Darren Kozelsky - 9:15 PM
A Texas native, who first carved a successful career on the competitive Lone Star music circuit, Kozelsky
is a "what you see is what you get" kind of guy. He hasn't adopted a radio-friendly stage name. He
makes the kind of country music he grew up listening to with his dad in the family's auto shop. He's that
new breed of artist that takes the best of country's traditions and infuses them with the perspective of a
modern day husband, father and troubadour.
The title of Kozelsky's current album, "Arrivals & Departures," seems apropos for an artist who
performs 200 shows a year from Dallas, Texas to Crappone, France and all points in between. The
album's first single, the hardcore country anthem "Seven Vern Gosdins Ago," debuted at No. 10 on the
European chart in addition to the strong buzz it's been generating stateside.
"Seven Vern Gosdins Ago" is just one of the gems on "Arrivals & Departures," a finely crafted collection
that deftly showcases Kozelsky's warm, engaging voice and excellent song sense. "The whole record is
kind of a little story," Kozelsky says. "I didn't plan for it to be that way, but each song just flows to the next.
I hope that it's a little book of songs that everybody can pick up and get some satisfaction out of, make
them feel better or brighten their day."
Nash Street - 6:30 PM
Today’s musicians increasingly find themselves at a crossroad. They find that they must choose
between originality and building and maintaining an active fan-base. Typically, success depends on
their ability to provide the industry and their listeners with music that is truly unique. To combat this
dilemma, the Starkville, Mississippi band Nash Street strives to artfully bridge the gap between country
music and traditional bluegrass.
Nash Street utilizes the inspiration of influences, such as Chris Thile, The Eagles, Ricky Skaggs, Tim
McGraw, Faith Hill, and Allison Krauss, as a pleasant compliment to the soulful melodies of Mississippi
and the leisurely rhythm of southern life. In so doing, the quintet provides a hybrid genre of music which
is being hailed as “grassroots country”.
Grassroots Country is a self-ascribed title which Nash Street attributes to their love of contemporary
country music and bluegrass instrumentation. The band consists of Daniel Hare on upright bass,
sisters Hannah and Caroline Melby on fiddle and mandolin respectively, and Clay Lezon on lead guitar,
all ranging from ages 19-24.
Over the years, Nash Street’s uniqueness has matured as their ability to combine instrumental
arrangements and vocal harmony has become more creative. Nash Street has opened for artists such
as Rhonda Vincent, The Grascals, Jeff Bates, Little Big Town, and at Tim McGraw's “Swampstock” – an
annual concert Tim puts on to benefit his hometown of Rayville, Louisiana. Nash Street recorded their
second CD this summer at Ricky Skaggs' studio in Nashville.
On January 24, 2008, the band was awarded for their diligence when they won the 2008 Colgate
Country Showdown. Nash Street took home $100,000 and the title “Best New Act in Country Music”. It
was held in the legendary Ryman Auditorium with host and country music star, Leann Rimes. With such
young members, Nash Street’s distinct sound, stage presence, and ability to connect with varying
audiences insures that they will become an attractive addition to the country music scene.
A Texas native, who first carved a successful career on the competitive Lone Star music circuit, Kozelsky
is a "what you see is what you get" kind of guy. He hasn't adopted a radio-friendly stage name. He
makes the kind of country music he grew up listening to with his dad in the family's auto shop. He's that
new breed of artist that takes the best of country's traditions and infuses them with the perspective of a
modern day husband, father and troubadour.
The title of Kozelsky's current album, "Arrivals & Departures," seems apropos for an artist who
performs 200 shows a year from Dallas, Texas to Crappone, France and all points in between. The
album's first single, the hardcore country anthem "Seven Vern Gosdins Ago," debuted at No. 10 on the
European chart in addition to the strong buzz it's been generating stateside.
"Seven Vern Gosdins Ago" is just one of the gems on "Arrivals & Departures," a finely crafted collection
that deftly showcases Kozelsky's warm, engaging voice and excellent song sense. "The whole record is
kind of a little story," Kozelsky says. "I didn't plan for it to be that way, but each song just flows to the next.
I hope that it's a little book of songs that everybody can pick up and get some satisfaction out of, make
them feel better or brighten their day."
Nash Street - 6:30 PM
Today’s musicians increasingly find themselves at a crossroad. They find that they must choose
between originality and building and maintaining an active fan-base. Typically, success depends on
their ability to provide the industry and their listeners with music that is truly unique. To combat this
dilemma, the Starkville, Mississippi band Nash Street strives to artfully bridge the gap between country
music and traditional bluegrass.
Nash Street utilizes the inspiration of influences, such as Chris Thile, The Eagles, Ricky Skaggs, Tim
McGraw, Faith Hill, and Allison Krauss, as a pleasant compliment to the soulful melodies of Mississippi
and the leisurely rhythm of southern life. In so doing, the quintet provides a hybrid genre of music which
is being hailed as “grassroots country”.
Grassroots Country is a self-ascribed title which Nash Street attributes to their love of contemporary
country music and bluegrass instrumentation. The band consists of Daniel Hare on upright bass,
sisters Hannah and Caroline Melby on fiddle and mandolin respectively, and Clay Lezon on lead guitar,
all ranging from ages 19-24.
Over the years, Nash Street’s uniqueness has matured as their ability to combine instrumental
arrangements and vocal harmony has become more creative. Nash Street has opened for artists such
as Rhonda Vincent, The Grascals, Jeff Bates, Little Big Town, and at Tim McGraw's “Swampstock” – an
annual concert Tim puts on to benefit his hometown of Rayville, Louisiana. Nash Street recorded their
second CD this summer at Ricky Skaggs' studio in Nashville.
On January 24, 2008, the band was awarded for their diligence when they won the 2008 Colgate
Country Showdown. Nash Street took home $100,000 and the title “Best New Act in Country Music”. It
was held in the legendary Ryman Auditorium with host and country music star, Leann Rimes. With such
young members, Nash Street’s distinct sound, stage presence, and ability to connect with varying
audiences insures that they will become an attractive addition to the country music scene.
