This week is the 34th annual Tin Pan South Writers’ Festival! Back in 1993, the Nashville Songwriters Association International started Tin Pan South as a way to allow Nashville writers to showcase their work to the public, and also to create a space for songwriters to connect and network. Since then, the festival has since grown to become the “largest songwriter-only festival in the United States with about 100 shows during the weeklong event and around 400 songwriter performers.” (NSAI website) In honor of this Nashville tradition, the interns have gone through the writers in the lineup and have selected their favorite songs.
Chloe’s Pick: “the gutter” – Cherry Vance
My pick for this week is “the gutter” by Cherry Vance. Made up of friends Liv Haynes and Jude Maloy, Cherry Vance creates high energy country inspired rock n roll tunes. They’ve opened for icons like Bowling for Soup and Simple Plan and have even been a part of multiple Vans Warped Tours. “The gutter” begins with a twangy acoustic guitar riff. Liv’s voice, supported by harmonies from her sister Gigi, is a standout feature of Cherry Vance’s music. The band creates incredible on-stage energy influencing dancing and crowd-surfing! Cherry Vance is introducing a heavier sound to Nashville’s country reputation while still finding inspiration in the city’s roots. Cherry Vance played their set Wednesday at 6PM at Anzie Blue!
Listen to “the gutter” using the link below!
Alex’s Pick: “Masterpiece” – Benny G
My pick of the week is “Masterpiece” by Benny G. Benny G (Born Ben Goldsmith) moved from New York right after to Nashville right after graduating high school. He is 19 years old and he is on the rise. I saw him live at The End about a year ago, and it was like watching Chris Stapleton sing songs written by Billy Joel. He was switching between piano and guitar and playing both at an incredibly proficient level. On the stage with him was just one drummer, and his lifelong friend and bass player James Bandini. He performed his first 3 released songs at Tin Pan South this week in Nashville, and it was awesome!
Listen to “Masterpiece” using the link below!
Abby’s Pick: “You’re Gonna Miss This” – Trace Adkins (Written by Ashley Gorley and Lee Thomas Miller)
My pick of the week, in relation to the Tin Pan South Writers’ Festival starting, is “You’re Gonna Miss This,” performed by Trace Adkins and written by Ashley Gorley and Lee Thomas Miller. Both Ashley Gorley and Lee Thomas Miller played at Tin Pan South this week, both on Wednesday at 9 pm. The song “You’re Gonna Miss This” was released on January 14, 2008, and later became one of Trace Adkins’ greatest hits. Ashley Gorley came up with the idea for the song when a repairman was in his house, and his children (ages 2 and 4) kept stealing his tools. Gorley apologized profusely, and the repairman replied, saying that he had children of his own and not to worry about it, which inspired Gorley, as he recalled the story to Lee Thomas Miller. The two would work together to write the song, directly referencing the repairman from Ashley Gorley’s story in the third verse. Trace Adkins would add a different sort of magic to the already moving lyrics, and the rest is history.
Listen to “You’re Gonna Miss This” using the link below!
Sally’s Pick: “Lottery” – Jade Bird
For my pick this week I chose “Lottery” by Jade Bird from her 2019 self titled album. Jade Bird is a Folk Americana singer-songwriter from London. Her voice is powerful and distinctive along with her writing style. “Lottery” is a masterfully crafted sing-along-in-the-car song, complete with one of the most beltable choruses I’ve heard in a while. In “Lottery” Bird seems to surrender to the unpredictable, singing, “Love is a lottery but you got your numbers and you’re betting on me.” This song sits in the uncertainty of a relationship, wondering if you’re with you you’re meant to be with, and if you’re ‘betting on’ the right things. Bird’s infectious hooks, confessional lyrics, and gritty vocals set this song apart. Make sure to catch Jade Bird at Tin Pan South, Friday March 27th!
Listen to “Lottery” using the link below!
Until next time,
The Interns
