All Feature Articles

The Gospel of Paul Sprawl Spreads Throughout Mid-Tennessee

by Rich and Laura Lynch

Musician Paul Sprawl has been on a long-haul in the Fall of 2016 as he has been touring the country along with his wife in support of his most recent release, Dream Zoo. The pair rolled into Nashville for a memorable intimate house concert at the Germantown Commons community on Sunday, October 16, 2016.


Paul Sprawl spread his message across Tennessee in October 2016.

Sprawl describes the songs on his latest recording as being "about the war for human imagination". His compositions were imaginative and musically intricate showcasing his complex and compelling approach to the acoustic guitar.

On Sunday, Paul detailed how this was the eighth gig on his current tour that was being performed on the premises of an intentional community. On the prior day he appeared at the world famous commune in Summertown, Tennessee known as The Farm for an appreciative audience at their Integrity House theater. That was the second performance of the day for him as he also spent the afternoon playing for the 28th Annual Festival of Books in the shadow of the State Capitol Building.

A small but energetic crowd gathered on the lawn under the Super Moon near the Germantown Commons' recently completed community room. Sprawl opened this show with his timely "Refugee" that was raw and real with strong, sturdy percussive strumming and effects. This was his most politically stirring number but he did also make a comment about the lack of bumper stickers for either candidate this season - and that really underscored the current mood of the nation as we stare down the abyss looming on the calendar.

Paul Sprawl introduced a number called "Touch of Evil" inspired by the Orson Welles directed movie of the same name. He asked if anyone in the audience had watched the film and not one had. He said that was okay because no one else on this current run of dates had heard of the movie, either.


At one point a fan requested "Leralee" named for Sprawl's wife who also added intriguing improvisational interpretation to Paul's observational story-telling in the form acrobatic dance. Sprawl described how the duo have been traveling around the country on this tour in a packed van and that led into a song about riding the rails on an Amtrak train. Paul added some slide and harmonica as he told his tale in one-man band style.

Sprawl's appearances in Tennessee showcased a talented troubadour not afraid to take his message to fans one show at a time. His unique combination of rhythmic guitar techniques with bottleneck, tapping, harmonica and an authoritative baritone voice leads us to believe that his cult will continue to grow conclusively on the strength of his charismatic approach to music.

The Southern Festival of Books is a three-day Festival celebrated each year during the second full weekend of October. It is free and open to the public. The Festival annually welcomes more than 200 authors from throughout the nation and in every genre for readings, panel discussions and book signings. Book lovers have the opportunity to hear from and meet some of America's foremost writers in fiction, history, mystery, food, biography, travel, poetry and children's literature among others.

The Farm is an intentional community of families and friends living on three square miles in southern middle Tennessee. They formed in 1971 with the goal of establishing a strongly cohesive, outwardly-directed community. They strive, by action and example, to have a positive effect on the world. Over the last 40+ years, The Farm has become well known for many things, from natural childbirth and midwifery to healthy diet and vegetarian cuisine, creative arts and alternative technologies to its partnerships and assistance to native cultures.


Leralee and Paul entertained under the Super Moon in Music City.

Related Links: For more information on PAUL SPRAWL and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -- Paul Sprawl | Southern Festival of Books | The Farm


.







Do you like MCN??? Did you know that the easiest way to support this site is to BUY our founder's pair of DEBUT ALBUMS on BANDCAMP? At check out you can even throw in a bit more to really say "we appreciate you"! Thanks!!!





The Belmont Bruins Take Two From MTSU at the Curb Event Center in Nashville



The New & Old World - A Collection of Rare Spanish Arts Sails Into the Nashville Symphony Center



Guitar Legend Lee Roy Parnell Brings His Texas Flavored Christmas to Broadway in Nashville



Troy Kemp and AC/DC: Aussie Acts Planting Their Flag in Music City



Ben Folds Throws a Paper Airplane Party in Nashville



Thankful Once Again for The Catio in Nashville



The Frontmen Deliver Their First Ever Christmas Concert at the Tennessee Ballroom in Nashville



Turning On the 10th Annual Holiday Lights at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens in Belle Meade



Zoolumination Celebrates the Year of the Dragon at the Nashville Zoo



Rhiannon Giddens and Silkroad Ensemble Bring American Railroad to the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville



Country Superstar Ronnie McDowell Opens the Troubadour VIP Lounge in the Music Valley



Judah & the Lion Wrap Up Opening Leg of The Process Tour with a Joyous Hometown Show at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium



Another Festive Night on the Farm with Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Don Schlitz and Stephanie Chapman



Checking Out the Music City Greenways With a Little Help From the Nashville Public Library



It Was Great to See Tom Petty Again in Nashville



There Were Thousands of Reasons to Visit Cheekwood Harvest in Nashville



Grand Ole Opry Community Day Provides Local Residents with 99 Reasons to Smile in Nashville



Celebrating 65 Years of FAME and The Muscle Shoals Sound in Huntsville



Songwriter Tim O'Connell Completes His Trilogy at The Shelby in Nashville



Comedian Steve Goodie is Good and Funny in Nashville





Pure Prairie League - Back on Track



Dan Tyminski - Live From The Ryman



Kim Richey - Every New Beginning



Jack McKeon - Talking to Strangers



Avery Anna - Mood Swings



Dex Green - Imaginary War



Jon Muq - Flying Away



Don McLean - American Boys



Jason Minton - Rock Collection



Chris BadNews Barnes - BadNews Travels Fast





• Meet Rich and Laura Lynch.

© 2024 MusicCityNashville.net
All Rights Reserved