As is the story nearly every other night in Music City, this Thursday night is a great night for music. The Dead Weather featuring Jack White of The White Stripes, Alison Mosshart of The Kills, Dean Fertita of Queens of the Stone Age and Jack Lawrence of The Raconteurs are sure to rock your face at War Memorial with the Screaming Females. But, before and after the show you probably have time to squeeze in some Bare love.

At 6 O’Clock country music legend Bobby Bare (”The All American Boy,” “Shame on You”)is playing at 12th and Porter, for free. The show featuring Bobby Bare, Dixie’s Finest and The Henningsens starts at 6 and is brought to you by BMI. Bare is one of the first to record from many well- known song writers such as Billy Joe Shaver, Tom T. Hall, Shel Silverstein and Kris Kristofferson.

Several hours later, you can catch his son Bobby Bare Jr. at The Basement, also for free. The younger Bare’s show starts at 11:45, with Ghostfinger as the backing band. The show is a warm up before Bobby Bare Jr heads out on tour with Th’ Legendary Shack Shakers Saturday in New Orleans. BBJ was nominated for a grammy at the age of 6 for a duet with his dad called “daddy what if.” Bare Jr also co-produced his dad’s last record The Moon was Blue in 2006.

How could you not love Nashville?

The woman accused of stalking country singer Gary Allan (Watching Airplanes) now has a permanant restraining order against her. Several band members, former members and Gary’s management company took the stand Tuesday and sat face to face with the alleged stalker, Katherine Walker, as she served as her own attorney. Walker argued with all of them for several hours, sharing juicy details of her story in the small Sumner county courtrooom.  

Walker accused the country singer of having phone sex with her, liking little girls, regularly calling her, emailing and myspace messaging her and using drugs (among many other things). Allan denied all accounts, saying he had never met Walker before she showed up uninvited at his Hendersonville home.

Sumner County Chancery Court Judge Tom Gray made the restraining order on Walker permanent. She is expected back in court Friday to face criminal charges from an incident in May, where Walker was caught on tape vandalizing his home and two cars. Walker hasn’t denied doing the damage.  

Country star Gary Allan is scheduled to testify today (Tuesday) in a Sumner County courtroom against his alleged stalker, Katherine Walker. Walker was arrested in May for stalking, burglary and vandalism after a destructive incident at Gary’s home was caught on surveillance video. I’ll be in the courtroom and have the latest for you here on stephinthecity.

Country singer Carrie Underwood attended a birthday shindig at Cabana (one of my fav spots) Saturday night, with a group of pals. According to Steph spies Carrie had a salad for dinner then hung-out for several hours in a Cabana.




A group of Carrie’s fans from Auburn were so stoked to see the country star, that they sent a letter and a picture to Carrie’s table. After receiving it, Carrie was a true sweetheart and came out to take a group pic with the ladies. How sweet!




If you see any celebs out and about email me by clicking HERE!!!

Country star Trace Adkins is now a comic book hero? Random!

From the press release- Country music sensation Trace Adkins can now add action hero to his ongoing list of career accomplishments. In November, 12 Gauge Comics unleashes “LUKE MCBAIN,” a four-issue comic book series featuring a tough Southern hero that is based on the platinum-selling country star.

The title character of Luke McBain is drawn to Adkins’ likeness and reflects some of the 6′6″ singer’s philosophy. The story takes place when McBain returns home to rural Louisiana after serving 14 years in prison, having taken the fall for a crime he didn’t commit. He finds himself in a town now controlled by greed and corruption, and he’s the only one with the courage to set things right.

Actor Jeremy Piven of HBO’s hit show “Entourage” was in Nashville Monday night for the CMT red carpet premiere of his new film, The Goods: Live Hard. Sell Hard. The Emmy-winner then hit Lower Broadway for some serious honky-tonking at the famed Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge where he partied with country duo Halfway to Hazard and Jaron Lowenstein of Evan and Jaron. Piven even got on stage and sat in on drums for a set of music that included classic covers such as ZZ Top’s “Tush,” Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition,” and The Eagles’ “Take It Easy,” among others.

After rocking out Piven settled into the the famous front booth with co-star Ed Helm and others, where he threw back shots and sipped on Grey Goose and soda. Before heading out, Piven, Warrix, Tolliver, and Lowenstein posed in a vintage triple black Lincoln Continental Convertible parked in front of the bar, belonging to Tootsie’s owner Steve Smith. The vehicle is identical to Johnny Drama’s ride from Entourage.

If you see any celebs out & about email me by clicking HERE!!!

Photo credit: Bev Moser, Moments by Moser

Leave it up to Chris Hyndman to bring something else exciting to Nashville’s nightlife.
From the press release- Chris Hyndman, owner of highly successful and innovative restaurant concepts Virago and Lime, is pleased to announce that the development of a new restaurant and entertainment destination neighborhood is underway. The development is to be named M STREET, an abbreviated moniker alluding to its location on McGavock Street between 11th and 12th Avenues in the Gulch area.

“M STREET is a locals driven destination part of the Gulch, providing independent alternatives to the chains that inhabit the other end of the Gulch development. The ultimate goal is to provide a diverse group of independent establishments with a one-stop-shop location that appeals to savvy locals, foodies, and sophisticated nightlife seekers,” stated Chris Hyndman.

M STREET shall be developed in three phases. The first phase of construction, already underway, is comprised of Whiskey Kitchen and Kayne Prime. Loose ends are being tied up to bring nine-year veteran Virago over to anchor M STREET as part of phase two. The vision for phase three consists of a proposed fourth restaurant/bar concept and an adjoining music venue/event space.

Whiskey Kitchen and Kayne Prime expect to open late summer/early fall. The goal is to open a new, expanded Virago early 2010. Phase three projects to be completed before the end of 2010. All establishments exist on the same block of McGavock Street between 11th and 12th Avenues.

Whiskey Kitchen is a new concept to be housed in the building previously occupied by Agave. “The building is being completely gutted and given a face-lift with an architecturally inspiring new look that will more successfully fit into the neighborhood of cool vintage brick warehouses,” said Hyndman. The ceiling will be raised, reclaimed oak introduced (read whiskey barrels), and walls clad with tobacco crocodile leather and brick. Massive convertible windows will open to allow light and breeze into the space. A “mingle patio” with a brick fire pit will also be added for al fresco socializing.

The concept is described as “tavern cool” featuring an inexpensive yet high quality menu of gourmet pub fare. Wood-fired pizzas, gourmet burgers, and eclectic styles of wings, nachos, BBQ, etc, are all created and prepared with Culinary Director Chef Scott Alderson’s innovative inspirations.

Kayne Prime is a new restaurant concept to be located in the building previously occupied by Radius 10. Kayne Prime is Nashville’s premiere modern steakhouse – a fusion of the best elements of a traditional upscale steakhouse with the creative flair and stylish design of a contemporary chef-driven restaurant.

Scott Alderson, formerly the executive chef and owner of restaurants 6 Degrees and Saffire, chef of Layl’a Rul, and chef consultant on Lime, Radius 10, and Blue Moon Lagoon, currently owns the popular Santa Rosa Beach, Florida bar and grill “Jambone”. Alderson functions as the initial Culinary Director of all Hyndman’s restaurants, and plans to move a second Jambone to Nashville in the near future.

Picture of Radius 10 courtesy of www.nashville.ismyhome.com/

Ahoy, Matey! Pirate’s united at the Patterson House Monday night to honor the ships favorite swashbuckler, Ben Goldberg. Spirits, food and treasures filled the room as dozens of friends and family members celebrated the bash titled, A Pirate Looks at 30. A remote control pirate photobooth provided entertainment as well (photobooth collage courtesy of Sarah Gilliam). By the time the shenanigans wrapped up I was feeling squiffy, while some others were three sheets to the wind. Yo Ho Ho! Ok enough pirate slang.

Over the past several years Ben has established himself as a fabulous restaurateur/business owner (Bar Twenty3, Paradise Park, Aerial), but little did I know his dreams started so young. His closest family and friends took turns telling funny stories and toasting his life. Ben’s mom Sylvia Rapoport shared with party goers about his candy vending machine company while he was just a young boy in school and a few funny secrets. Ben’s Dad, his bro Max, his GF Tara Tocco, hi BF Imaan Federosi and Scott Sherald all shared a toast as well. It was truly inspirational. Cheers Ben!

Among those pictured- Ben Goldberg having a birthday shot, Summer & Stephanie Langston, Heather Byrd, Layla Ellis & Deanna Bruton, Ben & Tara Tocco, Patterson House partners Toby Maloney & Kristen Campbell, Virginia Rapoport & Frederica Tompkins, Max Abrams with Andy & Chad Baker, Jim O’Shea with newlyweds Rebecca & Shane Batchelor, Patterson House partner Jason Cott and Walker Shell proving how daring he is by jumping on top of the bar.

There is no doubt that the rain storms effected the 25th anniversary of the “Music City July 4th: Let Freedom Sing!” celebration in Riverfront Park Saturday night. The show, one of the nation’s best, choreographed to live music by the Nashville Symphony, started earlier than planned because of the storms. Many of my pals were still in route to downtown and missed the pyrotechnics and fireworks erupting over the Cumberland River. I, however, had already settled into my spot on top of Gary Bowie & Melody Malloy’s 2nd Avenue loft roof-top party. It was my 2nd year to attend their party, that’s one of the best places in town to watch all the excitement. Our umbrella worked for a little while, but it wasn’t long before the rain down-poured on everyone that was trying to tough it out. We still stuck it out to catch country music superstar Wynonna Judd headline and watch every last firework explode. Inside the loft party, folks dried off by enjoying the carnival party theme, complete with hot dogs, cotton candy, popcorn, glow sticks and games like the ring toss.

Among those pictured- host Gary Bowie & Melody Malloy sharing a kiss, Eleanor Whitworth (whose caricature is going up at The Palm Thursday) & MJ Roberts, Trish Vogel & Morelia Cuevas, Kathy Anderson & David Malloy, Nicole Andree, Scott Collins & Gary, John Hardin & me, Christophe Jamar & Dan Corrigan and Mindy & Zane Gannon

It was easy to spot Aaron Carter at his “Pre Independence Day Dance Party” Friday night at Mai in Nashville. The singer was clad in an original sparkly silver Michael Jackson jacket, which he took off to show me the autograph inside. He shared with me the similarities of his and Michael Jackson’s life, referring to getting involved in the music industry at such a young age. He reminisced on opening for MJ and told me Michael gave him the jacket for all of his hard work.

Aaron hung upstairs in the VIP for most of the night with party partner/friend Brent Young and pals, taking picture after picture with fans. He made his big debut by taking a seat on top of the wall above the bar that leads up to the DJ booth. Once there, he asked for a moment of silence for Michael Jackson, then performed about 6 songs for the crowd, singing while playing back up tracks on his laptop. After performing he gave a shout out to his brother Nick Carter and played a Backstreet Boys song.

It appeared to be the normal Mai crowd in attendance, with a few Aaron Carter fans mixed in. I did speak to one girl who came all the way from Miami.

Among those pictured- Aaron, DJ Mindub, Jonathan Carey (dancer for Taylor Swift) & BJ Burlxe, Russ (in his Aaron Carter lookalike jacket), Olivia Leeds & Rebecca Winters, Brent Young & Aaron, Greg Sanford & Teresa Thompson, Josh Smith & steel guitar player Bucky Baxter, Hilary Williams & Aaron, Phil & Benny, London Tobler & Hallih, Alex Hood, Minh Nguyen & Jade Driver, Ralph Angell, Bianca Fox & Victor Hoggett