News

Hi Everyone,

Hope you are enjoying the fall weather, wherever you are. It’s been beautiful here, though bone dry.

Sometimes, it’s feast or famine with gigs. I had nothing for nearly 2 months, and now I have four in the space of two and a half weeks. This evening, (Thursday), I will be in a one hour round with Antoinette Oleson and Buddy Farler at the Millenium Maxwellhouse Hotel on Rosa Parks Blvd. We play from 8 – 9 p.m.

On Saturday, Nov. 4th, I will be doing a 25 minute solo set at the Bowery Vault, as Part of Holly Bruce’s monthly “Music As Medicine” show. The Bowery Vault is at 2905 C, Gallatin Pk. You cannot see it from the street, but it is behind the Italian Kitchen on Gallatin just south of Trinity Lane. I play at 7 p.m., followed by Justice Amy and then Holly. While there is no cover, there is a “Two Item” minimum purchase. It can be for anything from a croissant to a bottle of soda or a pizza, etc. There is also a tip jar that is available as gratuities for each act.

On Sunday, Nov. 12th, I will once again be the Guest Performer at the CSLN Sunday Service, doing 3 of my songs with their great House Band.

But wait–there’s more! On Thursday, Nov. 16th, The Gordon Ellis Ensemble will be back at Phat Bites in Donelson, opening for the Jim Martin Band from 7 – 8 p.m. It’s at 2730 Lebanon Pike B, Nashville, TN 37214. All original Americana/Country music with Arnie Reed on Keyboards, David Johnson on Lead Guitar, and Cupper Reese on Bass. No cover–just a tip jar for gratuities, and great sandwiches. We’ve gotten great responses at Phat Bites–hope you can make it out. Since this one is still about two and a half weeks out, I will probably send a reminder via this newsletter when it gets closer .

By the way, Robin Ruddy will be having her CD release party on Friday, Oct. 30th at the Commodore Lounge at 7:30. The songs center around her journey back, after the passing of her husband Larry a couple of years ago. I plan on going.

If you have seen the news at all lately, it has been pretty hard to watch with all the horrors in the Middle East, as well as Ukraine. In the U.S., too. It’s easy to take sides and assume we know the answers. My prayer is that something greater than we are, yet is who we are knows the answers, and is finding a long term solution that will lead to peace.

That’s all for now.

Be safe, be well, be you.

Gordon

Hi Everyone,

Wow, it’s been almost two months since my last edition–didn’t realize it had been that long. Well, at least no one can accuse me of spamming them (LOL).

I think it was partly due to not having enough that was noteworthy to share, and maybe a bit of laziness. I have played a couple of solo writers night gigs in the past two months. While my performances were good, the turnouts were low. I am waiting to see how those nights develop before booking another one.

And last Sunday, I got to perform 3 of my songs at the CSLN Sunday Service. I love doing that because the band does a great job backing people and the audience is very receptive. I always find, when watching the video online afterwards, that there are always things I could still have done a little better– in this case due to allergies slightly affecting my voice (Hey, we tend to be our harshest critics, right?), but all in all, it went well and I got a lot of positive comments after the service.

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Moving forward, this Thursday, Sept. 14th, The Gordon Ellis Ensemble will be performing again at Phat Bites in Donelson. We will be playing as a 4 piece (Me: Acoustic Guitar and vocals, David Johnson: Lead Guitar, Arnie Reed: Keyboards, and Cupper Reese: Bass). Still looking for the right drummer, but we decided that we sound good enough to play without one for now, just to get out again. The gig is from 7 – 8 P.M. and Phat Bites is located at 2730 B Lebanon Pike, Donelson, Tn. (Nashville, 37214). Phat Bites makes great sandwiches and they give you a lot, should you want to have dinner. I’d love to see you there.

Meanwhile, this is still about 7 weeks away, but I thought I would mention that on Saturday Evening, Nov. 4th, Holly Bruce has invited me to be part of her “Music As Medicine” show at the Bowery Vault on Gallatin Rd. There will be two other acts (Don’t know who, but they have all been great so far, including Holly), and we will each be performing a 25 minute set of original music. More on that when we get closer.

Well, the oppressive heat and humidity (We hit 100 degrees two days in a row in August) has given way to pleasant temps and drier air for now. Hope it’s nice where you are, and that you all had a great summer.

Be safe, be well, be you.

Gordon

Hi Everyone,

I hope you are enjoying summer, wherever you happen to be. I haven’t had a lot of news to share lately. Haven’t been performing with my band, as everyone has been out of town at different times recently. Still looking for a drummer who is good at harmonies–I’ve spoken to some people, but their plates are full–so, we may start playing out as a 4 piece (Whenever I can get us all in the same place at the same time again).

I do have a bit of solo performing news, however. This Friday, July 14th, CSLN is hosting a “Meet and Greet” Potluck and Mini-Coffeehouse, as we welcome Ministerial Candidate Ron Fox to our Center. I don’t have firm info on the start time (It’s 6 p.m. or 6:30), but I wanted to get this out a few days in advance, rather than waiting. The first hour or so will be the potluck “Meet and Greet”. Then, at 7:30, we will begin the short Coffeehouse, hosted by AJ Bigler. I will be performing a set of original material from 7:30 – 7:45. Antoinette Olesen will be on from 8 – 8:15, and Shawn Gallaway will play from 8:30 – 8:45. There will be short breaks between performers. I am honored that AJ has asked me to be part of this, as we have so much talent at CSLN.

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For those of you in town, or watching online, Ron will be giving the Sunday Morning talk at 11 a.m. After a brief lunch (Which will apparently be provided in the Fellowship Hall), he will lead a workshop, followed by a Q and A session. This should be a fun and informative weekend.

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A few days ago, I received an email from Miranda Sullivan about a worthy event she is participating in, and she asked us all to spread the word. Rather than try to paraphrase, I am copying and pasting here. I am omitting her phone number, but if you know her and are interested, contact her. If you don’t know her but are interested, contact me and I will put you in touch with her. Here is the email:

To ALL My Friends!

I’m including you all because I know you care!

I’m so excited to be a part of this project and I’m asking for your help, I know you’ll love it. 

Eli’s House https://www.elishouse.org/ is a home and refuge for women to go and take their children, one of the only places in the country to recover, heal and grow from being in abusive relationships. They get healthcare, continued education, counseling, and more. 

Not only is this a good cause, but LV Mommy Makeover is coming to Nashville to give these women a much-deserved retreat weekend. They will get pampered, learn how to cook from a celebrity chef, spa services, new clothes, etc. and you can be a part of it. How? We need help spreading the word by sharing, commenting, and following their social media. Not only will it spread something good, but it will help share what the sponsors are doing for this weekend..and they are filming a pilot episode. Weekend of July 27-30th.

Share with your friends and if there is anyone you think would like to help, connect us, that would be great!

Facebook click here

Instagram click here

What we also need for this weekend and is greatly appreciated.

If you want to do something or know someone, you can get coffee for the moms and crew 1 morning, or breakfast, lunch, or dinner. 

Options: Friday am coffee, breakfast, lunch, dinner (groceries for chef cooking class)

Saturday am coffee, breakfast, lunch, dessert at Gala

Sunday am coffee, breakfast, light lunch. 

Saturday night July 29th we will be having an intimate Gala 

Supporters of Eli’s House and Mommy Makeover are invited

The Moms will be revealed with their new look

Sponsors will be interviewed and a video created for their company for social media

We are looking for a sponsor for dessert on Saturday evening

Car rental transportation or loaner 

Sponsor for Saturday night’s Gala. The venue is donated, but funds for Dinner

2 hotel Rooms from approximately July 25-31

You will also be invited to Commodore Songwriters Night, Thursday, July 27th Emma Caroline who works at Eli’s House from Season 20 of The Voice will perform in the 8:30 pm round. Join us at 7:45 to gather together, enjoy music, have fun, and get to know each other. Confirmation pending. 

Blessings,

Miranda Sullivan

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Well, that’s about it. Everyone have a great July.

Gordon

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Hi Everyone,

It’s springtime here in Ellisville (And most places, I imagine), where most of the year, we have 3 kinds of weather: Too hot, too cold, or too wet. But once in a while, we have a stretch of nice mild/warm weather, and we are having that now.

I haven’t posted in a while, as there hasn’t been a lot to post, but I did want to share a few things. Sunday, May 7th, I will be the Guest Performer at the CSLN Service, doing three of my original songs. It’s always an honor to do that, and I love performing with our great band. Service starts at 11 a.m., and I will be going on a few minutes after that. Dr. Mitch Johnson (The founder of CSLN) will be giving the talk, and he is always interesting. 6705 Charlotte Pike, Nashville. If you can’t make it in person, you can watch it live or later at our YouTube channel: csln.TV .

I am still looking for a new drummer for my band–strong preference for someone who is good at singing harmonies (And of course is reliable, easy to work with, etc). If you know of someone, or if you are that someone please contact me, as I want to book more full band gigs again. In the meantime, I will be part of a 3 song round at The Well coffeehouse on Tuesday, May 16th at 8 p.m. This monthly writers night is a “listening room,” which makes it appealing for doing original material. 4002 Granny White Pike, Nashville, 37204.

Well, that’s all there is, ’cause there ain’t no more–for now.

Be safe, be well, be you.

Gordon

Hi Everyone,

Just a reminder that the Gordon Ellis Ensemble will be performing at Phat Bites in Donelson this Thursday, 3/30/23 from 7 – 8 P.M., opening for the Jim Martin Band. Please note that the Facebook Invite had the time wrong (It said 6 p.m.), and try as I might, I was unable to change it. I even cancelled and re-scheduled the event, and it still showed up wrong, and for a while , it even said “Event Cancelled.” It isn’t. I’m sorry for any confusion, but I still hope you can make it. 2730 B Lebanon Pike, Nashville, Tn. 37214.

In the meantime, if you have watched the news, you have undoubtedly heard about the tragic school shooting in Nashville. Most of you know where I stand on the issue of guns, and I won’t use this invitation to editorialize, however, if you have my “Messages” CD, you might want to listen to my song “Anger And A Gun.”

Have a great week–Be safe, be well, be you.

Gordon