FOCUS on the 615
Nashville's premier entertainment blog including album, song and show reviews and exclusive artist interviews.
Pictured (L-R): Big Machine Label Group President & CEO Scott Borchetta, Cassadee Pope and Big Machine Label Group EVP/Republic Nashville President Jimmy Harnen Photo credit: Katie Kauss
CASSADEE POPE invited industry guests and friends for a sneak peek of her forthcoming SUMMER EP, out June 3 on Big Machine Label Group. Continue Reading →
Hi Patrice! My name is Alison Giese and I have 2 songs that have helped me through very difficult times in my life.
The first is “That’s Why I’m Here” by Kenny Chesney. First off, Kenny is my absolute favorite artist! But anyways, this song speaks volumes to me because I come from an alcoholic family on both sides. My dad was always my hero until I was about 9 and realized how much he drank and how it affected everything in his life. When I heard this song in high school, I realized I wasn’t alone dealing with an alcoholic father. This song always gave me a look into how alcohol affects families. I also realized that it is hard on the alcoholic to lose everything they love. I no longer cry when I hear this song but it definitely was a component of my healing and understanding of the disease.
The second song was “I’m Movin’ On” by Rascal Flatts. The emotions packed into this song are indescribable. This song one day just hit me and gave me such clarity. When I was 13, I ended my relationship with my father due to his wife telling me I wasn’t part of the family – he ended up standing on her side instead of mine. I endured many, many, many years of counseling trying to figure out what I did wrong and blaming myself for his wrong decision. One day I was driving and this song just hit me. I still get very emotional when I hear this song because the day I heard it was the day I realized it was never my fault and I had to give up on any reconciliation with him because it was just dragging me down. I don’t ever see a moment when he apologizes or I can completely forgive him, but this song tells me that that is okay and life is way better without the burden of those emotions. That was the day I gave up all my grudges against him and moved on with my life. He no longer holds any space in my heart or thoughts and life is so much better.
I have a bunch of other songs that have huge meanings to me, but those two songs are my favorite ones that have helped guide me towards healing. The way a song can portray emotions blows me away every time and it definitely does heal everything.
Alison Giese lives in Nashville for the past couple of years, before that Austin for 8 years and originally from Grand Junction, CO. I currently am a department supervisor at Toys R Us.
I just saw this posted on your website, FOCUS on the 615 and I felt
compelled to write in. I am a 20 year survivor of RSD or Reflex
Sympathetic dystrophy as of this past December. Music has always been a
catalyst in my on going battle. It always seems to be that when I need
that extra spark to get through a tough day when I am on the ropes, a
song comes along that just helps me make it through. Sometimes the
lyrics take me back to a time and place before the RSD and it helps me
recall what life was like long before it. Its also a healing force for
my spouse who not only works full time, but doubles as my care giver
when the need arises. We often forget how much care givers suffer and
endure as much if not more than we do ourselves. Music heals and
inspires us to do things that we ourselves never believe that we can
accomplish.Also, it was Mary Sarah’s rendition of “Johnny and June” that she sang on “The Voice”. Just touched me and reminded me of the sacrifices that my special ‘June’ has made over the 20 years we have battled my disorder together…
Roy Greenwood is from North Fork, California and is a lead aluminum can artist with sodacanmodels.com.
Has there been a time in your life when you sought music for comfort and healing that you would like to share with us to be featured on the site, FOCUS on the 615?
Sarah Cannon, the global cancer institute of Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), in partnership with Country superstar, Martina McBride, and Big Machine Label Group (BMLG), announced details today about The Sarah Cannon Tour concert series in support of their collective initiative, Band Against Cancer. Previously announced in February of 2016, Band Against Cancer is bringing together two of the most influential industries of music and healthcare to connect those touched by cancer with community-based treatment options and resources. Continue Reading →
Photo credit: Jason Myers
RED BOW Records’ artist Craig Campbell will host the “4th Annual Craig Campbell Celebrity Cornhole Challenge” in honor of his late father who lost his battle with the disease at age 36. Fellow country stars Michael Ray, Canaan Smith and more to be announced will appear at this year’s event on Tuesday, June 7th from 1-3pm near 5th Avenue and Demonbreun Street in downtown Nashville, TN. As a national spokesperson for the cause, Campbell strives to raise awareness and funds for colorectal cancer education, research and prevention. Continue Reading →
“Consistently entertaining” (People) and six-time chart-topping country artist Rodney Atkins will host his sixth annual “Music City Gives Back” concert on Tuesday, June 7, unofficially kicking off a week of country music festivities in Nashville ahead of the CMT Music Awards and CMA Music Festival. The star-studded event, which benefits W.O. Smith Music School, will be take place near 5th Avenue and Demonbreun Street in downtown Nashville and will feature performances by Atkins, Craig Campbell, LANco, Canaan Smith and headliner Dustin Lynch. Continue Reading →
WHO: Embers Ski Lodge
WHAT: Beginning this May, Embers Ski Lodge in Nashville’s 12South neighborhood introduced their new Whiskey of the Month series, when the bar and restaurant will feature a different whiskey each month throughout the year by offering drink specials, whiskey tastings and more.
Keith Urban’s eighth studio album RIPCORD has debuted at #1 in the United States, Canada and Australia, marking the second consecutive time that the four-time Grammy Award winner has achieved that historic milestone, something that no other male Country artist has done. It is also Urban’s 5th #1 album.
The stars continue to shine for the upcoming 26th annual City of Hope Celebrity Softball Game, presented by Staples, as Lauren Alaina, Danielle Bradbery, The Bobby Bones Show, Jessie James Decker, Mickey Guyton, Jonathan Jackson, LOCASH, Tristan McIntosh, Jake Owen, and former Major League Baseball pitcher Barry Zito strike out cancer. They will join previously announced players Charles Esten, Vince Gill, Chris Lane, Scotty McCreery, Bret Michaels, David Nail, RaeLynn and Jamie Lynn Spears for a friendly face-off on the Grand Ole Opry and iHeartCountry teams, along with more names to be announced in the coming weeks. A fan-favorite event and longstanding tradition of the CMA Music Festival, the game will take place on Tuesday June 7, at 3 p.m. from First Tennessee Park in Nashville. Tickets are available at http://bit.ly/1QQDkff. Continue Reading →
