Tag Archives: music industry

nashville, review

“Nashville” impressed me

2 Comments

Last night, ABC debuted its new drama, “Nashville.” It’s been filmed around town the last several months, and buzz has been… well… mixed. Some have been excited. It did, after all, bring around 300 jobs to the city. Most have been skeptical. I have been strongly in the second group.

I watch music videos filmed here in Nashville and poke holes in them. (“Come ON! Those two streets do not meet at all! He couldn’t turn from one onto the other. Really!?”) I read news articles about the music industry here, and I cringe. It’s all either “the machine” talking, telling everyone what they want to hear, or people who hate “the machine” bashing the Nashville music scene without ever coming here to see what all it has to offer.

So last night, I set the DVR and went out. I wasn’t sure I was ready to watch it. I wasn’t sure I’d even bother. But when I glanced at my twitter feed not long after the show started, I saw it blowing up with praise… praise from people just as cynical as I am. Hmmm…

I got home, and immediately hit play. My husband and I both ready to poke holes in the plot, in the filming, in the storyline, in the music…

What happened after I hit play really surprised me. I. Was. Impressed. Clearly the writers had done their homework into the music industry. Or, correction, the music BUSINESS — where its less about art and more about money. My husband and I sat in stunned silence. I had goosebumps a couple times. They literally NAILED it.

The shots of the city I love so much were absolutely gorgeous. I have to admit, it was weird to see my city on the TV screen. The streets I drive every day. The skyline I can’t take enough pictures of every chance I get. Backstage of the Opry. I was blown away over and over again.

Finally, I was amazed to see faces I knew in real life. Musicians doing their job, but on the screen… not playing on Letterman or Leno… not playing on an awards show. On a TV drama. They hired real-life musicians right here in Nashville to play musicians! No fake actors who wouldn’t know a mandolin from a steel guitar.

I could only poke a few holes in the show, and they were minor.

One, unless they’ve put some rehearsal spaces on 3rd or 4th that I don’t know about, you’re not going to take a walk on the Shelby Street footbridge after a stressful rehearsal. (The only rehearsal spaces I know of are a few miles away from that bridge.) Oh, and an afternoon beer at Tootsies? Uhm. Doubtful. (Maybe a Tin Roof 2 or Losers… but not at Tootsies. Sorry.)

Another was there not being enough people signed up to sing at the Blue Bird Cafe. I about spewed my drink at that one.

Finally, we don’t all hang out at home in Loveless Cafe shirts. Blatant “product placement” was impossible to miss. I don’t have anything against the shirt! I just… no.

But seriously! These were my only complaints! That’s IT! I’m actually excited for next week, to see what is next to come.

Now, I will respond to a couple comments I’ve seen or heard…

First off, you’re not going to get a full feel for the expansive music scene we have here. This show is focused on the country music industry specifically. And honestly? C’mon. Tell me its not what you think of first when you hear about Nashville. You can call it cliche or you can just say they’re embracing what helped make this city what it is today. (Besides, remember, this is a TV drama along the lines of “Dallas” back in the day. They didn’t follow the stories of other ranches at the same time… )

But the fact does remain, this city is SO diverse… Did you know rock bands like Matchbox Twenty come here to record? Did you know we have a full and rich rock scene? What about Americana, bluegrass, jazz and blues? Because we do. Texas Music fans… you can bash us all you want, but the fact remains many Texas acts record here. And if you would ever bother to come visit and check out some of the writer’s nights here, you’d find a lot of like-minded writers and musicians hanging around.

It’s a Faith vs Taylor storyline… uhmmm… no. I wouldn’t doubt that the characters are loosely based off of the various “country divas” in the industry, but in my opinion they’ve already set their story lines to be totally original, and I can’t wait to see how their personalities and stories flush out.

The show took second in its time slot according to preliminary Nielson ratings (but it lead in the coveted 18-49 demographics).

10 p.m. ET

CBS: “CSI” (10.6 million, 7.0/11)
ABC: “Nashville” series premiere (9 million, 6.1/10)
NBC: “Chicago Fire” series premiere (6.4 million, 4.3/7)

18-49 leader: “Nashville” (2.8)

Source.

I’m excited about it! I’m really happy to say that… I just hope they take care going forward to remain true to the city, the industry and the characters they’ve already introduced to us. I know I’ll be tuning in next Wednesday!

Favorite lines from the show:

“I’m just naturally suspicious of anyone that confident.”

“We’ve all had failures. Don’t let yours define you; let them refine you.”

“Thank God for auto-tune.”

 

concerts, road-stories

Show Stories — The Tennessee River Run

4 Comments

I’ve attended a lot of concerts, but there are just certain shows I still want to attend. Just a few examples: I’d like to go to Ziegfest in College Station, Texas, some day. I’d love to see The Wolf’s Den at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT. And, believe it or not, it kills me to miss the many county fairs back home in Texas each year.

This last weekend, I got to scratch one concert event off my “concert bucket list.” The Tennessee River Run. I’ve always wanted to go, and on Sunday I got to be there to see my husband play it with his artist.

Our day started super-early. My husband was driving the bus to the show, so we left our house a little after 4:30 am. It is a little over half an hour drive to the bus lot, and after picking up the bus, I followed my husband down to where we would meet everyone else.

Once everyone was loaded up, we made the three-hour drive to Savannah, TN. (I followed the bus in my truck.) What a BEAUTIFUL drive!! I’d love to make that drive again just for fun. We’d dip down into hollows, then climb back up to where I’d feel my ears pop. All while keeping my eyes on the back of the bus trailer.

As we got close to the Pickwick State Park, hundreds of motorcycles started coming at us. I read around 1,000 bikes went on a Motorcycle Poker Run. It was incredible to see! If I’d not been driving, I’d have taken a video of it.

We pulled around to the stage, and immediately saw several friends already sound checking. Part of the fun for this show was that my husband and I have dear friends in other bands that performed that night. As soon as we got parked, it was hugs all around.

I joked with a couple of our friends, “What? We have to drive three hours to see you these days!?” I’ve even seen friends for the first time in ages at shows in Texas… when everyone is hitting the road hard, you literally do have to travel to a show to see your friends. Nashville can become a ghost town (in the musician’s world.)

My husband helped off load the trailer and then sound checked.  While he did this, I meandered around taking in the beauty of the park. It was sooo peaceful and once I got in one small area of trees, even the thump of music coming from sound check faded away.

Once he was all set up, my husband and I went over to catering for a bite to eat. After a quick lunch, we went and grabbed our bags. I’d packed a change of clothes, and my husband had his show clothes to change into. We went over to catch a ride to the hotel from the runner.

A “runner” is the person and vehicle used to carry band and crew members to the hotel from the venue. Sometimes that ride includes trips to a store or a restaurant. (I’ve even been along with my husband when the runner gave us a ride to a liquor store!)

This time, our runner was a PONTOON BOAT.

Best. Runner. Ever.

The hotel was just across a little cove from the backstage area. So, we hopped on a boat and cruised across the water to another dock where we got off and went to a hotel that did not have a room with a bad view. It was made to where every room over looked the river. I didn’t think my husband and I would get any sleep wanting to over look the water!

However, we were both exhausted, and it didn’t take us too long to both fall into a deep sleep. We slept a little over four hours before getting up to shower and get dressed for the show. The second act was already on stage, and my husband had about half an hour before his show by the time we caught the runner back.

A quick (delicious) dinner of barbecue, and off to the stage we went.

As the band took the stage, I slipped out into the crowd to take a few pictures. I walked all the way around the crowd to watch from the back, then pushed my way to front of the stage to snag a couple close-up shots. I made my way back to backstage, and I spent the rest of the show standing side stage.

Almost all of the band had family in attendance, and my husband’s artist made sure to give every single one of us a shout-out. I have to admit, it always makes me smile when that happens.

Their set and encore seemed to just fly by, and I was sad to see their time on stage end. I do love their show…

But, as the show ended and the band tore down their gear to make way for the headliner, my next priority took center stage. I bolted to my truck to tune in to my college football game — just in time to hear the winning touchdown.

If anyone was there, I was the crazy girl jumping up and down beside a pick-up backstage… doing my own version of a touchdown dance.

I had been told the band would be leaving immediately after their show, instead of staying until the end. So as soon as my husband had finished tearing down his gear and he got the bus moved to be ready to leave, we caught the runner back to the hotel to get our bags and so my husband could change into more comfortable clothes to drive through the night.

We got back just in time to find out we would NOT be leaving after all. So, my husband shut down the bus. I shut off my truck (that I had already pulled up behind the bus), and we went to watch the show from side stage.

It was fun to watch our friends at work, and the show was great! I, personally, was tickled pink to stay and see the rest of the concert. Like I said in the beginning, I’ve always wanted to attend the River Run.

As soon as the last song ended, and the backstage barricades came down, we were in our rides getting a police escort out of the park. The three-hour drive home began.

I talked to my Mom for much of the drive, as I stuck close behind that bus. However, in some of the areas, I lost all cell service and would have to call her back.

As we got closer to Nashville, I peeled off the interstate to head home. My husband was headed to another show the next day.

I talked to him off and on through the night as he drove to Bristol, TN. Another day and night, another few dollars. As everyone says, “Livin’ the dream.”

I had a wonderful time, though, and I am so happy to be able to say I’ve been to the Tennessee River Run. Next year is its 10th anniversary, and I wouldn’t mind going again! We will see, of course, but its fun to think about.