Americana Fest: An Innovating Bluesy Thursday at City Winery

By Wil Comstock

Music City Arts Contributing Writer

Thursday (Sept. 13):

         Chuck swung by to me up at work, and we headed to Salsas Cuban Restaurant on Palmer Place for the William Morris mixer. They welcomed us with a fireball shot! We later sampled some delectable Cuban hors d'oeuvres, washing them down with some local Yazoo beer. Yum!

         We decided to walk over to City Winery to catch their shows for the evening.

 

         Shemekia Copeland: One of the best woman blues artists alive! She treated us to songs from her new album, "America’s Child." The title was inspired by her hopes and dreams for her 2-year-old son. Producer Will Kimbrough joined Shemika and band for most of the set, starting with the driving “Ain’t Got Time for Hate.” Two highlights for me were “Would You Take My Blood?” sung to a racist that needs a blood transfusion, and the Rolling Stones-like burner “In the Blood of the Blues.” Copeland lives inside the lyrics: “I’m the jewel in the crown of the mighty kings of Africa... I’m the hands on the shaft of the spear that the slew the lion... I’m in the soul clinched wife of the man on the demon slave ship... I’m the fire in the crack of the whip on the good man’s spine.”  Lord, have mercy... this woman can sing!

 

         Guthrie Trapp: Hands down the most innovative guitarist in Nashville. He has worked with the greats from Garth Brooks to Earl Scruggs.  He blew me away on Taj Mahal’s “Buck Dancers Choice,” and his own compositions “Pick Peace” and “Patricia.”  This guy is all over the neck of the guitar sounding like two players instead of one. He is tasteful, precise and a lot of fun to watch. 

 

         John Oates: No introduction needed here. The last few years, John’s been playing roots music and loving every minute of it. He is backed by a crackerjack band that includes Guthrie Trapp. He started with the 1924 pop song “Anytime” by Emmett Miller, a personal favorite of mine.  Oates then talked about ragtime and segued into Mississippi John Hurt’s “Stack O Lee.” You can’t get any more Americana than that! John said he had recently been to Bristol Tennessee where Jimmie Rodgers recorded his next number, “Miss the Mississippi and You.” Don’t tell anyone, but I liked John’s version better than the original! Favorites for me were the Oates-penned “Arkansas” and “Edge of the World,” which reminded me of Steve Miller back in the '70s.   “Maneater” was originally written in a reggae style. Daryl Hall changed it to a pop song, and the rest is history. John played the original version, way too cool! He closed with a rootsy version of “You Make My Dreams Come True.” The band and crowd alike looked like they were thoroughly enjoying themselves. I know I did.

         Amy Helm: Daughter of the late legendary drummer from The Band, Levon Helm. Amy stands on her own two feet somewhere between elevated rock and swamp gospel. Her dynamic vocals on “Odetta” instantly made me a fan. I loved “Rescue Me” and the title cut from her new album, “This Too Shall Light,” with it’s swinging groove and spiritual overtones. The highlight for me was hearing T-Bone Burnett’s “River of Love,” a song Burnett’s ex-wife Leslie Phillips recorded decades ago. Amy’s guitarist was having some technical problems and didn’t get to play on several numbers. Although he is integral to Helm’s style, her energetic voice carried the songs beautifully. Amy, you are making your father proud.

 

         Mountain Heart: I convinced Chuck to stick around for a couple of Mountain Heart songs. After all, we had met guitarist Seth Taylor when we picked up our badges earlier in the week. I’m happy we waited to hear them! On hearing the upbeat “Got No Complaints” and the inspirational ballad “More Than I Am,” I an instant enthusiast for this contemporary bluegrass band!

 

         I’m pretty tired as I write this review, but I wouldn’t have missed these shows for the world. I’m sure Mr. Chuck Whiting is sleeping now with his cats snuggled beside him. Pleasant Dreams. 

(Story and photos by Music City Arts Contributing Writer Wil Comstock)

 

'Tunesmithing' to Celebrate Americana Music Week With Songwriters Show On Sept. 15

         NASHVILLE, Tenn. (September 2018) -- Five Nashville songwriting acts will take the stage on Sept. 15 (Saturday) during Americana music week at "Tunesmithing," a monthly songwriters show at WXYZ Restaurant/Bar at the Aloft Nashville West End Hotel, 1719 West End Ave. 

          Attendees will enjoy original songs and instrumentals by AJ Bigler, Sally Burgess, Mary Beth Cross, Chris Garner, and Mike Rodgers. Admission is free. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Nashville composer-educator-publicist Chuck Whiting will emcee the show. Songwriter/audio engineer AJ Bigler will handle sound. 

          "Tunesmithing" songwriters showcase is sponsored by Music City Arts Network, Striking Moon Music, and Shine Time Music. The monthly show was founded in 2003 to spotlight emerging, professional and hit songwriters, as well as artists of all kinds. The event offers mentoring, career growth and networking opportunities for artists at all levels.  

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

AmericanaFest Continues With 'Hillbillies and Hot Dogs' (And Exceptional Music)

By Wil Comstock

MCAU Contributing Writer

Wednesday, Sept. 13 

Compass Records Hillbillies and Hot Dogs.

11:30 a.m.

                  I always enjoy going to this event. Who doesn’t like a good hot dog and craft beer? This event is held in the front yard and inside the Compass Record building on 19^th Avenue on Music Row. The best part is cramming into the small studio and watching the artists on the Compass roster share their music.  They are among the most intimate performances at Americana Fest. This year the bluesy Shannon McNally kicked off the show. I was really drawn in by the haunting “No Man’s Land,” which she wrote for her mother. Bluegrass swing artist Mike Barnett and friends followed with Bob Wills and Buddy Spicher-influenced arrangements for double fiddles. I have never heard such sweet and tender fiddle playing. I really enjoyed his rendition of "Tennessee Waltz" featuring Molly Tuttle on vocals.  Molly remained onstage explaining that she just received her new Pre-War guitar and was excited to be playing it. She featured it on a traditional song using her amazing claw hammer skills. Tuttle was recently featured on the cover of Guitar Player magazine!   AJ Croce took the stage before he was announced, fingering the piano keys with blues riffs. I’m sure it’s not easy to be the son of a deceased legend, but Croce is his own man. That being said, he performed a song his dad had demoed but never got the chance to record, the soulful “Name of the Game” (a song AJ steered away from earlier in his career). He now delivers it with smoldering confidence. Unfortunately, I had to miss Colin Hay and Laura Cortese & the Dance Cards. Had to get back to work!

 

Station Inn

10 p.m. Caitlyn Canty

                  Caitlyn Canty's stark, reedy voice touched me as I was listening to videos trying to decide what show to see for this evening. I’m glad I went with my hunch and showed up! This was a great show.  Canty was accompanied by Noam Pikelny, the producer on her newly delivered album.  Noam, an artist in his own right, and a member of the Punch Brothers, played steel banjo throughout the evening.  He tastefully lent his skills to Caitlyn’s beautifully penned songs.  Favorites were “Seven Lines” and “Get Up.”  She received a huge round of applause on her lazy rendition of “Tennessee Waltz.” It was the second time I heard that song in one day!  Noam got a laugh when he commented that the stage usually had a full band when other acts played.  He was afraid the exclusive real estate around him (on stage) might run the risk of having a condo go up with huge cranes!  Such is the present state of Nashville in 2017. If you ever get the chance to see Caitlyn Canty live, please do. You won’t regret it!

Station Inn

11 p.m.  Hayes Carll

                  Hayes Carll is a modern day troubadour, his lyrics plainspoken with a touch of sarcasm. I could understand every word he sang. This is a man with a message. Hayes accompanied himself on acoustic guitar and was backed by Adam Landry on electric guitar and Mike Meadows on snare and percussion.  I enjoyed “Nobody Wants to Hear the Truth Anymore,” “The Magic Kid” (a tender song about his son), and “My Wild Pointy Finger,” a number about the accuser in all of us. I left feeling challenged to look at life a little differently. Hayes will do that to you.   

                  For more information about AmericanaFest, visit http://www.AmericanaMusic.org.

AmericanaFest Begins with BMI Party and Unforgettable City Winery Shows

By Wil Comstock

Contributing Writer

         NASHVILLE -- At 2 p.m. on Tuesday (Sept. 12), I headed over to the Basement to pick up my press pass. It was raining steadily. We all stood quietly in line waiting under our umbrellas. One of the volunteers manning the line gave his umbrella to a girl in front of me. He then proceeded to stand in the rain with his hooded raincoat dripping onto his shoes. I was pretty impressed. I thought about the sacrifice so many people make to get this festival up and running. All of the volunteers, the extra hours the staff puts in, the endless meetings, the workers at the venues all over town, all lending grace with welcoming smiles on their faces. Thanks... you are the pillars that support this wonderful event! There would be no AmericanaFest without you.

         At 5:35 p.m., MCAU Editor Chuck Whiting picked me up at work, and we headed over to the BMI Kickoff Party. It was held in the downstairs foyer because of the rain. This event was sponsored by George Dickel Tennessee Whiskey. Upon entering, I grabbed a Tennessee Punch... yum and strong!  I then made my way over to the food line. Barbecue chicken breast for me with salad and jalapeno chips. The place was crowed, all bistro tables taken, so I made my way over to the stairs and sat down. Bravely, I lifted the chicken off of the hamburger roll and ate it with my fingers. My birthday is next week, and I’m trying to drop a few pounds! There are no calories in the alcohol, right? 

         About the time I finished my dinner, Hurray for the Riff Raff was taking the stage. They were fronted by Alynda Segarra, looking and sounding like a chic folk artist.  To quote The Wall Street Journal on Alynda’s singing: "She has a subtle, expressive voice that she wraps around songs that draw on the sounds and styles of the American South, and her lyrics often takes unconventional tack on traditional subjects." Riff Raff was followed by Phoebe Hunt and the Gatherers. I really liked this band. Phoebe and husband, Dominick Leslie (mandolin and vocals), spent time in India at an ashram studying music. This eastern influence is felt in the music and executed perfectly with Phoebe’s searing vocals accompanied by fiddle, mandolin, accordion, upright bass, and percussion. Last up was indie rock band Susto from Charleston, South Carolina. Their lively music had me dancing as we left BMI and headed over to City Winery. 

Hurray for the Riff Raff performs in the BMI lobby during AmericanaFest

         After parking on the street in one of the last free areas in Nashville, we headed to CW to see Colin Hay at the 8 p.m. show. This was the second time I saw Colin, and I was not disappointed. Colin fronted the Australian band Men at Work in the early 1980s. That’s his vocals on “Who Can it Be Now” and “Down Under." His familiar voice is like a good glass of sherry, stirring up warm memories. Colin is quite funny and entertaining, a great storyteller who does not shy away from the hard subjects like his mother’s death. He had the audience in the palm of his hand on “I Don’t Know Why,” “Come Tumbling Down,” and “Waiting for My Life to Begin.”     

         Joan Osborne filled the 9 p.m. slot singing songs from her critically acclaimed album "Songs of Bob Dylan." Osborne had a residency at New York’s Cafe Carlyle in March 2016 and March 2017. At those gigs she performed only Dylan material. She always loved the way Ella Fitzgerald performed the "Great American Songbook" and wanted to do something like that. She picked Dylan because of his lyrical timeliness to events going on today, saying that even though we may be polarized politically, music brings us together. She was accompanied by her two virtuoso producers, Keith Cotton on piano and keyboards and Jack Petruzzelli on guitars. Joan’s sultry voice wrapped around each song and made them her own. No imitation here, pure interpretation. I especially enjoyed “Highway 61 Revisited,” “Masters of War,” and the rearranged “Rainey Day Women #12 & 35.” I can’t wait to pick this album up!

To learn more about the AmericanaFest and see the full schedule of live shows, workshops, and parties, visit http://www.AmericanaFest.org.

Americana Fest to Stage 16th Annual Honors & Awards Show at Ryman Auditorium on Sept. 13

     NASHVILLE -- Jim Lauderdale and Buddy Miller will be returning as hosts for the 16th annual Americana Fest Honors & Awards Show at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 13 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.

     The Americana All-Star Band will feature Larry Campbell, Robbie Crowell, Jim Hoke, Jerry Pentecost, Chris Wood and the McCrary Sisters.

     Check out the entire festival schedule at http://americanamusic.org/2017-schedule 

     Here's a list of this year's awards show performers:

Billy Bragg
Brent Cobb
Robert Cray & Hi Rhythm
Rodney Crowell
Iris DeMent
Drive-By Truckers
Rhiannon Giddens
Joe Henry
Hurray for the Riff Raff
Jason Isbell
The Lumineers
Lori McKenna
Van Morrison
Graham Nash
Old Crow Medicine Show
Sam Outlaw
Margo Price
John Prine
Amanda Shires
Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives
Aaron Lee Tasjan
 
     A live video stream of the 2017 Honors & Awards show will be webcast via www.NPRMusic.org starting at 6:30pm. A live audio simulcast of the show will also be available via SiriusXM’s Outlaw Country, and on Nashville area terrestrial radio stations: WRLT (100.1 FM), WSM (650 AM) and WMOT (89.5 FM).

     Individuals can catch performance highlights on Austin City Limits for a special broadcast to air on Nov. 19 on PBS.

     Tickets for the 16th annual Americana Honors & Awards are made available for purchase with an AMERICANAFEST℠ conference registration. To buy tickets or learn more about the festival, visit http://americanamusic.org/buy-your-pass.

 

Americana Fest: Bruce Hornsby Plays Dulcimer During Spectacular Show

By Wil Comstock

Music City Arts Contributing Writer

Bruce Hornsby and the Noise Makers

Thursday, Sept. 22 at  11 p.m. -- City Winery

High on the mercy and love from the “Mercyland’ show, I walked across town to catch Bruce Hornsby.  I was seated at a table with two other baby boomer gentlemen who had come alone.  We were a little perplexed as the stage was set for Hornsby’s show. Where is the piano!  What are all the dulcimers and the washboard doing up there?  We soon found out as Bruce and the Noise Makers took the stage.

Hornsby played dulcimer (there were three with different tunings) holding it upright in his lap.  Next to him sat the percussionist/washboard player extraordinaire, followed by the mandolin/fiddle player.  Behind them were the drum kit, which the percussionist used on a couple of songs, electric bassist, and the electric guitarist.  Form the first chords of “New Chair”, the sound was unmistakable Hornsby!  The rhythm patterns of Bruce strumming the dulcimers to the familiar Hornsby fills carried by the mandolin/fiddle player... the sound was all Bruce!   The man next to me commented that Bruce was beginning to look like FDR. Laughing, I told him he was right. 

I loved the Celtic arrangement of “Black Rats of London” and “M.I.A. in MIAMI”.  “Soon Enough” had me swaying and smiling.  Ricky Skaggs joined the band, playing mandolin for the rest of the set beginning with “Rehab Reunion”...  followed by the  fun “Who Do You Love”, the exquisite “Valley Road, and the classic “Pretty Polly”.  After Ricky entered, I leaned over to the guy next to me and said, “We not only have FDR, but now we have Ben Franklin”.  We all had a good laugh.

So what if I only got four hours of sleep that night!  This show was well worth sleep deprivation. The melodies are still running though my head carrying me through the day.       

Americana Fest: Tim O'Brien, Paul Burch, Shawn Colvin, and Steve Earle Create Lasting Memories

By Wil Comstock

Music City Arts Contributing Writer

Tuesday, September 20th at City Winery:

I decided to stay put for the first night of Americana Music Fest.  I wanted to save my strength for the late nights that lie before me. This evening turned out to have some pleasant surprises.   

Tim O’Brien,  8 p.m.

I was excited to see Tim O’Brien having enjoyed his solo efforts over the years.  Tim did not disappoint.  Tim kicked off with the toe tapping “Working” displaying his fiery finger work moving across the strings.  I loved the personal “Family History” and “Not Afraid of Dying” a song about his 96-year-old father, who had recently passed on.  I enjoyed the crowd-pleaser  “Chicken and Eggs” and the touching “The Water is Wise”.  Tim sang the  eternal “Go Down To the Water” off of Billy Bragg’s Mermaid Avenue, lyrics by Woody Guthrie with music by Bragg.  He ended his set with James Brown’s “Get Up Off of That Thing” to the delight of the hand clapping, foot stomping crowd.

Paul Burch,  9 p.m.

This was the surprise show of the night... I loved it!  Paul played through his latest album “Meridian Rising”, which tells the story of his hero Jimmy Rodgers.  This is an imagined musical autobiography.  Sounds a little crazy but Burch really pulled this off.  When Rodgers was growing up, Meridian was a railroad crossroads.  He was exposed to all of the current music of his day.  Burch takes these rhythms that the rails brought to Meridian and incorporates them into this project.  Burch’s vintage 1940 Gibson L-48 Sunburst was the perfect vehicle for these songs.  The blues of “Meridian” and “Cadillacin”  had me shaking my head in agreement.  “Black Lady Blues” was reminiscent of Django Reinhart.  The dirty wail of the alto sax and clarinet on “Gunter Hotel Blues” reminded me of vaudeville on a hot steamy night.  Surprise guest Billy Bragg  joined in on “If I Could Only Catch My Breath”, supported by a soaring clarinet.  This is a show I will not easily forget. 

Shawn Colvin and Steve Earle,  10 p.m.

I was a little skeptical how this pairing might work. But they turned out to share the same magic that worked vocally for Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, silk and sandpaper.  From the first chorus of  their co-write “Come What May”, I was hooked. Then they nailed one of my all time favorite songs, We Fives’ “You Were on My Mind”. Okay, I’m in heaven... it can’t get any better…  then Shawn introduced the Emmylou Harris-penned “Raise the Dead”. I’ve got a big smile listening to this one.  Next I hear the familiar words, “She would never say where she came from."  Shawn and Steve sounded like  “Ruby Tuesday” was written just for them... they owned it!  Steve delivered “Burnin’ It Down”, and Shawn countered with her hit “Sonny” as Earle backed her up on the bouzouki . Earle explained that he started to write “Tell Moses” when he was in Israel several years ago.  It is a song about heroes, first Moses, then Martin Luther King, and since there isn’t a hero in the forefront now, it’s about the people raising up and making their voice heard.  A great catchy spiritual song. They closed the evening with a song producer Buddy Miller’s wife Julie started and handed over to Shawn who added a verse and gave it to Earle who wrote the chorus. Shawn did not know the first verse was about Julie’s father’s death when she wrote the second verse about her dad’s passing. Earle knew none of this when he wrote the chorus to “You’re Still Gone”.  These tender and heartfelt vocals almost had me crying. 

Sam Bush,  11 p.m.

It was time to go home... couldn’t find the waitress so I could pay the bill.  I ended up leaving to the driving bluegrass of mandolin virtuoso Sam Bush. What an unforgettable night!

Americana Fest Kicks off on Sept. 20 with Parties, Shows and Camaraderie

          NASHVILLE - The Americana Music Fest kicked off on Sept. 20 with parties and live music. Here are a few "casual" photos from some of the shows. Americana Fest draws musicians and fans from all over the world. To learn more about the festival, visit www.AmericanaMusic.org. (Photos by Chuck Whiting, MCAU editor)

The Suffers perform at the BMI Kickoff Party overlooking downtown Nashville.

The BMI Kickoff Party was sponsored by Dickel.

Downtown Nashville from the roof of BMI headquarters on Music Row.

Tim O'Brien performs at City Winery.

Paul Burch & WPA Ballclub perform at City Winery.

Colvin & Earle perform at City Winery.

Colvin & Earle perform at City Winery.

Alison Krauss and Steve Earle to Headline Honors and Awards Show at Americana Music Fest

         NASHVILLE — Legendary artists Alison Krauss, Bob Weir, Steve Earle and Joe Henry will open the Americana Music Association’s 15th Annual Honors & Awards show on Sept. 21 with a musical presentation to honor the legacies of Guy Clark, Merle Haggard, Dr. Ralph Stanley and Allen Toussaint – giants of Americana and the American musical landscape.

         The tribute will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. on the stage of the historic Ryman Auditorium. Known for promoting the next generation of stars, including Jason Isbell, Margo Price and The Lumineers, the Americana Music Association has always revered and paid tribute to the legacy and artistic history of its tightly knit community. In keeping with tradition, the Honors & Awards show will close in celebration of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, who marks its 50th anniversary this year. The band will be joined by several artists in an unforgettable performance of “Will The Circle Be Unbroken".

  

         "We encourage attendees to the program to be in their seats by 6:15 p.m. Central Time," the organization said in a special announcement to festival-goers.

         The 17th Annual Americana Music Festival & Conference takes place in Nashville from Sept. 20-25. For more information about the Honors & Awards show, AmericanaFest, the Americana Music Conference, and membership to the Americana Music Association, visit www.americanamusic.org. 

         Festival wristbands are priced at $60 for the week and are available at mercylounge.com or in person at all participating nighttime venues, Grimey's New & Pre-Loved Music and The Groove in East Nashville. Conference registrations are still available at the walk up rate of $475 at Americana Headquarters in the Sheraton Nashville Downtown Hotel at 623 Union St. 

Author Odie Lindsey to Lead Panel Discussion at Americana Music Fest on Sept. 22

         NASHVILLE -- Author/professor/veteran of both the Iraq war and the music business Odie Lindsey has been tapped to lead a panel discussion titled "Songwriters and Scribes: Storytelling in Song and Fiction" at Americana Fest in Nashville at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 22 at the Sheraton Nashville.  

         Lindsey's startling debut short story collection published by W.W. Norton, "We Come To Our Senses," was inspired by a Willie Nelson song, and he is uniquely suited to guide fellow writers Bonnie Bishop, Billy Bragg, Mary Gauthier, and Alice Randall in a discussion on the intersection of literature and song.

         Lindsey is a Gulf War combat veteran and former hardcore kid who teaches literature at Vanderbilt University. "We Come To Our Senses" has earned praise everywhere from The Nashville Scene (“voice for a generation”) to The New York Times (“The book captures our culture now, its pop references flaring, familiar and embarrassing: a counterpunch to every ad you watch.”).

         Lindsey’s writing explores facets of the American veteran experience that stories like "American Sniper" or "The Hurt Locker" don’t touch. "We Come To Our Senses" shines a light on individuals already marginalized by society – often female and/or LGBT – who must come to grips with returning home from far-off war zones, into situations that often seem just as bad.

         For more information on this year's AmericanaFest, visit http://americanamusic.org/.

         For more information on Odie Lindsey, visit http://oalindsey.com/.

'Fourth Annual Gospel Brunch' Brings Joy of the Lord to Americana Music Fest

(Editor's Note: City Winery hosted the "Fourth Annual Gospel Brunch" on Sept. 20 to help wrap up the Americana Music Fest. Here is an overview by MCAU contributing writer Wil Comstock.

 

By Wil Comstock

MCAU Contributing Writer

            I arrived with the faithful 50 minutes early, full of anticipation and an empty stomach. Chicken and waffles with piping hot coffee is on the menu. This is going to be good. The McCrary Sisters, who rocked the house at the Awards Show, are scheduled to perform. Everyone is smiling and full of the Joy of the Lord.

            Church begins with The McCrary Sisters. “Hallelujah” sweet heartfelt vocals reaching up from the well and serving up living water. Deborah wrote “Let It Go” while she was recovering from a double stoke. With Ann on vocals, we are encouraged to let it all go and let God take over. The house band, who I believe were the McCrary’s own band, were all tasteful and incredible musicians. 

            Surprise guest Bonnie Bishop treated us to “Ain’t Goin Back” with The McCrary’s on background vocals. She reminds me of Bonnie Raitt, certainly someone to watch out for.

            Leigh Nash of Sixpence None the Richer took the stage with her husband on accompanying guitar. My favorite was the autobiographical “Tell Me Now Tennessee”, the struggle of leaving home and loved ones in Texas to move to Tennessee to pursue her dream.

            Ruby Amanfu knocked me out with “Anyone Who Knows What Love Is Will Understand”...  Killer song and killer vocals, it doesn’t get better than this.

            Jonathan Tyler wrapped up the service with his modern Southern rock sound with songs like “Holy Smoke” and  “Working on a Building”.  After the latter he said,  “We play to the edges and fringes of society... The bars are our church”.

            Everyone took the stage and exchanged vocal lines on “I’ll Fly Away” as the parishioners clapped hands and joined in. There was no doubt we had been to church!

            To learn more about the Americana Music Fest, visit http://www.AmericanaMusic.org.