FOCUS on the 615
Nashville's premier entertainment blog including album, song and show reviews and exclusive artist interviews.
Photo credit: Philip Macias
She first appeared on the scene like a supernova and now, just five years since her last singer-songwriter album, Jewel is returning to the deep, personal territory and folk sound that made her one of music’s most exciting young voices when she released the transcendent Pieces of You.
Sea Gayle Records/Arista Nashville hitmaker Jerrod Niemann set a new career benchmark today with the out-of-the-box success of his single, “Blue Bandana,” which celebrated its official country radio impact date with a tremendous 83 first-week Billboard and Country Aircheck monitored stations on board.
“Blue Bandana” not only marks the biggest impact week of Niemann’s career to date, but also earns top honors as Mediabase’s most-added new country song this week.
The lyric video for “Blue Bandana” is online here: http://smarturl.it/JNBlueBandanaLyric.
“Blue Bandana,” the first single from Niemann’s upcoming album, was produced by Jimmie Lee Sloas and Niemann and is currently available for sale here: http://smarturl.it/bluebandana.
Niemann’s previous career-high impact week was 72 first-week stations for his now-Platinum-certified multi-week #1 smash, “Drink to That All Night.”
www.JerrodNiemannOfficial.com
www.Facebook.com/JerrodNiemann
On Twitter @jrodfromoz
Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD) continues its 2015 schedule with its third visit to the Music City Center at Wizard World Comic Con Nashville, September 25-27. Jewel Staite (“Firefly,” “Stargate: Atlantis”), Lori Petty (“Orange is the New Black,” A League of Their Own), the “Dukes of Hazzard” trio of John Schneider (“Smallville”), Tom Wopat (Broadway hits “Guys and Dolls,” “Chicago”) and Catherine Bach (“The Young and the Restless”), the “CHiPs” tandem of Erik Estrada (“Sealab 2021”) and Larry Wilcox (“Lassie”) and Jim Cummings (“Winnie the Pooh,” “The Lion King”) headline the roster of celebrity guests scheduled to attend the pop culture extravaganza.
A dormant volcano, a mystical forest and an ancient prophecy… the adventure of Icarus begins when Varekai, Cirque du Soleil’s latest arena touring production, descends from the sky and into the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, for seven performances only – August 26-30, 2015! Ticket prices range from $35 – $90 (subject to change). Advance tickets for Varekai are available now online exclusively to Cirque Club members through March 26. Cirque Club membership is free and benefits includes access to advance tickets, special offers and exclusive behind the scenes information. To join, go to www.cirqueclub.com.
A dormant volcano, a mystical forest and an ancient prophecy… the adventure of Icarus begins when Varekai, Cirque du Soleil’s latest arena touring production, descends from the sky and into the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, for seven performances only – August 26-30, 2015! Ticket prices range from $35 – $90 (subject to change). Advance tickets for Varekai are available now online exclusively to Cirque Club members through March 26. Cirque Club membership is free and benefits includes access to advance tickets, special offers and exclusive behind the scenes information. To join, go to www.cirqueclub.com.
Photo credit: Allister Ann
For Kenny Chesney, playing “The Granddaddy of Them All” as ABC’s legendary sportscaster Keith Jackson deemed the Rose Bowl decades ago, was a bucket list item. And when he took the stage at the iconic venue built in 1922, he took it with all the intensity of every college football team that played there on New Year’s Day, the athletes at the ’84 Summer Olympics and the various teams at the many World Cup matches that have played there.
Photo credit: Patrice Majors
Ashley Monroe joined by Miranda Lambert on stage.
As soon as I stepped into the room, I noticed it was filled with a who’s who of the music industry, everyone from booking agents, publishers, media to many artists out to hear Ashley Monroe perform her new material. Everyone anxiously awaited Monroe to take the stage.
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Clay Walker playing “6th Annual Chords of Hope.” Photo Credit: Alanna Massey
A curveball is flying toward you. You have two options — let it knock you down, or catch and return it to the world as something positive.
Clay Walker sent it soaring back into the world, leaving a trail of hope and inspiration.
He was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at age 26, only a few years after bursting into the mainstream country music scene. Instead of letting the news knock him down, Clay pursued his career and founded a non-profit organization called Band Against MS.
He also established an annual benefit in Nashville called “Chords of Hope.” This is the 6th year the event has raised money for MS education and research at Vanderbilt Medical Center.
“I think the loyalty and commitment has grown from the community, and therefore I could see us very easily doing another six years,” Clay said.
Clay took time to meet with friends and supporters before the night kicked off. Tim Dugger took the stage, followed by Clay. There were 400 people united by a great cause at the sold-out show.
“We love doing it at this quaint place, at 3rd and Lindsley, because it’s just more personal,” Clay said.
Clay Walker performing while streamer pop into the audience during “Live Laugh Love.”
Clay spread his own laughter and love by popping streamers into the audience during “Live Laugh Love.” Fans twirled and threw the paper ribbons into the air as Clay rocked the stage. It was truly inspiring to feel the joy and energy within the audience, especially for those also living with MS.
Clay is a spokesman for Stick With It, an organization that encourages MS patients to stick with a normal routine.
“It’s real important to me to always make sure that I take medication three times a week, exercise and eat somewhat healthy,” Clay said.
Touring provides an unpredictable environment and makes it difficult to maintain a normal routine. He might be on the bus one night and in a hotel the next, but when it comes to his health routine he’s sure to “stick with it.”
Clay Walker and Alanna Massey backstage at “Chords of Hope.”
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InDo Nashville, the coworking, creative hub for professionals in the entertainment industry is now open and accepting members. The three floor, 11,000 sq. ft., building is located at 632 Fogg St., between 7th Ave S. and Ewing Ave., near the City Winery and Third Man Records in SoBro. Features of InDo Nashville include: large open coworking spaces, songwriting rooms, conference rooms, phone booths, a hanging pod-chair room, a concierge, and a 1500 sq. ft. event space that is perfect for industry parties, product launches, networking events, and acoustic showcases.
