Tin Pan South: Night Three

Night three of the 22nd Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival Presented by Regions Bank continued a streak of packed clubs, incredible talent and delighted audiences.

At the sold out, smokin’ Rutledge Live Music Venue early show, Barry Dean, Luke Laird and Natalie Hemby rocked with a three-piece band backing them. According to roving reporter and Regions Bank Senior VP Lisa Harless, Natalie was wearing the best shoes of the festival.

As expected the Peach Pickers – Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson and Ben Hayslip – with a full backing band drew a capacity crowd ready to party at the 3rd & Lindsley late show. The trio, which is responsible for numerous #1 singles, came back for an encore and played a few of their personal favorite songs. Justin Martin, aka “Martin” from Duck Dynasty, took in the entire show.

NSAI Song Contest winners Matt Casey and Keith Dozier opened the early round at 3rd & Lindsley with a performance of their song “Plain White Tee.” The “Beauty and the Beasts” then hit the stage, and songwriter and former “American Idol” judge Kara DioGuardi stole show with her rendition of “Undo It.” With the sass she brought to the performance and her playful, woman-scorned type interactions with JT Harding throughout the song, he must have felt like it was written about him.

There was no shortage of female power at other clubs throughout the night. The “Ladies of the Night” show, led by hitmaker Liz Hengber at the Commodore Grille, included incredibly talented ladies Erin Enderlin, Kellys Collins and singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Alex Kline, who also celebrated a birthday last night. Across town at the Hard Rock, Jennifer Denmark held court at the “A Little ‘Chick on Pick’ Action” show with a diverse group of ladies including Kelsea Ballerini, Sara Haze, Meghan Linsey and Danielle Peck.

ABC TV “Nashville” stars Lennon and Maisy Stella made a guest performance at the early Hard Rock show, where their parents, The Stellas, performed with Sarah Siskind and Fred Wilhelm. “Late” was the key word at the Bluebird Café, as Wendell Mobley, Jim Collins, D. Vincent Williams, and special guest Marv Green kept going until 11:30pm.

Tonight’s early show at the Hard Rock will see Marcus Hummon, who wrote “Bless The Broken Road” for Rascal Flatts and “Born to Fly” for Sara Evans, introduce his wildly talented son Levi. Stephony Smith, who has had songs recorded by the Dixie Chicks, Barbra Streisand, Martina McBride, Kenny Chesney and more, will also be on the bill.

Jim McCormick co-wrote Jason Aldean’s “Take a Little Ride” and Brantley Gilbert’s “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do” – both of which were #1 singles – and he will join Hillary Lindsey, Gordie Sampson and others at the Listening Room Cafe late show. New Tin Pan venue BB King’s Blues Club continues to be a fan favorite.

Tin Pan South shows for tonight and Saturday begin 30 minutes later – 6:30pm and 9:30pm.

For up-to-date lineups, ticket information, venues, schedules and other festival updates, visit tinpansouth.com.