Round Up
by Garland Harwood

Pickin Into 2015 in NYC & Nashville

John Oliver suggests that New Year’s Eve isn’t worth celebrating. This may be true, but regardless this week is primed with some great shows. I’m heading to Nashville this year, so I thought it’d be fun to give shout outs to some of the big events there and back home.

NEW YORK

Dec 30:

  • davesMichael Daves’ All Star Bluegrass Throwdown – One of the more exciting tickets on this list isn’t even happening on NYE. Tonight, Michael Daves’ sold out All-Star Bluegrass Throwdown at the Bell House will feature the band he’s been recording with for his Twin Albums project at a Park Slope church for the last few days. That lineup includes Noam Pikelny, Sarah Jarosz, Brittany Haas and Mike Bub (ex. Del McCoury Band bassist). The Lonesome Trio will open the night and you can look for a bunch of special guests to make appearances, including Tony Trischka, Jen Larson, Chris Eldridge, Alex Hargreaves, Mike Barnett, Courtney Hartman and more.  Should be a grand time.
  • Deer Tick Performs’ Elvis Costello’s “My Aim Is True” – Deer Tick continues a 10th anniversary residency at the Brooklyn Bowl this week. Tonight they’ll be playing songs off of Costello’s legendary 1977 debut. Tickets still available.
  • Patti Smith – Smith, one of the most poetic songwriters in the world, completes a two-night run at Webster Hall

Dec 31:

  • Deer Tick Performs Fan Requests – You decide the set at Brooklyn Bowl, which will be opened up by T Hardy Morris.

Jan 1:

  • Joseph Arthur & Chuck Prophet – the 5th Annual Bash at City Winery features these great songwriters.

NASHVILLE

Dec 30:

  • Old Crow Medicine Show and Carolina Chocolate Drops – catch these two legendary crews at Ryman Auditorium on back-to-back sold out performances.
  • Cale Tyson and Friends – Our friend Cale Tyson has gained a lot of steam with the release of his latest EP, which you can get a taste of tonight at one of Nashville’s best new restaurants, Acme Feed & Seed.

slimDec 31:

  • Paul and the Broken Bones w/The Black Cadillacs & Through The Sparks – We’ve been screaming about these guys for almost a year now. As expected, they’ve gotten a lot of hype and I expect that will only continue. What other guy can dance on Bob Boilen’s desk and get away with it than Paul Janeway? The gorgeous Marathon Music Works will hold this awesome show.
  • Off the Wagon w/John Tomlin and Company – You can bring in the New Year with these locals playing John Hartford’s 1987 classic Gum Tree Canoe from and start-to-finish. What better place to do that than The Station Inn, Nashville’s iconic bluegrass home which has been hanging on while the neighborhood surrounding it morphs.
  • Marty Stuart – Ring in 2015 with the finest head of hair in Nashville. Country legend and picture-taker plays two shows at City Winery.
  • Old Crow Medicine Show and Carolina Chocolate Drops – again, at the Ryman.

Jan 1:


  • City Winery’s New Year’s Day Extravaganza with Langhorne Slim & Cory Chisel     – Not sure that I’ll be able to handle so much soul on a day that could involve a hangover, but I’m heading to City Winery for this fine event (even while my alma mater crushes the Buckeyes). Slim and Chisel will host Jonny Fritz, Joshua Hedley, Ruby Amanfu, The Watson Twins and more.