Old Crow Medicine Show Celebrates 25 Years On The BMI Rooftop
As the sun began to set on the Nashville skyline, the air buzzed with anticipation and excitement for the Americana Fest BMI Kickoff Party. The rooftop of the BMI building was the perfect location for such a grand event, with the breathtaking view of the city adding to the electric atmosphere. Nashville, the party was the perfect start to what promises to be a fantastic five days of music, education, and entertainment.
The annual event brings together fans and music industry professionals alike, offering five days of celebration through seminars, panels, and networking opportunities by day and raw, intimate showcases each night.
Sponsors such as Texas Roadhouse and Dickel Whiskey ensured that everyone was well-fed and watered before the music even started. But it was JD Clayton who kicked off the night with his soulful vocals and smooth lyrics cutting through the evening air like a warm knife through butter. With the perfect mix of Americana, country, and folk music, JD Clayton proved that he is one of the most talented songwriters and musicians in the industry. Clayton treated the crowd to a preview of his new song, The Arkansas Kid, which is set for release later this week. He also sang a few songs from his recent album, Long Way from Home.
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However, the evening wasn't without technical issues. A loud popping sound suddenly disrupted Clayton's set, and all the microphones went out. Despite the mishap, Clayton remained professional and finished his song without missing a beat by using a wireless mic.
The night really got going when the Old Crow Medicine Show took to the stage. Celebrating their 25th anniversary as a band, the iconic group played a mix of old favorites and new tracks from their latest album, Jubilee. The band was joined by co-founder Willie Watson for the recording of Jubilee, and the resulting up-tempo string and jug sounds had the crowd moving and grooving.
As the band began playing, the atmosphere on the rooftop was electric. Their energy and charisma were infectious, and the audience was completely captivated. The crowd was dancing and enjoying every moment until, once again, all the microphones blew, leaving the seven-piece band with no audio. However, as true professionals, the band kept on going. With only one wireless mic provided to lead singer Ketch Secor, the band played on, showing their experience and talent. They shared the one mic for a portion of the show, which added to the intimacy and closeness of the event.
Secor also took the opportunity to reminisce about the early days of the band in Nashville. He mentioned how much the city had changed and how different things looked from the rooftop, surrounded by towering buildings and bright lights. As the night wore on, the band played an emotional tribute to Jimmy Buffet, who recently passed away. The group changed the words of the hit song, Margaritaville, to include a tribute to the music legend. Old Crow Medicine Show played several fan favorites, including Wagon Wheel, as well as new songs like One Drop from their new album. It was a high-energy, fun, and entertaining performance and a perfect start to the Americana Fest 2023.
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In conclusion, the Americana Fest BMI Kickoff Party was an event to remember. With delicious food and drinks, and amazing performances from JD Clayton and Old Crow Medicine Show, it set the tone for the rest of the festival. It was heartwarming to see such a diverse group of people come together to celebrate a genre that brings so much joy and inspiration to people around the world. It was clear that the community of Americana music is thriving and growing.