MUSIC CITY 2009

There's one thing about Nashville.... you have to try really hard to find bad music. Anywhere you turn, there is a singer belting their hearts out trying to make it in the music industry. Whether your fancy is country to rock - you can find it here! There are few things I love more - ok, maybe I love other things a lot more - than live music. Any chance I get, I go to see a live show. It could be at a dive little listening venue or a huge production at the Sommet Center.

Justin and I have been taking every advantage of the live music aspect of the Music City before has starts back to school :( on Thursday.

Last Friday night, we were so lucky to be offered FREE tickets to see Julianne Hough, Rodney Adkins, and Montgomery Gentry at the Sommet Center! Now, I'm not the biggest fan of any of these artist's - however, they put on a great show! We went with several of our friends and had a blast.

Chad and me.

Chad, Tiff and Jay

Ah, we had a blast!

The "Blue Drink" had Justin wound up - he was quoted saying, "This is the best thing that's ever happened to me!" Priceless!

Sunday Night, we were invited to hear a friend of a friend play at the Bluebird Cafe.

The Bluebird Cafe has gained a reputation worldwide for presenting the best original country and acoustic music seven nights a week. Performers do not generally play "cover" songs. Musicians do not jam here, and songwriters frequently are accompanied by just one guitar or piano.

As a listening room, quiet is requested at all times during a performance - which is why our slogan has become "Shhh!" You are welcome to drink and eat with us at any time, but if you are looking for an evening of conversation there are more appropriate places in Nashville. Between the sets you will undoubtedly have plenty to talk about!

New writers who have passed our audition process can be heard every Sunday night - it's a great opportunity to hear from tomorrow's hitmakers. Writers night on Sunday is free and we have a special guest hit songwriter as the finale every Sunday.

We throughly enjoyed hearing Dustin Lynch play his debut show at the Bluebird Cafe! He's such a talented singer/songwriter and Justin and I cannot wait to go see him again soon! The famous guest artist that we saw was the writer of the hit country song "Austin."

Monday night, Meggan and I went to Douglas Corner - another "listening room" - to hear my long time friend Travis Meadows do a showcase of his new band and music. My cousin Seth and his soon-to-be wifey, Angela came too!

Singer Songwriter Travis Meadows writes about life the only the way he knows it, a bittersweet well of love, irony, anger, pain, healing and happiness. They are the kind of honest songs that reach beyond perfect words and chords to reveal the reality of what life is really like. Through the artistry of his poetic lyrics, he balances good with bad and love with pain.

Well-known among songwriter's circles in Nashville, Travis is an unforgettable performer whose well crafted songs and raw vocal ability have won him the attention of fans in some of Nashville’s more popular live venues. In part, it was his commanding performances that landed him a coveted songwriting contract with Universal Music Publishing Group in 2005, who invited him to join their celebrated list of songwriters, some of the best in the world. Having already received numerous accolades for his songwriting, including a 2001 ASCAP award and eight Top 20 hit singles in the Christian market, joining with Universal was a natural progression.

I always enjoy getting to hear him and my favorite song of his is "Black" - you should check it out!

Whew - it's been a great week for live music for me this week! Tonight - Justin and I plan to build a fire and enjoy our last night before classes start back tomorrow. Good luck, honey!