This shoot happened just a few days after venues began closing and tours were being cancelled due to the coronavirus. Lilly Hiatt and I decided to continue, holing up in an empty venue called Drkmttr Collective here in Nashville by ourselves for a few hours. (You can support Drkmttr’s GoFundMe to help keep them afloat, if you feel inclined.)
Lilly is a mixture of bright sunshine and intense badassery; her good nature and spirit was a welcomed respite from the scary unknown so many of us artists were heading into then, and of course are still navigating. I thought Drkmttr Collective would be a great spot for her — a little quirky, a lotta rock ‘n’ roll. The three outfits she sported fit easily into the feel of the place.
As it stands, this was my last shoot before so much was canceled and shut down, but we no doubt ended on a high note. Until next time! Stay safe and well out there, y’all. — Laura Partain
Pictured above, Lilly wears a Low Cut Connie tee and Blank NYC leather jacket.
Lilly wears a glitter mock turtleneck top from H&M, Top Shop jeans, and Frye boots.
Strap and buckle detail of Lilly’s Frye boots.
Lilly wearing a red Petites by Willi top from Anaconda Vintage in Nashville, necklace by Madewell, and Top Shop jeans.
Necklace by Madewell, Frito Pie ring by Snash Jewelry, black stone ring by Pale Silver, and red Petites by Willi top.
The top by Petites by Willi, necklace by Madewell, Frye boots, and Top Shop jeans look is completed with a Rickenbacker and an earplug dispenser at Drkmttr Collective in Nashville.
Bob Weir and Wolf Brothers turned their Nashville gig into a tornado relief concert and, yes, we are grateful for it. On Saturday night, Weir welcomed many special guests to the Ryman Auditorium stage, including Frankie Ballard, Jamey Johnson, Buddy Miller, Margo Price, and Mickey Raphael.
I had never met Charley Crockett before, though a list of our mutual friends would be long — and would span the country. I first heard his music on NPR a year or so back and was struck by his style and voice.
I figured I was picking up a soon-to-be new friend as I drove up to meet him at the Basement East in Nashville. Within moments we took off towards our location, knowing the rain would begin to fall at any moment. However when on tour and just passing through a town, that one day is often all you have for the photoshoot — rain or shine. Naturally, we got straight to work.
I count it a very lucky thing that Charley happened to have the perfect two suits to completely match the color palettes I was working with. We started with any shots we could outside, and then the rain fell just in time to fog the car windows for our interior shots. I most definitely had to stand in the rain and cover my gear to protect it all from the elements, but it was so worth it to make these images. We talked about photography, working hard, tour, and life. It was nothing short of a wonderful start to a new friendship. Charley is such a world-class person and artist, and it was such a pleasure to finally befriend him and photograph him for this piece. — Laura Partain
Charley pictured in a custom Fort Lonesome suit, vintage Stetson Rancher hat, vintage bolo, and ’70s era Champion boots.
Details of custom Fort Lonesome suit and custom CC ring by Scott James Jewelry.
Charley pictured wearing a Rockmount custom suit from Pioneer House in Knoxville, TN, ’60s Texas Imperials cowboy boots, vintage Stetson Rancher hat, and his 1930s Le Domino parlor guitar.
Detail of the Rockmount suit, chain stitching by Union Western Clothing. A custom belt by Vincent Neil Emerson, CC ring by Scott James Jewelry, and a vintage ancient falcon necklace from Dolly Python.
Vintage ancient falcon necklace from Dolly Python, CC ring by Scott James Jewelry.
Charley wearing the Rockmount custom suit, ’60s Texas Imperials cowboy boots, and vintage Stetson Rancher hat with his 1930s Le Domino parlor guitar.
I met Logan Ledger at Santa’s Pub in Nashville, sometime late in the winter of 2016. It wasn’t long after that I first heard his voice — one I would never forget and can always identify. Part of me would love to tell you to imagine Ray Price dropping acid with The Grateful Dead on a misty San Francisco day, through the lens of a film noir feature. All of me, however, implores you to listen to his music and dream up your own visuals, which is easy to do when listening to his wonderful, burgeoning body of work.
These photographs (I hope) capture a small slice of the magic he and his music hold. We shot these somewhere in Tennessee. — Laura Partain
Logan in ’70s Levi’s “Action Slacks” and vintage zip boots.
Logan with a Madcap vintage mock turtleneck and the Levi’s “Action Slacks” with vintage zip boots, on a bridge “somewhere in Tennessee.”
Logan in a vintage Montgomery Ward suede, fringe jacket and a vintage “Career Club” shirt, circa 1970s.
Logan in a Jefferson turtleneck sweater and a vintage, double-breasted jacket made for the James Davis Store for Men in Memphis, Tennessee.
Logan’s Jefferson turtleneck sweater and vintage, double-breasted jacket from the James Davis Store for Men, in color.
Button and lining detail of Logan’s James Davis Store for Men double-breasted jacket.
Logan in the Jefferson turtleneck sweater, vintage, double-breasted jacket, and vintage slacks, circa 1970s.
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.
A great night, a great cause.
Photo by Ellie Lauren Photography
All smiles -- and oh so much fun -- during pre-show run throughs.
Photo by Ellie Lauren Photography
(L to R:) Ted Poor, Blake Mills, and Mike Viola.
Photo by Ellie Lauren Photography
A simply stunning room.
Photo by Harrison Pearl Photography
Suzanne D'Addario Brouder of D'Addario and the D'Addario Foundation speaks about the important work of funding music programs in schools and communities.
Photo by Ellie Lauren Photography
LP takes the stage!
Photo by Harrison Pearl Photography
These two. The best house band leaders anywhere. Sean and Sara Watkins.
Photo by Ellie Lauren Photography
Blake Mills (foreground), Mike Viola.
Photo by Ellie Lauren Photography
John C. Reilly takes a quiet moment backstage.
Photo by Ellie Lauren Photography
Jim James himself.
Photo by Ellie Lauren Photography
Alan Hampton on bass,
Photo by Harrison Pearl Photography
Langhorne Slim serenades the Palace Theatre crowd.
Photo by Ellie Lauren Photography
LP brings it to a rapt crowd.
Photo by Ellie Lauren Photography
The ever hilarious Garfunkel & Oates!
Photo by Ellie Lauren Photography
THE Mandy Moore, y'all.
Photo by Ellie Lauren Photography
Every show needs a surprise guest. For Back 2 School, that was David Garza!
Photo by Harrison Pearl Photography
Langhorne Slim in his dressing room.
Photo by Ellie Lauren Photography
Jim James bringing a number home.
Photo by Ellie Lauren Photography
A soon-to-be hug we'd like to make a group hug, for sure.
Photo by Ellie Lauren Photography
What a group!
Photo by Ellie Lauren Photography
The hang backstage was 10/10.
Photo by Ellie Lauren Photography
Garfunkel & Oates.
Photo by Harrison Pearl Photography
It is "Back 2 School," after all. The evening would not have been complete without a drum line.
Photo by Ellie Lauren Photography
David Garza shows everyone how it's done. ("It" being guitar solo acrobatics, of course!)
Photo by Ellie Lauren Photography
Our valiant drum line warms up backstage.
Photo by Harrison Pearl Photography
Only YOU can help fund music programs in schools and communities. - John C. Reilly, in this photo probably.
Photo by Harrison Pearl Photography
Mandy Moore, once again.
Photo by Harrison Pearl Photography
Pinch us, we must have been dreaming of the best band ever.
Photo by Harrison Pearl Photography
What a night. On behalf of Kensington Presents, the D'Addario Foundation, and BGS we'd like to thank everyone who made it possible!
Photo by Harrison Pearl Photography
Photos by Elli Lauren Photography and Harrison Pearl Photography as noted. Lead photo: Harrison Pearl Photography
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.
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.
Black Belt Eagle Scout (aka Katherine Paul)
Parker Millsap
Devon Gilfillian rocks out.
Courtney Marie Andrews
British singer/songwriter Yola's first Newport Folk Festival.
Mountain Man
Kacey Musgraves and the best dressed band in roots music.
Erin Rae performed as part of the set, The Future is Female.
Amy Ray (of the Indigo Girls)
The debut appearance of supergroup The Highwomen with guest Yola, singing their original, eponymous song.
Hozier
J.S. Ondara
The Highwomen and special guest, Sheryl Crow.
Maggie Rogers dancing it out.
An adoring crowd -- and if couldn't be among them, you certainly wished you were!
Lukas Nelson
Molly Tuttle and Bonnie Paine
Judy Collins joins Brandi Carlile during The Collaboration.
Adia Victoria wowed with her "Southern Gothic" blues.
The well-deserved headline of Newport's Saturday night -- a surprise appearance by Dolly Parton herself.
Madison Cunningham
Linda Perry joined The Collaboration as well. Can you guess what she sang?
Mavis Staples, 80 years and still going strong, with Hozier.
The Newport Folk Fest mood, right here.
Trey Anastasio
The festivals best-known banjo player -- and perhaps the only surprise guest to rival Dolly -- Kermit the Frog made an appearance Sunday night.
(L to R:) Allison Russell, Rhiannon Giddens, Leyla McCalla, and Amythyst Kiah are Our Native Daughters.
The cutting edge of flatpicking's future: Billy Strings and Molly Tuttle played a duo set on Sunday.
Amanda Shires brings in the next generation of performers with her daughter, Mercy.
Another Newport Folk Festival in the books for the legendary Ramblin' Jack Elliott.
Alynda Segarra (of Hurray for the Riff Raff) with Brandi Carlile
Dolly Parton and Brandi Carlile share a smile.
Robin Pecknold (Fleet Foxes)
Jim James and Kermit the Frog duet on "The Rainbow Connection" -- 40 years since its release.
Dolly leads the all-female, all-badass grand finale for The Collaboration in a jaw-dropping rendition of "9 to 5."
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.
The first look at the property. Nothing is quite so quintessentially southern as a long, winding lane lined with gigantic oak trees.
The first glimpse of the estate is quite literally breathtaking.
As you enter the home, a grand staircase and complementary chandelier.
The great room, cozy while spacious, with amazing views of the grounds and lake.
Down the path to the dock over your shoulder you'll notice the home's prominent tower.
How many summer nights would you spend relaxing in this exact spot?
The backyard's fire pit, hot tub, and guitar-shaped swimming pool.
The third floor of the tower also has stunning views, especially from the former gym -- that now serves as a bridal party preparation room.
An ode to the original mistress of the house, hidden in a closet.
An inviting parlor perfect for enjoying a cigar and some whiskey, perhaps? Yes.
Each of the home's guest rooms are named after an iconic country artist -- and decorated to match.
This room's theme is Garth Brooks (or Chris Gaines, depending on your taste).
As you descend the staircase, take a glance upward.
Country memorabilia is peppered throughout, a reminder that you're mere miles from the heart of Music City.
In the basement, a multimedia hideaway -- the perfect setting for a company karaoke contest, too. (Yes, "Does He Love You" and "Why Haven't I Heard From You" happened.)
A few Reba relics stand sentinel in a display case at the foot of the staircase. And no, though many guests ask, she did not forget these beauties in the move!
An unseasonably cool summer evening is the perfect occasion to light a fire to warm up a few toes.
And no gathering at the Estate at Cherokee Dock would be complete without music!
It simply could not be more picturesque.
A beautiful sunset, gazing across the lake at Gallatin, TN.
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.
Shreddin' blues sisters Larkin Poe take the Black Deer stage.
Photo by Louise Roberts
The crowd gets into Gospel Brunch.
Photo by Louise Roberts
Billy Bragg
Photo by James Kay
Fantastic Negrito.
Photo by James Kay
A drum circle for the young and young at heart.
Photo by Ania Shrimpton
Band Of Horses
Photo by James Kay
The festival was truly a ... "Triumph."
Photo by Louise Roberts
Purveyor of old-time and down home blues, it's Jerron "Blind Boy" Paxton.
Photo by James Kay
Black Deer is for everyone!
Photo by Louise Roberts
The Sheepdogs
Photo by James Kay
The breakout Americana star of 2019, Yola.
Photo by James Kay
It wouldn't be a music festival without drool-worthy cuisine.
Photo by Ania Shrimpton
The legendary Kris Kristofferson with a rapt audience.
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!
Trampled by Turtles face the night -- and an adoring crowd.
Photo by Ty Helbach
Fans wait excitedly for the next mainstage act.
Photo by Kyle Lehman
Railroad Earth, Saturday night headliners, in all of their splendor.
Photo by Ty Helbach
The Lil Smokies are energetic and captivating on stage.
Photo by Ty Helbach
Torch Sisters bring a pop of color against a gloomy sky.
Photo by Ty Helbach
The Infamous Stringdusters headlined night one of the festival.
Photo by Ty Helbach
Pokey LaFarge is dapper in his throwback style -- musical and otherwise.
Photo by Ty Helbach
The littlest fans have the biggest energy.
Photo by Kyle Lehman
The Dead South take the main stage.
Photo by Kyle Lehman
An aerialist entrances during Pert Near Sandstone.
Photo by Ty Helbach
Tim Carbone of Railroad Earth saws away on Saturday night at the fest.
Photo by Ty Helbach
The Backwoods Stage lights up the woods at night.
Photo by Ty Helbach
Fruition play through the downpour.
Photo by Ty Helbach
You can't let the rain and mud get you down!
Photo by Kyle Lehman
Del McCoury with the best smile, laugh, and hair in bluegrass.
Photo by Ty Helbach
Rain? What Rain?
Photo by Kyle Lehman
The Earls of Leicester tribute the everlasting impact of Flatt & Scruggs.
Photo by Kyle Lehman
Pert Near Sandstone, fixtures of the fest.
Photo by Ty Helbach
Two roots music legends, Jerry Douglas and Peter Rowan.
Photo by Ty Helbach
An aerialist of the Torch Sisters is a mesmerizing backdrop to Pert Near Sandstone.
Lede photo: Ty Helbach
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