Free crawfish, free beer, and great live music! Join Runner of the Woods, Nora Jane Struthers & the Party Line (other artists TBA) on Saturday, June 4th at East Nashville’s Groove Records. This is a family friendly event (popsicles and drinks for the kids).
A special thanks to our generous sponsors, Yazoo Brewing Company, Vida Wakeman, Realtor and Celia Anzalone Bowers of CMG Financial!
Full band lineup and details coming soon!
Our full-band debut at Nashville’s legendary Bluebird Cafe was sold out! Playing an hour long set of originals in a room that’s pin-drop quiet — not a lot of songwriters get that opportunity. This show was easily the highlight of our year.
The Bluebird has a “no talking” policy. I almost feel bad for the audience, but they’re totally on board. It makes for a very special set. Shows likes that are in extremely short supply.
We were well rehearsed, owing to several shows we booked in advance, to get us in prime musical shape. One of those, at Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge, the night before our Bluebird debut, was captured on video. Dee’s does every band an enormous service in recording a Facebook live stream of every band’s gig. You can watch the link here. It’s essentially our Bluebird set, minus the good behavior.
After our Bluebird show, it was off to Santa’s Pub, where I occasionally front the hard country band, Santa’s Ice Cold Pickers. That venue is well on its way to becoming “legendary” in its own right. Our guitarist’s father, Mike Daly, was playing pedal steel. Typical Nashville — you play a show with a favorite guitarist, then head to another venue where his father — also incredibly accomplished — is on the stage doing his thing. This city is a special place.
Next week I’ll be doing session work on the Cajun accordion (yes, this is thing).
Mardi Gras is also on the way — March 1st! Our show venue is TBD but we’ll be there to help you celebrate. Then it’s off to the studio to record a tribute to Quebecois songwriter, Gilles, Vigneault. I have the track listing ready to go.
It’s just a matter of handing the money over to the engineer. More soon…
I waiting for my ride to drive me to the Smoky Mountains for a show tonight at the Listening Room in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The fall colors are going to be stunning (no way to prepare for that).
When I return, I’ll be fronting Santa’s Ice Cold Pickers at Santa’s Pub in Nashville — ground zero for hard core country on a Sunday night.
On December 12th at 6 pm, I’ll be doing a full band show at the legendary Bluebird Cafe in Nashville! Really looking forward to that!
On December 17th, I’ll be playing a fun show called “Superjolly”, in honor of Christmas, at the Five Spot in East Nashville. Details on that one TBD.
It feels be good to be hitting the road and playing shows again. More soon!
Very proud of my good friend, songwriter Ronny Criss, who just released the single, “It Ain’t”, on Rainfeather Records. We co-wrote this song in that innocent age prior to Covid, when I had access to a lovely songwriting studio on Music Row here in Nashville. Ronny’s music inhabits the outer edges of pop country, a space where polished modern sounds shake hands with deeply personal lyrics and big guitars.
This latest release is part of a blitz of singles he has unleashed in advance of his upcoming record, “Highways”. The official release date is still TBD, but be sure to check out his website and listen the other songs from this excellent debut.
We’re thrilled to be joining this outstanding bill as part of Snow Day Music Festival, in Fairview, Tennessee (address to TBD upon purchase of festival tickets). Headliners include The Watson Twins, Erin Rae, Teddy & the Roughriders and more!
There will be dancing, overnight camping, food trucks, and good times under the stars. Tickets are limited, so get one before they vanish. A brand new stage with dancefloor has been going up this weekend. Also, there’s a creek nearby so, while I never (ever) promise good fishing, I am definitely bringing my fly rod.
Here’s the schedule:
Ethan Luck: 11:30am-12:30pm
facebook.com/ethanluckmusic @ethanluck
Runner of the Woods: 12:50-1:30pm
runnerofthewoodsmusic.com @runnerofthewoodsband
Emily Nenni: 2:00-2:40pm
facebook.com/emilynennimusic @emily.nenni
Santa’s Ice Cold Pickers: 3:00-3:40pm *Nashville Legends featured at SANTA’s PUB
Banditos: 4:00-4:40pm
facebook.com/BANDITOSBAND @banditosband
Riley Downing, Cotton Clifton & the Kernal: 5:00-5:40
rileydowning.com @rileydown @cotton_clifton @kerncountry
Erin Rae: 6:00-6:50pm
erinraemusic.com @erinraemusic
Watson Twins: 7:10-8:10
thewatsontwins.com @thewatsontwins
Teddy and the Rough Riders: 9:00-10:00pm
facebook.com/teddyandtheroughriders @teddyandtheroughriders
We’re very fortunate to have Vida Wakeman of Crye-Leike Realty as a sponsor for this year’s Bands & Boil. In addition to being one of East Nashville’s premiere realtors, she spent years as a touring musician. Her previous career gives her a unique insight into our neighborhood’s real estate climate. She clearly loves the city (“It has everything you need, and more!”), and remains a big believer in helping people secure their future by investing in real estate.
Since almost conversation in Nashville eventually turns to the property values, I sat down with her and asked her a few questions about the current market.
What brought you to your career in real estate?
I’ve always been interested in real estate, and, through some personal investing, realized how much I enjoy it and believe in helping people. It’s my calling!
As a realtor, what factors do you see driving up the cost of homes in Nashville?
Demand is higher than supply. It’s happening across the country as the Millennial Generation moves into the home-ownership phase. Nashville, in particular, is a focal point for people to move to. It has so many wonderful opportunities.
What should homeowners do with their increased equity?
Reinvest in real estate.
What are Nashville’s most desirable neighborhoods right now?
Ha, ha. EVERPLACE.
What strategies should local homebuyers use to remain competitive with out of state buyers with larger budgets?
Use a good agent who knows the market and can use their expertise and relationships to help. It’s not as cut and dry as highest price always wins.
As a realtor, what has been your biggest surprise in the real estate market during the past year?
The volume of homes sold and the tremendous demand.
What advice do you have for first-time homebuyers in Nashville?
NEVER GIVE UP!!!! YOU WILL FIND YOUR DREAM HOME. USE A GOOD AGENT, PLEASE. AND REMEMBER – EVERYONE WORKS FOR YOU – DONT GET PUSHED AROUND.
What advice do you have for home sellers in the current Nashville market?
Even though it might seem easy to list your house and sell, don’t go with the first agent you find. Interview several, and make sure they’re a good fit and will work for you. It will make a big difference.
My favorite part of Nashville opening back up is getting to hear live music again. The first time I stepped into the American Legion Post 82 after a year-long hiatus, I saw a dancefloor full of people twirling around after months of cabin fever. It inspired me to book bands people could dance to — and performers folks could sit back and enjoy.
So, meet the bands from this year’s Bands & Boil:
AFTON WOLFE (2:30 pm)
Genre: Mississippi Americana
Latest Release: Kings for Sale (June 11, 2021)
Preview: Afton Wolfe has a big voice. Yes, it’s gritty, but it BOOMS over his lyrics and melodies. Listen to the latest single, “Paper Piano”, from his upcoming release, “Kings for Sale” — and you hear that voice booming over big horns. The chorus is catchy as all hell — so catchy, that I found myself humming it while cleaning the house. I remember thinking, what does “paper piano” even mean? Does it matter? I was literally singing it to myself while cleaning our downstairs bathroom, which my two young sons had nearly destroyed (they are complete slobs, by the way). His record release show will be on June 11th at City Winery in Nashville.
Website: https://aftonwolfe.com/
PAT REEDY & THE LONGTIME GONERS
Genre: Hard country
Latest Release: “Homesick Blues” single (2021)
Preview: When I say “hard country”, I’m talking about musicians who play country and mean it. Too often in Nashville you come across a country musician who releases a few honky-tonk records. Then suddenly, he rips off his western shirt and declares, “I was indie rock all along!” He ditches the country sound and does a complete musical U-turn. His new record is a totally weird, inaccessible indie abomination aimed at the Pitchfork crowd. Even worse, the recording is drenched in so much reverb you have to crank up the volume to under the lyrics, most of which are still unintelligible. Thank God Pat Reedy is never going to do this to us. Listen to the chorus of his latest single, “Homesick Blues“. I’m a sucker for great choruses.
Website: https://www.patreedymusic.com/
HANNAH JUANITA (4:30 pm)
Genre: Tennessee Honky-Tonk
Latest Release: “Hardliner” (June 11, 2021)
Preview: The first time I saw Hannah Juanita, she was singing on stage at the American Legion Post 82 to a packed dancefloor. Keeping that dancefloor packed is harder than it looks! Sure, East Nashville is full of honky-tonk spazzes in western shirts who will dance to whatever — but after a few songs, most people head to the bar for a drink, or maybe the patio to cool off. I watched her mix covers with originals and keep the dancers moving. Song after song was connecting. I still haven’t forgotten. Watch the awesome video for her song, “Our Love is Done” (featuring Sierra Ferrell), and see what I mean.
Website: https://hannahjuanita.bandcamp.com/
Runner of the Woods (5:30 pm)
Genre: Country & Cajun
Latest Release: “Acadiana Girls” single (2019).
Preview: If the idea of kids smashing accordions appeals to you, you’ll love the video for Runner of the Woods’ single, “Acadiana Girls”. New music is in the works, but he is taking his time, spending long hours fly fishing for trout and singing French songs to himself. Speaking of which, he keeps threatening to release a tribute album to Quebecois singer, Gilles Vigneault. He even once sang a Vigneault song, “I Have for You a Lake” while sitting in a kayak. Seriously, though, Gilles Vigneault is 92 years old, so he’d better hurry.
Megan Palmer (6:30 pm)
Genre: Uplifting Americana
Latest Release: “Take Good Care” (2021)
Preview: When people mention Megan Palmer, it’s not her music that comes to mind, but Tom Waits. I saw her perform at the 5-Spot’s Tom Wait’s tribute in 2018, where she sang, “Come on Up to the House”. It was so uplifting — much like the title track of her latest release, “Take Good Care”. I love the vocals and the marching drum beat — and the video, with its footage of guitars being crafted by luthiers, is comforting. This is why I call her music “Uplifting Americana”. Unlike the rest of that genre. Geez. Some of it is an enormous downer. Every song is about how some guy who lives in a “small town” where the factory has closed for good and is now popping codeine just to get over the agony of his girl leaving him to pursue alcoholism full-time in the “big city”. Good grief. No wonder kids prefer techno.
Website: https://www.meganpalmer.com/
Everyone is getting together again! Join Runner of the Woods for an afternoon of free crawfish, beer, and live music at the Groove Records, in Nashville on Saturday, June 5, 2021. The event begins at 2 pm. Music schedule below! A hearty thanks to our sponsor, Vida Wakeman, Realtor.
MUSIC SCHEDULE 2021
2:30 pm: Afton Wolfe
3:30 pm: Pat Reedy
4:30 pm: Hannah Juanita
5:30 pm: Runner of the Woods
6:30 pm: Megan Palmer
*** We will be serving individual portions of crawfish for safety purposes.
Additional details on the performers and an interview with our sponsor on the Nashville realty market coming next week!
Or should I say — French music will save me? My local shows, including a debut full band show at the Bluebird here in Nashville, have been postponed. Now the weather is getting colder and there’s less and less fishing. What is a country singer with a fishing career to do?
I’ve been delving deeply into French singer-songwriters, especially Quebec’s Gilles Vigneault. A few years ago, at a music conference in Montreal, I heard the lead singer of the band, Jabbour, sing one of Vignault’s songs, “J’ai Pour Toi, Un Lac” (“I have for you a lake”). It struck me hard, right in the solar plexus. I couldn’t believe it. A song that expressed a love of lakes and the great outdoors and used it to speak about love. And not just any love, the head-over-heels joy of abandoning yourself completely. Most genres (cf Indie Rock) are too cool to express themselves in this manner. French music is not big on detached irony.
It was a pleasure to learn it. And even more fun to play it while in a kayak this summer on an obscure Tennessee lake. I would have done the third verse – my favorite – but I was starting to worry about my guitar falling in the water. You may need to turn up the volume on this one.
I also recently did a version of a deeper Vignault cut, “On Ne Sait Jamais” (“You Never Know”). I recorded it in the car with my dog, Pichenotte, for company. Does it seem odd to play and sing in the car? It shouldn’t. In times of COVID, it’s one of the few places in one’s home where you have privacy. Enjoy and stay safe. Covid lockdowns are a head game and the challenge is to keep yourself smiling and singing.
I can’t thank singer-songwriter, Ronny Criss, enough for inviting me to perform on Wednesday, August 5, 2020 at the Listening Room Cafe in Nashville. Showtime is 6 p.m., the venue has been extremely diligent in observing COVID-19 best practices and local ordinances. Joining us will be songwriter, Brian Southerland.
I haven’t performed live since Mardi Gras, this past February. Since then, I’ve cancelled many shows, including my annual Bands & Boil crawfish and live music event at the Groove in Nashville. What a disappointment! The event had grown into a celebration of East Nashville’s music community, something that was sorely needed in the aftermath of the March tornado. The wreckage of that storm persists just blocks from our home. I actually missed crawfish season its entirety. I couldn’t justify boiling 20 pounds of mudbugs for myself, and communal eating and dancing seem unwise at the moment.
In the meantime, I have spent months setting aside funds to record a new album. Life without live music is drained of a key essence. I have attempted to fill the void with family time (which has been wonderful). And fishing, as ever, provides a much needed release. You can always read about those adventures here.
In the meantime, this upcoming show is an opportunity to shake off rust and reconnect with Nashville’s music community. I’m grateful for the chance to get back on the horse. See you there!