the billy block show - may 2013

BAYLOU

JULIET & THE LONESOME ROMEOS

SARAHBETH TAITEMacKENZIE PORTER

MEGAN MOREAUX • PHOENIX DRIVE • ABERDEEN GREEN • HERRICK • CAL TUCKER • 8 BALL AITKEN • IAN McFERON • SHAWN BYRNE • DIXIE JADE • THE DECADENCE • LEAH SCOTT • SARA SYMS • MIKE FREEMAN • PHOENIX MENDOZA • TOMMY GRIFFITH • SARAH AMES • EMILY EARLE • WES HARLLEE

MERCY LOUNGE BILLYBLOCK.COM MAY 2013

THE LOW DOWN CONNIE KIS ANDERSEN

2 BILLY BLOCK MAGAZINE | MAY 2013

It’s May and it’s beautiful. Cool mornings and evenings with warm sunny days… what could be better? How about a full month of outstanding LIVE and LOCAL music every Tuesday night at The Mercy Lounge?

Before we get into all the great tunes and artists you’ll be see-ing and hearing this month, I’d like to send a big thank you to everyone who made last month’s Wear It Out, Wear It Well ben-efit for Mannny Cuevas such a huge success. Special thanks to everyone at the Mercy Lounge and Cannery Ballroom for go-

ing above and beyond the call of duty, blessings to all the artists who graciously donated their time and talents to make it a wonderful night for Manny, and big hugs to Betty Malo, Linda Dunbar, and Kelly Maselli for making it happen. Keep Manny in your thoughts and prayers!

OK now, back to the music at hand. For 17 years we have boldly pioneered Roots, Americana, Country, Rock, and Blues Music in Nashville. Our mission is to “Give A Voice to the Dream”, creating opportunities to be seen and heard onstage, online and on television for those who venture to Music City USA. Think of us as “The Ellis Island of Nashville.”

Billy Block Presents has events all over Music City every week, including the Gospel Sunday Supper featuring The Cumberland Collective at Puckett’s Grocery in downtown Nashville ev-ery Sunday from 6-9pm. Tuesdays we’re at The Mercy Lounge, of course. Thursday nights you will find us playing the Blues at Blues Night, which takes place at Puckett’s Boat House in down-town Franklin from 7:30-9pm. Don’t forget to watch us on TV Monday and Thursday nights at 7pm on Music City Arts TV (Comcast Channel 9) and LIVE on the internet every Tuesday night at 6pm CST at www.billyblock.com. We’d like to invite all talented singers, dancers, and musicians aged 60 years and over to reg-ister to audition for Cigna/HealthSpring’s Silver Stars Talent Search for Seniors. Auditions in Nashville are at The Red Rooster on Demonbreun on Saturday and Sunday August 17th and 18the from 12noon-6pm. Finalists will perform on the Ryman stage for the chance to be named Silver Star 2013 and receive a cash prize of $5,000!

Hope to see you out at some of shows. Support LIVE & LOCAL Music!

See you at the show!

Love to all,

Watch thE BILLY BLOcK ShOW ON tV!EVErY MONdaY @ 7pM

EVErY thUrSdaY @ 7pMON MUSIc cItY artS chaNNEL 9

JOIN US LIVE!EVErY tUESdaY at thE

MErcY LOUNGEStartING at 6pM

- Billy, Jill, Rocky, Grady, Micheal and Lucky

3BILLY BLOCK MAGAZINEMAY 2013 |


watch the video!

Mercy LoungeTuesday, May 7th8PM

Connect with MacKenzie at www.mackenzieporter.ca

Debut Single

available on

MacKenzieMacKenzieMacKenzieMacKenzieMacKenzieMacKenzieMacKenzieMMacKenzieMacKenzieMacKenzieMacKenzieMacKenzieMacKenzieMacKenzie PorterPorterPorter


www.conniekisandersen.com.au

LIVE on the billy block show8:30 tuesday may 7 2013th

the mercy lounge

Connie kis andersen2013 female vocalist of the year


TUESDAY, MAY 7th at THE MERCY LOUNGE

Megan Moreaux is a California country girl. Born in Monterey, California, Megan came from an unstable family environment and found solace for a few months with her aunt when she was five years old. It was during this time that she was introduced to Country music and found in it an escape from her traumatic childhood. Currently, Megan Moreaux is living in Nashville, Tennessee, wowing crowds at shows with her amazing vocal range and writing with some of the industry’s top talent, including Jennifer Adan, Mitch Allen, Johnny Garcia (Trisha Yearwood, Garth Brooks), Will Rambeaux, Drew Davis, Jaeson Ma, and numerous others.

THE BILLY BLOCK SHOW

MEGAN MOREAUX

Phoenix Drive is a modern Country/Rock band hailing from the Atlanta area. With a sound that has often been compared to the earlier music of Fleetwood Mac, Keith Urban, and more recently, The Civil Wars, they’re turning many an ear and eye with their dynamic live shows, solid musicianship, powerful duo lead vocalists, and intricate three-part harmonies. Their original songs and modern infusion of Country, Rock, Folk, and Soul caught the attention of hit producer and songwriter Joe West, who subsequently recorded their first album, A Fool’s Melody, in Nashville.

7:00

PHOENIX DRIVE

www.reverbnation.com/meganmoreaux

6:00

Raised on a cattle ranch in Southern Alberta, MacKenzie Porter began studying piano, violin, and voice at the young age of four. As a classically trained violinist, she performed for many years as a soloist and a chamber musician, and toured with a family band that included her brother, 2004 Canadian Idol winner Kalan Porter. MacKenzie has opened for a wide range of popular artists including Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, Rascal Flatts, Sara Evans, and many more.

8:00

MACKENZIE PORTER

www.mackenzieporter.ca www.phoenixdrive.net


From two different farms in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Shenandoah Valley, Carley and Amanda bring a little bit of their authentic, homegrown Appalachian sound to Nashville. Carley’s gritty, raw vocals and the lonesome sound coming out of Amanda’s stellar set of pipes reflect the influence of artists like Allison Krauss and Bonnie Raitt. Put these two together, and the result is something truly magical – something often referred to as “blood harmonies.” It’s easy to get hooked on their cool Americana vibe.

9:00

ABERDEEN GREEN

www.aberdeengreenmusic.com

Different is very intriguing, and HERRICK has been winning fans and music insiders over with every show they play. Their innate instinct for creating high quality music has helped them stand out from the crowd as they tour to standing room only crowds across the country. Donna’s pioneering vocals and fierce mandolin playing, Jefferson’s master guitar, Kerry’s legendary bass and tight harmony blend, and Bradshaw’s magnificent wash of drums pound through a dizzying, hour-long crescendo until the final hit.

9:30

HERRICK

www.herricklive.com

Connie Kis Andersen is one of Western Australia’s finest Country Music artists and a regular guest on the Billy Block Show. This multi-award winning singer / songwriter was named Female Vocalist of the Year for the Central West Region of Australia at the 2013 Gold Medallion Media Awards. A stylist not to be missed, with a deep belief in self and purpose, this inspiring woman continues to follow her true calling and shines as an example to others to never lose sight of their dreams.

8:30

CONNIE KIS ANDERSEN

www.conniekisandersen.com.au


TUESDAY, may 14th at THE MERCY LOUGE


Ian McFeron started out in Seattle, where his debut album was picked up by a major commercial radio station. Early hometown success drew McFeron into a full-time recording and touring career, and he has spent the last decade performing in the U.S. and Europe. Reviews of his music and writing style have made comparisons to Bob Dylan, Ryan Adams, and John Lennon. He currently tours in support of his seventh album Time Will Take You (2013), produced by Doug Lancio (Grammy nominated for Patty Griffin).

8:00

IAN McFERON

www.ianmcferon.com

Cal is a singer/songwriter born and raised in Pittsburgh. His musical creativity was sparked at an early age when he began taking Classical piano lessons. Shortly afterward, he discovered The Beatles, who inspired him to pursue a career in Pop songwriting. Cal incorporates syncopation and left hand bass lines into his songs, creating a very original sound. His songs provide an eclectic mix of genres, including Pop, Rock, Jazz, and Ragtime.

6:00

CAL TUCKER

www.reverbnation.com/caltucker

8 Ball Aitken is the redneck preacher at the shotgun wedding between Country and Blues. Hailing from Far North Queensland, Australia, he grew up as a teenager in a run-down tobacco

shed, making a living picking tropical fruits by day and picking guitars by night. Currently touring to support his new, live, one-man-band album Alive In Tamworth, his trademark slide guitar, sense of humor, interactive audience participation, and swamp antics create a barnstorming riot of a recording.

7:00

8 BALL AITKEN

www.8ballaitken.com


Born in 1973 in Middletown, Connecticut, Shawn grew up with headphones permanently attached to his father’s record player where Willie and Waylon played nicely alongside The Stones and The Who. In 2012, he released his second self-produced record Pine Trees, Cheap Wine and the Moon. The album is a collection of 15 masterfully crafted songs that showcase Shawn’s talents as a singer/songwriter, guitarist, producer, and mixing engineer. Containing an eclectic mix of Country-infused styles, from rockers like “The Hardest Fall” and “Boots”, to the Bluegrass romp “the High Notes”, recorded with The Grascals, one listen will show you why the Nashville Scene calls Shawn Byrne “Nashville’s best kept secret.”

8:30

SHAWN BYRNE

www.shawnbyrnecountry.com

Nashville-based trio, Dixie Jade, consists of Luke Robinson, Dominique Ruiz, and Andrea Crisalli. Robinson’s vocals and acoustic guitar work add an authenticity that belies his youth. The paradoxical Ruiz lends her demure, vocals and her sharply honed skills on electric guitar. The enigmatic Crisalli rounds out the trio with an impressive display of vocal power. Melding fresh, three-part harmonies reminiscent of The Eagles and Fleetwood Mac to a set of catchy new songs, Dixie Jade puts a fresh twist on modern Country music.

9:00

DIXIE JADE

www.facebook.com/DixieJadeBand

Their mission statement says it all: “To become a top-rated Pop-Rock band that delivers as high a quality show as possible. To give you less than our best every time is unacceptable. We are professionals. We are The Decadence.” Nashville’s The Decadence is a band obsessed with Pop songs. With influences ranging from Tom Petty to Ryan Adams, The Decadence search for the ultimate hook that will stick in your head long after the music is over.The band has just completed their debut album with engineer/producer Brian Kunitz (Matchbox 20).

9:30

THE DECADENCE

www.reverbnation.com/thedecadence


TUESDAY, May 21st at THE MERCY LOUNGE


Leah Scott is a fresh voice in the world of Country. From an early age, she was surrounded by music. Her first musical performances were at age two in front of her church congregation, and by her teens, she and her sister were performing over 100 gigs a year. A self-taught piano player, Leah started writing songs at 15 and taught herself to play guitar at 17. Her original songs and

powerful vocals caught the ear of Danny Nozell of CTK Management who quickly signed her to his management company. Not long after, producer and manager Marty Williams began planning, developing, and refining Leah’s sound, and most recently became her co-manager.

6:00

LEAH SCOTT

Authentic is the word most often used to describe Sara Syms--an artist willing to be intimate and vulnerable with her fans. Syms left her home in Chicago to live the dream in New York City. Her early resume included international figure skating, performing in a world renowned choir, and touring the states in various bands

Sara’s debut album, Fade to Blue, was produced by Lynn Verlayne, engineered by Matthew Cullen (Ray LaMontagne, Rachael Yamagata) and recorded at Dreamland Studios. Fade to Blue heralds the arrival of a new voice on the scene, full of honesty, passion, and purpose.

7:00

SARA SYMS

Juliet and the Lonesome Romeos’ debut album, No Regrets—released on Nashville-based Tree O Records—marks the emergence of yet another great artist from the fertile Boston music scene. The album is a rich experience of roots-infused Pop music, with a nod to the Country side,

that revolves around Juliet Simmons Dinallo’s rich and soulful voice. The deeply emotional songs travel down the highways and backroads of heartache and hope. From the original and insightful songwriting, to the masterful musicianship, to the spot-on production, No Regrets truly is an album that has something for everyone.

8:00

JULIET & THE LONESOME ROMEOS

Mike Freeman isn’t one to be defined or limited by labels. He is deadly serious about his music, yet charismatic with a sharp sense of humor. Born in Oklahoma, and raised in Missouri and Texas, Mike co-writes all of his material and

draws influences from artists such as Gary Allen, Eric Church, and Jamey Johnson. He is currently working with noted Nashville songwriters Odie Blackmon, Matt Warren, Cary Barlowe, Brian Maher, Trent Summar, Kip Raines, and others.

8:30

MIKE FREEMAN

The Low Down frontman Brian Bandas grew up loving the best of Rock, Country & Blues. Bandas left the Country trio Love and Theft following their Billboard success with Top 10 single, “Runaway” and a nationwide tour that included gigs with Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, and Lady Antebellum. Bandas would meet his posse of like-minded Rock

‘n’rollers in bassist Brandon Onstad, drummer Will Sanford, and guitarist, producer, and songwriter Schylar Shoates. The Low Down have created their own brand of “Southern Blues Rock Infused Glam Americana Music”. Their debut EP, Cut Loose, is now available wherever digital music is sold.

9:00

THE LOW DOWN

If 70’s Pop got together with funky Motown and had a Bluesy Soul child, his name would be Phoenix Mendoza. With a unique guitar playing style and silky voice, Phoenix’s mere presence commands your utmost attention. Combine that with his amazing songwriting capabilities and his patient ear for finding the deepest grooves in

anything he hears, and you have all the makings of a superstar. His music is an organic blend of the past and the future, residing somewhere in between Michael Jackson and Bozz Skaggs, with a dash of Eric Clapton and Al Green. Whether you see him play live or hear him on your radio, you will be moved.

9:30

PHOENIX MENDOZA

www.reverbnation.com/leahscott

www.julietandthelonesomeromeos.com www.reverbnation.com/mikefreemanofficial

www.thelowdownmusic.com

www.sarasyms.com

www.reverbnation.com/phoenixmendoza


www.treeorecords.com

Distribution: Select-O-Hits 901.388.1190 www.selectohits.comRadio: Al Moss Promotion 615.297.0258 [email protected] www.almosspromotion.comPublicity: Mark Pucci Media 770.804.9555 [email protected] www.markpuccimedia.com

www.julietandthelonesomeromeos.com

Produced by Michael Dinallo and Ducky Carlisle

8PM MAY 21 Mercy Lounge..Live on The Billy Block Show

Julietand the

““

““

“‘

‘

“ 3/4‘“

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““

LonesomeRomeos


TUESDAY, may 28th at THE MERCY LOUNGE


Baylou are sister duo Victoria and Barb Baillie, who will signed with ABC Music in 2012. As a duo, Baylou brings an exciting and fresh new mainstream Country sound to the Australian Country Music market. The backing of ABC music has only increased their reach to old fans and new fans around the country, ensuring they have local support wherever they tour. Both girls are credited songwriters and instrumentalists and have been writing songs in both Australia and Nashville. Baylou released their debut EP, Go to Hell & I Love You, through ABC Music in August 2012.

8:00

BAYLOU

Sarahbeth Taite discovered music as her life’s calling at an early age. The television show Reba helped her discover a love of traditional Country Music. She became passionate about such artists as Loretta Lynn, Kitty Wells, Johnny Cash, and Tammy Wynette. Sarahbeth blends all these influences into her music, adding her own unique lyrics and ideas. At 15, the talented singer and songwriter is as confident and ambitious as the Music Row veterans she’s been collaborating with in recent months. As she continues her journey, there’s no doubt she will have plenty more experiences to sing about.

7:00

SARAHBETH TAITE

Tommy Griffith takes a modern approach to classic Country, complete with smooth, effortless vocals and well-crafted lyrics with solid instrumentation, that meet at the dusty crossroads of traditional Country and Rock. From the small mountain town of Cramer, Pennsylvania, Griffith has hard work and the highway in his DNA. An auto mechanic by trade, Griffith left the garage for the guitar in 2008 and headed to Nashville to the bright light lure of the honky-tonk stages, where he began writing and recording for his first album. Griffith’s self-titled EP is a brew of Country and Americana with a drop of Rock, and features six original tracks written by Griffith that fire on all eight cylinders.www.tommygriffithmusic.com

6:00

TOMMY GRIFFITH

www.sarahbethtaite.com www.baylou.tv


After growing up in the Bay Area in California, and spending two years in USC’s Popular Music Performance program, Sarah Ames moved to Nashville in 2011 to continue to pursue music. Influenced by Patty Griffin, Faith Hill, and Bonnie Raitt, Sarah mixes elements of Soul and Blues with contemporary Country. She continues to write and perform, and has appeared as a lead in Dierks Bentley’s latest video, “Tip It On Back”.

8:30

SARAH AMES

www.facebook.com/sarahamesmusic

After leaving an indelible mark during a successful run on season three of NBC’s The Voice, earning high praise from the likes of CeeLo Green and Blake Shelton along the way, the rest of America now knows what her fans learned long ago—Emily Earle is one of the most uniquely talented and genuine singer/songwriters to come along in quite awhile. Now living in Nashville, Emily Earle continues her musical journey, performing on stage in Las Vegas with CeeLo Green and The Muppets and touring with her uncle, legendary American singer/songwriter Steve Earle. Emily will be releasing a new EP this spring.

9:00

EMILY EARLE

Texas native Wes Harllee moved to Nashville after releasing his debut album Life After Leaving, in 2011. Life After Leaving takes an introspective look at love and loss. While giving Pop music a friendly nod, it is heavily influenced by Wes’ Jazz and Blues roots. An interesting departure from his debut album, songs like “Run To You” – featured as a “Daily Discovery” on American Songwriter—retain his soulful slant, but with head-bobbing beats and chugging guitars that blossom into a full scale Pop-Rock anthem.

9:30

WES HARLLEE

www.emilyearle.com

www.facebook.com/wesharlleemusic

When you come to the show, be sure to stop by Billy’s table and pick up some strings and

picks to try out...FrEE!

BACKSTAGE HOSPITALITY

PROVIDED BY


$5 cOVEr BUt WE GIVE YOU a $6 ShOW!SpONSOrEd BY: aScap | SESac | SOcaN

dUNLOp | NtS prOMEdIa | BUBBLE Up | MaxSOUNd | pOSSE aUdIO

MaY

NaShVILLE’S LEGENdarY BILLY BLOcK ShOW Celebrating 17 Years of Introducing Authentic Artists & Music

May 7th at The Mercy Lounge6:00 Megan Moreaux - California Country7:00 Phoenix Drive - Band to Watch8:00 MacKenzie Porter - SOCAN Artist of the Month8:30 Connie Kis Andersen -Saucy Aussie 9:00 Aberdeen Green - Fiona Appalachia9:30 HERRICK - Award-Winning Vocal Group May 14th at The Mercy Lounge6:00 Cal Tucker - Piano Pop7:00 8 Ball Aitken - APRA Artist of the Month8:00 Ian McFeron - Seattle’s Best8:30 Shawn Byrne - Nashville Treasure9:00 Dixie Jade - Country Rock Vocal Trio9:30 The Decadence - Power Pop May 21st at The Mercy Lounge6:00 Leah Scott - New Country7:00 Sara Syms - Americana Star8:00 Juliet & The Lonesome Romeos - Americana Chart-Toppers

8:30 Mike Freeman - Edgy Country Rock9:00 The Low Down - Killer New Band9:30 Phoenix Mendoza - The One and Only May 28th at The Mercy Lounge6:00 Tommy Griffith - Outlaw Country7:00 Sarahbeth Taite -Talented Teen Star8:00 Baylou - Female Aussie Duo8:30 Sarah Ames - American Idol Star9:00 Emily Earle - The Voice Finalist9:30 Wes Harllee - Pop/Rocker

Magazine art & production by Kelly hays

MacKenzie Porter............................................“Wish I’d Known”Connie Kis Andersen ...................................“Steamy Dreams”Juliet & The Lonesome Romeos .......................“No Regrets”Phoenix Drive .................................................“A Fool’s Melody”Ian McFeron...................................................... “Bringin’ It Back”Shawn Byrne.......................................... “Tough As This Town”Sarabeth Taite................................................................. “TN Rain”Leah Scott....................................... “Doin’ What I Need to Do”Sara Syms................................................. “Devil Came Around”Aberdeen Green ...........................................“Oh Shenandoah”Cal Tucker...................................................................... “Silly Sally”Sara Ames ................................................“Daddy Come Home”Baylou ...............................................................“Sweet Red Wine”Emily Earle............................................................ “Say Goodbye”8 Ball Aitken........................................................... “Rogue Pony”HERRICK ...........................................................“Do You Love Me”Brian Dunne................................................... “Brooklyn Bridge”Dixie Jade............................................... “We Ain’t Gotta Rush”Mike Freeman ..................................................................“On Fire”The Low Down........................................ “Heart Starts to Run”Phoenix Mendoza............................... “Song Sung Dreamer”Rocky Block............................................... “Love You out Loud”Wes Harllee................................................................ “Run to You”Anna Haas....................................................... “Find Your Home”Tommy Griffith..................................................... “Big Highway”The Cumberland Collective ...........................“Bring A Lil’ Love to the Table”Jenn Bostic........................................... “Jealous of the Angels”Cathy Paty ..............................“Something About the South”April Kry .....................................................“Heart Inside of You”Sam Hawksley....................................................... “Save My Life”Scott Mulvahill.......................................................... “Heartache”Alex Flanigan.......................................... “Diesel, Guns & Rust”Kree Woods.............................................. “Chance Happening”Shannon Labrie....................................... “I Remember A Boy”The Bum Steers......................................................... “Stick Pony”Elise Davis.............................................................. “Make the Kill”Trinity Bradshaw......................................................... “Big Town”

BACKSTAGE HOSPITALITY PROVIDED BY

TRADER JOE’S GREEN

the billy block show - may 2013

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