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Thursday April 3rd, 2003

Tin Pan South's Baldwin Piano Night showcases Nashville's piano-playing songwriters

Baldwin Piano hosted an evening of stellar music last night (4/2), featuring Nashville's top piano-playing songwriters. Staged in the Ford Theater in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Baldwin Piano Night is one of the showcase events of the annual weeklong Tin Pan South songwriters festival.

Host Mark T. Jordan

Mark T. Jordan, whose music has been heard on Van Morrison's "Tupelo Honey" and Maria Muldaur's "Midnight at the Oasis," hosted the show. The writers played a Baldwin L-1 Custom Grand in a Jubilee Red finish, on loan from the Baldwin Showcase.

Richie McDonald, lead singer in the country group LoneStar, would normally perform in the headliner's spot, but he went on first. As he explained to the crowd, he had already missed the LoneStar bus but was hoping to catch up with the band in time to play for Pres. Bush today in Camp Lejeune, NC. His performance was highlight by the LoneStar mega-hit "I'm Already There," which he co-wrote.

Jim Brickman, whose 10 Windham Hill records have established him as one of the leading romantic instrumentalists of our time. His set was highlighted by "Simple Things", the title song from his 2002 album and also the title of his first book.

Gretchen Peters with Barry Walsh at the piano

Gretchen Peters, playing a Gibson J-185 EC, was accompanied by Barry Walsh on the Baldwin. She showed why she is one of Nashville's most successful writers, with performances of the Martina McBride smash "Independence Day" and the Patty Loveless hit "You Don't Even Know Who I Am."

Matt Morris performed music from his recent solo album and from his numerous collaborations with pop diva Christina Aguilera.

Windham Hill recording artist Jim Brickman

LoneStar's Richie McDonald

ALR Recording Artist Matt Morris