MusicCircle Storyteller Series

by Holly Marie Tong

Being a good songwriter often means that you are also a good storyteller. These two creative talents seem to consistently walk together hand in hand interchangeably. Every great song contains an interesting story. Likewise every great story can be translated into a commercial song. While it is undoubtedly entertaining to watch a successful artist perform the material that has been written for them, nothing can replace the deep and personable significance of watching the writer perform their famous creation and telling the story behind their inspiration. If you are among the majority who appreciates Nashville songwriters, both the established and the emerging, I highly recommend you attend the remaining events of the MusicCircle Storytellers Series that is currently taking place. Each Friday night they are continuing to feature a hit songwriter that presents the stories behind your favorite songs that they have personally written. Each hit songwriter is joined by one of Nashville’s most raved about rising talents, forming a creative pair and a fun filled evening every time.
Among those that have recently been featured are Rivers Rutherford and Billy Dawson, Chuck Cannon and Mason Douglas, Aaron Barker and Lainey Edwards, and Clay Mills and Lauren Rainey. While we are about to enter week 5 of the event, you still have the opportunity to get in on this must see series. Whether your favorite song was recorded by Brad Paisley or Kenny Chesney, you just may be able to not only see it be performed by the writer, but you may also possibly hear the story behind it. The remaining schedule is as follows:
November 5: Kent Blazy and Spencer Tenney. Interestingly Kent is the co-writer behind not one but several of Garth Brook’s biggest smash hits that paved his way to superstardom, including his first #1 hit “If Tomorrow Never Comes.” Kent’s most recent #1 is Chris Young’s “Getting You Home” (The Black Dress Song). You can also hear his material of the albums of Diamond Rio, Danny Gokey, Blaine Larsen, Kenny Chesney, Julie Roberts, Terri Clark, Andy Griggs, Patty Loveless and more. Kent will be in good company as talented singer/songwriter Spencer Tenney will be joining him. Together the two are bound to bring an unforgettable show.
November 12th: Chris Wallin and Matt Jenkins. Like Kent, Chris is certainly no stranger to the #1 slots on country charts as he is the writer Toby Keith’s “Love Me If You Can,” Kenny Chesney’s “Don’t Blink” and Montgomery Gentry’s “Something To Be Proud Of.” He has also enjoyed several other top 5 hits and numerous other cuts with artists such as Trace Adkins, Brian McComas, Confederate Railroad, Anthony Smith, Lorrie Morgan, Keith Anderson, Sammy Kershaw, Joe Diffie, Michael Peterson, Jeffrey Steele, Neal McCoy, Brad Paisley and more. Alongside Chris is standout performer Matt Jenkins. These two will undoubtedly end this already successful series with a bang!
There you have it! Great music with great stories! If you love music, and appreciate the depth of a song, be sure to mark your calendars for the first two Fridays this month! These unique, one of a kind events have been taking place in an intimate and personable setting each week at the James Gang Company in White’s Creek, TN. Each show starts at 8:00 and has a $10 cover charge. These prolific storytellers hope to see you there!