Archives for category: Music

Junior Sisk Big IBMA Night

October 4, 2012 //

photo – Anthony Ladd

Nashville, TN (October 1, 2012) — In spite of all the deer that Junior Sisk as an avid huntsman may have collected over the years, last Thursday night was without a doubt the biggest night of his life.

Sisk and his band Ramblers Choice were named two-time winners at the International Bluegrass Music Association Awards when their names were announced as recipients of Song of the Year for “A Far Cry From Lester And Earl” and Album of the Year for their Rebel Records release, The Heart Of A Song. A visibly emotional Sisk was so overwhelmed he could barely speak when he was brought on stage to accept the Song of the Year honor along with his band and co-writers Rick Pardue and Tim Massey. After speeches by Pardue and Massey, Sisk walked to the microphone and said “I don’t know what to say folks, I love you!” Later in the evening, a still emotional Sisk, upon accepting the award for Album of the Year, stated “I swear I don’t know what to say. I’ve had speeches made up for years but this time it’s for real!”

“A Far Cry From Lester And Earl” broke several chart records this year and was #1 four consecutive months on Bluegrass Unlimited’s Top 30 Songs chart (3/12-6/12) and six consecutive months on Bluegrass Music Profiles’ Top 30 Hot Singles (12/11-5/12). In addition, The Heart Of A Song enjoyed multiple months as the #1 album on BMP’s Top 10 CDs and on SiriusXM’s Most Played Albums chart.

It’s been an outstanding year for Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice. In addition to the IBMA accolades, the band also recently announced a partnership with NASCAR legend Ward Burton and the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation. And earlier this month, Sisk was inducted into the Virginia Folk Music Hall of Fame. With the band’s extremely busy year, including a packed touring schedule, they have still managed to find time to work on their next project, The Story Of The Day That I Died, due for release on Rebel Records March 12, 2013. The title cut will be released as a single to radio programmers worldwide on Sisk’s Birthday, November 6th of this year.

– thenashvillebridge@hotmail.com

Categories Bluegrass Music, IBMA World of Bluegrass 2012, Indie Music, Junior Sisk, Junior Sisk and Ramblers Choice, Music

The Drop Zone in Northern Arkansas

October 3, 2012 //

Courseys Smoked Meats, Leslie, Arkansas photo- Brad Hardisty

On a recent road trip traveling south from Kansas City, heading south to Branson, and then dropping down into the Ozarks, I planned a stop at Courseys Smoked Meats in St. Joe, Arkansas for one of my top 5 sandwiches in the world. All it contains is a pile of the best smoked turkey this side of Sonoma County, California, sliced razor thin, piled high with homemade smoked cheddar cheese, a little mayo and mustard on white bread.

After consuming one of the treasures of The Ozarks, it was hard to keep traveling too long after a meeting in Branson at 8AM and a smoke turkey sandwich at lunch, it was time to find an antique store or something.

The Drop Zone, Leslie, Arkansas photo – Brad Hardisty

A sign came up on HWY 65: turn left here to old downtown Leslie, Arkansas. After crossing a narrow bridge and about 100 yards off the main highway, I came face to face with a sign that looked like one of The Blues Brothers playing guitar (but turned out to be Thomas) that read The Drop Zone.

Oak Street Station – connected to The Drop Zone, photo – Brad Hardisty

I had to enter by another store that had some vintage vinyl upfront, I ended up picking up a King Record 45 and started talking to Thomas about The Drop Zone and what has been going on in Northern Arkansas. It was like stumbling onto a juke joint in the Mississippi Delta. A great little venue that holds about 85 people, where there are couches, tables, chairs and some room to dance up front.

The Drop Zone opened in Leslie, Arkansas on September 9^th, 2011. Sandra Chidester is the owner while Thomas Anderson manages and books all of the entertainment. Thomas is also President and Sandra is Secretary/Treasurer of the Buffalo River Blues Society that uses the Drop Zone as its local venue.

Leslie, Arkansas is a small town of around 450 residents located in the North Central part of the state.

Thomas Anderson, The Drop Zone, photo – Brad Hardisty

The venue is totally non-alcoholic, non-smoking, all ages and is ranked as one of the best venues of its kind in Northern Arkansas. The Drop Zone has been referred to as “like having a juke joint in your living room”.

Thomas is an experienced musician having played in an Iowa band in the 60’s called The Nomads for a couple of years before the Vietnam draft caused The Nomads to disband.

Cee Cee James at The Drop Zone, photo courtesy Thomas Anderson

The Drop Zone normally books Blues and Classic Rock bands from all over the Central United States but has had bands from as far away as New York and Canada.

Brenda Meyer at The Drop Zone, photo courtesy – Thomas Anderson

The first concert was on the 9^th of September, 2011 with 79 inside and another 30 outside dancing in the street. Thomas says, “Clover Blue, a two time competitor at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis just brought the house down that night!” The Drop Zone First Anniversary party featured Arkansas favorites, the Joe Pitts Band.

“We have been very picky in finding quality bands and artists who have performed at the Drop Zone. Like Joe Pitts, Cee Cee James, Brenda Meyers, Smooth Down Under, R.B. Stone, Danny Brooks, Tyrannosaurus Chicken and many more. Voodoo Highway from New York, NY will be here for our Halloween party. Our dreams are to someday to be able to afford having the bigger names here: Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton, and Johnny Lang. But, that will be a long time coming,” Thomas muses.

Thomas has something to say about starting a venue in the middle of the Ozarks, ”The residents of Leslie are mostly divided to our being here with some loving what we are trying to bring here, to others not wanting the town to change at all. But, I think that is the way most small towns are. What many don’t understand is without new businesses that employ people, there might not be many small towns left today; so many are fading away. The Drop Zone employs 5 during live entertainment. Leslie would be very lucky with more music venues like the Drop Zone moving here. It would greatly improve the economy by bringing more people into town to enjoy great music while providing more jobs. An RV park or motel would be nice to have.”

The best place to eat, locally, is the Leslie Cafe. Located on Main Street, the cafe has great owners, great service, and the best home cooking anywhere. Bread and pastries are all made from scratch. The Drop Zone normally takes all the bands there to eat.

Lodging is another story. The Marshall Motel is located in Marshall, 8 miles North of Leslie on Highway 65. Nice rooms for those on a budget. Twenty miles to the South is the Best Western located in Clinton. Rooms are nice and loaded with all the amenities. Tell them you would like the Drop Zone rate if you ever get out this way.

Thomas has some more plans, “We are planning on expanding in the future. Possibly getting the adjacent building and making another venue, even adding rooms to house the bands. We are currently working with the Leslie Cafe into establishing a live music venue by bringing in the bands the Drop Zone has had in the past. The new venue is being built with lighting and a sound system being added. There will be a different menu for weekend nights when they have live entertainment. The Grand Opening of this new music venue is scheduled for the 13^th of October with the blues band Smooth Down Under from Branson taking the stage.”

Interstate Buffalo at The Drop Zone, photo courtesy – Thomas Anderson

Thomas says, “I think the hardest thing is just trying to continue finding all those great bands and artists out there, bringing them to the Drop Zone, and just hoping you can make enough to break even. Music and the devotion of the bands and our great support from our friends is what keeps us going.”

1/2 of Tyrannosaurus Chicken at The Drop Zone, photo courtesy – Thomas Anderson

Some of the comments that the team has heard about The Drop Zone are:

“Don’t bother going to Kansas City to hear good Blues, just take yourself down to the Drop Zone in Leslie”

“If you think your band is “all that” stop in and play the Drop Zone. They are a bands proving ground”

“Best venue. Best bands. Best owners. Best patrons”

“This venue knows how to do it right”.

“Now, let me tell you,” Thomas goes on, “after those comments, you just can’t stop bringing in the best. It’s in our blood.”

For information about the Drop Zone or the Leslie Cafe or for booking these venues, call and talk with Thomas at 501-253-6373.

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

Categories Blues Music, Buffalo River Blues Society, Cee Cee James, Classic Rock, Courseys Smoked Meats, Interstate Buffalo, Leslie Arkansas, Music, Rock Music, The Drop Zone Leslie Arkansas, Tyrannosaurus Chicken, Uncategorized, Voodoo Highway

Dolly Parton Pulls Out Of Nashville Waterpark

September 28, 2012 //

Nashville, TN – Dolly Parton – Iconic singer, songwriter, musician, actress and philanthropist – announced today that she will no longer be associated with the previously planned water park in Nashville.

“Gaylord makes decisions that they feel are good for their company and their stockholders and I have to make decisions based on what is best for me and the Dollywood Company,” said Parton. “Governor Haslam, Mayor Dean, and all the folks in government have been great to work with. I really appreciate their support through this process.”

“I think everyone knows I love Nashville and I hope the work we’ve already done will spark more family entertainment in Nashville,” Parton added.

For those that are long time Nashville residence, the Opryland theme park which was featured on television and the movie, Nashville, has been sorely missed and many have felt that this planned water park would be the start of a Renaissance nearby to the original park.

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

Categories Country Music, Dolly Parton, Music, Uncategorized

New Rick Rubin Produced ZZ Top La Futura

September 22, 2012 //

Rick Rubin has just produced another watershed masterpiece; ZZ Top’s best recording since Deguello. La Futura , out on American Recordings, simmers like Hot Chorizo Texas Chili with a layer of pure Agave Tequila set on fire bruja ja rising into the air.

This is what a career is suppose to be, a band that just keeps getting better and better and comes up with a crowning achievement decades later. La Futura literally sits with The Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Blood Sugar Sex Magic and the Johnny Cash American Recordings as Producer Rick Rubin’s current best of the best.

Billy Gibbons voice is all “Whiskey and Gravel” kicking off with a Lightnin’ Malcolm meets Billy at the crossroads groove “Gotsta Get Paid”, just a double call and response to their own “Just Got Paid,” and the rap hit “25 Lighters.” No easy task, being a prequel to “Just got paid today, got me a pocket full of change,” and a current rap tune. Let’s call it, multi-tasking.

La Futura inset photo- credit- ZZ Top.com

The second cut is what made me go out and get a copy. I heard “Chartreuse’” all “Tush” all over the place on Elizabeth Cook’s Outlaw Country radio show on Sirius Radio the other day and I said “Whoa man, this isn’t just another ZZ Top album for a tour, this is choice grade T-Bone!”

Elizabeth has the best radio show on the air or internet right now. You can call it country, but, she is all over the place, a real tastemaker, literally the “Rodney Bingenheimer” of Americana. Elizabeth just may be the one person that cleans out the fuel injectors of what is now Country music.

Recorded at Foam Box Recording in Houston, Texas, ZZ Top take it back to the old neighborhood, even showing a little of those early day influences like “Over You” with its “Whiter Shade of Pale” late 60’s vibe, Mellotron strings even coming in.

Just when you think the album is going towards Eliminator without any electronic drums, Billy throws down some clean loud Les Paul talking to Mr. Marshall blues on “I Don’t Wanna Lose, Lose, You.”

The best way to describe the album is being back down to the bone dry boogie three piece, with decades of guitar tone knowledge that puts the microphone in the paper speaker cone and will cause instant goose bumps for all those guitar tone dogs that sit for hours in new and used amplifier shops looking for the Holy Grail, an old Park 50 Watt head, Brown Tolex Fenders, original Orange amp, a pre Mesa Boogie’d Fender Deluxe, a Hendrix era Marshall Plexi and then compare them to maybe a Dr. Z, Divided by 13 or Samamp. If you like Electric Guitar that just shreds with fuzzy warmth and revs like a 65 Corvette or six-pack Barracuda, this is it Brotha!

Photo – ZZ Top.com

La Futura deserves to be heard while driving in your El Camino, windows rolled down, the 350 double 4 barrel carbs just kicking a jet blast out the twin tailpipes and the 400 Watt Fosgate with an EQ Booster rolling the 8 track through the spindle.

The Eliminator car is on the back cover as a current day “Rat Rod” ready to roll in what looks like a vintage photo. I’ll leave the rest to your imagination and, no, I wasn’t paid by a publicist to write this, I just got to say it’s good for ZZ Top to be back for more than just a tour stop! Pica Talcon! Andale! Rapido! Man, I need a plate of spicy Texas Enchiladas covered in grated sharp cheddar and Queso Blanco; I’ll have to settle for Pepperfire’s Hot Chicken!

I have a couple of suggestions; U2, where are those Rick Rubin Produced tracks you should have put out? And …Eddie, next time take Roth and the Van Halen brood down to this Houston, Texas studio and let Rick Rubin Produce the dang thing.

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

Categories Billy Gibbons, Dr. Z Amplifiers, Elizabeth Cook, Music, Rick Rubin, Rock, Rock Music, Uncategorized, ZZ Top

Junior Sisk Inducted Into Virginia Folk Music Hall of Fame

September 21, 2012 //

Junior Sisk getting award as wife, Susan Sisk looks on.

Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice Celebrate at IBMA’s World Of Bluegrass with Two Nominations and Appearances on SirisuXM, WAMU and WSM

Chesterfield, VA (September 21, 2012) — Virginia native, Junior Sisk was honored by his home-state and colleagues during a ceremony in Chesterfield, Virginia on Friday, September 14th. Sigrid Williams of the Virginia Folk Music Hall of Fame presented Sisk with a plaque during a performance by his band, Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice, officially honoring Sisk as the 2012 Virginia Folk Music Hall of Fame Inductee. The Virginia Folk Music Association was formed in 1943 for the purpose of preserving the history of country, bluegrass and gospel music. In 1973, the “Hall of Fame” was established and since that time has inducted many well known musicians such as Roy Clark, The Statler Brothers, Jimmy Dean and bluegrass legends Jim & Jesse McReynolds.

photo credit – Anthony Ladd

Also during the ceremony, Edwin Esten, Vice President of the Virginia Folk Music Association presented another plaque to Sisk on behalf of Virginia’s governor, Bob McDonnell, in recognition of Sisk’s dedication to preserving and fostering bluegrass music not only in Virginia, but world-wide as well. “I was deeply honored to be inducted into the Virginia Folk Music Hall of Fame and also to receive the plaque from Governor McDonnell,” stated Sisk. “I play traditional bluegrass music and never think about receiving any awards for it. But when you are recognized by your home-state for what you do, it sure does mean a lot.”

The Hall of Fame induction is among several newsworthy items as of late for Sisk and Ramblers Choice. The band learned in August that they are nominees for this year’s International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Awards in two categories; Album of the Year for their latest Rebel Records release, The Heart Of A Song and Song of the Year for “A Far Cry From Lester And Earl”. Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice will spend next week in Nashville, Tennessee to attend the IBMA’s World of Bluegrass Conference and have several personal appearances lined up including radio interviews and performances in addition to attending the IBMA Awards at the historic Ryman Auditorium. Here’s a complete list of their appearances (all times are CST):

Tuesday, September 25th

2:00pm SiriusXM Radio’s “Bluegrass Junction Live from IBMA” – Admission is free and open to the public. Guests should arrive at the Bridgestone Arena lobby no later than 1:30pm as seating is limited.)

3:30pm SiriusXM Studio Special – Private hour long performance to be aired at a later date on SirisXM’s Bluegrass Junction

7:00pm Martin Guitar’s Showcase at Robert’s Western World, 416B Broadway

10:00pm WAMU’s Bluegrass Country Showcase Nashville Convention Center Room 107

Wednesday, September 26th

8:00am WSM 650AM “Coffee, Country and Cody” – http://www.wsmonline.com

6:30pm Mountain Music Entertainment/Rebel Records Showcase at Jack’s BBQ, 416 Broadway (Free Admission)

9:30pm Bluegrass on Broadway at Ernest Tubb Record Shop, 417 Broadway (Free Admission)

Thursday, September, 27th

5:45pm IBMA Red Carpet Media Event

7:30pm IBMA Awards at the Ryman Auditorium

Friday, September 28th

9:30pm California Bluegrass Association Showcase

11:00pm Fan Fest

Junior Sisk will be part of the Bluegrass talent that descends on Nashville next week at IBMA World of Bluegrass.

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

Categories Bluegrass Music, Ernest Tubb Record Shop, IBMA World of Bluegrass 2012, Junior Sisk, Junior Sisk and Ramblers Choice, Lower Broad Nashville, Music, Nashville, Robert's Western World, Virginia Folk Music Hall of Fame, WSM 650

When IBMA Americana and Soundland Collide

September 10, 2012 //

2010, Corb Lund, Hayes Carll, Lucinda Willianms, Hayes’ parents.

September used to be back to school month, now that school starts early, September is not only when the CMA’s hit Nashville, but, when the world comes for Americana, Bluegrass and where Next Big Nashville morphed into Soundland and moved to October.

While Nashville may be known for the CMA’s , Eric Church and Taylor Swift, it is also known for what Rolling Stone called the “coolest music festival in the world”, The Americana Music Festival hits the city for the ultimate pub crawl from September 12^th-15^th.

Dan Baird with Brad, 2010, Cannery Ballroom, Stones Tribute

Past years have seen everybody from Don Was to Robert Plant to Nashville’s Own, Justin Townes Earle put on some great showcases. Last years’ awards show mashed up Gregg Allman, Robert Plant with The Avett Brothers, The Civil Wars and Mumford and Sons (sorry, the name reminds me of Sanford and Son). In fact, it seemed like a hybrid MTV awards show where music mattered and all sugar pop was left at the end caps in Wal Mart.

This year proves to be no exception, some notable sets will be Memphis night at The Rutledge featuring sets by Jim Lauderdale and the Mississippi All-Stars, okay, yes, I’ll say it again, Jim Lauderdale and The Mississippi All-Stars also a late set featuring an all-star jam playing the music of Big Star.

For those with a traditional view of what is “Americana”, Corb Lund will be at Mercy Lounge this Wednesday followed by a tribute to the late Levon Helm. In fact the line-up seems to be all inclusive with The Wallflowers, Mindy Smith, Chris Scruggs, Rodney Crowell among others playing all over the place for several nights.

As far as Americana goes, the easiest party route is to hang between Mercy Lounge and The Cannery Ballroom with an occasional run to The Basement for some harder to find sets.

Don Was, photo – Brad Hardisty

The problem is, this year, there are some great line-ups at The Rutledge and the Station Inn that will make that shuttle route a little difficult and may necessitate borrowing somebody’s 20-speed bike to get around each night.

Peelander-Z at Exit/In, NBN 2010 – photo – Brad Hardisty

The awards show at the end of the event, always proves to be a magical evening at The Ryman. This year should be no different. I am rooting for Alabama Shakes in the Emerging Artist category as well as Jason Isbell (Alabama represent!) & The 400 Unit with Album of the Year, Here We Rest.

The Dillards, IBMA 2010, photo – Brad Hardisty

Not to be outdone, IBMA’s World of Bluegrass Week runs from 24^th-30^th at, for convenience, The Nashville Convention Center and Renaissance Hotel. The IBMA Convention is not just about showcases, but, people are encouraged to carry around their guitars, fiddles, mandolins and join in the jam sessions that run almost till the sun comes up every night.

You could say Ricky Skaggs is our local Bluegrass patron Saint, with yearly residencies at The Ryman and a new album, Music to My Ears coming out this month, but, there are many new young artists playing traditional bluegrass as well as pulling in some modern ideas and pre-war non-bluegrass styles.

This is the real rebellion. While the music industry is finding a million ways to make computers sing and dance and auto-tune any Disney character into stardom, both the Americana Music Festival and the IBMA World of Bluegrass celebrate real musicianship, communal collaboration and a reason for a Luthier to keep honing his skills in search of the perfect tone wood.

This recipe continues to build both communities with younger generations every year.

After all, how many times can the music business reinvent the 70’s and the 80’s?

Mike Farris hanging at Mercy Lounge, Americana 2010, photo – Brad Hardisty

So, while commercial Country is now going to be shown every week in the night time soap, Nashville, basically re-spinning the movie Country Strong, “Americana,” which can claim anything from pre-war anthems to Red Dirt scene country and Bluegrass, New Grass and all its modern heirs are really the new cool. These two celebrations are really the underground cool.

As far as Soundland? What happened? Well, it’s now on October 6^th and after a peak year three years ago that featured major music business players talking about the next generation of music delivery and several days of new music, it is now one day down by the river with bands that already play Lollapalooza and other big festivals.

Wanda Jackson signing autographs at Mercy Lounge after Jack White produced album showcase, Americana 2010.

There are only a few locals, when Nashville could really do a Next Big Nashville with such a burgeoning Indie Rock and other type Music Scene, we get Soundland with just a couple of token Nashvillians, PUJOL and Nikki Lane. I guess we are going for national respect and now start-ups like Secret Stages in Birmingham are filling in the gap. Can I just say…huh?

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

Categories Alabama, Alabama Shakes, Alternative Music, Americana Music, Americana Music Festival, Americana Music Festival 2012, Ardent Studios, Band of Joy, Big Star, Birmingham Alabama, Bluegrass Music, Buddy Miller, Cannery Ballroom, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Chris Scruggs, Corb Lund, Country Music, Country Strong, Dailey & Vincent, Gregg Allman, Guitar, Gwyneth Paltrow, Hayes Carll, IBMA World of Bluegrass 2012, Indie Music, Indie Rock, Jack White, Jason Isbell, Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit, Jim Lauderdale, Justin Townes Earle, Lucinda Williams, Memphis, Mike Farris, Mindy Smith, Music, Nashville, Nikki Lane, Pujol, Ricky Skaggs, Rock Music, Rodney Crowell, Soundland 2012, The Avett Brothers, The Basement Nashville, The Civil Wars, The Mississippi All Stars, The Rutledge Nashville, The Ryman Auditorium, The Wallflowers, Uncategorized, Wanda Jackson

Due West Rock Friday at Grand Ole Opry

September 5, 2012 //

Friday night, Due West will hit the stage of The Grand Ole Opry for the first time. Due West is built like a brick house from the ground up, all three, Tim Gates, Brad Hull and Matt Lopez are accomplished musicians, songwriters, vocalists and performers.

Due West have been paying their dues over the last few years, from playing on three stools in an intimate venue to rocking some of the biggest stages between Nashville and the Rocky Mountain West.

all photos courtesy Black River Entertainment

Currently, their single, “Things You Can’t Do In A Car” is #43 on the Mediabase charts.

For Due West, it looks like the time is now.

You could start with songwriting skills that quickly earned all three Publishing deals and help define their fresh, unique sound. You could start with Producer Garth Fundis, whose credits include Keith Whitley, Don Williams, Trisha Yearwood and Sugarland. Anyone who has heard them sing will tell you that the place to start with Due West is with their vocals, collectively a three-lane road to magic.

It happened the first time they ever sang together when old friends Matt Lopez and Brad Hull met Tim Gates at a party. The three started harmonizing and the other attendees—Music Row stars, newcomers, and friends—kept asking how long they’d been a group. It’s been happening ever since as they’ve toured the country, visiting radio stations and playing for appreciative audiences along the way.

“We’ve been told that when we sing harmony, it’s something special, “says Brad, “and we’ve learned to believe it.”

Tim Gates

“It just seems like anytime we play live,” adds Tim, “we usually end up with some long-term fans.”

That phenomenon is about to get much bigger as Due West puts the finishing touches on new material, being released on Black River Entertainment in 2012, that is already garnering industry buzz.

“The energy is definitely there,” says Matt. “We’re at a new label with new music. This is all about new beginnings.” They’re especially excited about the chance to work with legendary producer Garth Fundis and engineers Chad Carlson and Chuck Ainlay. Carlson and Ainlay engineered all of Taylor Swift’s work and some of Ainlay’s most recent credits include producing and engineering Miranda Lambert’s Four The Record and engineering Lionel Richie’s Tuskegee.

Producer Garth Fundis says of the time spent in the studio, “This is one of the most fun and creative musical experiences I’ve had in a recording studio,” he says. “And we’ve only just begun.”

The Nashville Bridge caught up with Due West just a few days before their turn on the Grand Ole Opry Stage to find out a few things about the Nashville tri-powered roof raisers!

What should we know about Due West?

Matt Lopez

Matt: Due West is a vocal trio.

Tim: We love what we do, and have a good time doing it.

Brad: Due West is a group of 3 guys who came from 3 different small towns in the Western U.S., but met in Nashville and became instant brothers from a musical standpoint. We LOVE vocal harmony and we’ve talked about how amazing it is that when we “lock in” on a chord, we can not only hear it but we can feel it… We hope that the harmony we sing will pay homage to the great vocal groups of the past and pave a way for harmony to be a part of the future of country music.

Favorite concert stop so far? What happened?

Matt: The Gallivan Center in Salt Lake City was my favorite so far. It was a large super-energetic crowd, and a nice big stage to run around on!

Tim: “The Crystal Palace” (The home of Buck Owens) in Bakersfield California. Not only was it our first time playing there, but it was our first full band show this year after a long run of radio visits. It was a huge honor to play on that stage.

Brad Hull

Brad: We recently played a promotional show at a Kentucky Ford dealership in front of a few hundred radio station listeners. The promotion would be giving away a 1 year truck lease to the grand prize winner and we were there to play our song “Things You Can’t Do In a Car” from the beds of 3 brand new pick-ups as the entertainment part of the promotion. The gig was fun, but the coolest moment was when an unsuspecting crowd member won the grand prize. Something in her eyes seemed to let us know how much of a blessing this prize was to her and how much it was needed in her life. Obviously, I think anybody wouldn’t mind winning something like that, but we could tell that this was more special than that. I looked at Matt and Tim as the M.C. called this woman’s name and there couldn’t have been 2 bigger smiles in the whole place! I looked over at our tour manager and he had big tears in his eyes. It’s cool to see our music change people’s lives, even if it’s indirectly, that’s the reward.

Biggest musical influences?

Matt: The Beatles, Diamond Rio & Boyz II Men

Tim: Keith Whitley, Steve Wariner, George Strait and Randy Travis

Brad: My musical influences span over a few different genres and really come from any musical experience that moves me, but I would say that George Strait and Brian McKnight would be two artists that I’ve really latched onto and drawn influence from.

If you could only pick three albums out of your collection, what would they be?

Matt: James Taylor – Greatest Hits, Michael Jackson – History, Mark Nesler – I’m Just That Way

Tim: Bellamy Brothers – Rebels Without A Clue/ Steve Wariner- Life’s Highway/ Keith Whitley- Don’t Close Your Eyes

Brad: George Strait – #7, Brad Paisley – Part Two, Dierks Bentley – Modern Day Drifter

Which guitar or piece of gear you can’t live without?

Matt: My Larivee D10-E acoustic guitar.

Tim: Definitely my iPhone.

Brad: A good tuner. I can’t STAND to listen to out-of-tune guitars! I think that makes me a little paranoid and keeps me tuning constantly.

Favorite song you have written so far?

Matt: “Love’s Lookin’ Good On You” – recorded by Lady Antebellum.

Tim: “Day Over Beautiful”- its a song that I wrote about my wife.

Brad: “So Long, My Friend.” It may never be heard by the masses but I can never play that song without feeling the emotion I felt when I wrote it, I think because it came from a true, personal place.

Favorite place to eat in Nashville?

Matt: Chuy’s Mexican restaurant.

Tim: Sushiyobi

Brad: Sushiyobi. Matt and Tim told me for YEARS that I would love sushi if I’d just try it, but it was my wife who finally got me to try it. Of all the sushi restaurants I’ve been to across the U.S., Sushiyobi here in Nashville is still my fave!

What are your thoughts about playing the Grand Ole Opry for the first time?

Matt: Because it’s such an amazing honor and privilege, I’m trying to play it way down in my head; so that I don’t get freaked out and keel over dead on the stage!

Tim: Just like my first kiss, or the first time I sat behind the wheel of a car, I get butterflies. It’s gonna be a great experience!!

Brad: It is a dream come true for me. I love the history and tradition of the Opry and I honor that. I can’t wait to step inside of the “circle” and soak in that moment. I have a lot of friends from my home town in Arizona who, without me even saying what a big deal it is, knew instantly that the opportunity to play the Opry is a HUGE deal! They will all be there on Friday night to cheer us on. I cannot wait!

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

Categories Black River Entertainment, Brad Hull, Country, Country Music, Due West, Grand Ole Opry, Guitar, Matt Lopez, Music, Music Row, Nashville, Tim Gates

Meadownoise House Party at The Groove

August 28, 2012 //

Meadownoise at The Groove, Aug. 25th, all photos-Brad Hardisty

Meadow noise , a solo project by Matt Glassmeyer, released a new Seven inch vinyl – CD combo in limited signed handmade numbers with an in-store at The Groove in East Nashville last Saturday, August 25th, with a solid set of new material.

With beer on tap and moderate temps, The Groove hosted what could have been called more of a house party than an in-store at their current location. The Groove fits in with a neighborhood chalk-full of the new Nashville, an ever changing local scene of new songwriters, that while serious on storytelling, don’t have any Country twang and live in a cross culture of the classic “Leave It To Beaver” neighborhood with modern urban eateries.

Meadownoise is a one man “combo” taking a Billy Preston meets Bruce Hornsby approach to a post Five For Fighting world played out on an old studio furniture prize, a fifty year old Wurlitzer Electric Piano with some mild changes in delay textures and a backbeat of self-created looped rhythms that Matt creates by beating on a guitar with some metal works on the body and then twists the heck out of a parametric EQ to create beat machine style audio.

The biggest piece of Meadownoise is the word pictures that seem to make you think in new ways with new lines, kind of like when Jeni’s moved into the neighborhood and forced patrons to describe Ice Cream in new terminologies for the triple scoop.

The songs ran the gamut, like a verbal historical narrative of a Nashvillian middle age soldier viewing the changes as the Civil War was starting. Nashville was taken over by the Yankees very early on and it was a strange site to paraphrase, “The blues are coming.” The blues were coming, but, in a different way that would change the south.

Even Toddlers got the beat! Meadownoise at The Groove.

I guess the real songplay came with “Get Back at My Girlfriend” with a beat reminiscent of The Beatles, “Get Back” and Billy Preston’s Electric Piano driving a very new chord structured Indie groove.

Meadownoise publicly thanked family, friends and a laundry list of supporters that helped to make the release happen as well as inviting everybody over for an after party at his house as well as a late night gig at the Secret Identities Art Show.

It really was a neighborhood show, a tight village of eclectic musicians and songwriters on every block with a studio nearby that produced Robert Plant’s last album. An enclave where people eat handfuls of crunchy things, buy locally sourced meat and where change and a classic 40’s style neighborhood intersect.

Meadownoise, handcrafted packaging, limited run, 7 inch- CD combo.

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

Categories Americana Music, East Nashville, Indie Music, Indie Rock, Meadownoise, Music, Nashville, The Groove Nashville

Chips Moman on Stax Elvis and Willie Nelson

August 21, 2012 //

Chips Moman at Country Music Hall of Fame, all photos – Brad Hardisty

Chips Moman was at The Ford Theater in The Country Music Hall of Fame as part of the “Celebrate the King” series on Saturday, August 19^th and spent a little over an hour talking about over thirty years worth of work in the music industry. If there were a list of the top 25 people that are responsible for American music today as we know it, Chips would be there.

Chips, who grew up in La Grange, Georgia, got a ukulele when he was three and a guitar when he was four, hitchhiked to Memphis to stay with his Aunt when he was just fourteen. When asked why he decided to go to Memphis, Chips just said, “I had never been there before.”

Scotty Moore and Brad Hardisty at Chips Moman Interview

Chips, who rarely does such interviews, drew a five star crowd of musicians that worked with him, especially in the Memphis years. Original guitarist for Elvis, Scotty Moore as well, the members of The Memphis Boys, sessions cats from the American Sound Studio years featuring guitarist, Reggie Young. Also, Gary Talley from The Box Tops.

James Burton, the other prominent guitarist in Elvis Presley’s career was also there.

Chips, who grew up listening to Les Paul & Mary Ford on the radio as a young boy, was also asked when he first heard Black Music. Chips just said, “I guess it was while I was picking cotton when I was a boy,” which brought a little laughter. It was hard to get a straight answer when one of the architects of the Memphis Sound was just going to play off your last statement.

Johnny Burnette & The Rock and Roll Trio

Chips Moman started playing guitar on some Sun Sessions for Warren Smith. In those early days, he played guitar in road bands for Gene Vincent and The Burnette Brothers.

Chips left Memphis for a while and headed out to California and worked at Gold Star studios as a session player while learning the studio experience where Phil Spector would develop the “Wall of Sound” production techniques.

With that experience, Chips was ready to work with somebody to start an R&B label when he got back to Memphis. Chips had talked Jim Stewart into buying a tape machine and went to scope out a place for a studio with Paul Ritchie and it was really under Chips insistence that they purchased the Theater on McLemore Avenue in Memphis that would serve as the recording studio for Satellite and Stax releases.

Defining the Stax Sound,Chips writes “Last Night”

In fact Chips wrote the first big hit, “Last Night” by The Markeys that was on Satellite Records and helped to establish the Memphis Sound with the driving beat, horns and locked in guitar, bass and drums.

Chips was a true visionary able to play guitar, compose music, run a label and act as Producer for well over 100 Billboard hits during the sixties and seventies.

A little inside story, Chips owned a little British sports car where Booker T. & The MG’s got their name from.

When asked why he left Stax, the simple answer was that he wasn’t getting paid.

The first hit record out of American Sound Studio.

What happened next was the founding of his own studio, American Sound Studio, where not only did Chips continue composing and Producing, but, other great American Producers such as Jerry Wexler and Tom Dowd worked to create some magic including the classic album, Dusty in Memphis by Dusty Springfield.

Elvis with The Memphis Boys at American

If you ever wondered how Elvis Presley ended up recording in Memphis, Marty Lacker, Elvis’ confidante who ran the day to day operations of the Memphis Mafia put that one together and delivered one of his finest albums in 1969, the Chips Moman Produced, From Elvis in Memphis, which featured some of Elvis’ greatest late career recordings, “Suspicious Minds,” “In The Ghetto” and “Kentucky Rain.”

After the Martin Luther King Jr. assassination, the vibe had changed in Memphis and so did the music business. Chips began spending more time in Nashville and Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Chips co-wrote “Do Right Woman, Do Right Man” for Aretha Franklin whom he said was one his favorite singers at that time. Chips played guitar on that track along with tracks by Wilson Pickett.

Produced by Chips Moman

Although, Chips would have liked to see things get back the way they were in Memphis, they never did turn around and later on, Chips ended up producing a lot of great recordings by Willie Nelson, Gary Stewart, Tammy Wynette, Ronnie Milsap, and The Highwaymen.

Chips discussing Waylon Jennings

Chips penned, “ Luckenbach, Texas (Back To The Basics Of Love)” for Waylon Jennings after hearing him talk about the place.

Chips earned a Grammy for writing the B.J. Thomas hit, “(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Done Somebody Wrong Song.”

Chips moved seamlessly from musician to songwriter to producer to studio owner in the triumvirate domain that was Memphis, Muscle Shoals and Nashville speaking in R&B, Pop and Country like it was water out of the same stream.

On the current state of Memphis…”It aint Nashville.” Without being critical of Memphis itself, that statement was enough that not much else needs to be said. Chips went back in the 80’s to try to turn it around, but, although there are still some quality music coming out of studios in Memphis, the infrastructure that was there from the 60’s through to the early 70’s may never happen again.

Chips finally settled back down in La Grange, Texas where he raises horses. Chips said, “My Walking Horses are running and my Running Horses are walking.”

An afternoon with one of the greats – Chips Moman

With such a well respected lifespan in the music business there were certainly many milestones rather than one single event in the life of Chips Moman.

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

Categories American Sound Studio, Chips Moman, Country Music, Country Music Hall of Fame, Elvis Presley, Memphis, Muscle Shoals Alabama, Music, Nashville, Reggie Young, Rock Music, Satellite Records, Scotty Moore, Stax, Sun Studio, The Memphis Boys, Willie Nelson

Save Nashville Street Musicians!

August 18, 2012 //

David Andersen photo-davidandersenmusic.com

While the Honky Tonks beckon tourists from all over the world, there are two ambassadors that get right at eye level and can play with skill, discuss and share the heritage of Nashville. That is David Andersen in the lobby of The Country Music Hall of Fame, whose recordings are available in the gift shop and “ Mandolin Mike” Slusser with his weathered mandolin usually somewhere near Gruhn Guitars down on Lower Broad.

Both are top quality musicians. Both tell the story of Nashville through their playing, their interaction and approachability.

“Mandolin Mike” Slusser photo- Brad Hardisty

The difference is Mike is no longer allowed to sell CD’s out of his guitar case when he plays. Never mind the fact that the bands that play in the Honky Tonks, who also play for tips, sell their CD’s at the foot of the stage in the same manner.

Slowly but surely, the true Street Musicians have almost disappeared.

Just four years ago, prior to the recession, a musician could survive on tips while connecting with tourists, other local musicians and figure out how to make it in Nashville.

Townes Van Zandt once commented that he made more money playing for tips on Lower Broad than gigging around town.

J D Simo at Robert’s photo- Collings Guitars

In the last few years, J D Simo did some street gigging before landing a spot with the Don Kelley Band at Robert’s. J.D. has gained notoriety for some great guitar playing and is now seen in ads for Collings Guitars in guitar magazines.

Years ago, Lower Broad attracted tourists because that is where the hit songwriters and musicians hung out. Lower Broad has continued to develop as a tourist playground while the street ambassadors, The Nashville Street Musicians are dwindling and getting no support from City Hall.

The ability to make it as a street musician has been severely affected by The Contributor vendors (not to put down a unique effort), the economic downturn and the fact that more and more tourists and locals do not carry cash.

There has to be a way to support and develop a healthy community of street musicians.

It is possible to develop a hybrid vendor license similar to the system used in Memphis on Beale Street.

“Mandolin Mike” Slusser with tourists Andrew and Rachel Downs from Birmingham, AL – photo – Brad Hardisty

It could be quite simple either by utilizing the downtown ambassadors or a non-profit street musicians union that collects license fees either monthly or yearly for specific locations. The fee needs to be low, as an example maybe $75 per year since musicians earn about 1/3 of what they used to.

The musician or group would receive a license that could be worn like a badge with a strap like a trade show or be displayed in the guitar or instrument case and be assigned to a specific spot like Beale Street in Memphis. A committee could get the spots cleared with the approval of local businesses where they would not be blocking any doors or foot traffic.

There could also be a few spots for weekenders that would need to stop in and get a weekend license and claim the spot.

This would stop random musicians from showing up and creating a nuisance without understanding local ordinances. Musicians would also need to audition to show some sort of musical viability that honors the traditions of Nashville or shows strong performance, songwriting or playing ability.

I feel this could actually help to build on a great Nashville tradition without throwing musicians into the same category as panhandlers and vagrants.

My 1936 Gibson Electric Hawaiian, Soldano cabinet and Custom handmade early Samamp 45 watt all tube head made in Birmingham, Alabama by Sam Timberlake.

When I first came to Nashville, I got out on the block for fun, usually playing in front of Lawrence Record Shop, because, I wanted the experience and it was a way to develop chops and make a little money. One of my personal high points was when Little Jimmy Dickens stood and watched me play my 1936 Gibson Electric Hawaiian (that I purchased at Gruhn Guitars in 2007)through a little Roland Street amp and after about ten minutes, threw a $20 bill in the case and said, smiling,”Keep it up.”

Tristan Dunn at Cash Wall, sometime street musician, sit in with local bands. photo – Brad Hardisty

Their needs to be an advocate for the street musicians, true musicians that bring music up close and can discuss what it is all about with tourists and locals. It could be a benefit to downtown Nashville in the Lower Broad Entertainment District.

While Homeless Photographers and Writers are able to develop talents and abilities through The Contributor, homeless musicians and true troubadours are made to feel unwelcome and have all but disappeared.

Somebody start the discussion! We need to make it possible for musicians to be safe and able to ply their trade, making tips, selling CD’s, photos and buttons (making available, not verbally asking to buy) in the Lower Broad District. It can be tough surviving as a musician even with talent and ability.

It would be simple to kick out random wanderers if we had a vendor’s badge system and there were assigned areas along the route. Police would not have to make it rough for everybody, only those operating outside the guidelines.

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

Categories Americana Music, Country Music, Country Music Hall of Fame, David Andersen, Gruhn Guitars, Guitar, Indie Music, J D Simo, Lower Broad, Lower Broad Nashville, Mandolin Mike Slusser, Music, Music Row, Nashville, Nashville Street Musicians, Robert's Western World, Rock, Uncategorized