Thursday Night Recap
Gorgeous weather and top-talent brought out the masses last night during the 18th Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival Presented by Regions Bank. The Hard Rock Café had lines around the building for the R&B Show featuring Marc Broussard, Drew Ramsey, Shannon Sanders and Tommy Sims, who kicked off the night with a funky groove. Ramsey and Sanders have been writing partners, a renowned production team and friends for more than 15 years. Ramsey’s set included “Good Mourning,” recorded by India.Arie, and Sanders introduced his song “Daddy’s Little Girl” by saying, “It’s probably good that I’m here tonight, because my daughter is going to a dance with a 17-year-old boy.” Sims switched up the tone a bit with his hits, “No Diggity” and “Change The World.” The group all jammed out on Broussard’s “Home,” while the mellow audience rose to their feet to sing along and “swim in a sea of soul.” Rather than make a quick exit, the writers stuck around to chat with the crowd and pose for photos. Spotted in the audience were Regions Bank’s Lisa Harless and Lee Blank, as well as Chrysalis Music Publishing’s Emily Byrd, AristoMedia’s Matt Watkins and Christy Walker-Watkins and several NSAI Spring Training attendees finding more inspiration during their evening break. The common denominator at the venue last night – Keith Anderson – chilled on the patio during early and late shows. Jim Peterik & The Ides of March took the stage just after 9PM and rocked out with a full band of drums, horns and  guitars. “This song pretty much sums up how we feel about you all here tonight,” said Peterik before performing “High On You” with the band that’s been playing together since 1964. They gave a shout-out to FOX17’s Tennessee Mornings for having them on the show earlier in the day before bringing out 38 Special’s Jeff Carlisi for “Hold On Loosely” and “Caught Up In You.” Then the ubiquitous Bo Bice jumped up for “Vehicle,” which he performed during his stint on American Idol. Peterik, who wore leather pants for the occasion, made his way through the crowd with a wailing guitar during their encore, “Eye of The Tiger.”

Over at the packed Edgehill Studios Café listeners were ready to enjoy an old-school writers’ round with Don Henry, Phil Lee, Bill Lloyd and Jubal Lee Young. All the writers performed deep, insightful songs that reminded the crowd why these are some of the Nashville greats. The group also managed to keep it light with banter about the young Belmont volunteers and singalongs. Lloyd entertained the crowd with a song called “Indubitably,” which he wrote about a Facebook conversation with a friend. Henry took time to explain the importance of NSAI’s mission – raising money for their Legislative efforts regarding songwriter advocacy. Seasoned Tin Pan South veteran Lee wowed the crowd with his guitar and harmonica skills, as well as with his descriptive lyrics in “Just Some Girl.” Young was captivating with an intimate performance of his song “As I Lay Dying.” The late show – Big Time Extravaganza 2010 – featured Tommy Conners, T.W. Hale, Amanda Martin and the Alvarado Road Show. The stage was alive with talent, and the audience was buzzing with excitement. Martin began the show with an honest ballad “I Don’t Think So.” Hale followed with an upbeat tune, “I’ll be Right Here Loving You,” which was recorded by Randy Travis. The Alvarado Road Show – comprised of A.J. and Wes Cleve Clark and their nephew Brandon Trey – blended both Texas and Tennessee styles, setting them apart from Nashville norm. The chatty crew paused to listen during Conners’ “Tomorrow Is Gone.”
There was star power on and off stage at The Rutledge Live Music Venue. In the audience Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley, James Otto, Lance Miller, C.J. Vanston and Def Leppard’s Phil Collen took in the BMI Show, featuring Al Anderson, Shawn Camp and Pat McLaughlin. The night included early hits like McLaughlin’s “Lynda,” recorded by Steve Wariner, and Brooks & Dunn’s “How Long Gone,” written by Camp. The duo also performed the contemporary “Firecracker,” which they wrote with Josh Turner. Anderson entertained the filled-to-capacity venue with “All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down,” recorded by The Mavericks. During the second half, the trio showcased a whole series of songs they’d written together and brought out top session players Greg Morrow on drums and Michael Rhodes on bass for a full-band experience. BMI’s Jody Williams, Clay Bradley, Mark Mason, Bradley Collins and David Preston were spotted in the crowd showing support for their writers.

Douglas Corner Café’s late show displayed songwriting extremes with hysterical and solemn tunes to everything in between. Kendall Marvel began the round with “I’d Have Done A Lot Of Things Different,” and segued into “Right Where I Need To Be” and “Don’t Think I Can’t Love You” throughout the night. As the only female, Marla Cannon-Goodman proved she could hang with boys by playing “The Fool,” “Don’t Make Me” and “Ten Rounds With Jose Cuervo,” which she co-wrote with Casey Beathard. He showcased his hits “No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problems”, “Find Out Who Your Friends Are” and “Don’t Blink.” Phil O’Donnell exhibited a more serious side with “She Won’t Be Lonely Long,” “Sounds Like Life To Me” and “Back When I Knew It All.”

Wednesday Night Recap

How much talent is in Nashville during the 18th Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival Presented by Regions Bank? The Listening Room hosted Andrew Dorff, Mark Irwin, Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins who joked around with each other in between – and sometimes during – songs like “Before He Cheats,” “Here In The Real World,” “Watch The Wind Blow By” and “To Love Somebody.” Complimenting each other with harmonies and instrumental accompaniment, these guys seemed to be having fun together. Rounding out the evening was a song Lady Antebellum took to #1,“Need You Now,” co-written by Kear. This show wasn’t just for music lovers; industry pros like ASCAP’s Anna Maki, Pat Rolfe, Jesse Willoughby and Mike Sistad, as well as Tin Pan South songwriters Bo Bice, Sage Keffer, Bobby Tomberlin and proud papa Steve Dorff, helped pack the house.
The theme at the 3rd & Lindsley shows last night was extraordinary musicianship. During the American Federation of Musicians show, the best in the business (keyboardist Bill Cuomo, guitarist Kenny Greenberg, guitarist Warner Hodges, drummer Craig Krampf and bassist Dave Pomeroy) posed as the all-star house band for Paris Delane and special guests Ashley Cleveland, Elio Giordiano and Dan Baird, to name a few. The core group has played on just about every record out there and has had songs in the movies Flashdance and Better Off Dead. Next up was a round that made you feel like you were relaxing in your living room and that they were playing just for you. The cool vibe mixed with tons of onstage and crowd interaction was full of blues, country and charity (the show was dedicated to The John Jarrard Foundation). Each member seemed genuinely impressed with one another. “I want my fellas in my monitor so I can enjoy some hot-pickin,” said Gary Nicholson as the show began. After Jessi Alexander finished “The Climb,” her husband Jon Randall quipped, “This song was 15 weeks at #1, and all I got was this t-shirt.” A hitmaker in his own right, Randall sang the intense “Whiskey Lullaby” but kept his commentary light and joined his wife on a few tongue-in-cheek songs like “Drown Me” and “Let’s Get Trashed.” Nicholson performed a song he wrote with the late Stephen Bruton for the movie Crazy Heart. While he may be new to Nashville, Seth Walker certainly isn’t new to the music scene as he and Nicholson traded guitar solos throughout the night.
The Hard Rock Café was another hot spot that came alive with hit after hit. During the early show, Dallas Davidson (“Start A Band”), Brett Eldredge (“Ain’t Gotta Be Love”), Scotty Emerick (“Beer For My Horses”) and James T. Slater (“The High Cost of Living”) jammed out to a packed audience. Behind every great artist, there’s a great songwriter, and Dave Berg (“Stupid Boy”), Kelley Lovelace (“He Didn’t Have To Be”) and Rivers Rutherford (“Real Good Man”) are some of the greatest. These guys took the stage for the late show, performing for local fans, as well as travelers from all across the country. Regions Bank’s Lisa Harless also made an appearance to introduce the group.
Douglas Corner Café’s Front Men In The Round show sold out quickly with American Idol favorite Bo Bice, Daryl Burgess, Greg Crowe and A.J. Masters. With their booming vocals and rockin’ rhythms, it’s no wonder the crowds were lined up down the street. These men have made their mark on the music scene with Faith Hill’s “Love Ain’t Like That” (Masters), Aaron Pritchett’s “Big Wheel,” the official song of the Tennessee Titans (Burgess) and “We’re Fired Up” (Crowe). Adding in the energetic and talented Bice (“Take The Country Outta Me”), who made the rounds supporting various writers every night, made for a stellar show!
Over at The Bluebird Café Pat Alger began his list of tunes with Kathy Mattea’s first #1, “Going, Gone,” and “You’re Gone,” which Garth Brooks recorded but Diamond Rio released. Coincidentally Jon Vezner also sang the tune “Where’ve You Been” that Garth performed the night he was discovered at The Bluebird Café and helped catapult Mattea’s career. She sang one of her biggest hits “18 Wheels And A Dozen Roses,” as well as an a cappella cover of “Now Is The Cool Of The Day,” which she recorded for her album Coal. Richard Leigh also upped the ante for the group with “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” and “The Greatest Man I Never Knew.” The audience was also treated to Allen Reynolds who joined the round for a tune. Though she didn’t perform, Lorrie Morgan attended to support and enjoy a great show.
The Rutledge Live Music Venue welcomed Gary Burr, Victoria Shaw, Mark Hudson and a couple of special guests – Lila James and South of Eden. The night was a mix of songs and comedy, led primarily by the rainbow-bearded Hudson, whose list included “Livin’ On The Edge,” as well as a song co-written with Carole King called “The Reason.” When he wasn’t “napping” through Hudson’s lengthy – and hilarious – stories, Burr entertained the crowd with “Nothin’ ‘Bout Love Makes Sense,” “What Mattered Most” and “Love Said,” co-written with Richard Marx. The night’s leading lady, Victoria Shaw, showcased her songwriting talents during “The River,” I Love The Way You Love Me” and debuted a new tune. The group’s cohesiveness was apparent when they all took turns singing a song they co-wrote – Sarah Buxton’s “Outside My Window.”