This just in from NSAI Communications Director Erin Burr – A Report on Tin Pan South – Day 2
How much talent is in Nashville during the 18th Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival Presented by Regions Bank? The Listening Room hosted Andrew Dorff, Mark Irwin, Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins, who joked around with each other in between – and sometimes during – songs like “Before He Cheats,” “Here In The Real World,” “Watch The Wind Blow By” and “To Love Somebody.” Complimenting each other with harmonies and instrumental accompaniment, these guys seemed to be having
fun together. Rounding out the evening was a song Lady Antebellum took to #1,“Ne
ed You Now,” co-written by Kear. This show wasn’t just for music lovers; industry pros like ASCAP’s Anna Maki, Pat Rolfe, Jesse Willoughby and Mike Sistad, as well as Tin Pan South songwriters Bo Bice, Sage Keffer, Bobby Tomberlin and proud papa Steve Dorff, helped pack the house.
The theme at the 3rd & Lindsley shows last night was extraordinary musicianship. During the American Federation of Musicians show, the best in the business (keyboardist Bill Cuomo, guitarist Kenny Greenberg, guitarist Warner Hodges, drummer Craig Krampf and bassist Dave Pomeroy) posed as the all-star house band for Paris Delane and special guests Ashley Cleveland, Elio Giordiano and Dan Baird, to name a few. The core group has played on just about every record out there and has had songs in the movies Flashdance and Better Off Dead.
Next up was a round that made you feel like you were relaxing in your living room and that they were playing just for you. The cool vibe mixed with tons of onstage and crowd interaction was full of blues, country and charity (the show was dedicated to The John Jarrard Foundation). Each member seemed genuinely impressed with one another. “I want my fellas in my monitor so I can enjoy some hot-pickin,” said Gary Nicholson as the show began. After Jessi Alexander finished “The Climb,” her husband Jon Randall quipped, “This song was 15 weeks at #1, and all I got was this t-shirt.” A hitmaker in his own right, Randall sang the intense “Whiskey Lullaby” but kept his commentary light and joined his wife on a few tongue-in-cheek songs like “Drown Me” and “Let’s Get Trashed.” Nicholson performed a song he wrote with the late Stephen Bruton for the movie Crazy Heart. While he may be new to Nashville, Seth Walker certainly isn’t new to the music scene as he and Nicholson traded guitar solos throughout the night.
The Hard Rock Café was another hot spot that came alive with hit after hit. During the early show, Dallas Davidson (“Start A Band”), Brett Eldredge (“Ain’t Gotta Be Love”), Scotty Emerick (“Beer For My Horses”) and James T. Slater (“The High Cost of Living
”) jammed out to a packed audience. Behind every great artist, there’s a great songwriter, and Dave Berg (“Stupid Boy”), Kelley Lovelace (“He Didn’t Have To Be”) and Rivers Rutherford (“Real Good Man”) are some of the greatest. These guys took the stage for the late show, performing for local fans, as well as travelers from all across the country. Regions Bank’s Lisa Harless also made an appearance to introduce the group.
Douglas Corner Café’s Front Men In The Round show sold out quickly with American Idol favorite Bo Bice, Daryl Burgess, Greg Crowe and A.J. Masters. With their booming vocals and rockin’ rhythms, it’s no wonder the crowds were lined up down the street. These men have made their mark on the music scene with Faith Hill’s “Love Ain’t Like That” (Masters), Aaron Pritchett’s “Big Wheel,” the official song of the Tennessee Titans (Burgess) and “We’re Fired Up” (Crowe). Adding in the energetic and talented Bice (“Take The Country Outta Me”), who made the rounds supporting various writers every night, made for a stellar show!
Over at The Bluebird Café Pat Alger began his list of tunes with Kathy Mattea’s first #1, “Going, Gone,” and “You’re Gone,” which
Garth Brooks recorded but Diamond Rio released. Coincidentally Jon Vezner also sang the tune “Where’ve You Been” that Garth performed the night he was discovered at The Bluebird Café and helped catapult Mattea’s career. She sang one of her biggest hits “18 Wheels And A Dozen Roses,” as well as an a cappella cover of “Now Is The Cool Of The Day,” which she recorded for her album Coal. Richard Leigh also upped the ante for the group with “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” and “The Greatest Man I Never Knew.” The audience was also treated to Allen Reynolds who joined the round for a tune. Though she didn’t perform, Lorrie Morgan attended to support and enjoy a great show.
The Rutledge welcomed Gary Burr, Victoria Shaw, Mark Hudson and a couple of special guests – Lila James and South of Eden. The night was a mix of songs and comedy, led primarily by the rainbow-bearded Hudson, whose list included “Livin’ On The Edge,” as well as a song co-written with Carole King called “The Reason.” When he wasn’t “napping” through Hudson’s lengthy – and hilarious – stories, Burr entertained the crowd with “Nothin’ ‘Bout Love Makes Sense,” “What Mattered Most” and “Love Said,” co-written with Richard Marx. The night’s leading lady, Shaw, showcased her songwriting talents during “The River,” I Love The Way You Love Me” and debuted a new tune. The group’s cohesiveness was apparent when they all took turns singing a song they co-wrote – Sarah Buxton’s “Outside My Window.”
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