These are in reverse chronological order--scroll down to go backward in time (pack extra socks in case you go too far).  Keep checking back for updates!

Dunn Bros. Coffee
401 Church Street, Nashville, TN 37219
Located downtown in the landmark L & C Tower on the corner of 4th & Church Street
Phone: 615-252-2567
email: dunnbros108@dunnbros.com

Terry and Carmen Thompson Benefit
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Silent auction at 5:30, concert at 7pm
The Factory at Franklin
230 Franklin Road, Franklin, TN

A love offering will be accepted at the door, but if you want to contribute via a ticket purchase go to the site and do that.

SEE HOW IT WENT

Friday, December 21, 2007
7pm
Monkey In A Round Christmas Party

Dunn Bros. Coffee
401 Church Street, Nashville, TN 37219
Located downtown in the landmark L & C Tower on the corner of 4th & Church Street
Phone: 615-252-2567
email: dunnbros108@dunnbros.com

Free admission

Christmas party hosted by Karin Paparelli and Bill Dee, featuring songwriters doing holiday favorites.

Jumping in on a round hosted by Karin Paparelli, with guitarist Gary Talley of BoxTops fame somewhere in the mix (hopefully way forward).

Nashville songwriters performing songs they didn't write...what a "revolutionary" concept!  And it's indoors, out of the heat.   A short walk from the rest of the holiday action downtown, and a great view of the fireworks if you stick around long enough!

A writers round with Heather Morgan and a third.  Heather is one of my "I told you so" stories...as in "Remember when I said Heather was on her way to success in the music industry?   Well, I told you so."

Wednesday, January 31, 2007
9:30 - 10:30 pm
Barbara Cloyd's Songwriter Showcase

In the round with Matt Allison of South Africa and Joni Bishop

            

Lyrix
94 Peabody St., Nashville, TN 37210
Phone: 615-734-6426
Free admission

Click the picture for a larger version.

Click here to read the blog about how it went.

Edgehill Studios Cafe  
1201 Villa Place (one block off Music Row)
Nashville, TN  37212
615-301-8539
Free admission

Opening for Tia McGraff
Admission: Suggested donation of $10

Now THIS is the way to celebrate Mother's Day...but you better buy some flowers or a card or somethin' as a backup.

Charles & Myrtle's Coffeehouse regularly provides an intimate living-room type setting (probably because it's in what used to be a living room), for acoustic performances by top-notch artists. But they're letting me play there anyway.  Great place to go after dinner at Provino's or before a late-night breakfast at the IHOP.

New Horizons Baptist Fellowship in Dockery Subdivision
3040 Blythe Road, Cleveland, TN 37323
MapQuest link
(423) 476-7936
Free

I'll be in place of the sermon...so if I seem to be talking too much, just consider the alternative.  And I'd better not see you dozing off!  Stick around for the potluck "dinner on the grounds."

Simplified directions:
From I-75 take US-74 East, aka APD 40 (toward Ocoee)
Take Blue Springs Road exit
Turn south (left) off ramp
Go a few blocks & turn left onto Dockery Lane
Cross the railroad tracks, go up hill
Turn left onto Blythe Road

• Joni Bishop (www.jonibishop.com)
• Jeromy Deibler of FFH (www.ffh.net)
• Terry Thompson (www.terrythompson.net)
• myself and
• The "No Hit Wonders", consisting of
  John Paul Williams (www.jpwilliams.net)
  Sabrina (www.myspace.com/justsabrina) and
  James Casto (www.jamescasto.com)
  

Edgehill Studios  
1201 Villa Place (one block off Music Row)
Nashville, TN  37212
615-301-8539
Free admission, freewill donations accepted

As many of you know, I've traveled twice to Cape Town with Brentwood Baptist Church to work in partnership with Living Hope.  This multi-faceted ministry includes a newly-built AIDS hospice, community-based health care and outreach, a radio station (CCFM) and a homeless shelter that includes occupational instruction for its clients.  I hope you can make it for this special evening to hear and see stories, pictures & crafts from this special place, as well as the usual music thing we all enjoy so much..

See the mission team blog covering the Oct. 2004 and Oct. 2005 trips.

See my own full report of the 2004 trip, with links to pictures, in my Notes & News section:
11-15-04  South Africa: There and Back Again

Friday, December 16, 2005
8-11 pm
"A Blues Christmas & Charity Fundraiser"

Debbie Ritter & 4-40 Blues will host this event, a Christmas blues jam.  It's also the company party for The Rain Tree Salon & Day Spa in Murfreesboro.  So you can bet I'll be haulin' out the crayons & hair pictures!. The band features my day boss, "Tomcat" Whisenhunt on lead guitar.  I'm going to jump in and see how long I can keep up..or how long they can, whichever (I do have the age advantage, after all).

Bluesboro Rhythm & Blues Co.
114 N Church St.
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
(615) 907-1115

Admission:
$15.00 in advance & $20.00 at the door

Post-concert note: A great time was had by all! 
Click here to view the hair pictures

Opening for Joni Bishop
Admission: Suggested donation of $10

Charles & Myrtle's Coffeehouse regularly provides an intimate living-room type setting (probably because it's in what used to be a living room), for acoustic performances by top-notch artists. But they're letting me play there anyway.  Great place to go after dinner at Provino's or before a late-night breakfast at the IHOP.

Joni Bishop writes and performs songs that soothe the soul and stimulate the imagination.  She uses vivid imagery to paint pictures of beauty, loss and redemption...I suppose it only makes sense that she is also a visual artist who likes to portray her musical heroes on canvas.

Post-concert note: Creativity was ricocheting off the walls!   But not with undue irreverence, of course.
Click here to view the hair pictures

French Quarter Cafe
823 Woodland St., Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 227-3100
Free, with $5 minimum on tables (the food is good!)

READ THE TEAM BLOG TO FIND OUT WHAT WE DID, HOW IT WENT, ETC.

Traveling with a group from Brentwood Baptist Church to work in partnership with Living Hope to serve the people of Cape Town.  This multi-faceted ministry includes a newly-built AIDS hospice, community-based health care and outreach, a radio station (CCFM) and a homeless shelter that includes occupational instruction for its clients.

I 'spect I'll be doing some music in some form like last year, possibly sharing some thoughts on songwriting and/or songleading I've picked up along the way.

See the full report of last year's trip, with links to pictures, in my Notes & News section:
11-15-04  South Africa: There and Back Again

Featured artists:
Karen Staley
("Take Me As I Am," "Keeper of the Stars")
and
Wayland Patton
("Land Of The Living," "Turn It On, Turn It Up, Turn Me Loose")

Click here to view flyer

I'm pleased, privileged and slightly perplexed at my good fortune, as I'll be hosting these two wonderful songwriters.

Karen is compulsively funny which only adds to her performance.  She'll no doubt be full of stories about her August gigs at Sundance with the other Women In the Round (Pam Tillis, Tricia Walker & Ashley Cleveland).   Or she can tell us how it feels to hear your songs sung by people like Faith, Reba, or Dolly...or George Jones, Conway Twitty, Kathy Mattea, Tracy Byrd, Lee Ann Rimes, Patty Loveless, or Jeff & Sheri Easter.  But she's not a name-dropper like me, so she'll probably just sing the songs.

Wayland is an award-winning hit songwriter whose songs have found audiences in the U.S. and abroad. Artists who have contributed to--and shared in--his success include Pam Tillis ("Land Of The Living"), Dwight Yoakam ("Turn It On, Turn It Up, Turn Me Loose"), George Strait, Dolly Parton, and Ricky Skaggs. Skaggs is a "repeat customer" who made "Something In My Heart" into a #1 single. Wayland's work has also found its way to the contemporary Christian market ("This Is What Love Looks Like" - Carolyn Arends).

And because it's my birthday I'll most likely celebrate my joy (or drown my sorrows, depending) in song, possibly joined by a friend or family member or two...just to get the sound system warmed up. 

*Be early, if you want to get in on the door prizes (which, rumor has it, will include tickets to a certain radio broadcast that has featured country music, old and new, for about 80 years now, all in a "grand" fashion).

Family-friendly, BYOD (Bring Your Own Dinner)
E-mail me for directions.

Suggested donation $10 (that's a bargain)

Featured artist:
Dani Carroll

Preceded by a round featuring
Kelly Archer, Larissa Bovetti and Pete Sallis

The series continues with some of my most-talented musical friends in town (I expect full access to the Brentwood estates they'll all eventually own).  Come by so you can later say you knew them when.

Family-friendly, BYOD (Bring Your Own Dinner)
E-mail me for directions.

$5 suggested donation
(You can donate more if you want, and you'll want to buy CD's, so bring extra!)

The first one went so well, I thought I'd do an encore.  Keep showing up and not doing major structural damage to the house, and maybe it'll turn into a series!

Featured artists:
myself (hey, when you're hot...)
...and maybe a surprise guest or two???

Family-friendly, BYOD (Bring Your Own Dinner)
E-mail me for directions.

Free admission, but you'll have the opportunity to contribute to live music in a very real, concrete way, if yah know what I mean. 

Bluebird Cafe
4104 Hillsboro Rd., Nashville, TN 37215
(615) 383-1461
Free admission

Bluesboro Rhythm & Blues Co.
114 N Church St.
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
(615) 907-1115

Admission:
Adult: $12.99 includes brunch buffet
Kids under 12: half price
Kids under the age of 5: free
Senior citizens, college students & Music City Blues members: $5 off with I.D.

Featured artists:
myself (negotiations for that one were unusually smooth)
Audrey Hatcher (www.audreyhatcher.com) and
Terry Thompson (www.terrythompson.net)

Family-friendly, BYOD (Bring Your Own Dinner)
E-mail me for directions.

Free admission, but you'll have the opportunity to contribute to live music in a very real, concrete way, if yah know what I mean. 

Post-concert note: A great time was had by all!  Check back for the next one.
Click here to view the hair pictures
Click to read the related Notes and News commentary

Bluebird Cafe
4104 Hillsboro Rd., Nashville, TN 37215
(615) 383-1461
Free admission

Heather Morgan will make you wonder if there might just be something behind all that braggin'  Texans tend to do (d'j'ever notice?).  Amy Grant said Heather is reminiscent of Patty Griffin and Dolly Parton; husband Vince agreed (always a wise choice).  Sure I'm name-dropping...but aren't you more interested now?  Come on, admit it!   Thought so. 

Monica Spendlove is a "fresh face" on the music scene in Nashville, having moved within the past year or so from Utah to develop both her craft and a taste for fried food (or something like that).   No Osmond names to drop here; you'll just have to take my word (for now) that she's talented.

Top of the Barrel
At Bellevue Center Mall
7620 Hwy. 70 S., Nashville, TN
615-646-8690
Free, but bring an appetite to sample the culinary delights...the food, I mean.

This evening will prove that "the early bird gets the mike," as a variety of folks in town for Saturday's  retreat will be performing.  Perhaps some of them will give a sneak peek at some of the songs that will be grilled and/or lauded in critiques by the pro writers and publishers at the retreat.  Make sure you applaud loudly...they may need the encouragement later! 

Top of the Barrel
At Bellevue Center Mall
7620 Hwy. 70 S., Nashville, TN
615-646-8690
Free, but bring an appetite to sample the culinary delights...the food, I mean.

French Quarter Cafe
823 Woodland St., Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 227-3100
Free, with $5 minimum on tables (the food is good!)

North Cleveland Baptist Church
2815 Ocoee St. N., Cleveland, TN 37312-5375
MapQuest link
(423) 476-8524
Free

Lee & Gordon's Mills
Chickamauga, GA
Private function

French Quarter Cafe
823 Woodland St., Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 227-3100
Free, with $5 minimum on tables (the food is good!)

Caffeine
1516 Demonbreun Street, Nashville
(615) 259-4993

I've put together another round with a couple of  Nashville's newest songwriters in town (not far behind me, time-wise...though age-wise, perhaps a different story).  Caffeine is STILL just down the street from the runaround--I mean roundabout.      Park across Demonbreun in the lot of the old Shoney's.

I have almost as much fun putting together a round as actually doing it.   I'll be very pleased to share the stage with singer/songwriters Dani Carroll and Terry Thompson.  Dani is a writer with Famous Music here in town, and anyone who is not captivated by her performance is advised to get their ears AND eyes checked, assuming they have a pulse.  Terry also knows his way around a song and back again; see www.terrythompson.net for more info on him.

French Quarter Cafe
823 Woodland St., Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 227-3100
Free, with $5 minimum on tables (the food is good!)

~AND~

Tuesday, January 20, 2004
6 - 7 pm
"Garth's Night Out" (not that Garth)
With Edwina Hayes and Terry Thompson.

Caffeine
1516 Demonbreun Street, Nashville
(615) 259-4993

Both dates free admission

On each of these dates, I'll be sharing a round with an assemblage of two or three other songwriters.  Caffeine has a great atmosphere, very clean, good hot drinks to warm up your holiday!  Just down the street from the runaround--I mean roundabout.   Park across Demonbreun in the lot of the old Shoney's.

Saturdays, November 29 & December 6 & 13, 2003 - Prime Outlets Mall, Lebanon
One Outlet Village Boulevard, Lebanon, TN 37090
(615) 444-0433, 1-800-617-2588
11:30 am - 3:30 pm
Free admission

Wow!  I've been in Nashville a little over a year, and I'm already getting another paying gig!  This might be some sort of record, I don't know.

OK, so it ain't the Grand Ole Opry, but it's a pleasant atmosphere and there's PLENTY of parking available, along with a fine selection of value-oriented cuisine.  Come on by and let me wish you a merry Christmas in song.

This year I have the lovely and talented (once again, some cliches are also true) Dani Carroll helping to spread the cheer (and give my guitar-calloused fingers a rest).

Click to read the newspaper coverage of the event.

This is an all-night marathon walk to "celebrate survivorship, remember those who lost their lives to cancer, and raise money for the fight against cancer."  The infield of the stadium becomes an overnight festival area, with entertainment, karaoke, all sorts of stuff happening.  Late at night there is a very moving candle ceremony in which the names of loved ones lost to cancer are read.  Come and hang out as long as you like, bring a frisbee, picnic, whatever...and enjoy a different view of your community. 

I'm opening for Barbara Cloyd, a songwriter ("I Guess You Had To Be There", Lorrie Morgan) and talent wrangler for the famous open mic nights at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville.  She not only has a great sense of humor, she's also a great encourager.  She's the kind of treasure that a songwriter hopes to find in Nashville--an expert who is not only able, but also willing, to help any songwriter who is a) bold enough to step on stage and b) humble enough to accept instruction.  Can't wait to hear her!

Post-event note:  This was a great weekend!  I always feel a little "out of my element" hanging out with law enforcement folks; other than being a law-abiding citizen and an occasional viewer of TV's "Cops," I don't know much about their world--I've never even fired a gun!   But the focus was on faith and not handcuffing techniques, and these guys (and gals) made me feel at ease right away--especially the Secret Service agent who was looking forward to a DC Talk concert in town!  Other than some "remedial rhythm" lessons (clap on TWO and FOUR, y'all--this ain't no march!), they were a good bunch of sing-alongers.   

• BSU at Univ. of Hawaii, Manoa. "Solid Rock Cafe" concert w/band, 1988.

• Northwest BSU International Student Retreat, Seattle, WA.  Nov. 1991.

• First Baptist Church, Las Vegas, NV.  August 1991.

• Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga.  June 1993, 1998 & 1999.

• Cafe Tazza!, Chattanooga.  Sidewalk entertainment, weekends,  July-Sept. 1993.

• Choo-Choo Hotel, Chattanooga.  Courtyard entertainment, Oct. 1993.

• Rhythm & Noon Series, Miller Plaza, Chattanooga.  Oct. 1993;  June 1, 1995; Aug. 30, 1996; June 7, 1998; June 17, 1999.

• "Southern Belle" Riverboat, Chattanooga. Santa Claus Cruises, Dec. 1995-97.

• KUDZU Festival, Chattanooga.  Oct. 1996 & 1997.

• Fall Color Cruise/Festival, Nickajack, TN.  Oct. 1996, 1997 & 1998.

• Special performances, Minsk, Belarus.  May 1995.

• "Semi-Serendipity Tour," Western & Southern Oregon.  May 18-26, 1998.
  First Baptist, Toledo, OR.  May 19, 1998.
  Daddy-O's, Ashland, OR.  Open mic, May 21, 1998.*
  Osprey Brew Pub, Medford, OR.  May 22, 1998.*
  Max's Tavern, Eugene, OR.  Open mic, May 24, 1998.*
  Pacific Baptist Church, Lincoln City, OR.  May 25, 1998.
             *discovered en route

• WGOW-FM, "Morning Press," Chattanooga.  June 18, 1998; June 16, 1999.

• WTVC-TV, noon public affairs segment, Chattanooga.  June 18, 1998.

• Hamilton County Fair, Chattanooga.  Sept. 1997, 1998 & 1999.

• Coffeehouse Series, Bessie Smith Hall, Chattanooga.  Feb. 1999.

• First Baptist Church, Waimea, Kamuela, Hawaii.  Dec. 26, 1999

• American Cancer Society Relay For Life, Chattanooga.  May 2000 & 2001.

• MayPraise Festival, Mt. Juliet, TN.  May 13, 2000.

• New City Cafe, Knoxville, TN.  August 5, 2000.
  --SEE THE HAIR PIX!!!

• "Backstage Chattanooga" on Talk 102.3 FM November 7, 2000.
  --SEE THE HAIR PIX!!!

• Barnes & Noble Songwriters Nights, November 10, 2000 & August 2, 2001.

• Woodland Park Baptist Church Singles Coffeehouse nights, May 19, 2001 & March 16, 2002.
  --SEE THE HAIR PIX!!!

• Downtown Chattanooga "Open House" with Michelle Young at Warehouse Row.
  November 25, 2000 & November 24, 2001.