Photo credit:- Paul Hadley
I always love Nashville Sounds In The Round. The venue is gorgeous with its rustic brick walls and fairy lights, and the artists that play alongside our resident act Gasoline & Matches are always amazing, but this particular line-up was really special to me and there was no way I was going to miss it.
We arrived at The Kitchen Garden Cafe, York Road, Kings Heath, Birmingham a little after 7pm. We bought our drinks and waited excitedly for the doors to open.
Once inside we were able to say hi to our artist friends very quickly. I hadn't seen Lisa since C2C in March and the last time I actually saw her perform she was the female lead in a stage show called 'Sunny Afternoon' so it was lovely to have a hug and say hello.
We took our seats with a minute to spare. The artists took to the stage.
Sally, organiser of this truly wonderful event, compare for the evening, and the Gasoline half of Gasoline and Matches who the previous Saturday were awarded BCMA Duo Of The Year, welcomed everyone and introduced the evenings artists. Then they opened the show with the first song which was met by rapturous applause by a very appreciative audience.
Our next artist to perform was the very talented Lisa Wright. Lisa has a beautiful voice. I have known her for a few years now and have always been of the opinion that she is one to watch.
Jade Helliwell was next up. She was also accompanied by 'current' boyfriend and BCMA Musician of the Year, Luke Thomas on the guitar and the wonderful guy on the end of the songwriters row was the amazing Darren Hodson from The Southern Companion. Having all done their first song we were back at the beginning with Sally and Steve aka Gasoline & Matches for round 2.
Round 2 was as good as the first round. Each artist telling stories and singing their songs. I always think we can actually see an artists true personality in this scenario.
Sally and Steve like to mix it up a bit so they always ask their guest artists to do a cover which makes this event that little bit different. Gasoline & Matches started with a cover of Shania Twains 'That Don't Impress Me Much' changing the words slightly for a fitting tribute to BCMA Musician of the Year Luke Thomas. The audience really enjoyed it and so did the artists. Lisa then did a beautiful rendition of Cyndi Laupers 'Time After Time'. To make a theme of the night Jade and Luke covered another Shania classic 'Man, I Feel Like A Woman' which got the audience singing along, me included as this is one of the songs I sing at my own gigs and Darren sang 'Either Way' by Chris Stapleton which is the most beautiful and mesmerising song. I could listen to Darren sing for ever. Such a great voice.
Time for a short break. Just enough time to refill our glasses at the bar.
This time the round started with Darren, then Jade & Luke followed by Lisa and then Gasoline & Matches. This half of the show was even better than the first half. The artists all know each other extremely well so the banter between them was very amusing. It was 'do you remember when' stories with a smattering of good songs and lots of laughter. I can say in all honesty that it was the best songwriters round I have ever attended and I cannot wait for the next one.