Nashville. Music City USA. Most people think cowboy hats and honky tonks. However, those who really know Nashville know it's one of the best emerging artist scenes in the country. A community of artists making their own unique brands of diverse, organic pop music in the shadows of today's slick commercial country music industry. At the forefront of this community are ten artists who have banded together to form Ten Out Of Tenn, a collective of incredibly talented friends who, as individual artists, have released over thirty albums, had song placements in countless television programs & films and shared the stage with musicians such as REM, Sarah McLachlan and John Mayer.
Ten Out Of Tenn Volume II is comprised of Katie Herzig, Andy Davis, Tyler James, Trent Dabbs, K.S. Rhoads, Griffin House, Matthew Perryman Jones, Butterfly Boucher, Jeremy Lister and Erin McCarley. A sort of singer-songwriter supergroup, born out of an idea by Kristin and Trent Dabbs while on the road between Jackson, Miss. and Nashville. "We were thinking about how much music we like that happens to be our friends'," says Trent. "There's a community of people here with a lot of talent." Helmed by Kristen, Ten Out Of Tenn has produced a compilation album, a Christmas album, three tours, showcases at music festivals like SXSW and an awarding winning documentary, Any Day Now, that debuted during the 2009 Nashville Film Festival.
No longer spinning their wheels on their own, the artists now travel down the highway together in one tour bus. They are the cream of the crop from a city of troubadours who have relocated to the Volunteer State to pursue their passion and create their art. A Ten Out Of Tenn show typically consists of each artist playing two songs, acting as their own house band, along with their backbeat, drummer Will Sayles. They say the whole is the sum of its parts, and as individual parts, these ten artists have their own successful careers and fan bases. Bring them together and their true artistry shines as they swap vocals and instruments during their shows for a unique twist on each other's creative work.
Who knows where the road leads for the individual artists. To quote K.S. Rhoads "It's not the road you take. It's the direction you're headed," and any day now, one of them may be the next big thing. However, when you hear their music or see them perform, you realize that their real priority is not likely fame and fortune, but creating and sharing their music with people. As Matthew Perryman Jones sums it up about the artists in Any Day Now, "It's their life. It's what they're made for. They're wired that way." And the road warriors in Tenn Out Of Tenn will continue to make their mark and lay the path for the next generation of Tennessee troubadours.
love everything you guys do. I used play shows here and there with Erin McCarley in San Diego and in Dallas. Now opening for Butterfly Boucher in San Diego and LA. Keep up the great work!
It's barely been a month, and I'm going through TOT withdrawal! Any chance there's a summer tour in the works? Preferably one that visits Workplay Theatre in Birmingham, AL? Saw you guys there for the Christmas tour & LOVED it so much that we drove from Anniston to Nashville to see your tour finale at the Cannery Ballroom this spring. Best concerts ever–you guys rock!
P.s. Any thoughts about recording a live album? You guys have an amazing energy and on-stage chemistry together...
Unfortunately I'm going to have to miss your show on Friday :( I'm a broke college student who works part-time at a non-profit... But I hope you guys come back to Knoxville soon!!!
Best concert I have been to in awhile! Loved all your music individually but as a whole, you guys really create a fun dynamic. Thanks for visiting Portland and for being humble enough to come chat with the fans afterwards.
ha! ok wow u guys did sooo good in LA! made my night. happy to be there and dont let it be too long before u come back!!!!!! :) shout out to K.S free styling. actualy shout out to everyone. yay :D
Thanks for gracing the wilds of Arizona last night, gang. Amazing show, great energy, extreme talent. Can't wait to listen to all the CD's from "the bundle". Please come back again soon!
The show at Chelsea's was amazing! I have such love and respect for every single one of you guys! Hope y'all make your way back down here soon. If you do come and ever need any help with anything let me know! Thanks for the inspiration and good luck w/ all the other shows!