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Kenny Rogers and William Michael Morgan Represent a Changing of the Guard in Nashville

by Rich and Laura Lynch

Nashville talent comes and goes. Some artists are a flash in the pan while others - like the legendary Kenny Rogers - sustain a sixty year career. But, like everything else, all good things must come to an end. That's what we learned while seated on The Steps at WME (#thestepsatwme) on Tuesday, July 18, 2017 when Blackbird Presents and The Gambler together announced a star-studded farewell celebration and concert to be held at the Bridgestone Arena in October.


A smiling Kenny Rogers plans one final and fantastic farewell in Nashville.

He held on for a long time and now he knows when to fold them in spectacular fashion with "All In For The Gambler: Kenny Rogers' Farewell Concert Celebration," an all-star concert event taping in Nashville, Tennessee on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 at 7PM CT. This once-in-a-lifetime concert event will honor Kenny Rogers' historic work in the biz and will feature the final performance together by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, one of popular music's most beloved duets of all time. The one-night-only concert event will bring together fans, friends and music icons to celebrate Kenny Rogers with many special guest performances by Little Big Town, Alison Krauss, The Flaming Lips, Idina Menzel, Jamey Johnson, Elle King and many others to be announced in the coming weeks.

On the same day that Rogers was shutting down his fantastic roadshow another artist was getting his show on the road over on Music Row where the performing rights organization BMI was continuing their summer rooftop concert series with a headlining set by William Michael Morgan. This up and coming young gun deftly mines the territory of traditional country and you can see why his good looks and charisma has carried him this far already. Morgan played a few covers - one by a strong influence on him George Strait - in addition to two rock nuggets. "Drops of Jupiter" and "Chasing Cars" were surprising but well-structured by the artist's sizable backing band. He saved his first number one hit "I Met a Girl" for last showing that the cowboy hat wearing Morgan is well on his way to being the next big thing.


William Michael Morgan is the new wave of traditional country in Nashville.

Preceding Morgan were the Fairground Saints - a trio from Santa Barbara, California who less than a year ago sold everything they owned and packed what they had left for a cross-country ride to Nashville. That bold leap of faith has landed them both a publishing deal and a recording contract with Verve Music Group/Universal Records. Band members Mason Van Valin (vocals and guitar), Elijah Edwards (vocals, guitar, mandolin, keyboards, Dobro, accordion) and Megan McAllister (vocals, guitar, dulcimer) revealed just why that quick recognition is well-deserved on a number of songs including the well paced "Turn This Car Around" which finds the band heading in the right direction. Opening the show was Payton Taylor - a sassy redhead from New Jersey.

"We're excited to host some of Nashville's best country acts on the rooftop of BMI," said Mason Hunter, Executive Director, Strategic Partnerships and Events, before thanking his sponsors for the series that include George Dickel Whisky, Yeti Coolers, Texas Roadhouse, Sam Adams, Twisted Tea and Topo Chico. These private, VIP-only events are scheduled through September and promise live music from a mix of up-and-comers and established veterans. "We've got great music, top notch cocktails and an unbeatable view, making for an unforgettable evening. The whole series is going to be great."



The Fairground Saints - more than fair in Music City.

Related Links: For more information on KENNY ROGERS and BMI ROOFTOP ON THE ROW and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -- Kenny Rogers | BMI | William Michael Morgan | Fairground Saints | Payton Taylor


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