When Tony Holden began to scout for talent in late 2007, he probably didn’t expect to have three outstanding females come together with a load of experience the way that Alaina Whitaker (season 7 American Idol), Andrea Young (Fiddle player for Halfway To Hazard on Tim McGraw’s 2007 tour) and Erin James (toured with Ronnie Dove) have to eventually form his vision Chasing Dixie.

Now 2009, Chasing Dixie has found themselves mentored by country industry veteran and Columbia Nashville recording artist Keith Anderson and have caught the attention of GAC’s Storme Warren landing a showcase opportunity on his show “Headline Country.”

Another television opportunity that has presented itself to the girls is for a reality show pilot. They have been being filmed on stage and on the road in an effort to give fans and viewers an in depth look into the world of touring, and not only the playing live aspects but also the life you lead while out on the road, as well as showing people the struggles and hard times that a young band goes through as they are trying to break through into the music industry.

With two television broadcast opportunities in front of them they are set to take over TV sets nationwide later this year and on this night in front of an invite only crowd, Nashville got the chance to meet the girls and see them perform a live set to get an idea of what they are all about musically.

Upon entering the 2602 Soundstage you were quickly met with elegance as the room was draped with banners featuring each of the girls in the band and one with the group highlighted in the middle of a crowd at a theatre on the right side. While when you looked to the left of the room there was a screen showing live and behind the scenes footage of what will eventually be put together for their reality show.

Further setting the ambience, the PA speakers played classic country songs like “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue,” “Forever and Ever Amen,” “and more, as the crowd gathered and mingled with each other over food and drinks.

A star-studded cast showed up for the event including their mentor Keith Anderson, Storme Warren who hosted the evening, John Rich, hit songwriter Jeffrey Steele, and more.

Storme Warren took the stage welcoming everyone to the show and thanked everyone for coming out and supporting Chasing Dixie. He talked briefly about the footage they had been collecting for the show that included their opening spots for the likes of Brooks & Dunn, Darius Rucker, and more. He stated, “As we collected the footage it became more than just a reality show. It had become an experiment,” before introducing Keith Anderson to the crowd.

Anderson took to the stage to a huge applause and continued to not only sign praises of the girls but also of Tony Holden who was the creator of the band. Anderson rang out with praise for Holden as he told the crowd a bit about him, “He was the original promoter for the boxer Tommy Morrison and if you have ever watched the Showtime fights those are his.” He continued to tell the crowd about his relationship with Holden as he explained, “If you’ve ever seen my video for “Podunk,” that was his whole idea.” He then went on to speak about Chasing Dixie saying, “Back before I had my record deal I used to play at 3^rd and Lindsley every week and make phone calls and send out all sorts of emails trying to get people to go, and this event with Chasing Dixie, this is the first time that I have done that since I signed my deal for anyone and I think you’ll see why in just a few minutes.”

Next up Storme Warren introduced Randy Brooks to the stage from Joplin, Missouri’s country radio station KIQX who first gave Chasing Dixie airplay when they first formed. He went on to say, “They debuted some of their songs they had been working on during my morning show and we got so many calls to our station that commented on it and we told them to come on out to the show that night at Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, OK and that night everyone packed the place and the girls delivered.”

Storme took the microphone from Randy as he finished speaking and said, “This is only Chasing Dixie’s second performance in Nashville since I first drug them across the street from the Sirius radio station and brought them into Tootsie’s for the first time,” as he briefly paused and said, “welcome to the stage, Chasing Dixie.”

The crowd gave them a huge ovation as the drum beat kicked in and the band played a pretty rocking minute long intro to lead the girls out onto the stage as they launched quickly into their half hour set with “Don’t Think I Won’t” and “Gas Station Roses.” Alaina paused for the first time in their performance saying “Thank you so much to all of you for coming out here tonight to see us play.” But quickly, they dove right back into their set with the scornful “Everybody Smokes In Hell.”

Erin James asked, “Is everyone out there having a good time so far?” and she was met with a great ovation as she continued, “well thank you so much for coming out tonight and I hope you’re enjoying the open bar,” she paused, “they do have the Chasing Dixie cocktail over there at that bar tonight too.” “What’s that?” asked Alaina prompting Erin to answer with “A shot of whiskey and a big ol slap on your face,” she finished as they rolled into “Give Me Something To Hate You For.”

Andrea Young stepped up to the microphone as the song’s final notes were hit, “I want to thank all of you for coming out to hear us play tonight and thank you so much to Tony Holden, our mentor and friend Keith Anderson, Storme Warren…. This next song is one of our favorites,” she finished as they played “Think Three Times.”

To close out the set the girls put it all out on the stage with “I’m Gone” as Aliana spit out fast ferocious lyrics including, “I hope it makes you squirm, I hope it makes you cry,” and “I hope it breaks your heart like you did mine.” Throughout the performance the girls bounced around the stage putting the emotions of the lyric proudly on display eventually bringing Andrea to the back of the stage where she climbed up high to play her fiddle as the smoke filled around her.

FULL SET LIST

1. Don’t Think I Won’t

2. Gas Station Roses

3. Everybody Smokes In Hell

4. Give Me Something To Hate You For

5. Set It On Fire

6. Think Three Times

7. I’m Gone
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