AmericanaFest: Gospel Brunch Raises the Roof at City Winery

 Saturday Gospel Brunch presented by Thirty Tigers

By MCAU Correspondent Wil Comstock

It was refreshing to have Kimberly Kelly take over hosting responsibilities for this year’s Gospel Brunch.  She was prepared, entertaining and informative in her introductions.

The show opened with a sweet rendition of “Amazing Grace” by Clover County, followed by a stripped-down version of Lauren Hill’s “Tell Him” by Blessing.

Road warrior Melissa Carper of Wonderwoman of Country did a reworking of her “Christian Sister” song, presenting it as “Christian Brother.” I like her honesty and humor.

Legend Swamp Dog, who is a young 82, had everyone clapping on his “She’s All I Got.” He has some colorful players in his band that added to the excitement of his performance. 

I was taken to another place by the earthy bluegrass of Britt Taylor on “Unclouded Day.” Her husband, Adam Chaffins, accompanied her on guitar and harmony vocals on the beautiful “The Best You Can Do Is Love.”

Texan Country Pop artist Tyler Bryant is sure to lasso a couple of hits with his “Thinking Outside The Box of Wine” and “Stay Wild.”

Liverpudlian Robert Vincent was backed by Lauren Housley and The Northern Cowboys.  His melodic songs slowly grab you and take you to the harmonic stratosphere.  At least he did this for me on “Burden” and “Demons.”

Lauren Housley and The Northern Cowboys, hailing from Yorkshire, UK, treated us to the bluesy “High Time.”  What an intense storyteller.

Who can keep still when The McCrary Sisters take the stage? Their performance of “Run On” with their brother Allen had me dancing.  I was raising my hands with them on the soulful “Help Me.”

Gospel and Americana legends, The Oak Ridge Boys, took the stage singing “Just a Little Talk with Jesus” to a thunderous crowd.  Lead singer and spokesman Duane Allen said, “Up until Joe (Bosnal) died, the four of us (Duane, Joe, Richard, and William Lee) had been together for 50 years. We’ve experienced a lot of grief in the last year. I lost my wife, William Lee lost a son, and Richard lost a father in law.” 

He said their producer, Dave Cobb, suggested they do an album of songs inspired by things their mother taught them.  The result is the upcoming “Mama’s Boys” to be released next month. From the new album, the Oaks sang the Dottie Rambo-penned “Mama Teaching Angels How to Sing” and Willie Nelson’s “I Thought About You Lord.”  Newcomer Ben James more than proved himself on tenor vocals. He was always reverential, taking a step back when Duane was talking. He had big shoes to fill. Introducing the last song, 

Duane said, “A lot of people thought this wasn’t a gospel song, but tell it to our families who were able to pay the bills that year.” They closed with “Elvira.”  No wonder it was a huge hit. I was singing “Elvira” to myself all afternoon!

AmericanaFest: Northern Lights and Universal Put on Spectacular Show at City Winery

Northern Lights / Universal Music Artist in the Round

Thursday Afternoon at City Winery

By MCAU Correspondent Wil Comstock

NASHVILLE — Brandy Clark, an artist in her own right, has had songs recorded by Sheryl Crow, The Band Perry, Reba McEntire, and Darius Rucker to name a few.  In 2014, she won the CMA’s song of the year for  “Follow Your Arrow,” recorded by Kacey Musgraves.  This afternoon, she treated us to her Grammy win for Best Americana Performance of “Dear Insecurity,” transparent and beautiful.  

Brandy said she heard that people die twice, the day they physically die, and the day people stop talking about them. She grew up in a small Washington town where her grandmother lived next door. Her song “She Smoked in the House” was written in tribute to her grandmother.

Arkansas native, Fancy Hagood just returned from his first headlining tour.  He had a bad breakup in the spring and decided he would pour the hurt and everything he had learned into songs.  The result was the heartfelt “It’s That Life” and “Fly Away.” I happened to catch Fancy last year, and I can say that over the last year he has matured as an artist and writer. You’ll be hearing a lot more from him in the future.

Caitlyn Smith has had songs recorded by John Legend, Dolly Parton, Miley Cyrus, and Garth Brooks.  She also recorded and wrote the theme song “The Card You Gamble” for the drama series “Monarch.”  Caitlyn has three boys, 8, 6, and 9 months, they were the inspiration for her new song “Mother of Three”. My favorite was “Tacoma,” a heart-breaking song about a boyfriend who cheated.

Sean McConnell’s parents were folk singers in Boston when he was growing up. It’s in his blood.  He moved with his family to Georgia when he was 11 years old and started playing guitar and writing songs at that time.  He has had songs covered by Rascal Flatts, Martina McBride, Brothers Osborne, Brad Paisley, and many others.  He explained how he learns all the time from his adopted special needs daughter, Abiella. He wrote “As Long As You Keep Your Heart” for her.  Everyone loved the singalong soul-filled number “Shine Your Light On Me.”

What can I say about SistaStrings?  Yes, they are an incredible violin and cello duo.  They have backed Brandi Carlile, Joni Mitchell, Ed Sheeran, Margo Price and many others.  They have appeared on the Grammys and the Oscars. They also are a great songwriting team with exquisite voices!  Monique told how one evening while on tour with Brandi Carlile she couldn’t sleep.  The line came to her, “How Can You Sleep When You’re Living With Dreams.” She woke her sister, and they finished the song.  My favorite of the afternoon, “The Reckoning,” is a symphonic and vocal masterpiece.   Can’t wait for their album to get finished, I’ve been waiting for over a year!

AmericanaFest: An Unforgettable Night at the Hutton with T Bone Burnett and Jobi Riccio

Thursday Evening: T Bone Burnett and Jobi Riccio at Analog Hutton

By MCAU Correspondent Wil Comstock

When T Bone finished his latest album “On The Other Side,” he invited AMA executive director Jed Hilly to come over for a listen. Jed was so impressed he asked Burnett to play the whole album through at Americanafest. 

T Bone began by having us turn off our phones. He wanted to take us back to another time.  Introducing guitarist and co-producer Colin Linden, he began with the album’s first song, “He Came Down.”  A song about a hero who just could be the Messiah. He brought up bass player extraordinaire Dennis Crouch before launching into the Everly Brothers-sounding “(I'm Gonna Get Over This) Some Day .“  

Mandolin and violin player David Mansfield was the last musician on stage. The two have known each other for more than 50 years, playing together in Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Revue.  Burnett said when his friend Bobby Neuwirth died a couple of years ago, he was inspired to write a bridge for one of the songs Bobby had written. He felt Bobby was in the room with him.  The result was the island ballad “Hawaiian Blue Song.” 

Each morning Burnett walks to the end of his property in West Nashville and watches the sun rise. He said that at first, it’s purple and then turns orange and yellow.  “First Light of Day” was written for his wife, Callie, the light of his life. 

He told of meeting Olivia Harrison and mentioning he would like to write a song in the style of her husband George Harrison. Olivia said he should include the words “little darling” in the lyrics.  T Bone did just that on the album’s closer, “Little Darling.”  

For this collection, Burnett said he switched from writing in his head to his heart.  The album seems to be about a couple’s journey to “The Other Side.”

Jed Hilly took the stage to say, ” I know a lot of you go from venue to venue at AmericanaFest, but the place to be is right here. There is a buzz all over about our next artist, Jobi Riccio.

Riccio began with the lovely “Summer” as she fingerpicked and drew us in with her mellow voice.  Highlights of mine were “Whiplash,” the title cut from last year’s album. A song about moving through your late teens into adulthood as a queer person. And “For Me It’s You,” a familiar riff with Jobi’s signature poetry on this unrequited love song. Riccio hails from Colorado and makes Nashville home now. She takes the pain we all face in life, wears it on her sleeve, and finds her own way of expressing it.  She’s my new favorite!

 

AmericanaFest: Keeping Up With the Changes in the Music Industry

Brother Can You Spare A Dime?  Keeping Up with the Changes in the Music Industry

A Discussion Panel at AmericanaFest on Sept. 19, 2024

By MCAU Correspondent Wil Comstock

The panel:

Moderator, Judy Tint. She is a music attorney, professor at NYU Music Business Program, and a vocalist, percussionist and songwriter. She is past chair of the ABA Forum on Entertainment and Sports Industries, a board member on the Rhythm and Blues Foundation, and a speaker at industry conferences.

Justine Avilo of Q Prime manages Marty Stewart and Aiden Canfield.  She previously worked at Shopkeeper Management and supported Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe, and the Pistol Annies.  She has served as executive director for the Music City Music Council.

Matt Wilson is a partner at Arnall Golden Gregory where he leads the firm’s Sports and Entertainment team. He represents clients in music, theater, film and television as well as photographers, visual artists, and professional athletes.  He is also a founding partner of GT Entertainment Group and Good Times Productions.

Sophia Sofferman is an attorney at Pryor Cashman’s Media & Entertainment Group. She focuses on transactional and litigation representing publishers, record lables, musicians, songwriters, and production companies. She is a lecturer at the University of Miami School of Law.  She was a legal council for Rimas Entertainment and has hands on experience touring with Joe Walsh of the Eagles.

Take away points:

+ There are performance rights (tracked by ASCAP, BMI, SESAC) and mechanical licensing (the holder of the copyright grants another party to record, perform, or sample a portion of the song). Each recording should have both.

+ Income from CD’s and records have decreased, but videos, TV, film and commercial revenues have increased.

+ If at all possible, get a small or no advance from the publisher or record company.  They will recoup the advances from sales often with interest. Sometimes up to 35%.

+ Emerging artists can offset tour costs selling merchandise, endorsements of products, or by having a sponsor. An example, to rent a tour bus can cost $30 a month.

+ A small dedicated fan base is better than a large passive fanbase.  Sales of VIP seating, meet and greet, anything to increase the fan’s experience with you.

+ When seeking permission to record or sample a song, approach the writer or publisher the right way.  Bruce Sudano, husband of Donna Summer, tells a story of Kanye West wanting to sample a song of Donna’s. Bruce said no. Kanye recorded anyway. It was followed by a messy lawsuit. On the other hand, Beyoncé wanted to sample a song of Summer’s and had her people get in touch with Bruce. They asked if they could come to his home and play the recording for him so he could hear what Beyoncé had done. Bruce said yes. They came with their own stereo system, set it up and played the song. They were deferential and wanted to honor Donna’s work. Bruce said yes.

Americana Fest: A Long But Entertaining Americana Music Awards Show

The 2024 Americana Music Awards Show

By MCAU Correspondent Wil Comstock

Tonight, the AMA broke the record for the longest award show in history!  It’s not easy for an old man, with no butt, to sit on a hard seat for close to four hours!  But there were rewards.  

I’ll focus on a few of the performances that stood out for me.

The retro country Kaitlin Butts did a superb job on her tongue-in-cheek “You Ain’t Gotta Die (To Be Dead To Me).”  Ernest Tubb would have loved it!  I know I did.

Susan Tedeschi’s tender induction speech for the Blind Boys of Alabama’s Lifetime Achievement Award just about moved me to tears. Their performance of “Work Until My Days Are Done” brought proud nods and smiles to the audience, then laughter as the lead singer started dancing all over the stage and his guardian chased after him trying to bring him back to center stage.

I had never heard of Jobi Riccio before this evening. Her nostalgic and heartfelt “For Me It’s You” left me wanting to discover more of her music. I’d encourage you to do the same.

A posthumous Legacy of Americana Music Award was given to the Reverend Gary Davis for his contribution to gospel music. Fantastic Negrito did an energetic rendition of Reverend Gary’s “Samson and Delilah” that won’t soon be forgotten.

Emerging Act of The Year, The War and Treaty, brought the house down with the temperature-rising “That’s How Love Is Made.” It doesn’t get any better than this!

My personal favorite was Brandy Clark accompanied by Sista Strings on the tender “Take Mine.” So, so good.

After accepting his Lifetime Achievement Award, it looked like Dwight Yoakum was going to leave the stage. Buddy Miller asked him if he wanted to do a song. He turned around, picked up a guitar, and eased into “Fast As You.” The house band rocked as they traded smiles backing him.  Jim Lauderdale appeared from nowhere and sang backup vocals. Certainly, a highlight of the evening.  

AmericanaFest Kicks Off On Music Row

A Harvest Moon, A Lunar Eclipse, And Two Bright Stars.  

Tuesday Evening Shows.

By MCAU Correspondent Wil Comstock

After fighting traffic and a little trouble with the pass pickup, we arrived at BMI Rooftop Kick Off Party. We barely had enough time to snatch the last of the BBQ chicken and grab a drink before headliner Wyatt Flores began his set. The bright star of the evening.

The Oklahoma native kicked off with “Orange Bottles (WhatAm I Chasing, Who Have I Become).” A smirk etched across my face as I realized this guy has the potential to be a big star! He just released his first full-length album, “Welcome to the Plaines” to rave reviews.  Last Spring’s “Half Life” EP received considerable airplay.  There is a buzz surrounding Flores all over town.

“Running Out of Time,” “Holes,” and “I Believe in God” were crowd favorites.  Keep a lookout for rising star Wyatt Flores. 

Heading back to the car, we stopped to look at the harvest moon vailed in clouds.  The lunar eclipse would begin in a couple of hours.

Parking on Rolling Hill, we walked down to Martin’s BBQ to listen to the 65 Years of Fame Studio Party. A Brother’s Fountain was on stage introducing their fun rap song “Chipmunk.”  There wasn’t a still foot in the house as lead singer Justin Jacob kept time with his heal on the kick drum pedal while standing and singing lead vocals. They closed with the rowdy “Get Your Ass Outside.”

Next up, Birmingham’s Marrisa Luna.  I noticed audience members nodding to each other as she performed “Midnight.”  She has great stage presence, strong vocals, and she definitely has the look. I expect to hear good things about her in the future. She was followed by Holli Mosley from Mobile.  I was looking forward to her set, and she did not disappoint. Her vocals on Etta James’ “Tell Mama” melted my heart. She soulfully delivered “Do Right Woman, Do Right Man” and rocked the house with Zepplin’s “Rock and Roll.”  I only wish she’d performed some original material. Maybe I’ll write something for her! It was time to walk up the hill…

I was psyched to hear the greatest blues artist of our time, Shemekia Copeland. Arriving at 3rd and Lindsley, we circled the room, looking for a seat. We couldn’t find one, so we stood up front. That’s where I wanted to be anyway!   I’m glad we arrived early because Shamika began half an hour before her scheduled time. Cheers rose as the second bright star of the evening appeared. She tore into “Dancing in the Graveyard” as she sautéed in her form-fitting black dress and matching 4-inch heels.  Oooh she looked mean until the end of the song when she smiled and graciously said, “Thank you.” Shemekia treated us to several songs from her new album “Blame It OnEve.” “Tough Mother,” Wine O’Clock,” “Cadilac Blue,” and the title track.  She introduced a song her blues legend father, Johnny Copeland, penned for her mother, “Made Me Love You Like I Do.” In a set full of blues songs, this was the busiest! 

Leaving the venue and looking up at the night sky, I realized I had just missed the earth’s shadow partially covering the moon.  But as a consolation, I just witnessed Shemekia Copeland eclipsing all of the blues singers of this generation.