Taking up residency
Miranda Lambert’s the latest entertainer to be celebrated as the Country
Music Hall of Fame & Museum’s Artist-in-Residence, making her the 15th
selected since the program began, and also its youngest (age 34).
While still in high school, the Longview, Texas native made her
professional bow with The Texas Proud Band, and soon was lead singer
for the Reo Palm Isle house band there. In 2003, competing on TV’s
Nashville Star talent program, she was a runner-up to Buddy Jewell, but
her eventual “consolation prize” was being signed to a major label. Her
Epic Records’ debut album Kerosene, sold Platinum, and peaked at #1;
though her first Top 10 single Gunpowder & Lead (#7, 2008), from her
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend CD, sold double Platinum. Her #1 songs include The
House That Built Me, Heart Like Mine and We Were Us (with Keith Urban).
Crash
his
party
She is also a member
of The Pistol Annies’ trio (with Angeleena
Presley and Ashley Monroe), who hit Top 40 via Run Daddy Run (2012).
The Academy of Country Music voted her 2016 Weight Of Their Wings”
best album, and she’s won seven CMA best vocalist awards. In addition
to interviews and career retrospective, this year’s Artist-in-Residence will
perform two shows, Sept. 19 and 26, in the Hall’s CMA Theatre.
“It’s truly an honour to be named Artist-in-Residence for the museum.
I’m thankful for this place, where our music can continue to be cherished,
and I’m thrilled to be among the esteemed artists who have been
honoured by this designation.” Following Connie Smith and Rosanne
Cash, she’s the third female to be so named.
Luke Bryan’s the latest entertainer to
lend his name to a Lower Broad bar in
Nashville - “Luke’s 32 Bridge Kitchen +
Drink” - apparently in partnership with the
TC Restaurant Group, based in the Buckeye
State. No doubt the digital jukebox will blast
forth such appropriate Luke hits as Drunk On
You, Crash My Party and Drink a Beer.
Incidentally, “32 Bridge” is also the name
Bryan attaches to his speciality clothing tags. By the way, the TC Group also sponsors Jason
Aldean’s “Kitchen+Rooftop Bar,” and Florida Georgia Line’s “FGL House” dining facility in Music
City. Lower Broad, a street boasting blocks of tourist-targeted taverns and attractions, also boasts
Alan Jackson’s “AJ’s Good Time Bar,” Big & Rich’s “Redneck Riviera,” and Blake Shelton’s “Ole
Red’s Restaurant.”
AUGUST 2018 - cmp 5