New Music You Should Hear!

Recently a man by the name of Will Champlin opened for my Chris Nathan. Chris has had some great openers, and others that are well...not so great. When I heard Champlin, however, it was more than great music...I had an eargasm! He writes, performs, and produces catchy pop tunes that get stuck in your head, but you don't hear them on the radio every other hour. In fact, you don't ever hear them on the radio! Champlin grew up touring with Santanna (how cool is that?), and resides in Southern California. He's currently recording and writing in Nashville, TN, and I'm eagerly awaiting his solo debut independently released album. If you enjoy catchy pop music without all the hype, check out Will Champlin. My favorite song is "Now That We're Fallin".

This morning while working on various writing projects, I asked Chris for suggestions on music to listen to while I work. He said, "Matt York." I instantly fell in love. Not only is York "the real deal", he also seems to be a nice, down-to-earth guy (unlike many other singer/songwriters). York's music is raw talent at it's finest. I can't say enough about him, other than check him out for yourself and you'll know what I mean. He's similar to Dave Barnes, Matt Wertz, Marc Broussard, and John Mayer, but without all the hype and diva-like attitude. His song, "Lucky Man" has been on repeat in my CD player all day.

**Christina - PV's Nashville girl of music and gossip news.

Radio!!!

Indie artist, Chris Nathan, (also in celebration of Black Crowes release today, since his music sounds similar to theirs), was on a really cool radio program tonight. The radio show is called "Jack Sass"...ha, get it? Any way, Chris Nathan also happens to be my boyfriend and if you listen to the archive of this radio show you'll get to hear me call in under my alias name, Veronica. I think you'll dig it:

http://www.corporatesuckfest.com/

www.jacksassradio.com

...let me know your thoughts...
* By Christina, aka Veronica

And That's Who I Am...

I'm currently in Tampa, FL with my boyfriend, indie singer/songwriter Chris Nathan, and it's quite relaxing. He's here playing a few shows this week, and who knew that being on the road could be so relaxing? For those of the readers who are unfamiliar with me (I tend to keep my private life...well, private), let me indulge you in who I am :) My name's Christina, I'm 23 years old, and am a California girl living in Nashville, TN. The first question people usually ask when they find out I'm from California is "why did you move to Nashville?". The answer is simple: music! For as long as I can remember I wanted to be a professional singer/songwriter. I wrote my first song when I was 2 years old about Frosty the Snowman...he even had his own baby snowmen in the song...it was a folk song I guess because it didn't rhyme but it did tell a story. When I was 9 years old I wrote and recorded what I considered to be my first big hit, ha! This song was called "One Night"...and it was about living your life all for that one night you die in hopes to see God. I still remember the lyrics: We live, we learn, we love, we cry, we try, we fear, we die all because of one night...errr...something like that. Pretty deep for a 9 year old. By the time I was 16 I had my first press kit finished (a full demo, photos, bio) and I sent it out to every record label I could think of. It didn't get me too far, but by the time I was 18 I was playing churches and festivals and eventually got to sing accapella in front of major record labels and MTV. Unfortunately, they all said "you're too bubble-gum pop and innocent, your voice is too simple, but you look great! why don't you think about modeling and being in music videos?" It was a flattering way of telling me I can't sing but at least I'm hot!


Needless to say when I turned 20 I gave up pursuing a singing career and focused on writing. I've won several essay contests, my poetry and reviews have been published by several publications, and my passion for music is undeniable...why not combine music and writing? Now here I am...I write music reviews, I'm a full-time journalism/art student, and I get to travel with the love of my life on tour and be surrounded by music everyday. My dream was always to live life in a tour bus and listen to great live music every night. My Chris Nathan (who some of you may remember I wrote my first review for Planet Verge on Chris) has one of the top indie albums ever made, and is one of the best live performeers/singers I've ever seen. His voice is what vocalists dream of, and I get to experience it every night at his shows when we're on the road. It is truly a gift from God! And for those of you who didn't read my review on Chris (shame on you!), if you like the sounds of the Black Crowes meets John Mayer with a spin of Dave Matthews Band then you'll love Chris Nathan because he sounds JUST like that description. All this babbling to say, God answered my prayers, just not in a way I expected...He did it in a much better way. And now my readers know who I am and what my life entails. If there is an interest, I'm going to start writing weekly updates of what it's like to be the girl next to the rockstar and life on the road. A behind-the-scenes journal from a different perspective.


-PV Girl Christina, the one forever beside the 6'6" rockstar ;)

The Next Tim McGraw...Without the Fame of Faith Hill.

As I entered the infamous The Stage on Broadway in downtown Nashville, TN, I couldn't help but immediately notice loud music, weak vocals, and an oversized crowd. Was it the beer that attracted the crowd, or was it the faux-hawked, tight jeans wearing singer on stage? I quickly learned many members of the audience were there to see the "talent".

Lewis Copeland moved to Nashville from smalltown Ohio with big city dreams. The story is common here in Music City, but in merely 2 years Copeland was able to book a regular gig twice a week at The Stage. At first listen, it may be shocking that Copeland plays any shows in Music City, but at first look, you know exactly why he's on that stage.

Copeland was made to perform. He works the crowd, shakes his booty for the girls, and cheers a beer with the guys. The audience is drawn to his charisma, boyish good looks, and southern charm. All this combined has made for a Lewis Copeland craze that is quickly catching on...he even came out with his own 2008 calendar.

Copeland's performance is high-energy, but his lack of vocal abilities may be pleasing to a drunk crowd, but I'm certain a sober audience could "boo" him right off the stage. Yet, I can't help but admit any time he makes eye contact with me I melt. He has something that draws people to him, particularly the female population. Girls grab at EVERYTHING while he's on stage, and Copeland loves every minute of it. I must also give his band credit, they are all talented musicians. Specifically, Copeland's lead guitarist, Les Richardson, is a talented vocalist and should be heard more often.

To sum up the Lewis Copeland show: weak vocals, excellent entertainment. If Tim McGraw can make it, Lewis Copeland can as well.



Lewis Copeland performs live every Thursday and Saturday night at The Stage. For more information on Lewis Copeland, visit: www.lewiscopeland.com

Troy Akers: Musical Gold in the ♥ of Nashville

This past Tuesday I went to the small, local venue/eatery Christopher's Pizza. A place known for its intimate setting for small bands and acoustic performances (I hear the pizza's not bad, too). The room was filled with Belmont University students. The man they came to see was Troy Akers, a fellow Belmont student, Starbucks employee, and singer/songwriter. Hmm...sound like anyone you know? The struggling music student employed by a coffee shop?

As Akers approached the stage, I couldn't help but notice his small frame, tall hair, big boots, tight jeans, and a fashionable vest. He is all that is known as "the Nashville scene," and no, I don't mean that as a compliment. I sat there hoping his music had more originality than his apparel. Although, I must say original music seems difficult to accomplish in a town full of posers and indie rock (not to mention cliche country songs and John Mayer followers galore).

Akers quickly sits behind a keyboard and 2 violinists join him on stage. Already, I'm impressed. Perhaps he is different from the usual young, good-looking guy and his acoustic guitar. In fact, there's no guitars at all. Akers introduces the show with an introduction song...no, really. He sings a welcoming tune and I can't figure out if he's kidding or serious, so I refrain from giggling too loudly.

As his set goes on, I can't help but smile as I feel I'm one of the firsts to experience this musical gold. He is by far one of the best local performers I've seen to date. I also can't help but smile as I notice Akers dimples form with each note he intensely sings.

To sum up Troy Akers show: beautiful vocals, intelligent lyrics, and talent bursting from the stage and pouring into the audiences ears. This is why I go to shows, this is why I write reviews, this is why I'm still around the music industry. Simply put...raw talent!

For more information on Troy Akers, visit his solo Myspace at: www.myspace.com/troyakersmusic
Or visit his band's site at:
www.myspace.com/kennedyrock

Other artists that played that night that I HIGHLY recommend are:
Katie Ro and The Most - www.myspace.com/katieroandthemost (listen to the track "jack and jill")
Matt Dragstrem - www.myspace.com/dragstrem (listen to "south of chicago")

Christina's Venting Blog #1: The Cliche of Nashville.

Nashville is full of them. You can feel it in the air, hear it in their voices, see it in the faces of the strangers passing by in Hillsboro Village. They're EVERYWHERE! What are they?...the oh-so-cliche male singer/songwriters.

They seem to start in college. Their stories are all the same: "I liked a girl in college (or couldn't get a girl in college), and so I decided to pick up a guitar and try writing/singing...it was all to get girls." Now, my question is, what happened to pure passion for music and art?

Don't get me wrong, not every male singer/songwriter here in Nashville lacks passion and creativity. This IS music city, and there are plenty of incredible artists here. But for now let me vent on those that drive me insane...and not the good kind of insane.

If you enjoy cliche, unoriginal, pop music that has gotten far too much hype in Nashville then I suggest you check out these singer/songwriters:
Matt Wertz - www.myspace.com/mattwertz
Andy Davis - www.myspace.com/andydavis
Rob Blackledge - www.myspace.com/robblackledge
Justin Kyle Hasty - www.myspace.com/justinkylehasty

Given all the awful descriptions I just gave to these artists, I will admit that 3 out of 4 of them I have or still do listen to and enjoy the tunes...despite me cringing at the thought of how they've merely re-written John Mayer.

Some not-so-cliche singer/songwriters that I enjoy in town include:
Josh Johnson - www.myspace.com/joshjohnsonmusic (song to listen to: "Try")
Dave Barnes - www.myspace.com/davebarnes (song to listen to: "Stay Away")
Chad Harris - www.myspace.com/chadharrismusic (song to listen to: "Ghosts of You" "Could You Please")
Tofer Brown - www.myspace.com/toferbrown (song to listen to: "Candy Hearts")

Ah! I feel better now that I've finally been able to vent. I also included some good with the bad...I'm not an awful person, I'm still a nice girl :)

~Christina V.~

The Next Mr.A-to-Z

At 6'6" and long, scraggly hair, it’s hard to miss Chris Nathan in a crowd. And once he steps onto the stage, it’s even harder to take your eyes away from him. His voice is raw and true, just like his lyrics. The melodies get stuck in your head, and within the first five minutes of his set the audience quickly sings along and participates in the musical love festival that Nathan has begun.

Nathan has somehow managed to combine that acoustic singer/songwriter sound that so many of us love, with emo, rock, hip-hop, and country. His sound was described by one audience member as “countrymo: it’s country and emo!” Nathan also plays a variety of covers in his set, including Jason Mraz, Oasis, and “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” theme song that we all love to sing along to.

As Nathan gets into the music, his hat doesn’t stay on his head long; his hair can’t seem to be confined by a hat and nor can he. His lyrics are infectious, honest, and true to his life, who he is, and the man he hopes to become. Some personal favorites of mine that will be on his upcoming debut album (due out in October) are “The Contender” in which he sings “I’ve been wasting my time, stepping over the line,” and you can tell he means it. Other tracks include “Bonnie and Clyde” where he tells the true story of the infamous couple, Bonnie and Clyde, from start to finish. “Bad Habits”, which we all can relate to in some way. “Stone Me” written by his producer, Terry Sawchuk, rings true to anyone who’s struggled in those oh-so-confusing love relationships that you can't live with but can’t live without. "All Four Seasons" with lyrics and vocals so full of pain you can't help but hurt along with him. “Girl By The Window” is the tune that makes every female wish and hope was written about them. Every singer/songwriter has to have a song for the ladies, right?

Although, you may not have heard of Christ Nathan until now, once you hear his debut album, or catch a live show of his, you will never be able to forget his name, his songs, and that smile that surely will make your heart melt. For more information on Chris Nathan check out: www.myspace.com/chrisnathanmusic

-written by Christina V.- the Nashville PV girl that believes no press is bad press!(www.myspace.com/christinaisawesome)