What is Americana?

By Madeline Heiskell

The term "Americana" is used in passing to describe music. I had never given much thought as to what musical styles constitute as "American." However, with Americana Fest happening this week, I wanted to learn more about what Americana music is and its history, especially because Olivia Management operates mostly in the Americana genre. Here is what I learned: 

Definition:

The American Music Association defines Americana as contemporary music that incorporates elements of various American roots music styles, including country, roots-rock, folk, bluegrass, R&B and blues, resulting in a distinctive roots-oriented sound that lives in a world apart from the pure forms of the genres upon which it may draw. While acoustic instruments are often present and vital, Americana also often uses a full electric band. 

History:

Americana was loosely defined for many years. Many people have been confused as to what exactly constitutes Americana. As the term suggests, Americana music is based on American roots music such as classic-style country, but it also includes influences that converged to create what we know as Rock-and-roll. 

In order to tighten the definition and create legitimacy for the Americana genre, the Americana Music Association formed. In the late 1990's, 30 volunteers from radio, labels, and media got together the South by Southwest music industry conference in Austin, Texas, to discuss collective action that could help the Americana community, including the possibility of a trade association. A facilitated retreat in October 1999 galvanized the idea, and the Americana Music Association was born. Ever since, The Americana genre has continued to grow and evolve. In 2010, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS - the folks responsible for the Grammy Awards) added a category for Best Americana Album. Americana music is now one of the biggest buzz genres. Below is a list with links that show the variety of what is considered Americana music today. Take a look, you might be surprised to find some of your favorite artists/ bands on there! 

Mumford & Sons: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujv3c0TqLRk

Chris Stapleton: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sI0TeFf6uD8&list=PL2y2WLCgV_HtMKdtF3QPfv5LC6WRFT86e

Willie Nelson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7f189Z0v0Y

The Secret Sisters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLS8LDzoi5A

Matthew Perryman Jones: https://youtu.be/dPDWY8augSA

The Lumineers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aN5s9N_pTUs

References:

http://americanamusic.org/history

https://www.thoughtco.com/all-about-americana-music-1322453

New Intern: Madeline Heiskell

At Olivia Management, we're very privileged to get such awesome applicants who strive for excellence in their daily lives. Madeline applied, and I instantly knew she was the type of person that could handle any task. She's already made our lives easier with her talent for organization and, trust me, that is a pretty invaluable strength to have in management. We're happy to introduce you to Madeline Heiskell! 

1.       What do you want to get out of this internship?

I've recently been re-watching Grey's Anatomy on Netflix. In reference to surgery, Dr. Bailey says to one of the interns, "See one, do one, teach one." This semester, I want to "Do one." At my last internship, I felt like I was able to see and watch how things are done. I was exposed to the world of artist management. Now, I want to do it. I want to be more confident in my ideas and figure out how I work best in this field so that in the future, I will be able to "Teach one." 

2.       What do you love to do? Hobbies? Activities?

Piano was my first passion. I don't play nearly as much as I would like, but it’s one of my goals to get back into it. I want to master Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven by the end of the year. I also love to thrift shop. I love finding knick-knacks and pictures for my apartment. I get a feeling of pride and accomplishment when I can decorate a room for only $20. 

3.       If you could eat one thing for the rest of your life what would it be?

If I wasn't Gluten Free (which is not by choice I might add because regular food tastes so good) then I would say pizza. But since I am gluten free, I would have to say a chicken burrito bowl from Chipotle with pinto beans, pico, corn, sour cream, cheese, and guac. And yes, I know guac is extra, but sometimes, you gotta live a little. Oh, or In-N-Out. I couldn't survive without In-N-Out. I'm Changing my answer. In-N-Out. 

4.       Favorite musicians, artists, genres, equipment, shows you’ve been to...tell us anything you love about music.

Sara Bareilles is my all time favorite. I love her style and her honesty and playing her songs on piano is such a fun time. I also love Demi Lovato, Tyler Hilton, Ed Sheeran, Faith Hill, Carrie Underwood, and Thomas Rhett to name a few. However, I also love to just listen to random music on Spotify or Pandora. I can name plenty of times where I listened to a song once and fell in love with it, but never heard it again because I didn't know the name of the artist or the song. But it left an impression on me, which is what counts in my book as good music. The first concert I ever attended was "Hannah Montana: Meet Miley Cyrus Feat. the Jonas Brothers." As a sixth grader, that was all I wanted out of life. And it was awesome. Lastly, I have to mention Taylor Swift. Personally, I absolutely love her music, but, I am so much more fascinated with her marketing team. I could go on for pages about how talented and genius they are. And I probably will in a separate blog post one of these days. But wow. Can't wait to hear her new album and see how it all rolls out. 

5.       Why did you choose to intern here?

I chose to intern here because when I was first looking for an internship, this was one of the first places that popped up online when I typed in "Artist Management Companies in Nashville" on google. I looked into Olivia Management's story and learned Erin's story and that she was an adjunct professor at Belmont University where I go to school. I connected to Erin's story and immediately knew I wanted to work with her and her team at Olivia Management.  

6.       What is your favorite part about Nashville?

I love the opportunities in Nashville. I love that I have the opportunity to pursue a career in music. The opportunity to work as a waitress with some of the most amazing co-workers. The opportunity to eat amazing gluten free food that doesn't taste like chalk. And most importantly, the opportunity to grow as a person with all of the friends that have embraced me in this city.

7.       What do you want to be when you grow up?

First and foremost, I want to be a good person, and a good friend, no matter where life takes me. Having that said, I want to try my hand in artist management. It is something I have been working towards throughout college and it would be a dream come true if that is what I could do for the rest of my professional career. 

New Intern: Hannah Brown

I feel like I was just writing about the most recent batch of new interns yesterday! Time flies when it's summer. But with fall comes lovely new interns. Hannah Brown is one such lovely intern, and she's already brightening the office with her sunny personality and comedic comments. Read more about her below!  

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1. What do you want to get out of this internship?

Knowledge! I have learned so much over my past three years at Belmont, and I am more than ready for a hands on experience. I love the amount of responsibility I will hold at this internship, and really look forward to working with Maggie and Erin. 

2. What do you love to do? Hobbies? Activities?

On any given weekend you can find me bopping around East Nashville, spending all the money I do not have. Most of my time is spent listening to music, exploring new local spots, and watching way too much Netflix. If you can't find me in Nashville, check the beach. 

3. If you could eat one thing for the rest of you life what would it be?

At the risk of sounding very basic, Chipotle. 

4. Favorite musicians, artists, genres, equipment, shows you've been to... tell us anything you love about music.

Music is just so pure. It brings people together like nothing else. Music carries emotions and takes you to places old and new. One of my favorite lyrics is Eric Church's, " funny how a melody sounds like a memory". Every song I listen to takes me back to another part of my life, or creates a memory right then. I think that's really neat. 

My musical taste is all over the place. Anything from classical to rap, and everything in between. Some of my favorite artists include AlunaGeorge, Cage the Elephant, Frank Ocean, Khalid, and Kendrick Lamar. It is hard to pick a favorite show, but The 1975 and Eric Hutchinson definitely top the list. The visual effects and art of the 1975 are mesmerizing. While Eric's upbeat humorous personality makes it feel like, you're watching your high school best friend play guitar in your living room. 

5. Why did you choose to intern here?

There are so many reasons. The first being that I have looked up to Maggie since our days at Belmont. We were in a sorority together where she always managed to be perfectly herself. While also killing the internship game. When I heard she needed an intern here, I was quick to reach out. After speaking to her during my interview and sitting down with her and Erin. I could not be more thrilled with my decision. Olivia Management is serious about their work, and a product of two amazing hardworking woman. What else could you want?

6. What is your favorite part about Nashville?

The vibe. Nashville is unlike any other city I have been to. It has a big city feel with small town charm. Everyone you meet is so king and loving, and intentional. Everyone is here for a reason, and is passionate. Not to mention the amazing food, and atmosphere of everywhere you go. I'm so thankful to call this city home. 

7. What do you want to be when you grow up?

Happy. Cheesy, I know. But I would like to know that when I grow up, I will be doing what I love. With like minded people beside me. I have so much passion for the music industry and I hope I find myself in it as a grown up. 

5 Can't Miss Sets at Americana Fest

By Ali Bartlett

It's about to be that time of year again! From September 12th - 17th,  folk and americana fans, artists, and industry professionals will come together over their love of music. Here are some sets I'm looking forward to this year at Americana Fest! Purchase your tickets here: http://americanamusic.org/buy-your-pass

THE SECRET SISTERS

saturday, sept. 16th - 10:30 pm - the anchor

IRON & WINE

thursday, sep. 14 - 11 pm - the station inn

CAITLYN SMITH

SATURDAY, SEPT. 16TH - 12 AM - CITY WINERY

DAVID RAMIREZ

friday, sept. 15TH - 9 pm - MERCY LOUNGE

BIRDTALKER

friDAY, sept 15TH - 10 pm - the 5 spot

DIY Musician Conference

I had the best time speaking at the DIY Musician Conference last weekend. Back in the spring, when I was asked to talk about artist management, I wrote the following blurb to describe  my talk: 

In this session we will explore what an artist manager is, what their job is, when you need one, and how to be your own manager until you reach that point. We'll talk about finding the right management fit when it is time, and 7 tools you can use starting today to help you manage your career efficiently.

I accidentally created a pretty big challenge for myself in writing that session description, and ended up spending the better part of a week interviewing other artist managers about their careers, advice, and tools. I'm very proud of the result. 

I really enjoyed meeting so many of you at the conference, and I'm so glad so many of you got a lot out of it. So, since you've asked, I will deliver. If you go HERE by Monday and sign up for my mailing list, I will email you a copy of my presentation! 

Nashville's Up and Coming: Pop Edition

By: Jalena Noakes

Recently, I've noticed there's been somewhat of a breakout in the pop music industry here in Nashville. Aside from the amazingly talented country/singer-songwriter artists that reside in this city, there are quite a few pop artists emerging from the crowds and gaining some traction. I've been seeing these artists appear more frequently on Spotify playlists and I think it's time we all have a listen. Check out these pop artists that still call Nashville "home"! 

Quinn Lewis

Tayler Buono

Jordan Xidas

Kat Saul

Pink Slip

Estef

She's Got It

By Callie Paige

 I recently bought a book and it's not just ANY book. This particular book is all about women entrepreneurs #girlpower. It is called "In the Company of Women: Inspiration and Advice from over 100 Makers, Artists, and Entrepreneurs." You should check it out here. Anyways, that's not the point. The point is that it got me thinking of all the incredible women entrepreneurs that I have had the privilege of working for, that I admire, and that I aspire to be like one day. Here are just a few of those Nashville-based inspiring women entrepreneurs.

1.   E R I N   A N D E R S O N

Founder & CEO of Olivia Management

If you were to look up the definition of badass, I am positive that Erin's name is the first thing you would see. If you don't know Erin Anderson, you better change that right now. She is our fearless leader of Olivia Management and we are eternally grateful for her. She knows how to do business, but she also knows how to have fun along with it. She knows how to make people feel loved and she is always doing what is best for her artists. I have learned an immense amount from her and I feel truly honored to have interned with such an empowering individual. You can learn a bit from her too by attending the CD Baby Conference on Friday, August 25th! Erin is one of the afternoon speakers, so we will obviously be in attendance.

 

2.   C H A N N I N G   M O R E L A N D

  &

    M A K E N Z I E   S T O K E L

Co-Founders of EVAmore

I was also lucky enough to intern with these entrepreneurs. What can I say...I have a thing for startups. Any who, these two women amaze me. This platform they created was brilliant. They saw a reoccurring problem with event planning, they had a passion, and they went for it. It all started when they were just college students and they are still pursuing it to this day. When I think of these two, I think of hard work and perseverance.

A few other Nashville-based women entrepreneurs that I don't personally know, but that have impacted and inspired my friends:

Becca Stevens - Founder of Thistle Farms

Kate Moore - Founder of GetFit615

These ladies are living proof that women can be entrepreneurs and that they can be dang good at it too. Someone wise once said, "Who runs the world? Girls."

Upcoming Albums To Look For

By Ali Bartlett

There are some killer albums set to be released within the upcoming year as well as next year. Here are some that I'm really psyched about, and check out their latest singles below:

P.S. - Olivia Management artists Jill Andrews and Matthew Perryman Jones are also working on new albums, so be on the look out for those too!

angus & julia stone - snow (sept. 15)

 

phoebe bridgers - strangers in the alps (sept. 22)

 

noah gundersen - white noise (sept. 22)

 

the killers - wonderful wonderful (sept. 22)

 

The 1975 - music for cars (2018)

Life Lessons: 5 things I have learned from 8 months with Olivia Management

By: Jalena Noakes

When I sat down with Erin and Maggie on my first day of interning, they talked to me about how important excellence and integrity were to this company. From that very first conversation, I knew I was at the right place. I am beyond blessed to have had the opportunity to intern at Olivia Management over the past 8 months. Erin is the epitome of #GIRLBOSS and Maggie is right up there with her. I was lucky enough to have been under the leadership of these two amazing women, and look forward to seeing all of the exciting things happening for Olivia Management in the next couple of years.

I could get all sappy in this post, or I could share some of the simpler life lessons I have learned the past two semesters...I'll save the sappiness for another day ;)

5 VERY IMPORTANT LIFE LESSONS

1. Fidget Spinners are a must. 

2. Calypso Cafe just happens to be Erin and Maggie's love language.

3. Succulents should only be watered when it rains.

4. Donuts are always a good idea.

5. Be KIND! This industry has enough sharks.

Callie the Intern on Hospey the Intern

By Callie Paige

If you know anything about me, you know I am very passionate about Chance the Rapper. Every so often I will search "Chance the Rapper" on Google to catch up on his life...since he won't respond to my texts about hanging out. Kidding. Well, my Google search of Chance the other day led me to an article on Pigeons and Planes titled, "What It's Like Being Chance the Rapper's Intern", which can be found here. Being an avid Chance the Rapper fan and an intern as well, I geeked out.

I vividly remember the day in March when Chance tweeted, "I'm looking for an intern, someone with experience in putting together decks and writing proposals." Simple as that. Sadly, I didn't have experience with that and I didn't want to be jealous of the future intern, so I didn't keep up with it...until I found that article on Pigeons and Planes. That article then led me to another article written by Chance's intern himself, Negele Hospedales, also known as Hospey. That article was titled, "How To Work For Your Favourite Rapper", which can be found here. As much as I want to talk about how much I love Chance, I won't make you sit through that. Instead, I am going to highlight my favorite quotes and stories from Hospey the Intern's article:

1. "While watching your boss –your boss– take the stage in his ‘worlds best dad’ tee, tweaking each sound-check to perfection, the concept of a ‘finish line’ will disappear from mind."

2. "There’s no right way to work for your favorite rapper. In fact, there may not even be a way to work for your favorite rapper. Compensation won’t come to mind, nor per diems – you would’ve done it for free. After all, a story’s worth a thousand resumes."

3. "Seamlessly, 32 shows will pass and your admiration will never waver. Hell, you might just come out of the other end with 1 or 2 timeless stories and a new group of people to call ‘family’."

4. "My time as intern for Chance the Rapper is something that could never be justifiably summed up in words. It was a time of transition in my life that marked a shift from slightly hesitant sometimes-blogger putting off getting a real job, into a confident multi-faceted creative with a taste of how great it all could be – and the newfound realization of the person that I’m meant to be."

5. I can talk all I want about my run-ins with various celebrities including the ones I lived with for 2 months, or how a taste of the VIP lifestyle changed me, but the first moment that really left shivers down my spine was a slightly more natural one:

Night 2 at the Red Rocks Amphitheater in Denver, CO.

 The band intros happen nearly halfway thru the show, and after the ovation for ‘Mr. Nico Segal’, ”Sunday Candy” begins. Suddenly, it was if the heavens literally opened up for a second; right as the vocalists harmonized the lines “Come on in this house, cause it’s gonna rain, Rain down Zion, it’s gonna rain”, the most peaceful light mist fell from the sky until the end of the song and as suddenly as they started, ceased. Something about that moment made me realize that I, or rather we, were doing something right, enough so to please our God & Mother Nature & the sky themselves."

National Vinyl Record Day - August 12

By Callie Paige

Happy National Vinyl Record Day to you and you and you! In honor of this very special day, I wanted share different ways to repurpose vinyl records that you maybe don't listen to anymore (because we've all purchased those $3 singles that lay dusty and neglected in our cabinets). This is not a "how to" because I am not the most artsy gal, but thankfully we have the handy dandy Internet to help you out there. Here are some fun ideas that I found and I hope you enjoy!

C O A S T E R S

B O W L S

W A L L   A R T

W I N E   R A C K S

K E Y   R A C K S

D E S S E R T   S T A N D S

S I D E   T A B L E S

B O O K E N D S

P L A C E M A T S

Lover of Live on the Green

By Callie Paige

With the summer coming to an end and another school year about to begin, I always feel the need to find something to look forward to. That something for me is Live on the Green. If you aren't familiar with Live on the Green, don't worry because I am about to tell you all about it. Live on the Green is a FREE music festival held outdoors at Public Square Park in Nashville. It consists of 6 different nights of free music from over 30 different artists. This year's dates are August 10th, August 17th, August 24th, August 31st, September 1st, and September 2nd. Each night is filled with great artists, but here are some of the ones that I am looking forward to most:

1. Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors

Friday, September 1st

 Main Stage // 7:45pm - 9:00pm

I am pretty biased when it comes to Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors. I have been a huge fan of Drew's music ever since I heard him play at a Young Life camp with his wife Ellie. It is now four years later and I am still a huge fan. Yes, seeing Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors at Live on the Green may be my fourth time seeing them, but I am just as excited as I was the first time I saw them. Be sure to check them out, you won't regret it.

2. The Lone Bellow

Saturday, September 2nd

Main Stage // 8:00pm - 9:00pm

I was hooked on The Lone Bellow ever since I heard "You Never Need Nobody" about two years ago. The way their voices join together is truly beautiful. I have always wanted to see them live, but haven't had the chance. I have a feeling that seeing The Lone Bellow live will be better than any recording of their voices that I have ever heard. They are just one of those bands. You can feel their emotions in every note and that is what makes me stoked to see them at Live on the Green.  

3. Jonny P

Thursday, August 31st

615 Stage // 5:30pm - 6:15pm

I saw Jonny P about a year ago when he opened for Johnnyswim (one of my faves). His Motown vibes and killer style really had me from the start. He is very unique and unlike any other artist I would typically gravitate towards. From the first song of his set to the very last song, he had me dancing and grooving. Ever since that show in Charlotte, I have been excited for the chance to see him again and now Live on the Green has made that dream come true.  

4. Local Natives

Thursday, August 17th

Main Stage // 9:30pm - 11:00pm

If I am being honest, the first song I heard  Local Natives sing was a cover of "Ultralight Beam." At first, I thought...man, bold choice covering that song. But I actually enjoyed it. I mean nothing is going to be as great as the original (shoutout to my boy Chance), but I appreciated the cover. I started following them and listening to their music and I enjoyed it to say the least. I am super pumped to see what their live show is like and hopefully I will love them even more than I do now.

5. Elliot Root

Saturday, September 2nd

615 Stage // 8:45pm - 9:30pm

When I saw this band on the Live on the Green schedule, I knew I had heard of them before, but it took me a minute to actually remember. I finally did remember, thankfully, that I saw them when they opened for Good Old War. I remember really liking them and their set, but I was so hype for Good Old War that I didn't really pay super close attention. I am thankful for Live on the Green for giving me a second chance to really listen and enjoy Elliot Root's show.

"We believe in the importance of music and strongly support the idea that each person should have the opportunity to experience and enjoy live music, free of charge. Live on the Green is a celebration of Nashville's passion for music and community." 

Impatiently Waiting for Musicians Corner

By Ali Bartlett

Musicians Corner is a summer-long event at Centennial Park that features some amazing musicians of different genres! This Friday, August 4th, is their Acoustic Friday Night set, and every Saturday from August 5th - September 9th there will be live FREE music by the Parthenon! It's a super fun festival with food, drinks, and good vibes PLUS great music. Here are just some of the artists I'm excited to see (there's a lot okay)!

JADE BIRD

Saturday, August 12

Londoner Jade Bird has made her way into the American bluegrass / folk scene with style. She has a country soul mixed with her own unique British flair. Her song Cathedral is so effortlessly poetic and poignant. Check it out!

SUGAR & THE HI-LOWS

Friday, August 4

Songwriters Trent Dabbs and Amy Stroup come together to form something super easy and cool. Bluesy vibes mixed with pretty harmonies makes for some really great songs. You don't wanna miss these two!

MATTHEW PERRYMAN JONES

Saturday, August 5

Okay, obviously a little biased with this one since he's an Olivia Management artist. BUT Matthew is amazing. His music will make your soul feel things you never knew it could feel. He's just an unbelievable lyricist and his music is the perfect balance of pretty folk and rustic Americana.

THAD KOPEC

Saturday, August 12

Thad definitely has some Sufjan Stevens vibes going on. His music is very introspective and ambient, and really causes the listener to sit back and think about what they're hearing. I personally love music like that, and can't wait to hear Thad mesmerize a live crowd. 

THE SECRET SISTERS

Saturday, August 12

While they are another Olivia Management artist, The Secret Sisters are killing it with their new album You Don't Own Me Anymore. This dynamic duo has some significant things to say, and they say it with such grace. Americana at its best. 

WILDER

Saturday, August 19

I first saw Wilder at Belmont's Rock Showcase last year. They really knew how to command a crowd. This band definitely leans more toward the indie rock genre, and their big sound has even landed them some gigs opening for NeedtoBreathe and Kaleo! You won't regret checking this band out. 

Olivia Management + Second Harvest Food Bank

By Callie Paige

     On Monday, July 24, our team at Olivia Management stepped out of the office and into Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee with some of our awesome friends. Second Harvest Food Bank works to fight hunger in the community.  Below is a bit of info about how it works. 

1. "Everything starts with you." What this means is that Second Harvest really relies on people to provide food, time, and money. 

2. Then, resources are collected and transferred to Second Harvest's partner agencies, which exceeds 450!!!

3. Finally, the partner agencies deliver food DIRECTLY to those in need.

Our day at Second Harvest Food Bank consisted of two different tasks. Our first task was to sort through many boxes to find a certain brand of queso dip that had recently been recalled, so we could prevent someone from consuming this product and having an allergic reaction.

Our next task was to sort potatoes into 5 pound bags. Once we were finished, they told us that we had bagged more than 5,000 pounds of potatoes, which equals about 1,000 bags of potatoes. Therefore, we finished this service day knowing that we had fed 1,000 families across middle Tennessee.

It was a true joy to work alongside friends, colleagues, and artists knowing that we were feeding families and making a difference. If you live in the area and are looking for somewhere to volunteer, we couldn't recommend Second Harvest Food Bank enough. Since volunteers are a vital part of the success of Second Harvest, they are always needing help.

Thanks to our very own Maggie Adams for organizing this event with Second Harvest! If you want to volunteer with Second Harvest, it's super easy to do so! Visit their website here: http://secondharvestmidtn.org/act/volunteer/

Music in Film & TV

By Ali Bartlett

Who doesn't love when the perfect song captures a moment in a tv show or movie? I've always thought music supervision is super cool, and love when a song adds emotion or depth to a scene. Here are some awesome film and tv placements that have impacted me:

"The Wolves" - Bon Iver in The place beyond the pines

"CROWDED PLACES" - BANKS IN GIRLS

"Who saved who" - matthew perryman jones feat. mindy smith in pretty little liars

"COME PICK ME UP" - RYAN ADAMS IN ELIZABETHTOWN

"FAMILY" - NOAH GUNDERSEN IN SONS OF ANARCHY

"total eclipse of the heart"(cover) - jill andrews in grey's anatomy

10 Opry Fun Facts

By Ali Bartlett

In honor of The Secret Sisters playing The Grand Ole Opry this Friday, I thought it could be interesting to look up some fun facts about the legendary venue. Here's what I found!

1. Celebrities like richard nixon, jack black, kevin costner and kevin bacon have played the opry! 

2. Approximately 6,024 songs are performed during Opry shows each year! 

3. the legendary jimmy dickens was the longest running member.

4. It takes 15.8 million feet of audio, video, and lighting cable to broadcast this show.

5. the opry has run For 4,500+ saturday nights (and counting).

6. the opry has welcomed over 300 members.

7. five of those members have been honored with their own postage stamps!  

8. one fan attended the opry for 2,184 weeks in a row!(that's 42 years!)

9.opry legend loretta lynn celebrated 50 years as a member!

10. The Opry has had six homes throughout its history.

My Favorite Matthew Perryman Jones Songs

By Ali Bartlett

I've been listening to Matthew Perryman Jones since his Swallow The Sea album came out in 2008. I was a 12 year old aspiring songwriter at the time, and would go back and forth from Atlanta to Nashville to go to writers' rounds and to experience new music. My music tastes began to broaden from what my friends were listening to (at the time probably a lot of Miley Cyrus and The Black Eyed Peas), and started to lean towards writers like Bon Iver, Amos Lee, and, of course, Matthew Perryman Jones. Singer/songwriters like MPJ influenced not only my writing but also the music that I listen to today. I'm forever thankful that I drifted away from the Top 20 and into a world of music filled with even more emotion and creativity than one might normally find on the mainstream charts. Matthew has an extraordinary way of combining effortless melodies with gripping lyrics that just tears you up a little bit inside. Here's a playlist of my faves!

Nashville's Record Stores

By Ali Bartlett

Nashville is a city with a never ending abundance of record stores. From new to used, every size, any decade, you have an option. I've been collecting vinyl since I was about 16, and I started my collection back home in Atlanta. In my hometown, there was only one record store within a 20 mile radius, and it had super weird hours and a very limited selection. When I moved up here, I was so psyched that I had what seemed like limitless access to records. There's way too many to rank 'em all (I don't think I've even been to all of them), but here are some of my go-to's!

1. GRIMEY'S

Grimey's is the first record store I visited in Nashville. It's super homey and the staff is really cool and knowledgable.  I can usually find anything I'm looking for here, and if not they'll kindly order it for you! Grimey's Too is also awesome for used records or even finding a good book! AND Frothy Monkey has a store inside the building, which makes Grimey's Too the ultimate chill spot to listen to some music, drink coffee and feed your record collecting addiction. 

2. THIRD MAN RECORDS

Do I like Third Man just because I'm obsessed with everything Jack White touches? Yep. But I'm cool with that. Jack has a select roster of artists on his label, so if you're looking for a large selection of artists, this really isn't the place for you. However, it's a super cool place and you can even make your own record! You may even find an old record by our very own Secret Sisters there. Definitely recommend checking it out. 

3. FOND OBJECT

I actually just visited Fond Object for the first time a few weeks ago. It's a cool, vintage shop located in East Nashville that sells not only records but retro clothes, furniture, and memorabilia! This store has a unique vibe. You may never know what you might come walking out of Fond Object with!

4. VINYL TAP

I mean ... what goes better together than records and beer? This place is genius and also a really fun time! They have a pretty wide selection of records and have a lot of seating to hang out with friends, chill, drink, and listen to some good music! If you're looking for something different to do one night, try Vinyl Tap. 

Summer Shows with Olivia Management

By Callie Paige

We're keeping our artists busy this summer with shows at our favorite spots in Nashville! For those artists who live in the South (we wish we could be in Portland too, Fort Atlantic!), we love getting them to play some of the best concert series that Nashville has to offer each summer. Come hang out with us while it's still warm! 

The Secret Sisters

Grand Ole Opry, July 21st 

If you missed The Secret Sisters at The Opry last time, have no fear because they are back and we are thrilled about it. We, at Olivia Management, absolutely love The Opry. There is always, without a doubt, good people playing good music there. Once an artist plays at The Opry, it is like they have joined this big, happy, country family. The Opry is a Nashville staple, so be there on Friday, July 21st to see The Secret Sisters...and more. You won't regret it.

Buy Tickets Here

Musicians Corner, August 12th

Can't make it to The Opry on July 21st? That's okay because The Secret Sisters are also playing Musicians Corner on Saturday, August 12th! If you haven't heard of Musicians Corner, it is a series of FREE music events in Centennial Park. We love Musicians Corner because of the sense of community that it creates. They also do an incredible job of showing their support of emerging artists and their passion for the arts. 

More Info Here

Matthew Perryman Jones

Musicians Corner, August 5th

If we didn't convince you before that we LOVE Musicians Corner, then this should do the trick because we have another artist playing this wonderful series. Matthew Perryman Jones will be playing Musicians Corner on Saturday, August 5th. We can guarantee that you will not want to miss it! Come and hang with us if you find yourself wanting to hear some great live music that is free on a Saturday in Nashville. 

More Info Here

Jill Andrews

Music City Roots, July 19th

Last, but most certainly not least, we have Jill Andrews playing Music City Roots in just ONE WEEK on Wednesday, July 19th. Music City Roots is another one of our favorite local music series. What is Music City Roots? It is a weekly radio show that is broadcasted live from The Factory in Franklin. The cool thing about Music City Roots is that it features four different artists for about 25 minutes each along with short interviews. Then after each artist has played, all four artists collaborate to close the show with a "Nashville Jam". It is going to be a lot of fun, so come join us!

Buy Tickets Here

 

Erin's favorite videos

I'm going on vacation later this week, and while composing my out of office auto responder I decided I wanted to include a link to a video. But then I couldn't decide which video...

So, for your viewing pleasure, here's a bunch of my favorite videos from our artists and consulting clients! If you are looking for a 30 minute escape from your day with amazing music, here you go!