the roaming sellers. (One beer seller yelled out "Beer with Jesus... "Beer with Jesus" again and again while Thomas Rhett was performing. Another asked attendees for their cell phone numbers so he could text them a "Buy my beer" message. Yet another danced cheek to cheek with several intoxicated women.)

            * Sweating outside, then freezing inside Music City Center.

            * Catching dinner before the show at the Southern Steak and Oyster restaurant... fried oysters on a bed of herbs and smashed root veggies (yummy!). And we mustn't forget the delicious cheddar mac and cheese and garlic-accented Southern green beans.

Music City Suds owner with her musical soap
            * Sunburn and achy feet (and the occasional shivery sneeze).

            * Cut-off shorts, torn blue jeans, tight t-shirts, and sunflower dresses. (Polyester remains a thing of the past, but boots, cowboy hats and scarves are still cool.)

            * New York-style pizza (real New York-style pizza) at the newly opened City Pizza on Third Avenue. (The chef is from Manhattan.)

            * The wig booth (where women were trying on a variety of wigs and add-ons).

            * The singers and songwriters who flew to Nashville to get into the spotlight (including California artist Eileen Carey, who performed in a jam-packed Honky Tonk Central on Broadway).

Eileen Carey performs at Honky Tonk Central
            * Watching a wanna-be rodeo rider being thrown off the back of a bucking alligator.

            * Looking over the shiny red and blue cars in the Chevrolet exhibition area.

            * Catching performances by very talented emerging artists (Brooke Eden, Sonia Leigh and others) at the AT&T U-verse Stage.

            * Cooling off inside the Red Roof showroom truck on Broadway.

            * The crowd-pleasing performance of "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" by the Charlie Daniels Band. (Charlie still sports the largest belt buckle on the planet.)

            * Missing out on free Papa John's pizza (because the lines were too long).
Riverfront crowd

            * The stirring rendition of the "Star Spangled Banner" by the W.O. Smith Community Music School choir.

            * The park benches, shrubs and creative CMA street signs (providing a nice atmosphere) at Fan Fair X.


            * The friendly ushers everywhere at LP Field.

            * Hot, sweaty fans of all sizes smashing into each other as they wiggled out a log-jammed exit at Riverfront Park.

            * Brad Paisley really enjoying himself... giving all to his fans. (It was the perfect way to end the festival.)

            * The festive fireworks on the final night as fans streamed over the Shelby Pedestrian Street Bridge.


Brad Paisley performs at LP Field

Man with the American flag face
A band performs on Broadway
Before the show
BMI Tailgate Party
Broadway
Brooke Eden performs at Music City Center
Chevrolet exhibit
Guitars
Music City Center
Red Roof "escaping the heat" truck
Riverfront crowd watching a performance
The new trends in country shoes
Shoppers browse exhibit booths
Wigs galore
LP Field stage shot

All Photos by MCAU Editor Chuck Whiting (Copyright 2014 used by permission only)