Category Archives: Seen in the City
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!
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!
CMA Heavy Hitters Attend BMI Awards~
Tuesday was a big night, before an even bigger night. The BMI Awards were star studded indeed. Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood and even Kenny Chesney were among those that came out to pay homage to where the music all starts and that of course is with a song.
Rhett Akins and Dallas Davidson share the Songwriter of the Year crown. The close friends and frequent collaborators are part of a songwriting trio known as the “Peach Pickers.” They both contributed five songs to the year’s most-performed, including: “All About Tonight” (Blake Shelton) and “All Over Me” (Josh Turner). “All Over Me” also earned Song of the Year.
Bobby Braddock was saluted as the 2011 BMI songwriting Icon. The man behind George Jones’ hit “He Stopped Loving Her Today” has earned 30 BMI songwriting awards. I caught up with Braddock on the carpet who laughed that if he could get Eminem to perform one of his songs.
Pistol Annies kicked off the tribute with “D-I-V-O-R-C-E”; Blake Shelton delivered “Same Old Song”; John Anderson followed with “Would You Catch a Falling Star”; and LeAnn Rimes was joined by Vince Gill for “He Stopped Loving Her Today.”
Dozens of fans lined the streets outside BMI headquarters on music row and many of the stars took time to take photos and sign autographs, including Carrie Underwood.
Among those pictured:
Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Nicole Kidman, Clay Bradley and Jody Williams, Carolyn Bryant, and BMI President & CEO, Carrie Underwood, Bobby Braddock, Lady Antebellum, Blake Shelton, The Band Perry, Kenny Chesney, Mirnada Lambert, John Anderson performing “Would You Catch a Falling Star” and Brantley Gilbert.
Taylor Swift Seen in the City~
Taylor Swift and her mother were spotted Sunday in Brentwood. The two went into the Pet Supermarket near TJ Maxx, but didn’t stay long. Steph spies say the two walked into the crowded store, but quickly walked out. I am told there was quite a buzz in the store over their presence, which they believe led the two to leave. They were probably just going to grab some dog food for her miniature pinscher, Bug.
Friday, Taylor made a public appearance at Belk in the Cool Springs Galleria to promote her new perfume, Wonderstruck.
If you have any celeb scoops you want to share Email me HERE!
Photo by Royce Degrie//Getty Images
Johnny Depp Seen in the City!
Actor Johnny Depp was spotted by Steph spies over the weekend at the music venue Center Stage. I got a tip that he was spotted at the venue off of 8th Ave both Friday and Saturday night. Saturday night the venue hosted Viva Music Artfest.
Depp recently played a cameo role in comedian Ricky Gervais’ new TV series ‘Life’s Too Short.” Just last week he made a New York premiere of his new movie ‘The Rum Diary.’
Steph spies say they believe he is shooting a movie here, or is Depp looking to make Nashville another home? Guess we will have to stay tuned to see. If you have any celeb scoops you want to share Email me HERE!
Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban seen in the city~
Following her hubby’s birthday, Nicole Kidman was seen shopping at Ash Blue in Nashville. Steph spies say the multi-talented red head was shopping, at the small boutique in Green Hills, with her mother and father. Apparently, they bought a couple of items including some earrings as gifts.
I’m assuming the rents were in town for her hubby, Keith Urban‘s birthday. On Tuesday night he sang his hits for a sold-out Opry House audience. After the CMA Entertainer of the Year nominee performed his first song of the night, “Sweet Thing,” fans who were gathered near the stage serenaded him with “Happy Birthday.” Urban, who concluded his Opry set with “Making Memories of Us” and “Where the Blacktop Ends,” is scheduled to return to the Opry twice next month.
This Saturday Opry member Charlie Daniels will be celebrating his 75th birthday at the Opry.
Kidman photo courtesy of people.com, Keith Urban Photo by Chris Hollo
If you have any celeb scoops you want to share Email me HERE!
The Scene in the City~
What a week it has been! Monday I covered Justin Moore‘s latest #1, If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away at the CMA offices off music row. I caught up with Justin and the songwriters Dallas Davidson, Rob Hatch and Brett Jones (pictured) to get the story behind the song. Stay tuned for my interview on Yallwire.
Tuesday Bluegrass rang out from the grounds of Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium as the International Bluegrass Music Association kicked off “World of Bluegrass” week with a free outdoor concert from The Del McCoury Band and their special guests. Some 1,000 fans filled the plaza where Del McCoury and his band performed a two-hour concert with guest performances from Dierks Bentley, Sam Bush, Vince Gill and more. The concert was hosted by the non-profit Foundation for Bluegrass Music.
Later that afternoon, Dierks also celebrated a #1 for “Am I the Only One” at Losers. The bar was packed as the country star gave bottles of tequila to co-writers Jim Beavers & Jon Randall, in celebration of the songs success. Stay tuned for our interviews and footage of the bash on Yallwire.
Wednesday Nissan announced a founding partnership with Urban Green Lab, Nashville’s first community center dedicated to sustainable living. Nashville Mayor Karl Dean was on hand as I covered the event for News 2. This place sounds awesome. I can’t wait to make some jam. If you missed my story you can click HERE to watch it .
Superstar Justin Bieber drew quite the crowd Wednesday afternoon in Franklin. Fans lined the streets to get a glimpse of the pop star and his girlfriend Selena Gomez. Bieber was working on a video for his upcoming Christmas album.
Steph spies say next week more stars are expected in Franklin for the premeier of Footloose. The remake of the classic film from the 80′s stars Kenny Wormald, Julianne Hough, Dennis Quaid, and Andie MacDowell.
Thursday night my hula hoop troop, The Spinderellas, hooped it up at Live on the Green. If you haven’t been you need to go. There are only two more shows left of the free 6 week concert series at Public Square Park. Brett Dennen headlines the event next week and Here Come the Mummies will close out the series. You can watch a my video wrap up from the 1st show by clicking HERE.
After LOTG, we hustled over to the Ryman AUditorium for the International Bluegrass Music Awards. One of my highlights of the evening was meeting actor, comedian and banjo player Steve Martin (pictured). Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers took home the big award of the night for Entertainer of the Year at the 22nd annual awards show. I also caught up with Del McCoury was inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame. Stay tuned for my interview on Yallwire.
Friday Miley Cyrus stopped by John Trotwood Moore Middle School. I am told the teen star was there to record a promo for a CBS special about teachers who go above and beyond to help kids. A parent tells me that Mr. Maguire at the school was recognized and that Miley forked over $5,000 for the schools arts program.
If you have any stories you want to share email me by clicking HERE!!!
