'TIN PAN SOUTH'
REPORT
Day One: April 2,
2013
"Tin Pan South" is in full swing, with several hundred songwriters performing
at various venues around the city. Choosing which shows to attend on the first
night was a challenge for MCAU's two writers. We finally opted to take in the 6
p.m. show at the Rutledge (featuring Jim Brickman, Richie McDonald and Victoria
Shaw); the 9 p.m. show at The Listening Room Cafe (featuring Dave Barnes, Kevin
Griffin, Charles Kelley, and special guest Emerson Hart); and the 9 p.m. show
at the Rutledge (featuring BMI writers Brett Eldredge, Natalie Hemby, and Luke
Laird). (Scroll down to the bottom for photos.)
April 1 (Monday):
'TIN PAN SOUTH' OPENING PARTY:
A
standing room-only crowd of songwriters filled the lobby of the Regions
Roundabout office tower on Music Row. Excitement was definitely in the air as
tunesmiths from across the nation renewed friendships (or made new ones) and
talked about the upcoming shows. Per usual, the NSAI staff did a marvelous job
with food and beverage... and greeting the attendees. Check out photos from
the event at
http://musiccityartsupdate.blogspot.com/2013/04/normal-0-0-1-95-542-whiting-publicity.html .
-- Chuck Whiting, MCAU Editor
April 2 (Tuesday):
THE RUTLEDGE (Early Show):
Where
else can music lovers see three songwriting/artist legends like this performing
together on the same stage? Jim Brickman, Richie McDonald and Victoria Shaw all
agreed that it was wonderful performing together (reuniting) in a casual
atmosphere (without all the bells and whistles we're used to). The mesmerized
crowd wholeheartedly agreed. Victoria Shaw opened the show with the clever,
upbeat "There's A Song In There Somewhere". Jim Brickman followed
with a stirring performance of the instrumental "Angel Eyes". By the time Richie MacDonald began
singing "Just the Rain", everyone knew it would be one of the finest
"Tin Pan South" shows in recent memory.
Victoria
Shaw transitioned into the Garth Brooks classic "The River",
mentioning that the song was "all about shopping." As the
appreciative crowd laughed, she explained that her songs are
"folkier" when she writes with Garth. She then joined Jim on the
holiday favorite "The Gift". Their vocal harmonies were both
surprising and moving. Victoria continued with beautiful renditions of
"Never Alone" and "I Love The Way You Love Me", a tune she
first sang at her own wedding 20 years ago. Victoria and her 14-year-old
daughter Ruby stole the show with a rousing, tongue-in-cheek performance of
"The Girl With The Fishing Rod".
Jim
Brickman is known for his instrumental talents and showmanship, but did you
know he used to be a jingle writer? Egged on by his fellow artists, he
reluctantly played musical snippets from Pontiac, Puppy Chow and Cheerios
commercials. It was fun to observe his playfulness in a laid-back atmosphere.
Making his electronic piano sound like a grand, he performed heart-tugging
songs about romance and the weather. The Northerner quipped that "the
weather" was a common theme for young tunesmiths who grew up in Cleveland.
Audience members sang along softly as he performed "Without You In My
Life" (from his album "Believe"), "Love Of My Life",
and the unforgettable "Valentine".
Richie
McDonald is quite the jokester, admitting that he used to take away microphones
from Southwest Airlines stewardesses to sing a parody version of the Lonestar
hit, "I'm Already There" ("We're Almost There"). He once
donned a large Lucy head mask (from "Peanuts") to interrupt a Jim
Brickman performance. Richie's vocals were in top form as he sang popular songs
on piano and guitar such as "Mr. Mom" and "My Front Porch
Looking In". Richie, who recently celebrated his 20th wedding anniversary,
added groove with a bluesy performance of the cover, "Walking in
Memphis". He aptly closed with an amazing, "living room"
rendition of the hit, "Baby I'm Amazed By You".
What
more could you ask for in a songwriters show? My words can't adequately tell
you how great this "Tin Pan Show" was. You had to be there.
Editor's Note: I've always wanted to tell Victoria an interesting
story. Some years ago, two friends and I (totally by chance) met an interesting
lady while strolling an overlook in beautiful Cortona, Italy. We were amazed
when the lovely stranger told us she was the mother of Nashville songwriter
Victoria Shaw. After a fascinating conversation, we all parted ways (taking
away lasting memories). I think there's a song in there somewhere.
-- Chuck Whiting, MCAU Editor
THE LISTENING ROOM (Late Show):
I
worked at Ernest Tubb Record shop when I first moved to Nashville 20 years
ago. I remember the women in the mail order department complaining about
the state of country music and how pop it sounded. But I loved
it…
You
could feel the excitement in the cold air standing in line for the second show
at the Listening Room. We were all anticipating seeing top writers Dave
Barnes, Charles Kelley (one third of Lady Antebellum), Emerson Hart (from the
band Tonic), and Kevin Griffin. Most of the tables were full when I got
in, so I took a seat at the bar. Soon the place was Standing Room
Only.
Dave
Barnes started the set with “Until You” (recorded by Billy Currington).
Charles Kelley explained that he was really a drummer and agreed to do
tonight's show after too many glasses of wine, and then he segued into “I Run to
You”.
The
wine and alcohol was flowing at The Listening Room, too. A long line
formed at the bar, and people were happily chatting at their tables as the show
progressed. I was having a little trouble figuring out the titles to some
of the lesser-known songs. I turned to a friend to ask if he knew, but he
didn’t either.
I
enjoyed Kevin Griffin’s “Collide” (which he co-wrote with Howie Day) and
Emerson Hart’s “Flying”. Maybe the room was too big (or maybe I’m getting old
and out of touch), but for some reason none of the songs were stirring any
emotion in me. The crowd seemed happy though. Drinks continued to pass
around. Suddenly, the guy at the bar next to me (who had been a little shaky
for the last half hour) was splayed out on the floor. Then I got it!
People were here tonight at the Listening Room to party and have a good time. I
grabbed my coat and headed over to the Rutledge, hoping to redeem the
evening.
-- Wil Comstock, MCAU Writer
THE RUTLEDGE (Second Show):
Crossing
the few blocks to The Rutledge’s BMI show, I was kicking myself for not going
to that show in the first place. Plus I dragged a friend to that other
event!
When
I entered the club an hour and 20 minutes into the set, Brett Eldredge was
singing “One Mississippi... two Mississippi... counting down the
seconds... standing in the wreckage of love... on a cold, grey
Jackson dawn”. Now that’s songwriting. I squeezed through the
Standing-Room-Only crowd and found the one remaining space by the wall upstairs
as Luke Laird began singing “Beat This Summer”, his hit with Brad Paisley (also
written with Chis Dubois).
By
the time Natalie started singing “I’m A Tornado”, I was in songwriter
heaven. I continued to be moved and entertained the remainder of the
evening. Highlights included Brett’s “Raymond”, which he co-wrote with
Shane McAnally describing the effect Alzheimer’s had on his grandmother and his
response to her. Natalie’s “Pontoon”, which went to number one for Little
Big Town, was a real crowd pleaser. And Luke’s (the guy has had 12 number
ones!) “Put A Drink In My Hand” had us all singing and raising our longnecks,
real or imaginary.
As
I looked around, I saw a crowd that was inspired and elevated. I didn’t see one
person passed out on the floor.
-- Wil Comstock, MCAU Writer
Do you have a "Tin Pan South" story/experience to
tell. Please send it to us at
Info@MusicCityArtsUpdate.com .
"Tin Pan South" Schedule: http://www.tinpansouth.com/2013/schedule.html
Photo: Jim Brickman performs.
Photo: Richie McDonald and Jim Brickman perform.
Photo: Victoria Shaw greets fans after the show.
Photo: Kevin Griffin, Emerson Hart and Charles Kelley at The Listening Room.
Photo: Luke Laird and Natalie Hemby perform at The Rutledge.
Photo: Brett Eldredge, Natalie Hemby and Luke Laird perform at The Rutledge.
