Category Archives: Pictures
Nashville Film Festival sets another record year!
It’s sad to say that another Nashville Film Festival has come and gone. This year I got to see more movies than ever, attend several parties and even check out a panel. I wish this festival was year round! I know there are nearly 27,000 other people out there that would agree, as another record attendance was reached. There is no way I could go over all of the educational, inspirational, artistic hours that were crammed in this past week so I put together a few of my favorite highlights.
The 2012 festival kicked off with Tennessee in the spotlight. The Nashville rollergirls (Hell or Highwater) skated on to the red carpet keeping things classy in their dresses, I also chatted with Eddie George (He Aint Heavy) and Bill Brummell (Erasing Hate).
Nicole Kidman, Lizzy Caplan, Beth Grant, Carrie Preston, Famke Janssen, Blayne Weaver and Natalie Morales walked the NaFF Red Carpet Saturday. The Evolution of Women Behind the Camera panel saw a sold out crowd as well as the screenings of The Godmother of Rock & Roll, Louder Than Love and Hollywood to Dollywood.
Lee Ann Womack, Mark Chesnutt, Jeannie Seely, Beegee Adair, Mandy Barnett and others came out Wednesday night for Hank Cochran: Livin’ for a Song.
I caught up with my boys Old Crow Medicine Show Thursday night as their film Big Easy Express closed out the week.
The 43rd annual Nashville Film Festival presented by Nissan wrapped with a closing night party at the W.O. Smith School and the announcement that the The Intouchables and Beauty is Embarrassing grabbed the two major Southwest Airlines “Freedom to Choose” Audience Awards.
Check out some of the weeks highlights and interviews in our video above!
Keith Urban, Ashley Judd, Brooke Hogan & more seen in the city!
It’s been another exciting week in this little, big town known as Music City. Keith Urban has been a busy bee, but he’s not the only one out and about in Nashville this week.
Things kicked off Monday with soundcheck for We are All for the Hall. I got to chat with Keith & Vince Gill about the 3rd annual event. If you missed my story on WKRN you can see it by clicking here . After our chat I stood beside Charles Kelly of Lady A while Little Big Town sang with Keith & Vince on back up. It was an “only in Nashville” moment indeed.
From there I was off to talk to actress and activist Ashley Judd. Judd looked pretty pink and didn’t shy from reporter questions, despite being bashed earlier by media claiming that her face looked “puffy.” We caught up at Loews Vanderbilt Hotel where she was speaking at the Power of the Purse luncheon. Judd chatted with us about the possibility of another Missing series and how she would have some control over the future content. She also talked about how much she loves fighting in the series and how Yoga helps her with her mean moves. Oh and that her hubby race car drive Dario Franchitti thinks it’s hot!
Tuesday morning, Keith surprised his Monkeyville fan club members at the Country Music Hall of Fame with an acoustic performance. I caught up with some of the fans at the hall. You can watch that story by clicking here!
Tuesday night at the star studded We are All for the Hall benefit, the legendary Merle Haggard and Don Williams made surprise appearances to support the cause. Guests were also surprised when Vince Gill asked Keith to become an official Opry member on stage. You can see highlights of the show by clicking here!
Wednesday night, Bobby Pinson got nearly a dozen of his pals on board to play Lucy’s Country Cafe and raise money for wounded troops. Heidi Newfield, Rhett Akins, Pam Tillis and Jake Owen were among them. Chuck Wicks even made a surprise visit on stage. Stay tuned for my story and performance footage on Yallwire.
Wednesday Keith was at it again, this time celebrating his latest #1 song You Gonna Fly with songwriters Preston Brust, Chris Lucas and Jaren Johnston at Chappy’s on Church. His wife Nicole Kidman also came out for the bash and in true Keith form, he played the song for guests.
Thursday night Hulk Hogan‘s daughter and reality TV star Brooke Hogan was seen hanging with a music row insider. Could this mean there is a country album in the works for Brooke? Hmmmmm… I wouldn’t be surprised. The Hulk himself made an appearance at Direct insurance corporate office in Nashville Friday. Hulk is in town for the Lockdown at Municipal Auditorium Sunday.
Some lucky music fans got to enjoy privately taped shows this week with Kix Brooks and Keith Urban for some upcoming TV shows. Stay tuned!
Thanks to my readers for the skinny. If you see any celebs out and about Email me by clicking HERE!
Heart of Tennessee: A Musical Journey kicks off on General Jackson~
All aboard! If you have never stepped foot on the General Jackson Showboat, know that the view alone is worth the ticket price. I love cruising by our city scape and under our bridges that are staples of our city. Now there is even more of a reason to see what all of the rage is about, the 300-foot paddlewheel riverboat is featuring a new show that is bound to not only entertain, but also educate guests. Journey down the Cumberland River with the new evening show, Heart of Tennessee: A Musical Journey. No doubt this performance takes you on a “journey” down the ‘Musical Highway,’ featuring music born in Tennessee.
With the three stars of the Tennessee State flag on display, a cast of seven singers backed by a full band performs songs from bluegrass to soul, gospel and country music. The journey starts with songs by some of our historic music greats and leads up to those artists that make Nashville known as Music City today. You can catch tunes by Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Hank Williams, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood and many more.
A Tennessee-inspired meal of Braised short ribs and a chocolate chess tart with Jack Daniels spiked seasonal fruit is also included in your three hour cruise.
Heart of Tennessee: A Musical Journey runs through Nov. 11, 2012. Tickets start at $91.42 plus tax for adults and at $62.11 plus tax for children ages 4-11. Children ages three and younger are free. For more information visit generaljackson.com
Photos of the Ryman’s new stage!
The Mother Church of country music is ready to debut it’s new stage. You can see Ryman officials incorporated a 36-inch lip of the old blonde oak stage at the front of the new one. The rest of the stage is now a medium brown Brazilian teak that will be far more durable and camera friendly.
The Band Perry will be the first act to play the new stage. The show is sold out.
PHOTO CREDIT: STEVE LOWRY/RYMAN ARCHIVES
Keith Urban & Richard Marx perform at #1 party, Keith’s 1st since vocal surgery
Keith Urban and Richard Marx finally celebrated the success of their number one song, Long Hot Summer Tuesday night at Cabana in Nashville.
Keith recently underwent vocal surgery and had to keep silent for 3 weeks. He talked to the media about how hard it was to keep his silence, especially around his daughter. The country star even toted around a white marker board to write on throughout his recovery.
Keith & Richard performed “Long Hot Summer” for the small crowd, with the help of two fans he found on Youtube.
Keith will make his official come back February 3rd the Grand Ole Opry.
Keith and Richard shared that this song was extra special regarding a rekindling of their friendship. Marx expressed his love for both the song and Keith. He jokingly said, “Keith’s not a bad kiss, for a guy.”
I will have more from the party on Yallwire. Stay tuned!
Lady A’s Hillary Scott ties the knot!
Congrats to Lady Antebellum‘s Hillary Scott and drummer Chris Tyrrell who tied the knot Saturday in New York. A Steph spy reports that the couple got hitched in Albany, NY in a town called Altamont. Family and close friends attended the ceremony.
People reports that Steven Curtis Chapman sang for the couple’s first dance.
You can see Hillary pictured in a custom Vera Wang strapless mermaid dress and a long chantilly lace veil, with her hubby.
Photo Credit: Joe Buissink
Vince & Amy conclude Twelve Days Of Christmas tour in Music City~
Amy Grant & Vince Gill wrapped up The Twelve Days Of Christmas tour with two shows in Nashville at the Ryman Auditorium.
“Christmas audiences are special,” explains Grant. “They tend to involve the whole family, and their emotions are a wonderful mix of anticipation and reverence. It’s a thrilling experience for both of us.” “These holiday tours have become our favorites,” Gill agrees.
Santa traded in his reindeer for a shiny Macy’s tour bus and joined Vince and Amy at The Ryman, with a special visit from the children of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Wynonna Judd celebrates Christmas with Make-A-Wish kids
5-time GRAMMY winner Wynonna Judd sang Christmas carols to the children of Make-A-Wish at the Belle Mead Plantation Wednesday morning. She and Santa also took time to read the Christmas Story.
Wy was just excited to see that some of the kids knew her name. She told me that the event is really her Christmas.
“I have been on tour and I got home and all my family is gone, because we are all successful. I can actually say and I’m going to try not to cry, I really long for the simpler days when we had time and we were together. As successful as we are, I really appreciate that and I feel like we are the American dream and there is a costs to that. So this today is part of my Christmas.”
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. It was a heartwarming morning as this was some of the Kids first Christmas out of the hospital.
Father says Mindy McCready pushing luck over son
ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (AP) — Country singer Mindy McCready is pushing her luck with the legal system by not following a judge’s order to return her 5-year-old son to the care of her mother in Florida, her ex-boyfriend and father of the boy said Friday.
McCready said Thursday she would not bring her son back from Tennessee, despite violating a custody arrangement.
McCready took the boy during a recent visit at her father’s Florida home, and a judge signed an order Thursday ordering authorities to take the boy into custody and return him. It’s not yet clear whether the singer could face criminal charges.
“I’m doing all this to protect Zander, not stay out of trouble,” McCready wrote in an email to The Associated Press on Thursday. “I don’t think I should be in trouble for protecting my son in the first place.”
McCready says she is in Tennessee and cannot travel because she’s nearly seven months pregnant with twins.
The judge’s order means law enforcement anywhere can pick up the boy and bring him back to Florida.
The boy’s father, Billy McKnight, told the NBC “Today” show Friday he spoke on the phone with McCready and their boy after the judge’s deadline expired.
“He did sound healthy and ok. He wasn’t crying or scared,” McKnight said about their son. “I think she believes she has a case and doesn’t realize she’s pushing her luck on this one,” he said.
McCready and her mother have had a long custody battle over the boy. The boy was living with McCready’s mother, who was awarded guardianship in 2007. McCready says her son has suffered abuse at her mother’s house; her mother, Gayle Inge, denies the abuse allegations.
“Once the child is located, we will pick him up and bring him back to Florida,” said Terri Durdaller, a spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Children and Families. “Although these circumstances are unfortunate for a young child, his safety and well-being are our number one priority.”
TAMARA LUSH, Associated Press
