NASHVILLE, TN — The great author Colson Whitehead is coming to Nashville in a joint presentation of Parnassus Books and Fisk University. Whitehead will be celebrating his new novel “Cool Machine.” This event will be held in the Appleton Room at Fisk’s Jubilee Hall July 28 at 6:30 p.m. and is a ticketed event. “Cool Machine” is the highly anticipated conclusion to Whitehead’s acclaimed Harlem Trilogy. The series began with “Harlem Shuffle” in the ‘60s and continued with “Crook Manifesto” in the ‘70s. “Cool Machine” takes the story into the ‘80s and examines a robust but troubled New York City…
Author: Ron Wynn
Vocalist Glenn Jones has enjoyed success in three different idioms. Jones, who’ll be appearing at City Winery July 6, got his start in the gospel world and many still remember him from those years. He was part of the Florida-based group the Modulations in the ‘70s, then shifted to R&B in 1980 when he was the featured vocalist on Norman Connors’ Top 20 hit “Melancholy Fire.” He toured with Connors, then signed a solo deal with RCA in 1983. During the ‘80s and ‘90s he had several hits, the biggest being the single “Show Me” in 1984 (number three R&B),…
When it was initially released, there was some speculation that the musical biopic “Michael” wouldn’t be available for streaming any time soon. Those fears proved wrong. “Michael,” which made its theatrical debut April 24, is now available on premium video on demand. It hit the streaming market June 9. The film is directed by Antoine Fuqua and stars Jaafar Jackson — who is the son of Jermaine Jackson and nephew of the late pop icon — as Michael Jackson in his teen and adult years. The film chronicles the life of the singer as a 10-year-old (Juliano Valde) with his…
NASHVILLE, TN — A conversation with her husband that initially began as a joke ultimately evolved for Nashville singer/songwriter Tucker Nichol into a song that addresses serious and meaningful issues. Nichol’s newest single, “Expensive,” which is being released May 29, offers listeners in general—and young women in particular—an inspirational message about overcoming doubts about self-esteem and personal worth and succeeding in a challenging world. It is also, in many ways, a journey down memory lane for Nichol. “I’ve had battles with self-esteem,” she told The Tennessee Tribune during a recent interview. “It’s very important for young women that they don’t…
NASHVILLE, TN — The Nashville-based organization Lovenoise continues to bring high-caliber R&B and soul acts to town. Their latest two shows are set for May 23 and May 26. Their May 23 attraction will be the famed trio Shalamar, who dominated both the R&B and pop charts during the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. Original members Howard Hewitt and Jeffrey Daniel are now joined by Carolyn Griffey. Audiences still fondly remember their long list of hits, among them “The Second Time Around,” “Make That Move,” “I Can Make You Feel Good,” “I Owe You One,” and “A Night To Remember.”…
NASHVILLE, TN — American roots music artist Ruthie Foster and soul star Peabo Bryson will be headlining concerts this weekend at Nashville’s City Winery. Both have earned multiple Grammy nominations and also been winners in their respective areas. Foster will appear there April 16, while Bryson is playing a pair of shows April 17. Foster’s concert begins at 7:30 p.m., while Bryson’s first show is at 6 p.m., and the second at 9:30 p.m. The City Winery is located at 609 Lafayette Street. Ruthie Foster’s music adroitly combines elements of gospel, folk, blues, soul, and jazz. Foster comes from a…
NASHVILLE, TN — Charley Pride, the first Black superstar in the modern era of country music, was also a skilled baseball player who began his career as a pitcher in the Negro American League. The National Museum of African American Music recognized and celebrated both his famous careers on March 18 with the event “Playing Beyond the Field: Charley Pride: I’m Just Me.” It was a combination film screening and live discussion featuring filmmaker and director Barbara Hall and Bob Kendrick, President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. This was a free event presented in the Roots Theater, National Museum…
NASHVILLE, TN — Two Nashville museums have been added to the historic U.S. Civil Rights Trail. This trail features more than 130 stops nationwide across 14 states and Washington, D.C. — museums, churches, schools, motels and other sites of protest and history. It was launched in 2018. Last week, the trail added two new locations to the 17 it already has in the state. These were the Jefferson Street Sound Museum and the Museum of Christian and Gospel Music. “To be included as a stop along the Civil Rights Trail helps to guarantee the histories, the stories, the music, the…
NASHVILLE, TN — The National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) is having a series of special events Jan. 19 as part of its joint celebrations of MLK Day and the fifth anniversary. There will be live performances, special conversations, and more, with all these events free. The live performances will include Carter Hammonds’ Lift Every Voice and Sing, as well as The BoykinZ, Chris Blue, and DJ Smoke. The Legendary Conversations segment spotlights “Sister Groups: Legacy & Innovation.” It’s a panel with the McCrary Sisters and The BoykinZ. In addition, there’s another panel, “Civil Rights: Memphis to Nashville,” featuring…
NASHVILLE, TN — Raheem DeVaughn ranks among contemporary soul and R&B’s most popular vocalists. DeVaughn, who returns to City Winery for two shows January 9, is the son of jazz cellist Abdul Wadud. At one time he was working in Tower Records during the day and performing in clubs at night in the Washington D.C. and Maryland area. He’s earned four Grammy nominations. DeVaughn’s first solo album was “The Love Experience” in 2005. His second, “Love Behind The Melody,” featured two hit singles, “Woman” and “Customer,” and reached the number five position on the Billboard Top 200 charts. His third,…