Nashville’s Big Bash — featuring headline performances from Lynyrd Skynyrd, Lainey Wilson, Elle King, and Thomas Rhett — brought a record number of revelers to the Bicentennial Capitol Mall. Final attendance numbers are estimated at 215,000 people, who celebrated the arrival of the New Year in downtown Nashville.
For those in attendance, the evening kicked off with a tribute to hip hop’s 50th anniversary, featuring performances from Nashville hip hop mainstays Daisha McBride and Tim Gent, with brief DJ sets to book-end the action.
Then, the CBS national broadcast began at 6:30 p.m. The aforementioned headliners delivering the goods onstage all night long, and were supported by cut-ins from New York City’s Times Square, and pre-recorded performances from other popular venues around Nashville. Comedian Rob Schneider — father of Elle King — even made a couple of guest appearances throughout the night.
We hope you had an amazing start to 2024. We certainly did, and we have the photographic evidence below!
1:16 a.m.: Home from an absolutely epic final night of 2023! Thank you to everyone who followed along, and special thanks to the organizers, performers, and anybody who made tonight possible.
Same time next year?
12:33 a.m.: Happy New Year, Nashville!
11:45 p.m.: The champagne is out. “Freebird” is on. All smiles over here!
11:39 p.m.: Our YouTube channel is having a career day right now. If you’ve joined us from over there, welcome! Hopefully you’ll stick with us to stay up on all the best in indie music and creativity in 2024!
11:22 p.m.: Our night in the pit may be over, but things are getting festive here on the media riser…
11:17 p.m.: Want some of that “Sweet Home Alabama” performance? Here it is!
11:09 p.m.: Happy New Year to our friends on the East Coast!
Lynyrd Skynyrd is on, rocking as they have for 50 years. We were also very fortunate to have Lainey Wilson and Elle King join them for “Sweet Home Alabama” while we were still in the pit. Iconic visuals incoming.
10:42 p.m.: That moment you realize that the podcast you started in your parents’ basement in 2013 has led you to enjoy some pretty ridiculous things in your life…
10:31 p.m.:Jackson Dean and Grace Bowers — with whom we spoke earlier — joined Lainey Wilson for her set finale.
Heading to the pit for Lynyrd Skynyrd shortly!
10:00 p.m.: Here’s Lainey Wilson performing her hit, “Heart Like a Truck.” Her ability to make this GIGANTIC stage feel like an intimate experience is a testament to her ability to connect with her audience.
9:47 p.m.: I remember seeing Lainey Wilson open for Delta Rae at The Basement within my first few weeks of moving to Nashville in 2018.
She was incredible then, but to witness her DOMINATE this stage tonight was otherworldly. Wow!
8:56 p.m.: Just kidding! Looks like we’re getting at least one more from Elle King.
8:53 p.m.: As promised, a snippet from Elle King‘s spirited performance. Lainey Wilson up next.
8:48 p.m.:Elle King‘s 6-song set is about to conclude with “America’s Sweetheart.” Excellent set — she’s a hell of a talent with a commanding presence. Video coming shortly
8:47 p.m.: To chants of “YOU CAN DO IT!”, Rob Schneider introduced daughter Elle King. Also, he tipped his fedora to me from the stage, which was pretty cool.
7:47 p.m.: The temperature is dropping pretty rapidly from this afternoon’s high of 56. With that said, nobody here seems to care!
7:41 p.m.: A little more from Daisha McBride’s set, as we wait to re-enter the pit for Elle King.
7:13 p.m.: We’re taking all kinds of photos, and would like to offer this shot of Tim Gent’s set as an appetizer.
Sidebar: This stage is MASSIVE.
7:03 p.m.: The crowd was READY for Thomas Rhett, who opened up tonight’s broadcast. Elle King is next.
6:19 p.m.:Tim Gent had the crowd rocking to celebrate 50 years of hip hop!
6:05 p.m.:Daisha McBride does a great job amping up the crowd and brings out a couple originals, alongside an affirmation for 2024.
5:25 p.m.: Hip hop tribute is underway with a quick DJ set!
4:50 p.m.: A quick video update before we officially get underway…
4:33 p.m.: A couple more behind the scenes shots from Jason Davis/Getty Images. Pictured: Executive Producer Robert Deaton, Lainey Wilson, Elle King and Executive Producer Mary Hilliard Harrington.
4:07 p.m.: Want a preview of what you can expect tonight? Here are a few rehearsal photos featuring headliners Lynyrd Skynyrd, Lainey Wilson, and Thomas Rhett, as well as co-host Elle King. Photos courtesy of Jason Davis/Getty Images.
3:54 p.m.: “Two days ago, I played a dive bar for 25 people.” -Grace Bowers, who says she’s “excited to see everyone out there.”
3:31 p.m.: “As a human, it’s hard to fathom that many eyeballs looking at you.” -Jackson Dean, when asked what it means to perform for an expected audience of 200,000 tonight.
3:22 p.m.: Waiting for media availability from guitarist Grace Bowers and singer-songwriter Jackson Dean.
12:28 p.m. CT: Good afternoon, and happy last day of 2023! We welcome you to the First-Annual Nash Bash NYE Blog-A-Thon. We will be providing live updates from Nashville’s Big Bash, featuring Thomas Rhett, Lainey Wilson, Lynyrd Skynyrd, a tribute to 50 years of Nashville hip hop, and much more!
Be sure to follow the adventure here and on YouTube, where we’ll be going live throughout the night beginning at 5 p.m. CT.
This New Year’s Eve, we’ll be right in the heart of the action in Nashville, as the famed red music note drops to ring in 2024!
For the first time ever, Underground Music Collective is attending Jack Daniel’s New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash, taking place at Nashville’s Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. To celebrate this momentous occasion AND the official start of 2024, we’re going on an all-out media blitz!
And so, join us here and on YouTube live for updates throughout the evening, as the hours and minutes tick down to the New Year. We will be onsite shortly before the in-person kickoff at 5:10 p.m., which will feature Music City Hip Hop 50, a 50-minute tribute to commemorate hip hop’s 50th anniversary year in 2023.
From there, stick with us throughout the broadcast, which will air live at 6:30 p.m. CT on CBS and Paramount+. This year’s lineup includes headliners like GRAMMY-nominee Thomas Rhett, 2023 CMA Entertainer of the Year Lainey Wilson, Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Lynyrd Skynyrd, and many more. The event will be hosted by Rachel Smith of Entertainment Tonight and CMA-winning recording artist Elle King.
The silver lining behind that uncertainty is that you have the choice on where to go from here. Nashville-based troubadour and producer Cooper Carr delivers that empowering message on his debut single, “Blank Page.”
“This song is for the ones who aren’t quite sure what’s next. The ones who change the subject when asked about the future, because you’re afraid what you really hope and dream for is impossible,” Carr said. “The ones who are looking around at other’s seemingly quick success and wondering what the secret formula is. The ones who feel paralyzed by heartbreak. It can be so terrifying to look at the future and just see a blank page — but, it also means there’s endless possibility and opportunity out there.”
Currently, two versions of “Blank Page” are out in the world. The original version is a rollicking, acoustic-based tune that carries us toward our dreams as diligently as the steadfast march of time. The acoustic version is more pensive; the slower-tempo version features an emotive piano and string arrangement, which adds a new level thoughtfulness and depth. Meanwhile, Carr’s distinct tenor rings out to comfort us along the journey.
No matter your flavor, the message of “Blank Page” is clear: time is going to pass by, regardless of the actions we take. In that case, we might as well commit to living a life of purpose.
We may currently be deep in the throes of winter, but today, we have a song that reminds us of summer’s golden glow.
That song is “Tom Cruisin’,” the debut single from ROM COM. The Nashville-based indie rock outfit — comprised of Aron Rosing, Tyler Murray, and Suzie Buist — proclaim that they are here “to write a soundtrack to your love life,” and with this sun-kissed introduction, we think they might be onto something.
Inspired by the iconic 80s movie, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, “Tom Cruisin'” finds our protagonists soaking in the last fleeting moments of summer love before parting ways. Rosing explains:
“You sneak into the private swim club where you lifeguarded after it’s closed down for the season to throw one last end of summer pool party, and you invite your crush, so you can tell them how you really feel before you both move off to start your post-grad jobs,” Rosing said. “The band you hired shows up in their 1994 Jaguar convertible, and proceeds to perform the soundtrack to the best kiss of your life, as the sun sets over the suburban hills of your hometown.”
On our end, we can’t wait to hear more from this exciting new project, and we won’t have to wait long. ROM COM’s next single, “Mess You Made,” will arrive on Friday, January 12.
While you wait, this will certainly hold you over. Check out “Tom Cruisin'” below!
If you’re an independent musician, you’re self-employed. If you’re self-employed, there’s an outstanding chance that you’ve spent some time cobbling together freelance gigs.
I know, because I’ve been there. I took “the leap” for good at the start of 2021, and it has taught me everything I needed to know about business and life.
On the business end, one of the most important lessons I’ve learned since taking the leap — from 9-to-5er, to freelancer, to entrepreneur — is this.
The success of your business depends largely on the systems you put in place.
In the beginning, there may be a natural excitement as gigs start coming to fruition. You may be so excited to focus on the projects themselves that you forget — or worse, neglect to — build in the back-end support needed to ensure your long-term sustainability among the self-employed.
Here are four essential components to ensure that your growing business remains protected and successful.
Contracts
Simply put, a gig worker working without a contract is asking for trouble. A good contract will clearly lay out the scope of the project, including the work to be performed, and will help you establish timelines and project rates. As a legally binding document, a contract will also minimize the possibility of non-payment or late payment. Once signed, the client agrees to pay the specified amount for the services outlined therein, and you agree to provide those services.
You’re a busy creative, and your time is valuable. So, let’s make 2024 the year that value is reflected.
Asking for a partial deposit upfront adds another layer of protection for you and your business. A deposit shows a commitment on behalf of the client to pay for services rendered, and it solidifies your commitment to commence work on the project outlined in your contract.
The initial deposit amount is up to you. In my experience, it is most common to charge a deposit amounting to 50% of the total project cost, with the remaining balance due at the time of completion.
Non-payment policies
Life is easier when we can pay our bills on time. As a freelancer, there’s a good chance that you depend on the income from your clients to make sure that happens. If their payments are late, your bills are late. And, if your bills are late, you may be assessed a late fee. Wait long enough, and service may be suspended or discontinued altogether.
Just as the electric company expects timely payment for services rendered, so should you. Be sure to develop and include policies surrounding late fees, suspensions, and cancellations in your contracts. Hopefully, you’ll never have to enforce those policies, but things happen, and it’s best to be prepared for when they do.
Not to mention, the best way to prevent bad behavior is to pair it with a consequence.
A payment system
How are you collecting payments?
While your favorite cash app may seem good enough for now, pause to consider whether it has everything you need to truly run a business. You’ll want to have a system in place to track invoices, payments, customers, revenue, and more. The more parts of this process you can automate, the better; not to mention, having complete, easy-to-understand records will make your life monumentally easier come tax season (which is just around the corner!).
Personally, I use Square, which allows me to create invoices, customer profiles, specific products, and more. Square also provides me the ability to send invoice reminders, establish multiple payment options, and set up recurring payments. Also, its reporting functions break down everything I need to know to file this spring. There is a small fee that is taken out of each payment received, but it’s a fair trade for the convenience and peace of mind of having a system in place.
While we were off finding ourselves this summer, Marcus Grimaldi was across the pond, releasing a sensual offering of timeless R&B.
That offering — titled “Forbidden Love” — combines silky vocals, crisp harmonies, and a slow-churning jazz instrumental to provide an honest exploration of sexual and social boundaries.
“(‘Forbidden Love’ is) a love story that explores the boundaries between love on all levels, not being accepted socially or at home, and making up a fantasy to make your world seem OK,” Grimaldi said.
The London native teamed up with producer Joon Lee to bring the single to life. Lee’s shining moment arrives in the last minute, as multi-layered vocals and a sultry sax solo help build “Forbidden Love” to an enthralling apex.
If you want more, Grimaldi has promised us new music in 2024, in the form of a full EP with one new original and a handful of select covers. For now, give yourself a taste of “Forbidden Love” below!
Cass Noelle is a songwriter who has known overwhelming love and devastating loss. The Pennsylvania-based “chickfolk” troubadour communicates her experiences by channeling an array of influences; from revered artists like Brandi Carlile, Joni Mitchell, The Cranberries, and Jewel; to architects of “beautifully sad” compositions, like The Civil Wars and Over the Rhine.
“Beautifully sad” is an accurate description of her debut single, “Someone to Help You.” Written about her husband’s passing from a drug overdose in the summer of 2022, Cass notes that “writing this song and getting it out there has been the most therapeutic part of my healing journey.”
“This is a song of desperation. It’s a pouring out of raw emotion that I know many can relate to,” she states. “Watching someone you love turn into an unrecognizable version of themselves is pure pain. It’s wrought with psychological torment and a constant agony over setting boundaries, while trying to facilitate every kind of help.”
Produced by Bobby Siegfried of Studio B Creative, “Someone to Help You” features emotive, powerhouse vocals on top of gently finger-picked guitars. Siegfried added a layer of studio magic with foundational keyboard layers, which carry the weight of a full string arrangement to bring forth the song’s raw emotion.
A music video was directed by Richie Ares of theLionhearted, and was accompanied by a page of resources for those struggling with addiction or suicidal ideation on Cass Noelle’s website.
“We all carry our trauma differently, and addiction is a symptom of deeper issues. If you’re struggling with addiction, you are not alone. You are loved and worthy of healing. You were created on purpose, for a purpose. I urge you to take steps to break the cycle of shame and self-destruction,” Cass said. “If you love an addict, you’re in good company. If you’ve set healthy boundaries, you should be proud of yourself. If you’ve lost an addict, my heart hurts for you.”
It’s that time of year to once again gather ’round the yule log, and enjoy the best holiday tunes from independent artists around the world!
We have some spirited new additions to this year’s playlist, joining old favorites for the ultimate indie music holiday playlist. Grab your favorite warm beverage, cozy up on the couch, and wait for the big guy’s arrival with this year’s compilation!
Track listing
The Mad Sugars ft. The Sugar Cubes – Christmas Wrapping Ice Island – The Little Drummer Boy Josie Cotton – Every Day Like Christmas Coley Kennedy and Justin Collins – The King of Christmas Eve Sabrina Lentini – Xmas Fling Sofa City Sweetheart – Christmas in California Amanda McCarthy – Christmas Without You Scott Kurt – Run Run Rudolph Sarah Darling ft. Six One Five Collective – Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree Stephanie Ryann – What Christmas Means to Me Cat Lines – It’ll Still Be a Merry Christmas Caitlin Quisenberry – O Holy Night Sarah Mae Chilton – Stocking Full of Kisses Bryan Ruby – Christmas With You Mackenna Swann – Christmas Together Anya Hinkle – Why Women Need Wine (At Christmas) Emmy Law – Different This Year Rose Starring – River Tomer Haim Shaked & Iris Mazor – Bells of Winter Jeff Tuohy – Santa’s Bringing Coal Z – Eight The Beautiful Distortion – We Three Kings Dancing On Tables – Merry Xmas Everybody Rofo Audio – Stay Till Morn Olivia Frances – Harmonica for Hanukkah Gina Naomi Baez – When You Hear Joni Glamper – Elf on the Shelf Zac Young – Blacked Out on a White Christmas Glowbug ft. Miny – One More Time for the Holidays Worldwide Groove Corporation – When the Holiday Brings You Home
The end of a relationship brings questions and memories, as you recall all of the times communication got in the way of growing together, rather than apart.
Paul Nestler captures that feeling on “That Dance We Do,” on top of an ethereal pop rock soundscape whose shimmering layers bring about a sense of wonder.
“I wrote this song after a particularly hard breakup for me. It’s about the times you would be together and didn’t know which person would make the first move – that dance you both do, almost a game of chicken of ‘who’s going first,’” Nestler said. “The song also describes the feeling afterward of questioning whether it was even a good relationship to be a part of; was it really two people ready for a relationship, or was there more work to do?”
Clocking in at just over 3-and-a-half minutes, “That Dance We Do” combines timeless pop rock sensibility with glistening modern pop synth tones (a la The 1975 or The Midnight). The creative process was a slow simmer; one which took place over more than a year, and continued as Nestler entered the studio.
“For almost all of that time, it was just a first verse and some scattered lines as a chorus Only soon before recording did I really sit down and start to hash out where the song would go. Even during the recording process, I changed lines in the second verse,” Nestler said. “I sat on it for song long because I still kept thinking about the person who brought those lines out of me and the situation we were in.”
He continued, “The visual of the first line, ‘Cotton candy skies…’ kept popping up in my mind. It was working title for the longest time, until I settled on a line in the chorus that better encapsulated the spirit of the song.”
Nestler plans to release more music during the first half of 2024, and suggests that “That Dance We Do” could be a sign of things to come.
“As I record, I’m slowly starting to fine tune and home in on where I’m going as an artist,” he noted. “It takes time and there’s quite a long way to go, but this song in particular is something I’m proud to have placed in ‘sonic world’ where I see my music could grow.”
