MBN:The Monte Bubbles Network, soon to be your source for news on the net: CMA CLOSE UP

Genius in the Shadows: New Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum Shines Spotlight on Session Musicians Honky Tonk Survival: The Revival of Tootsie's Orchid Lounge

Genius in the Shadows: New Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum Shines Spotlight on Session Musicians
By John Hood

Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Bob Dylan, Hank Williams, even the Red Hot Chili Peppers - these are all names that are instantly recognizable to most fans of popular music. The names Floyd Lightnin' Chance, Pete Drake, Marshall Grant, Joe Osborne and Billy Sherrill don't roll off the tongue with the same sense of connection, but these studio musicians were vital in the creation and recording of some of the biggest songs and albums of the 20th century.

Musicians who often work in the shadow of bigger stars now have their chance to step into the spotlight with the opening of the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum. The Museum, which opened in Nashville in June, honors the studio musicians who are often overlooked by the general public.

Entrepreneur Joe Chambers, a noted songwriter, producer and owner of Nashville guitar store Chambers Guitars, is the guiding force behind the new museum. He has long believed studio musicians deserve more recognition for their contributions to popular music.

"Working in the studio as songwriter and producer, I learned the importance of studio musicians," Chambers said. "They are the backbone of the record business. I had spoken to Chet Atkins, Duane Eddy and James Burton about doing a project that would talk about and educate people on musicians. Those conversations ultimately metamorphosed into the museum."

Doing research on the concept, Chambers discovered that there were no museums anywhere dedicated to studio musicians. That just fueled his fire to bring the concept into fruition. He also felt that it would solidify Nashville's reputation as a music epicenter for all types of music.

"We wanted to see Nashville continue to be recognized as a music center and give people more reasons to come to Nashville," he said. "There's so much more to Nashville than just one genre of music. Nashville is Music City, U.S.A. So many big records of all genres are recorded here that people don't associate with Nashville. Bands fly in and record and fly out and nobody knows anything about it."

Chambers believes the Hall of Fame will draw more visitors, especially ones who are music fans, back to Nashville. He said that the demise of Opryland, a music theme park that closed several years ago, led to a decline in tourism. City officials are also excited about the new project.

"With the addition of the Musicians Hall of Fame to the landscape of Nashville's diverse product offerings, the circle truly is unbroken," said Butch Spyridon, President of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau. "Multiple music genres, songwriters and now the musicians are all being properly honored in their rightful home, Music City."

The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum occupies a 30,000 square foot building in Downtown Nashville on the corner of Sixth Avenue South and Clark Place. The exhibit space features musical instruments, photos, movies and other memorabilia from musicians around the world. Currently on display are Drake's steel guitars, heard on Dylan's "Lay Lady Lay" and George Harrison's album All Things Must Pass, as well as many of the Country hits from George Jones and Tammy Wynette. Visitors can also see Billy Sherrill's cigarette-burned piano, on which he composed Country classics "Almost Persuaded," "The Most Beautiful Girl" and "Stand by Your Man," plus, Marshall Grant's basses, heard on Cash's "Walk the Line" and "Ring of Fire." Items will be added to the Museum regularly and a limited number of musicians will be inducted annually into the Hall of Fame.

In addition to exhibit space, the venue features a 5,000 square foot performance hall, a 1,100 square foot screening theater, a gift shop and a school of music where aspiring musicians can hone their craft. A fully functional recording studio is in the works and will be an important part of the Hall of Fame experience. Visitors will have a chance to get up close and personal with musicians while they are recording. Sennheiser, a world leader in microphone technology and the first official sponsor of the facility has provided all the audio equipment for the performance hall and audio engineer T.C. Furlong has designed the audio systems.

"During the tour of the museum you'll go into a viewing room where you can see the recording studio," Chambers said. "That room has tiered seating and three mirrored windows so that musicians won't know if anyone is watching them or not. The musicians can record without interruption and fans can see how a recording session really works. It's very educational, kind of like going to Hollywood and being able to walk onto a movie set and watch a movie being made."

Perhaps the best indicator of success for Chambers' new venture is the overwhelming support and encouragement he's received from both studio musicians and the stars they make sound so good. Garth Brooks and Neil Young are just two of the noteworthy artists who have voiced support of the project.

In a statement released by the Hall of Fame, the normally reticent Young offered these words of praise: "You can see the hood ornament on the car if you go to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but if you want to look at the engine and see what's making it go, then you go to the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum."

On the Web: www.musicanshalloffame.com

Honky Tonk Survival: The Revival of Tootsie's Orchid Lounge
By John Hood

It's been the same way for more than 40 years - a little rowdy on Saturday nights with the sound of Country Music blaring from the stage. Country fans still fill Tootsie's Orchid Lounge soaking up the magic that has made the place America's most famous honky tonk. It hasn't changed much since 1960 when Hattie Louise "Tootsie" Bess bought a bar called Mom's, renamed it after herself and turned it into a haven for songwriters and singers.

Tootsie's has seen good times and down times (just like the songwriters who helped make it famous), but it remains one of Downtown Nashville's hottest spots. Tootsie passed away in 1978, but current owner Steve Smith and his brother John Taylor, who manages the venue, have kept the spirit of the place alive while shepherding Tootsie's into the 21st century.

"It's a living piece of history," said John Rumble, Senior Historian for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. "That aura of the 1960s heyday can still be absorbed down there. You can go down there, kick back, have a beer and let the vibes penetrate."

Those vibes exist because of Tootsie's compassion for and generosity to the struggling songwriters who were regular patrons in its early days.

"She became a den mother figure to the various folks who hung out there," Rumble explained. "Among these were folks were songwriters like Hank Cochran, Harlan Howard, Roger Miller and Willie Nelson. It's also right next to the Ryman Auditorium. The area between the Ryman and Tootsie's and Tootsie's itself became an informal meeting ground for Opry performers and their fans. It's easily one of the most famous Country bars in the world, historically speaking."

The club, along with much of Downtown Nashville, fell on hard times in the '70s and '80s. Smith bought the place in 1992. He wanted to revive the magic that had made Tootsie's so special in its heyday.

"It was the cornerstone of the careers of some of the older stars," Smith said. "It's a historic landmark and important to the heritage of Nashville's music community."

He and his brother are both quick to point to Tootsie Bess as the reason that the club is special.

"We just operate it," Taylor said. "This place was something Tootsie created. We like to joke that she still owns it and we're just running it for her."

Tootsie's was almost torn down to make a park in the early 1990s. At the time Downtown Nashville was a dark and dangerous shadow of its current vibrant self.

"It was terrible down here," Taylor said. "Steve fought tooth and nail to keep the place from being torn down. He actually lived here for about three months to keep it from being demolished. During that time he got it registered as a historic landmark, so it couldn't be torn down."

Smith knew Tootsie's held a special place in the musical history of Nashville. Many of the Opry stars of the '60s would sneak over between sets to have a drink. It was also a home away from home for songwriters, who held a special place in Tootsie Bess' heart. Her generosity made the place a favorite hangout for the famous and not-yet-famous. Patsy Cline, Tom T. Hall, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, Webb Pierce, Mel Tillis and Faron Young were just a few of the patrons who made Tootsie's a favorite watering hole.

In many ways Downtown Nashville's resurgence and Tootsie's reemergence were intertwined.

"We wanted to help develop the Downtown area and we knew this place was of great historical value to the city," Taylor said. "We actually became a sponsor of the Opry in 2000. As we were advertising on the Opry, we told people to come back to the most famous honky tonk in the world. I had young and old coming in here. They'd tell us that their daddy or great granddaddy told them to come here. It was really neat."

Tootsie's became a hotspot for tourists wanting to see and hear great Country Music. Along the way the club became an important training ground for rising Country stars. Terri Clark was signed to Mercury Records while holding down a regular gig at the club. The Lynns (Lorretta Lynn's daughters) also got a deal while playing there. It's a trend that continues. Three finalists from the recent season of "Nashville Star" are Tootsie's performers.

Taylor said one of the biggest developments for Tootsie's in recent years is the development of a record label. Tootsie's Records was a natural outgrowth for the club because of their ability to find great singers and songwriters while they are still developing.

"We opened a record label in 2003," Taylor said. "It was primarily because when we met [Country artist] John Stone, we knew we had something. We'd been thinking about doing this for a long time. John is a high-energy performer and the complete package - great singer, songwriter and entertainer. He's what Tootsie's stands for."

Stone released his debut album Meet John Stone, which features the self-penned single, "Same on Me," on Tootsie's Records in October 2004. He's currently in the studio working on his sophomore release.

Smith, who also recently purchased another famous Nashville club, The Nashville Palace, revealed that he's pursuing other opportunities to expand the Tootsie's brand.

"I can't give many details because everything is still in the planning stages," Smith said. "But we're in negotiations to put a Tootsie's in the airport. It would be a great way for people just getting to Nashville to experience a little bit of what makes this place Music City."

On the Web: www.tootsies.net; www.johnwstone.com

NEW ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: JAKE OWEN

POPULAR CMA SONGWRITERS SERIES CONTINUES AT JOE'S PUB IN NEW YORK CITY
By Wendy Pearl

What began as a way to introduce some of Nashville's finest songwriters to New York City in advance of the CMA Awards in 2005 is being extended into 2006 as the CMA Songwriters Series returns to Joe's Pub for four nights of concerts spanning five months.

"These are exactly the sort of inroads we were hoping to make when we launched the Songwriter Series last year," said CMA Chief Operating Officer Tammy Genovese. "Hosting the CMA Awards in New York generated enormous interest and support for the format and the songwriters are the foundation of that success. What we discovered was that New Yorkers are a willing and enthusiastic audience for our music in its most basic form - unplugged and intimately delivered by the singer/songwriters who created it."

The talented and successful writers and recording artists taking part in these shows have had numerous, chart-topping hits and contributed on a wide scale to the popularity of Country Music. The CMA Songwriter Series is taking place over four nights at Joe's Pub (July 15, Aug. 29 and Sept. 23, with a final show scheduled for Nov. 18).

"Our mission is to bring eclectic programming to the masses, which for years has included some of the best Country artists working today," said Kevin Abbott, General Manager of Joe's Pub. "With the help of CMA, we are broadening our audience and creating a home for Country Music in New York City. The songwriters shows were truly some of the best performances we have had on our stage in over eight years."

"One of our goals when we brought the 2005 CMA Awards to NYC was to build a foundation that would enable the Country Music industry to continue a presence in New York and expose advertisers, media representatives and consumers to Country Music," said Rick Murray, CMA Vice President of Strategic Marketing. "The excitement generated from the management at Joe's Pub and the response from the New York community directly impacted our decision to continue the series throughout 2006, and hopefully beyond."

Each night features three to four songwriters from Nashville, who line up on stage and take turns telling the stories behind their hits and then performing the song, often with added harmony from the other songwriters. In addition to the artists and songwriters, there is always the possibility of special guest appearance by additional Country artists, who may be in town.

Songwriter and CMA Board of Directors member Bob DiPiero once again assisted in identifying and securing songwriters for the series.

"The CMA is the friend of the songwriter and with their help, I have been able to get the very best songwriter/artists Nashville has to offer to sing their songs and tell their stories at the Joe's Pub series," DiPiero said. "I'm honored to be part of such a very special series that will help keep alive the Nashville/New York City music connection."

Songwriters* scheduled to appear include:
SATURDAY, JULY 15 - 6:30 and 9:30 PM/ET
- Bob DiPiero ("Blue Clear Sky," "Take Me As I Am," "Cumberland Road")
- Tony Mullins ("How Forever Feels," Something's Gotta Give," "Me And My Gang")
- Rivers Rutherford ("Ain't Nothing 'Bout You," "Real Good Man," "When I Get Where I'm Going," "When the Lights Go Down")
- Jeffery Steele ("Gone," "These Days," "What Hurts the Most")
- Jon Randall ("Whiskey Lullaby," "No Southern Comfort")

TUESDAY, AUG. 29 - 6:30 and 9:30 PM/ET
- Lori McKenna ("Fireflies," "Stealing Kisses")
- Jo Dee Messina ("It Gets Better," "Life is Good," "Love is Not Enough")
- Jamie O'Neal ("There Is No Arizona," "When I Think About Angels," "Somebody's Hero")

SATURDAY, SEPT. 23 - 6:30 and 9:30 PM/ET
- Gary Burr ("Empty," "Before Your Love," "A Thousand Times A Day")
- Don Henry ("Whole Lotta Holes," "Beautiful Fool," "Don't Let's Talk About Lisa")
- Victoria Shaw ("The River," "Nobody Wants to be Lonely," "I Love The Way You Love Me")

SATURDAY, NOV. 18 - 6:30 and 9:30 PM/ET
TBD

*Schedule subject to change.

"With the history of these events, the cool venue and the great audience we attract, everyone we have approached so far has jumped at the chance to participate in the showcases," DiPiero said. "The Nashville songwriters' bench is so deep that the main trouble is not having enough time and space to showcase other exceptional talent. NYC will be seeing the very best of the best, make no mistake about that."

"Music has always been an enormous part of my life," Messina said. "It's not just something I do, it's part of who I am. Songwriting to me is my refuge, a safe place to me where I can go to spell out my emotions, especially when dealing with tough situations. It helps me to gain perspective. You could say that songwriting gives me emotional freedom."

"I love playing NYC and I love playing Joe's Pub," Rutherford said. "It's a great room and the audiences there are starving for real songs."

"So many New Yorkers have been fans of our stories for so long, but there have not been many outlets to hear them," Steele said. "I really fell like New York or LA or Chicago are all just a million small towns strung together with the same kinds of people dealing with the same kinds of things, and that's what we write about everyday. Things big and small - that's what Country Music is."

Tickets for July 15, Sept. 23 and Nov. 18 cost $20. Tickets for Aug. 29 cost $30. For information about Joe's Pub, visit joespub.com or call (212) 539-8778. The CMA Songwriters Series official sponsors for July 15, Sept. 23 and Nov. 18 include ASCAP, BMI, SESAC and American Airlines, the official airline of the 2006 CMA Awards. The Aug. 29 date, which leads into the Aug. 30 announcement of the final nominees for "The 40th Annual CMA Awards," is presented by CMA.

Jessica Hutton from Long Island, N.Y., an aspiring songwriter, attended the Series, which was a sell-out in 2005. She found the stories the writers told so inspiring that she jotted them down on a napkin by candlelight. "This is like my sanctuary," Hutton said. "We don't get a whole lot of Country Music in Manhattan, so I am glad they decided to do this."

NEW ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: JAKE OWEN
By Peter Cronin

Jake Owen, Country artist, was almost Jake Owen, golf legend. When he was 12, the Vero Beach, Fla., native made up his mind that he would compete with Tiger Woods.

"I decided to start playing golf because I wanted to do something with my dad," Owen said. "Once I started playing, I found out that I was pretty good." But a waterskiing accident abruptly ended his professional golfing aspirations. "I had to have reconstructive surgery," he said. "I was so depressed."

While recuperating from his injury, Owen picked up an old guitar, and those hours on the fairway with his dad finally paid off. "My dad loved Vern Gosdin and Keith Whitley," Owen said. "I grew up listening to classic Country."

Owen soon realized that guitar came to him as naturally as golf. While sitting in Pot Belly's, a campus bar, he had a musical epiphany. As he watched a singer onstage accompanying himself on guitar, he thought, "I can do that." Later that night, he did. Seventy-five dollars and a few ladies' phone numbers later, Owen had successfully completed his first gig. At that point, he officially traded his golf clubs for a guitar.

Shortly thereafter, Owen formed a band, Yee Haw Junction, which played covers of hit Country songs. But it wasn't long before he was writing his own. His first two efforts, "It's Been a While" and "8 Second Ride," received much praise. "I felt like I had something," he said.

Upon his arrival in Nashville, Owen teamed up with producer Jimmy Ritchey (Clay Walker, Mark Chesnutt). The pair spent 18 months co-writing and, with Ritchey's help, Owen was signed to RCA Records. Owen co-wrote every song on his debut album, Startin' with Me, released on July 25. Only two years after his migration to Music City, Owen has already scored a music-business hole-in-one, gaining an opening slot on a tour with Kenny Chesney.

IN HIS OWN WORDS:

Who is your musical hero? "I have lots of musical heroes ... anyone original and innovative."

Which song would you secretly like to cover? "'Easy' by the Commodores."

What CD is on your stereo? "Danny O'Keefe's CD."

What book is on your nightstand? "The Bible."

On the Web: www.jakeowen.com