Doak Turner at Home

 Nashville Muse’ Doak Turner could really be the unofficial mayor of Nashville and this Friday Christmas starts at  Red Rooster on Demonbreun from 4-8 PM where Nashville Muse / Music Starts Here throws the biggest Songwriter’s  Holiday get together and anybody interested is invited.

Like it says on The Nashville Muse email “Bring your business cards”. Doak has put together the best networking organizations for all things music this side of NSAI. For well over a decade, his home has been host to what is known as either the monthly “Guitar-B-Q” or “3rd at 3”on the third Sunday.

If you can’t make his monthly get togethers, you can always sign up for The Nashville Muse Newsletter.  Doak has opened his home for well over a decade to not only some of the most well-known writers in town, but those who show up to Nashville with nothing but a melody in their head who are trying to put it down to paper and realize their musical ambition.

Jim Parker

I first heard about “3rd at 3” in the spring of 2008 when I first arrived in Nashville. I got an address and after turning off Charlotte Pike down to Doak’s place I pulled out my guitar case with my trusty Maton and started up the long driveway to the backyard.  There was a radio station broadcasting live in his garage. Guitar cases lined the driveway about 60 long. Kids were throwing Frisbee in the yard.

Inside the house, it could get intimidating very quickly. You might find yourself in a bedroom in a song round with a couple of hit songwriters who are able to convey their message with nothing but a voice and a Martin. But, that’s okay, that is what Nashville is all about, step up your game so you can bring something to the table.

When I was there that first time, after I shared a couple of songs I opted for the big circle playing old classics out on the back deck.  It was a big music party where all rungs of the music ladder can mash together and network not to mention the pot luck in the garage where chicken, beans, store bought cakes mingle with various cornbread recipes. If you don’t leave with a full stomach, a melody in your head and a smile on your face you must have been asleep.

Tom Shinness

My most recent trip to the “3rd at 3” found Jim Parker hit songwriter, member of the Huntsville chapter of NSAI, a well developed group with a great venue, playing in Doak’s office with multi-instrumentalist Tom Shiness (who could pass for Steve Lukather’s brother) trading off between his Harp Guitar and playing some bluesy licks on his Cello adding a great original fill to one of the writer’s songs. A man had just come into town with nothing but an idea in his head about a song he wanted to write about the daughter that he wasn’t able to be around while she grew up.  Sam Cooper was networking with new and old friends.  The garage was full of warm food and warm greetings.

Sam Cooper & Jamey Johnson

I’ve got three recommendations, sign up for The Nashville Muse Newsletter, go to Doak’s house for the “3rd at 3” and be at Red Rooster on Friday for the party! Merry Christmas! By the way, if you don’t have a gig after the party, join us and check out “Nowhere Boy” a new biopic movie on Pre-Beatles John Lennon at The Belcourt at 9:30 PM!

Merry "re-opened Opryland Hotel" Christmas!

 – Brad Hardisty, Nashville, TN     thenashvillebridge@hotmail.com