We’re hosting 8 off 8th tonight at Mercy Lounge for FRRRREEEEE! The lineup is badass and features some of our favorite local artists and band:

Holmes & Presley

Erin Manning

Alvin Love

Paper Machete

Evan P. Donohue

Turtle Bangs

Modoc

Overzealous 

Go here to RSVP to the Facebook Invitation, and be sure to show up early/on time, because the first 50 people will receive a ticket to be enterted in a drawing for tons of treasures! We’re giving away several "goody bags" filled with new music, merchandise, and "swag," from local groups and artists, such as Kopecky Family Band, Moon Taxi, Sarah Silva, Delta Saints, Kingston Springs, Daniel Pujol, Buffalo Clover, Erin Manning, Darla Farmer, Turtle Bangs, Vernicious K’nids, Max and the Wild Things, Jesse Lafser, Brite Revolution, Americana Music Association, and many more…See you there!

It’s gonna be everything you hoped and dreamed so c’monnnn!–Deli Staff

The Americana Music Association (AMA) really opened up a can’o whoopa** last night for their 9th annual Honors and Awards ceremony, which was held at the Ryman Auditorium. Jim Lauderdale, adorned in what is most aptly described as a “jailbird” leisure suit, served as master of ceremonies, wittily guiding the audience through the five Lifetime Achievement Award presentations, and the additional six categorical awards. In between the presentations, Buddy Miller—who was awarded “Instrumentalist of the Year”—led an absolutely stellar house band that backed the rousing performances by Americana music’s finest figures and 2010 awards nominees and recipients, including John Mellencamp, Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell, Roseanne Cash, Sarah Jarosz, Corb Lund, Minton Sparks, Ryan Bingham, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Joe Pug, Greg Leisz, and Lucinda Williams.

The evening was clearly about genuine artistry, judging by the obviously timeless and talented nominees and winners, whose live displays of talent alone proved that they were fully deserving of their honors last night. Several performances in particular were quite memorable, such as “Duo/Group of the Year” nominees, The Carolina Chocolate Drops and their cover of Blu Cantrell’s forgotten hit, “Hey Ladies.” The 3-piece group featured a banjo player, a singer/violinist, and a beat boxer, and they were by far the most unique ensemble of the evening. They even had the old, conservative white folks groovin’ and shakin’. While their performance was admirable, they were beat out in their category by The Avett Brothers, who were quite the tease when they first set foot on stage with Grace Potter to present Hayes Carll with "New/Emerging Artist." Later in the evening, they returned to play the title track from their recent album, "I, and Love, and You."

Shortly afterwards, the good times kept on coming with Jack White presenting the original Queen of Rockabilly–Wanda Jackson–with a Lifetime Achievement Award for Performance. Apparently the two have recently been working together on a an album that White produced, and is being released through Third Man Records, (Jack White’s label). Naturally, everyone was thrilled to hear a live rendition of the first single, "Shakin All Over," which included a full horn section, and a glamorous, white sparkle fringe vest donned by the Queen. After 72 years of performing like that, it’s a wonder she wasn’t honored before Thursday night. (With the exception of being inducted into that whole Rock’n Roll Hall of Fame thing)… Grand slam.

The remaining honorees are as follows:

ALBUM OF THE YEAR: "The List" by Roseanne Cash

ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Ryan Bingham

NEW/EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Hayes Carll

SONG OF THE YEAR: "The Weary Kind" written by Ryan Bingham & T-Bone Burnett

JACK EMERSON LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS:

-EXECUTIVE: Luke Lewis

-INSTRUMENTALIST: Greg Leisz

-PRODUCER/ENGINEER: Brian Ahern

-SONGWRITER: John Mellencamp

Go here to hear the complete show: –Erin Manning

Yes indeedy, the time has come for Next Big Nashville to take over the city again, and the anticipation of all the awesome showcases and panels has built to a fever pitch! We’re looking forward to covering the performances of our favorite artists–since they’re pretty much ALL playing, so you should be sure to check back with us frequently–like, every hour, on the hour–for updates and reviews. For the detailed schedule and lineup, (including showcases and panels at the Leadership Music Conference), you can go to http://www.nbnsummit.com/. Can’t wait can’t wait can’t wait!–Deli Editor

Good news folks–The Deli is going to be covering the Americana Music Festival this week! We’ll be attending some of the music showcases by our favorite local bands and artists, such as Rayland Baxter, Tristen, Courtney Jaye, and Mary Gauthier, along with the not-so-local bands we dig. You can go here for more festival information, but keep checking back with us for all the juicy deets. (That means "details" for those of you who aren’t down with the lingo).–Deli Staff

It was something of a ladies night (save for the Billy Goats) at The End Saturday night as two of Nashville’s acts opened for two touring girl-trios from Texas. Of all the groups in a seemingly mismatched lineup, no one really paled in comparison to another. Solo artist Erin Manning (one of The Deli’s own editors) started the evening and proved she can play music as well as write about it. Though accompanied by other instrumentalists and a backup vocalist, Manning was the powerhouse with the keyboard, and she had what few female vocalists in Nashville have: my attention. Like Amy Winehouse, but stable, Manning puts all the soul into it without the tragedy and high glamour, singing of Harry Potter lore (check out “The Basilisk”) rather than Rehab. The key-driven songs are at once whimsical and semi-seductive, and their writer expects to release an EP in December of this year.

If you had never heard of the Billy Goats and were going to make an assumption based on their name, you might guess rockabilly or some cheeky indie strain, not what two showgoers cited as the best hip hop group in Nashville. It’s a fair assertion, as they doled out more bass- heavy beats to a dancing crowd than The End is used to, and they even worked in an intentionally off-key “Happy Birthday” before a humble exit – “Aw, no I wasn’t,” said ILLER after someone offered an enthusiastic “You were great!” And though The Deli strictly shows the love to Nashville artists, it must be said that the ladies from Texas knew their stuff as well, including Agent Ribbons (three wide-eyed and affable hillbilly-punk dolls working violin and guitar in plaids, ringlet curls and bows, whose set included some unexpected Bowie, Ritchie Valens and Patsy Cline covers) and the three tattooed, raven-haired vixens of Girl in a Coma (these girls, of Joan Jett’s label Blackheart Records, finished the night with an overwhelming stage presence and complete ownership of their instruments – they rocked the bass-drum-guitar combination with unbelievable skill and energy). – Jessica Pace

Nashville singer/songwriter, Megan McCormick, will be making her national television debut this Saturday on CBS’s Early Show on the Second Cup Café Segment, where she will be playing live on the Plaza, featuring songs from her recent album, “Honest Words.” (Check your local listings to find out when you can watch her, although if you’re in Nashville, it will air at 8:00am (central time) on WTVF). Who cares if it’s early! Wake up!

The performance is one of many in a recent wave of opportunities and praise from the press for her release of, “Honest Words,” including reviews in USA Today, O, and Marie Claire. She recently taped a session for NPR’s Mountain Stage, and will be performing September 20 on the nationally syndicated Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour.

Catch her this Sunday, Sept. 5th playing live at 3rd & Lindsley with Kingston Springs for Nashville Sunday Night, presented by Lightning 100.

Doors at 6, Show at 8, Tix are $8. See you there!—Erin Manning

Go check out Nashville’s synth-pop kingpin, Kyle Andrews, at Mercy Lounge tomorrow night for his EP release party. "KANGAROO," which was released August 31st, has already received a recent abundance of interest, due to the opening track, "You Always Make Me Smile." Show openers will be Heypenny, Gold Motel, and Mother/Father. Talk about a good time! 

The show is FREE, 21+, Doors @ 9, Go here for additional information.–Deli Editor

Check out the music video for "You Always Make Me Smile," which supposedly sought to set the Guiness world-record for largest water balloon fight!

Max and the Wild Things self-titled album is indescribable. The full-length 12-track album offers solid rhythms, catchy guitar riffs, an array of different sounds, and a variety of genres from track to track. Songs like “You Got Your” and “In Tune” present a cleaner guitar sound with standing-bass riffs, while the lyrics reflect their Southern roots, offering listeners more of a folk feel. The band markets themselves as New Wave, Americana and Post Punk, although it is difficult to make any sort of genre classification with this band. (The label of post-punk may be used to denote the brass used in some of the songs, which offers a unique twist to a familiar sound). The band sounds more like a mix of rockabilly with a dab of sound from songs by artists from the 60s, like “Goin’ Down the Road,” by Woody Guthrie. The track “Enough” sounds like a countrified Bob Dylan without the harmonica, as the vocalist sings about having a pack of cigarettes and a lot of sin.

Bringing back the rockabilly sound is a courageous endeavor for Max and the Wild Things. It’s questionable whether the album provides a new sound for eager ears to listen to, because there is a lot of infusing going on throughout each song, which can sometimes detract from originality. In the band’s defense, they admirably try to offer something old and something new. Though the sound of the album as a whole is almost overly retro, and the tracks are reminiscent of a lot of “older- style” music, the talent is indisputable. Download the entire album at their bandcamp page.—EJ Hirsch

Here’s a Labor Day Weekend treat for ya…San Antonio rock trio, Girl In A Coma, who has toured extensively with Tegan & Sara aaannnddd Morrisey, will be stopping in Nashville on their tour to promote their upcoming album release.

Before they lay the smackdown, there will be sets by Sacramento-based band Agent Ribbons, whose sound has been described as "garage-rock-meets-three-penny-opera." Local acts will be The Billy Goats, and Erin Manning. Dooooon’t miss it!–Deli Staff

Come to the 7" release of "Radical Luv," the new EP by Brandon Jazz & His Armed Forces. It takes place next Tuesday, August 31st, at Mercy Lounge. You can go here for more info! Dig it!–Deli Editor

Go here for details! Par-taaaayyyyy!–Deli Editor

Nashville local band Taxicab Racers blew the crowd away last week at 8 off 8th. The high-energy power pop band brought heavy rhythms and heartfelt lyrics, which the girls seemed to love as they lipped their own version of the songs. The band, which moved to Nashville from Chattanooga, seem to have found their nook among the Nashville music scene. Their instrumental sound has a lot of the familiar sounds of Paper Route and for good reason. Taxicab Racers worked with Chad Howart (of Paper Route) to produce their new EP “Hunter/Beggar,” set for release in October. Although a lot of the sounds are almost overly familiar and at times it becomes hard to differentiate between what is Taxicab Racers and what is Paper Route, the new EP sounds phenomenal. The heavy use of synthesizers and rhythms allows for listeners to actually feel the band. Vocalist Michael Roddy sounds a lot like those from Owl City with a twang. Brittany Painter of The Bridges also did some guest vocals on the EP. The new album is loaded. The band knows their target audience and knows that the EP has a mainstream appeal. “We’re commercial. It kind of hurts us and it helps us,” Roddy says. The commercialism of the band doesn’t hinder the sound these artists offer; they offer something the audience can move to, something the crowd can relate to and something fun to listen to. This band is fast on the move and well worth the time it takes to go see their next show. – EJ Hirsch