Performances by:

Amy Stroup

Trent Dabbs

Megan McCormick

Daniel Tashian

Performances by:

Dave Pahanish

Pawnshop Kings

Tyler Farr

While Here with Me features plenty of fiddles and steel guitars, the set never stoops to naked exploitation of country's most famous brand. Instead, it consistently delivers thoughtful, communicative songs, all put across with her own distinctive lyrical approach. Williams' resonant mix of solid craftsmanship and unflinching self-examination has already propelled the album's first two singles, "Keep the Change" and "Mama," in the mid-range of the country chart, and both songs reflect a prideful independence and a respectful acknowledgment of her extraordinary lineage. The former title's assertive message of liberation and the latter's warm familial affection navigate elegantly through the potential minefield of dysfunction and internecine competition any Williams inevitably contends with. While those built-in pitfalls almost killed her father and clearly haunt half-brother Hank III, this Williams’ coolly considerate modus operandi reveals arresting new aspects of a musical DNA strand that's already produced remarkable, trans-generational evolution.

Significantly, Williams wrote, or co-wrote almost the entirety of Here with Me (the set closes with a cover of Neil Young's "Birds"), and while her lyrical explorations represent a flourishing creativity that is hers alone, Holly Williams nobly upholds--and enhances--her much celebrated family tradition.

Tonight, BMI’s 8 off 8th Halloween Spooktacular, hosted by Daniel Tashian with DJ DPaul spinning between sets. Costumes encouraged.

Performances by:

Sara Petite

Kennedy

Like Candy Red

Tyler James

The Silver Seas

Pico vs. Island Trees

The Effects

November

In addition to honoring the year and decade’s best, the ceremony also featured the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame induction of game-changing songwriter Kye Fleming and the incomparable Tammy Wynette. Late publisher Bill Hall received the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation Mentor Award, which recognizes industry executives who have been exceptionally supportive and nurturing of songwriters.

To read more about the Hall of Fame inductees, click here.

To learn more about the NSAI, please visit www.nashvillesongwriters.com.

Steve Bloch will share his perspective on: what publishers look for in a writer; what the big boys and girls (producers, label heads, artists) REALLY want in a song; becoming a better plugger of your own songs; navigating Nashville’s waters as a truly independent publisher, plugger or writer. Following his presentation, Mr. Bloch will listen to attendees' songs.

$25 BMI, NSAI, SGA, SHOF members ~ $35 all others

For more information or to RSVP: stonepulse@aol.com

Chet Atkins was a musical renaissance man whose ingenuity spanned production, business savvy, and of course, musicianship. Universally recognized as one of the greatest guitar players in history, Atkins also produced work by Perry Como, Elvis Presley, Eddy Arnold, Jim Reeves, Jerry Reed, Skeeter Davis, Connie Smith, Waylon Jennings, and others. Along with Owen Bradley, Atkins is credited with inventing the famous “Nashville Sound” as well.

Producer and songwriter Fred Foster founded Monument Records, the home of Roy Orbison’s career-making hits including "Pretty Woman," "Only the Lonely," "Crying," and "Blue Bayou.” Foster boasts an uncannily astute ear for talent: In addition to playing a vital role in Dolly Parton’s career, he was also an early believer in Kris Kristofferson, with whom he penned “Me and Bobby McGee.” He has also worked with Billy Joe Shaver, Tony Joe White, Boots Randolf, Jeannie Seely, Ray Stevens, and many more. In 2005, he produced Willie Nelson’s acclaimed disc You Don’t Know Me: The Songs of Cindy Walker, while in 2007, he produced Nelson’s collaboration with Merle Haggard and Ray Price, Last of the Breed.

Charlie Daniels garnered due acclaim for his pioneering brand of southern fried rock ‘n’ roll, but he has also made substantial musical contributions to the albums of others. As a session player in Nashville, Daniels performed on records for legends Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Leonard Cohen, Al Kooper, Marty Robbins, and more. His songwriting skills are also well-documented: Composition “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” has generated more than 4.5 million performances.

Bassist Billy Cox performed with Jimi Hendrix, and enjoyed a strong relationship with the rock ‘n’ roll legend until his death. In Nashville, Cox and Hendrix co-founded The King Kasuals, and after Hendrix’s return from England, Cox performed with him in the Band of Gypsys. Cox also performed with Hendrix at Woodstock in 1969.

Elite session players David Hungate, Jeff Porcaro, Steve Porcaro, David Paich, Steve Lukather, and Mike Porcaro formed TOTO in the 1970s and enjoyed an overwhelming surge of success. Known for its virtuosic musical technique and fiercely diverse combination of influences, the band has sold more than 30 million albums.

For more information on the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum, please visit www.musicianshalloffame.com.

Artists scheduled to appear: Taylor Swift, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Faith Hill, Vince Gill, Lady Antebellum, Jason Aldean, Little Big Town

Tickets $25: Ticketmaster

For more information, click here.