FOCUS on the 615
Nashville's premier entertainment blog including album, song and show reviews and exclusive artist interviews.
Capitol Records Nashville’s Mickey Guyton will make a guest appearance on CBS’ The Talk as the Top Talker of the day on April 1(2pm ET 1pm PT/CT). Mickey was nominated for her first ACM Award for New Female Vocalist. She will be attending the 51st Academy of Country Music Awards on April 3 at 8pm ET/delayed PT on CBS.
The fourth annual Tortuga Music Festival, country music’s biggest beach party featuring Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw, and Dierks Bentley, continues to be more than just entertainment. As the festival celebrates its tremendous oceanfront setting, it also informs concertgoers on the issues impacting the world’s oceans while supporting marine research and conservation. Tortuga Music Festival is proud to announce more than 30 marine conservation organizations and exhibits will be featured in Rock The Ocean’s Conservation Village this year. Continue Reading →
Boozy Sundays just got better: Edgehill, the landmark coffee shop and restaurant in Edgehill Village, recently announced the addition of a brunch and cocktail menu to its already popular food and drink repertoire.
Sprinkles Cupcakes, the world’s first cupcake bakery, is celebrating Assistant’s Day in the month of April. See below for more details on some of the exciting things going on this April at Sprinkles.
This morning, producers and executives of the 51st Academy of Country Music Awards participated in a press conference call to announce several exciting moments on this year’s show, to be broadcast from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 3 at 8:00PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network. Participating in the call were Barry Adelman, Executive Producer, R.A. Clark, Executive Producer, Bob Romeo, CEO of the Academy of Country Music and Jack Sussman, Executive Vice President, CBS Specials, Music and Live Events. Discussions on the call included their plans and insights for this year’s ceremony, surprises in store for fans, as well as details regarding the presentation of the Tex Ritter Award to music icon Dolly Parton.
Eric Gunderson and Stephen Barker Liles of Love and Theft with Alanna Massey of Focus on the 615
Love and Theft is making a stand about addiction with their latest single “Whiskey On My Breath.” The duo, comprised of Eric Gunderson and Stephen Barker Liles, has dealt with losing family members to alcoholism.
“It’s a pretty heavy topic,” Stephen said. “But it’s not all about drinking. It’s just about addictions in general. Almost everyone has their own addiction. It doesn’t have to be alcohol. It could be social media.”
GUILTY 🙋🏼
The single skyrocketed from #200 to #2 on iTunes with a little support from the Bobby Bones Show.
“Bobby heard ‘Whiskey On My Breath’ and really related to it,” Eric said. “His mother died of alcoholism at 46.”
Eric struggled with alcoholism and was proudly 311 days sober at the time of our interview.
“Singing about it every night when I was still drinking was almost like I was giving myself a guilt trip in a way,” Eric said. “I was getting up there singing about the one thing that scared me to death more than anything – whiskey on my breath. It’s been good to get away from it and change my lifestyle.”
Eric’s new go-to drink is soda water or Diet Coke with a few limes. Stephen still enjoys an adult beverage every now and then.
“I drink vodka and water pretty much because you’re hydrating while you’re drinking.”
Good strategy, Stephen! That’s not his only advice about drinking.
Stephen, since you’re a year older and so much wiser than Eric, give us your words of wisdom. This is your legacy!
Eric: Give us like half of a tweet – so you get like 13 characters or something. Make this count, this is it. This will live on forever. Ladies and gentlemen, Stephen Barker Liles’ words to live by.
Stephen: You’re not drinking alone if your pet is with you.
Eric: Wow.
Stephen: It’s for all the pet lovers out there.
Eric, what’s the deal with your Twitter bio: “Life coach, alien expert, ceiling fan collector…follow me”?
Eric: Oh just two things I’m really passionate about. I’m really obsessed with aliens and area 51. No I’m kidding… I just put it on there as a joke. And then I watched an episode of something on TV where this guy collected oriental fans, and I thought it was so weird and strange. So I thought I’d put it on there, too. None of that’s true.
Stephen: CMA Fest we could get Love and Theft fans… for the fans.
Eric: Oh yeah the ones where you mist yourself!
OK guys… back to the important stuff. What do you have going on this year?
Stephen: We’re traveling all year playing tons of shows. We’ve been doing about 100 shows a year for 6 or 7 years. Some years we’re gone 200 days. There’s no telling how many shows we’re gonna do this year. We’re on pace for a lot.
Eric: It’s been the busiest beginning of a year for us as far as acoustic shows go.
Stephen: I’m gonna have a Companion Pass at the end of the year if I keep flying Southwest!
“Whiskey On My Breath” soaring to the top of the charts, drinking with pets, aliens and a busy year ahead. There ya have it, folks – Love and Theft!
