Four Singer-Actors Named to Play Various Roles in Ted
Swindley-Directed
'One Kiss Cafe' Musical at Country Music Hall of Fame's Ford
Theater
Daughter of Late Grand Ole Opry Legend Onie Wheeler to Portray
Nightclub Owner
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (February 2010) -- Karen Wheeler, the
daughter of the late Grand Ole Opry legend Onie Wheeler, is among
four singer-actors chosen to portray characters in a new Ted
Swindley-directed musical set to premiere in March at the Country
Music Hall of Fame.
"One Kiss Cafe", which is written by Brentwood
songwriter-author-playwright Parrish Stanton, is described as a
"glimpse of Nashville... the story of life, love and the music
business." It will begin a three-weekend run on March 12 (Friday) at
the Ford Theater, 222 Fifth Ave. S. in downtown Nashville.
Showtimes are 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. on
Sundays (March 12, 13, 14; 19, 20 and 21; and 26, 27 and 28).
Dozens of singer-actors converged on the Country Music Hall
of Fame in the ice and snow on Jan. 30 and 31 to audition.
Swindley (the author and director of "Always... Patsy Cline"), Stanton,
and producer Kevin F. Raymond of Phoenix Rising Entertainment
spent more than 40 hours evaluating live and taped performances
before selecting singer-actors Mike Callahan (Music Row area),
Mika Combs (Brentwood), Karen Wheeler (Lebanon), and David
Kinnard (Bowling Avenue/West End).
"One Kiss Cafe" centers around a 20-something emerging
songwriter named Ricky Stakonis (played by Mike Callahan). After
arriving in Nashville, Ricky falls for a 20-something songwriter/love
interest named Sara Baker (played by Mika Combs). While trying to
be discovered, Ricky receives encouragement from a cafe'
owner/bartender named Tootsie McCoy (played by Karen Wheeler)
and hype from a smooth-talking music publisher named Carl
"Midas" Bradford (played by David Kinnard). The four-member cast
will sing and dance to contemporary country/pop up-tempo songs
and ballads written by Stanton with various Nashville songwriting
collaborators, including Jeff Pedigo, Bill Warrington, Mike Vance,
and Scott Stepakoff.
"As a director of this full production at the beautiful Ford
Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame, I am excited to guide a
fully realized production of this wonderful piece of musical theatre,"
said Swindley, who has directed and/or produced more than 200
plays over the past 25 years. "We will have top-notch Nashville
talent in the cast and a very entertaining story with great songs
presented for the first time. It is always exciting to direct a world
premiere."
For Karen Wheeler, it's an opportunity to follow in the
footsteps of her father, Onie, a hit songwriter who performed with
Opry legend Roy Acuff for more than 22 years. A highly respected
singer-songwriter in her own right, Ms. Wheeler made her debut on
the Grand Ole Opry stage at age 15. She has released 10 CDs,
published two cookbooks, and recorded for Columbia, RCA and
Capitol records. She now owns her own record label, Fox Fire.
"Getting the part of Tootsie McCoy is so special to me
because I get to perform on the stage in my hometown of Nashville,
and I think I'm going to love playing Tootsie," said Ms. Wheeler, who
opened shows for Conway Twitty for more than 12 years. "Also,
being part of a brand new musical is fresh and exciting. I really
appreciate the opportunity to be in 'One Kiss Cafe'."
Like the lead character he is portraying, Mike Callahan is an
emerging singer-songwriter who recently moved to Nashville in
pursuit of stardom. The Little Rock, Ark., native grew up singing and
playing along to his father's renditions of country classics by Merle
Haggard, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson. He earned an
associate's degree in music at Austin (Tex.) Community College
and a bachelor's degree in the liberal arts from the University of
Arkansas at Little Rock. Callahan landed his first professional
music gig at the Houston Rodeo playing lead guitar for the country
band Workhorse. He moved to Nashville in 2009.
"It's an amazing opportunity to be selected for 'One Kiss
Cafe'," Callahan said. "For a singer-songwriter here in Nashville,
this is a dream come true. I am blessed to be working on a
production of this magnitude, and I plan to leave a part of myself on
the stage each and every night."
Mika Combs, who will play Ricky Stakonis' love interest Sara
Baker, is an actress-singer-songwriter from the small coal-mining
town of Hazard, Ky. She landed her first break as the new girl in
town on the Fox network's 2007 reality show, "Nashville". She is the
lead actress in the Boys Like Girls video "Two Is Better Than One"
featuring Taylor Swift. Last fall, she participated in season 15 of
"The Amazing Race" on CBS, finishing seventh with her boyfriend,
Canaan Smith. She recently was cast for a speaking role in the
upcoming feature film "Love Don't Let Me Down" starring Gwyneth
Paltrow and Tim McGraw.
"I am very excited to take part in something that is true to
Nashville," Combs said. "This production will portray exactly what a
lot of us experience when we come to Nashville as dreamers."
David Kinnard, who will play a conniving music publisher, is
accustomed to taking on comedic or devilish roles. He was the
"wacky" singer on CMT's "Larry the cable Guy Star-Studded
Christmas Extravaganza" and co-starred in 24 episodes of the
cable sketch comedy show "Stubby's Place". He played the
undertaker in the PBS Masterpiece Theatre production "Death in the
Family" and was a featured gentleman in ABC's "Roots, the Gift"
and "The Dottie West Story".
"My father owned a restaurant near Music Row in the early
days of the Grand Ole Opry," Kinnard noted. "It is a thrill and honor to
be singing and acting at the Country Music Hall of Fame."
"One Kiss Cafe" is produced by Phoenix Rising
Entertainment Inc. of Nashville. Tickets are $25 for Friday and
Saturday evening performances, and $20 for Sunday matinee
performances. To purchase tickets, call (615) 871-0656 or visit
http://www.ticketsnashville.com. For show information, visit
http://www.OneKissCafeMusical.com.
|
CLASS FOR ARTISTS, BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS
'PUBLICIZING YOUR DREAM:
THE NUTS & BOLTS OF WRITING, EDITING & MEDIA EXPOSURE'
LED BY CHUCK WHITING
FOUR SESSIONS: MARCH 2, 9, 16 AND 23 (TUESDAYS), 7-9:30 P.M.
HOSTED BY JUST SAY YES INTERNATIONAL
THE HEART HOUSE, 500 DANVILLE POINT IN BRENTWOOD, TENN.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (February 2010) – Publicist, educator and
author Chuck Whiting will lead his in-depth, four-week publicity
class "Publicizing Your Dream" on Tuesdays from March 2-23,
2010. Each session will run from 7-9:30 p.m., with additional time
for follow-up questions and critiques. Artists, entrepreneurs and
organizational leaders will learn all aspects of publicity, including
the tools reporters and editors use; developing a news hook; writing
and editing a press release; and distributing the release to the
news media. Whiting will walk attendees through the process step
by step with feedback and professional critiques. A former
newspaper reporter, Whiting has served the arts, entertainment,
hospitality and tourism industries for 25 years. He coordinated PR
for the Opryland Hotel before founding Whiting Publicity &
Promotions in 1993. Whiting also teaches communication courses
as an adjunct professor for Middle Tennessee State University and
Volunteer State Community College. He is the co-author and co-
songwriter of the children's book and CD, "The Littlest Star: a
musical story"; editor of the arts newsletter Music City Arts Update;
and founder/emcee of the monthly songwriters show,
"Tunesmithing on Music Row". The "Publicizing Your Dream" class
will be hosted by Just Say Yes International at the Heart House, 500
Danville Point in Brentwood, Tenn. Tuition is $120 for all four
sessions or $35 per class. Advance registration is required. For
more information or to register, call (615) 242-9857, send an e-mail
message to Arts@WhitingPublicity.com, or visit
http://www.PublicizingYourDream.com.
|
MCAU: Music City Arts Update
Feb. 12, 2010
Serving the Nashville Arts Community for more than Five Years
_____________________________________
Music City Arts Update, which is distributed by Whiting Publicity &
Promotions, spotlights the accomplishments of artists and arts-related
businesses and organizations of all kinds. Submissions are free (based on
time and space availability). Feel free to pass this on to others who might
be interested. This newsletter will be posted soon with photos at http:
//www.MusicCityArtsUpdate.com or http://www.NashvilleArtsUpdate.com .
Please note that all written materials in this newsletter are copyright 2010
-- used by permission only. Thank you!
We are a proud member of the Nashville Songwriters Association
International and the Country Music Association.
New This Week:
* Scroll down to learn more about Chuck Whiting's "Publicizing Your
Dream" class, which will begin on March 2.
* Check out our new category: "Songwriters Nights".
* Scroll down for our Story of the Week: Singer-Actors Selected for the
Musical "One Kiss Cafe".
Songwriters Nights...
Feb. 17 (Wednesday) -- The songwriting trio Drobac & Shaw will debut their
"Drabac & Shaw Show" on Feb. 17 (Wednesday) at Edgehill Studios Cafe,
1201 Villa Place. The show will feature performances by Drobac & Shaw,
Scott Southworth, Kecia Burcham, Rick Rowell and Ben Brand, with
special guests Richie Albright and Heather Reagan. Free admission. Info:
kmaiersshaw@gmail.com . (KMS)
March 3 (Wednesday) -- "Tunesmithing on Music Row" will occur from 7-9 p.
m. at Edgehill Studios Cafe, 1201 Villa Place on Music Row. Performers
will be Rand Bishop, Pam Belford, Angel Pontier, and the songwriting duo,
Common Thread. Nashville publicist-songwriter-author Chuck Whiting will
emcee the show. Admission is free. "Tunesmithing" is sponsored by
Whiting Publicity & Promotions. For more information about the event, call
(615) 242-9857 or write Tunesmithing@Earthlink.net. (Whiting Publicity)
Tuesdays -- Doc Bennett hosts "Doc's Music Tuesday" from 7:30-11:30 p.m.
at Dan McGuiness Pub, 9200 Carothers Pkwy. in Cool Springs. The event
features 30-minute songwriting sets. Details: Contact Doc at (931) 398-
0516 or docnash1@comcast.net . (DB)
Tuesdays and Thursdays -- Singer-songwriter Jack Scott stages
songwriters nights at Dougie Rays (903 Rivergate Pkwy.) from 6:30-9:30 p.
m. Learn more details at http://www.writerartist.com or e-mail Jack at
mail@writerartist.com . (JS)
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays -- Debi Champion hosts
her world famous songwriters nights at the Commodore Grill, 2613 West
End Ave. More than a dozen tunesmiths perform each night. Details:
championdebi@hotmail.com . (DC)
Wednesdays -- Doc Bennett hosts "Doc's Wednesday Pig Gig" from 7:30-11:
30 p.m. at The Bunganut Pig, 1143 Columbia Ave. in Franklin. The event
features 30-minute songwriting sets. The venue is located at 9200
Carothers Pkwy. in Franklin. Details: Contact Doc at (931) 398-0516 or
docnash1@comcast.net . (DB)
Wednesdays -- Ty Brando hosts a writer's night from 7:30-10:30 p.m. at
Norm's. Details: http://www.myspace.com/tybrando . (TB)
Fridays and Saturdays -- Lorna Flowers and Rick & Tammy Stewart host
songwriter rounds from 7-10 p.m. at the Commodore Grill, 2613 West End
Ave. Sign up by 9 p.m. to play during an unscheduled round at 10 p.m.
Details: lornaflowers@comcast.net . (LF)
Music...
Feb. 16 (Tuesday) -- The Nashville Jazz Orchestra will celebrate Mardi
Graswith a "Phat Jazz" performance (with trumpeter Rod McGaha) at 8 p.m.
at the Blair School of Music. Details: http://www.NashvilleJazzOrchestra.
com . (NJO)
Tuesdays -- Drummer Marcus Finnie and his band perform a fusion set each
Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Edgehill Studio Cafe, 1201 Villa Place. For more
information, call (615) 301-8539 or visit http://www.marcusfinnie.
com/marcusfinnie/My_Calendar.html . (TJBS)
Tuesdays -- The Nashville Jazz Orchestra performs at 7 p.m. at the French
Quarter Cafe, 823 Woodland St. Details: http://www.
NashvilleJazzOrchestra.org . (TJBS)
Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays -- The Long Hollow Jamboree
in Goodlettsville features live music four days a week. Admission if $6 on
Tuesday and $6 Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The venue, which is
alcohol and smoke-free, is located at 3600 Long Hollow Pike.
Saturdays -- Suzahn & The Elegant Gypsies perform from 7-10 p.m. at the
Bicyclette Cafe, 14801 Lebanon Road in Mt. Juliet. Info: (615) 385-9349 .
(ST)
Saturdays -- Enjoy the best in Dixieland and Swing music at Larriviere's
Restaurant in Mt. Juliet. Nashville's Mr. Swing, Romie Smith, sings the
classics of Sinatra and Martin with the Phil Rugh Quartet. David Balph's
hot trumptet gets the Dixieland started, and a host of interesting guests sit
in every week. An all-you-can-eat Cajun buffet, full bar, and dance floor
completes the New Orleans atmosphere, family style. The music is from 6-9
p.m., and there is no cover. Larriviere's is easily found at 12698 Lebanon
Rd. Info: (615) 758-4252. (AB)
Benefits...
Feb. 14 (Sunday) -- Join artists Diane di Stasio and David Ask, and TV
personality Nancy Van Camp for a Valentine's event benefiting Happy Tales
Humane. The event, which will occur at the Brentwood Country Club, will
feature heavy hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar at 4:30 p.m. and a concert
and poetry reading at 6 p.m. A champagne and dessert reception will
follow the concert. Tickets are $85 per couple or $50 per person.
Reservations: (615) 620-0620. (DDS)
Feb. 15 (Monday) -- "Big Love - Tap Your Foot", a show benefiting the
Tennessee Alliance for Progress, will occur from 6:30-9 p.m. at the French
Quarter, 823 Woodland Ave. in Nashville. Performers will be Jeff and Vida,
The Cantrells, Barry and Holly Tashian, and Shelby Bottom String Band.
Admission is $5 to $15 (pay what you can). Info: http://www.taptn.org . (NR)
Feb. 25 (Thursday) -- Monroe Harding, an educational facility that serves
foster youth, will host "Exhibiting Our Heritage", a multi-faceted arts event
featuring the works of visual artist Greg Decker. The event, which will
occur from 5:30-8:30 p.m., also will include performances and displayed
artwork by the youth in Monroe Harding's Youth Connections Program;
sketch contests; and illustrations by Molly Brooks. Admission is $10 with
proceeds benefiting Youth Connections. Info: (615) 298-5573, Ext. 115.
(Michelle Boucher)
March 14 (Sunday) -- A host of restaurants will participate in "Help Haiti:
From Nashville With Love," a fundraiser set for the Nashville Farmers
Market. The event, which will occur from 6-8 p.m., will include an auction.
Monies raised will go to the Visitation Hospital Foundation, a Nashville-
based 501 (c)(3) organization with a mission to provide health care and
health education for the people of Haiti. For more information or to donate
an item or gift certificate for the auction, contact Andrew Hunter, chef of The
Acorn Restaurant, at andrew.r.hunter@gmail.com, or Juliana Ericson at
(615) 482-3535 or juliana-art@comcast.net . (AH)
_____________________________________
Forward Motion: "The Greatest Refreshment in Life"
By Kimberly Maiers Shaw
NASHVILLE -- Last night I was flipping through a magazine that is actually
from February 2009 (I'm a little behind on my reading) and came across a
quote by Pablo Picasso that read, "Love is the greatest refreshment in life."
As I thought about the words a little more, I realized how right Mr. Picasso
was and is. Love can and does refresh and renew in so many ways. It can
bring joy, healing, peace, forgiveness, happiness, and so much more.
So although Hallmark, Kay's Diamonds and Lexxus pressure us to
celebrate Valentine's Day a certain way, I think Valentine's is a reminder to
get back to the simple, but powerful meaning of "love" and find ways to
add a little more into our lives - for ourselves and for others.
Here are a few simple ideas you may want to consider to bring and add
more "love" in your world:
Send a handwritten note or card to an old friend, your grandmother, your
favorite aunt or someone special that you haven't talked to in a long while.
It'll make you feel good, and the person on the other end will love it, too.
Yes, we're all busy, but it won't take as long as you think it will.
Be kind to yourself when you make a mistake or that song, painting, report--
whatever it is--isn't perfect! We want to be perfect, but we aren't, yet we're
often so hard on ourselves and beat ourselves up with our words and
thoughts. There really are no failures, only results. We can continue to
change and work on things.
Even if you don't receive flowers on Valentine's Day (or even if you do),
why not buy some for a friend of yours, your neighbor or even yourself! A
dozen roses isn't necessary; daisies are beautiful, too, and much more
inexpensive. Be the one who grants the cheer to someone else and
yourself!
Take 20 minutes to do some yoga, meditate, or just be still on the sofa and
try to quiet the mind. With so many distractions in our lives, this is a little
way to care for ourselves, which allows us to to have more energy and
zest for all of the other people and obligations in our lives.
Smile at the person you pass on the sidewalk or down the aisle of the
grocery store. I bet you get a smile back. And if not, silently wish that
person a great day.
These are only a few small ideas, and I know there are endless ways to
bring more love and kindness into our lives and to others. I'd love to hear
your thoughts and ideas, too. Email me at kmaiersshaw@gmail.com with
the subject "love article."
And Happy Valentine's Day on Sunday, and everyday this year!
Copyright 2010 (used by permission)
_____________________________________
Arts...
February (Mondays) -- Diana Morningstar is hosting the four-week
"SoulStory" gatherings in The PlayRoom at 309 Canberra Court in
Hermitage from 6:30-8:30 p.m. According to Diane, the event gives artists
the opportunity to "connect, create and celebrate the stories our lives are
unfolding. After some recent experiences with doing the work of SoulCraft,
SoulCollage and encounters in the nature, I'm moved to offer time and
space for some deep play -- witnessing to, crafting and sharing our soul
stirrings with moving, sound, writing, collage art, and other mediums."
Admission is $20 per session. Info: dianamorningstar@gmail.com or (615)
594-4410. (DM)
Feb. 13-15 (Valentine's Day Weekend) -- Artists Masankho, Diane
Morningstar Ault, and Thandiwe Shiphrah will lead "Hearts Wide Open", a
community gathering exploring, expanding and expressing the healing
power of love. The abundance of love will be demonstrated through song,
story, dance and stillness. The retreat will occur at various times at the
Unity Church of Positive Living in Old Hickory and at the Playroom in
Hermitage. For info or to register: (615) 594-4410 or
dianamorningstar@gmail.com . (DMA)
Feb. 13 (Saturday) -- Songwriter and visual artist Joni Bishop will perform
music and display her artwork during a special "Global Cabaret" evening
at the Global Education Center, 4822 Charlotte Ave. in Nashville. The
evening also will feature a performance by The Bosch Institute, a unique
poetry and music collaboration between Thadiwe Shiphrah and Daniel
Arite. Admission is $10. Info: http://www.globaleducationcenter.net . (TS)
Feb. 20 (Saturday) -- "The Love Drums WhizBang Drum Circle" will occur at
8 p.m. at UU Woodmont in Nashville. Info: Ed Haggard
edhaggard@bellsouth.net . (EH)
March 5 (Friday) -- The "Co-Creator's Coffeehouse" will occur from 7-10 p.m.
at the Nashville Center for Spiritual Living, 6705 Charlotte Pike in west
Nashville. Artists of all kinds will share their talents. An artist (TBA) will
close the evening with a 30-minute performance. Admission is free. The
event will be emceed by Butterfly (Sarah Todd) and Gordon Ellis. For more
information, send an e-mail to Gordon at gordelmusic@hotmail.com or
Butterfly at butterfly5891@earthlink.net . (GE)
Visual Art...
Feb. 13 (Saturday) -- Le Quire Gallery will celebrate Valentine's weekend
with a special event called "Jewelry & Chocolate". The event, which will
occur from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., will feature hand-crafted SOMERS jewelry for
view and sale and a "decadent" dessert bar provided by Izzy & Bell. For
more information, visit http://www.izzyandbell.
com/EVENTSPLTRETAILPRESS.html . (Lorre Leon Mendelson)
Feb. 19 (Friday) -- Artists in Nashville will host the "February Art Party" from
5-9 p.m. at Classic Modern, 2116 Eighth Ave. S. Among the visual artists
exhibiting their creations will be Melody Erickson (photography, leather
bags and jewelry), Jeff Briggs (paintings in beeswax), The Twisted Sister
(sculptures of light, water, earth and fire by Linda Hobdy), and Olga
Alexeeva (paintings). Jazz musician Suzahn Fiering will perform. Details:
http://www.ArtistsinNashville.com . (Melody Erickson)
Through Feb. 27 -- Cumberland Art Gallery is hosting "The Food Show: Art
Feeds People", an exhibition benefiting Second Harvest Food Bank. The
exhibition features food-oriented artworks by Andy Saftel, Ron Porter,
Marilyn Murphy, Barry Buxkamper, Billy Renkl, Dane Carder, Jeff Danley,
Johan Hagaman, Kell Black, Kit Reuther, and Max Shuster. Details: http:
//cumberlandgallery.com/Shows-Detail.cfm?ShowsID=40 . (CAG)
Through March 6 -- The F Gallery's latest exhibition, "Talcum Fables",
features artists Jenny Luckett, Mahlea Jones, Jaime Raybin and Iwonka
Waskowski, with special guest artists Nicole Baumann and Marcie Little.
Description from Gallery Director Sabine Schlunk: "Every piece of art in
this show tells a story. Most are autobiographical, all are created by using
unusual materials (including talcum powder), and all of the storytellers are
women. While women's issues are not the main focus of the show, there is
a conscious feminine language established in the authenticity of each
story. This language is communicated through the artists' use of
unexpected materials, and the viewers' sensory interaction with those
materials - the tactile, the fluid, the fuzzy, the powdery, the shiny. The works
have been produced especially for this show, using varied media,
including installation, painting and photography." The F Gallery is located
at Scarritt-Bennett, 1000 19th Ave. S. Details: sschlunk@scarrittbennett.
org . (SS)
Arts Education...
Feb. 24 (Wednesday) -- Sixteen art teachers of Williamson and Davidson
public schools have been named grant recipients of the "Students &
Friends of gail McDaniel Award." The cash awards, totaling $6,588.10, will
be presented to the winners at McDaniel's Franklin, Tenn., studio at 4:30 p.
m. The PENCIL Foundation will receive $1,946.90 for its LP PENCIL Box, a
store that provides free educational supplies to area schools. The
teachers will use their grants to purchase student art supplies. Of that
total, $4,794 came from the ‘Blahs Party’ and $3,741 came from donations
from individuals, businesses and foundations. The McDaniels have raised
almost $76,600 for art teachers and the PENCIL Foundation since 2001.
This year's grant winners are Kelly Selfe of Moore Elementary; Sharon
Byers of Freedom Intermediate; Colette Chambers of Franklin Elementary;
Linda Powell of Poplar Grove Elementary; Maggie Tucker of Brentwood
Middle; Valerie Lamb-Steece of Crockett Elementary; Katy Lane of
Pinewood Elementary; Fran Zinder of Apollo Middle; Heather Bellgardt of
East Literature Magnet Middle; Carrie Bryant of Glencliff High; Kimberly
Radford of Creswell Arts Magnet Middle; Robert Green of Sylvan Park
Paideia Design Center; Laurie Poole of Nashville School for the Arts; Denna
Fiorita of Nashville School for the Arts; Shirley Dyer-Beard of Hillsboro
Comprehensive High; and Jan Bidewell of Shwab Elementary. For more
information about the "Students and Friends of gail McDaniel Award"
grants or to make a donation, call (615) 599-5115, send an e-mail to
gail@gailmcdanielart.com, or visit http://www.gailmcdanielart.com.
(Whiting Publicity)
_____________________________________
'Publicize Your Dream!'
By Chuck Whiting
Whiting Publicity & Promotions
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Are you ready to roll up your sleeves and get some
publicity? If so, then I'm ready and eager to help you.
Did you know that reporters and editors throw away approximately 90
percent of the press releases they receive? That's why it's crucial to find
the perfect hook, use the inverted pyramid structure, and write in
Associated Press style. The easier you make it for the media pros, the
better chance you'll have to see your "big story" in print or online. Some
stories remain in the Internet search engines for years.
I will be leading my in-depth, four-week "Publicizing Your Dream" class in
Brentwood, Tenn., on Tuesdays from March 2-23, 2010. Each session will
run from 7-9:30 p.m., with additional time for follow-up questions and
critiques. Artists, entrepreneurs and organizational leaders will learn all
aspects of publicity, including the tools reporters and editors use;
developing a news hook; writing and editing a press release; and
distributing the release to the news media. I plan to walk attendees through
the process step by step with feedback and professional critiques. My goal
is to have everyone holding a pitch-ready press release in their hands
when the class ends.
One of my Virginia students wrote me this moving letter...
"I wanted to send you my first press release (newspaper story) of my
career... thanks to you. You may recognize it as my homework from your
workshop. Initially, I hadn't planned on using it, but the piece came in
handy at the last minute. A customer came to the show specifically to buy
the print. She bought it plus the original! Her sale totaled $500, just from
this press release. Thank you so much for taking your time and coming all
this way to give this wonderful workshop. I now understand how valuable
a press release can be. And, thank you for extending yourself so freely to
others." -- Visual Artist in Independence, Va.
Here's a brief bio sketch. I'm a former newspaper reporter who has served
the arts, entertainment, hospitality and tourism industries for more than 25
years. I coordinated PR for the Opryland Hotel before founding my own
company, Whiting Publicity & Promotions, in 1993. I also teach
communication courses as an adjunct professor for Middle Tennessee
State University and Volunteer State Community College. I am the co-author
and co-songwriter of the children's book/CD, "The Littlest Star: a musical
story"; editor of the arts newsletter Music City Arts Update; and
founder/emcee of the monthly songwriters show, "Tunesmithing on Music
Row".
My "Publicizing Your Dream" class will be hosted by Just Say Yes
International at the Heart House, 500 Danville Point in Brentwood, Tenn.
Tuition is only $120 for all four sessions or $35 per class. Advance
registration is required. For more information or to register, call (615) 242-
9857 or send me an e-mail message at Arts@WhitingPublicity.com.
_____________________________________
Literature...
Feb. 26 (Friday) – Award-winning writer and visual artist Henry L. Jones
will be the featured poet for February's "Line Breaks Literary Reading
Series" at 7:30 p.m. at the Global Education Center, 4822 Charlotte Ave. in
Nashville. Reading from "Run Into Blackness: Feeling My Poetic Gumbo",
Jones will explore Black identity/culture, love, spirituality, community
issues and freedom – transforming himself into many people and traveling
through time from American slavery era to the present. Admission is $8.
For more information, visit http://www.globaleducationcenter.net or call
(615) 292-3023. (TS)
March 2 (Tuesday) -- Civil Rights activist, author and educator Ruthie-Marie
Beckwith, Ph.D., will read and sign her new mystery novel, "Seven Days at
Oak Valley", at Davis-Kidd Booksellers in Green Hills at 7 p.m. The
bookstore is located at 2121 Green Hills Village Drive. Info:
lorreleon@bellsouth.net . (LLM)
Film...
Feb. 19 (Friday) -- Movies That Matter will show the movie “What Dreams
May Come” starring Robin Williams and Cuba Gooding Jr. at 7 p.m. The
NCSL jazz band will perform at 6:30 p.m. Donations accepted. Info: http:
//www.Nashvillecsl.org . (NCSL)
April 13-16 (Tuesday-Friday) -- "FILM-COM -- PACKAGING, COMPLETION &
DISTRIBUTION MARKET", a new event for indie filmmakers, will occur at
Pinnacle Tower and the Nashville Downtown Hilton, with a special music-
for-film event at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. If you have a work-in-
progress, an exceptional short film that can serve as a prototype for a
feature film, a newly shot work that needs post-production, or you think you
can put together a tremendous power-point presentation for a feature-
length project you wish to produce -- "Film-Com" is designed to facilitate
the connection to potential distribution companies, financiers and potential
co-production partners coming to Tennessee to review properties that are
marketable and saleable. Early bird registration is under way at http:
//www.Film-Com.com. (FN)
Theatre...
February (Selected Dates) -- Rachel Gladstone's stage play "The Petty
Chronicles" will hit the Bongo After Hours Theater stage at 7:30 p.m. Feb.
12 (Friday), with additional performances on the 13th, 19th and 20th.
Appearing with Rachel will be Catherine Fleming and Trish Crist. Bongo is
located at 2007 Belmont Blvd. near Belmont University. Advance tickets
are $10. Info: http://www.bongoafterhours.com . (RG)
February (Selected Dates) -- The Dark Horse Theater will be the setting for
"Fly Girl", a fictional dramatization stage play based on the life of Bessie
Coleman, the first African-American to become a licensed pilot. Written by
Mary McCallum and directed by Barry Scott, the play will open on Feb. 19
(Friday) with additional performances on the 20th, 21st, 25th, 26th and
27th. The Darkhorse is located at 4610 Charlotte Ave. Tickets are $10.
Info: (615) 781-3904 or http://www.sistastyle.net . (SS)
March (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays) -- "One Kiss Cafe", a new musical
by songwriter-author-playwright Parrish Stanton and legendary director Ted
Swindley (author and director of "Always... Patsy Cline"), will begin a three-
weekend run on March 12 (Friday) at the Ford Theater at the Country Music
Hall of Fame and Museum, 222 Fifth Ave. S. in downtown Nashville.
Showtimes are 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. on Sundays
(March 12, 13, 14; 19, 20 and 21; and 26, 27 and 28). Tickets are $25 for
Friday and Saturday evening performances, and $20 for Sunday matinee
performances. Stanton's "One Kiss Cafe" is described as a "glimpse of
Nashville... the story of life, love and the music business." The musical
will star singer-actors Mike Callahan, Mika Combs, Karen Wheeler and
David Kinnard. "One Kiss Cafe" centers around a 20-something emerging
songwriter named Ricky Stakonis (played by Callahan). After arriving in
Nashville, Ricky falls for a 20-something songwriter/love interest named
Sara Baker (played by Combs). While trying to be discovered, Ricky
receives encouragement from a cafe' owner/bartender named Tootsie
McCoy (played by Wheeler) and hype from a smooth-talking music publisher
named Carl "Midas" Bradford (played by Kinnard). The four-member cast
will sing and dance to contemporary country/pop up-tempo songs and
ballads written by Stanton with various Nashville songwriting
collaborators, including Jeff Pedigo, Bill Warrington, Mike Vance, and Scott
Stepakoff. "One Kiss Cafe" is produced by Phoenix Rising Entertainment
Inc. of Nashville. To purchase tickets, call (615) 871-0656 or visit http:
//www.ticketsnashville.com. For show information, visit http://www.
OneKissCafeMusical.com. (Whiting Publicity)
Radio...
Sundays -- JAZZ On The Side, a weekly radio documentary featuring music
and stories about the great sidemen and women of jazz, airs at 12 noon CT
on WMOT Jazz89 at 89.5FM and at http://www.wmot.org . The program is
hosted by R. Austin Bealmear. Details: http://www.jazzontheside.com . (AB)
Saturdays -- Join Wendy Vickers and T.J. Kirby on "T.J. and Company" from
3-5 p.m. CST on Radio Free Nashville, 107.1 in Nashville or streaming
online at http://www.radiofreenashville.org. Wendy: "We play classic music
from the '60s-'80s, have guest interviews, facts and fun features, and a lot
more!" (WV)
Networking Events...
Mondays -- The Indie Connect Music Industry Networking Event occurs at
Corky's Ribs & BBQ, 100 Franklin Road in Brentwood at 11:30 a.m. Topic
this week: "10 Questions That Every Artist, Manager and Label Should
Know The Answers To But Don't" with Brendan Wovchko. Admission is $5
for members and $10 for non-members (artists buy their own meals). A
monthly or annual fee applies for membership. The events, which feature
talks by top music industry professionals, are hosted by Vinny and Connie
Ribas. Visit http://www.indieconnect.net to RSVP (required). (Vinny and
Connie Ribas)
Feb. 9 (Tuesday) -- The Tennessee Jazz & Blues Society "Annual Meeting
and Party" will occur from 6-8 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel, 315 4th Ave. N.
(corner of 4th Ave and Union Street) in downtown Nashville. Hors
d'oeuvres and beverages will be served, followed by a brief meeting and
election of new officers. Come, meet old friends, new friends, and join in
support of jazz & blues. Info: (615) 244-8200 or http://www.jazzblues.org .
(TJBS)
Tuesdays -- The Indie Connect Music Industry Networking Event occurs at
Ryan's Grill Buffet & Bakery, 405 S. Cumberland St. in Lebanon (11:30 a.
m.). This week's topic: Video Presentation: "Writing Songs From An
Artist's Perspective" featuring Rand Bishop. Admission is $5 for members
and $10 for non-members (artists buy their own meals). A monthly or annual
fee applies for membership. The events, which feature talks by top music
industry professionals, are hosted by Vinny and Connie Ribas. Visit http:
//www.indieconnect.net to RSVP (required). (VCR)
Tuesdays -- CEO Nashville hosts its "Mastermind Luncheon" at 11:30 a.m.
every Tuesday at Corky's Ribs & BBQ, 100 Franklin Road in Brentwood.
Details: http://www.ceonashville.com . (CEO Nashville)
Second Tuesday -- The Indie Connect Music Industry Networking Event
occurs at Farmers Family Restaurant, 1000 Suzanne Drive in Dickson (6:30
p.m.). Admission is $5 for members and $10 for non-members (artists buy
their own meals). A monthly or annual fee applies for membership. The
events, which feature talks by top music industry professionals, are hosted
by Vinny and Connie Ribas. Visit http://www.indieconnect.net to RSVP
(required). (VCR)
Third Tuesday -- The Positive Music Association meets the third Tuesday of
each month in Bellevue. This excellent group of artists meets to share
insights on their accomplishments and to learn from their peers. A special
speaker is featured each month. PMA meets at the Lemongrass Restaurant
at Old Hickory and Highway 70. For more details, contact Annie Sims at
anniesimscountry@comcast.net.
Wednesdays -- The Tennessee Songwriters Association International (TSAI)
meets regularly, benefiting tunesmiths at all levels. All events occur from
7-9 p.m. in Room 200B of the Jack Massey Business Center Building at
Wedgewood and Belmont Circle East on the Belmont University campus in
Nashville. Upcoming events: Pitch-A-Pro Night (Feb. 10); Songwriting
Workshop (Feb. 17); Pro Wrap Night (Feb. 24). Details: http://www.tnsai.
com . (TSAI)
Thursdays -- Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) stages
workshops every week. For more details, visit http://www.
NashvilleSongwriters.com .
Second Thursday -- The Indie Connect Music Industry Networking Event for
Christian Musicians occurs at Corky's Ribs & BBQ, 100 Franklin Road in
Brentwood at 7 p.m. Admission is $5 for members and $10 for non-
members (artists buy their own meals). A monthly or annual fee applies for
membership. Visit http://www.indieconnect.net to RSVP (required). (VCR)
Third Thursday -- Author Patricia Leonard (The Everyday Diva) has
established "The Runway - For Women". The monthly meeting is open to
women who are in career transition, have a goal or dream that they want to
get focused on, or just want to explore what they wish to accomplish…
when they grow up. The Runway meets on the third Thursday of each month
from 6-8 p.m. at Belle Mead Office Suites, 4525 Harding Pike, Suite #200,
Nashville, TN 37205. A $10 fee helps cover expenses. Info:
Patricia@DivaTheatre.com or (615) 662-4049 or http://www.DivaTheatre.
com. (Patricia Leonard)
Second Friday -- The Arts Council of Williamson County offers a number of
education events for artists. The organization "Brown Bag Lunch Bunch"
occurs from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on the second Friday of each month in the main
conference room of the Williamson County Public Library, 1314 Columbia
Pike in Franklin, Tenn. The next speaker on Feb. 12 will be Gerry Walker,
director of YMCA ArtEMBRACE. ACWC's evening speakers series, which
occurs from 6-7:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month, is called "Art:
Up Close and Personal". Details: info@artscouncilwc.org or http://www.
artscouncilwc.org. (Linda McLaughlin)
Third Sunday -- Songwriter networking pro Doak Turner hosts his popular
barbecue for songwriters in Nashville beginning at 3 p.m. The event
occurs on the third Sunday of every month. Details: http://www.
nashvillemuse.com . (Doak Turner)
(Do you have a networking event in the arts? Please let us know:
MusicCityArtsUpdate@earthlink.net or Arts@WhitingPublicity.com .)
Artist Resources, Career Growth and Opportunities...
"Publicizing Your Dream" Classes -- Publicist/educator/author/composer
Chuck Whiting will lead his in-depth, four-week publicity class "Publicizing
Your Dream" on Tuesdays from March 2-23, 2010 in Brentwood, Tenn.
Each session will run from 7-9:30 p.m. with additional time for follow-up
questions and critiques. Artists, entrepreneurs and organizational leaders
will learn all aspects of publicity, including the tools journalists use,
developing a news hook, writing and editing a press release, and
distributing the release to the news media. Chuck will walk professionals
through the process step by step with feedback and professional critiques.
A former newspaper reporter, Chuck has served the arts, entertainment,
hospitality and tourism industries for 25 years. He coordinated PR for the
Opryland Hotel before founding Whiting Publicity & Promotions in 1993.
Chuck also teaches part time in journalism at Middle Tennessee State
University and Volunteer State Community College. The class will be
hosted by Just Say Yes International at the Heart House, 500 Danville Point
in Brentwood. Seating is limited to 15 students. Tuition is $120 for all four
sessions or $35 per class. Info: (615) 242-9857, Arts@WhitingPublicity.
com, or http://www.PublicizingYourDream.com . (Whiting Publicity)
Tin Pan South -- The 18th Annual "Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival" will
be held March 30-April 3 in Nashville. Produced by NSAI, the world's
largest all-songwriter festival features both seasoned pros and fresh faces
performing their past, present and future hits each night in some of Music
City’s best listening rooms. Details: http://www.tinpansouth.com . (NSAI)
Portrait Painting Classes in Hendersonville -- The Hendersonville Arts
Council will offer a beginner to advanced portrait painting class for adults
starting March 4 (Thursday). Visual artist Christy Pilkinton will lead the
eight-week class. Each session will meet from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on
Thursday at Monthaven, the home of the Hendersonville Arts Council. To
register, visit to http://www.hendersonvillearts.org or call 822-0789. (HAC)
Virtual Seminar with Lisa Aschmann -- Professional singer-songwriter Lisa
Aschmann will lead the virtual seminar, "Getting Your Music Into Film and
TV", from 3:30-5 p.m. Feb. 18 (Thursday) at http://www.IndieConnect.net .
(VR)
Artist and Songwriter Conference -- Embassy Music will be holding its next
"Artist & Songwriter Conference" on Feb. 27 in Nashville. In light of the
recent tragedy in Haiti, it will be offering the event at no charge and asking
artists and songwriters to make a donation at the conference to the Haiti
disaster relief efforts in place of a registration fee. "If you would like to take
your music to the next level in 2010, as well as help out a worthy cause,
please e-mail us back with your name and daytime phone number. Although
audition slots are limited, there is still time to register for this event! If
interested, please contact us as soon as possible. We'll be happy to
provide you with additional information. Please feel free to pass this along
to a friend, family member, or anyone who might be interested in
participating in this event. For info, contact Zac at (615) 485-0700. (EM)
Valentine's Love Song Competition -- The John Lennon Songwriting Contest
is running a Valentine's love song competition. The deadline for
submissions is Feb. 15. Details: http://www.jlsc.com .
Durango Songwriter’s Expo -- BMI has announced that the sixth annual
"Durango Songwriter's Expo/Santa Barbara Wine Country" will occur from
Feb. 25-27 at The Santa Ynez Valley Marriott. BMI members receive a 10
percent discount on registration. The registration is limited to 200, with
more than 40 music industry pros (including BMI's Tracie Verlinde) and hit
songwriters in attendance. The Expo is a combination of workshops,
listening sessions, showcases, panels, and open mics. For more
information: http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/540614 . (BMI)
Self-Help Seminar -- Performing artist Donna Michael will lead her "Radical
Forgiveness Workshop" from 2-4 p.m. Feb. 28 (Sunday). Attendees will
learn how to let go of the past and experience the freedom of forgiveness.
Tuition is $25. Details: http://www.Nashvillecsl.org . (NCSL)
BMI Showcase Info -- BMI host songwriter showcases in Nashville, New
York, LA and other cities. Info: http://www.bmi.com/events . (BMI)
Marketing Workshop -- Marketing and PR professional Megan McInnis will
lead a "Branding & Re-Branding" workshop from noon-2:30 p.m. Feb. 20
(Saturday) at Selection Center, 2960 Sidco Drive (off I-65). The workshop is
designed for artists and small business owners. Lunch is included. Guest
Speakers are Angela Howell of ShutterCreek Photography and Lori
Bumgarner of paNASH Style. Details: http://www.MeganMcInnis.com .
(MM)
List of Upcoming International Music Events -- Scroll down to the bottom of
this section for a list of upcoming international music events.
Opportunity for Emerging Composers -- The Pioneer Valley Symphony
Orchestra and EarShot, the National Orchestral Composition Discovery
Network, announce the Pioneer Valley Symphony New Music Readings, to
be held April 17 and 18, 2010, in Northampton, Mass. The Readings are
designed to be an outstanding artistic and professional-development
opportunity for emerging composers, and are also an excellent way for
emerging composers to gain visibility in the field of orchestral music.
Applications and submitted works for the Pioneer Valley Symphony New
Music Readings are due by Feb. 15. For information, visit www.
earshotnetwork.org/pioneervalley.html . (NCA)
Retreat for Songwriters -- The Songwriter Clinic will present the
"Successful Songwriters Clinic" from March 26-29 at Sugar Hollow Retreat
in northeast Tennessee. Leading workshops will be hit writers Tim
Johnson, James Dean Hicks and Rory Lee Feek, and publisher Jennifer
Johnson (Golden Vault Music). Info: http://www.songwriterinstitute.com .
(SC)
Introduction to Oil Painting -- Visual artist Lori Putnam will lead the
workshop, "One-Day Introduction to Oil", from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 20
(Saturday) in her studio at HA Gallery, 1506 Eighth Ave. S. Tuition is $90.
To reserve your space, write Lori at lori@loriputnum.com or call (615) 512-
0929. (LP)
USA Songwriting Competition -- The 15th Annual USA Songwriting
Competition is now accepting entries. Winning songs will receive radio
airplay in United States and Canada along with great prizes such as a top
prize of more than $50,000. To enter: http://www.songwriting.net/entryform.
html. (USC)
New to Nashville Workshop -- Indie Connect hosts a workshop for
Nashville newcomers from 2-4 p.m. every Friday at Shoney's, 546
Donelson Pike in Nashville (near the airport). Fee: $20 for non-members.
Details: http://www.indieconnect.net . (VCR)
TEDxNashville -- Hundreds of Music City’s brightest minds will converge
March 21 (Sunday) at Montgomery Bell Academy, 4001 Harding Road, for a
day of deep discussion, thought-provoking video and live speakers at
"TEDxNashville". TEDx events are independently organized and offer to
spark a community-wide discussion of ideas that matter, free of any
commercial, political or religious agenda. This event will give Nashville
area’s greatest thinkers and doers a collaborative platform to share their
passions and inspire our community. Details: http://www.tedxnashville.
com . (Kaleidoscope Media)
Call for Entries -- The Arts Council of Williamson County invites visual
artists to submit works for "Art Fusion 2010". The event will occur from
June 4-5, 2010. Info: http://www.artscouncilwc.org/art_fusion_2010.html .
(ACWC)
Performance Opportunity -- Looking for a place to showcase your band?
The "Lenoir City Jamboree" is offering performance opportunities for
established bands on the second and fourth Friday of each month. Acts
will receive a portion of ticket sales. Info: info@1720entertainment.com .
(LCJ)
Radio Interviews -- Radio station WDKN 1260 AM is looking to interview
country singers and song writers for their weekly show "Studio 1260" with
Diane Davis. Info: visit http://WDKN1260AM.COM or call 446-4000 to
speak with Diane. (WDKN)
The ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO will return for the fifth year to the
Renaissance Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles from April 22-24, 2010.
Special keynote interviews will include Quincy Jones, John Mayer and Bill
Withers. There also will be appearances by Kenny Burrell, Desmond Child,
Dre & Vidal, Dr. Luke, Don Schlitz, Brian Tyler, Phil Vassar, and Greg
Wells. Follow the event at http://www.twitter.com/ascapexpo . (ASCAP)
Receive Radio Airplay -- Jim O'Baid, host of the "Uncle Pepe Show" on
radio station 88.5-FM, is looking for some great songs to air. The show,
which airs from 6-9 a.m. Thursdays and Saturdays and streams at http:
//www.WVCP.net, features songs and performances by Nashville acts. For
more info, contact Jim at jimobaid@gmail.com . (Jim O'Baid)
CD Baby Artist Tips -- CD Baby has released a new advice guide for artists
titled, "What You're Not Doing is Costing You". Obtain your free copy: http:
//members.cdbaby.com/campaigns/request-whatyourenotdoing.aspx . (CD
Baby)
News You Can Use...
What Music Producers Do (Variety) -- What does a producer do? Even the
nominees for the producer of the year Grammy admit that their duties
changes from day to day. But the one constant, no matter whom the talent
and regardless of music industry's wins or woes, is the producer's desire
to draw the best possible sound out of an artist. More... http://www.variety.
com/article/VR1118014407.html?
categoryid=3540&cs=1&nid=2568&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=fe
ed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+variety%2Fnews%2Fmusic+%28Variety+-
+Music+New (ASCAP)
Susan Boyle's Idol Elaine Paige Calls Her A "Virus" (All Headline News) --
Susan Boyle's longtime idol Elaine Paige has called her a virus, and that's
a good thing! The West End star said that the Scottish Internet phenomenon
was like a disease that spread across the world in no time. More... http:
//www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7017667026?Susan%20Boyle%
2527s%20Idol%20Elaine%20Paige%20Calls%20Her%20A (ASCAP)
Publicity Blog -- The "Publicizing Your Dream" blog by Chuck Whiting has
returned with a new series detailing the 10 most important PR steps every
artist should take. Stay tuned for the second step. Visit Chuck's blog at
http://www.PublicizingYourDream.com . (Whiting Publicity)
Literary Blog -- Check out the latest "Wordabulous!" blog (and "positive
word of the week") by Debbie Watts at http://www.Wordabulous.com or http:
//www.DebbieWatts.net .
(Have news that artists can use? Please send it on to
MusicCityArtsUpdate@Earthlink.com . Thanks!)
Congratulations to...
Singer-songwriter David Llewellyn, who will perform at the Bluebird Cafe
on Feb. 12. Joining him in the round will be Louise Mosrie, Joe Jencks
and RJ Cowdery. Note: The 6:30 p.m. show is sold out. (DL)
Singer-songwriter-publicist Lindsay George, who will perform her senior
recital at Belmont University at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 12 (Friday). (LG)
Physician-author Dr. Ming Wang, who is featured in a TBN program about a
man who can now see after struggling with blindness for 13 years. Tune in
from 9-11 p.m. on Feb. 12 (Friday). (Ashley Marlow)
Visual artist Michelle Moraczewski, who is exhibiting her latest works at
Gallery Arcade 57 in downtown Nashville. The exhibit will continue
through March. Details: michellempa29@gmail.com . (MM)
Singer-songwriter Julie Moriva, who recently signed her first publishing
deal with Super 98 Publishing Company (Scott Borchetta’s new publishing
company). (Doak Turner)
Photographer Charlie Doggett, who is exhibiting his "Tennessee Outdoors"
collection through Feb. 28 at Wired Coffee Company, 699 Gallatin Road in
Hendersonville. Info: (615) 822-3799. (MR)
Singer-songwriter Essra Mohawk, who will launch her 2010 tour at 10 p.m.
March 2 (Tuesday) with a performance at 3rd & Lindsley in downtown
Nashville. Info: (615) 662-5330. (EM)
Songwriter Sara Light, who found out recently that she has the new
Michael Peterson single in Europe. The song, "Why Didn't You Think Of This
Before," is co-written with Arlos Smith and Michael Peterson. (SongU)
Songwriter Vickie Raye, who will perform as part of "Storytellers In the
Round" at 6 p.m. Feb. 20 (Saturday) at Douglas Corner Cafe. (VR)
Visual artist Camille Engel, whose latest paintings are on exhibition at the
River Gallery in Chattanooga through Feb. 28. Details: http://www.camille-
engel.com . (River Gallery)
Jazz artist John Richards, who performs from noon-2 p.m. every Tuesday at
the Stillwaters Cafe, 1207 Jefferson St. (JR)
Author Lori Bumgarner, who has released the new e-book, "Advance Your
Image: Putting Your Best Foot Forward Never Goes Out of Style". This book
is geared to recording artists, music industry executives, and others from a
variety of industries. (LB)
Singer-songwriter Michael Laidley, who will celebrate the release of his
latest CD "Little Talks" at 7:30 p.m. March 13 (Saturday) at the Musical
Heritage Center, 256 Highway 70 in Pegram. Proceeds will benefit the
center. Details: http://www.FiddleandPick.com . (ML)
Author Yvonne Perry, who had released the new book, "The Sid Series ~ A
Collection of Holistic Stories for Children". For more info or to order the
book, visit http://www.TheSidSeries.com . (YP)
Singer-songwriter Earth Mama (Joyce Rouse), who has posted a new blog
at http://www.rthmama.blogspot.com/ . The artist recently released her 10th
project ("Pay Attention"). She performed at the Homestead in Hot Springs,
Va., on Jan. 10 and 11. Her state tribute song, "Virginia Beauty", has
received extensive airplay. Visit Joyce's web site at http://www.
EarthMama.org . (Whiting Publicity)
Author-songwriter Candy Paull, who has released the new e-book, "Inner
Abundance: Affirmations for Confidence, Creativity, and Higher
Consciousness" at Smashwords.com. For the e-book, visit http://www.
smashwords.com/books/view/3901 to access the book's page, and then
select either "Javascript Reader" or "HTML Reader" to view the sample.
For more information about Candy or her books, visit http://www.
CandyPaull.com . (CP)
Authors Miranda Sullivan and Deborah Bishop, who have released the new
book, "'Just Say Yes' to the Body You Want". The book is described as "a
breakthrough in releasing weight that will change your life." The
collaborators also have launched a new event for businesses and
organizations called "A Healthy Brew to Wellness-Tea Party and Whole Life
Celebration". The party includes a small workshop based on their book.
Info: (615) 376-9905 or http://www.just-say-yes-international.com . (MS)
Author/Speaker Debbie Watts, who has received news coverage about her
new book in NEA publications across the country. The coverage has
helped produce book sales from coast-to-coast. "Word Woman" has
written a story on words that will appear in an upcoming issue of Nashville
Arts Magazine. Info: http://www.ShineTimeBooks.com . (Shine Time Books)
Marketing professional Marla Sitten, who has launched the new web site
http://www.NashvilleMusicSpace.com . Marla describes it as a "multi-
media website formed exclusively to help preserve and promote the
history and future of Nashville's Music Community by providing “reality-
based” music news through weekly video blogs, celebrity and industry
professional interviews, webisodes and live performances." (MS)
Entrepreneurs Vinny and Connie Ribas, who have launched a new on-line
magazine for independent artists. Check it out at http://www.
indieconnectmagazine.com. (VCR)
Music Conferences, Festivals and Auditions...
22nd International Folk Alliance Conference: Feb. 17-21, 2010 Memphis.
Canadian Music Week: March 10-24, 2010, Toronto, Canada.
SXSW (South By South West Music): March 17-21, 2010, Austin.
Winter Music Conference: March 23-27, 2010, Miami Beach.
Musikmesse Frankfurt: March 24-27, 2010, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
I Create Music ASCAP Expo 2010: April 22-24, 2010, Los Angeles.
MIAC (Music Industries Association of Canada) 2010 Trade Show: May 16
and 17, 2010 at the Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto.
NXNE 2010: June 16 – 20, Toronto.
Baybeats: Aug. 20 - 22, 2010, (South East Asia's version of SXSW)
Singapore, Singapore.
Australian Music Association Convention Melbourne: Sept. 30 and Oct. 1,
2010.
WOMEX: October 27-31, 2010, Copenhagen, Denmark.
AES San Francisco/129th AES Convention: Nov. 5-7, 2010.
Symphathy to...
Author/speaker Debbie Mathis Watts, who recently lost her mother. Please
keep her in your thoughts and prayers.
Special Thanks to...
NSAI membership managers Sheree' Spoltore' and Shawn Bowling, for
hosting a luncheon and information session for the hosts of area
songwriters nights. (CW)
Artist Classifieds...
STAY AT THE OASIS HOTEL -- Alabama's newest luxury hotel, the Oasis,
has opened at Victoryland in Shorter, Ala. Located just 18 miles east of
downtown Montgomery, the state-of-the-art property features 300 luxury
guest rooms and suites, a fine-dining restaurant called Whitfield's
Steakhouse, O's Lobby Bar, and the O Brew cafe' offering Starbucks
coffees. An 80,000-square-foot conference center for groups of all kinds
will open in late 2010. Reservations: (877) OASIS50 or (334) 720-1700, or
visit http://www.OasisHotel.us .
INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY -- The beautiful Millsworks Theatre in historic
Lebanon is looking for potential investors and sponsors for the facility's
outstanding facilities and upcoming musical shows. For more details or to
request a tour of the venue, send an e-mail message to Keith Hardy at
kfhardy@comcast.net.
BELLEVUE CONDO FOR SALE: Singer-songwriter Batya Wininger is
selling her beautiful, 3,000-square-foot condo at 6955 Highland Park Drive
in Nashville. The asking price is $149,900 (as is). Here are the particulars:
three-story townhouse style condo - end unit. Bellevue/Belle Meade
Location. 3+ bedrooms; 2 full and 2 half baths. Great schools. Close to St.
Henry’s and Jewish Community Center. 3 minutes to shopping. Optional
gardens. 300 sq. ft. below-ground safe room for storm safety!! 600 sq. ft.
separate entrance finished basement with ½ bath - perfect for music studio!
Lots of storage on every floor. Crown moldings 2 floors. 2-car carport with
storage shed; enclosed patio. New roof and sewers (condo installed).
Some new windows. New 50-gal hot water heater. New carpets on two
floors. 2 new half-baths. MAIN FLOOR: hardwood floors halls and great
room; bay windows; lots of cabinets and counter space in kitchen. Formal
dining room; washer/dryer hookup; closets; new half bath; new carpets
(lr/dr). TOP FLOOR: 400 sq ft master bedroom with walk-in closet, en suite
full bath; second closet; 2 other bedrooms with large closets; full guest
bath; hardwood floor through hallway. LOWER FLOOR: 300 sq ft below
ground safe space/storage area - sealed and semi finished with palettes
and shelves; 600 sq ft finished ground-level open room with new carpet
and half bath, closet, opens to enclosed patio, separate entrance. Great for
mother-in-law apartment, home office, or Music Studio! (All Reasonable
Offers Considered) Info: call Batya at (615) 353-5549.
VACATION WEEK AVAILABLE: Are you planning a vacation? We have a
vacation week available for use anytime of the year. You can enjoy a one-
or two-bedroom condo in the vacation spot of your choice anywhere around
the world. The week has been used in Malaga, Spain; Lake Tahoe; Pagosa
Springs, Colo.; West Yellowstone, Montana; Angels Camp, Calif.; and
Tuscany, Italy. Start your search early for the best opportunities. The condo
is $85 per night, plus an RCI exchange fee. If you prefer, you can buy a
timeshare in the Blue Ridge Mountains with lifetime membership. Info:
Write us at chucwhit@comcast.net .
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Story of the Week:
Four Singer-Actors Named to Play Various Roles in Ted Swindley-Directed
'One Kiss Cafe' Musical at Country Music Hall of Fame's Ford Theater
Daughter of Late Grand Ole Opry Legend Onie Wheeler to Portray Nightclub
Owner
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (February 2010) -- Karen Wheeler, the daughter
of the late Grand Ole Opry legend Onie Wheeler, is among four singer-
actors chosen to portray characters in a new Ted Swindley-directed
musical set to premiere in March at the Country Music Hall of Fame.
"One Kiss Cafe", which is written by Brentwood songwriter-
author-playwright Parrish Stanton, is described as a "glimpse of
Nashville... the story of life, love and the music business." It will begin a
three-weekend run on March 12 (Friday) at the Ford Theater, 222 Fifth Ave.
S. in downtown Nashville. Showtimes are 8 p.m. on Fridays and
Saturdays, and 3 p.m. on Sundays (March 12, 13, 14; 19, 20 and 21; and 26,
27 and 28).
Dozens of singer-actors converged on the Country Music Hall of
Fame in the ice and snow on Jan. 30 and 31 to audition. Swindley (the
author and director of "Always... Patsy Cline"), Stanton, and producer Kevin
F. Raymond of Phoenix Rising Entertainment spent more than 40 hours
evaluating live and taped performances before selecting singer-actors
Mike Callahan (Music Row area), Mika Combs (Brentwood), Karen Wheeler
(Lebanon), and David Kinnard (Bowling Avenue/West End).
"One Kiss Cafe" centers around a 20-something emerging
songwriter named Ricky Stakonis (played by Mike Callahan). After arriving
in Nashville, Ricky falls for a 20-something songwriter/love interest named
Sara Baker (played by Mika Combs). While trying to be discovered, Ricky
receives encouragement from a cafe' owner/bartender named Tootsie
McCoy (played by Karen Wheeler) and hype from a smooth-talking music
publisher named Carl "Midas" Bradford (played by David Kinnard). The four-
member cast will sing and dance to contemporary country/pop up-tempo
songs and ballads written by Stanton with various Nashville songwriting
collaborators, including Jeff Pedigo, Bill Warrington, Mike Vance, and Scott
Stepakoff.
"As a director of this full production at the beautiful Ford Theater
at the Country Music Hall of Fame, I am excited to guide a fully realized
production of this wonderful piece of musical theatre," said Swindley, who
has directed and/or produced more than 200 plays over the past 25 years.
"We will have top-notch Nashville talent in the cast and a very entertaining
story with great songs presented for the first time. It is always exciting to
direct a world premiere."
For Karen Wheeler, it's an opportunity to follow in the footsteps of
her father, Onie, a hit songwriter who performed with Opry legend Roy
Acuff for more than 22 years. A highly respected singer-songwriter in her
own right, Ms. Wheeler made her debut on the Grand Ole Opry stage at age
15. She has released 10 CDs, published two cookbooks, and recorded for
Columbia, RCA and Capitol records. She now owns her own record label,
Fox Fire.
"Getting the part of Tootsie McCoy is so special to me because I
get to perform on the stage in my hometown of Nashville, and I think I'm
going to love playing Tootsie," said Ms. Wheeler, who opened shows for
Conway Twitty for more than 12 years. "Also, being part of a brand new
musical is fresh and exciting. I really appreciate the opportunity to be in
'One Kiss Cafe'."
Like the lead character he is portraying, Mike Callahan is an
emerging singer-songwriter who recently moved to Nashville in pursuit of
stardom. The Little Rock, Ark., native grew up singing and playing along to
his father's renditions of country classics by Merle Haggard, Waylon
Jennings and Willie Nelson. He earned an associate's degree in music at
Austin (Tex.) Community College and a bachelor's degree in the liberal arts
from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Callahan landed his first
professional music gig at the Houston Rodeo playing lead guitar for the
country band Workhorse. He moved to Nashville in 2009.
"It's an amazing opportunity to be selected for 'One Kiss Cafe',"
Callahan said. "For a singer-songwriter here in Nashville, this is a dream
come true. I am blessed to be working on a production of this magnitude,
and I plan to leave a part of myself on the stage each and every night."
Mika Combs, who will play Ricky Stakonis' love interest Sara
Baker, is an actress-singer-songwriter from the small coal-mining town of
Hazard, Ky. She landed her first break as the new girl in town on the Fox
network's 2007 reality show, "Nashville". She is the lead actress in the
Boys Like Girls video "Two Is Better Than One" featuring Taylor Swift. Last
fall, she participated in season 15 of "The Amazing Race" on CBS, finishing
seventh with her boyfriend, Canaan Smith. She recently was cast for a
speaking role in the upcoming feature film "Love Don't Let Me Down"
starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Tim McGraw.
"I am very excited to take part in something that is true to
Nashville," Combs said. "This production will portray exactly what a lot of
us experience when we come to Nashville as dreamers."
David Kinnard, who will play a conniving music publisher, is
accustomed to taking on comedic or devilish roles. He was the "wacky"
singer on CMT's "Larry the cable Guy Star-Studded Christmas
Extravaganza" and co-starred in 24 episodes of the cable sketch comedy
show "Stubby's Place". He played the undertaker in the PBS Masterpiece
Theatre production "Death in the Family" and was a featured gentleman in
ABC's "Roots, the Gift" and "The Dottie West Story".
"My father owned a restaurant near Music Row in the early days
of the Grand Ole Opry," Kinnard noted. "It is a thrill and honor to be singing
and acting at the Country Music Hall of Fame."
"One Kiss Cafe" is produced by Phoenix Rising Entertainment
Inc. of Nashville. Tickets are $25 for Friday and Saturday evening
performances, and $20 for Sunday matinee performances. To purchase
tickets, call (615) 871-0656 or visit http://www.ticketsnashville.com. For
show information, visit http://www.OneKissCafeMusical.com.
###
Links to sites serving artists...
Songwriting: http://www.nashvillemuse.com, http://www.songu.com, http:
//www.nashvillesongwriters.com, http://www.tnsai.com, http://www.
writesongs.com
Music Composition: http://nashvillecomposers.org, http://www.
compositiontoday.com
Arts: http://www.interplaytn.org, http://www.eartandsoul.com, http://www.
nashvilleartssummit.org, http://www.theLoveDrums.com, http://www.
scarrittbennett.org
Theatre: http://oldeworldetheatre.com, http://www.nashvillestages.com
Film: http://www.nashvillefilmfestival.org, http://www.filmnashville.org
Jazz: http://www.jazzblues.org or http://www.nashvillejazz.org
Blues: http://www.musiccityblues.org
Culinary Arts: http://www.saucysisters.com
Visual Arts: http://www.williamsoncountyarts.org, http://www.wcartguild.
com, http://www.artscouncilwc.org
Improvisation: http://www.ideaprov.com
Networking/Resources for Independent Music Artists: http://www.
indieconnect.net, http://www.indieextreme.com
News Media: http://www.nashvilleartsmagazine.com, http://www.
nashvillemusicguide.com, http://www.countryweekly.com
Arts Calendars: http://www.nowplayingnashville.com
On-line Videos: http://www.americanmusicchannel.com
Please help support artists and the venues and businesses that spotlight
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|
WORLD PREMIERE
'One Kiss Cafe'
A New Musical by Songwriter-Author-Playwright Parrish Stanton
Directed by Ted Swindley
Starring Mike Callahan, Mika Combs, Karen Wheeler and David
Kinnard
Showtimes: March 12, 13, 14; 19, 20, 21; and 26, 27 and 28
Fridays and Saturdays: 8 p.m.
Sundays: 3 p.m.
Ford Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum
222 Fifth Ave. S., Downtown Nashville
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (February 2010) -- "One Kiss Cafe", a new
musical by songwriter-author-playwright Parrish Stanton and
legendary director Ted Swindley (author and director of "Always...
Patsy Cline"), will begin a three-weekend run on March 12 (Friday)
at the Ford Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum,
222 Fifth Ave. S. in downtown Nashville. Showtimes are 8 p.m. on
Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. on Sundays (March 12, 13, 14;
19, 20 and 21; and 26, 27 and 28). Tickets are $25 for Friday and
Saturday evening performances, and $20 for Sunday matinee
performances. Stanton's "One Kiss Cafe" is described as a
"glimpse of Nashville... the story of life, love and the music
business." The musical will star singer-actors Mike Callahan, Mika
Combs, Karen Wheeler and David Kinnard. "One Kiss Cafe"
centers around a 20-something emerging songwriter named Ricky
Stakonis (played by Callahan). After arriving in Nashville, Ricky falls
for a 20-something songwriter/love interest named Sara Baker
(played by Combs). While trying to be discovered, Ricky receives
encouragement from a cafe' owner/bartender named Tootsie
McCoy (played by Wheeler) and hype from a smooth-talking music
publisher named Carl "Midas" Bradford (played by Kinnard). The
four-member cast will sing and dance to contemporary country/pop
up-tempo songs and ballads written by Stanton with various
Nashville songwriting collaborators, including Jeff Pedigo, Bill
Warrington, Mike Vance, and Scott Stepakoff. "One Kiss Cafe" is
produced by Phoenix Rising Entertainment Inc. of Nashville. To
purchase tickets, call (615) 871-0656 or visit
http://www.ticketsnashville.com. For show information, visit
http://www.OneKissCafeMusical.com.
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