Kris Kristofferson
It never ceases to amaze us just how many people doing different kinds of work make up the conglomeration of music scenes in Nashville. It hits home even harder when we look back at the lives of even a few contributors to the ongoing story of “Nashville music” who died this year.
In early 1970, Buzz Cason opened Creative Workshop, the recording studio he’d always wanted in Nashville. The ’60s had flown by, pushed by The…
Some were stars who reached thousands of fans, like Kris Kristofferson, Melanie Safka, J.D. Souther and Toby Keith. Buzz Cason may not be a household name, but “Everlasting Love” — a song he co-wrote amid an extensive career that dates back to the 1950s and touched just about every part of the music business — most certainly is.
When beloved father and mentor Zachary Boetcher took the mic, he became K.I.N.G. the MC, whose mighty bars shared an astute social conscience. Deandre Haynes, who played football while he studied at TSU and picked up the apt moniker DJ Svnny D, was a warm presence in and a staunch supporter of Nashville’s hip-hop scene.
Others’ work took place behind the scenes but still touched lives deeply. Owsley Manier co-founded hallowed venue Exit/In with his friend Brugh Reynolds. As an artist manager and in other executive positions, Mary Martin helped a slew of musicians through key steps in their development, including Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell and Bob Dylan.
Peter Collins, who came here from the U.K., produced albums for an array of bands including Indigo Girls, Rush and Queensrÿche. One highlight of Mark Moffatt’s early career in Australia was producing the landmark punk single “(I’m) Stranded” for The Saints; later, he was an early champion of Keith Urban.
Helping Third Man Records establish its live-to-disc recording program is a big deal, but it’s just one of thousands of lines on mastering engineer George Ingram’s decades-long CV. Nearly 50 years ago, Larry Garris launched one of Nashville’s longest-running instrument shops, Corner Music. Joe Dorn was beloved by clients of Fork’s Drum Closet for the depth of his kindness as well as the depth of his knowledge of instruments and performing.
The mission of Get Behind the Mule, Nashville’s annual Christmastime Tom Waits covers bash, is twofold. First, it’s a chance to pay tribute to…
While music communities need a lot of things to thrive, one thing they can’t survive without is enthusiastic, devoted support. Emily Bradley was selfless and dogged in promoting dance music, and documentarian and photographer Kerstin Rupprecht’s generous spirit was wind in the sails of underground rockers and songsmiths who frequent spots like Betty’s Grill. Though Mary Sack’s work was managing and promoting artists like David Olney, her passion for their art was abundantly clear, and it was infectious even in the briefest conversation.
Talking with stellar songsmith and producer Brittany Howard, counting down the year’s top local albums and more
