Tag: “Tin Pan South”

25th Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival

 in Festivals, Songwriters

By Ken Paulson

Tin Pan South, an extraordinary songwriters festival set in Nashville, celebrates its 25th anniversary this year with a full slate events scheduled from March 28 through April 1.

The Tin Pan South festival features small groups of successful songwriters, typically playing in the the round (or in a row.) Some songwriters are more polished performers than others, but it’s a treat to hear the original versions of now-classic songs.

Among the Tin Pan South highlights:

  • Bruce “Hey Baby” Channel, Gary Nicholson, “Sonny “I Fought the Law” Curtis and Sonny Throckmorton at 6 p.m. on March 28 at the Bluebird Café.
  • Mac Davis, Neil Thrasher, Wendell Mobley and Lee Thomas Miller at 6 p.m. on March 29 at the Bluebird Café.
  • Jessi Alexander, Deric Ruttan, Jimmy Yeary and JT Harding at the Hard Rock Café at 9 p.m. on March 29.
  • Keb’ Mo’, Desmond Child and Victoria Shaw at the Listening Room at 6 p.m. on March 30.
  • Gary Burr, Georgia Middleman, Paul Overstreet and Scotty Emerick at the Hard Rock Café at 6 p.m. on March 30.
  • James Otto, Mark McGuinn, Myler Reeve, Treat Landon at The Country at 6 p.m on March 30.
  • Bob Morrison, Dickey Lee, Pat Alger and Wayland Holyfield at the Bluebird Café at 6:30 p.m. on March 31.
  • Emily West, Jamie O’Neal, KS Rhoads and Stephony Smith at the Listening Room at 9:30 p.m. on March 31.
  • Bobby Braddock, Marc D. Sanders, Matraca Berg, Roger Cook at 3rd and Lindsley at 6:30 p.m. on April 1.
  • Bekka Bramlett, Billy Burnette, Bruce Gaistch and Dennis Morgan at 9:30 p.m. at Douglas Corner on April 1.

That just scratches the surface. You’ll find a full schedule on the Tin Pan South site.

 

Texans come out in force at Tin Pan South

 in Americana Music

Michael Martin Murphey and friends

Some of Texas’ best-known songwriters assembled at the Hard Rock Cafe last night as part of the Tin Pan South songwriters festival. Gary Nicholson, Leroy Parnell, Bruce “Hey Baby” Channel and Michael Martin Murphey shared the stage. They’re clearly old friends and build off each other’s performances. Murphy was the biggest name, underscoring that by playing his two biggest singles right out of the box: “Carolina in the Pines” and “Wildfire.” The four performers had as good a time as the audience.

Tom T. Hall at Tin Pan South

 in Americana Music

Tom T. Hall at the Bluebird Cafe

Tin Pan South’s highlight to date had to be Tom T. Hall’s performance at the Bluebird Cafe tonight. Hall said he plays just one night a year and this was it. Lucky audience.
Tom T. played some of this best-known songs, supplemented with entertaining anecdotes and playfulness. He followed up his “How I Got to Memphis” (surprisingly, the most lucrative cut in his catalog) with his take on how Elvis Presley pronounced Memphis.
Particularly compelling was the story behind “The Year Clayton Delaney Died.” I’ve known the song for years, but didn’t learn until tonight that Clayton’s was a true story, and that he died at age 19.
Joining Hall were two fine songwriters – and two of Tom T.’s biggest fans – Eric Brace and Peter Cooper. Hall clearly thinks highly of the two younger songwriters and his ease with them fueled the evening. It was an extraordinary night.

Tin Pan South opens

 in Americana Music

David Olney at Tin Pan South

Tin Pan South, the songwriters’ festival organized by the Nashville Songwriters Association International opened tonight with its usual deep line-up of talent. I opted for a show featuring David Olney, Tom Littlefield, Chris Scruggs and Brennen Leigh.
That proved to be a good choice, with one great song after another. I’ve seen Olney and Scruggs many times, and they’re always impressive, but Littlefield’s performance of songs he wrote with Kim Richey (“Every River” and “Gravity”) were unexpected treats.

Tin Pan South announces impressive line-up

 in Americana Music

Marshall Chapman at the Tin Pan South press preview.

Tom T. Hall, Kenny Loggins and Steve Cropper are among the wide range of artists set to play the 2011 Tin Pan South Festival, according to the Nashville Songwriters Association, organizers of the event.
The festival will run from March 29 through April 2 and will include performances at 9 different venues.
Among the most promising shows:
–Tom T. Hall, Eric Brace and Peter Cooper at the Bluebird Cafe at 6 p.m. on March 30.
— Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame show featuring Bobby Braddock, Sonny Curtis, Jim Weatherly and Mac Davis at the Bluebird Cafe at 6:30 p.m. on April 1.
— ASCAP show featuring Phil Vassar, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Bret James, Josh Kear and Crystal Bowersox at the Hard Rock Cafe at 9 p.m. on March 29.
— The Texas Heritage Hall of Fame show with Delbert McClinton, Bruce Channel, Gary Nicholson and Lee Roy Parnell at 9 p.m. at the Hard Rock Cafe on March 30.
–The “World Famous Headliners” Al Anderson, Shawn Camp and Pat McLaughlin at the Rutledge at 9 p.m. on March 31.
— “The Blue Sky Riders” Gary Burr, Kenny Loggins and Georgia Middleman at 9:30 p.m. at the Rutledge on April 2.
And that just scratches the surface.
Festival passes go on sale tomorrow, March 9, at the Tin Pan South site.