It was a hot and steamy week in Nashville ...with even hotter sounds emanating from the many stages at the convention center, Riverfront, LP Field and downtown clubs. Clients and friends performed and met with fans old and new throughout CMA MusicFest 2008.
The Mirrome Records gang had a full schedule. Louisiana native and all around good guy, Chris Gray had an overflow crowd for his Acoustic Corner. With his IT'S ALL ABOUT ME project being among the finest country albums EVER produced, it's no wonder his fan base contiues to swell ... surely only the LP Field will accomodate his crowd for CMA MusicFest 2009. Miko Marks (dubbed "hotter than Beyonce and Halle Berry put together" by one young fan) once again knocked it outa the park with her Acoustic Corner on Sunday afternoon, accompanied by guitar player Vic Campos. Her sophomore project, IT FEELS GOOD does indeed feel good! Florida's teen dynamo, Jernie Talles won the CMA Rising Star Competition. All 3 of these Mirrome artists performed at the Laughing Penguin showcases at Tin Roof and the World Famous Tootsie's Orchid Lounge.
Another who wow'd our showcase audiences was Aussie beauty, Connie Kis Andersen, who performed songs from her latest CD, ONCE AGAIN, recently honored as the Top Indie Album in Western Australia. Performing with Connie Kis was flatpicker, Lester Ray Sears of the Michelle Cupit bluegrass band.
Canada's Angela Siracusa, who's been making a beautiful noise as a frequent guest on The Billy Block Show, was as stunning as ever and one wonders if anyone could hear her terrific performance over the perpetual click of the many cameras! Angela was accompanied by the amazing Walter Egan who joined her on "Magnet & Steel" and "Drawn to the Flame"... the title cut to her second CD.
Middle Tennessee's own Julie Taylor opened our Saturday showcase with a blend of originals and standards that were absolute crowd pleasers for the Tootsie's patrons.
Tommy Wood, who was accompanied by bassist TC Howard, is the real deal when it comes to traditional country. The Virginia native has the smooth voice of a pure country boy. Among others, Tommy performed a brand new tune called "Out In The Country" which he also sang for the folks back home during his interview with WVHL Radio at The Tracking Room on Friday.
If there were an award for bringing down the house, it would have to be a tie between newcomers, Mozely Rose (Matt Nicholls and Alan Crist of Chesterfield, VA) and Maryland's Pete Best. The guys from Mozely Rose offer fresh lyrics with killer, tight harmonies and driving, bluesy, swamp rock guitar licks. You WILL be hearing more about these guys! And Pete Best? Man, oh, man ... the buzz has only just begun on this guy who penned every stellar cut on his debut CD, BUILT TO LAST. Although he didn't have a booth at the convention center, Pete rented a bright red Ford Pickup (you get it ... BUILT TO LAST ... BUILT FORD TOUGH) and blasted what is destined to be one hit after another from the speakers for fans walking down Broadway. The amiable Best shook more hands than a presidential wannabe and gave out free bottled water to the sun-soaked hoards, many of whom purchased his CD and lined up for photos. Did I mention that he's not hard on the eyes?
A big nod to our friends at MuseRevolution Magazine. Editor, Brandon Lynn Shane, served as MC for the Tin Roof and Tootsie's shows. Brandon is also an excellent producer and we appreciate that his stable of artists came out to support the penguin flock. Those fine folks performed at the first annual MuseRevolution MusicFest party on Saturday night at The French Quarter Cafe ... a great venue for live music ... and they included Natalie Logan, Melissa Cleveland, Darlene Marie McCoy, Jeff Smithart, 'Marie' and Caitlin Nicole Eadie. Check out MuseRevolution ... a great publication showcasing independent artists.
HUGE thanks to the fine staffs at both Tootsie's and Tin Roof for their help and service. A big hug and a familial noogie to intern and cuz, Gina Antonini, a fine singer/songwriter in her own right who gave of her time to support the other artists throughout "Fan Fair" and stayed up way too late doing so ... without complaint. Oh, and Sherry Massaro ... you rock, my chica!
Finally, we thank event sponsor, George Jones University (Dean, Tandy Rice). GJU is a great program designed to teach students about finding success in the music business through its 2-day seminar program held twice annually. The next program is slated for late September and promises an impressive list of professionals who'll come out to the Jones ranch in Franklin, TN to teach from their individual areas of expertise. www.georgejonesuniversity.com