Category: Nashville Diaries

Video Showcase: Elizabeth Huett takes the stage at CMA Fest 2015!

On By The EditorIn Elizabeth Huett, Nashville Diaries, The Agency, Video

Hello Lizettes and Lizards!

You probably remember the beautiful and talented Elizabeth Huett from her time touring with Taylor Swift and the Agency. She made quite an impression on festival goers at the Showcase Stage in the Music City Center during CMA Fest 2015. Here at the Swift Agency, a guy who was lucky enough to be in attendance, we though you’d like to see and hear what she’s been up to since embarking on her own solo career.

These are only short clips of each song. This Liz Huett’s own unreleased music, so it doesn’t really fall on me to release it. This is just a taste of what’s coming up.

What You Do To Me

Watch on YouTube

It’s Been Real

Watch on YouTube

Cheap Champagne

Watch on YouTube

Liz answered a short Q&A on stage where she described, among other things, her time with Taylor.

I toured with her for just under four years. I got the job with her at young age so I didn’t go to a University of music. I kind of reference that season of my life as my University of music. I took notes the whole time and I was just trying to sponge out all of the knowledge and ability and skill and professionalism that I got to witness while on the road with her. I kind of made mental notes the whole day and hoped that one day when I went out on my own I would put it to good use. So it was a good learning experience: the University of Taylor Swift. Not a bad gig.

– Elizabeth Huett at CMA Fest 2015

That’s it, there is no more. Ok, wait that’s incorrect. There’s just one more thing. I was lucky enough to talk to her one more time. And you’ll learn all about that soon. Stay tuned 🙂

(Photo: TheSwiftAgency.com)
(Photo: TheSwiftAgency.com)

Coming up on the Calendar:

  • June 24: The 1989 World Tour – Manchester, NW England United Kingdom – Arena Manchester.
  • June 27: The 1989 World Tour – London, England United Kingdom – British Summertime Hyde Park.
  • June 29: The 1989 World Tour – Dublin, Ireland – 3Arena.
  • June 30: The 1989 World Tour – Dublin, Ireland – 3Arena.

(Sources: TheSwiftAgency.com)

Nashville Diaries: Big Machine at CMA Fest 2015

On By The EditorIn Exclusive, Kelsea Ballerini, Nashville Diaries, Video

This is how they roll, Taylor Nation.

(Photo: TheSwiftAgency.com)
(Photo: TheSwiftAgency.com)

Big Machine has grown up a lot since they were just Big Machine Records. Nowadays, they’re a label group that encompasses Big Machine Records, Valory Music, Republic Nashville, Dot Records and Nash Icon Records. They’re the bad boy in the neighborhood with the souped up roadster. But beyond their race car image, they’ve also sign some impressive female artists to the country music genre, including the artist that put them on the map: Taylor Swift.

(Source: TheSwiftAgency.com)
(Source: TheSwiftAgency.com)

Nowadays they count icons such as Martina McBride and Reba McEntire, slick music contest winners Cassadee Pope and Danielle Bradberry and newcomers that are pushing the envelope, such as Maddie and Tae with their hit single Girl In A Country Song. I saw them perform at the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage. Besides their other hit Fly, I was impressed with their rendition of Dolly Parton’s classic Nine To Five. They were also scheduled to perform at LP Field.

Big Machine also has a new presence in town: its new Big Machine Store, which already has an online presence on their site MusicHasValue.com.

You might remember that I’ve gone to this CMA Fest 2015 with a bit of an agenda. Which is, I’m focusing on female country artists. There’s no bigger endorsement than this label, which started building its reputation with the Blonde With The Sparkly Guitar. However, respects must be paid to the other brains of the operation, mainly its charismatic CEO Scott Borchetta. He was scheduled for a meet and greet at the Big Machine Store. If you visit the Music City, you’ll find it on 122 3rd Ave S & the Pedestrian Bridge.

Watch on Vimeo

(Photo: TheSwiftAgency.com)
(Photo: TheSwiftAgency.com)

Coming up on the Calendar:

  • June 19: The 1989 World Tour – Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia Germany – Lanxess Arena.
  • June 20: The 1989 World Tour – Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia Germany – Lanxess Arena.
  • June 21: Mallary Hope‘s Birthday.
  • June 21: The 1989 World Tour – Amsterdam, North Holland Netherlands – Ziggo Dome.
  • June 23: The 1989 World Tour – Glasgow, Scotland United Kingdom – SSE Hydro.
  • June 24: The 1989 World Tour – Manchester, NW England United Kingdom – Arena Manchester.
  • June 27: The 1989 World Tour – London, England United Kingdom – British Summertime Hyde Park.

(Sources: TheSwiftAgency.com, BigMachineLabelGroup.com, MusicHasValue.com)

Nashville Diaries: Kelsey Ballerini at CMA Fest 2015

On By The EditorIn Exclusive, Kelsea Ballerini, Nashville Diaries

You’re probably noticing a trend here, dear readers.

(Photo: TheSwiftAgency.com)
(Photo: TheSwiftAgency.com)

Yes, I am focusing on female country singers. I’ve still have to talk about #Saladgate but that discussion will require its own post. Speaking about the new ladies of country music, Kelsea Ballerini is riding high right now. Her first single, Love Me Like You Mean It, is number #3 in country radio. As mentioned during her fan club, female country singers have not had a first single go to #1 on country radio since Carrie Underwood’s Jesus Take The Wheel nine years ago.

The single also received a Taylor Swift endorsement via Twitter, which didn’t hurt. Since then, Taylor has also petitioned for Yeah Boy to be Kelsea’s single via Instagram. Although thrilled, it seems the next single will be one of her other songs – yet to be revealed. Kelsea couldn’t speak higher of Taylor during her Fan Club Pancake Party. She was a pleasure to listen to perform live at her event and also at the Bud Light Plaza Stage on Friday.

I’m nowhere done – not even started – on the new women of country. As CMA Fest 2015 rolls on, so must I. Expect more to come soon.

(Photo: TheSwiftAgency.com)
(Photo: TheSwiftAgency.com)

Coming up on the Calendar:

(Sources: TheSwiftAgency.com)

Nashville Diaries: Elizabeth Huett at CMA Fest 2015. A preview.

On By The EditorIn Elizabeth Huett, Exclusive, Nashville Diaries

There’s more to come, music fans 🙂

The beautiful and talented Elizabeth Huett took the AT&T U-verse Showcase Stage at CMA Fest 2015 for a brief Q&A followed by a performance of three new songs from her upcoming album. No dates and no name yet. Hopefully soon. No, not yet. Patience.

(Photo: TheSwiftAgency.com)
(Photo: TheSwiftAgency.com)

With a sizable crowd of Lizettes and Lizards in attendance, she answered a few questions from the presenter. You probably remember one of the songs she wrote, Put My Heart Down, ended up being sang by Sara Evans. She also spoke about her time with Taylor Swift fondly, as she absorbed all experience like a sponge, calling it “The University of Swift.”

Liz and her band took the stage to perform three new songs: What You Do To Me, It’s Been Real and Cheap Champagne. I’m not a professional music journalist, so trying to describe her sound is a bit of a challenge. I would describe it a little Lady-Antebellum-esque.

We might have a little more media (and writing) to share with y’all, but my hotel’s internet seems to come through a straw so there’s little chance of me sharing clips at the moment. Consider this a preview. For now 🙂

(Photo: TheSwiftAgency.com)
(Photo: TheSwiftAgency.com)

Coming up on the Calendar:

(Sources: TheSwiftAgency.com)

Nashville Diaries: Yes, it’s also about the food. Revisiting old favorites.

On By The EditorIn Exclusive, Nashville Diaries
(Photo: TheSwiftAgency.com)
(Photo: TheSwiftAgency.com)

We all have our favorite songs, Taylor Nation.

But we also have our favorite meals. There’s no way I was going to skip going to Pancake Pantry for the sweet potato pancakes. I love the smoked turkey sandwich at Fido. And basically you can eat almost anything off the menu of Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant and it will taste amazing (ahem, don’t try to eat the actual menu). They even have their own fan-voted burger of the week and drink of the week if you’re out of ideas.

Fido is your friendly neighborhood coffee shop which I visit because it has it’s Taylor history, but also boast a great smoked turkey sandwich. They’ve changed it up a bit every time I’m there. The strangest thing is I always have it after I’ve been famished, usually due to a delayed flight or a long ride in the bus shuttle (both this time!) so perhaps I’m biased. Either way, I love the ice tea they have there too. On the other hand, I’ve never had the coffee.

(Photo: TheSwiftAgency.com)
(Photo: TheSwiftAgency.com)

So, why are the sweet potato pancakes a thing? I don’t really know. Pancake Pantry also boasts an impressive selection of breakfast and lunch fare all with that Southern taste. Try the blueberry pancakes too on another time. Or share with a friend.

I would say add a side order of eggs, hash browns or sausage but it’s really hard to finish a single dish of pancakes. I can’t speak for their lunch menu because not having the sweet potato pancakes is like visiting town and not seeing your best buddy.

(Photo: TheSwiftAgency.com)
(Photo: TheSwiftAgency.com)

Finally, I discovered Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant for all the times I went there to see Mallary Hope. Here’s to Mal coming back to CMA Fest soon. I’ve had a few things in their menu, including the burger of the day. This time I went with the Taco Brisket Salad because I had to have some salad but if I do the trimmings have to be nice. I did have the drink of the day which name I can’t remember for the life of me (watermelon… something). Even the water tasted extra nice because climbing that hill really does a number on me.

Up next! Elizabeth Huett performs at CMA Fan Fair this Thursday, June 11 and everything is ok with the world. You can see it online.

Coming up on the Calendar:

(Sources: TheSwiftAgency.com)