(Mike Curb College of Entertainment and A-Teamers such as guitarist Hank Garland, blues greats like Smith with her sister Mamie largest AFM local in the United States. Music Business) and Middle Tennessee bassist Bob Moore, drummer Buddy Harman Smith and the Jazz Hounds. Dedicated in Francis Craig: One of the city’s State University (Department of Recording and saxophonist Boots Randolph got their jazz 1925 to honor Tennesseans who served in leading musical figures in the first half 110 Reasons Industry), plus Vanderbilt University’s on), The Gaslight(home to the Brenton Banks World War I, War Memorial Auditorium, of the 20th century, bandleader Francis conservatory-style Blair School of Music and Quartet which included bassist W.O. Smith), an iconic Nashville structure with its Doric Craig was Nashville’s second recording artist. W. O. Smith Music School for low-income The Subway Lounge (where saxophonist- columns and plaza located just south of the 7He signed with Columbia Records in 1925 and children. Smith was an accomplished jazz bassist writer-arranger Hank Crawford led a combo), state capitol, has served as a venue for live music the label released 12 sides by Craig between and educator who was on the TSU faculty The Jolly Roger (where Jimi Hendrix and almost from its inception. The hall, with a high 1925 and 1928. Craig’s orchestra appeared on Nashville is for more than two decades. When he retired, Billy Cox performed as members of the King ceiling adorned with trademark art deco inlays, WSM’s inaugural broadcast Smith had a dream that by offering musical Casuals) and The Voodoo Club were the great wooden stage and deep floor, is known and they had a regular Sunday instruction to low-income families the lives of prominent venues in the alley. Randolph was for its acoustics. It was home to The Grand Ole evening show on the station the children could be changed for the better. already headlining The Carousel Club when he Opry from 1939-1943, and has played host which was broadcast over the The W.O. Smith Music School became a reality bought it in 1977. He continued to headline at to performances by countless artists from all entire NBC Radio Network Music City in 1984 and continues to make a difference in the club until he sold it in 1994. Today, Printers musical genres, with an emphasis on rock & for 12 years. Craig had a keen By Daryl Sanders the community. TheNashville Jazz Workshop, Alley is home to the popular live blues joint, roll shows during the 1960s and ’70s. It was the ear for talent and a number founded in 1998 by Roger Spencer and Lori Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar, in the original home for Charlie Daniels’ Volunteer of vocalists who went on to Mecham, offers instruction by many of the top former location of The Carousel Club. Jam in 1974, and also served as home for the bigger things got their start usic City — it is more than Nashville’s jazz musicians in town, and hosts many faculty The Ryman and other early Nashville Symphony Orchestra for more than singing with his orchestra, and student performances. three decades beginning in 1946. including Dinah Shore, Snooky Lansom, Kitty nickname, it is a description of the city’s very venues: Construction was completed Fisk Jubilee Singers: The Nashville Musicians Kallen, future Casa Loma Orchestra vocalist When in in 1895 on the Union Gospel essence. Kenny Sargent, and James Melton, who 1871 Fisk University was faced with Tabernacle on Summer Street (now Fifth Association: In 1896, the newly The city’s musical roots run deep, all the way to its earliest days. Only nine years severe financial difficulties after only five would later sing tenor with the Metropolitan after being incorporated as a city in Tennessee, there was a school on the banks of the 5 formed American Federation of Opera. Pee Wee Marquette, who later became years of existence, the school’s treasurer and Musicians adopted its first standing resolution: MCumberland River which offered classical music instruction exclusively. In the 1830s, music director George L. White organized a the master of ceremonies at the legendary 3 “That6 any musician, who receives pay for New York jazz club Birdland, also performed several German musicians relocated to Nashville because it was a city “of refined musical choral group of nine students and took them on his musical services, shall be considered with Craig. In 1947, at what was to be his taste.” After seeing the Fisk Jubilee Singers perform in the late 1800s, a French journalist tour in an attempt to raise funds for the school a professional musician.” The AFM’s first final recording session, Craig and his orchestra described Nashville as “the musical city.” and avoid closure. The group took the name president, Owen Miller, said that same year, recorded the first million-selling pop hit out To this day, visiting musicians know they have to bring their A-game when they Jubilee Singers, a reference to the Jewish year “The only object of the AFM is to bring order of Nashville, “Near You,” a song he cowrote of Jubilee, out of chaos and to harmonize and bring perform in the city because there are likely to be many people in the audience who truly with lyricist Kermit Goell and released on the in which together all the professional musicians of the know the difference. Surveys have shown that Nashville has the highest concentration of local Bullet label. “Near You,” which featured s l a v e s country into one united progressive body.” musicians per capita in the world. trumpeter Bob Lamm on vocals, topped the were set Avenue). The Tabernacle was later renamed The Nashville Musicians Association, AFM Along the way, Nashville has added a few other musical monikers in addition to Billboard singles chart for 17 consecutive weeks, free. The the Ryman Auditorium in honor of Captain Local 257, was chartered on Dec. 11, 1902, a streak unmatched to this day. Music City, including Guitar Town and The City of Song. AFM Local 257 has been name was Tom Ryman, the owner of a fleet of riverboats by eight musicians who signed the document, instrumental in helping the city fulfill its musical destiny since its founding in 1902. So fitting in who spearheaded the building of a permanent which still hangs in the Local 257 board room. WSM: When Edwin Craig and the in celebration of the 110th year of AFM Local 257, and to honor our hometown, we that most indoor place to hold spiritual meetings and civic The first team of officers was led byPresident National Life & Accident Insurance offer this special section, “110 Reasons Nashville Is Music City.” of the students were former slaves. The group’s gatherings. Six years later, an imaginative and Joe Miles, who served from 1902 through Company launched radio station WSM tour was a success, and not only helped the A few points of clarification: Although we have tried to be as comprehensive as possible, resilient young Nashville widow named Lula 1906. There have been 14 presidents of Local in 1925, the intent was to use the station to school stave off bankruptcy, but also popularized we knew going in it would be impossible not to leave out someone or something. If we Clay Naff became manager and soon turned the 257, with George Cooper and Harold Bradley 8help sell life insurance, not build a broadcasting the Negro spiritual tradition which lives on to have failed to mention someone you know who helped Nashville become Music City, struggling venue into a prosperous multipurpose serving the longest terms at 36 years and 18 giant. As it turned out, they did both. Craig this day. In 1873, the group toured Europe, theater. She nurtured the Ryman for 45 years, years respectively. Nineteen people have served wisely enlisted the help of local engineering we offer our sincere apologies and welcome your comments, corrections and additions, performing for royalty and raising money and under her guidance, the building that later as secretary-treasurer, including two interim brainiac Jack DeWitt, who kept the station which can be sent to [email protected]. We will follow up on them on our website to build Jubilee Hall, the first permanent would become known as the Mother Church appointees. Early on, Local 257 negotiated an on the cutting edge of broadcast technology and in a future issue. structure on the Fisk campus. The original of Country Music played host to some of the agreement with The Grand Ole Opry, and as its for four decades. Of course, The Grand Ole This is not a ranking and is presented to the best of our ability in chronological order. Jubilee Singers disbanded in 1878, but a new world’s greatest performers including Charlie popularity grew, musicians who first came to Opry is WSM’s greatest claim to fame, but it Also, when we make reference to music charts, we are referring to charts in Billboard group of singers was assembled the following Chaplin, Sarah Bernhardt, Mary Pickford, town to perform on the Opry began to move is one of the most important stations in radio year. While on a northern tour in December of magazine. Enrico Caruso, Rudolph Valentino, Helen here in search of more work and joined Local history for more than just The Opry. In 1932, 1909, a quartet of the group’s members led by Hayes and Will Rogers, to name a few. In 257. When Nashville began to emerge as a WSM increased its power to 50,000 watts and One final note: Warren Denney, Dave Pomeroy, Leslie Barr, Craig Krampf and Kathy John Work II became the city’s first recording Osborne contributed to the writing of this special section. 1943, Naff came to an agreement with WSM recording center in the ’50s, producers such joined a small, elite group of maximum-power, artists, cutting 10 sides altogether, including for the auditorium to become the permanent as Owen Bradley and Chet Atkins, both of clear channel broadcasters, allowing the station Now, we proudly present to you, “110 Reasons Nashville Is Music City.” “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” which was home of The Grand Ole Opry, a decision that whom were life members of Local 257, made to essentially reach the entire continental U.S., added to the United States National Recording Location, location, location: Music education: From its inception, gave birth to the whole Lower Broad scene. sure musicians were protected by working which allowed living rooms from Canada to Registry in 2002. With regular infusions of With the Cumberland River running Nashville has placed a high value on After nearly being demolished in the ’70s, the under an AFM contract, a tradition that still the Gulf of Mexico to tune into the station. new talent, the Fisk Jubilee Singers, under the through its heart and its central location music education. The Abercrombie Ryman continues to this day to be one of the thrives today and is an important part of the For its first two decades, WSM featured live direction of Paul Kwami, continue to perform geographically, Nashville has long been a Academy, founded in 1815, taught piano for city’s premier venues. Built in 1904 on the site success of Nashville’s music industry. Local 257 programming exclusively and became the 140 years after the group’s founding. key1 transportation crossroads. As one of the 2“fifteen dollars per quarter,” adding lessons in of the former Adelphi/Grand Opera House negotiates collective bargaining agreements largest supplier of live programs to the NBC namesakes of the great Louisville and Nashville violin, guitar, harp and flageolet the following Printers Alley: The alley running which had burned, The Bijou soon emerged with employers such as The Opry, Nashville Radio Network of any station outside New Railroad system, the city was an important year. In the first half of the 20th century, Fisk between Third and Fourth Avenues as one of the South’s leading theaters for black Symphony, CMT, and the General Jackson, York, Chicago and Los Angeles. The first of railway hub for more than a century. With 50 University and Tennessee State University on each side of Church Street was entertainment of the highest order. It retained and administers and enforces local and national these regular network feeds was Francis Craig’s percent of the U.S. living within 600 miles of (known then as Tennessee A&I) had many called Printers Alley because of the numerous its lofty status until it was demolished during agreements for recording, TV, film and jingles, Sunday Night Serenade. Orchestra leader and Nashville, the city has remained a crossroads in students who went on to fame as jazz musicians. printing4 companies and publishers in the area. the winter of 1957-58 to make room for the processing more than $12 million in contracts songwriter Beasley Smith was the station’s the age of the automobile, with I-24, I-40 and The tradition of music education in Nashville Located in the downtown area known as the Municipal Auditorium. The Bijou not only in 2011. Current president Dave Pomeroy and musical director during the heyday of live I-65 all intersecting here. The city is also within begun by the Abercrombies continues to the Men’s Quarter, Printers Alley was the city’s played host to concerts by the likes of Ethel secretary-treasurer Craig Krampf were elected programming. Even after the station switched a two-hour flight of 75 percent of U.S. markets present not only with the music departments first entertainment district, dating to the late Waters, Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey, but also in 2008 and since then the local has seen an their programming to deejays spinning records, and is a Southwest Airlines hub. at Fisk and TSU, but also with the nationally 1800s. In the ’50s and early ’60s, Jimmy Hyde’s movies, vaudeville shows and boxing matches. upsurge in membership, recently passing it continued to broadcast a live morning show, recognized programs at Belmont University The Carousel Club (where moonlighting On special nights, white audiences could hear Chicago’s Local 10-820 to become the third The Waking Crew, which had a 30-year run 16 April - June 2012 The Nashville Musician The Nashville Musician April - June 2012 17 on the station beginning in the early ’50s. It 1927 and 1928, and the 12 solo harp recordings Starr, whose biggest hit was the anti-war Bill successfully auditioned for The Grand Ole with country star Roy Acuff in 1942, and found over to Top 40, such as “Rainin’ In My Heart” was hosted by Dave Overton until 1972, at featuring Bailey that came out of those sessions single, “War,” which spent three weeks at No. Opry in 1940. He also worked tirelessly on the success with early hits from Bob Wills, Acuff and “Baby Scratch My Back” by Slim Harpo. which time vocalist Teddy Bart, who had been and were released through the 1 in 1970; Duane and Gregg Allman, the road, and continued to develop a new style and Eddy Arnold, among others. But it was With Nashville emerging as a serious recording performing since 1962 with the show’s live jazz Brunswick label — including Southern rock gods who not only were born in of music that combined Scottish and Irish Acuff-Rose’s partnership with Hank Williams center, Fred Foster moved his Monument orchestra, took over as host until it signed off his signature song “Pan Music City, but also made their first recordings influences, traditional gospel and blues. With that made them a powerhouse. Rose maintained Records label to Nashville from Baltimore in for good in 1981. No entity is more responsible American Blues” — provided in Nashville, including a psychedelic take on the addition of guitarist-vocalist Lester Flatt his role as a songwriter, and as an editor, notably 1959, and soon was making regular visits to the for Nashville becoming Music City than a lexicon of harp techniques Willie Dixon’s “Spoonful”; and more recently, and especially Earl Scruggs’ driving banjo in for Williams, and continued to influence the Top 40 with records by not only Roy Orbison, WSM, so it is only fitting that it was one of the — tongue blocking, vibrato, Hannah Montana herself, singer Miley Cyrus, late 1945, this unique blend took full flight and industry as a producer and talent scout. After but also Bob Moore, Boots Randolph, station’s announcers, David Cobb, who gave note bending, octave blowing, daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus. became known as bluegrass music. Monroe his death in 1954, the company continued to The Velvets, The Dixiebelles and Tony Joe Nashville its famous nickname, Music City, chording and whooping — Jefferson Street and had a long and storied career, and his group, develop songwriters and artists such as Marty White. He also gave Kris Kristofferson his USA. In 1981, WSM, along with its sister FM for generations of country and blues harp beyond: The Bluegrass Boys, was a musical incubator Robbins, Roy Orbison, The Everly Brothers first recording contract and Top 40 hits, and station, The Grand Ole Opry, Opryland USA players to follow. From the mid-’30s to that spawned many great musicians and singers and Don Gibson, under the direction of his distributed several R&B imprints, which scored and the Opryland Hotel was sold to Gaylord The Grand Ole Opry: the ’60s, Jefferson Street — the who went on to success on their own, including son, Wesley Rose. In 1953, Jim Denny, who big hits with Joe Simon and Robert Knight, The street where both Fisk and Tennessee State Entertainment. Grand Ole Opry, broadcast weekly Scruggs, Flatt, Peter Rowan, Del McCoury, ran WSM’s booking arm, started the city’s next among others. Two other early indie record University13 (known then as Tennessee A&I) Bobby Hicks, and many more before Monroe’s important publishing concern, Cedarwood execs of note who were known primarily as WLAC: Following the lead of their on Nashville’s WSM Radio, is the are located — was the hub of Nashville’s black passing in 1996. The hybrid style he created has Publishing Company, with country star Webb publishers: Wesley Rose, whose Hickory label local competitor National Life, in 1926 world’s longest running live radio program, music scene. It all began in 1935, when Uncle been handed down to successive generations, Pierce, and went on to publish huge songs, like had a string of Top 40 hits with The Newbeats, Life & Casualty Insurance Company 11first airing Nov. 28, 1925 as a show that would Teddy Acklen opened the legendary nightclub and today is still going ever stronger. “Detroit City” and “Tobacco Road.” Denny as well as handled U.S. distribution for the first purchased half of WDAD, which had gone on become the WSM Barn Dance. Under the The Del Morocco at 2417 Jefferson Street. By also gave Buddy Holly his first publishing deal. two albums by British folk artist Donovan; and the air in 1925. A year later, L&C purchased direction of Harry Stone and George D. Hay, Ernest Tubb: 9 the late ’50s, clubs lined the street for more Ernest Tubb After his death in 1963, Denny’s sons Bill and Buddy Killen, who not only scored numerous the remaining half and changed the call letters a former Memphis newspaper man and popular than 10 blocks, from The Del Morocco toClub was one of the most important John ran the company until it was sold to Mel Top 40 and R&B hits with records by Joe Tex to WLAC. In 1942, it became the city’s second host of the National Barn Dance broadcast on Revillot, later known as the Steal Away club, at honky-tonk singers to come out of Tillis in 1983. Former WSM program director on his Dial label, but also signed the Allman station to receive clear channel status, boosting the mighty WLS radio station in Chicago, the the corner of 14th and Jefferson, and including Texas, and was a major star of The Grand Ole Jack Stapp launched Tree Publishing in 1951 Brothers to their first recording contract when its power to 50,000 watts. Like WSM, over show featured the best in country music and was Maceo’s, Club Baron, The Viaduct, Wigwam Opry16 with a career spanning 50 years. He was with CBS television producer Lou Cowan. In they were performing in Nashville in the mid- its first few decades, the station featured live an instant hit. Hay renamed the show The Grand and The Voter’s Club. But arguably the most “discovered” in the early 1930s by the widow of 1953, he hired bass player Buddy Killen to find ’60s as The Allman Joys. music and other live programming, and was Ole Opry in 1927. By 1928, to accommodate renowned of Nashville’s black clubs, the New his idol Jimmie Rodgers, who secured Tubb a songs and pitch them for the company. When part of the CBS Radio Network. On a whim the crowds flocking to the station, WSM built Early studios: In early 1946, Era, was not actually on Jefferson, but a few record contract. His early Elvis took “Heartbreak Hotel,” which was in 1946, Gene Nobles a larger Studio B that would hold 200. When three WSM engineers — Aaron blocks away on Fourth Avenue. William Sousa recordings were largely cowritten by Tree writer Mae Axton, to No. 1 became one of the first WSM increased its broadcasting power to Shelton, George Reynolds “Soo” Bridgeforth opened the legendary venue unsuccessful, but in 1940 on the pop chart, Tree was firmly established disk jockeys to play what 50,000 watts in 1932, The Opry was beamed and Carl Jenkins — opened the city’s in 1939 at its original location near the corner he recorded four songs as one of the city’s leading publishers. Stapp were called “race records” into homes throughout most of the United first professional recording facility, Castle of Fourth and Charlotte, then moved it onto for Decca in Houston bought out Cowan in 1957 and gave 30 percent 19 on a white-owned radio States and Canada, laying the foundation for Recording Company. A year later they settled Fourth Avenue proper in 1941. The club’s name that produced his first two of the company to Killen. After Stapp’s death in station when he did so at the program to produce country music’s biggest into their permanent home atop the Tulane was sealed in history when Chess Records hits, “Blue Eyed Elaine” 1980, Killen became sole owner, and eventually the request of some black stars, including the Delmore Brothers, Roy Hotel and remained in business until 1955, recorded the album Etta James Rocks the House and “I’ll Get Along sold the company to Sony Music in 1989. soldiers back from the Acuff, Pee Wee King, Ernest Tubb, Hank at the venue on the evenings of Sept. 27-28, Somehow.” He recorded Early independent record when the hotel was slated for demolition. war and attending Fisk Williams and Hank Snow. Beginning in 1963. Following the example of the folks at Castle his biggest hit, “Walking labels: who stopped by the station with the records. 1934, The Opry had four homes in Nashville, the Floor Over You” in 1941, and soon found Jim Bulleit, who came Recording Company Roy Acuff: As a singer and band The station, which on a clear night could be prior to settling down in the venerable Ryman himself performing in movies, and on tour with to Nashville in 1943 and took where he had worked leader of his Smoky Mountain heard as far north as Canada and as far south Auditorium in 1943. The Ryman was home such stars as Roy Acuff and Bob Wills. Tubb a job as an announcer with WSM, was the on many sessions, Boys, Roy Acuff became a star as the Caribbean, received mail from all over for nearly 31 years before the show moved came to Nashville in 1943 to appear on The granddaddy18 of all the city’s independent record Owen Bradley, along on the Grand Ole Opry in the early 1940s the South requesting more R&B. Later that to the expansive Grand Ole Opry House in Opry. An immediate hit, he joined the cast that label owners, launching Bullet Records, the with his younger year, WLAC added a black music show with Opryland, and occasionally the Opry returns to following14 a 1938 live guest performance city’s first independent label of note, in 1945. brother Harold, same year and remained one of its major stars of “Great Speckled Bird,” and bridged the some black sponsors, which set the station on the downtown location. Local 257 negotiates the rest of his career. He toured relentlessly Bullet went on to release in the mid-to-late ’40s opened the city’s gap between old-time country music and the the path to become the most influential R&B and administers the Grand Ole Opry contract and charted throughout the ’40s and ’50s with some of the earliest recordings by B. B. King, second independent recording studio at Second coming age of star singers. He radio station in the nation during the ’50s and for artists and backing musicians and the Opry his stark brand of honky-tonk music, driven Willie Dixon’s Big Three Trio, Rufus Thomas, Avenue and Lindsley Street on Rutledge Hill. became known as the “King of ’60s. The station was known for its group of house band, covering radio, television and now primarily by electric guitar and the heartfelt Guitar Slim and native son Cecil Gant, among A year later, the Bradley brothers moved their Country Music.” After a failed pioneering deejays, “The 50,000 Watt Quartet” streaming. Today, country luminaries like Reba delivery of his distinctive low voice. He opened others. Bulleit was followed by the two most studio to Hillsboro Village before landing for baseball career, Acuff picked up — Nobles, John Richbourg aka John R, Bill McEntire, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, the Ernest Tubb Record Shop — the first important indie record men in the city’s history good in 1954 at 804 Sixteenth Ave. S., where his fiddle in 1932 and began the “Hoss” Allen aka The Hoss Man (above) Keith Urban, Ricky Skaggs and Del McCoury major all-country store of its kind — in 1947 in terms of helping solidify Nashville’s status they built the world-famous Quonset Hut journey that would see him evolve and Herman Grizzard — who all sounded call the Opry home, along with longtime stars on Commerce Street in Nashville, which gave as an important recording center — Randy studio (above) and laid the foundation for what into the face of the Opry, the black with their hipster patter Nobles called who still perform, like Little Jimmy Dickens, birth to The Midnight Jamboree, a show that Wood, who launched one of the biggest indies became Music Row. After recording sessions center of an emerging star system. “slanguage,” and who gave R&B legends like Jack Greene and Jim Ed Brown. grew from live performances showcasing young ever in 1951, Dot Records, and Ernie Young, at Castle Recording Company, RCA Records He rode his early hits such as his James Brown, Ray Charles, Little Richard, Musical exports: As you talent held there immediately after the Opry who started the legendary R&B label Excello began working out of a makeshift studio owned signature “Wabash Cannonball,” “Wreck On Otis Redding and Aretha Franklin their first would expect, a number of performances ended. The Midnight Jamboree Records in 1952, as a sister label to his gospel by Methodist Communications on McGavock The Highway” and “Fireball Mail” into that widespread exposure. musicians born in Nashville have continues today as WSM’s second-longest imprint Nashboro Records, founded a year Street in 1954, prior to building the studio stardom and a career that spanned five decades. Deford Bailey: In 1918, gone on to achieve fame in other cities. Among continuous broadcast. Tubb was inducted into earlier. While Dot scored big R&B hits with that became known as RCA Studio B on a His distinctive, emotional vocals fronted a Deford Bailey, a young musician the most notable of the city’s musical natives the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1965, and a number of artists, most notably Arthur side street running between 16th and 17th in 12 string band sound, producing an innovative from the small community of are jazz trumpeter Doc Cheatham, who got his continued to tour into the 1980s before passing Alexander, the label’s cash cow was Pat Boone, 1956, adding further to the developing Music approach for the time — one that appealed to Bellwood, Tenn., which was full of banjo and start in the orchestra pit of The Bijou and whose away in 1984. who recorded 38 Top 40 hits for the label, of Row area. Cinderella Studio, which opened in both traditional and modern fans. which 18 went Top 10, including five No. 1s. 1961, is the city’s longest-running independent 10fiddle music that he called black hillbilly music, career included stints performing with Ma Pioneers of Music moved to Nashville to seek his fortune. Known Rainey, Cab Calloway, Fletcher Henderson, Bill Monroe: Altogether, he had a string of 200 consecutive studio, still in operation today. Originally the Known as the publishing: as the “Harmonica Wizard,” Bailey was an early Benny Carter and Billie Holiday; singer- father of bluegrass music, Monroe Three men and weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, the longest band studio for Charlie McCoy & The Escorts, Nashville radio star, first performing on WDAD actress Dinah Shore, who was actually born came down from Kentucky in the their publishing companies laid string of hits by any artist. In the ’50s and ’60s, guitar player Wayne Moss soon took over sole in 1925. He soon was lured to the WSM Barn southeast of Nashville, but grew up in the city; late 1930s with an aggressive mandolin style the foundation for Nashville to become The Excello, whose influence extended all the way ownership — not surprising, since the studio is Dance which became The Grand Ole Opry, where singer-songwriter Bobby Hebb, the “song-a- 15and a high lonesome voice. Originally part of 17City of Song. In 1942, hit songwriter and talent across the pond to Brit invasion icons like in what used to be Moss’ garage at his home in he starred for 15 years. He participated in the day man” best-known for writing and recording the Monroe Brothers duo with his brother, scout Fred Rose cofounded the city’s first major The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, scored Madison. Barefoot Jerry was born in the studio first recording sessions featuring Opry stars in the 1966 smash, “Sunny”; R&B singer Edwin Charlie, the Monroes parted ways in 1938. music publishing company, Acuff-Rose Music, numerous R&B hits which sometimes crossed and a slew of popular artists recorded there, 18 April - June 2012 The Nashville Musician The Nashville Musician April - June 2012 19 including Linda Ronstadt, Steve Miller, Leo production of the soundtrack for the film Coal of Local 257. Atkins won 11 Grammys and is his duets with wife Audrey). Williams brought current music director Giancarlo Guerrero was singers in the world, who only need the right Kottke, Lee Michaels, Charlie Daniels, Tony Miner’s Daughter in 1980, and in 1987, produced in both the Country Music and Rock and Roll the cult of celebrity to Nashville. Considered appointed in 2008. The symphony continues song and empathetic production to touch Joe White, John Hartford and Jerry Jeff Walker. K.D. Lang’s platinum album, Shadowland. He Hall of Fame. Atkins passed away in 2001 and among the greatest popular songwriters of all to make its mark as it premieres innovative the hearts of millions. Eddy Arnold (below) Around the same time Cinderella opened, Sam continued to produce, arrange and play music his musical influence, which remains strong time, his impact on writers and performers new music and additional Grammy-winning was a groundbreaking Nashville artist whose Phillips bought a struggling studio in Nashville until his death in 1998. In addition to his today, has had an immeasurable impact on from all genres is staggering still, almost 70 recordings. The Nashville Symphony returned easygoing, crooning style was, perhaps, country’s located in the Masonic Lodge building at 315 brother Harold, his son Jerry, daughter-in-law Nashville and the world. years after his untimely to Carnegie Hall in May 2012 as part of the answer to Bing Crosby. Red Seventh Ave. N. where he had space for his Connie, daughter Patsy, grandson Clay, and Flatt & Scruggs: Earl death at age 29. His Spring for Music Festival. Foley was another, and he publishing companies. The studio had a high nephew Bobby Bradley Jr. are all respected Scruggs began to play the banjo haunting, plaintive Southern Plastics/United was followed by incredible ceiling and wooden floors and walls that gave it members of Nashville’s music community. voice, stripped-down singers such as Jim Reeves at age four and by the age of 10 Record Pressing: Founded a warm sound. After attending a session, Phillips Bradley’s charismatic personality and body of musical approach, and and Patsy Cline, both of had developed a three-finger banjo style that in 1949 as Southern Plastics, decided to buy it, upgraded the equipment, and work set a high standard, both musically and simple lyrics produced whom unfortunately met early 22forever changed the direction of his chosen Nashville’s United Record Pressing is one of hired Billy Sherrill as the engineer. Jerry Lee business-wise, and he was a mentor and friend a unique, otherworldly deaths in plane crashes. Ray instrument. When he joined Bill Monroe’s the25 largest manufacturers of vinyl records in the Lewis recorded “What’d I Say” there at Phillips to many of the greatest artists and musicians in sound, unmistakably Price and Connie Smith both Bluegrass Boys in 1945, his driving rhythmic U.S. URP moved to its current location on Studios’ inaugural session. Fred Foster, owner Nashville history. country, but one that have distinctive, energetic style crystallized the direction towards which Chestnut Street in 1962, of Monument Records, bought the studio from had a much broader singing styles that were very Chet Atkins: Known as Mr. Monroe had been heading, and the Ryman a building that included Phillips in 1964 and operated it as Fred Foster appeal. His music has influenced an endless influential and have had long Guitar, Chet Atkins’ elegant debut of the new lineup, which included Lester an onsite apartment Sound Studios until 1969, when the building variety of artists from Bob Dylan and Alan careers that continue today. musical sensibility and classy, laid- Flatt on guitar and vocals, became known as known as the “Motown was razed. Hilltop Studios in Madison was Jackson to Elvis Costello and Yusef Islam (Cat George Jones caught “White Lightnin’” in a back persona embodied Nashville for decades. “The Birth of Bluegrass.” Flatt and Scruggs left Suite,” to accommodate built by Jack and Billy Linneman in 1963, Stevens). Battling a bad back, suffering from bottle and sang dramatic tales of heartbreak, Born21 to humble beginnings in East Tennessee, Monroe to start their own group, the Foggy black record executives and is still in business today. In 1964, guitarist alcohol abuse, and loaded with painkillers, and Tammy Wynette had a “catch” in her through hard work and dedication he became Mountain Boys, in 1948. Though they never from Motown Records and other black labels Scotty Moore relocated from Memphis to Williams crossed over and into myth in the voice that pulled listeners into her tales of the one of the world’s best-known and most called their music “bluegrass,” they had a major during their visits to the still-segregated city. Nashville and opened Music City Recorders backseat of a car en route from Montgomery to challenges of making relationships work in influential guitarists of all time. In addition impact on acoustic music with their successes Although the company works closely with Jack just off Music Row on 19th Avenue, where performances in West Virginia and Ohio. He a changing world. Conway Twitty and Vern to his instrumental in the country and folk world, their syndicated White’s Third Man Records, records by major- Ringo Starr recorded Beaucoups of Blues. died either on the late night of Dec. 31, 1952 or Gosdin also had emotional voices that could prowess in the studio TV show and countless public appearances label hip hop and R&B artists represent more early hours of Jan. 1, 1953. He is a member of convey heartache or joy in a totally believable Owen Bradley: Keyboardist, and onstage, he was throughout the ’50s and ’60s. When manager than half of its business. both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the way. Don Williams is one of those rare singers arranger and legendary producer also a producer, record Louise Scruggs landed them the theme song Taking care of business: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. who has so much sincerity in his interpretation Owen Bradley is perhaps the executive, guitar and guest appearances on the hugely popular The development of a top of a lyric and effortless grace in his phrasing, one person most responsible for Nashville’s designer, talent scout Beverly Hillbillies TV series, they became Nashville Symphony business infrastructure has been intonation, and tone that he can make any song evolution into Music City. A true Renaissance and supporter of many familiar to households all over America, and a Orchestra: 20 While an early instrumental to the growth of Music City, not sound like he wrote it. The vocal acrobatics of few years later, the movie blockbuster Bonnie man, by the mid-1940s Bradley already was a great musicians who 20th century group of musicians just label and publishing executives, but also and Clyde featured their music prominently as 26 the great Lefty Frizzell were a big influence successful jazz big band leader, recording artist might not have been called themselves the Nashville Symphony, the artist managers, booking agents, attorneys and on Keith Whitley, who combined bluegrass and arranger, and was working for WSM. In heard without his endorsement. After trying well. After the duo’s breakup in 1969, Lester 24current world-class, award-winning orchestra business managers. Joe Frank, Colonel Tom phrasing with a hard country baritone and 1947, Decca Records’ Paul and failing to make it in Nashville a couple of Flatt continued to perform and record with was established in 1946 by native son Walter Parker, Louise Scruggs, Dub Allbritton, made some great records before his untimely Cohen hired Bradley to lead times during the mid-1940s, he was living in the Nashville Grass until his death in 1979, Sharp, following his return home from World Wesley Rose, Tillman Franks and Randy passing in 1989. There has always been a strong his label’s Nashville sessions. In Denver when he was approached and signed by mentoring many young musicians such as War II. Local 257 proudly donated $5,000 Hughes are among the pioneering managers line of rootsy R&B and Southern soul singers 1954, he built the Quonset Hut, RCA Records’ Steve Sholes in 1949. Atkins’ Marty Stuart. Scruggs started the innovative to help start the symphony with William who guided the careers of Nashville’s early stars in Music City as well, like Tracy Nelson, the first studio on Music Row, return to Nashville as guitarist for the Carter Earl Scruggs Revue with his sons Gary, Strickland as its first music director. Strickland including Pee Wee King, Eddie Arnold, Flatt Delbert McClinton, Ashley Cleveland, Jonell and encouraged others to settle Sisters that same year put him on the map for Randy and Steve, and continued to experiment served until 1951, followed by Guy Taylor, & Scruggs, Brenda Lee, Roy Orbison, Johnny Mosser, Charles “Wigg” Walker and Dobie in the area. His first big success good. He soon began serving as session leader with different styles of music for the rest of Willis Page, Thor Johnson and Michael Charry. Horton and Patsy Cline. Top-flight managers Gray, who captured the world’s ear with “Drift as a producer was Red Foley’s for Sholes’ RCA Nashville sessions. Along his career. His effortless style and progressive In 1983, the NSO’s longest-tenured music like Ken Levitan, Gary Borman, David Away,” one of the greatest records of all time. 1950 smash “Chattanoogie Shoe with Owen Bradley, Atkins was one of the attitude towards music has influenced not director Kenneth Schermerhorn, guided Corlew and Burt Stein carry on that tradition. Reba McEntire, Trisha Yearwood, Martina Shine Boy,” which sold a million people who made sure that Nashville recording only virtually every banjo player, but countless the orchestra through a seven-week strike in The late Buddy Lee was the granddaddy of McBride, Elizabeth Cook and Carrie copies and was No. 1 on the pop and country sessions were on an AFM contract. “Mr. musicians around the world as well. Flatt and 1985, followed by a shutdown, Chapter 11 Nashville-based booking agents and Buddy Lee Underwood are carrying on the tradition of charts. By the early ’50s, he was producing Sandman” became his first solo hit in 1954, Scruggs took the music they helped create with bankruptcy and a contract in 1988 that reduced Attractions remains among the top independent great female artists who can put their distinctive classic records by Bill Monroe, Ernest Tubb and before long he was producing RCA artists Bill Monroe and sent it around the world and the orchestra’s size, salary and season. In the agencies in town, along with Don Light Talent, stamp on any song and move the listener. Vince and Webb Pierce. Bradley produced some of like Elvis Presley and Don Gibson. He was back again. mid-1990s the orchestra began rebuilding — a Buck Williams’ Progressive Global Agency, Gill continues to demonstrate that he has one the greatest pop and country records of all also an A&R consultant for the label, and when Hank Williams: Hank multi-year collaboration with Amy Grant that The Bobby Roberts Companyand Keith Case of the all-time classic country voices. There time, including “Crazy” by Patsy Cline, “He’ll Sholes moved to New York to run RCA’s pop Williams, the tragic, sainted included three U.S. tours, a recording that led to and Associates. The major national and global is barely space to acknowledge some of the Have To Go” by Jim Reeves, “I’m Sorry” by division in 1968, Atkins took over the Nashville icon of country music, not only an agreement with Naxos to produce 20 albums, agencies have long had a presence in Nashville, great harmony singers and groups who have Brenda Lee, and “Coal Miner’s Daughter” by branch. In the early ’80s, Atkins left RCA for contributed to its immense popularity in the seven Grammy awards and 14 nominations including CAA, William Morris Endeavor, graced Nashville records over the years, such Loretta Lynn. He also kept a hand in other Columbia Records, who gave him free rein to late ’40s and early ’50s, but was one of American 23 to date, and a critically acclaimed appearance Paradigm and APA. The city also has a number as John Wesley Ryles, Dennis Wilson, Wes genres, cutting the influential “The Train explore jazz and other contemporary styles, music’s first superstars. Williams began an at Carnegie Hall in 2000. That performance of top business management firms, most notably Hightower, Vicki Hampton, Bob Bailey and Kept A-Rollin” by the Rock ‘n’ Roll Trio in which led to yet another career renaissance association with Acuff-Rose in 1946, where led Schermerhorn, Executive Director Alan Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, the McCrary Sisters. 1956 and a Grammy-winning record for folk lasting nearly 20 years. Atkins was a tireless Fred Rose had taken a keen interest in him, and Valentine, and community leaders to envision O’Neil Hagaman and the Haber Corporation. Ted Jarrett: icon Burl Ives in 1962, as well as jazz projects ambassador for Nashville music and musicians. signed a writers’ contract with them in 1948, a state-of-the-art facility for the orchestra. Cutting-edge enterprises like Thirty Tigers Ted Jarrett was for clarinetist Pete Fountain. In 1958 he was In addition to recording more than a hundred before moving to Nashville in 1949. That same In 2003, ground was broken for the $123.5 provide a variety of services to independent the godfather of Nashville R&B, tapped to head Decca’s Nashville division, solo albums over the years, he collaborated with year, his breakout No. 1 hit “Lovesick Blues” million Schermerhorn Symphony Center, artists and labels. Many leading entertainment a prolific songwriter, A&R man and signed iconic artists such as Loretta Lynn a wide range of musicians from Boston Pops launched a career that made him a star on The which opened in 2006, thanks to the generosity attorneys call Nashville home, including Jim and one of the city’s first independent producers and Conway Twitty to the label. By the early to Gary Burton, and especially a number of Grand Ole Opry, and a touring phenomenon. of many donors, most notably Martha Ingram. Zumwalt, Craig Hayes, Orville Almon, Mike 28who wrote and produced many of the biggest ’60s, the Quonset Hut was doing up to 700 great guitarists, including Merle Travis, Les He followed that initial success with a string Schermerhorn passed away suddenly in 2005 Milom, Jay Bowen, Robin Mitchell Joyce and R&B hits coming out of Nashville in the ’50s sessions a year, and Music Row was becoming Paul, George Benson and Mark Knopfler. of hit records unmatched during his peak before the opening of the facility bearing his Richard Busch. and ’60s, including: “It’s Love Baby (24 Hours years of 1950 and 1951, including “Your a reality. He sold the Quonset Hut in 1962 and He created the term “Certified Guitar Player” name, but his legacy lives on. Music Advisor The voices — from A Day),” a No. 2 R&B smash by Earl Gaines built the fabled “Bradley’s Barn” recording (C.G.P.) for himself and bestowed it upon a few Cheatin’ Heart,” “Hey Good Lookin’” and Leonard Slatkin, whose tenure followed Eddy Arnold to Carrie but attributed to the backing ensemble, Louis studio in Mount Juliet, as he had agreed not to very close friends and great guitarists – Jerry “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry.” Every record Schermerhorn’s death, conducted the opening Brooks & The Hi-Toppers because Gaines build another studio in Davidson County. He Reed, John Knowles, Tommy Emmanuel, Williams released during those years charted concert in the new hall and the orchestra’s Underwood: Nashville has hadn’t signed his contract by the pressing received an Academy Award nomination for his Steve Wariner and Paul Yandell, all members (except his Luke The Drifter recitations, and first Grammy winning recording. The NSO’s long27 been a magnet for many of the best deadline; and “You Can Make It If You Try,” a 20 April - June 2012 The Nashville Musician The Nashville Musician April - June 2012 21 No. 3 R&B hit by Gene Allison later covered to many of the biggest names in contemporary The Anita Kerr Singers were also considered in movies, to become a true American icon. As singles, beginning with styles of contemporary music, and are still a by The Rolling Stones. Jarrett was the producer Christian music, including Grant, Steven part of the A-Team. Other musicians who rock & roll continued to explode throughout the sassy, rockin’ “Sweet staple of most Nashville sessions. The number on Larry Birdsong’s “Pleadin’ For Love,” which Curtis Chapman and Nicole Nordeman, as came along slightly later but had a big impact the 1960s, Presley’s popularity began to wane. Nothin’s” in early 1960, system’s simplicity and flexibility have made reached No. 11 on the R&B well as up-and-comers Mandisa, Britt Nicole include guitarists Wayne Moss, Pete Wade, Hits such as the No. 1 “Suspicious Minds” and which went to No. 4 a huge contribution to the user-friendly chart, and even produced and Switchfoot. Also, gospel legends Bebe & Fred Carter, Jr. and Billy Sanford, also steel the later “In The Ghetto” in 1969 signaled a on the pop charts. She recording style of Music City. a pair of sides on Fats Cece Winans record for EMI Gospel. The guitarists Weldon comeback in the 1970s and Elvis continued hit the Top 10 three A-teamers (L-R) Moore, Music Row: Ground zero Domino, including the Top Provident Label Group, whose combined Myrick, Hal Rugg performing and touring until his death in 1977. more times that year, Martin and Harman. for Nashville’s music industry, 10 R&B hit, “Poor Poor roster includes Smith, Rebecca St. James, and Lloyd Green. at the age of 42. including two No. 1s — Music Row is located southwest Me.” Country star Webb Third Day and crossover heavyweights Jars of The legacy of the “I’m Sorry” and “I Just Nashville 1956 and the of downtown, primarily on 16th (Music Pierce’s cover of the Jarrett Clay, is part of Sony Music Entertainment and A-Team is alive Want To Be Wanted.” She had four more Top birth of rock & roll: Square East) and 17th (Music Square West) composition, “Love, Love, includes the Reunion and Essential imprints. and well, and all Though 10 singles the following year, including “Fool 38 avenues, and includes a number of surrounding Love” went to the top of the country charts Christian indie giant Inpop is also based in the Nashville musicians it is rarely included in discussions Number One.” From 1960 to 1963, Lee had side streets home to record labels, publishing where it remained for 13 weeks. Christine Nashville area and boasts a lineup of artists that are indebted to of the birthplaces of rock & roll, in 1956 23 recordings make the Top 40, but by 1964 companies, performance rights organizations, Kittrell, Roscoe Shelton, Marion James, includes the Newsboys (whose members and them for their huge 33Nashville hosted seminal early rock recording and the arrival of The Beatles and other British recording studios, video production houses and James “Nick” Nixon and Charles Walker are manager are among the owners of the label) contribution to our musical community. The sessions. Not only did Elvis cut his first two No. invasion bands, her popularity began to wane. other music-related businesses. Music Row among the many other artists Jarrett worked and Jaci Velasquez. A-Team of the 21st century has continued this 1s (“Heartbreak Hotel,” “I Want You, I Need In the ’70s, she made the move to country and You, I Love You”), but Buddy Holly (the first first began to take shape in the mid-1950s after with as a producer and writer. Kitty Wells: The “Queen of tradition of versatility, efficiency and above all, scored a string of hits until the mid-‘80s. version of “That’ll Be The Day”),Gene Vincent the Bradley Brothers moved their studio to Heavenly music: Country Music,” found stardom professionalism and a positive attitude. This Roy Orbison: From (“Bebop-A-Lula”), Johnny Carroll (“Hot When Roy an old house at 804 16th Ave. S. in 1954 and at the age of 33 after recording club has grown with each successive generation traditional gospel to the many Rock”), Rock ‘n’ Roll Trio (“Train Kept A Orbison entered RCA Studio B attached the world-famous Quonset Hut to the million-selling “It Wasn’t God Who and has kept the spirit of the original A-Team sonic flavors of contemporary Rollin’”) and “the Female Elvis,” Janis Martin on March 25, 1960, and recorded its rear. Owen Bradley urged others to follow Made Honky Tonk Angels” in 1952 for Decca alive and well. Today’s Nashville Cats, like their Christian music, Nashville has long been a 30 (“Drugstore Rock ‘n’ Roll”) all cut influential “Only The Lonely,” he made an artistic leap suit, and after RCA Records built the studio Records. The song was a woman’s response to predecessors, can play virtually any style of 29center for religious music. There has been sides in Music City in 1956. that36 permanently changed the soundscape of that became known as RCA Studio B on a side music on any instrument you can think of, and religious music publishing in Music City since Hank Thompson’s hit “The Wild Side of Life,” popular music. Orbison, one of the greatest street running between 16th and 17th, “Music do so quickly and efficiently on a world-class the 1800s, and the legendary Fisk Jubilee and brought Wells’ earnest and intensely simple The Everly Brothers: voices in rock history, and the team of people he Row” was well on its way to being the focal level. Musicians from all over the world come to Singers hail from here. One of the city’s earliest vocal style to the world. Born Ellen Muriel Singing in the country duo worked with that day — including session leader/ point for all things music. Local 257 moved Nashville to see if they have what it takes, pay independent labels, Nashboro Records, was Deason in Nashville in 1919, Wells was a tradition of the Delmore Brothers bassist Bob Moore and other members of the to its present location at 11 Music Circle N. in their dues and look for a shot to try and make a pioneering gospel imprint and sister label pioneering female country and the Louvin Brothers, The Everly Brothers A-Team, engineer Bill Porter, plus Billy Dees 1978, next door to SAE engineering school and it as a studio player. There are also experienced to Excello Records. Nashboro specialized in singer during an age (34Don and Phil) introduced country harmony and cowriter Joe Melson on the unforgettable across from BMI. Today, the north end of the players from other cities who come here for recordings by black gospel quartets, such as the ruled by men, laying the to rock & roll and became the most important backing vocals with The Anita Kerr Singers — area is marked by the Music Row Roundabout the quality of life and different opportunities legendary Nashville-based group, The Fairfield foundation for others such duo in rock history, scoring a string of 15 Top transformed the rock aesthetic, introducing an with the Musica sculpture in the center, a strip that Music City offers. The hard line that once Four. The Benson Company was a major force as Jean Shepard, Loretta 10 hits between 1957 and 1962, including “Bye elegance and sophistication into the genre that of clubs, restaurants and shops on Demonbreun divided road players and studio musicians has in Southern Gospel from the 1960s through Lynn, Patsy Cline, Dottie Bye Love” (No. 2), “Wake influenced future generations of rock and pop Street, and Owen Bradley Park, featuring a been blurred beyond all recognition as the the 1980s with artists such as The Rambos, West and Brenda Lee. She Up Little Susie” (No. artists, including major British artists, such as life-size statue of Bradley at a piano. Music quality of Nashville players continues to rise. The Speer Family, Bill Gaither Trio, The Oak was the first female singer 1), “All I Have To Do Is The Beatles, Robert Plant and ELO. Working Row remains an accessible and vibrant hub of All in all, there has never been a more vibrant Ridge Boys and Sandi Patty. Bobby Jones, a to cut a No. 1 country hit Dream” (No. 1), “Cathy’s essentially with that same team of people over Nashville’s music industry. and vital community of Nashville recording Grammy-winning recording artist and television and the first to sell a million records, despite the Clown” (No. 1) and the next four-plus years, Orbison recorded 17 musicians of all types, and Local 257 is proud Jazz in Music City: Since star, has been a leading force in black gospel fact that the Grand Ole Opry and many radio “When Will I Be Loved” Top 40 hits, including six which went Top 5: to be their advocate and representative. the early part of the 20th century, and has hosted BET’s longest-running series, stations temporarily banned “It Wasn’t God (No. 8). The influence “Only The Lonely” (No. 2), “Running Scared” Nashville has always had a vibrant Bobby Jones Gospel, since 1980. As you would Who Made Honky Tonk Angels.” She married Elvis Presley: of those recordings (No. 1), “Crying” (No. 2), “Dream Baby (How The undisputed jazz scene. In the ’20s and ’30s, Francis Craig expect, Nashville was on the forefront of the country musician Johnnie Wright, of Johnnie reverberated through the Long Must I Dream)” (No. 4), “Mean Woman king of rock & roll, Elvis Presley and Beasley Smith led orchestras specializing emerging contemporary Christian music scene. & Jack (Anglin) fame, when she was 18, and cut over half of his hits at music of Brit invasion bands like The Beatles, Blues” (No. 5), and “Oh, Pretty Woman” (No. 39 in a genteel brand of jazz — swinging, but not Word Records, based in Nashville since 1992 worked as a singer for the duo throughout The Searchers, The Kinks and The Hollies, 1). After a long absence from the public eye, Nashville’s famed RCA Studio B. Many of too hard, which received national exposure when Thomas Nelson Publishing purchased the the early 1940s, with some success, before her folk-rock acts such as Simon & Garfunkel, and Orbison resurfaced in the those32 were recorded with The Jordanaires via WSM. In the mid-’20s, Beady Conner company, was the first Christian label to acquire breakout smash. Subsequent hits included West Coast-based country rockers including late ‘80s as a member of and various members of the A-Team. Though led the first important black big band in the major-label marketing muscle when it was “Release Me” and “Making Believe,” and The Byrds, Poco and The Eagles. In the ’90s, The Traveling Wilburys. Presley’s style fused gospel and R&B with city which included pianist Edwin Wilcox bought in 1976 by ABC. Mike Blanton and she continued to chart as late as 1971. Wells duos Foster & Lloyd and The Sweethearts of He recorded his final solo country music — the key ingredients in the and saxophonists Willie Smith and Earl Dan Harrell, who managed Christian superstar received the Grammy’s Lifetime Achievement The Rodeo scored multiple Top 10 country hits album, Mystery Girl, just intoxicating rockabilly recipe being brewed at Carruthers, who went on to be longtime Amy Grant, were two of the architects of the Award in 1991 and was elected to the Country with Everly–influenced records. More recently, prior to his death in 1988. Memphis’ Sun Records in the mid-’50s — he members of renowned big band leader Jimmie contemporary Christian genre with the launch Music Hall of Fame in 1976. The Avett Brothers are filling arenas with The following year, the was marketed initially as just a country artist, Lunceford’s orchestra. Lunceford graduated of Reunion Records in 1982. By the time they The A-Team: music that owes much to Don and Phil Everly. single from that album In the early days finding exposure on the Louisiana Hayride and from Fisk and then returned there to teach while sold the label to BMG in the mid-’90s, they (“You Got It”) put Orbison in the Top 10 one of Nashville recording, there was country radio. Music historians agree that he Brenda Lee: “Little Miss other members of his band, The Chickasaw had helped launch many of the biggest stars more time. an elite group of studio musicians simultaneously opened the door for younger Dynamite” Brenda Lee was Syncopators, attended the school in the late in Christian music, including Michael W. The Nashville Number known as the A-Team, who played on the vast country performers such as Marty Robbins and one of the pioneering women ’20s. The group performed regularly during Smith, Kathy Troccoli, Take 6, Rich Mullins majority31 of recordings made in Music City for Johnny Cash, while also pushing it open for of rock and Nashville’s first global superstar. System: An alternate method of that period at night clubs in North Nashville. and Gary Chapman. Many Christian labels much of the 1950s and ’60s. The team of Bob rockers like Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and She35 possessed “the greatest rock & roll voice notating chord progressions and Trumpeters Rushton Miller and Chick Chavis came on board with the AFM in the late ’90s Moore (bass) and Buddy Harman (drums) are others. Presley’s Sun Records contract was sold of them all” according to John Lennon, who note choices was created by The Jordanaires’ and pianist Don Q. Pullen all led jazz bands in with the development of Low Budget Master among the most recorded rhythm sections of all to RCA in 1955 under the direction of manager toured with Lee in England and Germany in Neal37 Matthews Jr. as a way for the vocal group Nashville in the ’30s and ’40s. Chavis later was Scale. Today, three of the most powerful time. Others among the early A-Team pioneers Col. Tom Parker, and it was RCA that launched the early ’60s. She began her career at the age to quickly organize individual parts in the studio. the director of the acclaimed Tennessee A&I Christian labels with major-label affiliations who set the standard for generations of recording his stardom through television and other of 12 and had her first chart record at the age Taking the do-re-mi concept of scalar harmony (now Tennessee State University) student jazz are headquartered in Music City. Word musicians to come were Hank Garland, Grady promotion. “Heartbreak Hotel,” his first RCA of 13. Her earliest recordings in the mid-to-late and replacing chord letters with numbers made ensemble, the Tennessee State Collegians. Entertainment, whose current roster includes Martin, Ray Edenton, Harold Bradley and single, sold a million copies within a year. He ’50s were in the rockabilly vein, most notably for easy to read charts that could be transposed Tenor god John Coltrane spent a couple of Point of Grace, NEEDTOBREATHE and Jerry Kennedy (guitar), Pete Drake (steel went on to become the face of rock & roll, and 1958’s “Rockin Around the Christmas Tree,” quickly to any key. A-Teamer Charlie McCoy years in Nashville in the early ’50s working Group 1 Crew, is now part of the Warner guitar), Floyd Cramer, Hargus “Pig” Robbins rode a wave of chart-topping singles, including one of most popular rock Christmas songs. But picked up on the concept and adapted it as with Gay Crosse and the Good Humor Six Music Group. Sparrow Records, which (piano), Tommy Jackson (fiddle), Charlie “Jailhouse Rock,” “Love Me Tender,” “All it was not until producer Owen Bradley gave an efficient way to quickly write chord charts and appeared on at least four recordings with relocated to Nashville in 1991 and is now part McCoy (harmonica) and Boots Randolph Shook Up,” and the classic “Hound Dog,” her recordings the Nashville sound touch that for the rhythm section. Many years later, the the group during that time. Celebrated alto of the EMI Christian Music Group, is home (saxophone). Vocal groups The Jordanairesand coupled along with subsequent starring roles Lee began a string of influential and popular number charts have evolved to fit the changing sax man, writer and arranger Hank Crawford 22 April - June 2012 The Nashville Musician The Nashville Musician April - June 2012 23 made his first recordings in Music City while The Barber Brothers Quintet (featuring twin Early producers: Owen efficiency of Nashville’s orchestral recording executives in Nashville’s music publishing worldwide bluegrass music community. IBMA attending A&I, fronting Little Hank & The brothers, saxophonist Rahsaan and trombonist Bradley and Chet Atkins were musicians have given composers, arrangers and community include Donna Hilley, who was moved its offices from Kentucky to Nashville Rhythm Kings, who performed regularly at the Roland), sax/harp man Jim Hoke, and a pair of the top producers in Nashville artists a wide artistic palette to choose from. named vice president of Tree International in 2003, and continues to foster growth in the Subway Lounge in Printer’s Alley. The Brenton big bands, Nashville Jazz Orchestra and The in the ’50s and ’60s, but there were other The boys who record the Publishing in 1978 and went on to become bluegrass industry. The IBMA sponsors the Banks Quartet, which played at The Gaslight Duffy Jackson Big Band. the first female president and CEO of a major annual International Bluegrass Music Awards. producers42 who were instrumental in the city’s noise: Country Music Hall of Lounge in the alley in the ’50s and early ’60s, publishing company. Hard-working leaders at SGA – Songwriters Guild of America exists BMI, ASCAP and SESAC: development as a recording center, including Fame member Harold Bradley featured four A&I faculty members — pianist- Nashville record labels have emerged over the to protect songwriters’ rights; both professional Nashville would have never Capitol’s Nashville A&R man, Ken Nelson, once said, “Nashville would never have become arranger Banks, bassist W.O. Smith, drummer years, including Shelia Shipley-Biddy (Decca), and beginning songwriters benefit from become The City of Song who brought rock pioneer Gene Vincent to a44 recording center without the engineers” — Morris Palmer and saxophonist Andy Mary Martin (Warner Bros.), Margie Hunt membership. Involved with SGA for many without the performing rights organizations the city. Columbia’s Nashville chief, Don Law, and that still holds true today. Beginning in the Goodrich. Also in the alley, virtuoso guitarist (Sony) and Evelyn Shriver (Asylum Records.) years, Rick Carnes has been president of the —40 BMI, ASCAP and SESAC. These massive oversaw the production of recordings by Johnny 1950s, engineers Bill Porter, Charlie Tallent, Hank Garland held court at The Carousel Club organization since 2003. organizations represent songwriters, composers Cash, Johnny Horton and Marty Robbins, Glenn Snoddy, Tommy Strong, Mort with other A-Teamers like bassist Bob Moore Musical ABCs: As you would and music publishers by collecting royalties among others. MGM’s Jim Vienneau produced Thomasson, Lou Bradley, Lee Hazen and Ray Stevens: Musical jack- and drummer Buddy Harman. Legendary expect, Music City is home from radio airplay and fees from businesses Conway Twitty’s early rock sides in Nashville, Gene Eichelberger recorded thousands of hits of-all-trades Ray Stevens is a vibraphonist Gary Burton got his start in to an alphabet soup of music that use music, which they distribute to including his only No. 1 pop hit, “It’s Only by a wide variety of artists, including Jimmy hit songwriter, recording artist, Music City, too, recording with both Garland associations: participating songwriters and publishers. The Make Believe.” Shelby Singleton was an A&R Buffett, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, the Everly arranger and producer who epitomizes the and the Nashville All-Stars during the man and producer for Mercury Records, who CMA46 – The Country Music Association was Nashville offices of the performance rights Brothers, Dobie Gray, Brenda Lee, Roy Orbison, versatility of Music City. Known mostly for his summer of 1960 just before he entered Berklee formed in 1958 as the first trade association for 47 organizations are notable for their pioneering brought a number of the label’s artists to the Elvis Presley, Jim Reeves, Earl Scruggs, Ernest string of novelty hits, including such Top 10 pop College of Music. Influential guitarist Lenny a single genre of music. They were responsible female executives — Frances Preston (see No. city to record, including Clyde McPhatter and Tubb, Gene Vincent, Neil Young, and countless fare as “Ahab, the Arab” (No. 5), “Guitarzan” Breau moved to Music City in the late ’60s for the first CMA awards show in 1967, which 45), Connie Bradley and Dianne Petty. Connie Brook Benton. He also launched the careers of others. The engineer population has continued (No. 8), and “The Streak” (No. after coming to the attention of Chet Atkins, they still produce to this day, and created Fan Bradley, senior vice president for ASCAP until two Nashville-based artists, Ray Stevens and to grow exponentially, and just a small sampling 1), Stevens was also capable who signed him to RCA. Fair in 1972. The CMA now boasts more than 2010, rose through the ranks during her 34- Roger Miller, plus produced the mega-smash of the excellent engineers over the years who of serious, moving pieces, like Breau’s style combined 11,000 members worldwide. year tenure. After joining SESAC in 1979, “Harper Valley PTA” for Jeannie C. Riley. Best aren’t mentioned elsewhere in this story are his mega-smash, “Everything flamenco, classical and NARAS – TheNational Academy of Recording Nashville native and veteran music publisher known for producing Elvis Al Pachuki, Ernie Winfrey, Ben Hall, Ron Is Beautiful.” What is lesser Atkins-style fingerpicking, Arts & Sciences’ Nashville Chapter received Dianne Petty was instrumental in bringing from 1966 until his death in “Snake” Reynolds, Gary Laney, Mark Miller, known about this musical which was unusual for its charter from The Recording Academy in SESAC’s headquarters from New York to 1977, Felton Jarvis was the Donivan Cowart, Ed Seay, Chuck Ainlay, comedian is he was an in- jazz guitar. Atkins’ playing 1964 and has grown to over 2,200 Music Row Nashville in 1985. producer on Tommy Roe’s Steve Chandler, Ben Fowler, Jeff Balding, demand arranger who worked always incorporated jazz professionals as members. Also, the Southern Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge early hits, helmed John Chad Carlson, Vance Powell, Dave Sinko, with a variety of artists including Tommy Roe, sensibilities and he made regional office of the Grammy organization Hartford’s first six albums, Bil Vorndick, Justin Niebank, Jacquire King, Dusty Springfield, Skeeter Davis and Dolly several contemporary jazz-influenced albums and Lower Broad: Tootsie’s MusiCares Foundation is in Music City. and also produced records Niko Bolas, Eric McConnell and Jeremy Parton. for Columbia in the 1980s. Pianist Beegie Orchid Lounge is the city’s most SAG-AFTRA – Screen Actors Guild and the for Michael Nesmith and Mickey Newbury. Ferguson.These sonic architects have worked Adair, who got her start on The Waking Crew, famous country bar. Located on Broadway American Federation of Television and Radio Patsy Cline: Patsy Cline, who Billy Sherrill (above) moved to Nashville from with countless acclaimed recording artists, has long been one of the city’s leading jazz with41 its back door directly across the alley from Muscle Shoals in 1962 to work at Phillips Artists merged in early 2012 creating a new died at age 30 in 1963, is one of from Mark Knopfler, Kings of Leon and The figures. In 1982, she teamed with saxophonist the Ryman Auditorium, it was notable as a entity, SAG-AFTRA. With offices located the most popular female singers Studios. When Sam Phillips sold the facility, Raconteurs to Garth Brooks, Mary Chapin Denis Solee to form the Adair-Solee Quartet, watering hole for many of the Opry performers. on Music Row, SAG-AFTRA Nashville does in recording history, country or otherwise, Sherrill went to work for Epic Records as an Carpenter and The Punch Brothers. and later the sextet Be-Bop Co-Op, which It was called Mom’s Place prior to 1960, when in-house producer, where he produced and more sound recording sessions with background and48 has influenced artists the world over Frances Preston and the included trumpeter George Tidwell. Adair namesake Hattie Louise “Tootsie” Bess and Jeff cowrote enormous hits for Tammy Wynette vocalists than Los Angeles and New York in a variety of genres. Her combination of women of Music Row: has released more than 30 albums, most them Bess bought the business. Aspiring songwriters and George Jones in the ’60s and ’70s. In 1981, A combined. Also, SAG-AFTRA Nashville is a smooth, punctuated, crying delivery with under the banner of The Beegie Adair Trio. and musicians would spend time at the bar, British rocker Elvis Costello made the first of signficant number of trail-blazing the only chapter that has an agreement that elements of the classic torch approach, laid on Prior to his death by accidental drowning in with some benevolent care provided by Tootsie several trips to Nashville to record, working with businesswomen led country music organizations covers songwriters. top of lush, quintessential “Nashville Sound” 1996, contemporary jazz trumpeter and Verve herself, a colorful character known for keeping Sherrill on an album of mostly country covers. 45 from Music Row’s early days. (LM) Leadership Music – founded in 1989, arrangements, made her appeal universal and recording artist Art Porter was living and a cigar box full of unpaid tabs that totaled Buddy Holly’s former high school singing Frances Preston (left) opened Leadership Music is a nonprofit educational her style untouchable. Her hit “Crazy,” written recording in the Nashville area. Funk-jazz hundreds of dollars. Willie Nelson pitched partner Bob Montgomery was initially known BMI’s Southern regional organization whose mission is to nurture by Willie Nelson, remains bass ace Victor Wooten began his stellar solo “Hello Walls” to Faron Young in Tootsie’s and as a songwriter, but became an outstanding office in Nashville in 1958, successive generations of knowledgeable, the No. 1 jukebox hit of all recording career in Nashville in the ’90s, as Roger Miller wrote “Dang Me” while imagining producer who helmed a number of hits for and served as president and issue-oriented community of music industry time. An appearance in 1957 did reed man Jeff Coffin. The Alison Brown himself there. Today the bar, which has changed Bobby Goldsboro, including his monster CEO of BMI for 18 years. professionals. Each year, a class of 40-50 on the national TV show Quartet, the jazz vehicle for Nashville-based ownership several times since Tootsie died in million-seller “Honey,” which spent five weeks Preston was reportedly the members is selected from hundreds of applicants, Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts banjo star Brown, released the first of many 1978, still offers live music and walls covered atop the Billboard pop chart. Montgomery first female corporate executive in the state of and the program covers all aspects of the music on which she performed recordings in 1996. Jazz guitar great Larry with autographs and photographs of the also produced records on Johnny Rivers, Ray Tennessee. Connie Bradley, whose career at business and promotes communication and “Walkin’ After Midnight,” propelled her from Carlton (above) and former Weather Report famous and infamous. It remains the mainstay Stevens, Shelby Lynne and Joe Diffie. ASCAP began in 1976, headed the Nashville shared knowledge as a way to ensure the growth obscurity to overnight fame. Cline rode that drummer Chester Thompson both moved of Lower Broad, a strip of live music clubs, bars office from 1980 until retiring in 2010. of Nashville’s music industry. momentum for a year, but had no follow-up to the city in 1995 and continue to be based and restaurants that stretches from Legends Arrangers: When Nashville Dianne Petty helped make SESAC a power GMA – The Gospel Music Association was hits. She moved to Nashville in 1958 hoping here. Celebrated saxophone recording artist Corner at Fifth Avenue to the Hard Rock emerged as a serious recording in Nashville. Jo Walker-Meador became the founded in 1964 to support and promote the to revive her promising career. After signing Kirk Whalum relocated to Music City in 1996 Cafe, next to the Cumberland River between center in the ’50s and ’60s, it was CMA’s first female executive director in 1961, development of all forms of gospel music and with Decca in 1960, and becoming a member and lived here until recently, when he moved First and Second Avenues, an area that includes in no small part due to a talented group of and in 1967, Maggie Cavender was appointed currently has over 4,000 members. The GMA of the Grand Ole Opry that same year, Cline back to his hometown Memphis. Sax man Layla’s Bluegrass Inn, Gruhn’s Guitars arrangers43 in the city who were instrumental in the first executive director for the Nashville recently presented the annual Gospel Music began a golden association with producer Don Aliquo arrived in 1999 to join the music and Ernest Tubb Record Shop. Following a the success of the big pop and crossover records Songwriters Association. Nancy Shapiro Association Dove Awards for the 43rd year. Owen Bradley with the recording of the faculty at MTSU and has released a number difficult period that ensued in the 1970s when coming out of Music City. This group included became the executive director for NARAS in AMA – The Americana Music Association is Harlan Howard-Hank Cochran song “I Fall of well-regarded albums since then. Although the Opry left the Ryman, Lower Broad has Anita Kerr, Bill McElhiney, Brenton Banks, 1985; Susan Stewart is currently NARAS’ dedicated to building and promoting American to Pieces.” That crossover hit went to No.1 on he didn’t move here — he considered it at the become a destination for tourists seeking the Cliff Parman, Cam Mullins, Bill Justis, Southern regional director. Louise Scruggs, roots music. Now over 1,600 members strong, the country charts and No. 12 pop, followed by urging of his friend Chet Atkins — jazz guitar honky tonk experience, and a proving ground Bill Purcell, Bergen White, Jim Hall and through 50 years managing and booking the AMA was formed in 1999 with just 33 subsequent Top 10 hits with “Crazy” and “She’s legend Earl Klugh has recorded several albums for musicians and singers looking to “make it” Glen Spreen. Since that time, Nashville has Flatt & Scruggs, and later Earl Scruggs, took members, and has exponentially raised the Got You.” With Bradley’s production, her star in Nashville. Launched in 1998 by pianist in Nashville. Robert’s Western World, where continued to be home to many great arrangers, bluegrass music to an international mainstream awareness of this relatively new genre. The was rising, and she appeared at Carnegie Hall Lori Mechem and bassist Roger Spencer BR-549 was discovered and a number of hot including Bill Walker, Don Tweedy, Barry audience. Others followed her lead, including AMA hosts the Americana Honors & Awards and the Hollywood Bowl, and went on tour as the Nashville Jazz Institute, these days the pickers such as Kenny Vaughan and Guthrie McDonald, Ron Oates, Buddy Skipper, Tony Denise Stiff (Alison Krauss), Lib Hatcher Show, which is held annually at the Ryman with Johnny Cash in 1962. Returning from a Nashville Jazz Workshop is ground zero for the Trapp paid their dues with the Don Kelley Migliore, Charles Cochran, Carl Marsh, (Randy Travis) and Pam Lewis (Garth Brooks, Auditorium. benefit in Kansas City on March 3, 1963, Cline city’s vibrant jazz community, which includes Band, is one the most popular of the other Chris McDonald, Lloyd Barry and Kris who she comanaged before establishing her own IBMA – The International Bluegrass Music was killed in a plane crash that also claimed vocalist Annie Sellick, pianist Bruce Dudley, venues on Lower Broad. Wilkinson. For five decades, the versatility and successful publicity firm). Important female Association was formed in 1985 to support the Opry stars Cowboy Copas and Hawkshaw 24 April - June 2012 The Nashville Musician The Nashville Musician April - June 2012 25 Hawkins, and her manager Randy Hughes. Moss, hit R&B songwriter and pioneering slide owners of Quadrafonic Studio. Over the Indie Record Stores: to give him more freedom. His personal life was by legendary WLAC disk jockey Hoss Allen The rise of the writer- guitarist Mac Gayden, keyboardist Bill Aikins years, many other musicians have made the trek Besides Ernest Tubb Record a wreck, though, even as he continued to chart. and featured many of the R&B artists whose The toll of 300-plus shows a year, drug addiction, records he played on-air. Hee Haw, hosted by artist: and saxophonist Quitman Dennis. In the early from Muscle Shoals to Nashville. Keyboardists Shop, Nashville is blessed with a From the earliest days of ’60s, they were the top white rock band in the Randy McCormick and Steve Nathan cut number of thriving independent record stores. and a failed marriage had his career at a low ebb Buck Owens and Roy Clark, began in 1969 as recording in Nashville, there had city and released 12 sides their teeth in Shoals before hitting Music City, Grimey’s New and Preloved Music, named by the mid-1960s. However, he still had a home a network series on CBS which ran for three been a separation of sorts between songwriters 55 on Monument featuring as did drummer Milton Sledge and bassist the eighth-best indie record store in the U.S. by on The Opry, and with the help of his singing seasons, then had a 21-year run in syndication, and49 recording artists — the songwriters wrote McCoy (right) on vocals. Mike Chapman, who played together on all Spin in 2010, is the jewel, but The Great Escape partner and wife June Carter, he kicked the making it the most successful country television the songs and the recording artists sang them. As studio players, they of the Garth Brooks studio records. Perhaps and Phonoluxe have been great sources for drugs and struck gold with two live recordings series of all time. The Porter Wagoner Show, But all that began to change in the ’60s, starting were among the first called the most notable of the later transplants was used vinyl and more for decades, and New Life from Folsom Prison and San Quentin and which launched the career of Dolly Parton, was most notably with writer-artists like Roger for the growing number of keyboardist Barry Beckett, who left the second Record Shop, which opened in 1976, has long garnered the CMA’s Entertainer of the Year one of the first syndicated series out of Nashville Miller, Mickey Newbury, Tom T. Hall and rock and soul sessions in great Muscle Shoals rhythm section (David served the Nashville hip-hop community. More award in 1969. His resurgence led to a network and had a run almost as long as Hee Haw, from Kris Kristofferson. They paved the way for the the city and their collective Hood, Roger Hawkins, and Jimmy Johnson) recently, Jack White’s Third Man Records has television series, The Johnny Cash Show, taped 1960 to 1981. The Wilburn Brothers Show ran next wave of writer-artists to hit Nashville in resume reads like a who’s to concentrate on producing, which he did to emerged as an important indie store, hosting at the Ryman Auditorium and hosted by Cash from 1963-1974, and gave Loretta Lynn her first the ’70s, a group that included Dan Fogelberg, who of popular music: Elvis, Bob Dylan, Simon great success with rockers like Bob Dylan and acclaimed performances at their in-store venue It aired on ABC from 1969-71 and featured an TV exposure. That Nashville Music aired for 15 Jimmy Buffett, Dave Loggins, Gene Cotton, & Garfunkel, Quincy Jones, Joan Baez, Neil Dire Straits and country artists such as Hank and going mobile with the Third Man Rolling array of performers, from country artists, to folk seasons beginning in 1970, while Pop Goes The Michael Johnson, John Hiatt, Guy Clark, Young, Linda Ronstadt, Bobby Darin, Steve Williams Jr. and Lorrie Morgan. Record Store. and rock & roll artists. The first show featured Country, which began in 1974, and Nashville Billy Joe Shaver, Townes Van Zandt and Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell, and continued On the Road, which started in ’75, both enjoyed Miller Band and Joe Simon, to name only a The innovators: Nashville has Instrument sellers and Steve Earle. Nanci Griffith, Beth Nielsen to attract an eclectic mix of guests, including eight-year runs. Two days after BET went fraction of the legends they backed. In the late been the home of countless musical makers: Chapman and Steve Forbert arrived in the Naturally in a city full Pete Seeger, Neil Young, James Taylor, Linda on the air in 1980, Bobby Jones Gospel began ’60s, McCoy, Buttrey, Moss and Gayden joined innovators. Some of these are ’80s, and John Prine and Todd Snider moved of musicians, the demand is high Ronstadt and Derek & The Dominoes. Cash’s running and has been on the air ever since. The with five other musicians — Weldon Myrick influential musicians like steel guitaristsBuddy here in the ’90s, as did Patty Griffin, who now for musical instruments. John B. West was the career again experienced a renaissance when he launch of The Nashville Network (TNN) on (pedal steel), Buddy Thompson (banjo), Buddy Emmons and Curly Chalker, and guitarists lives in Austin, but still spends a good deal of 53 dean of Nashville’s early music merchants and teamed up with Rick Rubin’s American Records. 56 cable TV in 1983 brought an unprecedented Spicher (fiddle), Norbert Putnam (bass) Leon Rhodes, Phil Baugh and “Thumbs” time in Music City. In the new millennium, his store J.B. West on Market Street (Second He recorded four more award-winning albums level of exposure and employment to Nashville and David Briggs (piano) — to form the Carlisle. Percussionist Kenny Malone has the tradition has continued with writer-artists Avenue) was the focal point of the city’s with Rubin before passing away in 2003. musicians. Nashville Now, hosted by Ralph trailblazing instrumental group, Area Code incorporated new sounds and drum textures into like Matthew Ryan, David Mead, Butterfly music community in the early-to-mid 1800s. Emery, and Grand Ole Opry Live were the 615. The Code released two groundbreaking Nashville’s musical vocabulary for more than 40 Loretta Lynn: When Loretta Boucher, Landon Pigg and Kyle Andrews. From the mid-’50s till its closure in 1998, flagship shows of the network, which was albums in 1969 and 1970, which influenced years. Award winning Flecktone bassist Victor Lynn won the CMA’s Entertainer The King Casuals: Hewgley’s Music at Seventh and Commerce housed in the Opryland complex until being After the emerging country rock and Southern rock Wooten’s mind blowing chops have made him of the Year award in 1972, she was a popular hangout for local musicians. sold by Gaylord Entertainment in 1998. The guitarist Jimi Hendrix and bassist subgenres, as well as the jam band movement a solo star in the jazz-funk world, and he is also became the first woman to do so, emphasizing Considered the world’s leading expert on Statler Brothers Show had a seven-year run on Billy Cox were discharged from yet to come. The second, A Trip to the Country, an esteemed clinician, educator and author. her impact on Nashville and the world of vintage American guitars, George Gruhn, 58 TNN from 1991-1998. Live From The Bluebird earned the group a Grammy nomination and the Army at Ft. Campbell (Kentucky) in 1962, On the engineering side, Charlie Tallent who opened Gruhn Guitars in 1970, is the country music. The straight-talking, honky- included “Stone Fox Chase,” which became Cafe, which showcased the songwriters behind 50they headed to Nashville, where their group built the first recording console at Bradley’s dean of the current crop of instrument sellers, tonk singing Lynn, gained an appearance on the theme song for the long-running and the hits, broadcast on Turner South for five the King Casuals had landed a gig as the house Barn, and fellow engineering legend Glenn which includes Corner Music, Fork’s Drum The Grand Ole Opry in 1960 following a minor influential BBC rock television series, Old Grey seasons from 1999 through 2003. Currently, band at the Del Morocco. In 1967, Hendrix Snoddy accidentally discovered the fuzz-tone Closet, Rock Block Guitars, Shiloh Music, hit, “I’m a Honky Tonk Girl,” released on the Whistle Test. The group’s few performances were Music City is home to two music oriented told the L.A. Free Press Nashville was “where in 1960 when a transformer malfunctioned Madison Music, Nashville Used Music, The little- known Zero Records label out of Canada. as remarkable as they were limited, making a networks, Country Music Television (CMT) I learned to play, really.” while recording Grady Martin’s guitar. Snoddy Fiddle Shop and Cotten Music. As might be Once in Nashville, the popular Wilburn television appearance on The Johnny Cash Show, originally developed locally and now owned by He continued, “You really developed and sold the concept to Gibson and expected, there are also a number of instrument Brothers duo helped her secure a deal with and performing four nights at The Filmore West MTV, and Great American Country (GAC), had to play, ’cause those the Maestro Fuzz Tone was born. In the ’90s, manufacturers and craftsmen in Music City, Decca and made her a part of their road show on a bill with Sons of Champlin and Country who recently debuted the new TV series people were really hard writer-keyboardist-producer Keith Thomas including Gibson Guitars, Pearl Drums, and television series. Lynn scored breakout Joe and the Fish. The group disbanded not long Noteworthy At The Opry. to please. It was one of was a pioneer of synthesizer and drum machine Mapex Drums, the now-defunct Sho-Bud hits a few years later with “You Ain’t Woman after their second release because the members Dolly Parton: Dolly Parton the hardest audiences in programming and sample-based recording. Music, Bluesman Vintage Guitars, The Low Enough” and “Don’t Come Home A Drinkin’ were busy with their session work, but three became one of country music’s the South ... they hear it Thomas has produced numerous Top 10 hits on End and Treeworks, which makes the finest (With Lovin’ On Your Mind),” reflecting her of the members (Moss, Gayden and Buttrey) biggest stars in an era when all the time. Everybody artists like Amy Grant, Gladys Knight, Selena, chimes. Also, the U.S. headquarters of Meinl direct and honest approach to life. She won the joined with keyboardist John Harris to form American women in all walks of life were knows how to play guitar. Luther Vandross, Vanessa Williams, and Percussion, a Roland subsidiary, are located CMA’s Female Vocalist of the Year Award in the influential Southern rock band Barefoot openly fighting for equal rights — the 1960s You walk down the street and people are sitting Whitney Houston, and earned six Grammys here. Two top makers of guitar pedals are based 1967, 1972 and 1973. The 1970s saw her team 60 Jerry. The original lineup was only together for and 1970s — ultimately stepping out from the on their porch playing more guitar.” He picked and an Academy Award. Engineer-producer- in Nashville — Visual Sound and Pedaltrain, up with Conway Twitty, forming one of the one record, but that record, Southern Delight, shadow of mentor Porter Wagoner, and in the up some of his famous guitar gimmicks, like audio guru George Massenburg of Little as are two major suppliers of custom and most successful country duets in history, and has withstood the test of time and remains one process, crossing over to a stardom that defies playing behind his back and with his teeth, Feat fame and developer of high end studio replacement drum parts — DrumMaker and hitting No. 1 with “After the Fire Is Gone” in of the shining examples of Southern rock. categorization. Parton, whose simple, beautifully from other guitarists in Nashville. Hendrix’s gear, lived in Nashville for much of the 1990s WorldMax USA. Jerry Jones and Joe Glaser 1971. Her most recent critical success came as a expressive voice is recognized the world over, primary mentor was Johnny Jones, the lead Muscle Shoals to Nashville: and 2000s, producing and mixing records and are among the noted luthiers and accomplished result of collaboration with rocker Jack White guitarist for The Imperial 7, the top local R&B came to Nashville After providing the funky backing designing an acoustically anechoic room at repair specialists based here. on the record Van Lear Rose, which won two group at the time. Ironically, when Hendrix from the mountains for hits by artists like Arthur Blackbird studios. The Man in Black: 2004 Grammy Awards, including Best Country left Nashville for New York prior to finding Few of East Tennessee as a Alexander, The Tams and Tommy Roe, three The Bobs — Johnston and Album. success in London, Jones replaced him as the country music performers teenager following her members of the original Muscle Shoals Dylan: Syndicated/Cable TV lead guitarist in the King Casuals. Music City 52 Columbia Records A&R have embodied the breadth of dreams in 1964. During rhythm section — keyboardist David Briggs, programs and TV nets: is also where he met guitarist Larry Lee, a TSU exec and producer Bob Johnston American popular music as much as Johnny her subsequent career bassist Norbert Putnam and drummer Jerry student at the time who later performed with was one of the people most responsible for 57Cash. The Man In Black left the farm in Although radio stations WSM spanning six decades, Carrigan — moved to Music City in 1965 at Hendrix and Cox at Woodstock. turning54 Nashville into a recording destination Arkansas and walked and WLAC were the largest conduits for she released 90 albums, Charlie McCoy & The the urging of several Nashville producers who for rock acts in the ’60s and ’70s. Johnston into the Memphis office Nashville’s59 musical message, they were not including compilations and collaborations. She were tired of traveling to northern Alabama to brought numerous pop and rock artists to Escorts/Area Code 615/ of Sam Phillips in 1954. the only influential outlets. Syndicated R&B has recorded 25 No. 1 singles and 41 Top Ten get their “hit” sound. The trio were soon getting Nashville including Bob Dylan, Simon & His first No. 1 single and Barefoot Jerry: and country television programs also spread country albums, and along the way became an One of calls to play on the many pop, rock and R&B Garfunkel, Leonard Cohen and Moby Grape. signature hit “I Walk The the sounds emanating from the city. Night actress, hit songwriter, author, and head of her the most important musical family trees in recording sessions being booked in the city, After Dylan cut Blonde On Blonde here, “the Line” was released on Sun Train, which ran from 1964-67, was one of the own theme park, Dollywood in East Tennessee, Nashville’s51 history started with a band called working with a variety of artists including Ray floodgates opened” as Charlie McCoy described Records in 1956. Gaining first music series to feature an all-black cast, and the non-profit Dollywood Foundation. Charlie McCoy & The Escorts, which not Stevens, Tony Joe White, Kris Kristofferson, it, and many musical pilgrims came to the popularity, he eventually predating Soul Train by five years, and featured She is best known for her signature original only included A-Team multi-instrumentalist Joan Baez, The Manhattan Transfer and the emerging music mecca to record, including left Sun for Columbia the first televised performance by a young Jimi hit “I Will Always Love You,” a song covered McCoy, but also legendary rock drummer king himself, Elvis. Briggs and Putnam were Joan Baez, The Byrds, Leonard Cohen, Johnny Records in 1958. His roots were steeped in Hendrix as a backing musician. The !!!! Beat, famously by pop diva Whitney Houston, among Kenneth Buttrey, master guitarist Wayne members of Area Code 615 and the original Winter, The James Gang and Bob Seger. gospel and country, and the move was intended which aired for one season in 1966, was hosted others, and for her role in the hit movie Nine To 26 April - June 2012 The Nashville Musician The Nashville Musician April - June 2012 27 Five, in which she not only costarred with Jane and more studios were built on and off Music Dokken, Joan Osborne and Young Buck. publishers and artists to record at affordable rates categorization include pianist Leon Russell, The “Cowboy Jack” Fonda and Lily Tomlin, but penned the title tune Row. In Berry Hill, Creative Recording was with union musicians. Hundreds of thousands, guitarist-vocalist-bandleader-producer Buddy Connection: Guitar Town: In 1967, John Jack “Cowboy” as well. She has earned eight Grammy Awards the scene of the Judds’ hits and many jingles, perhaps millions, of Nashville songs have been Miller, former NFL star and pianist-composer Sebastian of the Lovin’ Spoonful Clement is an iconic and (plus the Lifetime Achievement Award), nine and Treasure Isle is one of the city’s longest- recorded this way. Publishers use demo sessions Mike Reid, multi-instrumentalist, artist and sang about “Nashville Cats,” and influential producer, engineer, songwriter, CMA Awards and nine ACM Awards. Parton running independent studios with clients like to invest in writers and songs they believe in, songwriter Darrell Scott, and mandolin- one of the lines states “there are 1,352 guitar 70publisher, performer and bon vivant. Originally was given the National Medal of Arts in 2005 B.B. King, Rodney Crowell and Jason Aldean. songwriters learn about the art of recording fiddle-guitar player and singer-songwriterTim pickers in Nashville.” It’s probably more like from Arkansas, he grew up in Memphis. He 64 and producing, and musicians newer to studio O’Brien. Local 257 instrumentalists who have and the Kennedy Center Honors in 2006. The historic Bennett House in Franklin has 13,520 now, and as singer-songwriter-guitarist worked for Sam Phillips at Sun Records and been owned by a trio of hit-making producers work get a chance to show what they can do. A transcended stylistic barriers include guitarist- Country Music Foundation Todd Snider once noted, “Every guitar player soon discovered Jerry Lee Lewis, who took — Norbert Putnam, who opened the studio typical session may call for as many as five or six clarinetist John Jorgenson, dobro icons Jerry and Hall of Fame: The in Nashville was the best guitar player in his Jack’s advice to “bring me in the early ’80s; Bob Montgomery, who songs to be recorded in three hours, so players Douglas and Rob Ickes, keyboardists Spooner nonprofit Country Music hometown.” Many something rock & roll” by bought it from Putnam; and Keith Thomas. must come up with a part on the spot and make Oldham and Matt Rollings, guitar masters Foundation (CMF) was chartered by the state of the greatest axe writing “Whole Lotta Shakin’ On Belmont Boulevard, Sound Emporium few, if any, mistakes. Despite the fast pace, the Jack Pearson and Pat Bergeson, and the slingers the planet Going On,” which Clement of61 Tennessee in 1964 to collect, preserve and quality of Nashville demos is unparalleled, leader of cutting edge acoustic pop-bluegrass (originally Jack Clement Recording Studios) publicize information and artifacts relating to has ever heard promptly recorded as the first has seen many memorable records by the likes and countless demos have been upgraded to supergroup Punch Brothers, mandolinist Chris the history of country music. Through CMF, call Music City Lewis single on Sun Records. of Todd Rundgren, Don Williams, R.E.M., Master recordings, and released commercially. Thile. industry leaders raised funds and built the their home these A longtime compadre of Trisha Yearwood and Keith Whitley, and film Local 257 recently announced a Demo to Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum days. When it Orchestral muscians: One Johnny Cash, Clement soundtracks, such as O Brother, Where Art Thou? Limited Pressing conversion scale that allows at the head of Music Row, which comes to musical of Nashville’s greatest strengths arranged the horns on the and Walk The Line. Jack’s Tracks, also built by preexisting demos to be released for a greatly opened April 1, 1967. In May diversity, Nashville’s guitarists have it in spades. is the quality and efficiency of classic “Ring of Fire,” and Clement, was bought by Allen Reynolds, who reduced fee than previously allowed. Limited 2001, the museum moved to its Whether you are looking for mellow classical our orchestral recording musicians. From pop, wrote a number of early Cash hits. Clement, produced hits by Garth Brooks, Kathy Mattea Pressing and Low Budget Master scales were guitar, heavy metal shredding, or anything in country and rock records to film soundtracks, a free-thinking innovator known for his sense present location downtown at the created to give independent artists and labels 68 and Crystal Gayle there. Sound Stage Studio, center of Nashville’s evolving arts between, it’s all here. Americana aces, studio television commercials and music for video of the eclectic and his abiding direction to keep the center of the Jimmy Bowen-led digital the opportunity to hire union players for their and entertainment district.The players, road warriors, bluegrass flatpicking games, they can do it all. From the Grammy- it simple, brought this new sense of a more revolution of the ’80s, was recently purchased records at an affordable rate between Demo museum is one of world’s largest virtuosos, folky strummers, smooth jazz and winning Nashville Symphony Orchestra to organic, loose and genuine recording style to by Black River Music Group, who also bought and Master scale. Independent artists come popular music research centers and bebop cats, experimental sonic sculptors, the decades-long evolution of studio string Nashville in the late ’60s. Following his move, Groundstar Studios next door. by the droves to Music City to make records fingerstyle wizards, Western swingers or hot sections like the Shelly Kurland Strings, The he produced Charlie Pride’s breakthrough hits, holds the world’s largest collection of because the talent pool of studios, players country pickers; you name the style and right A Strings and the Nashville String Machine and in the early ’70s, he started JMI Records, country music artifacts. It is home to world- Mastering studios: The and engineers is so deep. Successful Nashville now there is someone in Nashville playing it, to contemporary ensembles like Alias, Music one of the first independent country labels.Don class exhibitions and provides many educational mastering engineer plays an players have learned how to be efficient in any and playing it at a world-class level. According City has an incredible wealth of talented, Williams was the label’s flagship artist and his programs for children, families and adults. The important role in making a record situation, and even when the budget is tight, to a recent survey by Professor Richard Florida, versatile musicians who can literally play first two albums were groundbreaking in their museum also owns Hatch Show Print, one sound like “a record,” and some of the world’s they deliver the goods. Whether it’s a rhythm of the country’s oldest letterpress print shops Nashville has a higher musician population anything that can be written on a page. There is simplicity and relaxed feel. Williams’ first two top63 mastering studios are located here. Glenn section or orchestral date, it is possible to get records were produced by Allen Reynolds, just per capita than any other city in the U.S. and also an entire universe of improvising musicians first opened in 1879, and partners with the Meadows, who founded Masterfonics and a lot of recording done in a relatively short Canada, and it’s a safe bet to say that we also who can create magic out of thin air on a wide one of the many great producers and engineers Mike Curb Family Foundation to operate the Denny Purcell, cofounder of Georgetown period of time because of the quality of Local have the highest concentration of guitarists per variety of instruments. As the infrastructure who came out of the Clement camp over the historic RCA Studio B, located on Music Row. Masters, are the two most renowned mastering 257 musicians. The rise of home studios now capita as well. As Jimi Hendrix said, “Everyone for film work continues to develop here, there years, a list which also includes Garth Fundis In 2010, plans were announced to integrate a engineers in the city’s history, with client lists makes it possible to record for someone without in Nashville plays guitar!” undoubtedly will be increased opportunities (Williams’ coproducer for many years), Jim 210,000-square-foot expansion into a campus that read like a who’s who of musical legends. ever meeting face to face. File delivery via the for many Nashville musicians who can fit into Rooney, Dave Ferguson and Mark Howard. embracing a new Nashville convention center Meadows, now with Mayfield Mastering, City of Song: Internet has changed the way people work, and You need a virtually any musical scenario. Clement built the iconic Jack’s Tracks and and a newly built hotel managed by Omni has mastered records for Roy Orbison, Dan Local 257 has developed the innovative AFM Hotel & Resorts. great song before you can make Sound Emporium studios, and continues to Fogelberg, George Clinton, Gil Scott-Heron, Single Song Scale for home studio recording, The Exit/In: Guitarist Owsley Studios 2.0: a great record, and Nashville has perform occasional shows, and record at his With the advent of Steely Dan and King Crimson, among long been a town that appreciates the song and with a sliding scale determined by the player Manier and English teacher recently rebuilt Cowboy Arms & Recording 16-track and 24-track recording, countless others. Purcell compiled an equally the65 songwriter. In many ways, Music City was and employer, with the ability for the player to Brugh Reynolds opened what Spa home studio on Belmont Boulevard. a new crop of studios opened impressive track record before his passing in built on a magical combination of elements: pay into his or her own AFM pension account. would become Nashville’s most famous club in Memphis to Nashville: in Nashville, and there was musical magic in 2002, mastering recordings by America, Neil songwriter, artist, musicians, engineers and Beyond category: The 691970 on a stretch of Elliston Place that would There the62 walls of these new facilities. Quonset Hut Young, Nanci Griffith, Randy Newman, Jason producer, all standing by ready for the final highest praise Duke Ellington become known as the Rock Block. In the early has always been a close relationship engineer Glenn Snoddy opened Woodland & The Scorchers, Willie Nelson, Mark Knopfler ingredient — the song. There are far too many bestowed on people or music he years, patrons entered the club at the back between Memphis and Nashville, Sound Studios in East Nashville in 1968, and and Mark O’Conner, to name just a few. Hank amazing songwriters in Music City’s history loved was the phrase “beyond category,” and of the building rather than the front, hence a connection that was cemented when Elvis hosted an array of stars, including Willie Nelson, Williams of MasterMix, Benny Quinn of to attempt to list more than a fraction of them his67 music was often described that way as well. the name, Exit/In. The Exit/In was the city’s recorded71 “Heartbreak Hotel” at RCA Studio Emmylou Harris, Bob Seger, Elton John, Neil Benny Quinn Mastering, Tommy Dorsey of here; but a few songwriters deserve mention There are many people in Nashville’s musical first listening room and hosted the first-ever B. Over the years, many great Memphis players Diamond, Kansas and Dusty Springfield. In Masterfonics, and Eric Conn and Don Cobb who aren’t mentioned elsewhere in this story, history who have too many talents to neatly fit writers night. It had tables and patrons sat to ended up moving to Nashville, a more musician- 1969, David Briggs and Norbert Putnam of Independent Mastering are also among the including: Boudleaux and Felice Bryant, into one category or possess a singular talent watch the performances. In the early years, you friendly environment where it was easier to opened Quadrafonic Studio near the corner of city’s elite mastering engineers. Williams made Mae Axton, Bill Anderson, Harlan Howard, that that just can’t be categorized. Among might see Doc Watson on one night and Linda get paid a decent wage. Legendary Booker T. 18th and Grand and it quickly became the “rock” his first big splash in the field when he mastered Marijohn Wilkin, Hank Cochran, Curly these multifaceted people are Jerry Reed, Ronstadt on the next. In his autobiography, and the MG’s guitarist and songwriter Steve studio, beginning with Neil Young’s Heart of the legendary album, Wanted! The Outlaws, and Putnam, Otis Blackwell, Mel Tillis, John who began as a session cat, became a hit artist Steve Martin says he honed his comedy act in Cropper has lived and worked in Nashville Gold sessions. Dan Fogelberg, Joan Baez, Dobie has worked with a number of Americana stars, D. Loudermilk, Bobby Russell, Troy Seals, and then a movie star, costarring in numerous Nashville during his many appearances at the for many years. R&B icon Dan Penn, artist, Gray, Linda Ronstadt and Michael Jackson are like Lucinda Williams and Todd Snider. Quinn, Bob McDill, Wayne Carson, Don Schlitz, films with Burt Reynolds. Other significant club. Early headliners included Muddy Waters, producer and co-writer of “Dark End Of The among the legends who recorded there. Also who worked at Masterfonics for more than Bobby Braddock, Richard Leigh, Pat Alger, overachievers no longer with us were influential Chick Corea, Tom Petty, Joan Armatrading, Street” with producer Chips Moman, has in 1969, session guitarist Chip Young opened 20 years, has mastered recordings by a wide Matraca Berg, Gary Burr, Gretchen Peters, singer-songwriter, banjo and fiddle master Tom Waits, Jimmy Buffett, John Hiatt and lived and recorded here since 1979. Moman’s Young ’Un Sound in a small log cabin on his array of artists, including Widespread Panic, Dean Dillon, Craig Wiseman, Beth Nielsen John Hartford, producer-songwriter Gary S. Barefoot Jerry. In the ’80s, long after Manier American Studios team of Reggie Young farm in Murfreesboro, and recorded with the Jerry Jeff Walker, Acoustic Alchemy, Billy Joe Chapman, Annie Roboff, Taylor Rhodes, Paxton, author-composer Shel Silverstein, and Reynolds had sold the club, the place was (guitar), Bobby Emmons (keyboards), Gene likes of Kris Kristofferson, Delbert McClinton, Shaver and Riders in the Sky. Dorsey, who Shawn Camp and Liz Rose. and Jimmy Riddle, longtime piano/accordian gutted and reconfigured as more of a rock club Crisman (drums) and the late Tommy Cogbill joined Masterfonics in the early ’90s and is now Joe Ely and Billy Swan, whose No. 1 pop smash Demo sessions, indie player for Roy Acuff, who was also a harmonica with the entrance in the front and patrons (bass), joined later by Bobby Wood (keys) and “I Can Help” was cut there. Producer-writer one of the co-owners, has mastered albums by standing during the shows, and it has remained Mike Leech (bass), all moved here during the artists and home studios: wizard and the acknowledged master of the Buzz Cason opened Creative Workshop studio Rihanna, Lambchop, Wynonna Judd, Ronnie traditional mouth percussion style known as such to the present. Since then, the greats ’70s. Collectively known as The Memphis in 1970 and music luminaries including Dolly Milsap and Bananarama. While the majority For more than 50 years, as “eefing.” Bassist-producer-studio maven who have performed at the club include The Boys since their move to Music City, they have Parton, The Doobie Brothers, The Faces (Rod of Conn and Cobb’s work is on country records, demonstration recording sessions, aka “demos,” Norbert Putnam has helped create huge hits Police, Talking Heads, R.E.M., The Ramones, worked on many classic Memphis records such Stewart, Ron Wood), and Olivia Newton-John they have had an eclectic set of clients over have66 been an important part of the Nashville in multiple genres for decades. Writer-artists Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Jason and the as “Cry Like A Baby,” “Suspicious Minds” and have recorded there. In the ’70s and ’80s, more the years that includes Ted Nugent, Knopfler, creative process. Local 257’s Demo Scale allows based in Nashville whose music defies easy Scorchers, just to name a few. “Son of a Preacher Man.” Wayne Jackson of 28 April - June 2012 The Nashville Musician The Nashville Musician April - June 2012 29 The Memphis Horns lived here from the mid released material featuring Jennings, his wife and Albert Lee. She moved to Nashville in the for Nashville, it employed a large number of an accomplished engineer and producer, and atmosphere extends to fans old and new, and ’70s until just recently when he moved back to Jessi Colter, and his buddies Willie Nelson mid-’80s and immediately endeared herself to musicians for the many musical shows that John Esposito, formerly of Def Jam who has several long-term residencies by groups such Memphis. These soulful musicians have played and Tompall Glaser, the first country record to the community, spearheading many charity and were part of Opryland USA’s “America’s Music” brought new energy to Warner Music, have all as The Sidemen, The Time Jumpers, and The on countless more hit records in Music City, and be certified platinum — Wanted! The Outlaws. animal rescue efforts. She formed the acoustic- theme. Many entertainers who went on to major made positive steps to keep their labels viable in Doyle and Debbie Show have established the subsequent generations of Memphis musicians After that record, things were never the same oriented Nash Ramblers, led by Sam Bush success had Opryland experience under their a changing environment. Big Machine’s Scott Station Inn as the nerve center for all things have had significant success after moving here in Nashville — and that’s exactly what Waylon and including Jon Randall Stewart and Roy belt, including Diamond Rio, Chely Wright, Borchetta, who just added Tim McGraw to his rootsy and acoustic. It is an oasis of old-time as well. The rock, blues, soul and R&B sounds intended. From that moment forward, country Husky, Jr. Their Live at the Ryman album in John Rich, Kristen Chenoweth and many roster, has raised the bar for new labels with the cool, where locals in the know and tourists from of Memphis have greatly enriched Nashville’s artists had more creative control and bigger 1992 not only won a Grammy, it marked the more. The park was closed in 1997 to make mega success of Taylor Swift. around the world mingle happily in the middle musical vocabulary. budgets with which to express themselves, beginning of the rebirth of the Ryman into room for the Opry Mills mall, but left behind Jason & The Scorchers: of the rapidly developing urban atmosphere of The Charlie Daniels rhinestone suits gave way to denim, and the the award-winning venue it is today. The 1995 a long musical legacy. The General Jackson When four musicians — vocalist the Gulch. influence of The Opry began to wane. Jennings album Wrecking Ball signaled a turn away from showboat was opened in the mid ‘80s and Band: One of the monumental Jason Ringenberg, guitarist Venues gone but not and Nelson went on to record multiple platinum contemporary country music styles and sounds. cruises the Cumberland River from Opryland Warner Hodges, figures of Southern rock, multi- forgotten: There are a number albums, separately and together. Jennings passed From that point on, Harris pursued a number to downtown Nashville and back, and has bassist Jeff Johnson instrumentalist Charlie Daniels got his start in 80 of venues that are no longer in away in 2002, while Nelson remains one of the of unexpected creative directions that included been employing Local 257 musicians since its Music City as a session player and recorded with and drummer Perry 72 great icons of American music. much more of her own material than her inception. The Mississippi-style riverboat offers business for one reason or another, but which some of the biggest names in popular music at Baggs — who grew New Grass Revival: previous records. Still enormously influential, dinner and a top-notch show, featuring a live 83were significant in their day. Probably the city’s up on country music, the time, including Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen Founded first rock club, The Briar Patch at Fifth and Harris continues to record and tour, and makes band, singers and dancers. The Opry House but loved rock & roll, and Ringo Starr. In the early ’70s, he pursued by mandolinist and fiddle virtuoso Lea was where John D. Loudermilk discovered what many believe to be some of the best music and grounds have been rebuilt since the flood got together in the early ’80s, the result was a his own recording career and scored an unlikely Sam Bush in Louisville, Ky., in The Allman Joys (Duane and Gregg Allman) of her career. and plans for a new year-round theme park in daring, high-flying, genre-defying musical mix. Top 10 hit with “Uneasy Rider,” a hilarious 1971, New Grass Revival’s casual appearance in the mid-’60s, which led to a recording Nashville goes Hollywood: the Opryland area were announced this year. With the help of aspiring record impresarios talking country blues number 74and adventurous musical philosophy was far contract for the group with Dial Records. Music City has been the location The British are coming, the Jack Emerson and Andy McLenon of indie from the album Honey in the ahead of its time. They not only blazed a trail Mississippi Whiskers, which operated on and a primary subject of many British are coming: label Praxis Records, Jason & The Scorchers Rock (Kama Sutra). By the for adventurous acoustic musicians to follow In many Church Street from the mid-’70s to the early feature films and soundtracks over the years, lit a fuse to the rock scene which exploded release of his second album, over their 18-year career, they created a new ways, people across the pond have ’80s, was a songwriter hangout — Steve Earle he had changed the billing subgenre — newgrass — which has evolved 76including many early independent movies such long been more aware of the full breadth of locally in that decade. The group graduated to performed some of his earliest shows in the city to The Charlie Daniels Band, over the years as well to include a wide range of as Nashville Rebel, starring Waylon Jennings. the78 music coming out of Nashville than most a major-label deal with EMI in 1983, and had there — but also where jazz guitarist Lenny Robert Altman’s 1975 filmNashville , a tongue- three critically acclaimed releases for the label and caught the attention of variants on traditional bluegrass. Bassist-vocalist Americans, awareness that has led to a steady Breau had a long-running engagement. In the in-cheek look at the country music business of — the EP Fervor, and the full-lengths Lost Epic Records, who began a John Cowan came on board in 1974, and by stream of musicians from the U.K. making early-to-mid ’70s, Old Time Pickin’ Parlor the time starring Henry Gibson, was a critical and Found and Still Standing — before the relationship with the artist 1981, the band, now located in Nashville, kicked their way to Nashville — some to stay and on Second Avenue was a hot spot for acoustic success and featured many local musicians in band, as Hodges put it, “fell apart.” The group that lasted nearly two decades. into high gear with the addition of Bela Fleck some just to visit. Dusty Springfield, Ringo and old-time music, and legends like Bill cameo roles. Just a few of the dozens of movies reunited in the ’90s and released three albums Daniels organized the first Volunteer Jam in on banjo and Pat Flynn on acoustic guitar and Starr, Paul McCartney, Donovan, The Faces, Monroe, Norman Blake and The Country featuring Nashville music and plot lines include through Mammoth Records and two more via 1974 because he wanted to record some live vocals. The band’s potent combination of Bush’s Elvis Costello, Ray Davies, Dave Stewart Gentlemen graced the club’s stage. Located in Coal Miner’s Daughter, Walk The Line and the Ringenberg’s independent label, Courageous tracks for his first Epic release. Members ofThe forceful mandolin, fiddle and soulful vocals and Joss Stone all have made treks to Music the basement of a building on Broadway near Coen Brothers’ mega-hit O Brother, Where Chicken Records, including Wildfires and Allman Brothers Band, The Marshall Tucker with Cowan’s driving bass and powerful voice, City to record. Mark Knopfler first began Vanderbilt, Phrank ’n’ Steins was the city’s first Art Thou? David Lynch’s classic cult film Blue Misfires: Two Decades of Outtakes and Rarities Band, Barefoot Jerry and others turned out for Fleck’s innovative banjo and Flynn’s nimble coming to Music City in the ’80s to work with punk rock club and hosted the first Nashville Velvet took its inspiration from the Bobby in 2002. Ringenberg and Hodges revived the the event at the War Memorial Auditorium, picking landed them an EMI Records contract Chet Atkins, and since that time, has toured appearance by R.E.M. Cantrell’s at 19th and Darrin song recorded in Nashville. From The Scorchers again in 2010 with a new bassist and to sit in and show their support. Produced by in 1986. They flirted with mainstream country and recorded with a number of Nashville Broadway was the center of the burgeoning Beverly Hillbillies to Oprah Winfrey, Music drummer. Daniels’ manager and concert promoter Joe success with the single and video “Can’t Stop musicians. Steve Winwood, Peter Frampton local rock scene, the launching pad for Jason & City also has had a presence in the TV world We want our MTV: Sullivan of Sound Seventy Productions, the Now,” but split up in 1989. All the members of and Robert Plant have all lived here at various In its The Scorchers and the White Animals, among since television’s earliest days with future stars concert was such a huge success — “the talk the final lineup continue to reside in Nashville, times. Songwriter Roger Cook, producer Peter infancy in the early 1980s, back others. J. Austin’s, located in the basement of such as Pat Boone, Dinah Shore and Pat Sajak of the town,” as Daniels later recalled — it doing session work, releasing records and Collins and engineers Richard Dodd and when MTV played music videos what is now The Bluebird Cafe, was a late ’70s getting their start here. Nationally televised became an annual gathering of the Southern touring, continuing the legacy of one of the Peter Coleman are longtime residents of the almost exclusively, a number of acts in the city hotspot where Billy Joe Shaver, Guy Clark music awards shows began in 1968 with the rock tribes, known for its surprise guests, finest bands in acoustic music history. city, as are Nanci Griffith percussionist Pat had81 videos broadcast by the network. It’s not and Pat McLaughlin played regularly. Ace of including James Brown, Stevie Ray Vaughan, second annual CMA Awards, now a national McInerney, Telecaster wizard Ray Flacke Emmylou Harris: She first surprising that major-label signees like Walk Clubs, located at 114 Second Avenue from Little Richard, Billy Joel and Don Henley. institution and the longest running annual and session guitarist and instrumental artist C. gained recognition as a duet the West, The Questionnaires, In Pursuit 1989 till 1998, was a dance club with a deejay The album featuring live tracks from that night, award show on television. Additional awards Michael Spriggs. A trio of legendary British partner of Gram and Jason & The Scorchers would have videos on the weekends, but hosted many great shows Fire on the Mountain, yielded the Top 40 single, shows and Christmas specials have come along musicians, bassist Dee Murray and drummers Parsons in the early ’70s, and screened on the iconic cable channel, but during the week, including memorable sets by “The South’s Gonna Do It Again,” a Southern since then, and ABC just announced it is picking Mitch Mitchell and Tony Newman all spent after his death in September amazingly, a pair of popular and pioneering Warren Zevon, Koko Taylor, Buddy Guy, Joe 75 up the option for both a new Reba McEntyre pride anthem in which Daniels name checks time living in Music City. Also, renowned 1973, she carried on his tradition DIY indie acts — rockers the White Animals Ely, Tower of Power and NRBQ. From 1990 every major Southern rock group at the time. prime-time show and a new series called — you British music photographer Alan Messer has of country-rock that was in and the trailblazing blu-reggae group Afrikan to 2002, 328 Performance Hall was the city’s The album also featured the regional hit,“Long guessed it — Nashville. Plus, several American called Nashville home since 1978. many ways more traditional Dreamland — both placed videos with the major venue for mid-size rock shows, hosting Haired Country Boy.” Idol finalists came out of Nashville, including than most Nashville records of Record execs: The city has had channel. many of the most unforgettable shows in the Mandisa, Melinda Doolittle and Kimberley Waylon, Willie and the the era. Her first album, Pieces Of The Sky, was many innovative and successful The Station Inn: This history of Music City, including concerts by Locke. From full orchestral soundtracks to live boys: released in 1975. It was the first of 12 albums record executives, running major venerable bluegrass music Los Lobos, Bo Diddley, Jimmy Cliff, King Waylon Jennings fired a performances, the versatile recording musicians produced by Brian Ahern and used an all-star labels and their subsidiaries, and independent institution was founded in 1974 Crimson and Fugazi. In the mid-to-late warning shot from one end of of Nashville have proven time and again to be band of veterans that included James Burton labels, as well. Those executives include Dot, on Nashville’s West End and relocated to 12th ’90s, Cafe Milano served as home to jazz Music Row to the other when he sang the one of our strongest assets, regardless of the 79 on guitar, Emory Gordy Jr. on bass and Glen MCA and Capitol chief Jim Foglesong, digital Avenue South in 1978, in what is now known as and more in the city, presenting memorable first73 verse of “Are You Sure Hank Done It project. 82 performances by Chet Atkins, Tito Puente, This Way” from his 1975 album, Dreaming D. Hardin on piano. Her debut gave notice Opryland USA and the recording pioneer Jimmy Bowen, RCA’s Joe The Gulch. Current owner, Local 257 member My Dreams: “It’s the same old tune, fiddle that a unique voice had arrived. From the Galante, Al Bunetta of John Prine’s Oh Boy J.T. Gray, took over the business in 1981, and Branford Marsalis and Nancy Wilson. Later, and guitar/Where do we take it from here?/ beginning, Harris had a knack for picking General Jackson: In 1972, Records, Jim Ed Norman of Warner Brothers, has kept the calendar full of the top names Gibson Guitar bought the club and turned it Rhinestone suits and new shiny cars/It’s been songs with staying power and attracting stellar the Opryland USA theme park and MCA’s Bruce Hinton and Tony Brown, in acoustic music ever since. Formerly a soup into a country showcase. In 2001, former Bare the same way for years/We need to change.” collaborators, as she recorded great songs by opened its doors, preceding by two years The whose 1980s-era Masters Series spotlighted the kitchen and an R&B club, this humble one- Jr. guitarist Mike Grimes opened the Slow Apparently a warning shot was all that was writers both well-known and obscure. Her 77Grand Ole Opry’s move from the Ryman to the diversity of Nashville’s instrumental musicians. story building has seen several lifetimes worth Bar at the corner of Little Five Points in East needed because the following year, Jennings’ backup group in those days, The Hot Band, Opryland complex off Briley Parkway. It proved In more recent years, Universal’s Luke Lewis, of incredible music. Its stage has been graced by Nashville, and for nearly three years, played label (RCA) released the landmark album was aptly named, and over the years was an to be a major tourist attraction over its 25-year who created their Lost Highway imprint while everyone from Bill Monroe, Sam Bush, Alison host to the broadest selection of talent offered that signaled capitulation by the old Nashville incubator for talented players, writers and run, and attracted nearly three million guests in charge of Universal Music, Capitol’s Mike Krauss and Del McCoury to John Paul Jones by any club in the city, artists such as Badly power structure, a collection of previously singers such as Rodney Crowell, Ricky Skaggs a year in the late 1980s. Most importantly Dungan, Sugar Hill’s Gary Pacsoza, also and Dan Auerbach. The unpretentious, friendly Drawn Boy, Rosie Flores, Lambchop, Buddy 30 April - June 2012 The Nashville Musician The Nashville Musician April - June 2012 31 and Julie Miller, and Ryan Adams. 3rd & Lindsley has always had a strong bands is extremely high. The artist may get the Festival, which is the world’s largest songwriter two of the light gear. The National Association of Music following for its mix of blues, R&B and roots glory, but the band makes or breaks the show. festival. The brainchild of songwriter Fred Wooten brothers, Merchants’ summer trade show brings in over The Bluebird Cafe: After rock acts and recently expanded its size and These days, many touring players fill their Knobloch, the festival throughout the years Nashville’s first 10,000 industry professionals and retailers from Amy Kurland opened her updated its sound system. Just around the books with songwriting or session dates when has not only showcased the cream of the local family of funk around the world to network with their peers, legendary club The Bluebird Cafe corner from Lower Broadway, the Wildhorse they are off the road, and studio players have songwriting community, but also many writers (which includes purchase new product lines and attend industry in 1982, it soon became the center of the city’s Saloon combines country shows and Texas been known to hop on a bus and do a few dates from elsewhere, such as Barrett Strong (“I guitarist Regi Wooten and keyboardist Joseph workshops. Free admission to this private 84songwriting universe. The club had its first style line dancing with touring pop, rock and as well. Heard It Through the Grapevine,” “Papa Was Wooten, who is Steve Miller’s longtime music industry event is one of the perks of Local 257 writer’s night in 1984, and in 1985, held its oldies acts. A Rolling Stone”), Gordon Lightfoot (“If You director). The Flecktones fused bluegrass, membership. There are also a variety of concerts, first-ever night of songwriters “in the round,” Modern record producers: Could Read My Mind,” “Sundown”), Jimmy jazz and more for a musical mix Fleck called seminars and educational panels connected a pioneering performance concept in which Alabama and the rise of Music City has seen a long line Webb (“Galveston,” “MacArthur Park”) and “blu-bop.” It was just the right amalgam of to the convention, many of which feature 257 four songwriters are in the middle of the club country bands: In the early of record producers who are well- Ray Parker (“Ghostbusters,” “A Woman Needs influences to resonate with the growing musical members. Music City has hosted this event for facing one another with the 1980s, country music was going versed in the fine art of capturing an artist’s Love Just Like You Do”). More recently, NSAI undercurrent that would blossom into the whole most of the past 20 summers, and the opening audience surrounding them. through some growing pains and a bit of an vision88 in sonic splendor. In the modern era took ownership of The Bluebird Cafe and is jam band movement. Levy left the group after of the new Music City Convention Center in The “in the round” concept identity86 crisis. The standard “solo artist with of country music, producers such as Jimmy now operating the legendary listening room. the third album, then after making one album 2013 should take it up yet another notch. was the brainchild of two of an anonymous backing band” model had been Bowen, Tony Brown, Jerry Crutchfield, Garth as a trio, sax man Jeff Coffin joined the band. Industry events: the club’s regular performers, challenged by the Outlaw movement, and WRLT: Lighting 100, the Through the Fundis, Dann Huff, Nelson Larkin, Brent Through the years, Fleck and the Wootens have songwriters Don Schlitz the traditional Nashville star system was not trailblazing independent radio decades, Nashville has been the Maher, Allen Reynolds, Randy Scruggs, taken breaks from the Flecktones to pursue and Fred Knobloch (left). producing the caliber of artists it once had. station, began in 1987 as Rebel site of numerous music industry James Stroud, Kyle Lehning and Paul various critically acclaimed solo projects. In Another important factor Southern rock had an impressive run as a genre 100 with a modern rock format. After a short events, including countless label showcases Worley walked the fine line between tradition 2011, with Coffin working full-time for the leading to the club’s exalted throughout the ’70s, and it was inevitable that it and commercial success. Moses Dillard and stint as Lite 100, the station pursued a more 96and record release parties/shows, and several 91 Dave Matthews Band, the original lineup status is songwriters began to get signed out of would begin to influence mainstream country as adult, broader-ranging version of the Rebel 100 deserve mention for their significance. Nashville Jesse Boyce had success in the ’70s and ’80s reunited for a tour and the group’s eighth studio the club, most notably Kathy Mattea, megastar their audiences converged. The groupAlabama , playlist in the early ’90s under the direction of Entertainment Association’s Extravaganza, producing both R&B and gospel records. Many album, Rocket Science. Garth Brooks and current sensation Taylor which was staged from the mid-1980s until led by cousins Randy Owen, Teddy Gentry and contemporary producers effortlessly move from general manager Ned Horton, and along with Music under the sun and Swift. During the ’90s, Kurland took the in the Jeff Cook, came along at the right time in the genre to genre, such as Michael Omartian, Jay WXRT in Chicago, KBCO in Denver, KFOG 1999, was the first big A&R showcase event for round format on the road with performances early ’80s and were signed by RCA Records. Joyce, Nathan Chapman, Angelo Petraglia, in San Francisco and KINK in Portland, Ore., stars: Nashvillians have long the city’s rising rock talent and actually inspired by Bluebird regulars at famous venues like They had a long string of hits including Doug Lancio, Jason Lehning, Chuck Ainlay pioneered the Adult Album Alternative radio enjoyed hearing music outdoors, South-By-Southwest. When the NEA folded, New York’s Bottom Line. That same decade, “Mountain Music,” “Tennessee River,” and and Justin Neibank. There are also many artists format or AAA. In the ensuing years, the as evidenced by the century-old bandshell at a group of people involved with Extravaganza, the club was featured prominently in the Peter “Feels So Right,” incorporating rock elements who not only produce records for themselves station has played an important role in the Centennial94 Park. The granddaddy of the city’s including Jim Zumwalt, Kent Marcus and Bogdanovich film, The Thing Called Love. For into their sound and presentation in a natural but others as well, like Buddy Miller, Alison community, not only giving significant airplay outdoor festivals is the CMA Music Festival, Jason Moon Wilkins, staged NextFest 2000 five seasons beginning at the turn of this century, fashion that a typical solo country artist of the Krauss, Jon Randall Stewart, Gail Davies to local singer-songwriters and eclectic acts formerly known as Fan Fair, which has been to fill the void. Wilkins has continued in that the Turner South cable network broadcast time might have had difficulty pulling off. The and Jack White. Plus, a number of renowned like Bela Fleck & The Flecktones, but also running continuously since 1972. The event role with Next Big Nashville which in 2011 Live From The Bluebird Cafe, which featured key to their success was a strong vocal blend, rock producers work out of Nashville, including supporting live music locally through events was held at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds changed its name to Soundland. Nashville Nashville songwriters performing hit songs. In catchy tunes and sparse production that made Michael Wagener, Peter Collins, Roger like Dancing In The District and Live On from the mid-’70s until 2001, when it moved Film Festival, founded in 1969, has become a 2008, the club was acquired by the Nashville them sound like a band, even though session Moutenot, David Z and Bob Ezrin. The Green, and their long-running live radio to its current location downtown. The 2012 prestigious venue for a wide-ranging selection of new films and documentaries, many of Songwriters Association International. players most often were the ones playing on the Garth Brooks and the rise program broadcast weekly from 3rd & Lindsley, edition of the four-day festival averaged more Listening rooms and other records. Once Alabama hit, there was a flood of Nashville Sunday Night. than 70,000 people a day. Two long-running, which have a strong musical component. Last of stadium country: More year’s festival featured 215 entries and drew venues: The term “listening other bands that had varying levels of success On the radio: but now-defunct outdoor events — Summer over the ensuing years. Among these were Exile, than any other genre, country For more than Lights and Dancing In The District — deserve over 26,000 attendees. Leadership Music’s room” is not unique to Nashville, music benefitted from the more accurate half a century, the Vanderbilt Digital Summit is a tech-oriented conference but it does have a certain reverence and Little Texas, Lonestar, Southern Pacific, mention. From 1981 through 1997, Summer Diamond Rio, Pirates of the Mississippi, 89accounting of album sales fostered by the advent University student-run station Lights was a giant street party in downtown that brings together various segments of the relevance85 here that is perhaps a consequence of Soundscan in 1991, and no artist benefitted WRVU was more than just a college radio industry to discuss the impact of new business of the elevated status of the songwriter and the Confederate Railroad and Highway 101. Nashville showcasing the full-spectrum of the As country radio and the industry began to more than Garth Brooks. Brooks’ album station92 with its playlist of music not found on city’s music on multiple stages over several models on the music industry. emphasis on original music that brings aspiring No Fences had barely been in the Top 40 commercial stations, it served as an unofficial Studios 3.0: Despite the shift artists to the city. While The Bluebird Cafe embrace the newer sounds and scruffier look nights. Launched in 1993, Dancing In The of Billboard’s album chart the week before community radio station. Through the decades, towards home studio recording in mandates silence during performances, there of these bands, artists like the Charlie Daniels District was a weekly concert series staged on Soundscan became the basis for the chart, but it WRVU played an important role in nurturing recent years, Nashville continues are quite a few other venues where silence is Band and Hank Williams, Jr. found a place on the riverfront through 2005 featuring touring jumped to No. 4 the first week with Soundscan. homegrown rock acts, especially in the ’80s. to have more than its share of studios of all suggested, but is still optional. Douglas Corner country radio as well. In the long run, the rise recording artists, as well as the cream of the of country bands helped change the direction As Brooks’ star rose, he brought a larger-than- Although it airs a country format today, local music community. Named “Best Festival” sizes. Mid-size studios favored for independent Café has been in business since the mid-’80s WKDF was instrumental in the spread of 97 life rock sensibility to his concerts which label projects and demo recording include and features a mix of songwriters in the round, of the music and sped up country’s musical by Rolling Stone in 2008, Bonnaroo Music and ushered in the current age of “stadium country,” Southern rock in the 1970s when it was known County Q, Legends, Beaird Music Group, artist showcases and shows with full bands. evolution towards embracing rock, R&B, funk Arts Festival, has been staged an hour east of and other influences into the genre. in which country artists regularly are among as WKDA-FM. Until its recent reduction in Music City in Manchester, Tenn., annually Omni, Alex the Great, The Parlor, Sputnik It has been a venue of choice for many years the top draws in terms of concert revenues. jazz programming, WMOT was one of two Road warriors: Seldom since 2002. The Jefferson Street Jazz & Blues Sound and Eric McConnell’s studio in East for performers such as Pat McLaughlin, The Brooks paved the way for a host of other hugely radio stations broadcasting from MTSU, and given the spotlight that they Festival recently celebrated its 12th annual Nashville. Larger rooms in the Nashville area Levees, 45 RPM and more. Many live albums popular country stars, including Shania Twain, one of the leading jazz stations in the U.S. deserve, the unsung heroes of edition. Also, the National Folk Festival began preferred for projects with bigger budgets and DVDs have been recorded there. The Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, WAMB has been the home of traditional jazz the Nashville music industry are the touring a three-year run in Nashville in 2011. Live On include the Blackbird Studios complex in Rutledge has one of the best sound systems Brooks & Dunn, Toby Keith, Big & Rich and and “The Music Of Your Life” since 1968, and musicians who go on the road as sidemen The Green, at the downtown public square, Berry Hill and Sound Kitchen in Cool Springs, in town, and rock bands of all stripes like to 87 Jason Aldean, who have become some of the heritage R&B station WVOL is still pumping as well as Wildwood Recording, The Tracking play there, but it also presents an eclectic mix under widely varying circumstances. Working Musicians Corner and the WAMB Big Band highest-grossing artists of all-time. out the funky good stuff today after 71 years. Room, Ocean Way and Masterlink, which was of styles throughout the week. As the name conditions run the gamut from unbearable to Dances, both held at Centennial Park, are other Bela Fleck & The recently purchased by Zac Brown. As recording suggests, The Basement is a downstairs adjunct not bad, and transportation can vary from vans NSAI/Tin Pan South: “It All live concert series of note. Summer NAMM: technology continues to evolve, there will of Grimey’s Record Shop, and the intimate club and motor homes to tour buses and planes. Begins With A Song” is the fitting Flecktones: After New Grass July is the always be a need for studios big enough for the has seen one-offs by Metallica, and packs in Factor in a widely varying pay scale and there motto of NSAI — the Nashville Revival disbanded in 1989, with month gear heads from everywhere artist and musicians to perform live together as fans of everything from singer-songwriters to is really no such thing as a “typical” road gig, so Songwriters Association International. banjo hanging ’round his neck, Bela Fleck gather in Music City — when a group, one of the defining characteristics of alternative rock, Americana, and more. Mercy these musicians have to be ready for anything. Established in 1967, NSAI champions the legal stepped93 into uncharted musical realms with Summer NAMM comes to the Nashville 90 the Nashville recording experience. his new instrumental outfit, Bela Fleck & The Convention Center and musical equipment Lounge and The Cannery Ballroom welcome Once upon a time, there was a line between the rights of professional songwriters and helps 95 Edgar Meyer: touring artists and local favorites such as The musicians who played on records and those who develop the abilities of aspiring songwriters Flecktones. Fleck tapped multi-instrumentalist companies from around the world showcase Tennessee Long Players. East Nashville’s Family Wash toured with the artists, but over the years that of all musical genres across the United States Howard Levy for his new group, as well as the best new musical products, including native Meyer is arguably the and The Five Spothost a wide variety of bands, barrier has broken down almost completely. The and overseas. For the past 20 years, NSAI has all-world electric bassist Victor Wooten and instruments, recording studio gear, unique finest acoustic bassist working in songwriters and experimental instrumentalists. quality of the musicianship of today’s touring produced the annual Tin Pan South Songwriters drumitar inventor Roy “Future Man” Wooten, accessories, new technology, and pro sound and the classical world today, but he is not limited The Nashville Musician The Nashville Musician 98 32 April - June 2012 April - June 2012 33 to that world. In the late ’80s, he was part of that combined various roots music styles into has long served as the American headquarters Love” by R.E.M.; “Save the Best For Last” by decided to call Music City home, including some time, perhaps ever. Mayor Karl Dean the influential “newgrass” supergroup Strength a unique, unclassifiable hybrid. Established for King Crimson; whenever progressive guitar Vanessa Williams; “I Could Fall In Love” by Leonard Cohen, J.J. Cale, Tracy Nelson, and the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau have In Numbers with Mark O’Connor, Jerry country artists such as Emmylou Harris and god Robert Fripp is sighted around town, you Selena; “Who Will Save Your Soul” by Jewel; Janis Ian, Dickey Lee, Steve Winwood, embraced the branding of Nashville as Music Douglas, Bela Fleck and Sam Bush, whose Steve Earle continued to evolve artistically past know the band is back at work. “Bent” by Matchbox Twenty; and “Video” Peter Frampton, Donna Summer, Michael City, USA in a more proactive way than has MCA Master Series album remains a classic. their initial career peaks, but eventually found Cashville: by India.Arie. In addition, three of the most McDonald, Cheap Trick’s Tom Petersson, ever been attempted. Dean has engaged the A Guggenheim grant recipient, his virtuosic there was no longer a place for them on modern Although popular Christmas records of all time were Kim Carnes, Garry Tallent of Bruce music business in a number of ways, not the playing, world-class writing, and performing country radio. The development of Americana as it exists well below recorded in Nashville studios — “Jingle Bell Springsteen’s E Street Band, Mark Volman of least of which is the creation in 2010 of the charisma combine effortlessly into a cohesive a genre in the late ’90s gave them a place to not the mainstream radar, Rock” by Bobby Helms, “Rockin’ Around the The Turtles, Sheryl Crow, Cinderella’s Tom Music City Music Council, a coalition of whole. His many musical forays include only survive, but thrive. Harris, Earle, Gillian “Cashville” is more than a blip on the Dirty Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee and “A Holly Keifer, Little Richard, longtime David Bowie industry leaders and organizations charged with mixing classical music with world music, folk Welch and David Rawlings, Buddy Miller South103 map. Before there was Young Buck, Jolly Christmas” by Burl Ives. bandmate and current member of The Cure strengthening the inward business connections before there was All-Star, Kool Daddy Fresh and jazz styles; and his award-winning work and Jim Lauderdale have been some of the The mighty, mighty Reeves Gabrels, John Fogerty, Steve Hunter and presenting a unified front to the world. In was the city’s rap king. Besides Young Buck, 2011, Local 257 worked together with Dean with the likes of YoYo Ma, Mark O’Connor, most prominent artists in this alternate musical East Side: of Lou Reed and Alice Cooper fame, Bob Chris Thile, Stuart Duncan and Joshua universe. The late Levon Helm’s legendary Music City has had a few other major-label Just across the Babbitt of Motown’s legendary Funk Brothers and Metro government to put up Musician Bell show that Meyer continues to raise the Ramble At The Ryman shows helped define the rappers, most notably Me Phi Me and Count Cumberland River from studio band, guitarist Duane Denison of The Loading Zone signs on Lower Broadway and bar for adventurous musicians and listeners emerging genre; and the phenomenal success Bass D, and The Hard Corps, who fused rap downtown, East Nashville has been compared Jesus Lizard, Jack White, The Raconteurs, at music venues citywide, in an important everywhere. of bluegrass star Alison Krauss’ collaboration with hard rock. to106 Greenwich Village and Haight-Ashbury Robert Plant and The Black Keys. first step towards recognizing the enormous with former Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Taylor Swift: because of its creative community of musicians, contributions of musicians to the business of Alison Krauss: With an From Quality of life: Plant gave Americana even more credibility, singer-songwriters, fine artists and other the city of Nashville. In a related area, U.S. angelic voice and calm demeanor, seemingly out of nowhere, Nashville’s quality of life is and expanded its commercial reach, too. As the bohemians. No one is more identified with Congressman Jim Cooper deserves a special Alison Krauss is an artist who this teenage phenom blew often cited as a compelling format grows, Nashville continues to be the the East Side than self- mention for his tireless efforts on Capitol Hill knows how to take chances and has succeeded the doors off the country music industry with factor by musicians and artists who move here. epicenter of Americana music, and the initial described hippie folk singer promoting intellectual property rights and other on her own terms. She began her career as a 104her mega-successful records, tours and ancillary Compared to other music centers like New 99 crop of roots music stars are rapidly being Todd Snider (left), whose 108 initiatives that protect the rights of songwriters bluegrass fiddle prodigy, and by her late teens, product growing by leaps and bounds. Swift has York City and Los Angeles, the cost of living augmented by a new generation of versatile 2005 album East Nashville and music creators. was making excellent solo records, collaborating captured the hearts and minds of teenage girls and doing business here is considerably lower. and innovative artists such as The Civil Wars, and young women by the millions, articulating Skyline called attention to Musicians Hall of with the top players and producers in acoustic the area’s burgeoning music That is in part due to the city’s smaller size, Sarah Jarosz and Punch Brothers. their thoughts and concerns through her songs, Fame: Founded by music. Her stunning performance of “When community, which includes which also is something many people prefer, Kings of Leon: and continues to broaden her appeal and reach Nashvillian Joe Chambers You Say Nothing At All” on the Keith Whitley: There neo-country songstress especially when it comes to traffic, which there a larger audience with each subsequent release. in June 2006, the intent of the Musicians A Tribute album vaulted her into the country used to be a lot of talk about Elizabeth Cook, singer- is far less of compared to larger recording m a i n s t r e a m the so-called “Nashville Raised by supportive parents, she has handled destinations. There are even Music Row bankers 110Hall of Fame is to entertain and educate the songwriter-guitarist the pressures and pitfalls of fame well thus far, public about the contributions of lesser-known consciousness. curse,” an affliction which prevented the city’s Tim Carroll, The Cure’s who understand the special banking needs of and her song “Mean,” inspired by the Kanye backing musicians to the world of music, as Fiercely best101 rock Reeves Gabrels, all-world musicians and songwriters. Also, Nashville is West incident, has to be one of the sweetest well as the artists themselves. Inductees include independent, acts from multi-instrumentalist a culturally diverse city with plenty of good revenge songs ever. In a good way, Swift has Nashville’s A-Team, Los Angeles’ Wrecking she has been a c h i e v i n g Stuart Duncan, and restaurants, lots of municipal parks, greenways once again reinvented the rules of “making it” Crew, Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, able to define break-out Joy Williams, half of the and lakes for families to enjoy, and for those in Nashville, and no doubt has inspired many Johnny Cash’s Tennessee Two, Motown’s her own rules success. popular folk duo The Civil Wars. In addition, who like that sort of thing, an actual change of who will become the next wave of singers, Funk Brothers, Dick Dale, Booker T. and the without selling But that it also is ground zero for the wave of garage seasons. Compared to many other cities, Music songwriters and musicians to try and change MG’s, Fred Foster, Billy Sherrill, Elvis’ Blue out. She was before rock bands emanating from the city, such as City is a healthy place to raise a family in terms the world with their music. Moon Boys and many others. Exhibits include makes refined the Kings Jeff the Brotherhood, Turbo Fruits and Pujol. of racial harmony, crime rate and environmental rare instruments, recording equipment, videos and sonically of Leon Hits you would never The recording activity on the East Side centers cleanliness. Plus, as has already been noted, and much more. The museum was temporarily pristine records came along. The Kings have gone where no dream were recorded around two studios — Eric McConnell’s with the city’s central location geographically, closed in February 2010 when its building with her longtime band, Union Station, who homegrown Nashville rock band has ever been in Nashville: studio, preferred by Americana artists, and you can definitely get there from here. Because was bought by the city to make room for the are always ready with impressive instrumental — international stardom, headlining arenas and Jeremy Ferguson’s Battle Tapes studio, where Karl Dean and the the city is so identified with country music, Music City Convention Center. The museum and vocal backing. Her role in the O Brother, festivals, hit singles, platinum albums, Grammy many of the young rock groups record. East Music City Music 105there are all kinds of famous records most is in the process of relocating to downtown Where Art Thou soundtrack and appearance awards — and in the process, debunked the people would never dream were recorded here, Nashville is also home to a number of the city’s Council: in the movie expanded her audience even myth of the Nashville curse once and for all. Politics and Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium, which will including: “Teen Angel” by Mark Dinning, leading rappers, including Young Buck. further. A longtime Nashville resident, she has Their breakout album in the U.S. was their music don’t always mix that well, and at various have 60,000 square feet of exhibit space and a younger brother of The Musical imports: continued to explore new horizons as an artist. fourth, Only by the Night, which included the times109 in our history, there has been a disconnect 10,000-seat venue, and will reopen at its new Dinning Sisters; “Turn Raising Sand, her album and subsequent tour Grammy-winning hit single, “Use Somebody,” Over the years, many of of sorts between the music industry and Metro home later this year. There is no place on earth On Your Love Light” with Robert Plant, was a huge critical and but the Kings of Leon have been huge stars the rock, pop and folk Nashville government. At the moment, the better suited to the Musicians Hall of Fame by Bobby Blue Bland; n commercial success, winning Album of The overseas since their sophomore release, A-Ha artists who made their way to Nashville to record relationship is stronger than it has been in quite than Music City. “Blue Velvet” by Year at the 2009 Grammys. Krauss has won Shake Heartbreak. 107 Bobby Vinton; “Little 28 Grammys to date, and has a large and loyal Hear Rock City: It’s GTO” by Ronnie & This guitar is more than a souvenir of one of following who always await her next project not your father’s Music The Daytonas; “Bread America’s official National Historic Landmarks. with great anticipation. City anymore. More and And Butter” by The It’s also a fine sounding instrument, built on Americana capital: more, the rock sounds emanating from the Newbeats; “I Am A Martin’s D-16RGT model, with Indian rosewood As musical styles continue city102 are garnering widespread attention, gold Rock” by Simon & Garfunkel; “Rainy Day back and sides and a gloss top finish. to blend, and strategists and platinum sounds from homegrown artists Women #12 & 35” by Bob Dylan; “Morning create new niche markets, these seemingly like Kings of Leon, Paramore, Ke$ha, Hot Girl” by Neon Philharmonic; “The Choking „ Each guitar in this special run is numbered 100divergent paths sometimes come together. Chelle Rae and The Features, and musical Kind” by Joe Simon; “Everlasting Love” „ Based on the D-16, one of Martin’s most One of the most prominent examples is the immigrants like Jack White and his buddies by Robert Knight; “We Gotta Get You A popular models emergence of Americana music, encompassing in The Raconteurs, and The Black Keys. Local Woman” by Todd Rundgren; “Get Up (I Feel „ Made in Martin’s Custom Shop in Nazareth, folk, blues, traditional country and bluegrass indie label Infinity Cat has been the launching Like Being A Sex Machine)” by James Brown; Pennsylvania into a new musical genre. As a singer-songwriter pad for several Nashville bands who made the “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” by AVAILABLE AT THE RYMAN GIFT SHOP „ Oak pickguard, headplate and fret markers friendly town, Nashville was at the forefront of leap to deals with major labels, including Jeff Joan Baez; “Heart of Gold” by Neil Young; taken from original Ryman pews this genre years before it had a name. As far the Brotherhood, Turbo Fruits and the now “Please Come To Boston” by Dave Loggins; OR ONLINE AT RYMAN.COM back as the 1970s, artists like James Talley, J.J. defunct Be Your Own Pet. With lead vocalist “Junior’s Farm” by Paul McCartney & Wings; give code afm257 to receive 5 free ryman picks with purchase „ Dreadnought body size for powerful volume Cale and others recorded music in Nashville and guitarist Adrian Belew based here, the city “Dust In The Wind” by Kansas; “The One I 34 April - June 2012 The Nashville Musician The Nashville Musician April - June 2012 35