'Tunesmithing' to Celebrate Ninth Anniversary on Oct. 3

     NASHVILLE -- "Tunesmithing" will celebrate its ninth anniversary from 7-10 p.m. Oct. 3 (Wednesday) at the Best Western Music Row, 1407 Division St. in Nashville.

     The special show will help kick off the "Independent Music Fest".  Performers will include singer-songwriters Amy Allen, Lisa Aschmann, Joel Atkins, Meredith Blis, Everette Brown, Butterfly, Wil Comstock, Bryan Cumming, Ashley Helms, Lance Hoppen, Les Kerr, Mirka, Nancy Moran & Fett, Max Niederle, Candy Paull, Cornelius "Popcorn" Robertson, Michael Snellenberg, Steve Trinward, Betsy Warren, and Chuck Whiting.

     Comedian Paulina Combow will emcee the show.  Admission is free. Snacks and beverages will be available for purchase. "Tunesmithing" is sponsored by Whiting Publicity & Promotions, Music City Arts Update, and Shine Time Books & Music.

     For more information about the event, call (615) 242-9857, write Tunesmithing@Earthlink.net , or visit http://www.Tunesmithing.com .

(Photo: Lance Hoppen)

'Independent Music Fest' to Spotlight 150 Artists and Songwriters

By Chuck Whiting            

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (August 2012) -- More than 150 performing artists and songwriters from around the world will visit Nashville's Music Row from Oct. 5-7 (Friday-Sunday) for the "Independent Music Fest".

            Performers and songwriters will take the stage along Demonbreun and Division streets from noon-midnight Friday-Sunday at entertainment venues such as Red Rooster and the Music Row Best Western Lounge.

            The Best Western also will host music industry information tables, networking areas, and training sessions from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday-Sunday.  Attendees can receive hands-on advice, critiques and training on topics such as stage presence, the craft of songwriting, recording techniques, publishing, song plugging, contracts, product development, audio podcast development, video production, management, and publicity.  

            The annual "Indie Music Masquerade Gala" will feature costumed dancing from 7 p.m.-midnight on   Oct. 6 (Saturday) in the Music Row Best Western Lounge.  

            Songwriters can introduce their new songs by performing at two special "open mic" stages located between Demonbreun and Division streets.

            "The 'Independent Music Fest' is a wonderful career-building opportunity for artists and songwriters at all levels," said Cornelius "Popcorn" Robertson, founder and coordinator of the festival. "More than 60 community volunteers will donate their time and resources to make this possible.  Shows are open to the public."

            Musical performers will include Billy Arr, Lisa Aschmann, Phil Brown, Jerry Foster, Bobby Keel, Bobby Pizzaz, Denny Sroakin, and Tony Stampley.

            Music industry mentors, exhibitors and sponsors include Kim Copeland Productions, Crowe Entertainment, producer Ron Eckerman (author of the new book "Turn It Up"), Indie Connect, Mind Coup, Musik and Film, Nashville Music Guide, National Media Group, Out of the Box Records, Radio Free Nashville 107.1 LPFM, music industry attorney David Ray, SAE Institute, Tennessee Songwriters Association, Top Notch Entertainment, Treasure Isle Recording, Tri Star Entertainment, and Whiting Publicity & Promotions.

            Festival registration is $150 for three days, $110 for two days, and $60 for one day.  The general public can enjoy three days of live music with a $20 armband.  To register or for more information about the "Independent Music Fest", visit http://www.independentmusicfest.org, send an email inquiry to popcorn@IndependentMusicFest.org, or call (615) 424-1491. 

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'Tunesmithing' to Spotlight Songwriters on Aug. 15

NASHVILLE -- "Tunesmithing Off Music Row" will spotlight professional and emerging songwriters with a show from 7-10 p.m. Aug. 15 (Wednesday) at Taps, 2117 Belcourt Ave. in Hillsboro Village. 


Taking the stage from 7-10 p.m. will be singer-songwriters Gordon Ellis, Brad Howard, Hope Nix, Nicole Scott, and Kristen Voorhies.  Comedian Paulina Combow will emcee the show.  Admission is free. 


"Tunesmithing" is sponsored by Whiting Publicity & Promotions, Music City Arts Update, and Shine Time Books & Music.  For more information about the event, call (615) 242-9857, write Tunesmithing@Earthlink.net, or visit http://www.Tunesmithing.com .

'Tunesmithing' to Feature Casey Kelly on July 18

   "Tunesmithing Off Music Row" will spotlight 10 professional and emerging songwriters with performances from 7-10 p.m. July 18 (Wednesday) at Taps, 2117 Belcourt Ave. in Hillsboro Village. 

   Taking the stage for professional songwriter spotlights from 8-10 p.m. will be singer-songwriters Casey Kelly ("Cowboy Rides Away"/George Strait), LORENA 2 (Diane King and Crystal Miller), Mike Mitchell, and Susan Shann.  An opening guests segment from 7-8 p.m. will feature songwriters Marie Ann Bell, Butterfly, Meghan Saletta, My Little Austrian Friends, and Stacia Watkins.  


   Publicist-educator-author- songwriter Chuck Whitingand comedian Paulina Combow will emcee the show.  Admission is free. "Tunesmithing" is sponsored by Whiting Publicity & Promotions, Music City Arts Update, and Shine Time Books & Music.  


   For more information about the event, call (615) 242-9857, write Tunesmithing@Earthlink.net, or visit http://www.Tunesmithing.com .

Bayou Blues & Jazz Artists to Take Stage on June 20

            NASHVILLE, Tenn. (June 2012) -- "Tunesmithing Off Music Row" will spotlight nine professional and emerging songwriters with a special Bayou Blues and Jazz Night from 7-10 p.m. June 20 (Wednesday) at Taps, 2117 Belcourt Ave. in Hillsboro Village. 

Taking the stage for professional songwriter spotlights from 8-10 p.m. will be singer-songwriters Bryan Cumming (Grammy nominee/"Fab Fan Memories" by The WannaBeatles); Ted Drozdowski (DVD/CD "BIG SHOES: Walking and Talking the Blues"/number five on XM/Sirius Radio's "B.B. King's Bluesville"); Les Kerr ("Mackinac Blues"/NPR's "All Things Considered"); and Mark Robinson ("Quit Your Job -- Play Guitar" CD).  

(Photo: Ted Drozdowski)

An opening guests segment from 7-8 p.m. will feature songwriters Zophia Amey, Julie Delgado, Rocky Dimmick, Haley Georgia, and Kristen Voorhies.  

Publicist-educator-author- songwriter Chuck Whiting and comedian Paulina Combow will emcee the show.  Admission is free. "Tunesmithing" is sponsored by Whiting Publicity & Promotions, Music City Arts Update, and Shine Time Books & Music.  

For more information about the event, call (615) 242-9857, write Tunesmithing@Earthlink.net, or visit http://www.Tunesmithing.com .

'Tunesmithing' Spotlight: Bryan Cumming

Singer-songwriter Bryan Cumming will be one of four blues and jazz artists to perform at "Tunesmithing Off Music Row" on June 20 (Wednesday). The show will occur from 7-10 p.m. at Taps in Hillsboro Village.  Following is more information about Bryan.

Bryan Cumming was raised in Georgia in a musical family, playing Dixieland jazz and singing harmony on Beatles songs. In L.A. from 1976-1988, he worked with a variety of artists, including David Soul, Maria Muldaur, and four years as lead guitarist for ShaNaNa. As a member of Billy Vera & the Beaters, he played on the #1 single "At This Moment."

After moving to Nashville, he toured and recorded with K.T. Oslin and Cleve Francis, while continuing to produce songwriters and independent artists at Studio 23 (www.studio23nashville.com).

As a member of popular Nashville Beatles tribute band The WannaBeatles, he was nominated for a Grammy in 2012, co-producing "Fab Fan Memories - The Beatles Bond." 

'Tunesmithing' Spotlight: Ted Drozdowski

Singer-songwriter Ted Drozdowski will be one of four blues and jazz artists to perform at "Tunesmithing Off Music Row" on June 20 (Wednesday). The show will occur from 7-10 p.m. at Taps in Hillsboro Village.  Following is more information about Ted.

Give Scissormen’s Ted Drozdowski and Matt Snow a guitar, a drum kit and an audience and they will do something you don’t expect — from summoning the ghosts of the Mississippi Delta and hill country to casting a psychedelic trance to standing on top of your table and using every glass, knife, fork, cell phone and dinner plate to play six-string slide and percussion.

Scissormen’s incomparable energy and playful spirit are captured for the 

first time in BIG SHOES: Walking and Talking the Blues, a two-disc set featuring acclaimed roots music documentary film maker Robert Mugge’s movie starring the band and a live audio disc recorded during the February 2010 filming at the historic Key Palace Theater in snowy Red Key, Indiana.

The 90-minute feature is a blend of concert film, road movie, blues history and state-of-the-genre report by the director of such classics as Gospel According to Al Green, Saxophone Colossus (starring Sonny Rollins), Deep Blues and New Orleans Musicians in Exile. BIG SHOES: Walking and Talking the Blues debuted at the 2010 Starz Denver Film Festival and has screened aboard the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, at the Gasparilla Film Festival in Tampa and at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

The BIG SHOES CD is Scissormen’s fifth album. Among the new songs debuted in the disc’s 15 tracks are the movie’s theme song “Big Shoes,” which Scissormen frontman Drozdowski describes as a “blues protest number.” The tune is also a musical journey, starting with basic country blues licks and traveling to a place were the sounds of Africa, the late Junior Kimbrough and Pink Floyd are equally at home. Another new entry is “R.L. Burnside,” a true story of a night Drozdowski spent with the musical mentor who inspired him to found the band 10 years ago, performed as an electric country blues. And there’s “Delta Train,” a ghost story set to a riveting Mississippi stomp.

Both the film and the album feature original Scissormen drummer R.L. Hulsman and were made during a tour that reunited him and Drozdowski. Berklee College of Music graduate Matt Snow joined Scissormen full-time in November 2010, relocating to the band’s Nashville home base to purse his love of Mississippi grooves and to join Drozdowski in forging a shared vision of deeply rooted contemporary American music.

Drozdowski has been on the American blues scene for 30 years. He began writing about the music in the early 1980s, while living in Boston, Massachusetts, and received the Blues Foundation’s Keeping the Blues Alive Award for Journalism in 1998. His work has appeared in Rolling Stone, Guitar World, Musician and dozens of other publications. He has also consulted on film projects including 2000’s “Martin Scorsese Presents: The Blues” PBS-TV series.

All the while he was also an active musician, mostly playing rock and improvised music, notably with the obscure-but-inventive alternative-rock era bands Vision Thing and Devil Gods. Along the way he developed a stunning and unique command of slide guitar playing that straddles the provinces of Elmore James and the late jazz guitarist Sonny Sharrock, another of Drozdowski’s mentors. He toured and made a live album with beat poet and activist John Sinclair, and co-wrote songs with Ronnie Earl that the blues guitar virtuoso cut with Irma Thomas and Kim Wilson. More recently, Drozdowski produced Peter Parcek 3’s 2010 The Mathematics of Love, which received a Blues Music Awards nomination for Best Debut Album.

“I deeply loved blues all that time,” Drozdowski says, “but I believe an artist has to bring something of their own to the table and I just couldn’t find my own voice in trying to play Chicago, Texas or the other prevalent styles. When I started traveling to north Mississippi in the early ’90s and won the friendship of R.L. Burnside, Junior Kimbrough and Jessie Mae Hemphill, slowly a door started to open. As a player, R.L. eventually had to almost shove me through it, but when he did I started to grasp that this was what I was supposed to do with my life.

“What’s wild is that I made my first trip to Junior’s juke joint to hear him and R.L. — who weren’t touring much yet — after seeing Robert Mugge’s film Deep Blues, where their performances blew my mind. So now, being in BIG SHOES: Walking and Talking the Blues brings me full circle. And blows my mind!”

The film also captures what Drozdowski sees as an important part of his and the band’s mission — to reconnect the blues to the present by incorporating contemporary musical elements in Scissormen’s sound and to inform audiences about the music’s historic artists and important roots and ’shoots while entertaining the hell out the broad demographic of fans who’ve seen Scissormen perform anywhere from clubs, coffee shops and theaters to the stages of the Bonnaroo, Cognac Blues Passions and Memphis in May music festivals.

“Like Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Son House, Junior, R.L., Jessie Mae and all the other artists who inspire me, I believe in keeping my feet planted firmly in tradition and keeping my eyes on the future,” Drozdowski says. “Like they believed, and like I sing in ‘Big Shoes,’ ‘the blues ain’t dipped in amber.’ It’s a vital, contemporary art form brimming with power, passion and beauty.”

'Tunesmithing' Spotlight: Mark Robinson

Singer-songwriter Mark Robinson will be one of four blues and jazz artists to perform at "Tunesmithing Off Music Row" on June 20 (Wednesday). The show will occur from 7-10 p.m. at Taps in Hillsboro Village.  Following is more information about Mark.

The story of Mark Robinson is the story of his CD, "Quit Your Job – Play Guitar". After college, Mark moved to Chicago and had the chance to play with some American blues legends, including Lonnie Brooks, Jimmy Johnson, Koko Taylor and Son Seals. When he returned to Bloomington to take a job, he continued to perform with acclaimed Americana acts including Carrie Newcomer, Tom Roznowski, and Bob Cheevers and soul blues artist Tad Robinson.

In 2004, Mark quit his job to play guitar in Nashville. It was the right move. In Music City, Mark has played and recorded with a variety of artists.  He’s also produced and engineered CDs for some of them in his studio. 

Living music full time not only allowed Mark’s playing to reach new heights, it also resulted in a songwriting explosion, singly and with acclaimed co-writers such as Davis Raines and Randy Handley. Mark wrote songs in all genres, especially Americana and blues—and he continued to stretch artistically. The songs on his first solo CD are blues/country-infused, guitar-based roots music. But though he takes his inspiration from many, Mark Robinson is not an imitator. Every song bears his highly personal musical stamp.   

'Tunesmithing' Spotlight: Les Kerr

Singer-songwriter Les Kerr will be one of four blues and jazz artists to perform at "Tunesmithing Off Music Row" on June 20 (Wednesday). The show will occur from 7-10 p.m. at Taps in Hillsboro Village.  Following is more information about Les Kerr.

Mississippi Gulf Coast native Les Kerr combines blues, Gulf Coast and New Orleans influences to create the music he calls “Hillbilly Blues Caribbean Rock & Roll.” A Nashville resident since 1987, Kerr has hosted twenty-one annual Mardi Gras concerts at the Bluebird Café He created and hosts “Original Blues” concerts at the venue, as well, featuring songwriters who focus on blues music.  

His original song Mackinac Blues was included in NPR’s All Songs Considered and Kerr participated in the 2011 Mississippi Songwriters Festival. A three-time Music City Blues Society award nominee, Kerr was nominated for the organization’s Male Vocalist of the Year, Entertainer of the Year and CD of the Year awards.  He was called by OffBeat Magazine of New Orleans, “…a bluesy Johnny Cash,” in a review of his Red Blues CD. 

Lyrics of two of Kerr’s songs, Below the Level of the Sea and New Orleans in the Spring, were included in the New Orleans poetry anthology, Maple Leaf Rag IV.

Highlands of Tennessee, co-written by Kerr and Bryan Cumming, was adopted as the official theme song of the city of Cookeville, Tennessee.

Kerr’s six CDs include his latest, New Orleans Set. As leader of Les Kerr & The Bayou Band, Kerr has performed at Nashville’s Jefferson Street Jazz & Blues Festival, Franklin Jazz Festival, the Southern Festival of Books, and Nashville’s official  July 4 Celebration at Riverfront Park.  He also tours with his band and as a solo performer.  While based in Nashville, Kerr performs periodically in New Orleans, other Gulf Coast locations and throughout the U.S.

Recently, Kerr and his band appeared in Civil War Songs and Stories, a music documentary aired on PBS TV stations nationwide.

'Tunesmithing' to Celebrate Bayou Blues and Jazz on June 20

            NASHVILLE, Tenn. (June 2012) -- "Tunesmithing Off Music Row" will spotlight nine professional and emerging songwriters with a special Bayou Blues and Jazz Night from 7-10 p.m. June 20 (Wednesday) at Taps, 2117 Belcourt Ave. in Hillsboro Village. 

Taking the stage for professional songwriter spotlights from 8-10 p.m. will be singer-songwriters Bryan Cumming (Grammy nominee/"Fab Fan Memories" by The WannaBeatles); Ted Drozdowski (DVD/CD "BIG SHOES: Walking and Talking the Blues"/number five on XM/Sirius Radio's "B.B. King's Bluesville"); Les Kerr ("Mackinac Blues"/NPR's "All Things Considered"); and Mark Robinson ("Quit Your Job -- Play Guitar" CD).  

(Photo: Les Kerr)

An opening guests segment from 7-8 p.m. will feature songwriters Zophia Amey, Julie Delgado, Rocky Dimmick, Haley Georgia, and Kristen Voorhies.  

Publicist-educator-author- songwriter Chuck Whiting and comedian Paulina Combow will emcee the show.  Admission is free. "Tunesmithing" is sponsored by Whiting Publicity & Promotions, Music City Arts Update, and Shine Time Books & Music.  

For more information about the event, call (615) 242-9857, write Tunesmithing@Earthlink.net, or visit http://www.Tunesmithing.com .

Songwriters to Converge on Music Row June 1-3 for 'Nashville Songwriters Festival'

            NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 2012) -- Songwriters from around the world will visit Music City from June 1-3 (Friday-Sunday) for the "Nashville Songwriters Festival on Music Row". 

            More than 400 emerging songwriters will take the stage along Demonbreun and Division from noon-midnight Friday-Sunday at venues such as the Best Western Music Row Lounge, Dan McGuinness Pub, Losers Bar & Grill, Mirkos Pasta & Wine, Red Rooster, Otter's Chicken & Brew, and Winners Bar & Grill. 

            The Best Western Music Row will host music industry booths and training sessions from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday-Sunday. Attendees can receive hands-on advice, critiques and training on topics such as the craft of songwriting, recording techniques, publishing, song plugging, contracts, product development, audio podcast development, video production, management, and publicity. 

            "The 10th annual 'Nashville Songwriters Festival" is moving indoors to accommodate more writers and music venues," said Cornelius "Popcorn" Robertson, founder and coordinator of the event.  "We're expecting songwriters to visit Nashville from as far away as Germany, Ireland and Australia.  All of the shows are open to the general public." 

            Performers will include professional songwriters Charlie Allen, Eric Jerome Brodberg, Alexander Frost, Candice Graham, Gayla Graves, Danny Gravis, Donna Hiley, Bobby Keel, Les Kerr, Lisa Sanders, JD Smith and RB Stone. 

            Festival registration is $150 for three days, $110 for two days, and $60 for one day.  The general public can enjoy three days of live music with a $20 armband.  To register or for more information about the "Nashville Songwriters Festival", visit http://www.songwritersfestival.org, send an email inquiry to popcorn@songwritersfestival.org, or call (615) 424-1491. 

            Music industry trainers, exhibitors and sponsors include National Media Group, SAE Institute, Radio Free Nashville 107.1 LPFM, Treasure Isle Recording, Whiting Publicity & Promotions, and WICB-AM 1680.
           
            Highlights of the festival are 

            *  Music specialty areas for training on all aspects of the music industry from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. daily at the Best Western Music Row.

            *  Songwriter performances from noon-midnight daily at noted venues along Demonbreun and Division.

            *  A "Co-Writers Corner" in a special tent on Music Row.

            *  An "After-Hours Sing Ring" on Music Row.

            *  A "Grand Master" presentation honoring EMI Music songwriter RB Stone at 7:45 p.m. June 1 (Friday) at the Dan McGuinness stage.

            *  A "Lifetime Achievement Award" presentation honoring legendary studio engineer Milan Bogdan at 7:45 p.m. June 2 (Saturday) at the Dan McGuinness stage.

CJ Watson to Perform at 'Tunesmithing' on May 16

NASHVILLE -- "Tunesmithing Off Music Row" will spotlight a dozen professional and emerging songwriters from 7-10 p.m. at Taps, 2117 Belcourt Ave. in Hillsboro Village.  

Taking the stage for professional songwriter spotlights from 8-10 p.m. will be the Leslie Ellis ("Love Is A Mystery"/The Consoulers), the duo Lisa Hannah & Paul Nielsen, Yvonne Smith, and CJ Watson ("Misspent Youth"/James Otto). 


(Photo: CJ Watson)


An opening segment from 7-8 p.m. will feature Gordon Ellis, Hope Nix, Cornelius "Popcorn" Robertson, and Nicole Scott.  


Publicist-educator-author-songwriter Chuck Whiting and comedian Paulina Combow will emcee the show.  Admission is free. "Tunesmithing" is sponsored by Whiting Publicity & Promotions, Music City Arts Update, and Shine Time Books & Music.  


For more information about the event, call (615) 242-9857, write Tunesmithing@Earthlink.net, or visit http://www.Tunesmithing.com .

Final Lineup Announced for April 18th 'Tunesmithing Off Music Row'

NASHVILLE (April 2012) -- "Tunesmithing Off Music Row" will spotlight 11 professional and emerging songwriters from 7-10 p.m. April 18 (Wednesday) at Belcourt Taps & Tapas, 2117 Belcourt Ave. in Hillsboro Village.

Taking the stage for professional songwriter spotlights will be Deborah Bishop, Ashley Helms, David Llewellyn & Ida Kristin, and Pete & Pat Luboff ("Trust Me"/Snoop Dogg).

(Photo: Pete & Pat Luboff by Chuck Whiting)

"Open Mic" guests will be AJ Bigler, Dustin Mitchell, Mike Rodgers, Thomas Turner and Kelsey Wells.

Publicist-educator-composer Chuck Whiting and comedian Paulina Combow will emcee the show.  Admission is free. "Tunesmithing" is sponsored by Whiting Publicity & Promotions, Music City Arts Update, and Shine Time Books & Music.

For more information about the event, call (615) 242-9857, write Tunesmithing@Earthlink.net, or visit http://www.Tunesmithing.com .

'Tunesmithing' to Feature Pete & Pat Luboff on April 18

    NASHVILLE (March 2012) – The next "Tunesmithing Off Music Row" will occur at Belcourt Taps and Tapas, 2117 Belcourt Ave (across from the Belcourt Theatre) from 7-10 p.m. April 18 (Wednesday). 

    Performers will be professional songwriters Pete & Pat Luboff, David Llewellyn & Ida Kristin, Ashley Helms, and Deborah Bishop. The monthly event will feature an hour-long "open mic" and four 25-minute sets spotlighting emerging and hit songwriters. 

    You can sign up for the "open mic" in advance by e-mailing us at Tunesmithing@earthlink.net .  Stay on top of “Songwriting News” at http://www.MusicCityArtsUpdate.com .


Photo: Pete & Pat Luboff

'Tunesmithing' to Feature a Dozen Songwriters on March 21

NASHVILLE -- "Tunesmithing Off Music Row" will spotlight a dozen professional and emerging songwriters from 7-10 p.m. March 21 (Wednesday) at Belcourt Taps & Tapas, 2117 Belcourt Ave. in Hillsboro Village.  


Taking the stage for professional songwriter spotlights will be Lisa Aschmann, Rand Bishop, Lance Hoppen, and Nancy Moran & Fett.  "Open mic" guests will be Bishop Davidson, Paige Evans, Timothy Flynn, Brad Howard, Ashley Helms, and Antionette Olesen. Publicist-educator-composer Chuck Whiting and comedian Paulina Combow will emcee the show.  


Admission is free. "Tunesmithing" is sponsored by Whiting Publicity & Promotions, Music City Arts Update, and Shine Time Books & Music.  For more information about the event, call (615) 242-9857, write Tunesmithing@Earthlink.net, or visit http://www.Tunesmithing.com .

Sign Up for Tunesmithing's New 'Open Mic'!

"Tunesmithing Off Music Row" in Nashville is offering a wonderful opportunity for emerging songwriters who need exposure. We are now offering a one-hour-long "open mic" as part of our free monthly songwriters showcase. Interested? You can sign up to play two songs by leaving a message here or contacting us at Tunesmithing@earthlink.net. Sign-ups are on a first-come, first-served basis.

Our next "Tunesmithing" will occur from 7-10 p.m. March 21 (Wednesday).  The "open mic" segment will run from 7-8 p.m.

We've already signed up the duo Bishop Davidson and Brad Howard.  So, act fast!

Congratulations to...

Nashville film and TV composer Greg Sims, who penned the underscore and re-produced nine of the 10 songs for "The Lion of Judah" Blu-ray 3D Pack, which is set for release on March 27. International Film Music Critics Association founder Mikael Carlsson wrote that the composer's score is "absolutely dazzling... thematically rich and expertly orchestrated with exciting action and stunning beauty." Read the full story at http://www.MusicCityArtsUpdate.com .

'Tunesmithing' to Return on March 21

NASHVILLE (February 2012) – "Tunesmithing Off Music Row" will celebrate its return with a big opening at Belcourt Taps and Tapas, 2117 Belcourt Ave (across from the Belcourt Theatre) from 7-10 p.m.

Performers will be Rand Bishop, Lance Hoppen, Lisa Aschmann, and Nancy Moran & Fett. The monthly event will feature an hour-long "open mic" and four 25-minute sets spotlighting emerging and hit songwriters.

You can sign up for the "open mic" in advance by e-mailing us at Tunesmithing@earthlink.net .

(Photo: Lisa Aschmann)