Nashville Sings Woody! ♦ Wednesday, 5th

In the late Woody Guthrie’s hands, folk songs were weapons, tools, even organisms that took on a life of their own as they passed from host to host. And they’re still alive, as this historic celebration at the Ryman Auditorium proves. Joining what amounts to a landmark Guthrie family reunion—including his former wives, his son Arlo, his daughter Nora, his grandchildren Abe and Sarah Lee, and countless friends and relatives—are many of the people who have expanded and extended his legacy. The following are just a few names in the mix: Nanci Griffith, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Marty Stuart, The Flatlanders, Alison Brown, James Talley, Peter Rowan & Tim O’Brien, as well as Woody’s old comrade Ramblin’ Jack Elliott. Not only will they remember the Dust Bowl troubadour in story and song, they’ll record the experience for an upcoming documentary. The climax of the city’s monthlong Woody Guthrie 90th Year Celebration, fittingly enough, is only the beginning of Nashville’s massive Folk Alliance confab. Next weekend, this grass-roots gathering of national, regional and local talents will spread all the news that’s fit to sing, whether it’s in a club, a school, the open doorway of somebody’s hotel room or out on the sidewalk. It’s one more step in creating the folk democracy Guthrie envisioned and embodied: music of the people, by the people, for the people. As the song says—and we could all use reminding about now—this land was made for you and me.

—J.R.

This week’s picks by Todd Anderson, Martin Brady, Doug Brumley, Chris Davis, Steve Erickson, Paul Griffith, Heather Johnson, Jonathan Marx, Noel Murray, Margaret Renkl, Jim Ridley, Joshua H. Rothkopf, Jack Silverman, Jon Weisberger, Angela Wibking and Ron Wynn.

Thursday, 30th

Patty Griffin When you can include a Bruce Springsteen cover on your album and not have it upstage your originals, you can consider yourself a hell of a songwriter. What’s more, Griffin is as skilled and empathetic an interpreter of other people’s songs as she is a writer and performer. Coming after her excursions in adult-alternative neo-folk and abrasive modern rock, her luminous 1000 Kisses is unpredictable simply for seeming so homey and comfortable in its own skin—even when Griffin’s put-upon homemakers and aching lovers aren’t. Building on a reputation for intimate, impressive live shows, Griffin plays the Ryman Auditorium with two of Nashville’s finest, the soulful husband-and-wife team of Buddy & Julie Miller.

—J.R.

Todd Sharp Sharp has provided six-string sizzle for the likes of Rod Stewart, Hall & Oates and Delbert McClinton, and he’s co-written Top 40 hits, including Christine McVie’s “Got a Hold on Me.” Lately, he’s been focusing on his own 2002 release, Walking All the Way. From the Liverpudlian pop of “Right as Rain” to the hard knocks of “Widow Maker,” Sharp wisely plays to the song instead of the making the common ax-master miscue of writing to the guitar. Even on the squared-off shuffle of “Mind If I Smoke?,” a rousing five-minute instrumental, the proceedings never meander. Catch one of Sharp’s rare hometown appearances 9:30 p.m. at 3rd & Lindsley.

—J.S.

Richard Julian After touring with Norah Jones for much of last year, New York singer-songwriter Julian spent a month or so in Nashville writing new material. If his forthcoming album bears any resemblance to his engaging, Brad Jones-produced Good Life, we’re in for another winner. The Basement is an ideal setting for Julian’s warm tenor and intimate delivery.

—H.J.

Wise Child Wise Child are fronted by Casey Driessen and Luke Bulla, two young fiddle-and-more players with bluegrass credentials who’ve given themselves over to what many ’grassers doubtless consider the dark side. With a rhythm section comprised of drummer Pasi Leppikangas (John Cowan Band, Scott Vestal Band) and electric bassist Matt Mangano, the quartet offer a provocative fusion of pop, rock, jazz and the occasional bit of bluegrass. Imagine an electrified, more muscular Nickel Creek, and you’re in the ballpark. Wise Child play with Tasty Puddin’ at 12th & Porter.

—J.W.

Sam Ashworth As frontman for melodic-rock specialists My Tyger, Ashworth and his groove-driven pop songs were the band’s focal point. He’s currently working on an EP, as well as producing a record by his father, gospel music legend Charlie Peacock. Ashworth appears at the Slow Bar with his band, a collective of friends and former bandmates. William Tyler, who plays guitar with Character, opens with a solo set.

—P.G.

Ide Last year, brothers Layne and Landon Ihde released an excellent debut EP, The Rock. Produced by Malcolm Springer (Matchbox Twenty) and Mark Niemiec (India.Arie), the record is a song-driven, power-rock sleeper that, taken with the likes of jetpack’s and The Shazam’s latest, offers further proof of the simmering vitality of Nashville’s underappreciated pop scene. Ide appear at the Exit/In along with Evan Levine and local rockers Phaino Star.