BMI’s Finale at Tin Pan South

My last Tin Pan South show of 2008 provided an elite sampling of the diverse artists who, in one way or another, inhabit the mainstream country crowd for which Nashville is best known.

Shawn Camp, Pat McLaughlin and Josh Turner performed on the BMI showcase at Mercy Lounge Saturday night, and while individually they vary stylistically, they boast collective real-deal critical acclaim. Most recently, the trio co-wrote Turner’s hit “Firecracker.”

Pat McLaughlin kicked off the show. Also widely respected as a guitarist and indie artist, McLaughlin’s country roots sound is soulfully authentic.. He had plenty of stories to share: In the early days of Josh Turner’s career, McLaughlin accompanied him on radio tours. His anecdotes of life on the road with Turner revolved around Italian fast food and a healthy sense of humor, while McLaughlin’s own renditions of hits recorded by others including Gary Allan’s “Songs About Rain” shed new light on contemporary favorites.

Shawn Camp followed McLaughlin. Beloved by Americana junkies and mainstream fans alike, Camp’s warm drawl instantaneously hooks. He charmed the crowd with both lyrical wit and easy banter addressing unique stories behind the song: An admission of mirroring a Tennessee song bird’s gentle call for a melodic hook while co-writing on a front porch was fantastically singular. Capable of whimsy and gut-wrenching poignancy, Camp’s performances shushed the significant crowd.

Josh Turner has earned a sizable following over the past few years, and a healthy contingency of those supporters were vocally present Saturday. His now signature vocals wrought delighted squeals from the crowd, and Turner grasped the opportunity to informally chat about songs and his inspiration. An energizing version of the Shawn Camp co-penned “Would You Go with Me” started Turner’s set, which also included a poignant duet with his wife Jennifer.

By all accounts, Tin Pan South 2008 was a major success.  Performances by BMI songwriters Kim Richey, Will Kimbrough, Mike Farris, Amy LaVere, Pat McLaughlin, Shawn Camp and Josh Turner numbered among the week’s finest - a proud fact for an organization staunchly dedicated to the preservation and promotion of living for and by the song.

The Stunning Mike Farris & Amy LaVere

"Stunning” accurately describes the performances delivered by BMI singer/songwriters Mike Farris and Amy LaVere tonight - Wednesday, April 2 - at the Mercy Lounge. The official Americana Music Association Tin Pan South showcase was dubbed “Roots, Boots and Manuel Suits” and in addition to Farris and LaVere, featured Grammy award-winning troubadour Jim Lauderdale and wistfully soulful contemporary folkie Thad Cockrell. Prolific designer Manuel was on hand as well, providing the performers with his signature jackets - or in LaVere’s case, a chic skirt.

With acclaimed SXSW performances still lingering in the collective hipster consciousness, Mike Farris quite literally stunned the audience. His songs, vocals and very presence are unabashedly new but comfortably vintage. From his first song, “I’m Gonna Get There” - an original composition declaring life after death - to his haunting spirituals and adaptation of the Curly Putnam-penned Porter Wagoner classic “Green Green Grass of Home,” Farris transfixed a substantial crowd.

Amy LaVere’s effortless wit charmed the audience, who, by the end of the evening, were gazing raptly and eagerly awaiting her next sly remark or whispered vocal. After Farris’ first tune, LaVere grinned. “That song was so beautiful,” she purred. “It kind of made me regret my first song choice. It’s called ‘Killing Him Didn’t Make the Love Go Away.’” Her playful language and lyrics in original compositions including “Pointless Drinking,” along with mastery of the upright bass and sultry delivery left listeners smitten.

To close the evening, the performers rallied together as LaVere led them in a spirited version of Hank Williams’ “Lost Highway.”

Nashvillians, Mike Farris will begin his month-long residency at the Station Inn this Sunday, April 6. Every Sunday in April, Farris will perform with his full band, the Roseland Rhythm Revue; the music starts at 7 p.m., and there’s no cover. I hear they plan to pass the offering plate around instead.

Tin Pan Tuesday: Will Kimbrough & Kim Richey

I chose to kick off my 2008 edition of Tin Pan South Tuesday, April 1 with BMI singer/songwriters Kim Richey and Will Kimbrough, who were slated to swap songs with Mando Saenz and AM.

When I pulled into the parking lot of the Mercy Lounge around 6:15, I stumbled upon a line of attendees snaked around the edge of the building - a good sign.

After the performers lined up onstage, Kim Richey delivered a delightful reading of pretty dry material - Tin Pan South’s mission statement, coupled with a long list of festival sponsors including BMI, never sounded so good. Will Kimbrough played the able host, welcoming the audience and introducing his co-performers. All four of the songwriters nurture pop and rock sympathies, so their decision to forsake the typical Tin Pan format and share a bass player, drums and Mr. Kimbrough on electric guitar and banjo made a quirky kind of refreshing sense.

Following the physical order onstage of AM, Richey, Saenz and Kimbrough, the artists played one song at a time, one performer after another, for several rounds.

California’s AM kicked off the music. His pared down arrangements let his conversational lyrics breathe, setting a warm mood that proved prescient for the evening.

Kim Richey followed, and her pristine vocals vied with her nuanced songwriting for the spotlight. “This is a new song,” she said, as she introduced her tune in the second round. “I like to try out new songs in Nashville.” The tune, “Once in Your Life,” reveled in soaring optimism, underscored by a buoyant melody, but simultaneously hinted at a sly pessimism. Much of Richey’s material, delivered with a wry grin and unsullied vocals, appears layered and, hence, candid.

Mando Saenz’s achingly beautiful songs were enriched by Richey’s harmonies. His gentle vocals meshed with Richey’s exceedingly well, and the band grew lush and full when applied to his compositions.

Will Kimbrough’s ubiquitous presence was jaw-dropping . His electric guitar and occasional electric slide created melodies and hooks with alarming accuracy. Respected as a producer for tastemaker favorites and guitar player for the venerable Rodney Crowell, Kimbrough earns steady streams of attention for his own songwriting as well. He skewers politics confidently and looks inward with charming self-deprecation.

His highlights included a love song written for his wife, which he prefaced with the droll admission, “Sometimes love is being mad at somebody,” along with a stunning acoustic story song wrapped around unrequited love, featuring a slew of standout lines including “She laughed out loud until she wept.” The shushed crowd erupted into cheers upon his final note.

Perhaps the most invigorating element of the show was watching the artists spontaneously collaborate with one another, feeding off of a palpable creative buzz.

It’s going to be a good week.

Nashville Hosts Tin Pan South April 1-5

BMI will proudly sponsor acclaimed songwriter festival Tin Pan South, slated for April 1-5 in Nashville. The annual event shifts fan and industry attention pointedly towards “the song” by highlighting the diverse pool of singer/songwriters living and working in contemporary Nashville’s multi-genred playground.

BMI’s showcase at the Mercy Lounge on Saturday, April 5, will feature a cross-section of Music City hitmakers: Shawn Camp, Josh Turner and Pat McLaughlin will swap songs in the festival’s storied acoustic atmosphere. The music commences at 9:30 p.m., and while priority is given to festival badge holders, tickets will also be available at the door for $15.

I’ll be out and about chronicling shows throughout the week, snapping photos and posting daily reminisces here, at BMI’s online Tin Pan home. Get out, and enjoy the music!

~Elisabeth