Tag: photo story

Back 2 School with John C. Reilly, Mandy Moore in Photographs

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

On Saturday, November 2, community-minded music fans from all across Southern California gathered at the Palace Theatre in Los Angeles for Back 2 School. The variety show, presented by Kensington Presents, the D’Addario Foundation, and BGS, benefited the D’Addario Foundation’s important work supporting music programs in underserved schools and communities. John C. Reilly, Jim James, Mandy Moore, Garfunkel & Oates, and many others took to the stage with our five-star house band — helmed by the Watkins Family Hour and Mike Viola — to share music, songs, and laughter to bolster the cause.

If you didn’t have the good fortune to be in attendance on Saturday night, check out the magic of Back 2 School (thanks in no small part to our stellar drum line) right here on BGS. Good news, too: You can give to the D’Addario Foundation at any time, wherever you are. Donate here.

Photos by Elli Lauren Photography and Harrison Pearl Photography as noted.
Lead photo: Harrison Pearl Photography

Kelsey Waldon Keeps Kentucky Close to Home

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Kelsey is one of my oldest and dearest friends here in Nashville, so it’s an understatement to say that we work well together when we do a shoot. We’ve been collaborating since 2013 and I’ve had the honor of doing dozens of shoots with her over the years, including her last two album covers.

I drove to her house on the outskirts of Nashville on a late August evening. Her cabin-style home is surrounded by lush greenery and gardens, with old signs nodding to her home state of Kentucky and other commonwealth memorabilia about. I wanted the setting for these images to be a place of happiness or inspiration for her, which is why we gravitated to her home. Looking at these photographs, I’m sure you’ll see why.

We picked out three outfits for this, including a freshly-made Manuel suit that he tailored just for her. A lot has happened in our friendship these last six years, but when it comes to hanging out with and photographing this dear friend it truly never gets old. — Laura Partain

Kelsey’s old Stetson hat is making a comeback in her wardrobe.

Kelsey cutting flowers out of her garden. Jewelry by Sarah Brown of Stoned Beautiful Jewelry.

Kelsey sporting her Stetson hat and Stoned Beautiful Jewelry. Truly Kentucky’s best.

Kelsey’s old Frye boots.

Kelsey at home outside of Nashville.

Kelsey in her brand new, tailor-made Manuel suit.

Details of Kelsey’s Manuel suit.

Kelsey at home in her Manuel suit with her record collection and trusty Martin guitar.

All photos by Laura Partain

Be Together: Newport Folk Fest 2019 in Photographs

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Newport Folk Festival has always played host to singular, incomparable, once-in-a-lifetime musical moments. As you read this you can almost certainly think of at least a handful of examples, right off the top of your head. This year carried on that tradition and then some, displaying absolute magic across the festival’s four stages over the course of the weekend. Too many headline-worthy moments were sprinkled throughout, but BGS photographer Daniel Jackson was on hand to capture this folk and roots lightning in a bottle — from the performance debut of super supergroup The Highwomen to celebrating 80 years of Mavis Staples to surprise guests that make being green and looking cheap seem easy and effortless.

Perhaps the most meaningful take away from the festival, though, was not its star-studded stages, but its mantra — a timely reminder in this particular global moment: Be present. Be kind. Be open. Be together. Folk music, in all of its forms, carves out just such a space to allow for this togetherness. See it for yourself in these photographs from Newport Folk Fest 2019.

All photos: Daniel Jackson

The Estate at Cherokee Dock: Nashville’s Stately Gem

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Just outside of Nashville, Tennessee, on the shores of Old Hickory Lake, is a stunning 13-acre estate whose crown jewel is The Estate at Cherokee Dock. Early this summer, the BGS team was fortunate enough to be invited to stay on the premises for our annual company retreat and work session, bringing together our staff in Los Angeles and Nashville for a relaxing, productive, and beautiful few days on site, which is most famous for being the former residence of country legend and BGS favorite, Reba McEntire. Our team spent three days, dividing up the themed bedrooms among us — all inspired by legends like Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, and of course, Reba.

As an events hub, the 13,000-square-foot Southern Colonial home’s most popular use now is hosting all-inclusive weddings. Yet the sprawling space — replete with stables, a guitar-shaped swimming pool, a well-equipped game room, gorgeous grounds and gardens, and oh-so-much more — also hosts corporate events, film and photo shoots, community concerts, mixers and networking parties, and just about any other function you can imagine. After two full days of BGS planning, creating, and brainstorming of course we made time for a 90s country karaoke sing off, a Skee-Ball tournament, some hot tub time, a small gathering of friends, and even some pickin’.

Although the surroundings are opulent, the comfortable vibe of the home lends itself surprisingly well to meetings, whether teams are seated around the large dining room table, or (in our case) simply gathered in a circle of couches and chairs in the sunny living room. Most of the time, we either gravitated to the inviting kitchen and its huge island, or carried our lunch plates out to the patio. There are enough areas of the home to still have privacy when the laptops are powered down and phones silenced for the day, too. Although BGS staffers are always on the go, the Estate at Cherokee Dock makes it easy to just stay put and enjoy some valuable time together.

For all of you fans of beautiful architecture, Middle Tennessee’s beauty, and our goddess, Reba, take a journey across The Estate at Cherokee Dock in photographs. And, make plans to visit for your own retreat, no matter the occasion.

All photos by Laura E. Partain

UK’s Black Deer Festival 2019 in Photographs

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

With Band of Horses headlining, and Billy Bragg getting all protest-y on us, the second of year of the Black Deer Festival more than lived up to the promise of the first. From its gloriously eclectic line-up – including brilliant sets from Fantastic Negrito, Kris Kristofferson, Yola, The Sheepdogs and Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton – to its special partnership with Nicolas Winding Refn, screening restored vintage Americana films handpicked by the director of Drive, this was an event ready to flex its creative muscles. It even introduced a new Livefire stage, dedicated to cooking demos and BBQ contests.

Walking around Eridge Park you couldn’t get over spacious feeling, with the beautiful green hills of Kent rolling away in every direction. Despite increasing capacity to 10,000, Black Deer still feels like one of the most pleasant and laid-back festivals on the UK circuit. This should be no surprise given that its creators, Gill Tee and Deborah Shilling, worked on the late lamented Hop Farm Festival, which always put music first and commercial considerations second. Here’s hoping Black Deer will be around a long time — and in the meantime, revisit the fest in photographs.

 

Lede photo: Ania Shrimpton

Blue Ox Music Festival 2019 in Photographs

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

String bands of all sorts from all across the country descended upon Blue Ox Music Festival and Eau Claire, Wisconsin last week for three days of music in the backwoods — and the rain! BGS partnered with Blue Ox and Jamgrass TV to broadcast nearly 20 sets from the festival’s main stage online for thousands of fans around the world. But, if you did not have the good fortune to be on site for the goings-on and if you didn’t get a chance to tune in to the livestreams, don’t fret. You can check out what you missed with our photo recap — while you make plans to join us in 2020!

Lede photo: Ty Helbach

Grand Ole Opry at Bonnaroo 2019 in Photographs

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

The Grand Ole Opry returned to Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival this year to headline the festival’s opening night. The Opry carried on the festival’s long-standing tradition of representing country, bluegrass, and roots music with performances by Old Crow Medicine Show and fellow Opry members Ricky Skaggs and Riders In The Sky, plus special guests Steve Earle and the Dukes, Morgan Evans, Ashley Monroe, Wendy Moten, Molly Tuttle, and even the Opry Square Dancers and Opry announcer Bill Cody came along for the ride.

BGS handed off the That Tent torch to the Opry in 2018, after five years of the BGS SuperJam. You can revisit our years of BGS x Bonnaroo goodness here: 2017; 2016; 2014.

All photos: Chris Hollo

Old Settler’s Music Festival 2019 in Photographs

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

We’ve loved Texas’ Old Settler’s Music Festival for years now, with their carefully curated lineups steeped in roots and peppered with bluegrass, folk, and Americana. We even filmed a handful of Sitch Sessions (with Earls of Leicester, Sierra Hull, the Hillbenders, and David Ramirez) on site a few years back. This year, BGS photographer Daniel Jackson was on hand to capture all of the Old Settler’s magic so that you can relive last week’s festival in photographs.

All photos by Daniel Jackson

Brooklyn Country Cantina 2019 in Photographs

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

The crowds turned out all day and all night for last Saturday’s Brooklyn Country Cantina at SXSW in Austin, Texas. Amazing music, delicious food, relaxing hangs, beautiful belts, and adorable puppies all came together to make the day a smashing success. Relive BGS’ third year co-presenting the Country Cantina with these FOMO-preventing photographs.

Lede photo by Jaki Levi

Palpable Joy: Newport Folk Fest 2018 in Photographs

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

It seemed that this year’s unanimous refrain from Newport Folk Festival, from veteran attendees and newcomers alike, was a resounding, “I THINK I LOVE THIS FESTIVAL.” We think we do too. Based on these gorgeous images from NFF, we’d say each and every human being on site — on stage, in the crowd, or rocking on the waves — loves it, too. And that overwhelming love translates into palpable joy, from Mavis Staples’ first smile to Brandi Carlile’s final headbang, and in every strum, lick, and beat in between. 

 

Photos by Daniel Jackson