Nashville w/ @crosskentucky
What a damn weekend it is/was. 10 1/2 hours Driving each way to Nashville from the great District…
Left in early afternoon, arrived to Johnson City, TN in late evening, still cranky from the weeks activities.. it took most of this trip to get over myself, but after that was nothing but needed. Luxury followed us in TN, hotels and such. Hotel in JC was few blocks from downtown…which reminded me of Menomonie WI (old college grounds), 3 bars downtown and an all-night diner where everyone looked 16, including the waitress. She needed to move to Mexico to get away from the man. I remember that innocence, what happened?
Morning fell like a sack of potatoes, and post-starbucks lazyness arrived us in Nashville TN, which included prompt registration at BMI. This does mean I am now a BMI Recording Artist now. Quick stop at the NSAI before they closed for the week..Friday arrivals…
After running into the fantastic band @jypsiofficial on Broadway over dinner, we decided not to take advantage of @davidnewbould ‘s couch situation, and got a room at the Holiday Inn (photo and view from balcony above), which so happens to be another venue named Commodore’s…and after meeting a few songwriters in-the-round, Harlan Pease & Joel Shewmake, we headed over to 3rd and Lindsley to meet up with Mr Newboulds friends on stage.
3rd and Lindsley Friday Night was something to see. Dave Panahish and his high-powered crew, which included every marquee Nashville songwriter in their 20’s/30’s killin, KILLIN, covering Joe Cockers rendition of A Little Help From My Friends…
After a failed attempt at going to see friends in Nashville band @heypennyband at a house concert, we crashed at the hotel once again… morning sunrise of groceries and Kinkos runs, we got our day started in the early afternoon. After a failed attempt at visiting friends at Sams Sportsbar on 21st, due to football playoff season, we became Mercy Lounge bound for the venues anniversary weekend bash…
What a bash it was, 80s cover band who rocked it probably as hard as the original thing… I haven’t seen that ever in my life, absolutely killin… Venue reminded me of 2xsize Rock & Roll Hotel in DC, with better decor… We stayed for 2 drinks. We went to eat sushi. We ate too much. We went to The Listening Room to see another in-the-round and met up with the booking agent. We told him we ate too much sushi. He laughed. It was fun. He told us to go to NashvilleMuse networking event. We thanked him. We met up with Mr Jeff Miller who was on stage that evening, and quite good. @crosskentucky and I will be playing with Jeff at Aslyum Rock & Roll Lounge back in Washington DC now, March 21st. You should come.
Back to bed, back to waking up, then to Nashville Muse. Muse is run by Mr Doak Turner, who has a networking event in his home. Many people I’ve been talking online with for years already showed up, I met them in person for the first time. It was good. It was 4-5 rooms of 10-15 songwriters per room, trading songs and stories. The Fried Chicken room was my favorite…although I still was full on sushi, from the night before. Here’s a photo of such activities:
From the Muse, a quick downtime, then The Bluebird Cafe. The line was around the block when we arrived. Room that should hold 75-100 was holding 150, and another 50 outside through the windows. Registration for the evening, and set-lineup was to follow. I tuned in the kitchen hall since that was the only room available. I played 9 out of 13, 3 song set. @crosskentucky played 11 out of 13. Critical acclaim. What a weekend.
After a quick stop in Bristol TN on booking duty, which I do believe I might be back in Sept for, the rest of the drive was done on Monday evening before a full week began.
Blogging this weekend on the bus to NYC today, will have travels and photos up soon after the weekend ends.. till then, your hardkor blogger?
-AHK
