Erin Ashleigh, Tonya Stout, Tonja Rose, Mason Douglas & Co.

It was actually only my second time to grace the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville on Friday, Feb. 3, 2012.  The first time was quite an eye-opener - very small bar/cafe, packed elbow-to-elbow crowd and 4 great songwriters taking their turn bringing us a collage of their funny, poignant and happy-go-lucky numbers.  I left thinking, "Yeah, that was fine, but why so many people in that little place?"  Well, this time I got it!  My friend and I arrived 5 mins. late to an even more-packed-than-before Bluebird.  The stage was filled with seats that were squeezed in so tight I couldn't figure out how it was done.  The performers were in the center of the room on the floor, even more reachable than the last time.  Our table was in a convenient location, right up next to the circle.  My girlfriend, who has a raspy low voice made a comment after one song that was picked up by their mics and the whole audience roared, THAT'S how tight and close we all were!  (Side thought: this show was sold out when reservations began.  If they bought neighboring businesses this cafe would make a fortune!)  Each of the 4 featured singers would sing, followed by the next, and so on, so everyone in the circle was constantly plucking, playing, harmonizing, singing, etc. 


I had been invited to this show by Erin Ashleigh, front person/singer for the country band Koriander(koriandermusic.com).  Erin is a gorgeous, appealing performer, complete with long, curled blonde hair and big, beautiful eyes.  One is drawn to her just from her outward appeal, aside from her musical talents.   She opened up her heart with a funny tune, "Me and Jack Are Breaking Up," which, by the name would tell you there was humor in this song.   One of the other 4 performers, Mason Douglas, and Erin co-wrote her next number about a girl named Savannah, followed by "Be-You-T-Ful," a personal favorite of mine, inspiring us to be US, to be beautiful with all of our hearts loving ourselves as we are.  "Your Place Or Mine?"  So much fun!  Ms. Ashleigh is gifted all the way around, with beauty, writing ability and with not only singing talent but with stage presence.  Her messages are very strong, as one example "Belle of the Wrecking Ball" with piano accompanying her, thus bringing out the tune's full expression.  


Keyboardist EJ (Erskine) Ford, Jr., who is keyboardist and band leader for Koriander, provided amazing piano sounds for the entire group on most of the numbers.  Honestly, everyone's accompaniment for each other epitomized a band that had been playing together for months, and this was just a one-night performance together for the featured singers!


Unfortunately due to the lack of stage and the circling setup for the singers Tonya Stout's back was to me.  That's no reflection of her talent, but did make it slightly hard to feel her emotions as much as the others as I couldn't watch her face.  However,  Tonya not only sings but plays a pretty good guitar.  She's from Indiana and with a birth name like Tonya Lynette Whitman, she knew she was destined for Tennessee AND country music.  Her voice has a definite country "schound," but is very beautiful and melodious at the same time.   "Every Dog Has His Day" was fun and upbeat, and "Being Your Wife" (I think was the name) spoke of making vows to her husband and falling for him everyday all over again....very romantic!  Her humor came out full-swing with "The Only Thing Wrong With You is Him."


Tonja Rose............ a striking brunette, appealing not only as a songwriter/performer, but also as a speaker/announcer.  She reminds me of Rachael Ray, meaning Ray's true gift is cooking, but she knows how to host guests and bring out secrets, fun things and gifts they have.  Tonja moderated and brought humor in between everyone else's music!  "Move" was moving, telling us her love is writing music more than singing and that showed with her very lyrical choices that night.  "Getting Started," then showed her amazing vocal talent, as her voice backed away from the mic still filled the room clearly.  A song about taking second chances "Dancing" made us want to get up and dance, even though there was definitely no room for that.  Her following numbers "Three Things You Dont Burn and Go Scott Free" and "The Bible, Old Glory and Me" were truly melodious.  Her final tune, "That Was What I Was Afraid Of" was touching, thoughtful and, of course, beautiful.  What a great, all-around performer!  Check her out at Tonjarose.com.  


Lastly, the one male performer was Mason Douglas (Masondouglasmusic.com).   This gentleman is a definite love of performing!  His personality stood out to me as a one-of-a-kind.  He also has stong guitar talent along with vocals as he began with "Can't You Feel the Temperature Rising."  He and extra guitarist Jesse were dueling guitarists on this and several songs.  "Let Your Hands Speak to Me" was sweet, full of emotion and unbelievable.  This song brought tears to everyone's eyes, even the other performers!  Then his next time around he changed his mood to humorous with "Show Me What You Got...."  (Under Your Red Hood), combining his lyrics and music with a Lady Gaga tune.  His last number,  "Anything Could Happen" seriously brought the house down.

Again, this was one amazing mix of talent in one night!  This seemed again to be a band all taking turns singing as they showed admiring friendship and respect to each one's brand of country music.  I was unfortunately never able to get the extra-guitarist's full name..... l only got Jesse, but his talent for picking up everyone's music was undeniably professional.  EJ Ford's keyboard talent is truly one that anyone would want with their band, even though he leads Koriander.  His fingers were constantly moving over the keys, even if he wasn't accompanying that particular song.  


Erin's last number "Second-Hand Smoke" was perfect, my favorite number for the evening!  The bridge was awesome, the song was beautiful, and it was definitely a perfect ending to a perfect evening.  


This group showed me I HAVE to spend more time at the Bluebird as I know there's probably going to be more talent like this at the cafe!  See ya'll then!