Katie Austin

[Writers Note: For official rules and complete details of the Folgers^® Jingle contest click  here.]

NEWSFLASH

Katie Austin and her friend Lainey Wilson need the votes of everyone in Nashville. Katie and Lainey are currently one of the top five finalists in the Folgers^® Coffee Jingle Contest. Out of the top five Katie and Lainey are the only finalists from Nashville.

Katie and Lainey had a full day mentoring session with Chris Young, Grammy^® Nominated Country Music Artist. Katie, Lainey, along with Chris were featured on WSMV’s “Today in Nashville” discussing the Folgers^® Coffee Jingle Contest.

Let’s support our local artists and cast your vote for them. Fan voting is open until Monday April 24, 2017. By voting you have a chance to win $10,000 or a free year’s supply of coffee. Fans can vote once a day so let’s get to it!

Vote for Katie and Lainey

BREAKING NEWS

Katie Austin and Lainey Wilson will be playing at The Listening Room Café for the Song Suffragettes writers round on Monday April 17^th 6 - 7:30 PM. It's an all-female round. Make your reservations and get your tickets now as they fill up and sell out fast.

Vote for Katie and Lainey

Katie Austin the Performer

A cowgirl boot with a stiletto heel – Nashville based Katie Austin's music is a blend of her roots from a small town in Louisiana and her love of the city lights! Whether she's performing one of her high energy, foot stomping songs or serenading you with a bone chilling melody, she has a musical identity that is genuine and found in all the songs she writes and sings.

Katie Austin was discovered by the entertainment director of Cowboys Dance Hall venues, shortly after she first moved to Nashville. Cowboys moved Katie to Texas where she became their female headliner for two years. Katie performed for thousands of two-stepping, beer drinking country lovers and also had the pleasure of opening for Joe Nichols, Rodney Atkins, Big and Rich, Collin Raye, and many more. After gaining irreplaceable experience on stage and lifelong friends and fans, Katie made her next move and relocated back to Music City.

Back in Nashville the next chapter of her career began. This exciting time consisted of many opportunities that ranged from; performing on the Carnival Cruise Lines ship The Ecstasy as well as the Carnival Magic debut, alongside with none other than Maroon 5. Katie was also the only female, out of 300 hundred entries, in the 2012 "Battle For The Saddle" finals for the world famous Wildhorse Saloon.

Watch the video of Katie on stage at the Wildhorse Saloon performing Kerry Harvicks "Cowgirls."

Katie is currently touring on a regular basis and songwriting full time along with recording new music. “Broken Record”, her single will debut in May of this year, if everything goes as planned. Katie has put three of her new songs into a short soundbite titled New Music Sneak Peak, which can be found on her Official Website and Reverbnation. Go take a listen.

Katie is currently looking into booking shows for the CMA Fest. Her confirmed shows are listed below. Go see her live, you will not regret it.

• Monday April 17, 2017 - Nashville, TN – The Listening Room Café – Song Suffragettes Round (Katie is appearing with Lainey Wilson and others).
• Saturday April 22, 2017 - Harvey, LA – Boomtown Casino (Katie is appearing as a special guest with the Boothill Band)
• Sunday July 30, 2017- Columbus, Ohio – Ohio State Fair

Have you voted yet, you could be missing out on ten grand!

Vote for Katie and Lainey

Katie Austin the Person

Katie admits she loves food but she is also a healthy eater. In an email reply she wrote.

“I love food, but I'm also a healthy eater so I actually meal prep at home most of the time. I usually eat lots of lean protein, avocado, spinach, quinoa, dark chocolate.... things like that. However, my fav "junk food" would be pizza, mac and cheese, donuts and ice cream.”

When I ask her what she liked to do in her downtime and some of the things she enjoyed while in town she wrote.

“My favorite downtime is catching up with friends, shopping, traveling and trying new things. I live here in Nashville so I love trying all the new restaurants that aren't anywhere but here. Same goes for shopping... I love going to the one of a kind boutiques. I also love trying all the fun adventures that Nash has to offer lately such as renting bikes, hiking waterfalls, playing Giant Jenga, and things like that. I also love going to support my fellow singer songwriter friends. And KICKBOXING. Lol.”

Don’t miss your chance at a year’s worth of free Folgers coffee!

Vote for Katie and Lainey

Katie Austin’s Website and Social Media Links

• Official Website
• Facebook
• Instagram (Katie loves photographs!)
• Twitter
• YouTube

What others are saying about the incredible voice and stage presence of Katie Austin.

““You rocked the stage tonight, darling!” ”

-John Rich (Get Rich Talent Contest)

““People just have a talent of owning the stage and you do, you’re an entertainer, you’ve done this, you’re seasoned. Your voice is strong, your vocals are incredible.” ”

- Alan Mitchell Mercury Records Battle of the Bands Judge/The Tin Roof

““Katie is the ‘cute girl next door” with a great voice! To see her sing you feel like you’re watching a young Shania Twain. She has a smooth delivery that seems effortless. With Katie’s crystal clear voice and friendly Southern attitude, you can’t help but enjoy yourself when she performs.” ”

-Margie Maybe Assistant Program Director 102.5 WFMF/Clear Channel Radio Baton Rouge

Written 4-9-2017 by Joseph Clay for Live Laugh Love Nashville - Music Monday Feature.

Dylan Russell - Singer/Songwriter

Dylan Russell

Singer - Song Writer

[Writers Note: Live Laugh Love Nashville would like to congratulate Dylan on the release of his EP 'An Exhibit of My Mistakes' now available on iTunes, Spotify, SoundCloud and more. Dylan kicked off the release with a show at The Back Corner here in Nashville on March 31, 2017.]

Dylan is a twenty-one year old singer/songwriter who has been hard at work since moving to Nashville from Missouri in 2013 for an internship. An Exhibit of My Mistakes combines Dylan’s singer/songwriter roots with his alt-pop influences that reflects that hard work.

Dylan is an Independent Artist so to help fund his music he started a Kickstarter campaign. After its success, Dylan teamed up with producer Christian Fiore to create something original, honest, and compelling. The result shines through on his new single Let Me Leave and showcases Dylan’s talents. The single is from his EP, An Exhibit of My Mistakes.

To listen and/or buy Dylan Russell’s music click on one of the links below.

• iTunes
• Spotify
• SoundCloud

To keep up with Dylan Russell and his music check out his Official Website and follow him on Social Media.

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Twitter

Written 4-2-2017 by Joseph Clay for Live Laugh Love Nashville - Music Monday Feature.

Frisson Soft Serve

Live Laugh Love Nashville would like to take a moment to introduce you to one of our newest businesses, Frisson Soft Serve! We are excited to have them around town to keep us cool on the upcoming Summer days!

Nashville has everything from hot chicken to hockey, but there is one thing missing, soft serve gelato! The idea for Frisson Soft Serve was born when Caila Singleton and her partner realized there was nothing in Nashville like their favorite ice cream spot and had a serious craving for some soft serve. Once they experienced their first incredibly hot and humid summer here in Nashville, they realized they had to give Nashville a fun, tasty way to beat the heat. They took their delicious, soft serve gelato cones and roll them in different kinds of toppings to make a one-of-a kind heavenly experience.  Frisson is bringing delicious gelato that uses fresh, uncompromised ingredients to Music City! Their cones have a unique twist. First, they serve their gelato soft serve style. Second, they take an assortment of delicious toppings and layer them on the cone. That's right. Sundae meets cone...you really can have the best of both worlds. Don’t just take our word for it though...take a trip over to their food truck and taste for yourself the most unique frozen treat in Nashville!

When the idea for Frisson Soft Serve first began to formulate in this duo's minds, they knew their focus was going to be on the Nashville community. They wanted to bring an experience to Nashville that is just as unique and incredible as the people that live here. However, that was not enough.

As anyone in the food industry will tell you, quality is the key, so they set about trying to find the best-tasting mix out there. After much searching, they finally found it. A minimal ingredient, artisan gelato mix that could be made in fresh batches of any flavor they could dare to think of! They were ecstatic, but it still wasn’t enough.

The dream of Frisson Soft Serve is to be built by the community for the community. This company wants to implement outreach programs, be able to partner up with local charities, support the Nashville Humane Society, go to community events and so much more. They also desire to expand their menu to include customers with dairy allergies and those who are vegan. They can do this by collaborating with local bakers for vegan cones and purchasing another machine so they can sell vegan options and frozen yogurt.

They need your help to get Frisson Soft Serve where they know it can be! Attending local events, supporting charities and expanding the menu takes a lot of resources. Frisson Soft Serves' ultimate goal is to be able to afford a new machine so they can focus on expanding their menu with 100% dairy free, vegan and frozen yogurt options. This expansion will allow them to reach a larger customer base and with the added revenue they can attend more events, do more charity work and support more local businesses.

Falling short of that goal, they will use the funds to connect with local charities (such as the humane society), attend more events, experiment new menu options for customers with allergies and vegan preferences and implement charitable activities (such as the “pay it forward” program) so the Nashville community can get involved.

https://ifundwomen.com/projects/frissonsoftserve

Join Frisson Soft Serve for their Grand Opening event on Sunday, April 2nd at the Shops at Porter East!

In the meantime, check them out on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and be sure to visit their website!

Josh Gray - Bridging Generations and Genres

Bridging Generations and Genres

Josh Gray

“I don't believe those who say music can't effect change in the world.” - Josh Gray

Nashville-based Folk Singer-Songwriter Josh Gray possesses an inherent ability to tap into various styles to create a sound truly his own. He has been impacted by such legendary artists as Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Townes Van Zandt, and even Blind Willie McTell, to name a few.

By utilizing his creative confluence of bluegrass, folk, and country, Josh’s music takes the listener on an adventure. These songwriting traits are obvious in his debut EP Josh Gray, released in 2015. The album, with its earthy sound and deep-seated folk roots, showcases Josh’s gift of bringing poignant lyrics to life. Josh’s goal on the album is to convey stories of love, mortality, and social justice. Josh explains his inclusive approach to music,

“I've always seen folk music as a means of bringing people together around common life experiences.”

If Josh Gray were packing a suitcase for a lifelong journey through genres, he’d need only a pen, paper, and his favorite Martin D28 guitar. Josh’s favorite guitar is not simply his go-to instrument, but a tool used to convey his adept storytelling. Creating characters, soundscapes, and storylines has been part of Josh’s talent since childhood. Josh elaborates,

“At an early age I had an affinity for writing. Long before I picked up a guitar, I was writing lyrics and poetry.”

As if he were a time traveler, Josh jumps back and forth through the decades drawing inspiration from a vast array of musical influences. Josh has studied musical legends spanning the last one hundred years of American music. With his diverse blend of folk, bluegrass, and country, Josh Gray’s music bridges both generations and genres.

It was by age sixteen that he had his first guitar in hand and began to teach himself to play. Josh adds,

“I made the conscious decision not to learn other musicians’ songs, so I wouldn’t subconsciously pick up their style.”

Over the years, Josh has avoided boundaries in his songwriting. He permits his art and illumination to flow unbridled down their path. His mantra is simply,

“There are no rules.”

Josh Gray steps away from the beaten path, on his timeless trek through the folk tradition. The tracks he leaves behind are cues, urging his listeners to join him on the road less traveled. Listen as you walk and take joy in the subtle wonderment that surrounds you. With verve and vision.

Josh Gray’s music can be found on;

ITunes

SoundCloud

Google Play

Spotify

Amazon

Josh informed Live Laugh Love Nashville that he was taking a little break from shows to focus on writing songs for this next album. His next show is not till the end of April and the next one in Nashville is mid-May.

To keep up with Josh and see when he is coming to a venue close to you check out the Shows tab on his Official Web Site. Plus he posts his shows as Events on his Facebook Page. You can also follow Josh on Bandsintown. Below are the shows Josh has coming up.

• Friday April 21, 2017 - Mt. Airy, MD - Red Shedman Farm Brewery
• Thursday May 18, 2017 - Nashville, TN - Bootleggers Inn
• Thursday June 15, 2017 - Nashville, TN - Bobby's Idle Hour
• Thursday June 22, 2017 - Nashville, TN - Bootleggers Inn
• Thursday July 27, 2017 - Nashville, TN - Bootleggers Inn

Josh Grays Website and Social Media Links

• Official Website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube
• Twitter

Here are what others are saying about Josh and his music.

“He’s got a boatload of talent and an even bigger amount of taste. Saying he’s ready now is only the beginning.” — The Frederick News-Post

“His fusion of folk and country music and his baritone voice call to mind Nashville great Johnny Cash. His ability to tell a story reminds us of Bob Dylan” — Montgomery Magazine

“His voice fits very perfectly for his storytelling style of singing and I have to say, I really dig what he is laying out there” — Red Line Roots

Written 3-26-2017 by Joseph Clay for Live Laugh Love Nashville - Music Monday Feature.

Del-Amina Lyricist | Vocalist | Orchestrator

Del-Amina

Lyricist | Vocalist | Orchestrator

“I believe our pursuit of self-love is the ultimate purpose of life and every human interaction we share is a vehicle to that goal.”

Del-Amina the Performer: Del-Amina is an emerging R&B/Jazz singer and songwriter based in Nashville, Tennessee. Her song writing and musical style is reflective of her early immersion in R&B music culture, her intrigue with the expansive harmonic and rhythmic language of Jazz music, and her formal Classical education. Her rich, sultry voice expresses a raw vulnerability as she sings her songs. Del-Amina writes and sings of the human experience with inter and intra-personal relationships; most often of the ebb and flow of romantic love, the valleys and victories on her journey to self-love and self-awareness, and her observations of society through the eyes of a Black Woman. Del-Amina cites Stevie Wonder as her primary musical influence and she boldly articulates a woman-ness that rejects societal norm.

Whether smooth, jazzy ballad or mid-tempo, R&B/soul groove, her music reverberates one simple message: Love. It is through her music, she believes, she will achieve her higher purpose of self-love and she hopes to bring many others along for the ride.

Del-Amina’s debut project, This Moment the EP, captures these themes and highlights her ability to craft music that demands reflection and introspection. The opening track of This Moment titled Winter Boo highlights that craft.

“I ain’t gonna ‘pologize for being forward! I know just what kind of guy I like…”

Del-Amina’s soulful voice exclaims as the fun, mid-tempo song begins. Though she actively rebels against the idea that women must fit certain ideals of femininity, the vulnerability she embraces in the soulful, jazz ballad, Blue Wednesday is what’s most often revealed in her organically unfiltered stage performance. To hear all the songs from This Moment the EP visit SoundCloud and/or BandCamp.

After only a year, Del-Amina has had such opportunities as playing the Lightning 100 stage at Musician’s Corner, appearing twice on 103.7 FM, and having Winter Boo debuted on MDORadio.com.

Since Del-Amina hadn’t been actively pursuing a career in music when the opportunities began knocking. She believes it was The Universe’s way of saying, “Here is your path. Walk.” She is enthusiastically working to establish herself firmly as a songwriter and vocalist and to make the most of the platform given her to share music and love with the world. She’s taking on gigs as a session singer, she’s currently writing for her next project, and considering touring opportunities.

Speaking of touring, below are the dates and venues you can catch Del-Amina live. Head on out to see her, you will not be disappointed. Check out her Website and follow Del-Amina on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with her live performances. You want to make sure not to miss a show coming to a venue near you.

• Monday May 1, 2017 – Nashville Tennessee - Alley Taps
• Saturday June 17, 2017 - Nashville Tennessee - Mercy Lounge.

At the Mercy Lounge show Del-Amina is a part of a "Whitney vs Mariah" showcase hosted by Joseph Copeland of JoCo Shows.

Del-Amina the Person: Del-Amina, born Akila Dell-Amina Mwongozi and hails from Oakland, California. I asked her, through text and email, to tell me a little about herself, the person. She started off the conversation off with something that hinders a lot of people from achieving their goals. Del-Amina has proven, what people conceive as a weakness can be your strength.

"Del-Amina the person, ay? Well... I'm severely introverted and empathic. It takes A LOT of energy to be around people. Because of that, and the fact that I work in customer service to support my creative habits, I spend an enormous amount of time at home in my downtime."

She loves to cook, and adds she likes to eat… good food. When I asked Del-Amina what she considered good food her reply was priceless.

“Aw man. That's a tough one. I don't necessarily have a favorite cuisine. I just like really flavorful food! I don't eat out a lot because I always feel like I have to spend too much money to eat food that's not as good as my home cooking! Ha-ha! But if I do, I like a good steak or brisket, Middle Eastern and Indian food, Thai Food, and Bonefish Grill!

Del-Amina in her downtime also likes to paint and draw. Me being an author I thought her next statement was profound.

“I like to read a lot. I like words. I'm really interested in the etymology of words and why we use the colloquial phrases we do. I am interested in connecting the dots of the universe. So I read a lot about everything. Science, religion, art, humanity, nature, history, etc.”

Del-Amina went on to tell me that she watches movies a lot. She likes almost every genre of movie (except horror), but her favorites are Fantasy and Romance.

What Del-Amina likes the most about Nashville is its attempt to cultivate a community of strong support for art and entrepreneurship. Del-Amina doesn't really go a lot of places, although she is trying to get out more. When she does venture out the one place she heads to is High Garden Tea! Del-Amina loves the place and its hands down her favorite place to be, outside of her home, in Nashville. She states the people who work there always seem so happy, and it's peaceful. Plus they have some amazing tea! Del-Amina likes to watch the sunset over downtown, especially around the full moons. She also has grown very fond of Natchez Hills Winery at The Fontanel. It's a venue she has played regularly and when the weather is nice, it's a real treat on a Sunday afternoon.

Del-Amina on Social Media:

• Website
• Follow Del-Amina on Twitter
• Like Del-Amina on Facebook
• Follow Del-Amina on Instagram

Written by Joseph Clay

Raviner

  

Circle March 24, 2017 on your calendars and make sure you are following Raviner on one of their social media sites as you don’t want to miss this! Raviner will be releasing the first scene of their original short film, stills from the film shown above, titled “Disconnected”, that centers around the themes and ideas from their debut EP by the same name. The film utilizes music from the EP as a soundtrack with an all original cast and non-dialogue script.

[Note: Since I was writing the Music Monday Feature for Live Laugh Love Nashville Raviner allowed me to view the pre-screening of “Disconnected”. The short story is masterfully done with beautiful imagery, music that brings intensity and power to the story, all while being non-verbal. As a writer of twisted tales the symbolism that is packed throughout this short story is brilliant. If Poe shot videos, this would be what one would look like.]

Now that you got that date saved here is a little about the group and their upcoming shows.

Raviner, is a quartet based out of Nashville, Tennessee. Raviner has a sound that blends the nuanced composition of pop and singer-songwriter music with the power and dynamics of grunge. Raviner is a band declaring their own direction in the expansive alt-rock genre. The quartet has constructed a sound that aims to catch the listener off guard, seamlessly shifting from powerful intensity to quiet, careful stillness, and back again.

In 2014 Raviner unveiled their sound as KAMBER, with the release of their "Hurry Up" EP, and followed up the next year with a single, "War In My Head". After solidifying their lineup in late 2015, the quartet Raviner began work on a new EP.

Raviner released their first single, "Scarlet", in spring 2016, a creative departure from the "Hurry Up" EP. Later in the fall of 2016 Raviner released their debut EP “Disconnected”.

With the release of “Scarlet” Raviner solidified the group's place in the ranks of dark, grunge-injected alt-rockers. The quartet aims to build its following through regional touring and further creative endeavors. One of those endeavors is only days away from being released, the short film titled “Disconnected”.

Listed below are some of Raviner’s tour dates.

• Monday March 20, 2017 – Nashville, Tennessee - Rocketown (Flex Room) w/ Rookie Of The Year.
• Tuesday April 4, 2017 - Nashville, Tennessee - Rocketown (White Building) with Heavy Things (newly signed InVogue Artist).
• Thursday April 6, 2017 – Chicago, Illinois - The Elbo Room –
• Friday, April 7th - St. Louis, Missouri - The Heavy Anchor.
• Saturday, April 8th - Indianapolis, Indiana - 5th Quarter Lounge.

For more dates and to keep track of where and when Raviner will be playing follow them on Bandsintown, check their website, or follow them on social media at the links below:

Facebook

Instagram

Take a listen to this amazing quartet!

"Scarlet"

"Maybe"

Raviner Band Members:

Vocals // Keyboards: Kamber Kigin

Bass // Keyboards // Vocals: Austin Huelsbeck

Drums: Rob Shollenberger

Guitar: Jon Wisecarver

Written by: Joseph Clay

Welcome to Live Laugh Love Nashville's #MusicMonday. Let's get to know Cold Creeks!

Brandon Murphy, Anthony Persinger, along with Caleb Jones make up the three piece band

Cold Creeks

Cold Creeks, out of Nashville, Tennessee, was formed in 2014. The band is managed by Fletcher Moore, who is also their Photographer. Cold Creeks is predominantly indie rock. Their songs are infused with notes of blues and lo-fi layered under folk-driven lyrics. This versatile sound carries the influences of Modest Mouse and Bright Eyes. Lead singer and guitarist Brandon Murphy is the man behind the words, largely inspired by songwriters Andy Hull and Elliot Smith and poet Charles Bukowski. Murphy offers his own religious criticism and social commentary coated with melting metaphors and powerful imagery. He is backed by bassist and cellist Caleb Jones and drummer Anthony Persinger.

Mindful Spirits was Cold Creeks’ first album. When they aren’t hosting house shows out of their 1930’s Nashville farmhouse, Cold Creeks is writing new material to follow up their sophomore EP, Prequel. Prequel is the first in a series of concept EPs, alluding to a troubled family, inspired by front man Brandon Murphy’s own set of familial issues. Follow-up EPs will be based on specific characters within the aforementioned fictional family. Cold Creeks has also started a new venture called Treehouse Sessions, videos of acoustic sets performed in the magic of their own attic, featuring the golden vocals of Murphy. Live Laugh Love Nashville has attached a Tree Sessions video below.

Where besides their Nashville farmhouse will Cold Creeks be playing their powerful music? All of Cold Creeks March dates are available via Bandsintown and songkick and of course here on Live Laugh Love Nashville.

• March 08 2017 - Tidball's - Bowling Green, KY.
• March 25 2017 - Exit/In - Nashville, TN.

The show on March 25 at the Exit/In is a Planned Parenthood benefit show. With several bands playing as well as Cold Creeks.

Previously, Cold Creeks have had their music featured on Nashville’s Lightning 100 and on 102.9 The Buzz. They held their sophomore EP release show at Grimey’s New and Preloved Music. They were in the final four of Lightning 100’s Music City Mayhem, a competition to play Live on the Green, and participated in the final round at Marathon Music Works.

What others are saying about Cold Creeks:

• Music critic Joel Frieders from Syffal writes that Cold Creeks’ music is “eerily gorgeous” and like the “15 minutes between asleep and awake.”
• Andy Herrin from 102.9 The Buzz has been quoted saying Cold Creeks is one of his “new favorite bands in town… turn them up loud!” Cold Creeks’ music straddles the line between heavenly sounds and devilish thoughts. On Prequel, Murphy mysteriously croons, “Hey Mr. Blue Face, quit holding your breath/ I’ve got loads of secrets/ A ghost in my bed, she says.” The lyrics are simultaneously isolating while giving you a shoulder to cry on. Just imagine that moment when dipping your head underwater and everything is beautifully still - Cold Creeks can take you there.

Milestones:

• Grimey's Release Show - The band released their EP "Prequel" on August 1, 2016 and had their release party at the legendary Grimey's New & Preloved Music in Nashville, TN. Source
• Music City Mayhem Quarterfinalists @ Marathon Music Works - The band played in Lighting 100's Music City Mayhem @ Marathon Music Works for a chance at a spot at Lightning 100's Live on the Green. Source

Band Members:

• Brandon Murphy - Vocals/Guitar
• Anthony Persinger - Drums
• Caleb Jones - Bass
• Fletcher Moore - Manager/Photographer

Go check out one of their live shows; you will not be sorry you did. In the meantime, be sure to check out their website, http://www.coldcreeks.com/ and follow them on Facebook!

Written By: Joseph Clay
https:/www.facebook.com/authorjoeclay
http://www.josephclayauthor.com/