Catching Up With Everybody
John Hatton backstage at The Mercy Lounge, The Billy Block Show, May 2014 , photo – Brad Hardisty
Nettie Rose was back in town working on her album and returned to The Billy Block Show at Mercy Lounge sounding better than ever. I was caught by surprise when I got a message from her current bassist,Johnny “Spazz” Hatton [Brian Setzer Orchestra] letting me know about the set that night.
Nettie was decked out like a prohibition era June Carter speakeasy chanteuse. John was sharing some of his knowledge on the upright with Billy’s son, Rocky Block who hosted later that night. Speaking of Billy Block, he looks to be recovering very well and was sitting in on the drums midway through the night with another group.
Billy was featured on the cover of Nashville Scene magazine recently behind the drum kit and everybody is happy that he is doing well.
John Oates, Record Store Day 2014, Grimey’s, photo – Brad Hardisty
Record Store Day was another great success this year with the Groove featuring Nikki Lane who brought several copies of her new album on vinyl to be available only at The Groove until the official drop date several weeks later. The New West label vinyl sounded great and features local picker Kenny Vaughan (Marty Stuart) and Dave Roe (Johnny Cash) on bass. The album was recorded with Dan Auerbach (The Black Keys) at the helm really is a local Nashville tour-de-force.
photo courtesy of Ryan Hurtgen
More photos and stories from Record Store Day will be forthcoming as well as an extended interview with Ryan Hurtgen [former band Rene Breton during his Nashville days] and his new project out in California called Perfect Beings. The new recording done almost completely live sounds close to a modern take on 70’s prog like Yes, Gentle Giant and early Genesis. It has already been touted as the “Prog Rock Album of The Year” in some reviews.
Franklin, Tennessee is set for an extended Americana Music Festival dubbed the Americana Experience beginning on May 22nd and running for ten days! The Franklin Theater has featured several artists known for the genre such as Darrell Scott over the last couple of years.
There are so many events that have developed in the local area that Nashville Scene dedicated a month to month guide is this current week’s issue to help plan the summer months festivities.
On the short list, CMA Fest and Bonnaroo coming up next month followed by East Nashville’s Hot Chicken Festival on the 4th of July and the Tomato Festival not too long after that.
Uncle Dave Macon Days 2013 photo 1, photo – Brad Hardisty
Uncle Dave Macon Days in Murfreesboro is one of the best old time music festivals and competition in the country and features some great jams in the park July 11th-13th.
NAMM returns in July with KISS and Def Leppard playing the Bridgestone Arena on opening night.
I just got my second magazine cover with Performer Magazine in April that featured an interview with Atlanta’s Black Lips that was supposed to be about the new album production but ended up being about their recent tour of the Middle East that was made into an Indie film and seemed to be a mind blowing experience all these months later.
Tristan Dunn, jamming with The Tim Boykin Blues Band, Birmingham, AL, photo – Brad Hardisty
Birmingham utility musician and vocalist Tristan Dunn is staying under my roof for the month of May and jamming on blues harp and vocals with just about every band on Lower Broad as well as Printer’s Alley. Tristan is gigging with current American Idol alumnus Casey Thrasher in Tuscaloosa, Alabama tonight.
Outside commitments are keeping me busy and spread a little thin lately but I will get some things up real soon! It’s always a good day to buy a vintage tube amp or
– Brad Hardisty, Nashville, TN thenashvillebridgeathotmaildotcom
The Nashville Bridge 