Rust Radio Rolls Into Manchester, Tennessee on Earth Day Weekend

The team from MusicCityNashville made a road trip to Manchester, Tennessee to check out the hometown of Bonnaroo and visit the Old Stone Fort State Park while we were there.

Upon exiting we noticed this very colorful car in the parking lot. It was completely and lovingly hand-painted, eye-catching, and the hood was adorned with hundreds of plastic dinosaur figurines. We also noticed several stickers for RUST RADIO on the web. The advertising worked and we visited the 24/7 streaming music site that features Neil Young concerts exclusively.

This four door wagon was a cool site to see - LONG MAY YOU RUN!

Article Links: Tune in to Rust Radio today and fill up on live Neil at this site !

- Blog post by MusicCityNashville.net

Going Further in Nashville with Further Farms and Further Fest

Further Farms is a regular vendor at the Nashville Farmer’s Market just off of the Rosa Parks Blvd. in Music City. The locally owned and operated sauce and spice company with new and unique blends for every meal can be found on the site daily in 2016 selling their incredible lines of essential oils, spices, sauces, peppers and rubs.

On Saturday, April 23, 2016 we met Drake and Alex from Further Farms during the Crafts and Drafts Festival hosted by the Nashville Scene. This event combined curated arts and crafts vendors with local food trucks and beer. We sampled beer and we tried some of the fiery hot sauces that Further Farms had to offer and washed the heat down with some refreshing Spiked Seltzer.

Speaking of festivals, Furthers Farms will be hosting their second annual Further Fest in September 2016. In addition to three days of non-stop music the event promises to feature Permaculture Farm Style; New Monolithic geodesic cordwood Dome Stage/Amphitheater; Workshops with some of the region's greatest teachers; Permanent Eco-Structures; Ceremony; Flow Arts Performance and Open Circles; Drum Circle; Sacred Fire; Kid's Classes by Seedling Circle; Organic Meals from Locally Sourced Food; Camping on a Beautiful Farm located in Nashville,

Article Links: Get your tickets today and prepare to be transformed. Links are at Further Farms and Further Fest.

- Blog post by MusicCityNashville.net

Ricky Skaggs and Co. Heat Things up at the Grand Ole Opry as Tourist Season Begins in Nashville

The Grand Ole Opry is the show that made country music famous. It is the longest running radio show ever and has been broadcasting since 1925. It has a long history of tradition and the program has launched many careers. On Friday, April 22, 2016 Connie Smith was the first hostess to greet the capacity crowd at the Opry House. She gave a warm introduction to Keith Anderson who enchanted the audience with "Pickin' Wildflowers". Next longtime Opry member Mike Snider with his band entertained with humor and fast paced bluegrass pickin'.

The second segment of the show with Jeannie Seely at the helm featured Shelley Skidmore and an engaging set by the legendary Exile. Bill Anderson and Bobby Osborne represented the old guard before Chuck Wicks charmed us with "Steeling Cinderella". The third set starred Josh Turner who delighted us with his deep voice so suitable for storytelling in the tradition of country music. The Whites blessed us with an old spiritual as did Ricky Skaggs with a moving version of "You Can't Shake Jesus".

Article Links: Get tickets for this long-running Nashville tradition today at Opry.com.

- Blog post by MusicCityNashville.net

Music City Lit Up in Purple to Honor Prince of Paisley Park

The Music Industry lost a giant with the untimely death of Prince and Music City did not miss a beat to honor The Artist when on April 22, 2016 downtown Nashville was lit up in hues of purple from Broadway to the Grand Ole Opry.

We observed the Bridgestone Arena, Ascend Amphitheater and Korean Veterans Memorial Bridge all bathed in paisley shades to celebrate the life and musical force of the mighty one from Minneapolis. Other landmarks including the Metro Courthouse, the Omni Hotel and Nissan Stadium were reported to also be getting in on the act. All in all it was a touching and appropriate way to mark the passing of the much beloved purple clad rocker.

- Blog post by MusicCityNashville.net

Nashville Gets Set for a Marathon Weekend of Fitness and Fun

If there's any city in America that should be "fit as a fiddle" it's Nashville, Tennessee and residents and tourists alike will have a chance to up their fitness rating as the St. Jude Rock 'n' Roll Nashville Marathon & 1/2 Marathon, 5K and Health & Fitness Expo comes to town April 28 - 30, 2016.

The foot races will give you the opportunity to enjoy an up close and personal tour of Music City, New York Times' top destination in the world! Be entertained en route with musical miles before collecting your finish line rewards: bling, beer and more bands. Then, prepare for your free night-time headliner concert at Bridgestone Arena. Stay in town to discover all that Nashville has to offer - from top dining, to a lively culture, world-class entertainment and of course a rich musical history. With a start in front of the honky tonks on Lower Broadway, a tour past the Country Music Hall of Fame, Music City Center, and down Music Row, plus a grand finishing festival in LP Field, we know you're in for a sight from start to finish.

And, if that wasn't enough, there'll be plenty of songs in Music City to accompany the event. First, the race course will be dotted with stages mile after mile offering musical encouragement to the thousands of runners set to take part in the events. Afterwards, The Wallflowers and Nashville's own Marc Scibilia will perform for the Toyota Rock 'n' Roll Concert Series at the Bridgestone Arena on Broadway. So, lace up and run on down to the box office and get your tickets to the as of late rare appearance by Jakob Dylan and Co.

Article Links: For more information on the Race and Health & Fitness Expo please visit this page.

- Blog post by MusicCityNashville.net

Generation Axe Ready to Assault the Ryman with a Night of Screaming Guitars

The Ryman Auditorium has been around for a long time and it's one of the most important musical landmarks in all of Music City. It is widely known and recognized as the Mother Church of Country Music and soon it will play host to a pantheon of guitar gods. Prayers are needed as she will face her toughest test this month when five legendary and acclaimed six-stringers enter its hallowed halls swinging their axes and pumping out wall-shaking levels of decibels.

The concerts that fans will experience on the Generation Axe Tour will go way beyond simply gathering five guitar greats on one stage to jam. Each tour stop will include a variety of performances in different configurations amongst the five players, including performing together as one cohesive band, including Pete Griffin (Zappa Plays Zappa) on bass and Nick Marinovich (Yngwie Malmsteen) on keys and Matt Garstka of Animals as Leaders on drums). Steve Vai, Zakk Wylde, Yngwie Malmsteen, Nuno Bettencourt and Tosin Abasi will perform songs from their various catalogs and join forces on some well-known songs (as well as probably a few unexpected, unearthed gems).

Article Links: Get tickets for this once in a lifetime gathering of guitarists today at this page.

- Blog post by MusicCityNashville.net

Alice Cooper Prepares a Nashville Nightmare for Fans in Music City

Get Ready, Nashville! An Evening with Alice Cooper will be at the Andrew Jackson Hall in Nashville, TN on May 2, 2016 at 8:00 p.m. This concert is sure to be a bloody good time as one of classic rock's most beloved showman will deliver his well-honed act complete with all of his legendary stunts and personas in tow.

Alice Cooper pioneered a grandly theatrical brand of hard rock that was designed to shock. Drawing equally from horror movies, vaudeville, and garage rock, the group created a stage show that featured electric chairs, guillotines, fake blood and boa constrictors. He continues to tour regularly, performing shows worldwide with the dark and horror-themed theatrics that he's best known for. With a schedule that includes six months each year on the road, Alice Cooper brings his own brand of rock psycho-drama to fans both old and new, enjoying it as much as the audience does. Known as the architect of shock-rock, Cooper (in both the original Alice Cooper band and as a solo artist) has rattled the cages and undermined the authority of generations of guardians of the status quo, continuing to surprise fans and exude danger at every turn, like a great horror movie, even in an era where CNN can present real life shocking images.

Alice has been touring consistently, year in and year out, averaging over 80 concerts annually, both within the USA and internationally, with his band which features the three axe attack of guitarists Ryan Roxie, Nita Strauss, and Tommy Henriksen, plus the rhythm section of drummer Glen Sobel and longtime bassist Chuck Garric. With his influence on rock & roll long since acknowledged, there is little that Alice Cooper hasn't achieved in his remarkable career, including platinum albums, sold-out tours and any number of honors and career achievement awards.

Article Links: Get tickets and for this grand and ghoulish show at this page and be sure to check out some previous coverage here!

- Blog post by MusicCityNashville.net

A Night with Janis Joplin Brings 60's Legend Back to Life in Nashville

In the late 1960's and early 1970's there a was a holy trinity of classic rock gods who blazed to glory before their lives were snuffed out way to soon. Now, fans have the chance to see one of those stars come to life right before their eyes as the highly praised A Night With Janis Joplin takes its show on the road. Mary Bridget Davies stars as the iconic 1960's blues-rocker in a highly entertaining show written and directed by Randy Johnson. The production has thrilled audiences in New York City on the Great White Way and now the nation has a chance to relive a momentous musical moment in time.

Like a comet that burns far too brightly to last, Janis Joplin exploded onto the music scene in 1967 and, almost overnight, became the queen of rock ‘n’ roll. Her unmistakable voice, filled with raw emotion and tinged with Southern Comfort, made Joplin a must-see headliner from Monterey to Woodstock. Now you’re invited to share an evening with the woman and her influences in Broadway’s critically-acclaimed musical, A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN, which the New York Times says "rocks the house." The production features such unforgettable songs as "Me and Bobby McGee," "Piece of My Heart," "Mercedes Benz," "Cry Baby" and "Summertime." A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN, written and directed by Randy Johnson, is a musical journey celebrating Joplin and her biggest musical influences—icons like Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Odetta, Nina Simone and Bessie Smith—who inspired one of rock ‘n’ roll’s greatest legends.

This exciting Broadway production is coming to Music City for three big shows April 15 through April 16, 2016 at the James K. Polk Theater in the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. A limited number of VIP tickets are available. VIP tickets include a premium seat and a post-show Meet and Greet.

Article Links: Get tickets and check out more from the tour at this page today!

- Blog post by MusicCityNashville.net

Nashville Hot - Jonathan Jackson Gets Ready to Shift the Blame in Music City

Blame-shifter, the new EP from Nashville based band, Jonathan Jackson + Enation is coming out on May 13, 2016 on the group’s own Hilasterion Records. This is the band's first new music their since 2014 album Radio Cinematic, which Billboard Magazine called "...contemporary, anthemic rock -- Jackson proudly wears the influence of U2, Peter Gabriel and Coldplay on his sleeve as influences -- is certainly something different..." and Rolling Stone said is "Filled with electric guitars, chest-beating vocals and swirling synths..."

Blame-shifter was produced by Grammy nominated producer Greg Archilla (Matchbox 20, Collective Soul) and features five new songs plus a bonus track. Like the acting career of frontman Jonathan Jackson this disc has a flair for the dramatic and finds the singer conjuring up the ghosts of Nashville’s past with his spine-tingling cover of "Unchained Melody" recorded live at The Grand Ole Opry. Don’t miss the band when they hit the road later this year armed with a growing repertoire of music.

Jonathan Jackson + Enation is Jonathan Jackson (vocals, guitar), Richard Lee Jackson (drums) and Daniel Sweatt (bass). Blame-shifter Track Listing: 1. Ascending, 2. Blame-shifter, 3. Alleluia, 4. Let The Beauty Out, 5. Wasteland, 6. Unchained Melody (Live At The Grand Ole Opry) [Photo courtesy of Richard Lee Jackson]

Article Links: Check out more from Jonathan Jackson + Enation at this page today!

- Blog post by MusicCityNashville.net

Nashville Hot - Ender Bowen Squeezes Out Some Tasty New Music and a Remix

Nashville's prolific Ender Bowen isn't your typical Music City fare as exemplified on his 2015 releases Lemonymous and its partner remix album Lemonymix. This double disc project is actually a crowd-sourced funded re-release of a decade old record refreshed with some new beats and insight. Not one to bow to the local pressure and expectations from being in the Country Music Capitol of the World Bowen builds his Nashville sound on a mixture of soaring melodies, haunting lyrics, danceable beats and layered instrumentals that would probably be more at home in Europe than Middle-Tennessee.

But, in Bowen's case being so drastically different than the standard offerings from Music Row plays in the artist's favor by providing a competitive advantage. He's got the supply of emotive and emotional atmospheric anthems. The question is - is there a demand? We think fans will drink up songs like the U2-esque "Reverse Psychology" with its dreamy analysis and the shuffling "Autumn" that descends with a somber and wistful warning. All served with a tart shot of lemon to perk things up.

Article Links: Check out more from Ender Bowen this page today!

- Blog post by MusicCityNashville.net

Nashville Hot - Jon Worthy Brings Unconventional Approach to the Nashville Scene

Singer-songwriter Jon Worthy takes a lo-fi approach on his debut EP Unconventional that finds this newer Nashvillian mixing country, emo and Euro tones that works as often as it doesn't. Through the reverb laden process the musician realizes that he's lost as revealed on "I'm So Lost" but then again - who isn't nowadays. He might be suggesting a spiritual, geographical or metaphorical wasteland but on the positive side this track echoes of early "Lost Trailers" and things worked out pretty well for them. This is a worthy effort and Worthy has the guitar chops to keep things interesting. Hopefully we'll discover what he's found on the next one!

Article Links: Check out more from Jon Worthy at this page today!

- Blog post by MusicCityNashville.net

Jazz Takes Center Stage at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center

When Miles Davis hooked up with Charlie Parker and Gil Evans in the late 1940's they formed the foundation for a nascent jazz scene in the Big Apple and beyond. They literally gave birth to a very cool and happening music scene whose influence is still very much felt to this day. Little did they know that their efforts would also help make jazz cool in the country Music Capitol of the World when on March 29, 2016 the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville presented their first ever JazzOnStage event featuring the music surrounding the now legendary Birth Of The Cool recordings.

This very special free concert at Nashville's most prestigious and beautiful concert venue was both educational and entertaining and helped fans really get up close and personal with the performers. That's because the audience was actually physically seated on the Schermerhorn stage with additional patrons overlooking from the rear stage balcony. This sold-out event was a partnership between members of the Nashville Symphony and teachers from Vanderbilt's Blair School of Music. The musicians were - Jose Sibaja, trumpet; Paul Jenkins, trombone; Don Aliquo, alto saxophone; Ryan Middagh, baritone saxophone; Leslie Norton, horn; Gilbert Long, tuba; Walter Bitner, piano; Glen Wanner, bass; and Jeffrey Lien, drums.

Article Links: Check out the Nashville Symphony website for more information on all their upcoming events from rock to pop to classical and updates on future free OnStage concerts at this page today!

- Blog post by MusicCityNashville.net