This is a blog written by BBC Introducing artist Blue Rose Code about his time in Nashville
Two whirlwind days in that Southern town I've fallen for, Nashville Tennessee. Friday was spent introducing myself to the fire hydrants, the impeccable manners, the coffee re-fills and the Tennessee enthusiasm.
Black Rose Code: Taking the Stage
In the evening we attended the Communion Records showcase and watched Bear's Den, who were very, very good and Willy Mason. Willy's set was really something special, genuinely moving. His song 'We Can Be Strong' almost brought a tear to my eye. I bought his new album this morning and I think it's right up there.
But today was the reason I'm here. Bob Harris' BBC Introducing showcase at the Hard Rock Cafe.
I got up at 6am to watch the sun rise over Nashville, I sat watching it drag its feet up over Music City and my heart was fit to burstin' with gratitude. I donned my Hibs shorts and switched my iPod onto Eddi Reader's 'Songs Of Robert Burns' and ran a wee bit of Scotland around and Downtown, across the Shelly Bridge and along the river.
Later in the day the band and I arrived at the Hard Rock for sound check and the place was already teaming, a buzz with industry leaders from both sides of the pond. There was glad handing a-plenty and lots of opportunities to ask advice of people who'd been there and done that, currently wearing the t-shirt etc.
It's easy to play things down, to try and remain unmoved and unenthused, perhaps it's cooler, but I cannot lie, when man-legend, Bob Harris, glided across the Hard Rock balcony like an other-worldly apparition, and asked if I was ready for my interview, I was pretty pleased. "Yes", was my answer and a real treat to speak to the big man, he made it easy.
Myself, Emily Barker and Eloise Rees all made the trip from Blighty and each of our sets were filmed for the BBC Introducing website and recorded for BBC Radio. Keep an eye out for my announcing when the content will be aired.
Came showtime and Lizzie, Steve and I took the stage to a warm Nashville welcome. We opened with a song about Edina, Ghosts Of Leith, and moved into my tribute to that other city of my heart, London, a song named Whitechapel. The audience were great, they laughed at all of my jokes and clapped in all of the right places, we really had a ball.
The set finished with (This Is Not A) Folk Song and we left the stage to an applause that made my heart swell. We got to meet the Great and the Good of the AMAs and, following our showcase, we went on to enjoy some more live music, it is Nashville, after all.
Simply an extraordinary night and I put my head to the pillow considering what's to come.
All of my love from Nashville, slainte mhath,
Blue Rose Code x
