Five Songwriters to Take Stage at 'Tunesmithing' in Nashville on Nov. 16

         NASHVILLE, Tenn. (November 2019) -- Five professional songwriting acts will take the stage on Oct. 19 (Saturday) 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 Steven Cade, Lisa Hannah, Les Kerr, Ida Kristin, and David Llewellyn. Admission is free. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Nashville composer-educator-publicist Chuck Whiting will emcee the show. Songwriter-performer Paul Nielsen 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.

'Tunesmithing' to Spotlight Five Songwriting Acts in Nashville on Jan. 20

          NASHVILLE, Tenn. (January 2018) -- Five professional songwriting acts will perform on Jan. 20 (Saturday) 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 Lisa Aschmann, East Side Story, Suzahn Fiering, Les Kerr, and Paul Nielsen. 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. 

          "It's a great opportunity to hear and support some of Nashville's most talented songwriters in a listening environment," said Whiting, a composer and publicist who serves as a professor of Mass Communications at Motlow State Community College. "We are open to all genres of music, including Americana, country, pop, jazz, Christian and classical."

          "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 or to inquire about performing at "Tunesmithing", call (615) 423-9857, write Info@Tunesmithing.com, or visit http://www.Tunesmithing.com.

'Tunesmithing' To Spotlight Americana Songwriters on April 20

         NASHVILLE, Tenn. (April 2016) -- "Tunesmithing" songwriters showcase will spotlight five Americana songwriting acts from 7-9:30 p.m. April 20 (Wednesday) at WXYZ Restaurant/Bar at the Aloft Nashville Hotel, 1719 West End Ave. (near Music Row). 

          Attendees will enjoy original songs by East Side Story, Dar Frantz, Donna Frost, Les Kerr, and Angel Pontier. Admission is free. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Publicist Chuck Whiting will emcee the show. Songwriter/audio engineer AJ Bigler will handle sound. 

East Side Story (Photo provided by East Side Story)

          "Tunesmithing" songwriters showcase is sponsored by Music City Arts Network and Whiting Publicity and Promotions. 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. 

Les Kerr (Photo provided by Les Kerr)

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

Donna Frost (Photo provided by Donna Frost)

Dar Frantz (Photo provided by Dar Frantz)

Angel Pontier (Photo provided by Angel Pontier)

'Tunesmithing' Songwriters Showcase to Celebrate Jazz and Blues Music On June 17

         NASHVILLE, Tenn. (June 2015) -- "Tunesmithing" will spotlight five professional songwriting acts in jazz and blues music from 7-9:30 p.m. June 17 (Wednesday) at WXYZ Restaurant/Bar at the Aloft Nashville Hotel, 1719 West End Ave. (near Music Row). 

          Attendees will enjoy original songs by the jazz/blues/pop duo Kelley Cline & Chuck Whiting, award-winning jazz/folk/Americana singer-songwriter Suzahn Fiering (LIPA "Honored Friend Award" from Sir Paul McCartney), jazz/blues singer-songwriter-author Les Kerr ("Americana Boogie"), blues/country singer-songwriter Eddie Paul ("Young and Dumb"), and blues singer-songwriter Shannon Anne Williford (leader of the band Delicious Blues Stew). 

Suzahn Fiering performs at "Tunesmithing" in 2014. (Photo by Chuck Whiting)

          Admission is free. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Publicist Chuck Whiting will emcee the show. Songwriter/audio engineer AJ Bigler will handle sound. 

          "Tunesmithing" songwriters showcase is sponsored by Whiting Publicity & Promotions, Music City Arts Update, and Shine Time Records and Books. The monthly show 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.  

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

Congratulations to... Les Kerr, Sam Cooper, Amy Allen and Debbie Mathis Watts

Congratulations to...

Singer-songwriter Les Kerr, who will perform at the event "Trip to the Islands", an arts benefit supporting VSA Tennessee on March 20 at Lexus of Nashville, 2010 Rosa L. Parks Blvd. in Nashville. Learn more: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/caribbean-adventure-vsas-annual-masquerade-tickets-15492858557

Singer-songwriter Sam Cooper, who never fails to amaze with how many performances he has. Join Sam at Bobby's Idle Hour on Music Row every Wednesday from noon-5 p.m. for his "Sam's Jams" (and of course all over town at other venues).

Singer-songwriter Amy Allen, who is on a mission trip for the Global Village Education Foundation in Kenya, Africa. Learn more about this amazing outreach for education at http://globalvillageeducationfoundation.org/ .

Playwright/actor/musician Debbie Mathis Watts, who (along with Tom Dolan) had two full houses at the Renaissance Center this past weekend for the play, "The Ryman Diaries". More shows are coming up soon at the downtown Nashville Public Library. Learn more about the play: http://wattsd2.wix.com/rymandiaries

'Breaking the Chains' Concert to Benefit Autism Awareness on April 29 in Nashville

            NASHVILLE – The 13th annual "Breaking the Chains" concert for Autism Awareness will take place April 29 (Tuesday) at the Bluebird Café, 4104 Hillsboro Road, in Nashville.
 

            The concert will be divided into two performances. The first will begin at 6 p.m., and the second will begin at 9 p.m. Admission to the early show is free, but donations will be accepted for Autism Tennessee (AT), formerly known as the Autism Society of Middle Tennessee.  Tickets for the 9 p.m. show are $12 each with proceeds going to AT.  Reservations for both shows are strongly recommended and can be made online at www.bluebirdcafe.com (preferred method) or by calling the Bluebird Café at (615) 383-1461.

            Since the "Breaking the Chains" concert series began, thousands of dollars have been raised over the years for autism education, advocacy, and support projects.

 Performing at the 6 p.m. show will be concert organizer Tammy Vice, Stephen Lee Veal, John Swaim ,Tony Ray Jones, and Logan Blade.  The 9 p.m. show will feature Jim McBride, Wood Newton, Jerry Salley, and Les Kerr. Logan Blade will open the 9 p.m. show.

Les Kerr

            Autism is a lifelong, neurological condition that significantly affects how a person perceives the world, interacts with other people, and communicates. It is estimated that an Autism Spectrum Disorder will occur in one of every 68 births (source: CDC, 2012).
 

Vice, who initiated the annual event, has recorded several CDs for GodsChild Records including her latest, "More than Just Getting By". One of her daughters, Morgan, is on the autism spectrum. The Vice family was featured in the book "From Heartache to Hope", dedicated to showing how Tennesseans cope with autism.

            “One of the goals of Breaking the Chains is to raise awareness about autism,” said Vice, who is very active in the Middle Tennessee autism community.  “I’m delighted that not only have we been able to educate people about autism at the event, but we’ve also been able to raise thousands of dollars for ASMT to provide educational materials, thanks to the people who attend.”

            Making this concert even more unique is the participation of two young people who have lived with Autism their entire lives. Morgan Vice, Tammy’s 20-year-old daughter, will begin the evening with a ribbon cutting and performance with her mother.

            Twenty-two year old country artist Logan Blade, who was diagnosed with Autism at age 2, will perform during both shows. Though conversationally challenged, his singing voice has been compared to Josh Turner, and he released his first CD in 2012. He has joined Turner on stage during the Grand Ole Opry.  The "Breaking the Chains" concert will be the official release event for his new CD, "Unspoken".

            More about Autism Tennessee can be found online at www.autismtn.org.

Wood Newton

'Tunesmithing' to Feature Claudia Nygaard, Les Kerr and A.C. Helms on Jan. 21

     NASHVILLE -- The monthly "Tunesmithing" songwriters showcase will spotlight eight professional and emerging songwriters from 8-10:30 p.m. Jan. 21 (Tuesday) at The Row Kitchen & Pub, 110 Lyle Ave. (near Music Row).

Claudia Nygaard

     Taking the stage for the "Professional Songwriters Segment" at 8 p.m. will be country/contemporary Christian singer-songwriter A.C. Helms (noted Nashville recording session vocalist); hillbilly blues/Caribbean/Rock 'n' Roll singer-songwriter/author Les Kerr ("The Americana Boogie" and "The Tennessee Book"); and hit Americana/Roots/folk singer-songwriter/storyteller Claudia Nygaard ("Let The Storm Roll In"/climbed to number one on the Cashbox Roots Music Country Chart).

Les Kerr

     The "Emerging Songwriters Segment" at 9:30 p.m. will feature Global Songwriters Connection members Erskin Anavitarte, Gary Chapman, Melissa Miller, Debbie Pascarella and Sarah Spencer.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. For more information about "Tunesmithing", call (615) 423-9857, write Info@Tunesmithing.com, or visit http://www.Tunesmithing.com.

A.C. Helms

'Tunesmithing' Ninth Anniversary Show to Occur on Oct. 3

     NASHVILLE -- "Tunesmithing" will celebrate its ninth anniversary from 7-10 p.m. Oct. 3 (Wednesday) at the Best Western Music Row, 1407 Division St. in Nashville.

     The special show will help kick off the "Independent Music Fest".  Performers will include singer-songwriters Amy Allen, Lisa Aschmann, Joel Atkins, Meredith Blis, Everette Brown, Butterfly, Wil Comstock, Bryan Cumming, Ashley Helms, Lance Hoppen, Les Kerr, Mirka, Nancy Moran & Fett, Max Niederle, Candy Paull, Cornelius "Popcorn" Robertson, Michael Snellenberg, Steve Trinward, Betsy Warren, and Chuck Whiting.

     Comedian Paulina Combow will emcee the show.  Admission is free. Snacks and beverages will be available for purchase. "Tunesmithing" is sponsored by Whiting Publicity & Promotions, Music City Arts Update, and Shine Time Books & Music.

     For more information about the event, call (615) 242-9857, write Tunesmithing@Earthlink.net , or visit http://www.Tunesmithing.com .

(Photo: Lance Hoppen)

'Tunesmithing' to Celebrate Bayou Blues and Jazz on June 20

            NASHVILLE, Tenn. (June 2012) -- "Tunesmithing Off Music Row" will spotlight nine professional and emerging songwriters with a special Bayou Blues and Jazz Night from 7-10 p.m. June 20 (Wednesday) at Taps, 2117 Belcourt Ave. in Hillsboro Village. 

Taking the stage for professional songwriter spotlights from 8-10 p.m. will be singer-songwriters Bryan Cumming (Grammy nominee/"Fab Fan Memories" by The WannaBeatles); Ted Drozdowski (DVD/CD "BIG SHOES: Walking and Talking the Blues"/number five on XM/Sirius Radio's "B.B. King's Bluesville"); Les Kerr ("Mackinac Blues"/NPR's "All Things Considered"); and Mark Robinson ("Quit Your Job -- Play Guitar" CD).  

(Photo: Les Kerr)

An opening guests segment from 7-8 p.m. will feature songwriters Zophia Amey, Julie Delgado, Rocky Dimmick, Haley Georgia, and Kristen Voorhies.  

Publicist-educator-author- songwriter Chuck Whiting and comedian Paulina Combow will emcee the show.  Admission is free. "Tunesmithing" is sponsored by Whiting Publicity & Promotions, Music City Arts Update, and Shine Time Books & Music.  

For more information about the event, call (615) 242-9857, write Tunesmithing@Earthlink.net, or visit http://www.Tunesmithing.com .

Songwriters to Converge on Music Row June 1-3 for 'Nashville Songwriters Festival'

            NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 2012) -- Songwriters from around the world will visit Music City from June 1-3 (Friday-Sunday) for the "Nashville Songwriters Festival on Music Row".

            More than 400 emerging songwriters will take the stage along Demonbreun and Division from noon-midnight Friday-Sunday at venues such as the Best Western Music Row Lounge, Dan McGuinness Pub, Losers Bar & Grill, Mirkos Pasta & Wine, Red Rooster, Otter's Chicken & Brew, and Winners Bar & Grill.

            The Best Western Music Row will host music industry booths and training sessions from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday-Sunday. Attendees can receive hands-on advice, critiques and training on topics such as the craft of songwriting, recording techniques, publishing, song plugging, contracts, product development, audio podcast development, video production, management, and publicity.

            "The 10th annual 'Nashville Songwriters Festival" is moving indoors to accommodate more writers and music venues," said Cornelius "Popcorn" Robertson, founder and coordinator of the event.  "We're expecting songwriters to visit Nashville from as far away as Germany, Ireland and Australia.  All of the shows are open to the general public."

            Performers will include professional songwriters Charlie Allen, Eric Jerome Brodberg, Alexander Frost, Candice Graham, Gayla Graves, Danny Gravis, Donna Hiley, Bobby Keel, Les Kerr, Lisa Sanders, JD Smith and RB Stone.

            Festival registration is $150 for three days, $110 for two days, and $60 for one day.  The general public can enjoy three days of live music with a $20 armband.  To register or for more information about the "Nashville Songwriters Festival", visit http://www.songwritersfestival.org, send an email inquiry to popcorn@songwritersfestival.org, or call (615) 424-1491.

            Music industry trainers, exhibitors and sponsors include National Media Group, SAE Institute, Radio Free Nashville 107.1 LPFM, Treasure Isle Recording, Whiting Publicity & Promotions, and WICB-AM 1680.
           
            Highlights of the festival are

            *  Music specialty areas for training on all aspects of the music industry from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. daily at the Best Western Music Row.

            *  Songwriter performances from noon-midnight daily at noted venues along Demonbreun and Division.

            *  A "Co-Writers Corner" in a special tent on Music Row.

            *  An "After-Hours Sing Ring" on Music Row.

            *  A "Grand Master" presentation honoring EMI Music songwriter RB Stone at 7:45 p.m. June 1 (Friday) at the Dan McGuinness stage.

            *  A "Lifetime Achievement Award" presentation honoring legendary studio engineer Milan Bogdan at 7:45 p.m. June 2 (Saturday) at the Dan McGuinness stage.