Year in Review: Nashville on Nashville

Traditionally, we — the Scene’s stable of music writers — use our annual Year in Music issue as an opportunity to opine about our favorite local trends, albums, artists, shows and all-around happenings. This year we decided we’d turn that platform over to the artists themselves. Here are some hot takes from 12 of Music City’s most prominent, world-beating luminaries.

Sturgill Simpson on his first Diarrhea Planet show

“I remember hearing about Diarrhea Planet a few years back and thinking, ‘Wow, that’s a pretty bold band name. They had better be melting faces when they hit the stage!’ However, my busy tour schedule makes it near impossible to see local shows. And when I’m home and off the road, the last thing I want to do is go to clubs. So I’ve never seen a Diarrhea Planet show.

Recently, when up in NYC for my own efforts, I found myself bored in a Lower East Side hotel room with a rare night off. So I got online, started browsing local music listings and saw DP was playing that night about 200 yards from my hotel, at Bowery Ballroom — a venue I have played and love. After 10 minutes spent conquering social anxiety, I made the short trek to the club and found a nice dark corner upstairs to take in their set — and I am a better man for it.

And my face the band did melt, along with all the other faces filling the room to capacity. Them boys are TIGHT! I also must add that I was highly impressed with lead singer/guitarist Jordan Smith’s knack for songcraft. The melodies were infectious, and the boy can damn sure write a hook. It also made me very proud and warmed my heart to see a Nashville band — that I’m sure has had to scrap their way to every single opportunity that has come to them in their hometown — fill that Manhattan room with an obviously highly devoted and rabid pack of fans singing along to every word.

Call me a fan — and where’s my fucking T-shirt?”

The Black Keys’ Patrick Carney on discovering Queen Ave

“During my last six years living in Nashville, I’ve been on and off the road a majority of the time, with the exception of the past year. I think the best musical outing I had was going to a show — Calvin Johnson at Queen Ave — this past summer. That place reminds me of a venue called Speak in Tongues my friends and I used to frequent back in the day in Cleveland. It was very exciting to find out there is a functioning DIY spot in this town. Hopefully, they are able to keep it going, because it’s places like Queen Ave that make music fun and exciting.”

Bully’s Alicia Bognanno on discovering Drkmttr

“My favorite thing I discovered in Nashville this year was Drkmttr. It’s a DIY venue that’s run by people who seem to really care about the bands they have coming through town and are passionate about putting on good shows in Nashville for bands who would prefer to play a smaller, more personal space. From my experience there, everyone running the venue seems to be very smart, safe and professional about the shows and events that they host. It’s refreshing to have a venue in Nashville that truly cares about the DIY scene and isn’t just putting on shows because they can. Also, they book great bands.”

Old Crow Medicine Show’s Ketch Secor on John Lewis and Eric Dozier

“Last month, on a cold Saturday morning, I sat with gospel musician, teacher and activist Eric Dozier in an auditorium of 1,500 people listening to John Lewis, the legendary civil rights pioneer and congressman. Eric and I sat electrified as John Lewis spoke about learning how to march, how to get arrested, and how to fight without fists in 1960s Nashville. Sitting in that auditorium, I was more proud than ever to call this city home: diverse, engaged, a place where Freedom Riders get standing ovations, and where the cause of racial justice is current and vital. 

“Afterwards, Eric and I shared a barbecue sandwich and talked, fired up, about music and race. In addition to being a world-traveling gospel performer, choir director and public speaker, Eric Dozier is now inspiring kids and making change in our community as the music teacher at the Episcopal School of Nashville. Since Congressman Lewis’ speech, we’ve held a jam session every Saturday. Eric gets the piano jumping, and we sing old spirituals and hymns-turned-protest-songs. With his warm and expansive spirit, his dedication to justice and equality, and his soul-stirring Plateau groove, Eric Dozier has inspired me and awakened me to the great power of an old Nashville tradition of racial reconciliation: music as a form of nonviolent protest.”

Cage the Elephant’s Brad Shultz and Matthan Minster on Birdcloud

“Oozing with potential and coming into their own in 2016 were our favorite loose-lipped lyrical geniuses, Birdcloud. With strength, stamina and agility like no other band in Nashville, they’re sure to achieve the motherload of glorification they deserve coming into 2017.”

Nicole Atkins on Discovering Max Hatt/Edda Glass

“One of the most mesmerizing shows I’ve seen in Nashville this year must have been the duo Max Hatt/Edda Glass at The Basement. My friend, Pat Sansone of Wilco, met them when he was judging the NewSong Contest and ended up producing their excellent new album, Ocean of Birds.

“Pat invited a bunch of us out early one night to see them at The Basement, and I had no idea what to expect. Max Hatt’s guitar is reminiscent of ’50s Chet Atkins and Junior Watson. His tone has an incomparable spook. Edda Glass’ primal singing and skywide-on-a-stormy-night lyrics left me breathless. At the end of the show I realized in that 45 minutes, time had stopped completely for me. I looked around the room, and it seemed as if everyone there was slowly coming back to earth, bewildered from the raw beauty and power they just saw come out of two people. Thanks for the tip, Pat!”

Jamie Lidell on Basecamp

“My most faved of Nashvillian moments of 2016 has to be Basecamp: the trio of Nashville moon-howling underdogs who, like me, don’t make country music. I was super happy to get a chance to go into the studio with them and work on two songs — ‘Comfort Zone’ and ‘In My Skin.’ They blaze forth like a proverbial diamond in this here Southern sky. Actually, one member of the band moved! Tragic news for Nashers. What is it with 2016?”

Amanda Shires on Amanda Shires’ My Piece of Land

“Nashville’s best record of 2016 is mine, of course. IDGAF that it’s my own, because it’s true. It’s called My Piece of Land. When I made it, I knew it was special. And when I say I made this record, I mean I physically constructed every single copy with my own two hands. Not only is this my favorite album of the year, it’s my favorite inanimate object of the year, barely beating out the wooden stake I made out of our neighbors’ political signage.

“The album even made my top-three list of favorite objects (animate or inanimate), coming in third behind ‘my beloved daughter’ and ‘the void.’  In fact, the release of my album was the only positive thing that has happened to ANYONE in 2016. Think about that! Even this year’s other albums became albatrosses around the necks of their creators, who fell victim to the ancient adage ‘mo’ money, mo’ problems.’ If you like good songs and guitars and fiddles, I highly recommend it. Buy a copy for your friends. Buy a copy for your enemies! It would also make a killer Christmas gift.

“ ‘The void’ is what I call my husband, Jason Isbell, second-greatest songwriter in our home.”

Jason Isbell on John Prine’s AmericanaFest gig at The Station Inn

“My wife Amanda opened for John Prine at The Station Inn during AmericanaFest this year, and John started the show with his debut album in its entirety. I think that album is as good as any album any songwriter has ever made. John had to buy a copy of the LP online so he could display it from the stage. He told lots of stories I’ve never heard, and breathed new life into songs I’ve listened to a thousand times. Amanda played a beautiful opening set. I stood behind the mayor and stole her popcorn. That was a beautiful night.”

Langhorne Slim on Jonny Fritz, Josh Hedley and Honky Tonk Tuesday Nights

“Seeing both Jonny Fritz and Josh Hedley gain a bit more of the national spotlight makes me very happy. They are, after all, national treasures. Also, Honky Tonk Tuesday Nights at American Legion Post 82, hosted by the Cowpokes, is one of the coolest things in town. It’s exactly what I was searching for on my first road trip to Nashville when I was a kid. Old and young folks shakin’ a tailfeather to great old country music. It’s a beautiful thing!”

Margo Price on Nashville in 2016

“For me, the Americana Honors and Awards at the Ryman were a highlight. I saw Bonnie Raitt, George Strait, Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell, Bob Weir, The McCrary Sisters, Lucinda Williams, Dwight Yoakam and so many more. And that would have been my answer regardless of my involvement. 

“My top three favorite local records are Jonny Fritz’s Sweet Creep, Erin Rae and the Meanwhiles’ Soon Enough and Darrin Bradbury’ Elmwood Park: A Slightly Melodic Audiobook. My new favorite artist is Quinn DeVeaux, and Teddy and the Rough Riders are one of the best new bands in town. Look out for them both. They will blow your mind. 

“I also had a ball two-stepping at the American Legion Post 82 (see photo above) for Honky Tonk Tuesday Nights, and though I may regret saying this, because it’s still relatively under-the-radar, Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge in Madison is my new watering hole. 

“And last but certainly not least, Megan Barry’s powerful words after the election were exactly the kind of message we needed. I’m proud to call this beautiful city home. I’ve had a tumultuous relationship with you, Nashville, but I really do love you so much.”

DJ Megan Barry on giving John Prine the key to the city

“This year, I had the chance to give the ‘keys’ to our city to a favorite son — longtime Nashville resident John Prine. In honor of John’s 70th birthday, we stood in the middle of the Ryman stage and presented him with our ‘key.’  But since this is Nashville, it wasn’t a typical key. It was a piano key. As the packed house sang him ‘Happy Birthday,’ I was reminded that I live in a really special place. Joining us for the celebration and concert were Americana and country greats like Jason Isbell, Amanda Shires, Lee Ann Womack, Margo Price, Sturgill Simpson and Kathy Mattea — showing that Nashville has a world-class music scene that sometimes feels more like a family than an industry.”