Next Big Nashville 2008

Next BIG Nashville is an annual event spotlighting the numerous ways that Nashville connects to, and interacts with, the international music community from the creative to the commercial. What began as a simple showcase for Nashville’s booming non-country scene in 2006, has quickly grown into a music festival and conference that not only gives a deserving spotlight to the area’s rock, pop, hip-hop, indie and roots artists but also brings together many of the more exciting elements of Nashville’s dynamic and diverse music business community.

Last year, over 9,000 fans witnessed 147 artists over 5 days in 12 Venues. NBN 2008 promises another quantum leap forward. NBN 2008 will feature more daytime conference activities, more parties, more bands, more venues and more interactivity.

This year, for the first time, NBN will open up the submission process to regional bands and will spotlight artists who might not live in Tennessee but are tied to the area through their personal history (the artist was born or grew up there), their business connections (their management, booking, publishing etc. is based there) or their musical endeavors (their album was mixed in Nashville, they have songs co-written with Nashville songwriters etc.). The expanded region for 2008 submissions includes Louisville, KY, Knoxville, TN, Chattanooga, TN, Athens, GA, Oxford, MS, Memphis, TN, Lexington, KY, Asheville, NC, Birmingham, AL Tuscaloosa, AL, St. Louis, MO, Little Rock, AR, Indianapolis, IN, Cincinnati, OH, Bloomington, IN and/or bands within a 350 mile radius of Nashville.

All selected artists will receive VIP badges which include priority entry to all showcases, access to daytime events and VIP parties and the VIP swag bag (last year's bag included $200+ of free stuff).

Previous performers include: American Bang (Warner Bros.), Jeremy Lister (Warner Bros.), AutoVaughn (Epic), Dave Barnes (Razor & Tie), De Novo Dahl (Roadrunner), Justin Townes Earle (Bloodshot), Brooke Waggoner (Mark Mercado Mgmt), Paper Route (Esther Creative Group), Gabe Dixon Band (Fantasy), Andy Davis (Big Helium/BN), Matt Wertz (Nettwerk), The Pink Spiders (Geffen), Butterfly Boucher (Interscope), Landon Pigg (RCA), The Silver Seas (Cheap Lullaby), How I Became the Bomb, The Features, Cage the Elephant (DSP) and Wax Fang.

Additional NBN 2007 Press, Artist & Industry Quotes:

"Next Big Nashville Part Deux ruled in most every way... Socially and musically, it was the only place in town to be last weekend." Nashville Scene


   
"Highly musical crowds turned out in droves throughout the weekend, cheering on their friends and peers and displaying a kind of solidarity that most scenes could only dream of." The Tennessean


   
"Next Big Nashville was a terrific event that furthers the notion that Nashville, being Music City, is about all forms and branches of musical creativity and artistry – from the artists, songwriters, and musicians, to the hosting venues." Kim Buie, Vice President A&R, Lost Highway Records


  
"Kudos for putting together a well-run conference that had solid talent at every venue. Nashville has always had a healthy creative community with great artists to spare in every genre of music. However, there has not been an event in years to showcase this particular niche until now and Next Big Nashville nailed it." John Allen, Vice President of Bug Music

"A Scotsman in Nashville for 3 days! I loved the people, the bands and the whole event. I will definitely be attending NBN again next year." Steven Melrose, Island Records UK/Peermusic


   
“Next Big Nashville has pulled together a stellar event that will serve as further evidence of the depth and diversity of talent in this city. These artists deserve their opportunity and we are proud to give them a very natural home in Music City to further their careers.” Butch Spyridon, President of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau