Rockin’ the Rooster – A Global Songwriter Connection Live Event
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
Location: ROOSTERS Restaurant in the heart of downtown Nashville, TN.
123 12th Avenue North
615-770-2880
Global Songwriter Connection (GSC) announces Rockin’ the Rooster, an event set for April 2-6 at Roosters Texas Style BBQ.
Rockin’ the Rooster is a week of shows that celebrates the diversity of Music City’s songwriting talent and introduces the company to the city. Rounds are planned for 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.
“We look forward to an exciting week of music from all genres, thanks to all of the great songwriters participating,” Spoltore’ says.
Scheduled shows include not only country artists and songwriters performing their hits, but also Hip-Hop Urban night, Christian music night, Latin music night and an Americana-Fusion night.
Spoltore’ says her company focus is on developing the songwriter first, and then the songs. She says the goal is to encourage, equip and empower the creator, which will ultimately produce better songs, performances and careers. Spoltore’ says she is passionate about teaching creators how to tap into what she feels is a limitless market for their songs.
“In this changing music-industry climate, we are all looking for ways to utilize our gifts, talents and experience to benefit others,” says Spoltore’. “We are including our Music Row community friends as we plan services and events that meet the needs of songwriters worldwide.”
Admission to the shows is $5 per round, but GSC members who bring their membership card will be admitted free. The room will be cleared between sets. Roosters is located at 123 12th Avenue North.
For more information, contact Sheree’ Spoltore’, (615) 732-8832, [email protected].
ARTIST LINEUP:
Tuesday, April 2
6:00-8:30 – Lance Carpenter, Jeffery East, Forest Glen Whitehead and Cory Batten.
Lance Carpenter grew up on a farm in Ozark, Arkansas, taught himself to play guitar at Arkansas Tech University and signed with Bigger Picture in the summer of 2012. Jeffery East signed with Zavitson Music Group in 2010. He has an impressive list of cuts by artists like Dierks Bentley, Shane Chisholm, Gil Grand, The Grascals, Allan Hall, Jake Mathews, Point Of Grace, and Selah. Blanchard, Louisiana native Forest Glen Whitehead moved to Nashville in 2009. He writes for Black River Music Publishing. Cory Batten has had several of his songs reach No. 1 on the country music charts, including “She Wouldn’t Be Gone” by Blake Shelton and “Gettin’ You Home” by Chris Young.
9:00-10:30 – Room 31
The diverse voices of Ryan Greenawalt, Jenny Slate Lee and Victoria Venier combine to make the new, epic, power trio known as Room #31.
Hit songs, killer harmony and an amazing live show make this group a huge success. Once you’ve heard them, you’ll understand what the buzz is all about.
Wednesday, April 3
6:00-8:30 – John Berry with special guests Chuck Jones, Regie Hamm.
Capitol Records signed John Berry in 1992 and it was there that he had a string of hits, including “Your Love Amazes Me,” “Standing on the Edge of Goodbye,” “I Think About It All The Time” and “Change My Mind” to name a few. Chuck Jones has had many hits, including No.1s with Diamond Rio, “Love A Little Stronger” and Billy Dean “It’s What I Do”. Regie Hamm has penned over 20 No. 1 hits, many of them in the Christian market. He hit the Top 20 as an artist on the pop charts, and he saw his self- song “Time Of My Life” stay at No. 1 for four months on the pop charts.
9:00-10:30 – Latin Round with Rick Rodriguez featuring Luna Moreno, Rafael, Giovy Jimenez and Rony Jay Dorian.
Luna Moreno attended The Andres Soler Drama Institute where she performed for three years. She starred in theatrical acts and musicals, then continued as a solo artist. In 2003 Luna decided to come to the U.S. and now she entertains audiences with originals and well-known cover songs. Rafael’s music is a unique combination of fiery guitar lines like Santana, the classical technique of Andreas Segovia, the bluesy style of Eric Clapton and the soulful vocal sound of Sting. This compelling blend of jazz, blues, classical and rock has created a popular sound that’s perfect for the emerging Latin/pop/jazz genre. Giovy Jimenez is a singer-songwriter from Miami whose music is a blend of soulful country/pop and Latin/folk. With a powerful voice and poetic songs of love and life, Giovy’s style of making music is rooted in the timelessness of telling a good story with deep emotion. Rony Jay Dorian has played with various top Latin artists for the last 20 years. He has participated in Spanish soap operas, reality shows, commercials and networks shows, including NBC/Telemundo, Univision, Televisa, Telefutura, Mun2, and MTV3. He is producing his first solo album as an artist.
Thursday, April 4
6:00-8:30 – Gospel Music Association round featuring Rob Fraizer, Jim Cole & Kenny Marks.
Rob Fraizer is a veteran of the contemporary Christian music scene. Frazier has been active as a solo artist for nearly 20 years with experience in several bands before that. He is a singer, songwriter, recording artist, worship leader, pastor and speaker. He now serves as Associate Pastor for Community Life at Belmont Church (non-denominational) in Nashville, Tennessee, where he is one of several worship leaders. Jim Cole has performed on Amy Grant’s and Darrell Waltrip’s Easter and Christmas specials. He provided the music sound track for Joan Lunden’s DirecTV series, Hometown Heroes. The inspirational program features stories of the unsung heroes of everyday life, whose acts of courage, kindness and bravery have made a profound impact in their communities. Carnegie Hall at Christmas is another highlight of Jim’s past tour schedule. Kenny Marks has five albums that he says relate to everyday life. “I like to call my music vertical with a horizontal connection,” says Marks. His driving rock, with shades of Springsteen and Adams, is music with heart, passion and energy. His first album “Follow Him” was released on Myrrh Records in 1982.
9:00-10:30 – Hits and Grins – Steve Dean, Gerald Smith & Lisa Shaffer.
Steve Dean has co-written six No. 1 hits, “Watching You” for Rodney Atkins, “Round About Way” for George Strait, “Southern Star” for Alabama, “Walk On” for Reba McEntire, “It Takes A Little Rain” for the Oak Ridge Boys and “Hearts Aren’t Made To Break” for Lee Greenwood. Gerald Smith has had his songs recorded by such people as Lorrie Morgan, George Strait, George Jones, Collin Raye, Perfect Stranger, Rick Orozco and many others. Two weeks after graduating from college, Lisa Shaffer moved to Nashville. Through a development deal, co-writes with some of the best hit makers in Nashville, patience, and determination, she was signed to a major record deal with Disney’s Lyric Street Records. While at Lyric Street, she made an album with award-winning producer Brent Rowan who produced such artists as Joe Nichols, Julie Roberts and Blake Shelton. The Grascals cut a song of Lisa’s on their “Life Finds A Way” record. It was nominated for a 2013 Grammy.
Friday, April 5
6:00-8:30 – Big Fella and guests, Hip Hop Urban night.
Saturday, April 6
6:00-8:30 – Kirsti Manna and friends. Julie Forester, Megan Redmond, Brittany Taylor, Ashley Rose, Lacy Green and Denise Locke Heard.
Kirsti Manna’s five-week Billboard No. 1 smash hit “Austin” introduced Blake Shelton to country radio. She is an actress with numerous credits that include creating and starring in her own national children’s TV show, “Kirsti’s Manor” that was viewed by 34 million children. Julie Forester currently has a writing deal with Starstruck Entertainment Texoma Ten Music Publishing in Nashville, and has had songs cut by pop icon Tiffany and other independent artists. She toured last summer with the band TIN HORSE as the lead singer; where she opened for such artists as Phil Vassar, Josh Gracin and Lee Brice. Megan Redmond, Brittany Taylor, Ashley Rose, Lacy Green and Denise Locke Heard round out a great night of girl power.
9:00-10:30 – The Cumberland Collective with special guests.
The Cumberland Collective is a community of independent singer/songwriters and musicians from across the U.S. Current members include: Mike Willis, Clay Evans, Connor Rand, Isaac Hayden, Noah Collins, Jason Eskridge, Debra Gordon, Reggie Sullivan, Brendan Bull, De Marco Johnson, Philip Lowman, Ted Pennington, and group of regular featured guests. The Ryan Secrest Foundation describes a recent Cumberland Collective performance in these words, “A bit of blues, folk, and gospel topped off with a hint of jazz, the band’s style is hard to pinpoint. It’s unique and catchy – not a single listener sat still as the singers and songwriters produced their own special brand of music magic!” They call their sound “music that matters,” and play to a wide and dedicated following.
