Chuck’s Diary: Irish Guitarist and Singer-Songwriter John Doyle Brings Celtic Charm to McNamara Irish Pub

Irish guitarist and singer-songwriter John Doyle

OUT ON THE TOWN: “[John] Doyle on guitar has risen to a level occupied by him alone. No one in Irish traditional music is a better guitarist than him right now.” — Earle Hitchener, The Wall Street Journal (A friend and I enjoyed an evening of Irish food, beer and live music at McNamara Irish Pub, and it was outstanding. The star of the evening was Dublin-born guitarist and singer-songwriter John Doyle. He delighted the crowd with a mix of traditional Irish tunes, heartfelt originals, and instrumentals (with amazing finger work that drew applause after applause). According to Compass Records, John has collaborated with some of the most revered names in the genre, including Heidi Talbot, Tim O’Brien, and Karan Casey. The Grammy nominee served as band leader for folk icon Joan Baez’s world tour from 2008 to 2010. During Thursday night’s performance, he asked fans to sing along with him on a few choruses. Three fiddlers joined him onstage for several songs and an encore. If you love Irish music, you might want to check out John’s latest album, “Path of Stones.” I appreciate everything about this artist… smooth, Irish-accented vocals, expert songwriting, stellar musicianship, and friendly, easy-going Celtic demeanor. He embraces the tradition, taking listeners to the lush, green fields of Ireland. I’ll have another Irish beer, please. You can hear the title track from John’s project at YouTube: https://youtu.be/3ni_FyZMhls?si=rX59YxURP3umUE24 ) #ChuckWhiting #ChucksDiary #JohnDoyle #EarlHitchener #IrishMusic #TraditionalIrishMusic #Guitar #Violin #Fiddle #Mandolin #CompassRecords #Singers #Songwriters #Ireland #McNamaraIrishPub #McNamaraRestaurant #Nashville #OutOnTheTown #Art #Arts #MusicCityArts 9-30-23

Text and photos by Chuck Whiting

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Chuck’s Diary: Songwriters Celebrate the Life and Career of Pete Luboff in Nashville

 “The ultimate success in songwriting is to thoroughly enjoy the process of songwriting and disregard the results.” — Pete Luboff (Hit singer-songwriter, author and teacher Pete Luboff was a wonderful friend and mentor to many. On Sunday night, Nashville tunesmiths crowded the Commodore to pay homage to a man whose kindness, storytelling, quick wit, generosity, and musical talents continue to soar. His wife Pat did an exceptional job putting a fun and heartfelt event together, graciously reaching out to everyone who attended. Pete and Pat were a beautiful and giving (also romantic) couple who performed my Tunesmithing show many times. For those of you who didn’t know him, Pete died last June from complications related to Parkinson’s Disease. He penned the invaluable songwriters resource, “101 Songwriting Wrongs and How to Right Them,” and gained international notoriety by writing songs for The Ray Charles Singers, Patti LaBelle, Michael Peterson, Bobby Womack, Snoop Dog, and many others. During our conversations, I was always struck by how insightful, understanding and kind Pete was, even when he had a different opinion. He encouraged everyone. Life is short, and every moment counts. For Pete, that meant caring and helping those around him while doing the one thing our close-knit community has in common… songwriting. He will never be forgotten.) #ChuckWhiting #ChucksDiary #PeteLuboff #PatLuboff #InMemoriam #RememberingPeteLuboff #Songwriters #Songwriting #tunesmiths #Writing #Storytelling #Performance #SongwritingBooks #SnoopDogg #TheRayCharlesSingers #PattiLaBelle #BobbyWomack #MichaelPeterson #Commodore #CelebrationofLife #Nashville #MusicCity #Music #Arts #Art #MusicCityArts 9-25-23 

AmericanaFest 2023: The Americana Awards Show Brings Music ‘Family’ Together for Unforgettable Performances

The Americana Honors and Awards Show

Celebrating Bettye LaVette and Others

Ryman Auditorium/Nashville City Winery

Sept. 20, 2023

AMERICANA FEST 2023: “The music business needs music, but you don’t need the music business to make music.” — Steve Jordan, music producer (Americana artists who never found a complete fit in narrower music genres like country or pop have found their heavenly place, as well as a “family” to sing, strum and jive along with. And fans couldn’t be happier. The Americana Honors and Awards Show at the Ryman on Wednesday presented a delightful mix of soul, gospel, bluegrass, jazz, blues, country (and any rootsy, unidentified genre in-between), drawing applause after applause. People long to hear what’s true. Artists like Bonnie Raitt, The War and Treaty, Sista Strings, Nickel Creek, the McCrary Sisters, and Logan Ledger have been creatively unleashed to be totally themselves (without the constraints of pre-conceived notions), lifting music lovers to places they’ve never been. If you haven’t heard of Bettye LaVette (recipient of the Legacy of Americana Award), then start searching YouTube. This blues-and-guts singer (a Grammy nominee who has recorded in Muscle Shoals) has been filling entertainment venues for 62 years, but I bet Motown never told you. I’m always awed when I hear Rufus Wainwright sing… such a distinctive voice. Bonnie Raitt seemed to be the perfect musical bridge between Bettye LaVette and Nickel Creek. There were special moments, including a funny quip from a talented and long overlooked Bettye, who said, “I also want you to know at this point, if you’ve had 62 years of success, you feel a little different than you would after 62 years of struggle. I’ve lost all of my humility. Whatever you give me now, I deserve.” The crowd roared. Learn more about the awards show and other aspects of the AmericanaFest 2023 at www dot Americana Music dot org.) #ChuckWhiting #ChucksDiary #AmericanaFest #AmericanaMusic #Americana #Awards #Honors #SteveJordan #BettyeLavette #BonnieRaitt #TheWarandTreaty #SistaStrings #NickelCreek #McCrarySisters #LoganLedger #RufusWainwright #Music #Art #Arts #MusicCityArts 9-22-23 

Text and photos by MCAU Editor Chuck Whiting

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AmericanaFest 2023: Concord Records Kickoff Party at The Optimist

AMERICANAFEST 2023: “The coolest music scene today.” — The New York Times (Concord Records and The Optimist joined forces Tuesday night to help kick off the AmericanaFest, the “coolest” music festival on the planet. The music, the food, and the atmosphere were primo at the big Concord celebration, with festival goers wining, appetizing and mingling in the restaurant’s spacious dining area before heading down for live performances in the concert hall. It’s my favorite party of the year bar none. The food at The Optimist was absolutely delicious with a wide assortment of seafood, including jumbo boiled shrimp, oysters on the half shell, and lobster rolls (with hush puppies and out-of-this-world sauces). Desserts ranged from gourmet brownies to coconut pie. Chef Ford Fry’s dining concept has become a big hit in Music City, and Concord Records goes all out (even providing free drinks for attendees.) But the highlight is the live music of course. Taking the stage were the talented Bahamas, Bella White, John R. Miller, Katie Pruitt, Logan Ledger, Nat Myers, and Sarah Jarosz… all introduced by emcee Scooter Jennings. Events like this always delight with the unexpected. It was great to run into singer-songwriter Frankie Staton and her son. And MCAU contributing writer Wil Comstock forced me to pose with a younger lookalike (i.e. the same shirt syndrome). Tonight marks the official start of the festival with the annual Americana Honors & Awards Show at the Ryman Auditorium. Then everything revs up with concerts and parties at a host of venues around town. I can’t wait… More reports to come!) #ChuckWhiting #ChucksDiary #AmericanaFest #AmericanaMusicFest #AmericanaMusic #Americana #ConcordRecords #TheOptimist #MusicCityArtsUpdate #MCAU #Music #LiveMusic #Festival #Bahamas #BellaWhite #JohnRMiller #KatiePruitt # LoganLedger #NatMyers #SarahJarosz #ScooterJennings #FordFry #Art #Arts #MusicCityArts 9-20-23

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Photos and text by MCAU Editor Chuck Whiting