NASHVILLE –Nashville-based indie-alternative rock band Moon Taxi will kick off 2019 NFL Draft activities with a free performance on the Draft Main Stage on Thursday, April 25, the NFL and Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp announced today. Joining a stellar NFL Draft lineup, the five-piece band topped the Alternative charts with their breakthrough single “Two High” with 116 million Spotify streams and performances on the Today Show and Jimmy Kimmel Live. The band’s performances have electrified festivals like Coachella and Bonnaroo.
Each night of the three-day 2019 NFL Draft will feature a free concert with GRAMMY-winner Tim McGraw playing on Friday, April 26 and multi-platinum singer/songwriter Dierks Bentley on Saturday, April 27, as previously announced.
New to the lineup, country music singer-songwriter Lindsay Ell will open for Bentley on Saturday, April 27. Additionally, country singer-songwriter Ryan Hurd has been added to the NFL Draft Experience Stage presented by Oikos® Triple Zero – a free admission football festival held outside Nissan Stadium. Hurd will play an early set on Saturday, April 27 as runners from the St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville® Marathon & ½ Marathon end their race and enjoy Draft activities near their finish line. Hip hop artist Mez has been added to the Thursday lineup at the Draft Experience Stage.
For the first time, the NFL Draft will have a house band to provide entertainment between team selections on Thursday and Friday with critically acclaimed house band Sixwire doing the honors. Also, Tennessee State University’s Aristocrat of Bands marching band will perform at the NFL Draft Red Carpet at The Green at Riverfront Park on Thursday, April 25. As previously announced, GRAMMY-winning gospel music great CeCe Winans will sing the National Anthem to open the 2019 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 25.
More than 20 Nashville-based acts representing diverse genres of music will perform during the three days of activities on the Draft Main Stage and at the NFL Draft Experience Stage. No other NFL Draft has integrated free live music to the degree that music will be included in the Nashville Draft. McGraw serves on the Nashville Local Organizing Committee for the Nashville Draft.
The 2019 NFL Draft is expected to be the largest event ever held in Nashville and the State of Tennessee given the anticipated attendance of 100,000 per day over three days, three national networks and coverage by an estimated 2,000 credentialed media members.
Downtown Nashville’s Lower Broadway and the area outside Nissan Stadium will host free, public activities for the 2019 NFL Draft in Nashville April 25-27. Viewing areas for the Draft Main Stage will include Second Avenue North from Broadway to Commerce, Lower Broadway up to Fifth Avenue and Music City Walk of Fame Park. These areas are free and open to the public and will be activated with video screens, food trucks, beverage stands and concessions. Viewing areas will be activated at noon on Thursday, April 25 and Friday, April 26 and at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 27.
Other features of the NFL Draft include:
- Fireworks: Five-minute fireworks show at the conclusion of activities all three nights.
- KVB Lights: The lights of the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge (KVB Bridge) will light up in team colors as each NFL team announces selections during the First Round.
- Community Food Drive: The NFL’s community food drive as part of Huddle Against Hunger invites Nashville companies and organizations to participate and collect food for Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee and The Bridge Ministry. Please sign up at secondharvestmidtn.org/NFLHuddle.
- Bicycle Parking: Bike racks will be available at Public Square Park at Third and Union where riders can park their bicycles. Please bring your own locks.
- Dog Park: A temporary dog park is being created on the south side of Demonbreun Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenue for use by downtown residents, who usually use the dog park near The Green at Riverfront Park. The temporary dog park will be fenced and have dog bags and trash cans available.
The 2019 NFL Draft in Nashville will continue the NFL’s centennial season celebration that kicked off at Super Bowl LIII in February. The Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp, in partnership with the Tennessee Titans, led the bid process for the 2019 NFL Draft on behalf of the city.
The 20th running of the St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville Marathon & ½ Marathon also is taking place April 27-28, and the Bentley concert will double as the traditional headlining concert for the running event’s participants on Saturday, April 27.
McGraw has had 43 number one radio singles, 16 number one albums and countless industry awards and accolades. McGraw recently performed for the NFL’s official Tailgate party at Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta.
Bentley has earned billions of digital streams and countless nominations from the ACMs, Billboard Music Awards and more. He has been nominated for 13 GRAMMY awards – including at least one stemming from each of his last six albums. Bentley is on his 2019 BURNING MAN TOUR, which included a stop in February at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena after making a sold-out headlining debut in 2016.
Moon Taxi released their fifth studio album and first for RCA Records last year, entitled Let The Record Play, featuring their breakthrough single “Two High,” topping the AAA radio chart at No. 1 and was Top 10 at Alternative Radio chart. The five-piece rock band is based in Nashville and was founded in 2006 while band members were attending Belmont University.
Draft Main Stage on Lower Broadway
Moon Taxi will perform prior to selection activities on Thursday. The McGraw and Bentley concerts will both begin at the conclusion of selection activities on Friday and Saturday. Sixwire will serve as house band.
Thursday, April 25: Moon Taxi with CeCe Winans singing the National Anthem
Friday, April 26: Tim McGraw
Saturday, April 27: Dierks Bentley with Lindsay Ell opening
NFL Draft Experience Stage
Thursday, April 25:
New North (Americana)
Striking Matches (alternative rock, pop rock and blues rock)
Mez
Mikky Ekko (alternative)
Friday, April 26:
Jessy Wilson (neo soul/rock)
Willie Jones (country)
Kid Politics (indie pop)
Jonny P (soul)
Charlie Worsham (country singer-songwriter)
Rayland Baxter (alternative)
Saturday, April 27:
Ryan Hurd (country)
Katie Schecter (rock and roll and soul)
Jason Eskridge (soul)
Three Star Revival (soul/jam/funk/Americana/rock)
Andrew Combs (indie folk)
Charles Esten (country/rock “Nashville” TV show star)
2019 NFL DRAFT EXPERIENCE PRESENTED BY OIKOS® TRIPLE ZERO
Sponsored by Bridgestone, Bud Light, Dannon, FedEx, Ford, Lowe’s, Mars, Nationwide, Pepsi, Pizza Hut, Sleep Number, Verizon and Visa
The NFL Draft Experience presented by Oikos® Triple Zero is a free admission, three-day football festival held outside Nissan Stadium. Representing the largest festival footprint ever created by the NFL, fans can participate in interactive exhibits, immersive games, virtual reality experiences, free player autograph sessions and more.
NFL Draft Experience hours of operation:
- April 25 (Thursday): 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- April 26 (Friday): 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- April 27 (Saturday): 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Activation's at the NFL Draft Experience presented by Oikos® Triple Zero:
- Autograph Stage presented by Panini with current NFL players and NFL Legends
- Interactive games, Play Football clinics, and PLAY 60 Zone presented by Danimals® for the smallest NFL fans
- Photo with the Vince Lombardi Trophy
- NFL Shop presented by Visa at Draft with exclusive NFL merchandise
- Taste of Tailgate with Nashville restaurants and Bud Light Bars
- NFL Draft Experience Stage with Nashville-based artists of all genres
- Look Like a Pro: Step inside a replica NFL Draft Main Stage bearing a draft day jersey of your favorite NFL team and have your photo taken. Share your photos through your favorite social channel and Fan Mobile Pass.
- Pepsi NFL Helmet Photo Opportunity: Find your favorite NFL team oversized helmet and have your photo taken. Share your photos through your favorite social channel and Fan Mobile Pass.
- Combine Corner
- 40-Yard Dash: Race down the field against your opponents and digital NFL players on a giant 40-yard long LED wall.
- Vertical Jump: Jump as high as you can and hit the corresponding flag to discover your vertical reach just like at the NFL Scouting Combine.
The Draft Main Stage location will be at First and Broadway. Free and open to the public to view Draft selections and the Moon Taxi, McGraw and Bentley shows. Draft picks on Main Stage will take place evenings of Thursday, April 25 and Friday, April 26 and during the afternoon of Saturday, April 27.
Schermerhorn Symphony Center will host Selection Square, which will feature the team tables where representatives from each Club makes their Draft selections. Walking of the NFL Draft Red Carpet will take place on Thursday, April 25 at The Green at Riverfront Park.
Admission to 2019 NFL Draft is free and open to the public. Fans can follow the action with the Fan Mobile Pass app, which can be downloaded now. The app will serve as the central hub for information and updates on the Draft Experience concert series and a chance to gain access to exclusive viewing areas at the NFL Draft Main Stage to watch in person as the picks unfold and Draft boards come to life. Register today at NFL.com/FanMobilePass.
On Location Experiences – the Official Hospitality Partner of the NFL – will offer exclusive access to the 2019 NFL Draft. Ticket packages include a dedicated viewing area for Thursday’s Red Carpet, elevated and covered seating with fantastic sightlines, all-inclusive food and beverage, meet & greets with NFL Legends and much more. Fans should visit nflonlocation.com/nfldraft for more information.
The 39-member 2019 NFL Draft Local Organizing Committee includes honorary co-chairs Bill Haslam, former Governor, State of Tennessee; David Briley, Mayor, Metro Government of Nashville and Davidson County; and Amy Adams Strunk, Owner, Tennessee Titans. Co-chairs are Steve Underwood, CEO and President, Tennessee Titans, and Dan Mohnke, Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing and Operations, Nissan Division U.S.
Suggested Hashtag: #NFLDraft
Suggested Tweet: ANNOUNCED: @MoonTaxi, @lindsayell, and more added to the 2019 @NFL Draft lineup which includes over 20 Nashville artists. Go to https://visitmusiccity.com/nfldraft for the full #NFLDraft details, and follow @visitmusiccity for updates.
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Moon Taxi
Nashville’s own Moon Taxi fiercely melds rock with pop hooks, clever synths and roots touchstones. The band’s fifth studio album and first for RCA entitled “Let The Record Play,” features their breakthrough single “Two High.” “Two High” propelled the band to new heights, with over 116 million streams on Spotify to date (as of March 2019), surpassing 3 million video views (lyric + official), enjoying heavy rotation play on multiple SiriusXM stations, topping the AAA radio chart #1 and charting Top 10 at Alternative Radio. The band performed their smash hit single on the Today Show and Jimmy Kimmel Live. Rolling Stone wrote of Moon Taxi: “Over the last few years, Nashville’s Moon Taxi have worked their way up from Bonnaroo buzz-band to something approaching Kings of Leon country, playing a pleasingly cross-bred rock – a little indie, a little proggy, kinda poppy.” The band has thrived on the touring circuit for years, bringing their electric performances to Coachella, Austin City Limits, Bonnaroo, and beyond. The band also celebrated a career-defining moment as “Nashville’s own” in October 2017 when they performed at a two-night, sold-out run at the famed Ryman Auditorium. Their music has been embraced as well by brands using their songs for many commercial and TV placements, from JEEP to Microsoft Surface Pro and from McDonald’s to BMW, along with landmark sporting events including the Olympics, MLB, NFL, and NHL and HBO Sports. Moon Taxi is Trevor Terndrup (vocals, guitarist), Spencer Thomson (lead guitarist and producer), Wes Bailey (keyboardist), Tommy Putnam (bassist) and Tyler Ritter (drummer). ridethemoontaxi.com
Lindsay Ell
Lauded as “one of the most exciting and talented young artists in country music” (Forbes), Lindsay Ell is a triple threat: accomplished musician, unique vocalist and songwriter. In the last year alone, Ell exhilarated audiences as part of Brad Paisley’s Weekend Warrior World Tour, Sugarland’s Still The Same Tour and Keith Urban’s Graffiti U World Tour. She performed original songs on the CMA Awards, CMT Awards and CCMA Awards, and she also received her first ACM Awards Nomination for New Female Artist of the Year. Ell’s first full-length album The Project debuted at No. 1 on the Country Album Sales Chart and was named Billboard’s “Best Country Album of 2017.” Her single “Criminal” was the Most Added song at Country radio upon impact and became her first-ever Top 20 hit in the U.S., in addition to becoming her first No. 1 single on the Canadian Country Radio Charts. lindsayell.com
Ryan Hurd
RCA Records Nashville singer/songwriter Ryan Hurd continues his ubiquitous rise taking his trademark powerful lyrics and electric live performance to fans with his headlining To A Tour, performing for capacity crowds in NYC, LA, Chicago and Nashville. With career streams exceeding 100 million worldwide, Hurd’s ascension seems obvious. He recently released his latest single, “To A T,” to country radio. The song already hit No. 1 on the SiriusXM The Highway’s Hot 30 Countdown and has caught the attention of entertainment tastemakers including men’s lifestyle playbook Esquire. As one of Nashville’s most multi-dimensional young songwriters, Hurd claims co-pen credits on some of country’s biggest hits, including “Lonely Tonight” by Blake Shelton, “You Look Good” by Lady Antebellum, and “Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset” by Luke Bryan. Now with the release of his own music, fans and critics are embracing his stripped-down authenticity with Rolling Stone lauding him for “generating major buzz” and “making waves.” ryanhurd.com
Mez
Hip hop artist Mez, a Warner/Chapell signee, released an EP “Data Plan” series last year that received play-listing from Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, as well as coverage from Complex, Hypebeast, XXL and 2Dopeboyz. Mez also made his directorial debut on J.Cole’s chart-topping video “Middle Child.” He has collaborated with esteemed producers like Ski Beatz, Oddisee, Omen and Soundtrakk, and with clothing brands Stussy, 10Deep, and Raleigh Denim. Mez’s music video can be seen in heavy rotation in Footlockers and Foot Actions across the United States. He has three solid releases under his belt: “The King’s Khrysis” from 2011, “My Everlasting Zeal” in 2012 and “Long Live The King” in 2014. Also, in 2014, Mez was a key writer on Dr. Dre’s third studio album “Compton.” He was also featured four times on the project. The album debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard charts and was nominated for a GRAMMY. www.Heirs.us
Sixwire
Sixwire’s first Warner Brothers Records album release debuted in the Top 30 and spawned the chart hits “Look At Me Now” and “Way Too Deep,” resulting in major concert tours with the top artists of that time. Sixwire members served as the house band on USA Network’s “Nashville Star” for three seasons, and the band temporarily relocated to Los Angeles where they were featured on FOX’s “The Next Great American Band.” Sixwire returned to Nashville to become the house band for CMT’s “Can You Duet” and CMT’s “Next Superstar,” then landed the role as the backing band for character Rayna Jaymes, played by actress Connie Britton on ABC’s dramatic series “Nashville.” Through the years, members of Sixwire have played in the bands for Faith Hill, Alabama, Randy Travis, Richard Marx, Dolly Parton, Little River Band, Don Felder and others. Sixwire members have written hit songs recorded by Tim McGraw, Brooks & Dunn, Chris Cagle, Sir Cliff Richard and others. Collectively, Sixwire members have been seen on television programs that include “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” The Late Show with David Letterman,” “Saturday Night Live,” “The Today Show,” “Good Morning America,” “The View,” “The GRAMMY Awards,” “CMT’s Flameworthy Awards,” “THE ACM Awards,” “THE CMA Awards” and others. Sixwire has been featured entertainment at the Daytona 500, the Bob Hope Classic, the NHL All-Star Game and Super Bowl 51. They have served as house band for the Charlie Daniels Volunteer Jam and the Academy of Country Music Awards All-Star Jam. Sixwire members include guitarist/vocalist Andy Childs; guitarist/producer Steve Mandile; keyboardist Steve Hornbeak; bassist John Howard; and drummer Chuck Tilley. customallstarjam.com
TSU “The Aristocrat of Bands”
Founded in 1946 at Tennessee State University, “The Aristocrat of Bands” is featured during pre-game and halftime performances at all home games and most away games. Still in demand for halftime performances, parades and other special events, the band’s special appearances include a spot in the 1981 CBS television movie “The Concrete Cowboy,” a 1984 performance at the Mirage Bowl football game in Tokyo, and the inaugural parades of President Bill Clinton. tnstate.edu/aristocratofbands
Tim McGraw
Tim McGraw’s unparalleled career includes 43 number one radio singles, 16 number one albums and countless industry awards and accolades. His unique chart achievements include having three singles in the Top 20 of the radio charts on multiple occasions, as well as having two singles spend over 10 weeks at number one. His last solo project spawned one of the biggest hit singles of all-time, “Humble and Kind,” whose message continues to impact fans around the world including a Spanish version sung by McGraw. He has routinely been cited as one of the biggest touring artists in the history of country music. McGraw recently performed for the Super Bowl Pregame Show’s Tailgate Party in Atlanta. timmcgraw.com
Dierks Bentley
Pegged as “one of Country music’s most enviable brands, equal parts affability and authenticity” (Forbes), Bentley continues to be a dominant voice for the genre with over 8.6 billion overall digital streams. Reaching a new creative high while “making music designed to challenge” (New York Times), Bentley co-wrote 10 of his current album THE MOUNTAIN’s (Capitol Records Nashville) 13 tracks, which earned him the highest debut sales of his career and became his seventh chart-topping album. Critics continue to applaud “one of the most joyful, brazen, and cohesive collections of his career” (Entertainment Weekly), as it was featured as one of “2018 Best Albums” by Esquire, USA Today, Rolling Stone, The Tennessean, and more. It was also was one of the only Country albums on Billboard’s all-genre year-end list. THE MOUNTAIN garnered multiple nominations, including “Album of the Year” nods from the ACM and CMAs and has been streamed more than 245 million times. Bentley has amassed 18 career number ones, billions of digital streams, countless nominations from the ACMs, Billboard Music Awards and more, while earning 13 GRAMMY nominations – including at least one stemming from each of his last six albums. Bentley will make notable stops throughout the country on his 2019 BURNING MAN TOUR sponsored by 5-hour ENERGY®, with special guests Jon Pardi, Tenille Townes and the Hot Country Knights, including his return to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena after making a sold-out headlining debut in 2016. dierks.com
CeCe Winans
The best-selling and most-awarded female gospel artist of all time, CeCe Winans has long since cemented her status as one of the most accomplished and celebrated women in modern music history. Recording and performing as both a solo artist and as a duo with her brother BeBe, CeCe has influenced a generation of gospel and secular vocalists over the course of her astonishing career. She’s been inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the Music City Walk of Fame, in addition to being named a Trailblazer of Soul by BMI and garnering multiple NAACP Image Awards, Soul Train Awards, Essence Awards, and more. She’s sold in excess of 5 million albums in the United States, topping the Gospel charts repeatedly while crossing over with smashes like “Count On Me,” her stunning duet with Whitney Houston from the multi-platinum Waiting To Exhale soundtrack, which sold 2 million copies and cracked the Top 10 on the Pop, R&B, and Adult Contemporary charts. cecewinans.com
Andrew Combs
With the deluxe reissue of Andrew Combs’ debut album, Worried Man, in January, the Texas-bred, Nashville-based artist has been given that rare opportunity: a do-over. The deluxe version of Worried Man (reissued via New West Records and Loose Records in the UK/EU), includes two songs from the album Combs has re-recorded for the release. A deluxe re-release of Comb’s second album, All These Dreams, is forthcoming, and in the midst of all this activity, Combs has also found time to write and record songs for the follow-up to last year’s 5 Covers & A Song EP, tentatively scheduled for release later this year. andrewcombsmusic.com
Charlie Worsham
Beloved within the Nashville community, Charlie Worsham continues to receive widespread attention for his new album, Beginning of Things. NPR Music praises the way his music exhibits “deep musicality…great playing, [and] sophisticated lyricism…” with Rolling Stone naming the album to their 40 Best Country and Americana Albums of 2017, calling it “The Most Vulnerable Country Album” of the year. Variety, CMT and PopMatters are just a few of the esteemed outlets that included his sophomore effort on year-end best of lists. charlieworsham.com
Chip Esten
Known best for his role as Deacon Claybourne on the hit television show “Nashville,” Charles (Chip) has performed on “Whose Line Is It Anyway,” as well as appearing on many other films and television shows including “The Postman,” “NYPD,” “Blue,” “ER” and “Big Love,” as well as the American version of “The Office.” He currently has a recurring role on TNT’s “Tell Me Your Secrets.” It was “Nashville” that reopened Esten’s musical career, and, over the course of the last six years, he has performed hundreds of live concerts. In January, he completed his first solo 12-city tour through a sold-out U.K. and Netherlands and standing room only shows in Germany. charlesesten.com
Jason Eskridge
Vocal powerhouse Jason Eskridge has worked either as a background vocalist or opening act for countless award-winning acts, such as Zac Brown Band, Lyle Lovett, Randy Travis, Jonny Lang, Amos Lee, Taj Mahal, Keb Mo’, Nicole C. Mullen, Marc Broussard, Robert Glasper, Chris Tomlin, Toby Mac and Crowder. He has also been featured as a guest vocalist on numerous projects. Eskridge has traveled across the country playing various venues and also had the opportunity to take his music abroad to Japan, South Africa, Amsterdam, India, and England. Jason’s latest release is “Live in Nashville,” and he is currently working on a new project. jasoneskridge.com
Jessy Wilson
Years before she toured the world alongside Alicia Keys, wrote songs with John Legend, belted the Southern rhythm and blues with Muddy Magnolias and kicked off a solo career with 2019’s Phase, Jessy Wilson grew up in Brooklyn, listening to the diverse sounds that filled her family’s apartment. Those influences come together on Phase, the GRAMMY-nominated songwriter’s first release as a solo artist. Written and recorded with producer Patrick Carney—drummer for the Black Keys—Phase brews up its own storm of soulful sound. Gritty and progressive, Phase reintroduces Wilson as never heard her before: undiluted, unaccompanied and unleashed. jessy-wilson.com
Jonny P
In just a few years the Bronx-born, Nashville-based singer-songwriter has served up some truly delicious tunes rooted in the sounds of the past but anchored firmly and irrevocably in the present, defined by disarmingly direct arrangements, a superlatively smooth vocal style and an undying belief in the power of soul. In addition to wrapping his first role in the upcoming film by director Kathryn Bigelow, a fictionalized chronicle of the Detroit riots of 1967, he released his second EP, Good To You, in April. In 2014 he self-released his debut EP, Right to You, which introduced him as one of Nashville’s most thrilling new voices, and his new material builds off that strong foundation. imjonnyp.com
Katie Schecter
Katie Schecter is a native New Yorker and singer/songwriter who cut her musical teeth playing and touring in local bands before decamping to Nashville. Alongside Cage the Elephant guitarist Nick Bockrath, Schecter managed to capture her idealized sound – a live, gritty blend of raw garage rock and psychedelic pop, with a contemporary sensibility. Those compelling end results can be found on her latest eponymous release. katieschecter.bombplates.com
Kid Politics
One of the buzziest new bands in the Nashville pop scene, Kid Politics has quickly made a name for themselves with an arena-ready live show, hook-laden anthems and a lead singer with a voice unparalleled in the current pop landscape. The band was formed in late 2016 when lead singer Kelby Dover was introduced to drummer Michael Mann by a mutual friend. Adding the bass prowess of Conroe, Texas native, Nick Arbuckle in the spring of 2018, Kid Politics was born. Already drawing comparisons to Twenty One Pilots, Imagine Dragons and OneRepublic, the band is poised to break through with heartfelt lyrics, sing-along melodies and an electric live show. kidpoliticsofficial.com
Mikky Ekko
Born in Louisiana and finding his feet in Nashville, Mikky Ekko is a true artist through and through. Since the release of his debut EP Strange Fruit in 2009, he’s continuously aiming to push the boat out, to fall somewhere into the alternative group of musicians while also retaining a popular songwriting sensibility. Though “Time” was a stumbling block, it was also a learning process and one that’s now serving his upcoming album Fame – a release that boldly goes back to Ekko’s roots. mikkyekko.com
New North
New North is a dynamic, singer/songwriter duo. Krista Marie is the “New” from upstate New York and her partner Damien Horne hails from “North” Carolina. Both are extremely seasoned road veterans and major label recording artists. They tour extensively performing all over North America and internationally in Australia and Europe. Two of the three founding members of the high energy country act known as The Farm, they scored a major country hit with their debut single “Home Sweet Home.” Scheduled to release their new EP this spring, New North is hitting the road in support of the project. newnorthmusic.com
Rayland Baxter
Rayland Baxter’s spectacular new album, Wide Awake, infuses Baxter’s easygoing, soulful sound with British Invasion melodies and rock and roll swagger, marrying lean, muscular songwriting with adventurous, inventive arrangements. His music has earned Baxter festival appearances from Bonnaroo to Newport Folk in addition to tours with an astonishing array of artists, including Jason Isbell, The Lumineers, Kacey Musgraves, The Head and The Heart, Shakey Graves, Lauryn Hill, and Grace Potter. raylandbaxter.com
Striking Matches
Following the international success of Striking Matches’ album Nothing But The Silence, produced by T-Bone Burnett, and nine songs on TV’s “Nashville,” Justin Davis and Sarah Zimmermann continually prove to be the band that cannot be defined by old school Music Row boundaries. For their upcoming 2019 EP release, they have settled in a style all their own that they’ve coined as “blues-pop,” an amalgamation of their blues and roots based guitar riffs, combined with pop melodies. strikingmatches.com
Three Star Revival
Three Star Revival was founded by frontman Ben Gaines and lead guitarist Cameron Moore in 2015. Initially playing with a rotating cast of Knoxville musicians, Gaines and Moore solidified their touring lineup with keys player Gregory Walton, bassist Tyler Reddick, and drummer Bo Kitzman. The group has been lucky enough to share lineups with the likes of Moon Taxi, Perpetual Groove, Keller Williams, Big Something, and CBDB. as well as additions to festivals like Rhythm and Blooms and Bonnaroo. threestarrevival.com
Willie Jones
Willie Jones is a uniquely gifted recording artist who melds deep country roots, R&B influences, and hip hop into a sound and experience that consistently incites rave reviews from fans and superstars. Willie first broke into the international limelight on “X Factor.” His debut music video for “Runs In Our Blood” was simultaneously featured on the popular country music site The Boot and urban juggernaut World Star Hip Hop. His acoustic EP entitled Road Waves released on 4 SOUND/Empire Records garnered the attention of key digital musical outlets and Nashville-based music publisher, Black River Music, who signed the artist to a multi-year deal. His full-length album is scheduled for release in this fall. williejones.com
The Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp
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