Saturday Night Recap

Music City Unsigned, Otterball.com & WLRT sponsored both shows at 3rd & Lindsley on the final evening of the 18th Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival Presented by Regions Bank. Taking the stage early on were some of Nashville’s greatest rising talent, who each recently released albums that captivated critics and audiences alike: Butterfly Boucher (Scary Fragile), Thad Cockrell (To Be Loved), Katie Herzig (Apple Tree), Daniel Ellsworth (Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes) and Matthew Perryman Jones (Swallow The Sea). Eager fans packed the house to enjoy their songs and stories. Ellsworth didn’t disappoint, kicking off the round with his upbeat song “Electric In Love.” Cockrell slowed things down a bit and displayed some impressive harmonica skills on “Rosalyn,” before Boucher enlisted the audience to sing along during “For The Love Of Love.” Jones, whose songs have been featured on The Hills, Private Practice, One Tree Hill and Eli Stone, entertained with “Rain Or Shine.” Herzig, whose music was featured on Grey’s Anatomy, took the crowd on an emotional ride with the heart-wrenching “Wish You Well.” Music City Unsigned’s John Tuminello introduced the second show, which highlighted Dave Barnes, Don Chaffer, Jennifer Knapp, Charlie Peacock and Amy Stroup. These popular performers have found success in a diverse group of genres. Contemporary Christian music sparked the careers of Knapp and Chaffer, while veteran songwriter/producer Peacock has won awards for his work in pop, jazz, gospel and country. Barnes’ and Stroup’s songs have landed on TV and in film. Philanthropic Barnes, who’s worked with Mocha Club’s efforts in Africa, performed “Grace’s Amazing Hands,” before Peacock knocked out his Amy Grant hit, “Every Heartbeat.” Knapp shared two new songs “Dive In” and “Letting Go,” and Stroup’s set included “Chin Up” and “Hold Onto Hope, Love.” The relatively new-to-Nashville Chaffer sang “Sympathy for Jesus” and various other inspiring tunes.
Over at The Listening Room Café, Keith Burns, Jen Foster, Jess Leary, Alissa Moreno, Karen Staley and guest Jill Colucci entertained to a packed-house. Colucci played “No One Else On Earth” and “Anymore,” recorded by Wynonna and Travis Tritt, respectively. Leary performed Tim McGraw’s #1 smash hit, “Where The Green Grass Grows.” Staley performed Faith Hill’s “Take Me As I Am,” while former Trick Pony guitarist, Burns, played their hit “Pour Me.” Moreno showcased Lifetime’s Army Wives theme song, “Away From Here,” which she wrote with Jeffery Steele. NSAI Board Member Foster played “Taking Bob Dylan,” “Second Hand Love” and “Venice Beach.” During the late show Jim Beavers sat in for Rodney Clawson, who wasn’t able to make it. Beavers kept the audiences laughing all night when he wasn’t singing serious hits like “Don’t,” “Trying To Stop Your Leaving” and “Watching Airplanes.” Phillip White sang “He Gets That From Me” and “I’m Movin’ On” before asking his wife, played “It Just Comes Natural” and “Wasted.” Newly-signed EMI Records’ Troy Olsen debuted his first single, “Summer Thing,” as well as “I’ll Just Hold On” recorded by Blake Shelton. At the request of the entire round, Tommy Barnes hopped on stage for a song.
Mark D. Sanders, who acted as host at The Rutledge Live Music Venue’s early show, played his hits “Heads Carolina, Tails California,” “I Hope You Dance” and “Daddy’s Money” before thanking NSAI for getting him started when he first came to town. Angaleena Presley sang her Heidi Newfield cut, “Knocked Up” and expressed gratitude for Sanders who was, “the first hot songwriter that would agree to write with me and this [“Dry County Blues] is the first one we wrote together.” Next up, Nashville Star’s Travis Howard played a mix of songs written with Miranda Lambert “Famous In A Small Town” and “Heart Like Mine,” as well as a some of his own like “Highway 10.” Megan Mullins, who’s toured with Shakira and was a part of the Nashville Star house band, sang “My Brother’s Keeper” and brought her husband, John Bollinger, on stage for “You Can’t Stop Loving Me.” The crowd was lined up for the Rock Night Show, which kicked off with Meghan Kabir introducing the round and applauding NSAI’s Legislative efforts for songwriters. Ross Copperman’s fiancée and mom were perched in the front row to show their support while he sang “Only Water” and “I’ll Be What’s Missing.” Madi Diaz and duo partner Kyle Ryan complimented each other’s talents on the first song they ever wrote together, “Love You Now,” and throughout the night. Before singing a tune from Mainstream, Matchbox Twenty’s lead guitarist Kyle Cook said, “We kinda started this tradition last year when did Tin Pan South, so you’ll probably see us next year.” In her edgy yet delicate voice, Kabir played mostly new songs like “Pretty Boy” and “Go Back Home” throughout the show. The group wasn’t afraid to shake things up with their powerful vocals and bold lyrics.

Jeffrey Steele & Band kept things rockin’ until the wee hours of the morning at the Hard Rock Café during the night’s only show there. Going through Steele’s catalogue of hits and more, the band performed “I’m Tryin’,” “My Town,” “These Days,” “Speed,” “Hell Yeah,” “Gone,” “What Hurts The Most,” “Every Time I Hear Your Name,” “Me And My Gang,” “My Wish” and “Brand New Girlfriend.” Also appearing were surprise guests LoCash Cowboys, who sang “Friend” and “Summer.” Steele gave his wild following of fans their moneys’ worth and more throughout this high-energy show.