Critic's Pick: Benmont Tench

Most people know Benmont Tench as the former keyboardist for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, but he also is one of the most-recorded session players of the past 50 years. His session credits read like a who’s-who of popular music and include Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, The Rolling Stones, Brian Wilson, Stevie Nicks, Eurythmics, Roy Orbison, Elvis Costello, Bonnie Raitt and John Prine, to name just a few. But Tench is more than just a sideman — he’s also a songwriter of note, as he reminded us on his 2025 album The Melancholy Season. Tench brings his tour in support of The Melancholy Season to Nashville on Jan. 20 for a solo performance at City Winery, and while he has performed in Nashville with the Heartbreakers and appeared here in benefit and tribute concerts, the show will be his first-ever in the city as a solo headliner. If an earlier leg of the tour is any indication, attendees can expect Tench’s set to include eight of the dozen songs from the new album, a couple from his first solo album and a healthy dose of covers, including a pair of songs from Petty and the Heartbreakers — “Straight Into Darkness” and “American Girl.” The set also will likely include interpretations of songs by Dylan, Chuck Berry, The Grateful Dead and The Velvet Underground.

7:30 p.m. at City Winery

609 Lafayette St.