2nd 'Freedom Sings' concert rocks Nashville

First Amendment Center teams with Bluebird Cafe for two shows celebrating freedom of expression through music.

07.18.00

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1999 Freedom Sings

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The First Amendment Center and Nashville's famed Bluebird Cafe join with top musicians for two shows on Tuesday, July 25 to celebrate freedom of expression through music, in the second annual "Freedom Sings" event.

The program coincides with the release earlier this month of the First Amendment Center's annual "State of the First Amendment" survey, which shows that 40 percent of Americans say that musicians should not be allowed to sing offensive songs in public.

"When four in ten Americans would deny others the right to sing controversial or provocative songs, our freedom of expression through music is very much at risk," said Ken Paulson, executive director of the First Amendment Center and executive producer of "Freedom Sings."

The two programs — 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. — will showcase songs that have been banned or censored over the past six decades. It also celebrates songwriters who have taken a stand, composing and recording music in the face of social or political pressure.

The Bluebird Cafe performances begin a nationwide rollout of events this year under the "Freedom Sings" banner, including a CD produced from last year's performances at The Bluebird Cafe, a documentary video of the 1999 event, as well as events at the upcoming Gavin Summit in mid-August at Boulder, Colo., and this autumn at The Bottom Line Club in New York City.

Among artists scheduled to appear July 25 at The Bluebird are:

At the 6:30 p.m. show: Beth Nielsen Chapman, Don Henry, Aashid Himons, Duane Jarvis, John Keany, Amy Rigby, Daniel Tashian, Greg Trooper, Swan Dive, Kevin Welch, Joy Lynn White and Tommy Womack.

At the 9 p.m. show: Matraca Berg, Billy Burnette, Andrew Gold, Walter Egan, Rosie Flores and Becky Hobbs, Steve Forbert, Jeff Hanna and Jimmie Fadden, John Jorgenson, The Shazam and Bill Lloyd. Lloyd also is music director for "Freedom Sings."

Amy Kurland, owner of The Bluebird Cafe, said, "The Bluebird has an 18-year history of celebrating songwriters and their ideas expressed through song. We're proud to join with the First Amendment Center for a second year in saluting the importance of free expression in music."

Information on tickets for the two shows at the Bluebird is available from The Bluebird Cafe, 4104 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville. For reservations, call (615) 383-1461. Tickets are $10 per show, with all cover proceeds donated to Nashville's Table.

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Powerful songs, stirring performances mark 2nd 'Freedom Sings' concert
First Amendment Center, Bluebird Cafe team up with artists to celebrate music ranging from banned tunes in the 1950s to a song under fire in 2000.  07.27.00