Gordon Ellis

Hi Everyone,

I hope you have had a nice holiday season, and I hope you are all staying safe with the new rise in COVID.

I will try to keep this brief, in case you are busy with end of year stuff to do.

The next CSLN Writers’ Night will be next Friday, Jan. 7th . The Open Mic will be from 6:30 – 7:30 with 10 spots open, and possibly a couple more if we are running ahead of schedule. At 7:30 and 8 p.m. we will have Spotlight Performers Bob Houston and Bruce Jon Brigham. Not sure who will be on first, and so far, I don’t have any promo info from either of them.

At 8:30 Lisa Aschmann will be our Featured Performer, doing 45 minutes to an hour set. Lisa’s bio could fill a book–suffice it to say that she has had 100s of songs cut and numerous songs placed in movies and TV shows over the years.

If you’ve never been there before CSLN is at 6705 Charlotte Pike, Nashville, 37209. As usual, potluck snacks and drinks encouraged, as well as a $5.00 Love offering to the Center. Remember, this is a potluck–we will only have what people bring.

To be honest, after not having the writers’ night for 4 months, we expected a really good turnout in November, but our turnout was disappointing. We know people have lots of things to do and lots of choices, and COVID may still be keeping some people away, but a fair amount of work goes into each event, so after talking with AJ (Our leader–I’m only the MC and part of the team), if the interest doesn’t seem to be there, we may decide to stop doing it. It only makes sense to continue, if people want this.

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Another noteworthy event is the Benefit for Miranda Sullivan on Thursday, Jan. 6th, going from 6 p.m. to whenever. Debi Champion has devoted this writers night to help raise money for Miranda, who was in a head on collision in November and spent a month in the hospital. There are many bills related to her care, and many others that would otherwise have been paid, but can’t be because Miranda cannot work yet.

There will be numerous writers rounds throughout the evening, with many writers doing a song or two (Including me around 6:30). Some of the writers have had cuts with major artists, and some are simply great writers who are friends of Miranda’s. There will be a silent auction and (I’m sure) opportunities for monetary donations. It will be at the Commodore Lounge in the Holiday Inn, 2613 West End Ave.

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Each year, between Christmas and New Years Eve, I do a review of the year (Kind of like the news programs recapping the year, except it is a review of my year). I simply scan the year to see what stands out each month). Three of the things that stood out for me this year were the release of my “Messages” CD in February (And yes, you can purchase it from the Music page on this site); A nice visit from my brother at the end of August; and a great (Though Covid-delayed) CD Release Celebration of “Messages”in November (You can see the video by going to the Media page and clicking on videos).

There were also writers gig cancellations due to COVID, and a loss of income performing at nursing homes. Most years are a mix of positive and negative, but usually there is more positive than I may have realized, when I review the year and put it into perspective.

I hope that whether it has been a good, or not so good year for you, that 2022 will be better.

Happy New Year!

Gordon

Hi Everyone,

I want to start by thanking all of you who came out to my CD Release Celebration on November 5th for your support. That includes all the musicians and backup singers, our sound and video guys, my hospitality team, Rev. Lynn Bennett and the CSLN Board for providing the space, and everyone who bought CDs (Too many names to mention individually, but you all know who you are).

It was a wonderful, memorable evening, and the feedback has been was very gratifying. If you missed the show and want to see it online, you can go to my website, gordonellismusic.com, click the media button, and scroll down to “Videos”. You can also go to the CSLN YouTube page, CSLN.TV and click on the man on top of the mountain. At last check, it had around 650 views. Note: Though the the music and video are very clear, the audience reactions are somewhat muffled, because the sound board only captured the applause that filtered through the onstage mics. In reality, it was bigger in the room.

I also want to thank everyone who came out to our mini-set at Brown’s Diner on November 16th, and Andy Miller of the Jabberwackers for inviting my trio to play.

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CSLN’s Writers Night will resume on Friday, Dec. 3rd, after a short hiatus. Note, this is a writers night, so the focus is on original material. The Open Mic will start at 6:30 and run for an hour, with the first 10 people who sign up guaranteed a spot, though we may have room for one or two more. I will be the MC, and may do a song, if time permits.

There will then be two Spotlight Acts doing a half hour each: Gary Cavanaugh, who was a writer for Ash Street Music, and AJ Bigler, who has had several independent cuts and has been one of the sound guys at CSLN for years. I believe Ray Dryden, another one of our Sound guys and who toured with Dottie West for a while, will also be part of that set.

Our Featured Act, Scott Barrier will be doing 45 minute to an hour set. Scott has had numerous independent cuts, and various songs placed in movies and TV, and his song “Having Babies” (I believe Written with Donna DeSopo), has received over 100,000 streams on Spotify! Here is the time frame for the night:

Open Mic: 1 hour starting at 6:30

Spotlights: 1/2 hour each starting at 7:30

Feature: 45 minutes to an hour

Potluck snacks, drinks, and a $5 love offering encouragd.

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URGENT REQUEST

For those of you who know Miranda Sullivan, she was in a head on collision last week, resulting in a broken left arm that required surgery, a fractured right hand, and a broken tibia, that is scheduled for surgery tomorrow (11/22). She is a gig worker, hasn’t worked much in a while, so she does not have money to pay bills, and can really use donations to help manage her financial situation. I believe a Go Fund Me page is being set up, but I don’t know if it is active yet. I imagine you can go to Go Fund Me and type her name in the search box. Hopefully it will be up in the next day or so.

You can also donate through PayPal. Her account email is: [email protected]. I was told a while back, that if you send money “as a friend” there will not be a PayPal deduction, so you might want to look for that. I heard that Debbie Champion might have a benefit writers night at the Commodore Lounge, but I heard that second hand, so I don’t know when that might be. CSLN may also be establishing a fund, so there are probably a few options for donating.

The other thing that is important is visitors. I don’t know how long Miranda will be at Vanderbilt Hospital, and this stay may be followed by a period of live-in rehab. That is tough at any time, but undoubtedly tougher at holiday time. She is in the Medical Building, but if you have her phone number (I can’t give that out here), call first to see if she is up for company. If you need her room number at Vanderbilt hospital (Again, I am reluctant to put it out publicly) she is under the first name Debbie. If I know that you know Miranda, I can provide that info.

That’s all for now. Have an enjoyable holiday season, stay safe, and be well.

Gordon

So, why am I sending yet another reminder? I can’t tell you how many times, someone has said, “Oh was that last Friday?” Or, “I totally forgot.” So here are the essentials:

CD Release Celebration this Friday, Nov. 5th, 8 P.M.

Center for Spiritual Living Nashville (CSLN), 6705 Charlotte Pike, Nashville, Tn. 37209

Full band concert

$5 suggested love offering

Light snacks and drinks provided

CDs will be available for sale

For those out of town or otherwise unable to make it, streamed at CSLN.TV or go to YouTube and click CSLNashville.

Hope you can make it. Let’s have a great time.

Gordon

Hey Everyone,

I know how busy we all get with plans and schedules, so as I promised in my Oct. 6th newsletter, I am sending out a brief reminder of the upcoming Release Celebration of my new CD “Messages”(My first new release in over 20 years).

It will be on Friday, Nov. 5th at 8p.m. at CSLN (Center For Spiritual Living Nashville). The address is 6705 Charlotte Pike, Nashville, Tn. 37209. Great band, great music, great songs, great people, CDs available for sale–what’s not to love? And what better way to start coming out of our long hibernation.

I believe the event will be streamed for those out of town, by going to either CSLN.TV, or going to YouTube and searching for CSLN Nashville. But, as I mentioned previously, there is nothing like live energy–the give and take between performers and audience, so please put it on your calendar and come celebrate with me.

Namaste,

Gordon

ELLISVILLE NEWS Update 10/6/21

Hi Everyone,

I hope it was a good summer for you, and that you have all remained free from the effects of fires and floods and COVID (Oh my!).

I have some BIG NEWS! I released a new CD this year and am having a CD Celebration (Release Party) in November. The event will be held at CSLN (Center For Spitirual Living), 6705 Charlotte Pike in Nashville on Friday, Nov. 5th at 8 p.m.

The CD was actually released the first week of February, but with COVID concerns and restrictions, I had to delay it. Now, I am getting to celebrate the accomplishment, and I invite you to come out and celebrate with me.

The CD is titled “MESSAGES” because all the songs have social or spiritual themes (Religious inclusivity, faith, unity, mental health, and bullying, among others), and I am very proud of it.

I will have a great ensemble backing me, there will be some light refreshments afterwards, and of course, CDs for sale. The only remaining ingredient to make this special is you!

There is a suggested love offering of $5.00, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Though this event may be streamed for those who can’t come out, it would be much nicer if you can be there in person, as there is nothing like live energy. Although I don’t usually send out updates more than once every month or two to keep from spamming people, I know how busy we all get, so I will probably send out a reminder or two before then.

Meanwhile, I will also be doing a few songs (Not necessarily all from the CD) at the CSLN Service on the Sunday before (Oct. 31st) at 11 a.m.

Okay–back to event planning. Have a great month, and (If you choose) a spooky Halloween.

Gordon