**NELA Music Scene**
RUSTON ON THE ROW: A NASHVILLE STYLE WRITERS ROUND AT THE DIXIE CENTER
August 30, 2024, Ruston, LA
The chandelier sparkled over the warm stage lights as the audience gathered at the historic Dixie Center. With every passing moment, anticipation grew. The lights dimmed, and Carter Windham walked on stage. “Good evening, I’m Carter Windham.” A cowboy and his guitar Carter’s authentic performance and songwriting stories created a picturesque setting for the evening. Playing original compositions like “Cover Band,” “Spend It,” and “Jack and Jill,” Carter drew cheers and applause throughout his performance. Carter came down from Nashville, Tennessee to open the show. He is someone I will try to keep up with.
Recording artists Briana Calhoun, Bob DiPiero, Chancie Neal, and Kix Brooks took the stage seated side by side with acoustic guitars. Briana spoke to the audience about revitalizing the music scene and launched into a blazing performance of “If These Boots Could Talk.” It was a stunning display of her vocals and songwriting abilities. Her voice filled every nook and cranny of the venue. As I listened to her sing, my first thought was, “What a night this is going to be.”
Bob DiPiero’s appearance at Ruston on the Row was courtesy of Kix inviting him to join. Bob played a beautiful rendition of “Church on Cumberland Road,” with Kix accompanying him on harmonica. By the time the song ended, the audience understood the musical bond between Kix and Bob. Kix then shared the story of how producer Tim DuBois paired him with Ronnie Dunn. They wrote “Brand New Man” in a day and many other songs in just a few days. Kix brought back many memories when he played their 1991 hit “Lost and Found,” evoking an emotional response from the audience.
By this time in the show, it’s as if we are all sitting in a diner, café, or coffee shop telling old stories with childhood friends. We heard about their lives, their journeys, process of songwriting, and got to know who they are.
Chancie spoke about her passion for rodeoing and her experience as a World Champion barrel racer. She then performed a brilliantly crafted song called “Rodeo Money,” with Briana singing the background vocals. Chancie’s rich, soulful voice resonated with the audience throughout the evening, drawing applause and accolades. Briana then shared her journey to becoming a teacher, her experiences as a mother, and played “Learn Girl,” an anthem celebrating all those embarking on the same journey she made. What a beautiful song.
Bob DiPiero shared a story about a song he wrote titled “Blue Clear Sky,” inspired by the movie Forrest Gump. In the movie, Forrest talks about his girlfriend Jenny and how she would come and go from his life. At one point, Forrest says, “And out of the blue clear sky, Jenny came back.” Bob turned that phrase into a song. Sometime later, Bob received a phone call from George Strait. George was in the studio when he called Bob to ask where he was from. George said that in Texas they say “Clear Blue Sky.” Bob explained the Forrest Gump story, and George relented. Not only did the song title stay the same, but George also named his 1996 album “Blue Clear Sky.”
Kix told a story about a historic venue he used to play at on Bourbon Street in New Orleans during his younger days. After some success, he took Ronnie to see it many years later, but it had been updated and wasn’t the same. Their evening in New Orleans did not end there. Later that evening, they sang one of their hits at a karaoke club. The audience loved this story. Kix launched into their 2003 hit song “Red Dirt Road,” and the crowd responded with cheers, with some people standing in the upper levels of the theater. Kix’s kind spirit, guitar playing, rich powerful voice, and creativity define him as an artist. I have enjoyed listening to him play and tell stories.
Chancie Neal described what it was like songwriting in Nashville. With every story, I learned a little more about their process. Chancie played her song “Drunk on That,” drawing thunderous applause. Briana told a poignant story about her daughter’s inspiration for a song called “Whisky” that she and Kix wrote together. She and Kix performed the song, and the audience loved it. Truly a song from and for the Southland.
Bob discussed the songwriter’s task of taking common sayings and expressing them in new, thought-provoking ways. He then performed his song “Southern Voice,” a beautiful example of what he was teaching us about songwriting. Kix followed Bob with a beautiful rendition of “Old Photographs,” released by Sawyer Brown in 1988.
The stories about Nashville and what it’s like when a songwriter first arrives were very interesting. The Bluebird Café’s role as a music hub in Nashville was fascinating. Chancie Neal’s “You’re Gonna Run into Me” resonated with the audience. Briana and Kix then described writing a song titled “Bustin’ Out” and their deliberation on how that song would play at Angola, the largest maximum-security prison in the United States. The song was not about breaking out of jail, and the audience loved it.
Chancie discussed Briana Calhoun’s work in helping inmates navigate incarceration, finding strength through self-determination, love, and discovering hope on the inside. Recently, Briana Calhoun was presented with the Humanitarian Award at the 2024 NELA Music Awards to recognize her efforts and raise awareness.
Kix shared an interesting story about him and Bob participating in a USO tour in Iraq. Bob inadvertently broke a few customs by being a friendly American, but everything turned out okay. Bob then sang a song he wrote titled “Gone,” which was released in 2004 by Montgomery Gentry.
My highlight of the evening was the story Kix told about playing at George Bush’s inauguration and sitting by Secretary of State Colin Powell. He then launched into a moving rendition of “Only in America.” His voice filled the venue, painting it red, white, and blue. Everyone in the venue was so proud. I will remember this night in the Dixie.
Thank you, Carter Windham, Briana Calhoun, Bob DiPiero, Chancie Neal, Kix Brooks Tom Faber, and the Dixie Center team for providing this special night of music and storytelling.
Tom M.
