I knew it was going to be an interesting night as I walked through the lobby and a pretty blond ahead of me turned around and smiled as she walked through some doors to a private function. I quickly realized it was Irlene Mandrell, the youngest sister of the famous “Mandrell Sisters”. I have seen Barbara out several times at the Nashville Predators games, but seeing Irlene got me slightly excited. I had always thought she was the hottest sister of the trio back when their show was on NBC, as most men did! Apparently she was there to do a sound check for a show that she would be performing the next night.
As I walked into the main bar, I saw James Breedwell setting up the equipment shortly before the 5:00 starting time for the show. James is the force behind Nashville Music Group’s 5 Writers Nights a Week. Two shows weekly are held at Nashville Palace on Monday and Thursday nights from 5:00pm to 9:00pm. He also hosts a Tuesday Songwriters Night at Hooters in Hermitage from 7:00pm – 10:00pm. He rounds out the weekend, at of all places, Chick-Fil-A in Hermitage on Friday and Saturday nights from 6:00pm – 9:00pm. It’s a full schedule and a lot of work, but James seems to have unlimited energy. He is not only the evening’s emcee, but also the sound guy, opening act, and ambassador for all the attending songwriters and the Nashville Palace. This guy truly cares about how the night is going.
The Nashville Music Group does a great job of providing a place and a stage for artists from Nashville and around the world to come and play their songs and be heard. Pat Groves of Nashville Music Group handles the task of lining up the acts and making sure that the evening goes off without a hitch. James constantly lets it be known that she is the boss and in charge! So many songwriters have James Breedwell at the top of their friends list on myspace pages because he really provides them a place to play when they make their trip to Nashville. James Breedwell's vision has always been to make dreams come true for songwriters and artists. Nashville Music Group is sponsored by NSAI and supports NSAI and their efforts.
The first time I came to NMG’s songwriter’s night, I was blown away by the talent and Thursday night’s show was no different. James started off the show as usual with some great songs. He worked the crowd who was made up of locals and tourist from all parts of the country from Pennsylvania to Ohio to New York.
The first songwriter to take the stage was an impressive songwriter named Hollie Brogunier. Catch her music at her website www.hollierocks.com. She played and sung quite eloquently, as I settled into my dinner. Holly played an impressive set as her family watched from the side. Her songs were well crafted and she had a soft voice that set the mood for the evening. She really enjoyed the fact that it was early and her young daughter was able to attend the show and hear her Mom play and sing on stage. The Nashville Palace has a great atmosphere for family and tourists, as well as amazing food and good service. The bartender, Brittney, made sure I was adequately taken care of with a steady dose of hospitality and adult beverages that kept me happy on a tough night of having to listen to great music. All just part of another day on the job!
One of the other early acts was Morgan Alexander who did a great job. You can check out his music at www.MorganAlexanderMusic.com. He played a strong set with many of the audience showing their approval. I knew at this point I was in for a good night. “Another round Brittney, I’m rocking over here!”
Jake Gilliam was up a few writers later and played a new song for the first time in public called “I Found Jesus on Music Row”. It had the feet tapping in the room.
Songwriter after songwriter took each other’s place almost effortlessly with the help of James and songwriters helping the next songwriter set up equipment with many even bringing keyboards.
The show really started to heat up with an artist named Nathan Brumley came on stage. He brought out his keyboard and you quickly realized this guy was special. He pounded away at the keyboard with a steady stream of upbeat pop. Apparently, the TV show Grey’s Anatomy has one of his songs possibly going to be used in an upcoming episode. From this point on the show was in high gear! Check out Nathan's music at www.myspace.com/nathanbrumleymusic.
Angel Lynn came out and had a powerful performance despite technical difficulties with her prearranged music that was pumped in by her lap top. She was the only artist who didn’t sing to a live instrument. Her voice was so powerful that she sang through several interruptions with the computer and sound system that was not quite jiving together. I think she would have been better off with just her voice and someone accompanying her with a guitar. Her voice was definitely more powerful than anything on her computer.
Another artist named Freddy Freeman sang and collaborated with a couple of other songwriters and I found his music particularly interesting. He sang a song called “Ear to the Ground” which I found extremely original and it was a song that stuck in my head well after the show had ended. “With my ear to the ground listening for a sound” the lyrics rang out making me wish I had a copy of that song. Check out his music at www.myspace.com/freddyfreeman where I did not find that particular song but other good ones.
Artist after artist kept surprising me with different styles of music. From the music of Bobby Pizazz with his fusion of pop and jazz to Ed Brandling wearing a tie and singing his 50’s style of lounge music to crowd favorite Amanda Nagurney, each artist performed a steady stream of good solid music.
Near the end of the show, I found what I was looking for when Morgan Myles took the stage. She brought down the house with a short set of two songs. Due to time constraints she was limited but made the best of it with a boot kicking and guitar jamming set. With her Taylor Swift type sassiness and her Martina McBride type pipes she rocked the house. She is about to graduate from Belmont University in May and she just got back from touring Europe and the U.K. Check her music out live if you get a chance or on the web at www.morganmylesmusic.com or www.myspace.com/morganmyles. She flat howled and stole the show. After her set you could tell she had star quality from the amount of people trying to talk to her. She spent quite of bit of time working her way through the crowd.
