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Gram National and Nashville

NEWS!!! 3rd annual Gram National to be held in Nashville (and Boston), see below. The first two Gram Nationals were held in Nashville, the first in 2008 at the newly re-opened back room of the Nashville Palace (T-shirts still available from that memorable event). The second annual was held in one of the hottest places to hear music in Nashville, East Nashville's The 5 Spot. We are taking it on the road in 2010, to commemorate Gram Parsons' re-invention, or whatever you want to call it, of country music in Boston/Cambridge, where he formed the International Submarine Band 45 years ago this fall. More on Gram National at links below. The event is in support of the petition to induct Gram Parsons into the Country Music Hall of Fame (link also below), with 3,300 signers from around the world so far.

Will James, Gram Parsons Petition Project & Gram National
http://www.gramnational.us
http://www.gramparsonspetition.com
http://www.facebook.com/inductgramparsons
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gram-National-2010/267975977963
http://www.reverbnation.com/gramnational
http://www.nodepression.com/group/gramparsonsprojectBB (GP Group)
http://www.nodepression.com/group/areacode615 (Nashville Group)
http://www.myspace.com/myster_jones
http://twitter.com/G3P

Paste Magazine: http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2009/10/help-induct-gram-pars...
Nashville Scene Critic's Pick: http://www.nashvillescene.com/2009-09-17/arts/gram-parsons-tribue-a...
The Tennessean: http://blogs.tennessean.com/tunein/2009/09/01/5-spot-holds-2nd-annu...

Tags: Boston, CMHOF, Country, Fame, Gram, Hall, Music, Nashville, Parsons, of, More…petition

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Will James on July 10, 2010 at 2:59pm

A local (Nashville I suppose) blogger posted an erroneous blog yesterday. My promotions assistant responded early today but it's still in "moderation" meaning he hasn't posted it. I will post her reply below. Gram National (then called the Gram Parsons Tribute Night, but always officially Gram National) is not by any means ignoring Nashville (BTW, its Director, me, is also the admin for this ND Nashville Group). I'll let Melissa respond below.

Permalink Reply by Will James on July 10, 2010 at 3:03pm

We are not sure who your source is, Mr. Carew, but we would suggest you find a new one. The 3rd Annual Gram National (what you refer to as Tribute Concert) is all over the web, with details (some links below). The festival will be in Boston/Cambridge this year on Parsons' birthday, the reason: to commemorate 45 years this fall since Gram Parsons created Cosmic American country music there, with the International Submarine Band. It will run two nights at The Precinct (a former police station), with 12 mainly regional bands from New Jersey/NYC to Maine, but also from places such as Columbus, Ohio (all of whom "get" Gram Parsons). As you must know, the purpose of the festival is to back the petition to induct Mr. Parsons into the Country Music Hall of Fame, which has garnered 3,300 signatures from around the world so far. Yes, the CMA and CMHOF are in Nashville; however, Nashville doesn't own country music. Those signers from around the world do.

Mr. Will James, Executive Director of G3P & Gram National also administers a No Depression (the online website devoted to true country and roots music) community for Nashville (called Area Code 615). This should help you understand his commitment to Nashville. During the Flood, he was one of the first to post stories on No Depression to increase global awareness of the tragedy happening in that great city. Will encourages all those who love Nashville as he does to join and actively participate in Area Code 615 (as long as posts are factual and not offensive - he does administer his groups).

We loved playing the 5 Spot and Nashville Palace, and we intend to return to Nashville next year for Gram's 65th birthday commemoration. Any venues that are interested in hosting the 4th annual Gram National November 2011, please contact us.

Sincerely,

Melissa Hunsicker, Promotions Assistant
Gram Parsons Petition Project (G3P) & Gram National
http://www.gramnational.us

Permalink Reply by Will James on July 10, 2010 at 3:17pm

Also, just to mention, two of the bands from the first two GNs are playing this year: Brian Molnar & the Naked Hearts (8 wks on the AMA charts this year) and the Derelicts. Also, Lynda Lucas from Ireland, who performed so brilliantly at The 5 Spot, was invited but could not make it this year, as were several other veteran GNers who could not make it. We do have a great new talent from Columbus, Ohio; but you can check that out at the links. BTW, anyone from Nashville is welcome at The Precinct in Boston on Gram 64th birthday, Nov. 5 (and 6) this year!

Permalink Reply by Don Gallardo on July 11, 2010 at 9:12am

Why can't you do a couple shows??? I can put one together this year in Nashville if you want? We could shoot for early to mid September. I could get loads of bands on board! And could nail down a wekend night at the 5 Spot.....

Permalink Reply by Will James on July 11, 2010 at 9:19am

Don, contact me through ND mail, OK?

Permalink Reply by Will James on July 11, 2010 at 9:35am

This is an interesting concept. Obviously I can't be in two places at once and the main Gram National this year is in Boston. My hands (and pocketbook) are incredibly full with Boston. However, as the Band sang, We Can Talk about it now...

Permalink Reply by Saving Country Music on July 12, 2010 at 4:01pm

What a hack piece of yellow journalism that Underground Nashville article is. Sorry but I'm hot. First he presents it like you're trying to kick Nashville when its down, and then tries to act like he's breaking the news story of the century with wrong information and "unnamed sources." This is the textbook definition of tilting at windmills.

What a hack.

I never like to dogpile on fellow writers trying to help the cause, but this gives bloggers a bad name.

Permalink Reply by Will James on July 12, 2010 at 4:16pm

No comment, but we hear you Brother. Stay tuned for some potential good news however (or not, but I can say we're putting in 200% on this right now).

Permalink Reply by Will James on July 14, 2010 at 9:36am

Very pleased to announce that Lynda Lucas of Dublin (Ireland) will be joining Gram National 2010 in Boston once again this year. Lynda played an excruciatingly beautiful set of Gram Parsons songs at GN 2009 last year and was a huge hit. Below is her own tribute show she put on last year in Ireland before coming over for GN. Welcome Lynda! So, "Underground Nashville," that's three artists/bands from last year in Nashville playing the GN 2010 in Boston.

Permalink Reply by Will James on July 14, 2010 at 9:37am

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendI...

Permalink Reply by Will James on July 21, 2010 at 8:35am

BIG BRAND NEW NEWS!!! GRAM NATIONAL 2010 NASHVILLE... There will be TWO Gram Nationals in 2010, the one you've heard about in Boston/Cambridge to commemorate 45 years since Parsons began it all there... AND once again, back at The 5 Spot in Nashville, GRAM NATIONAL 2010 NASHVILLE, both on Nov 5, Gram's Birthday (Boston, and 6th). Please stay tuned for more, both are going to be INCREDIBLE!!!

Permalink Reply by Will James on July 25, 2010 at 5:08pm

The Burrito Brothers with Walter Egan et al. join Gram National 2010 Nashville at the 5 Spot, on Gram's 64th birthday, Nov 5. Walter co-wrote "Hearts on Fire," recorded by Gram Parsons on his last album, Grievous Angel, and in 1978 had a million-selling single with "Magnet and Steel." Stay tuned for more.