Having so much to cover for this three day event. I was at a loss as to how to choose what things I could fit in to my schedule and still manage a few hours of sleep each night. With having so many choices, I thought the best thing to do would be just wing it and see what all I could fit in. Heck, sleep can be caught up on anyways can't it?
Warner Brothers Showcase
Wednesday after finishing up with the Music City Jam at around 9:30 PM, I decided to catch what was left of the Warner Bros. Records showcase in the Belmont Room. Although I didn't get there in time to see Blake Shelton, Rick Huckaby, Joanna Cotton or Jeremy McComb, I was fortunate enough to still catch performances by Big & Rich, Cowboy Troy, Ray Scott, Lane Turner and The Wreckers.
Ray Scott is a brand new artist who is sure to be someone you hear about in the upcoming months. He has a deep singing voice that's very traditional sounding and you find yourself not being able to take your eyes off him.
The Wreckers consisted of Jessica and Michelle, two ladies who both have incredible voices apart and even better together.
Lane Turner dropped by and did his Dr. Pepper song and another called "Half Way To Mexico."
Big and Rich finally took their turn and wowed us with a brief acoustic set that included "8th of November," and "Drinkin' Bout You." Cowboy Troy joined them on stage briefly to sing his hit, "I Play Chicken With The Train."
After Midnite Disco Party
With Wednesday being such a late night, and having interviews early on Friday, I decided to skip out on covering any After Hours activities for Thursday night. I'd been seeing advertisements for Blair Garner's After Midnite Disco Party for Friday night in the Grand Ballroom of the Renaissance, so I decided that would be a good pick. Boy, did I pick right.
Although we got there a little late, and I'm not really sure who we missed but the first act we did get to see was Little Big Town. They really took this gig seriously and hit the stage all duded up in their in their polyester suits and or dress, disco heels or platform shoes and began their brief set with a better than the originals version of Abba's "Dancing Queen." It was hilarious to see.
All each artist had to do was show up and sing. The stage came complete with a band, all disco'd up in their attire, backup vocal dancing girls, dressed in skimpy little dresses with white, knee high boots on and a host, Blair Garner who was dressed up as the spitting image of Billy Idol. It took me a few minutes to recognize that it was him.
We were also treated to Josh Turner, and Billy Dean who did a perfect imitation of Mick Jagger singing, "Honky Tonk Woman."
Next up was Shannon Brown, Jason Aldean and Chely Wright.
The final act was Ryan Shupe and the RubberBand. Ryan had been standing next to Blair Garner backstage for ten minutes before Blair said he realized it was Ryan. It was pretty shocking to see Ryan with all that hair on top of his head.
Before I knew it, the night was over and we had to go back to our room. Although there were tons of things going on all over the hotel and downtown Nashville, this girl had been going for 19 hours straight and as much as I hated doing it, it was time to go.
Next year -- yes, I am already planning next year -- I'll get lots of rest before I leave and pay the price afterwards.
