Well, I had a great week last week. I only played out once though. Kind of a rest week after a busy schedule the week before. I played at a really cool shop called The Parlor. It’s actually multiple shops all interconnected. One shop is a candy store, another is a jewlery bar where you can make your own with lots of beads and things, an oxygen bar, and last but not least…the Mocktail Bar which is the room they run the open mic in. Every Friday starting at 4:30pm the Mocktail Bar offers an open mic with poets, songwriters, and spoken word. Go to https://www.ilovebubblejoy.com to find out more! And when you go say hi to their awesome staff and don’t forget to pet Cowboy! 

I won’t have a blog for this week as I got the flu the night before I was to go to the studio to start recording my first rock single. I’ll be back playing a few open mics soon and the recording date got pushed back by two weeks so I can get my voice back to 💯. Until then, take care of yourselves and check out these past venues and artists in my blog posts!

Now that I got you hungry for more, let me explain my second blog post title! :) 

I played in a round last Tuesday (Jan. 21st) with some incredible singer/songwriters at Amendment 18 in Franklin,TN. It's a speak easy behind Mellow Mushroom on the square. Check out these artists's pages on Instagram. (@loubis.rubis, @taraleesings, @macifaymusic, @taylorchadwick44). You can also check out the song “Shot Down” on Spotify by artist Will Sarver.  (click on the photos to check out these artists's pages!) Here's a link to Amendment 18. They have a nice menu, and even nicer staff! And Brett Frey is a great host! So check out this link, and if you write/play music there's a sign-up page on the site! Please help spread the word about this awesome venu and help support these artists! https://www.instagram.com/amendment18cocktailclub/?hl=en

I had a great time playing at Kokomo Trading Co. in the Six Strings and Me Open Mic on Wednesday (Jan. 23rd). This is in the West Haven neighborhood in Franklin, Tn. Really really good food here and they use very healthy options when cooking. Check out this tropical themed restaurant here: https://www.kokomotradingco.com 

My friends from the duo Johnny and Clyde (https://www.jonnyandclyde.com) run the Six Strings and Me Open Mic night every Wednesday from 6-9pm. You can sign up to play by emailing 6stringsandme@chiwapapublishing.com or message them on Instagram @6stringsandme 

I got there towards the end of the night but was lucky enough to get to hear the talented Allie Lamb. Check out her music here: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/allie-lamb/492279628 (click on her photo to go to her website!)

As you can see, it's very family friendly here! The vibe is so cool, just like the staff! It has become like a second home to me.

I took a break Thursday but I got to play in a writer's round at Bar Louie Friday night. What a cool stage to play on. And it's right next door to the Ford Ice Center! This was their Bellevue, TN location (8119 Sawyer Brown Road, Nashville, TN 37221). Check out their menu by clicking the photo below!

I was searching the web for writer's rounds to play in when I came across their site here: https://www.stompingroundstn.com

Here you see the host (Jacob Merlin) and singer/songwriter (Tommy Habib) looking very serious! Jacob Merlin is a singer/songwriter as well and both play a wicked piano! Click on these photos for their pages/music!

I was in the first round with Tommy Habib and another great artist/writer Lara Blizzard! Click on her photo to be taken to her music! Click on the videos tab on her youtube channel to view/listen to her music. Or here on itunes: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/lara-blizzard/1760817997 Also check out Colt Jaxon who played in the next round. I didn't get the other two artist/writers names or socials so hopefully they'll leave them in the comments! They were so good! Here's a link to Colt's music…. https://music.apple.com/us/artist/colt-jaxon/1637279094

I made it to Saturday night! And had even more fun! I was invited to play in the Six Strings and Me's First Soul Shine Pizza Songwriter Showcase in Franklin's Berry Farms neighborhood. What a great venue! I had the carnivore calzone! It's sooo good. Italian sausage, ground beef, pepperoni and canadian bacon. Sorry, no pic lol…but here's a link to their website! https://www.soulshinepizza.com

Here's what the line-up looked like. I didn't get photos of everyone who played but will post links to those I can below this photo: 

Jacob Barker (@jacobbarkermusic)

Hannah McDonald https://www.hannahmcdonaldmusic.com

Meredith Foster https://music.apple.com/us/artist/meredith-foster/1599975804

Check out Drew Pulliam's music by (you guessed it!) clicking on his photo below!

After Drew, Faith Groves played. Check out her music here: https://www.faithgroves.com

One of the great things about this showcase was most of us knew each other from playing at Kokomo's open mic night! Not only was that cool but Patrick McCormic had just released a new single "56k' which you can find here:

https://music.apple.com/us/album/56k/1789262365?i=1789262367

Rachel Summers (who works at Kokomo) is also an extremely talented singer/songwriter. Check out her music by clicking on her photo below! Also, check out her socials for more newer music here: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/rachel-summers/1423738505 

After I played Dan Corio rocked the place! Click the photo below to check out his music!

And to finish out the night was the one and only Jonny and Clyde! Such great hosts,musicians, and friends! Check out their link in the photo below! And til the next blog….come on out and support live music and these wonderful venues/restaurants. And please, subscribe and leave comments below because I'd love to connect with you!

-JG

Happy New Year! Crazy to say 2025 isn't it? I'm still waiting on flying cars and hover boards but I've been finding some awesome venues to go hang out at! Check out the Bowery Vault in East Nashville. 

There's an open mic every Thursday night with sign-ups and networking at 4pm. Throw your name in the bucket and names will be drawn when music starts at 5pm! I went this past Thursday and wow! What a cool vibe this place has. So much talent as well! I'll be going to this venue at least once a month. 

Here's some photos of the inside and a few of the artist/writers that showed up. I wish I had thought to capture everybody that played but stay tuned…I'll post about this place again. 

My oldest daughter, Katrina, videoed a little and got some photos of me playing as well! Hope you like it. Leave some comments below if you've been there or know of some places you think I should go see next! 

Here's a link to their site https://www.theboweryvault.com I'll be recording “I ain't your dog” (solo write) and my newest cowrite “No Way Out” soon! I cowrote “No Way Out” with Olin Wallace https://www.olinwallacemusic.com and Quentin Hall http://www.youtube.com/@QuentinHallOfficial I'll also be recording another rock song I cowrote “Bed of Roses” on my EP. I cowrote that song with my good friend Wade Fitzgerald. He was in the band Secret Social Club which you can find on the social media platforms as @secretsocialclub.  Here's a link to the song on my YouTube Channel which I admit…needs some rebranding. https://youtu.be/9pTr5rHU5lk?si=udaKl88nH_nWOjUS to hear the whole song you'll need to come out and hear me play or search my socials until I get it recorded! My socials are all with @jrgregorymusic (instagram, tiktok, etc) I'm on a 40 day fast from social media so if you reach out and follow me I'll be back checking them Feb. 22nd. I'll keep you posted on this site with my blogs and calendar on where I'll be next so please! Come out and say hi! Links to songs here: https://youtu.be/3ddW-wcwgb4 and a taste of "No Way Out'….https://www.youtube.com/shorts/M0zPbLB5V-0 and Part 2 Here: https://youtube.com/shorts/e4Q78aR9EQ4?feature=share