Pictured (L-R): Big Machine Music’s Mike Molinar, Jonathan Singleton, ASCAP’s Ryan Beuschel, Striking Matches Justin Davis, NOTES for Education Co-Founder & President Debi Cali, Striking Matches’ Sarah Zimmermann, ASCAP’s Anna Maki, David Lee Murphy, Ray Stephenson, NOTES for Education Board Member Julie Meirick, ASCAP’s Meghan Muse, NOTES for Education Board Member Fran Leach, Jon Randall Stewart, ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan, Mike Sistad and Alison Toczylowski. Photo: Ed Rode.
If a glass of Zinfandel supports music in schools, why not have a whole bottle? That’s exactly the idea behind the second annual Napa in Nashville event, which took place on the veranda at Nashville’s Hard Rock Cafe on Thursday (March 6). For the past five years in Napa, the two cities have combined creative exports – winemaking and songwriting – to support Notes for Education.
The success of Notes is due in large part to Debi Cali. She found support in ASCAP‘s Mike Sistad, who curates the songwriters who perform as part of the program. Naturally, the second half of the program is carried by the Napa Valley vintners—all to support elementary through high school music programs in Napa and Nashville.
Throughout the Nashville evening, it was clear the sister cities share the craft of storytelling. Casual conversations included stories of winemaker struggles, one even sleeping in an SUV until they were able to support the first crop of grapes. Cali recognized the perseverance and patience required to succeed in the winemaking process. Of the communal experiences while wine matures, Cali made reference to Jackalope, the Nashville brewery participating in the event, “It takes a lot of beer to make wine!”
Big Machine Music’s Mike Molinar, who took home the raffle grand prize at last year’s event, embraced his “responsibility” to sponsor this year’s Nashville event. SunTrust has played a large part in the success of the Napa events as well.
Tastings were offered prior to two sets of acoustic songwriter rounds. Sarah Zimmermann of Striking Matches, whose “When The Right One Comes Along” handwritten lyrics were available for auction, mentioned, “This is our favorite event of the year, second to the one in California!” Ray Stephenson contributed artwork and performed a set including “Hemmingway’s Whiskey,” another song with handwritten lyrics available for auction.
Although the anchor Napa winery Baldacci, host of the Napa events, does not have wine available in Nashville stores, a few of the Napa area’s varietals can be found locally. Phifer Pavitt wine is available at Etch and Kayne Prime. Nashville resident Gary Carr co-founded BNA Wines, produced in California and available at Nashville’s Lockeland Table, among many others. Bellaterra Ranch is based in Franklin, Tenn., pairing cigars with California-grown varietals. Cali has created her own Notes, Harmony Zinfandel, which supports the cause she leads with help from Napa’s Fran Leach and Nashville’s Julie Meirick.
Rounding off the Nashville evening were veteran hit makers David Lee Murphy (“Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”), Jon Randall Stewart (“Whiskey Lullaby”), and Jonathan Singleton (“Let It Rain”).
For more information on the organization or its annual events in Nashville or Napa, visit notesforeducation.org.
Special thanks to Luckey at Hat Creek Carriages for MusicRow‘s complimentary transportation to the event!
Category: Artist, Featured, Organizations
About the Author
Eric T. Parker oversees operations and contributes editorial for MusicRow's print magazine, MusicRow.com, the RowFax tip sheet and the MusicRow CountryBreakout chart. He also facilitates annual events for the enterprise, including MusicRow Awards, CountryBreakout Awards and the Rising Women on the Row. eparker@musicrow.com | @EricTParkerView Author Profile
