By Ken Paulson — It’s not a surprise that a songwriter who’s logged time in Wisconsin, Nashville and now LA would travel throughout his new album Goldenwest, beginning with “Rubblefields,” a reassuring tale of a road trip gone right. Richards writes smart, compelling narratives and delivers them with a voice and cadence that may bring Gordon Lightfoot and an earlier…
Tag: Nashville
Interview: Kevin Gordon and “Gloryland”
By Ken Paulson —Kevin Gordon is one of the most respected singer-songwriters in Nashville, which is saying something. Gloryland, his latest album, elicited rave reviews in the New York Times, USA Today and the Tennessean. Here he talks about the album and “Colfax,” a song about both his school marching band and courage in the face of adversity: listen to…
Review: Todd Snider times two
By Ken Paulson –Todd Snider’s new album Agnostic Hymns and Stoner Fables may put you a little on edge, but thankfully, he’s also provided the antidote. Agnostic Hymns could well be the original cast album for the Occupy Movement, with a fair share of contemporary protest songs and attitude. The opening track “In the Beginning” makes the case that religion…
Free Americana music shows at CMA Festival
Chuck Mead and his Grassy Knoll Boys, Kenny Vaughan and Trent Summar and the New Row Mob are among the Americana artists who will appear at the free BMI tailgate party during the CMA Music Festival June 7-10 in Nashville. Shows begin at 4:30. Mead is performing in support of his new album Back at the Quonset Hut, recorded at…
Review: Marc Cohn in concert at the Ryman
We’ve seen Marc Cohn in concert a few times, but he’s never been better than last night at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Actually it was a bit of a surprise that he was there at all. The night before, he had cancelled a show in nearby Franklin, TN. Cohn apologized to anyone who had tickets to that show, and said…
Review: Bonnie Raitt in concert at Nashville’s Ryman
By Ken Paulson –Bonnie Raitt’s show at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville last night was as loose as they come and every bit as entertaining. Whether explaining that she hadn’t found time to do a set list, calling former band member Rick Vito to the stage or saluting Nashville’s songwriters, Raitt was casual, comfortable and in command. She drew heavily…
Grammy Block Party 2012
[cincopa AEEAn6qM8Eq_] The annual Grammy Block Party in Nashville once again featured outstanding Music City-based performers, including the reunited Mavericks, Wynonna, Luke Bryan and Keb’ Mo’. (photos by Ken Paulson) Follow us on Facebook and Twitter (sun209com).
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John Prine, Lucinda Williams, the Civil Wars headline Cayamo, an Americana music festival on a cruise ship. http://t.co/IvtbSAVJ # Vince Gill, Amy Grant and Don Schlitz to headline benefit at Bluebird Cafe in Nashville #Nashville music http://t.co/pHZ8nxb7 # Musical Apps for the iPhone http://t.co/xkG6wZBC via @WSJ # Danny Barnes’ cover of “Bang A Gong” is 3/4 T Rex, 1/4 Power…
Registration opens for 2012 Americana Music Festival in Nashville
Early registration for the 13th annual Americana Music Association Festival and Conference, set for Sept. 12-15, 2012 in Nashville is now open. This is one of the best music festivals in the nation, and always attracts an intriguing mix of artists. This year, Gregg Allman, Robert Plant, the Civil Wars and a Muscle Shoals tribute were all on the bill. The…
Americana artists salute John Lennon
Americana artists were well-represented at last night’s John Lennon tribute at the Mercy Lounge in Nashville. The concert, designed to raise awareness about gun violence and to celebrate Lennon’s music, ran for almost four hours and showcased the talents of a number of Americana music performers, including: – Bill Lloyd on “Girl” – Kenny Vaughan on “Cry Baby Cry” and…
Glen Campbell Ryman show cancelled, Jan. 3 date set
Glen Campbell, who delivered an inspiring set at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville last Wednesday, had to cancel a return trip to the fabled hall tonight. The statement from the Ryman: “Glen Campbell has been forced to postpone his December 5 performance at the Ryman this evening due to a case of laryngitis. He will perform a make up date…
“Imagine No Gun Violence:” Nashville Lennon tribute
One of the best annual music events in Nashville each year has been the “Imagine No Handguns” concert, a celebration of the music of John Lennon and an effort to build awareness about gun violence. The show ran in Nashville from the mid-’90s through 2005, and is now back after a six-year break with the updated “Imagine No Gun Violence”…
Concert review: Glen Campbell at the Ryman in Nashville
It was a sad and exhilarating evening at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville tonight. It’s wasn’t sad because Glen Campbell is suffering from Alzheimer’s or that his performance was part of his “Goodbye Tour.” He’s 75 and ailments strike us all. It was sad because this is the last tour of one of America’s great pop singers, interpreters and guitarists,…
The Moody Blues and Nashville
Tickets for the Moody Blues’ March 21 date at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville go on sale this Friday, Dec. 2. The band that got its start with the 1964 hit “Go Now” still has three long-time members, Graeme Edge, John Lodge and Justin Hayward, and puts on a good live show that spans more than four decades of music…
The Ultimate Songwriters’ Round, plus Lynn Anderson
By Ken Paulson Songwriters in the round can have the feel of a poker game, particularly when someone plays a big hit. Sudenly, everyone is raising, playing their own hits. That can make for a very entertaining evening, particularly when every songwriter has a hot hand. On the final night of Tin Pan South, the round at the Bluebird Cafe…