the Nashville [scene]

Nashville is Music City. Just like aspiring actors go to Hollywood or NYC to make it big. Musical beauty is found Nashville or Nashvegas as some like to call it. In just being here a week I've already stumbled across a handful of amazing musicians. I had the privilege of seeing three of them perform this past Saturday. Peter Barbee, Tyler James and the wonderful Paper Route played together Saturday night for the new Paper Route EP release show.


There is something special about seeing these local musicians perform. It's such a different experience than what most shows seem to be all about. I'll go to an extreme here but for example: A band like The All-American Rejects play in front of huge crowds, mainly comprised of teenage girls recently discovering their lady parts blooming and are oh so eager to display there new found gems to that dirty heartthrob Tyson Ritter. Meanwhile, the band belts out their catchy shallow pop tunes and rack in the cash. On the other end of spectrum, there is a band like Paper Route. They are a group of late twenty-somethings full of passion and integrity, barely making it to play in front of a few hundred people who are probably just as broke as they are. Yet there is a freedom that they have that bands like AAR or [insert newest fad band here] seem to lack. I can't speak for them but I'm sure it has something to do what you were born to do and doing it with integrity, passion and honesty.


Now I'm not picking on AAR or bands like them. Lord knows we all enjoy a little shallow pop music now and again. But when it all comes down to it, I would have to think that a hard earned career that may never get you to the top of the charts and may never buy you that Lexus has got to be more gratifying than just being a bunch of lookers who play music for all the teeny-boppers that pay for their million dollar homes. But then again, I guess it all comes down to your perception of success.

At any rate, I'd just to encourage you to explore the music that is outside your favorite radio station. There is a plethora of beautiful artists out there who have little to no recognition that deserve a moment of your time. If you're one of those people who enjoy hearing new music but just never know where to find it..I'll help you out with a list of some local musicians here in Nashville that are definitely "ear worthy" and heck..I'll even throw in a music video. The song itself is worth hearing even if you think the video may be a bit boring.

Artists to check out

Kate York

k.s. Rhoads

Peter Barbee

Trent Dabbs

Griffin House

There is a few to get you started. I'll be sure to pop a new artist up every now and then. Just keep checking in and let me know if you fall in love with any of these great people just as I have.

k.s. Rhoads
Enjoy the video: