Down On Music Row

Posted bynickletjogPosted inDiary

Thursday 12 to Thursday 19 September 2024 (Part Two)

Sunday morning, coming down on Germantown

Today our group gained a unique view into the life of the budding Nashville singer-songwriter seeking a breakthrough in the Music City. As things turned out we had a quite a treat in store in the evening, as I had been most fortunate a few days before our trip to secure four tickets for the Bluebird Café, a 90-seat performance space for up-and-coming songwriters, where the likes of country artist Garth Brooks and the 14-year old Taylor Swift were first discovered. More of the Bluebird Café later, as first we had our very own guided tour of Music Row – the home of the publishing houses that make (or break) country music careers. Our guides for the daytime were Amy Alexander, daughter of a friend back in Hertfordshire, and her husband Brandon, now residents of Nashville. Amy is a recording artist, and Brandon a songwriter and guitarist: so what better way to gain an insight into the process and pathways to musical success and recognition.

A taxi took us to the desirable suburb of Belmont, where we started our tour on the University campus
First things first, lunch at the best bagel-house west of New York . . .
. . . and then, quite amazingly, Amy and Brandon, as Belmont alumni, talked us into the University’s otherwise-closed Gallery of Iconic Guitars, an extensive collection of string instruments
Mandolin wind . . .
. . . and throw in a couple of banjos
Brandon was even permitted a strum – wisely, we were not!
On Music Row – looking at first to be nothing more than a desirable residential street . . .
. . . but the Row is home to publishing houses . . .
. . . and music studios
With ample acknowledgment of the achievements of their respective artists . . .
. . . including our friend from last night at The Listening Room Café!
The team outside RCA Studio B . . .
. . . and in Owen Bradley Park
Back to Amy and Brandon’s studio . . .
. . . where Mike secured an interview for his radio show back home

Leaving Amy and Brandon to their work, the four of us took a taxi out to the suburb of Green Hills, for a dinner of chicken skewers in The Corner Pub. Then the second highlight of our day, the evening session at the renowned Bluebird Café, a tiny venue that has seen the emergence of many great talents; tonight we enjoyed the playing of five nascent stars, plus a short set from country/pop singer-songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman. And such a treat it proved to be, experiencing such talent in close proximity, and with a chance to meet with the artists who were sitting amongst us throughout.

Outside the Bluebird . . .
. . . and the iconic sign behind the performance area
Allison Leah, one of the aspiring artists performing for us tonight at the intimate venue – the line-up was completed by Michael Ubaldini, Liz Kate, Glenn Thomas and Molly Payne . . .
. . . before an emotional set from ‘headliner’ Beth Nielsen Chapman
The post-gig interview with Mike . . .
. . . and a photo opportunity
Home time

What an informative and enjoyable day we had! Unable to reduce my photos further, this proposed two-part Blog of our trip to Nashville is set for an extended run – so I will be back shortly with Part Three of my account of our week in the Music City. Watch this space!

On tour with Amy

My Blog heading ‘Down On Music Row’ is taken from the title of a song by Dolly Parton, off her 1973 studio album ‘My Tennessee Mountain Home’. The composition is the final number on this autobiographical concept album around the artist’s childhood in rural East Tennessee, and the lyrics describe her early struggles in breaking through on Music Row after moving to Nashville in 1964, in the days before her eventual acceptance by the RCA label.

Guitar sculptures on Music Row

Leave a comment