Annual Americana Gospel Brunch Adds Spirit and Soul to AmericanaFest

 By Wil Comstock

MCAU Contributing Writer

Thirty Tigers Presents the 14th Annual Gospel Brunch at City Winery (Sept. 19, 2026)

     For the third year in a row, Kim Kelly hosted the Thirty Tiger’s Gospel Brunch at City Winery. Barry’s Home Cooking provided complimentary chicken and waffles while pre-show music was supplied by DJ Tim Hibbs. The venue was filled to capacity.

     This year’s show had a super lineup kicked off by Channing Wilson. This gritty, blues-country artist grabbed my attention with “Heaven Waits for Me.” Acclaimed folk singer-songwriter Mary Gauthier, known for her literary-style lyrics and deep emotional truths performed “Mercy Now” with her musical partner Jaimee Harris.  The discovery of the morning for me was Madaline Edwards.  Her soulful vocals and gospel keyboards rally got a hold of me.  Everyone seemed to love her song “How Strong I Am.”  We were all surprised when UK singer songwriter Jake Bugg took the stage.  His crowd pleaser “All I Need” delighted everyone.  

     My favorite time each year is listening to the genre-bridging gospel and roots act, The McCrary Sisters.  They had everyone standing and clapping on their rendition of “Amazing Grace” to the tune of “House of the Rising Sun” and the rousing “Let it Go.”  

     Nine-time Grammy winner Sheryl Crow closed the brunch with “ Pick You Up” and “Freedom Road,” both songs from her new album “Pick You Up,” and her classic “Every Day is a Winding Road.”   

     All of the performers gathered on stage for the encore “Put a Little Love in Your Heart.”  Chicken and waffles never tasted so good!

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Americana Fest: Photos Show a Lively Friday Night at Nashville Venues InDo, The Anchor, and City Winery

By Wil Comstock

Music City Arts Contributing Writer

     NASHVILLE -- The Americana Fest continued to live up to its storied reputation as the best event of its kind in Nashville. Here are a few photos from a lively Friday night (Sept. 14).

1. Eliza Gilkyson at InDo Nashville on Fogg Street.

 

2.  Eliza Gilkyson with Betty Sue on backing vocals at InDo Nashville.

 

3.  Leslie Stevens with Albert at InDo Nashville.  (“The best female country singer in LA today,” according to The Los Angeles Times)

 

4.  Mary Gauthier with Jamie Harris on backing vocals at InDo Nashville.

 

5.  Austin native Jamie Harris with Betty Sue and Graham Weber at InDo Nashville.

 

6.  Mountain Man at The Anchor.

 

7.  Peter Bradley Adams at the Anchor.

 

8.  Peter Bradley Adams with Caitlin Canty on backing vocals at The Anchor.

9.  Kim Richey at City Winery.

 

10. Kim Richey and band at City Winery.

 

(All photos by Music City Arts Contributing Writer Wil Comstock)

Americana Fest: Molly Tuttle and Mary Gauthier Inspire With Moving Performances

By Wil Comstock

Music City Arts Contributing Writer

Wednesday Evening (Sept. 12):

         Standing in line to get into City Winery for the Viewing Party for the 17^th annual Americana Fest Honors & Award Show, I met Rachel Guttmann, an entertainment lawyer who stood behind me. She’s very personable, and a lot of fun to be around. The woman in front of me was interested in making a career change to an entertainment lawyer and had lots of questions. Rachel couldn’t have given her better advice, warning about student loan debt and a lot of long hours at a desk doing research. She also expressed the joy she has because she loves what she does and enjoys building a relationship with her clients. In fact, she was at City Winery to catch Molly Tuttle’s (a client of her firm) set after the award show. Meeting people like this is what makes Americana Fest so enjoyable. We are one big family!

 

         My plan was to leave before the awards show was over and head to Mercy Lounge. But Rachel’s enthusiasm for Molly Tuttle and the song Molly played on the award show made me decide to stay. Did I mention Tuttle won "Best Instrumentalist of the Year?" Tuttle’s claw hammer, flat and cross picking are superb. Combined with her reed-like voice, one realizes this is a woman with a long and successful career ahead of her. She played several numbers from her upcoming album "High Road," all killer!  I loved the driving “Save This Heart of Mine” and the heart-wrenching “A Million Miles Away” written with Steve Poltz and Jewel. I’m so glad I stayed for her set!

 

         I decided I may as well stick around for Mary Gauthier, who was up next. I had seen her several years ago at the Belcourt, and have always appreciated her artistry. But this set gave me a whole new regard for Mary. Over the last five years, Gauthier has been writing with military veterans and their spouses. While listening to their stories, she crafted them into songs. These became the basis for her new album, "Rifles & Rosary Beads."  Songs from this CD are what she presented to us tonight, along with backing vocalist Jamie Harris. “War After the War,” written with military wives, reveals how they feel like the invisible victims of the war. “Who's gonna care for the ones who care for the ones who went to war? There's land mines in the living room and eggshells on the floor. I lost myself in the shadow of your honor and your pain. You stare out of the window as our dreams go down the drain.”  Nothing light-hearted here! 

 

         Mary described one of her co-writers as a “bad ass,” a female who led the first all-women squadron. They flew Obama! Over the years, many of her command committed suicide. The national average is 22 a day. The song they came up with, “Soldiering On,” is quite sobering. Mary enunciated every word as she sang “What saves you in the battle, can kill you at home... A soldier, soldiering on.”

         Once in a while, it’s good to hear of the unpleasant realities that surround us. Thank you Ms. Gauthier for touching my emotions and my conscience tonight.  Bravo! 

(Story and photos by Wil Comstock)

 

     

Bettye LaVette Soars With Set of Pure Soul at AmericanaFest

By Wil Comstock

MCAU Contributing Writer

AmericanaFest

Saturday, Sept. 16

12^th & Porter

         NASHVILLE -- Bettye LaVette’s career spans 57 years.  Chances are you may never have heard of her. If that's the case, that's a shame.  She is one of the best soul interpreters of song alive today.  For one reason or another, she has been overlooked and passed over, until now… This is her moment to shine!

         I was looking forward to this show all week.  I caught her at City Winery a couple of years ago where she gave a great performance singing many songs by Nashville songwriters.  But tonight was not simply a great show. It was one of those rare moments when the singer connected to everyone in the audience. She left blood on the floor and tears in our eyes.  

         Introducing the Beatles' “Blackbird” she said, “I wanted to take the song and have it fit me, a blackbird taking her broken wings and learning to fly.” I was spellbound. I have never seen anyone take a song and turn it the way Miss LaVette did to fit her own circumstances. Her gravelly vocals sent chills up my spine.

         Bettye mentioned that Beth Nielsen Chapman and Mary Gauthier were in the audience. They had written her next song, “Worthy.” LaVette’s raw vocals, full of conviction on every word she sang, left no doubt that this woman who has waited a lifetime for recognition is worthy.  Tears streamed down her face as she uttered, “Left stumbling in the dark, I had to go within... So I traced my scars back to where I'd been... A diamond in the dirt, perfectly concealed... Down beneath the hurt, it's been so hard to feel... Worthy, worthy, what a thing to claim... Worthy, worthy ashes into flame... Worthy.”  Amen!

Americana Fest: Last Day Features Incredible Sara Potenza at The Family Wash

By Wil Comstock

Music City Arts Contributing Writer

Sunday, Sept. 25  -- Last day of Americana Music Fest

The Sixth Annual Gospel Brunch

11 a.m. -- City Winery

Hosted by The McCrary Sisters. Featuring: Cece Winans, Lori McKenna, Bonnie Bishop, Sons of Bill, and Luke Bell.

I attended this show last year and really enjoyed myself.  I guess word really got around.  My heart sunk as MCA Editor Chuck Whiting and I approached City Winery... The line extended outside into the valet parking area. “They must be starting late like last year”, I told Chuck, not yet giving up hope.  But once I heard music start up, I knew the seats were all taken.  Soon a woman came out and told us they were going to try to get us all in on Standing Room Only.  But that wouldn’t be fun. I was hungry and had skipped breakfast so I could enjoy the chicken and waffles they were serving.  I got out my Americana Fest Guide and looked for plan B. 

Sunday Morning Coming Down

12 p.m. -- Fond Object Records

Featuring JP Harris, Tim Easton, and Ariel Bui

Pulling up, we soon realized that this was not a record company.  It was a vinyl record store with vintage clothes and antiques, housed in a vintage strip mall.  This place was funky, and I liked it.

The music was out back in the yard.  Things were just starting up.  I grabbed a vodka cocktail and sat on a cinder block to watch the first act who I had already determined was damn good.  Randolph, the guy behind me, said this was “Tim Easton, had you ever heard of him?”  I replied, “No, why hadn’t I?".  Easton is a suburban blues artist.  Virtuoso guitar and killer vocals.  This is one of those guys that really should have made it big.  He played a few more songs, and his set was finished.  I made a note to check this guy out later online.   At that moment, the Mas Tacos Por Favor food truck pulled up. I have been hearing great things about Mas Tacos for years but have never sampled their gastronomical delights. Here was my chance.  I ordered a Cuban Carne for me and a Quinoa Sweet Potato for Chuck.  These tacos were the bomb!  But it was time to catch the show in East Nashville that I had been waiting for…

Sunday School Hosted By Sarah Potenza 

2 p.m. -- The Family Wash

Featuring Mary Gauthier, Christine Ohlman, Lilly Hiatt, Kimberly Nichole, Meghan Linsey, and Sarah Potenza paying tribute to the Staples Singers, Mavis Staples, Mahalia Jackson, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe.

After being introduced to the incredible voice of Sarah Potenza on Thursday, there was no way I was going to miss this show.  We arrived 45 minutes early to find there were no seats left.  We got on the waiting list, and just before the show started, got a seat behind a closed window that looked across the room to the stage.  Not exactly what I had in mind!  I ordered a Yazoo Sour and a Camardo Sandwich, yum, and Chuck ordered the crispy Catfish Sandwich. Once host Potenza took the stage, I was on my feet elbowing through the crowd.  What a voice this woman has, a sultry alto that will make you weep.  Back in my seat finishing my sandwich and beer, I enjoyed the soulful Kimberly Nichole, followed by the refreshing Lilly Hiatt.  Unfortunately I had lost my pen and was unable to jot down what songs were sung by whom, and I can’t rely on my memory  ; ).  The great discovery, for me, of the show was Meghan Linsey!  All of these women were incredible vocalists, but Meghan had us all in the palm of her hand.  This woman drew water from the well and poured it all over the thirsty crowd. Phenomenal!  Back on my feet and inching my way to the front, I could touch special  guest, veteran Christine Ohlman (the Beehive Queen) who brought a smile, a whoop , and a holler to everyone in attendance.  Christine began as a lead vocalist for the Saturday Night Live band in 1991.  She has provided background vocals for the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Nils Lofgren and a host of others in her long career.  Inviting Potenza up to the stage to duet with her on the closing numbers sent my soul into the stratosphere.  Hallelujah! Sunday School has never been better than this!