As much a fixture at the Country Music Hall of Fame as Webb Pierce’s Cadillac, guitarist Andersen musically serves Babette’s feast to the thousands who pass through the lobby’s Sobro Grill. It’s a job that in haughtier or less capable hands could be sonic wallpaper, or worse, disinterested slumming. But through personality, chops and an interest in the many he meets every day, Andersen has parlayed his role into a civic boon—handing out embossed guitar picks (color-coded by year), reminiscing with returning patrons about their last visit. And for those drawn to Nashville as the Mecca of musicianship, a brush with Andersen’s fleet-fingered casual mastery evokes the days Chet Atkins still walked the earth. On his new CD Sundown, it’s not Andersen the ambassador who holds court but Andersen the former L.A. session player and longtime club performer, whose nimble playing puts the warmth back in cool jazz—providing an ideal soundtrack for hearthside snuggling and a bottle of wine. He hosts a CD release party as part of his weekend residency at Union Station.
Sat., Dec. 6, 6 p.m., 2008
Sat., Dec. 6, 6 p.m., 2008
