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| Bands |
 Don Kelley Band
Today, Robert's Western World is as known for its rich history as well as its renowned featured band, the Don Kelley Band. Lead man and Texas-born Don Kelley plays his acoustic guitar in a commanding fashion, one that allows him to both respectfully show off his beautiful rhythm work and also take dirty solos. J.D. Simo, the lead guitar player boasting a yellow-finish vintage Telecaster, is an absolute demon with his axe. His climactic guitar work has almost cultivated a religious following amongst Kelley Band fans. Slap bassist David Rowe's -- a Johnny Cash band alum of 15 years -- credentials speak for themselves with respect to his track record and subsequent musicianship. -- Owen Canavan
 Jot Tucker
For many musicians, their path is set in stone early on. "This is the thing for me," says 24-year-old Jot Tucker, an aspiring singer-songwriter from Belmont University. "I've spent most of my life onstage."
Once he relocated to Nashville six years ago, the performer "went through an identity crisis." As the diversity of his influences overwhelmed him, he was forced to construct a unique style. "I have a lot of R&B, funk and soul influences; I try to blend all [of them] into my sound. I try to give country a different spin, something that people can groove to."
And Tucker has all the tools: He writes lyrics, plays piano, drums and guitar and even sings. Soon after picking up guitar, he enrolled at Belmont and joined a country music ensemble. Majoring in vocal performance, he is currently finishing his final semester. Recently, he's been performing at "writer venues," playing alone with his guitar. Experience, it seems, is paying off. -- Charles Kesslering
 Max Beizer
When he graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2005, Max Beizer felt he had fallen into a tailspin as the real world slowly began to catch up with him. He landed a job and regular gig at the popular Christopher Pizza (if you haven't been, go now. Seriously.) and continued to write songs and break into Nashville's music scene.
Max is definitely a different kind of dude, and his music reflects his laid-back attitude and razor-sharp sense of humor. While at Vanderbilt, he played gigs simply with his talent and an acoustic guitar as accompaniment.
Where is Max going next? Only to bigger and better places. Plans include recording a full-length album with his band within the year, but for now plenty of songs are available on his Web site. When asked what advice he would give aspiring songwriters, Max simply offers that they shouldn't get discouraged and emphasizes that (like his career), "everything is a process." -- Chris Gearing
 Old Union
Nearly a direct descendant of its name, local Nashville group Old Union has created a distinctive voice that marries gospel, raw country, blues, and Southern rock. Whether it’s the twin guitar assault of Johnny Zvolensky and Steve Swertfeger or the nasty rhythm section of drummer David Bryndal and bassist Ben Bridges, the 7-year-old band can be credited as much for its sound’s geographical coverage -- Muscle Shoals soul, Memphis blues, Texas country -- as for keyboardist and lead vocalist Chuck Foster’s stiff upper lip New Orleans style of singing. As unforgiving as Nashville is with its new, up-and-coming bands, Old Union has managed to continue calling the city its home while making strides throughout the greater Midwest. -- Owen Canavan
 The Comfies
One of the best unknown Nashville bands is The Comfies, the brainchild of Benjamin Adam Harper, a singer/songwriter who's securely made his mark on the non-country Nashville music scene. The group’s sound is difficult to place neatly into just one category -- its EP "Close to Me" combines sounds from Beatles-esque pop to Zombies rock, with lo-fi bits of Ben Kweller and Spoon found in the mix.
Yet the Comfies' real skill is seen at their live shows. Harper's abilities as both a musician and entertainer shine onstage, and the audience can't help but get caught up in the performance. The Comfies are just one of those bands you can't help but love. With infectious, catchy music and lyrics, this band is sure to please, whether experienced through your headphones or atop a Marshall stack. -- Elizabeth Middlebrooks
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