Pictured: Tim James, Danny Myrick, Natalie Noone, Jill Block, Georgia Middleman, Kent Blazy, Dane Gorman, Jeffrey Steele, Gary Nicholson, Danny Flowers, Ray Stephenson, Karla Davis, Susan Heard, Gary Burr. Not pictured: Jim Lauderdale, Shawn Camp, Gordon Kennedy, Alyssa Bonagura, Bill Lloyd, Leslie Satcher. Buddy Owens. Photo: Jeff Fasano
The newly-formed Nashville Entertainment Group led by Jill Block, CEO and Dane Gorman, CCO launched Backstage Nashville hit songwriters party last week at the Ascend Amphitheater VIP Club.
Backstage Nashville is the brainchild of songwriter and painter Ray Stephenson, who created Backstage Nashville to provide a platform to entertain for corporate and private events while sharing music and swapping stories with songwriting friends. Stephenson’s paintings of music legends surround the Backstage Nashville party creating a unique, inspiring atmosphere.
“When we surround hit songwriters, telling their stories with Ray’s art and delicious food and beverages made right here in Nashville, we truly are providing the ‘Nashville experience’ to our clients,” explains Gorman. “We are the Number One Hit Songwriters party for corporate events and private parties.”
When Block turned to the microphone to introduce the Backstage Nashville roster, she announced to the partygoers that the playlist they had been listening to for the past two hours were hits from the writers in the room. “Just think about the millions of lives that are impacted by these hits written by our songwriter friends in this crowd. With the launch of Backstage Nashville, fans of music all over the world will be able to enjoy this very personal setting with these brilliant writers, singers and musicians.”
Jim Lauderdale and Ray Stephenson. Photo: Jeff Fasano
“Backstage Nashville’s all about chemistry,” says Stephenson. “You just can’t put any group of writers together, no matter how successful. You need to put teams together that can play each other’s songs, sing harmonies, and share good stories. That makes the party fun for everyone.”
Susan Heard, who co-manages Stephenson with Block, continues, “Ray’s art has been on exhibit at the Bluebird Café, Two Old Hippies, and the Ascend VIP Club this year. It’s time to take this show on the road to beautiful VIP rooms and venues throughout Nashville, across the country and around the world.”
In addition to providing event-planning services with Backstage Nashville, the Nashville Entertainment Group launched Music City Live and the Nashville Film Group Divisions. Music City Live has a roster of party, tribute and cover bands to serve the Corporate and private party market.
Pictured (L-R): Danny Flowers, Ray Stephenson, Jeffrey Steele. Photo: Jeff Fasano
“We couldn’t believe country and dance party bands were being booked by companies outside of Nashville. After 25 years of being deeply entrenched in the live music scene here in town, it was important we offer our services to push hiring incredible local talent at great rates,” says Block.
The Nashville Film Group’s first project is the Billy Block Documentary, which will be reaching out for funding this fall.
For more information on booking Backstage Nashville, contact the Nashville Entertainment Group at (615) 285-9131 or info@nashvilleentertainmentgroup.net. Also visit nashvilleentertainmentgroup.net for more information.
Pictured (L-R): Danny Myrick, Kent Blazy. Photo: Jeff Fasano
About the Author
Jessica Nicholson serves as the Managing Editor for MusicRow magazine. Her previous music journalism experience includes work with Country Weekly magazine and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) magazine. She holds a BBA degree in Music Business and Marketing from Belmont University. She welcomes your feedback at jnicholson@musicrow.com.View Author Profile
