Music City Scene

I'm late in getting this interview posted.  I didn't want to wait... so here is the episode.  I will update the show notes later. This is the best interview MCS has had to date. Thank you to the Hi-Jivers!!!

In this episode, Earle Nelson from Quinlan, TX tells his story.  Starting in the 70's as a performer at the legendary, Great American Food and Beverage Company... seriously... check this place out, it is legendary.  Earle Nelson only started pursuing his dream of writing songs that other artists covet and live performance in the last 4 years.  In all honesty, based on this conversation, Earle Nelson has had a creative mind his entire life but the goal of raising his family made him make other choices along the way.  While over the years he has had some good starts at finding outlets to pursue his creativity, he really put on hold his dream to perform.  In 2016, Earle left a corporate job, downsized his life and started pursuing music as a career.  He moved from Philadelphia to Quinlan, TX and jumped in with both feet.Since that time, he hasn't wasted anytime as he has honed his skills anywhere he could find to work out the kinks... from New York City to Austin, TX and many places in between.  He's the Austin-Nashville-Philadelphia traveling artist.  Based on our experience in the interview, Earle Nelson does not wait for things to happen... he makes them happen.  He's living life to pursue his passion and he wastes no time in moving to go get what he wants. Music City Scene went to see Earle perform at the Commodore Grill on July 27th.  Unfortunately, the live recordings of Earle's performance didn't make it to the podcast, as someone (Tony) accidentally didn't save those files.  Instead, we have 3 songs from Earle's YouTube page that are in this podcast:Quiet Desperation @ 13:35Daddy I'm Sorry @ 47:35Nothing But Your Love To Wear @ 1:27:20 Earle has stories in his life that will work well with songwriting and performing.  In 4 years of pursuing his dream, he's probably done enough work that most people would take 10 years to do.  To watch him perform, you would think he has been doing this for quite some time.  His influences are John Cougar Mellencamp (tongue in cheek, listen to the interview), but the one that he did cite for real... was Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks. One thing is for sure, Earle has life experiences and a creativity where he will have material that he can use to write for years to come.  He's passionate and he knows what is important in life.  As a thinker, a watcher, and observer... he's pursuing his dream and having a great time doing it.  MSC wishes him much success and we look forward to catching up with Earle again. Where can you find Earle Nelson: Facebook - Earle NelsonFacebook - Earle Nelson and the Broken PromisesEarleNelson.com  

Guest co-host this week, Jennifer Jenkins. Tennessee right now… Covid19… 93,936 cases… 38,000 active death toll @ 967; Party Busses that serve alcohol have been ordered to close; Bars and Restaurants  that serve alcohol ordered to close at 10pm; places like Commodore Grill and The Listening Room… where you can hear songwriters in the round are open with restrictions reducing capacity. Sucking On A Chili Dog Segment Marathon Village and Motor works located on the corner of 12th Ave North and Clinton Street - west/nw of downtown, 5 min uber.  www.marathonvillage.netIf you come to Nashville - one place you have to visit is Marathon - it is a stop on all the trolly tours.Everything is handicap accessible here, there is FOOD, and there is plenty of parking - free on the street or $10 in the lotThis is a destination.  If you come here, you will spend several hours.Places here that are noteworthyFirst… the MOTORWORKSAntique Archieology, Jack Daniels Store and many others.  There is music at both of these locations from time to time, check internet pages.Third Coast Comedy Club (www.thirdcoastcomedy.club)Food - deli, bang candy, coffee, wineDistilleries:  Corsair (https://www.corsairdistillery.com/), Tennessee Legend, and Nelson's Green Brier Distillery/Belle Meade Bourbon (https://greenbrierdistillery.com/)Marathon Music Works (www.Marathonmusicworks.com)Private events, fundraisers, concerts, festivals…Wizards Beer Festival (Aug 14)Yacht Rock Revue (70/80's tribute band) Sept 4.Ticket events just restatted.  Their schedule doesn't kick back in solid until September/October  OLD TIME FEELING - Guy Clark.   Born, Monahan, TX - 1941 - 2016 (http://guyclark.com/)Folk Singer, Country, Singer-Songwriter - released more than 20 albumsRecorded covered by:  Jerry Jeff Walker, Jimmy Buffett, Kathy Mattea, Lyle Lovett, Ricky Skaggs, Steve Wariner, Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle, Johnny Cash, Will Nelson, Brad Paisley, .2014 Grammy for best folk album:  My Favorite Picture of YouOn his passing, the NYTimes - called him "a King of the Texas Troubadours".What got me into Guy Clark?  Someone introduced me to the album - "Together at the BlueBird Café" - in-the-round concert with Steve Earle, Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark - PURE GOLD!  Recorded in Sept. 1995 this album shows a true bond between these three artists.To understand Guy Clark and this genre… that some describe at … go back and watch the 1976 documentary film - "Heart Worn Highways". https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0405963/IN the about of HWH… it describes these guys as the founders of the Outlaw Country movement. All these guys are visionaries who either wrote songs for or have been covered by artist from different genres all over the world… in numerous languages: rock singers/country/pop… etc…(Rodney Crowell - Shame on the Moon, Bob Seger), Townes - If I Needed You - COVERED BY 61 different Artists - "Dashboard Confessional"… Dashboard Confessional - If I Needed You. Look at American rock/alternative country today… people like Ryan Adams, Jay Farrar… and bands that they were in like Whiskeytown, SonVolt, Uncle Tupelo… all have some of this "Outlaw Country".In the Heart Worn Highways documentary, you have:David Allan Coe… prison, mamas, trucks…Charlie Daniels… the devil went down to Georgia…Steve Young… 7 Bridges RoadGamble Rogers… comedy folk countryLarry John Wilson - Ohoopee River BottomlandTownes Van Zandt - STUD… song-writer, Pancho and Lefty (Willie)… and many others… probably one the best songwriters to ever live… could have been better than Dylan.  1996… Sonic Youth drummer, Steve Shelley - tried to record TVZ… drunk, fell, broke hip and in Jan 1, 1997… died.Guy Clark… performs LA Freeway… and several others.Also, a 2015 film, Heart Worn Highways Revisited...

No interview this week... opening remarks -  WEAR A MASK!!! Guest co-host this week, Jennifer Jenkins. Sucking On A Chili Dog Segment  (click link to see what this is about, and listen to the episode for further explanation)Restaurants in Germantown and Salemtown that are open today (the linked locations have music)Von Elrod'sRolf and DaughtersBearded Iris Brewing Company Farmer's Market with multiple venues (for food and music)Jonathan's Grill312 PizzaBig Al's DeliThe Local Distro - SalemtownJack BrownsGrillshackVeggie VillageGermantown PubMonell's (a true Nashville gem)City House312 Pizza 5th and TaylorMother's RuinSteadfast CoffeeBarista ParlorWaldo'sJuice BarVui's KitchenHenrietta RedSaint StephenTailor NashvilleButchertownO-Ku SushiThe OptimistSamarai SushiThe GoatA few that are closed due to the tornado and covid, but we hope will be back soon… SiloGermantown CaféThe Red BicycleNeighbors Bar and GrillGeistSedona TaphouseThird and HomeThe Back Corner @ 5th and TaylorBrooklyn BowlSmokehouse on 6thObviously with the tornado and covid hitting in March - right now G-town is fluid… there is constant change, but it has a lot to offer even today and when we get back to the new normal... we will be back.Artist Spotlight SegmentTyler Childers, Paintsville, KY - 1991, country, bluegrass, folk2011 first album with his back-up band "The Food Stamps"Success 2017 with Sturgill Simpson (Rolling Stone - top 50 albums in 2014 @ 18, NPR's 50 Fav 2014, later, "Best Country Album" grammy in 2017 with "A Sailor's Guide to Earth")  produced album "Purgatory" recorded at The Butcher Shop in Nashville2020 Grammy Nominee, Feb 2020, played 4 nights of sold out shows at the RymanCheck out Tyler Childers.Dead Man's Curve

In this episode, Craig Morrison, Australia to Nashville transplant in 2011 tells his story.  Growing up in a family who was in the entertainment business, Craig was in the entertainment business as early as his pre-teen years and has had a interesting journey to get where he is today.  While most kids were playing sports or going camping on the weekends – Craig was performing in malls during holidays and weekends with singing and dancing groups in the 1980’s.  In the late 80’s, he was in a movie (Mull – 1989) and had a band called De Mont (think 80's hair band, Tesla, Skid Row, Motley Crue) By 1989 his career was rising and things were happening.  His band De Mont broke up (in the early 90’s) Craig took a hiatus from the entertainment business and built a successful marketing company. Having had past success, in the 2000’s Craig revived his career.  After relaunching a successful career in country music in Australia, Craig relocated his family to Nashville in 2011.  Since moving to the Music City, Craig continues to hone his craft, perform live, and write songs. For more info on Craig go to:http://craigmorrisonmusic.com/Craig_Morrison_2016/HOME.htmlhttps://www.facebook.com/CraigMorrisonMusic/https://www.youtube.com/craigmorrisonmusichttps://www.instagram.com/craigmorrisonmusic/https://twitter.com/ImCraigMorrisonhttps://www.reverbnation.com/craigmorrisonmusicThis episodes intros at around the 5 minute mark with,  “Phone Call (Boom Boom)” – GREAT SONG, awesome song.  Hear about his father, Lucky Starr who was the first to record the song, “I’ve Been Everywhere”, (1962) written by Aussie, Geoff Mack.  When Craig and I talked about his 80’s band, Demont – I didn’t think much about it, till I Googled the band and came across this!!!  “I Want Your Body”… YES!!!  I felt like I was back in my dorm room at the University of Missouri in 1990.  How did this band not make it BIG in America?  Today, Craig’s hair is just a bit shorter than it was when he was in De Mont and he’s taken more of the role of family man and putting a lot of thought in his life and his music.  There is no doubt that his life experiences lend well to where he is in his career.  Check him out… GREAT STUFF.  At the 1 hour mark, Craig performs a song called, “Your Voice”.  After watching this version on YouTube… I realized that Craig and I didn’t get into his service with “Musicians On Call” – we will definitely get more into Musicians on Call in future episodes and I expect MCS will invite Craig back in the future to discuss what’s new as well as updates about Musicians On Call.  In wrapping up the interview, the outro is Craig’s song “Three Trees”, once again – an awesome song with a lot of thought put into it.  Give Craig a listen, I think you will find a diverse and deep  style in everything he does.Additional Craig Morrison links:Inside Music Row, 2012Little Cowboys/Losin’ It, 2008Take Me Home, Country Roads, 2013 @ Margaritaville, NashvilleDrivin’ My Life Away, 2013 @ Margaritaville, NashvillePlaying at the Second Fiddle, 2013, NashvilleHot Kinda Love, 2011De Mont, Strange World, 1989Christmas Is, w/Sarah Micheaa, 2018

Season 1, Episode 2 of Music City Scene.  In this episode, our guest, Ronnie Crutcher has been a professional musician for most of his life and has been a professional musician on the Music City Scene since 1995.  Ronnie has had the opportunity to play with many awesome musicians, including a several year stint with Brian Setzer.  For the about the past 15 years, he has been in the Nashville Rockabilly band Hillbilly Casino.   When Nashville is OPEN (as we are still partially open due to Covid), you can find Ronnie and Hillbilly Casino playing on Friday nights from 10-close at Layla’s Bluegrass Inn on Honky Tonk Row on Broadway and on Saturday nights in the Gulch area of Nashville playing at Sambuca.  For more info on Ronnie and Hillbilly Casino go to:Ronnie Crutcher:https://www.facebook.com/ronnie.crutcher.1Hillbilly Casino: https://www.facebook.com/TheHillbillyCasinohttps://www.instagram.com/hillbillycasino/Ronnie is a talented musician.  He plays the guitar, banjo, harmonica, mandolin, and upright bass.  If you have not checked out his music, reach out to Ronnie through his Facebook page and get a copy of the Crutchero CD.  Check him out on Facebook as he and his clones, the Los Crutcherosos perform your favorites, like this classic from the movie, O’Father Where Art Thou, and the song, A Man of Constant Sorrow.  Since the Covid quarantine of social distancing and musicians unable to play in front of live audiences, you can see Ronnie perform on FaceBook live.  Here’s a past recording from May 30th.  Keep an eye on Ronnie’s FaceBook posts for the next live event!  If you live in the Nashville area and are looking for a great music teacher for guitar, banjo, harmonica, mandolin, or upright bass – REACH OUT TO RONNIE through FACEBOOK MESSENGER. Enjoy this interview with Ronnie, that brings you stories of his life as a professional musician which has brought him a lot of unique experiences in many corners of the world. Songs by Ronnie Crutcher from this episode: 0-1:00, the Intro/Opening to Music City Scene, “It’s a Scorcher Out There” from the Crutchero Album6:23 “Two for Flinchin” from the Crutchero Album30:56 “It’s a Scorcher Out There” from the Crutchero Album1:00:28 “It’s a Scorcher Out There” from the Crutchero Album1:17:40 You hear a live version of the once coined “Dia De Los Muertos” or for those non-spanish speakers, “The Day of the Dead” that Ronnie finally landed on naming this production “Crutchero” from the Crutchero Album.1:30:30 Ronnie plays us out with a live instrumental “Sleep Walk” originally written, recorded and released in 1959 by brothers Santo and Johnny Farina… a song that has been covered by some fo the greatest musicians in the world. Additional Ronnie Crutcher links:The Mo’ Slim Stompers - “80085” Featuring Ronnie Crutcher from Hillbilly Casino (Quaranstream): April 2020Hot Rod Walt and The Psycho DeVilles with Special Guest Ronnie Crutcher from Hillbilly Casino: July 2014Hillbilly Casino - Toss, Turn, & Roll: October 2016Ronnie Crutcher - I Go Smoking: December 2017Hillbilly Casino performing"Get Rhythm (TheHumptyDance)" LIVE at VNUKS! in Cudahy Wisconsin: November 2009Hillbilly Casino - The Hole: August 2009Hillbilly Casino - Big Dan - Live at The White Lightning Run 2014: August 2014Hillbilly Casino and Benny from the Tip Singing "Hot for Teacher" at Martyrs: May 2015Ronnie Crutcher and Sheldon Ziro Harmonica: April 2015 Check out Ronnie Crutcher and Hillbilly Casino a great experience!

This is the inaugural episode of Music City Scene.  In this episode, our guest, left handed guitar playing and gifted songwriter Marc-Alan Barnette recounts his 40+ years as an independent musician.  As a first interview for us, this was easy, Marc's stories are unbelievably interesting and give you a great insight to what a life well lived in the music business is about.  For more info on Marc, go to:Marc's WebsiteMarc's Facebook (Marc performs on FaceBook Live every Monday and Friday @ 10am central time)Marc's music takes a little bit of everything from classic rock, southern rock, funk, folk, country and more.  The one thing that we found that characterizes Marc, especially in his "A Life Well Lived" release is a deep blue-eyed soul sound (you can find and purchase music on his website).  He has written over 3,000 songs over his career.  He has opened for the bands like, Toby Keith, Frankie Ballard, Restless Heart, Amy Grant and many others.  On his first night in Nashville in 1988 he scored his first cut with the artist, Shelby Lynne (who went on to win a Grammy in 2008).  Marc is a quintessential professional artist who comes across like he was born to entertain.  You can find him playing around town in Nashville as Marc-Alan Barnette the independent musician at places like Whiskey Bent Saloon, The BlueBird Cafe, and The Commodore Bar and Grill, among many others.  If you are really lucky, you might have the opportunity to see Marc performing with Dangerous Dan and the Funk Town Horns, click here to go to the website and check the schedule.In 2000, after 12 years on the Nashville music scene, Marc continued to write music (as he does today) and added teaching as a Performer and Songwriting Coach to his already impressive resume.  If you have interest in staking your claim in the Music City, reach out to Marc as he works with people like you by introducing you to the Music City Scene by providing tours and writers clinics.We hope you enjoy this interview with Marc, that brings you stories of his life, well lived in Nashville and the music business.Songs by Marc-Alan Barnette from this episode as well as video links to other recordings:At 9:49 in this episode hear and excerpt of "Can't Blame Nobody But Me".  Friday, August 9th, 2013 at the Von Braun Center, Huntsville Alabama as part of Jim Parker's Songwriter Series: YouTube VideoAt 1:15:00 in this episode hear an excerpt of "Red Hot Passion".  Recorded at The Local, Nashville, TN, July 20th, 2018:  YouTube VideoAt 2:00:00 in this episode hear Marc perform "Tables and Chairs" in the Music City Scene studio.  July 10th, 2016 "Tables and Chairs" Is a song about being a songwriter and the sacrifice each songwriter must make. Brilliantly performed by Marc Alan Barnette at the Pavilion Coffee House in Nashville, TN:  YouTube VideoAt 2:34:30 in this episode hear "That's the Time I Think of You".  Official music video, July, 2019:  YouTube Video Additional MAB links:"Too Much Blood in My Alcohol Level" - written by Marc-Alan Barnette & Wood Newton; performance by Marc-Alan Barnette, Friday, August 9th, 2013 at the Von Braun Center, Huntsville Alabama as part of Jim Parker's Songwriter Series:  YouTube Video"The Hard Way" - Performed at The Bluebird in Nashville, TN. Written with Scott Southworth:  YouTube Video"Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is" - performed by Dangerous Dan and the Funktown Horns:  YouTube VideoWe could include a ton more as this rabbit hole is like the energizer bunny... it keeps going and going and going... but this gets you a very good idea of WHO MARC-ALAN BARNETTE is - ENJOY!