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“We wrote our first song and were singing with a three-part blend that comes once in a lifetime.” said Loggins about the new trio Blue Sky Riders.

For Loggins, Blue Sky Riders is a new creative step forward in a career filled with magic moments. His hits, early on as half of Loggins and Messina and then as a solo artist, include “Danny’s Song,” “House at Pooh Corner,” “Your Mama Don’t Dance,” “Angry Eyes,” “Whenever I Call You Friend” (with Stevie Nicks) and “This Is It,” a series of movie theme songs, including “I’m Alright” (Caddyshack), “Footloose” (Footloose), “Danger Zone” (Top Gun), and “Nobody’s Fool” (Caddyshack II), and later AC smashes including “Conviction of the Heart,” “The Real Thing,” “If You Believe” and “For the First Time.” His songs have been covered by artists including Barbra Streisand, Lynn Anderson, Anne Murray and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Loggins and Michael McDonald co-wrote “What A Fool Believes,” which received a Grammy for Song of the Year, and “This Is It,” which earned Loggins a Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal.

“The best part,” says Kenny Loggins of that meeting with Gary Burr as he wrote for “How About Now,” his well-received 2008 release, “was that when we sang together, we sounded like brothers. The last time I experienced that kind of blend was with Jimmy Messina in 1971.”

Loggins, one of the premiere voices in modern popular music, called Burr, one of Nashville’s most accomplished writers, afterward and asked if he’d like to form a band. Then he suggested they look for a third, female voice. “I’ve got the perfect person,” said Burr. “Georgia Middleman. She’s the best I’ve ever worked with.” Loggins flew to Nashville and the three sat down to write.

“What a meeting!” says Loggins. “We wrote our first song and were singing with a three-part blend that comes once in lifetime.” With that, Blue Sky Riders was a reality.

Middleman, a renowned singer/songwriter, says the experience has reminded her of the Joseph Campbell line, “Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls”. “I’m definitely looking bliss in the eye right now,” she says. All three sing lead amid the three-part harmonies that told each of them from the beginning that they had something special.

Burr is a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and has been named Songwriter of the Year by ASCAP, Billboard and NSAI with 13 #1 hits under his belt. His hits include Juice Newton’s “Love’s Been a Little Bit Hard on Me,” Conway Twitty’s “That’s My Job” and Wynonna’s “To Be Loved By You,” and his songs have been covered by LeAnn Rimes, Faith Hill, Randy Travis, Reba McEntire, George Jones, Garth Brooks, RIcky Skaggs and Lynyrd Skynyrd, among many others. He has written and performed with Ringo Starr, had a worldwide hit with the Ricky Martin/Christina Aguilera smash “Nobody Wants to be Lonely,” and topped the charts with Kelly Clarkson’s “Before Your Love” and Clay Aiken’s “This is the Night.” He has toured with Carole King and produced Olivia Newton John, and early in his career spent three years as lead singer of Pure Prairie League.

Middleman was still a teenager when she began opening for artists like Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard. Drawn to Nashville’s creative energy, she quickly landed a publishing deal with Polygram and released the well-received Endless Possibiities on Giant Records. She wrote Keith Urban’s 2010 chart-topper “I’m In,” and singles including Tracy Lawrence’s “It’s All How You Look At It” and Sarah Buxton’s “Innocence.” Her songs have been recorded by Faith Hill, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Terri Clark, Mark Chesnutt and Joe Nichols, among many others. She has toured with Radney Foster and sung backup for Jack Ingram, Marty Raybon, the Warren Brothers and many other Nashville artists.

Tickets still available for their November 16 & 17 performances!

The following is a note from a woman named Heather Lea Gerdes, who was introduced to the Franklin Theatre during a visit to Franklin four years ago. At that time Heather found herself inspired by Franklin’s valiant efforts to restore the Franklin Theatre – so much so that she chose a picture of the theatre as the foundation for a design she submitted for a Keith Urban t-shirt contest.

Heather writes:

I’m a Keith Urban fan. Let’s just say that his music opened my musical tastes to Country and inspired me to launch my special dance exercise program, Country Cardio. But this is not about that.

Four years ago over the July 4th holiday, I took my first trip to Nashville. Urban was also playing in a concert that weekend. Urban fans know he lives in Franklin, so of course, it was on my “To-Do” list. As I walked along lovely Main Street taking pictures, I came upon The Franklin Theatre. It was shut tight, covered with poster pleas for help. Even the marquee was reaching out: Save the Franklin Theatre.org, and I was really drawn to the place. I had studied film in college and made a documentary about a group of people trying to save the last drive-in in a small town in Florida, near where I grew up. Naturally, the Franklin effort filled my heart with a feeling of solidarity.

Earlier this week, I learned of a fun contest to design a t-shirt for Keith. As I was looking at photos from my Nashville trip, I came across the one I’d snapped of the theatre. It was the inspiration I was hoping for! Using a combination of pencil tracing, freehand, and one software effect, I came up with a simple design that I hope pays homage to the history of that crucial turning point for the Franklin Theatre and gives a nod to the town Urban also calls home.
I wanted to share my story with the folks at the now thriving Franklin Theatre and they have been kind enough to share it with you!

You can view and vote for Heather’s design along with many other wonderful designs in Keith Urban’s t-shirt contest by visiting:

http://creativeallies.com/creations/c722/contests/707/design-a-vintage-t-shirt-for-keith-urban

The Franklin Theatre will be hosting the fifth annual Bella Bash this Thursday night (October 11). The Bella Bash is an evening of awareness and fundraising, but mostly music, laughter and love. It is quickly becoming a Nashville tradition. This year’s guests include the spectacular multi-award winning Jason Crabb, multi-Dove winner, Clay Crosse, American Idol alum, Melinda Doolittle, and critically acclaimed vocal group, The Martins. The Smoking Section will be the house band and heartbeat of the evening.

The Bella Bash is a yearly event put together by singer/songwriter, and Nashville native, Regie Hamm and his wife Yolanda. The event is named after their daughter Isabella (or Bella) who suffers from the rare genetic disorder known as Angelman Syndrome – a partial deletion of the 15th chromosome. This rare disorder causes severe gross motor skill delays and renders individuals unable to speak. Proceeds from the evening will go to the Angel Wings Foundation, a 501c3 formed by the Hamms to raise awareness for Angelman Syndrome as well as providing services and therapies to low functioning special needs children.

On the night of the event, the Hamms will premiere a new awareness video that they intend to distribute to pediatricians through their Angel Wings Foundation (www.angelwingsfoundation.info).

There will be red carpet and press photos at 6:30 pm, with doors opening at 7. Tickets are $50.00 online or $55.00 at the door. Tickets available at www.FranklinTheatre.com and at the Franklin Theatre Box Office, (615) 538-2076.

Grammy Award-Winning Musical Revue Runs Sept 20-Oct 7

American Idol finalist Melinda Doolittle will lead a standout cast of powerhouse vocalists in Studio Tenn Theatre Company’s first musical production of its 2012-2013 season, “Smokey Joe’s Cafe”, opening September 20 at the historic Franklin Theatre. Individual and Season Tickets are now on sale at FranklinTheatre.com and at the Franklin Theatre Box Office, (615) 538-2076.

“I could not be more excited to be a part of Studio Tenn’s ‘Smokey Joe’s Cafe’ with such an amazing cast from all over the country,” said Doolittle, who was launched to international fame as a season six contestant of American Idol. “Studio Tenn is best known in this region for putting on flawless and exciting professional theater, and this show in particular has the musical and historical significance to further that trend.”

A Grammy Award-winning rock-and-roll revue, “Smokey Joe’s Cafe” celebrates songwriters Leiber and Stoller’s beloved catalog of classics from the 1950s and ’60s, including hits made famous by Elvis Presley, Peggy Lee, Tom Jones, Bobby Darin and more.

Starring with Doolittle in Studio Tenn’s production are husband and wife pop duo Abner and Amanda Ramirez, known together as JOHNNYSWIM. Amanda is the daughter of the late great first lady of disco, Donna Summer. While the duo is based in Los Angeles, they have roots in Nashville.

The cast also includes top-notch local performers Libby Hodges, Ryan Greenawalt and Laura Matula (whom Studio Tenn fans will recognize for her unforgettable performance as the flamboyant Miss Adelaide in last year’s debut musical “Guys and Dolls”). Joining Nashville’s finest are Kansas City’s Harvey Hubert and Birmingham’s John-Mark McGaha.

“This cast of singers is, in a word, ‘unreal’,” said Jake Speck, Managing Director of Studio Tenn and a veteran Broadway performer. “I know this may sound blasphemous, but vocally, this cast blows the original Broadway cast out of the water. These are eight of the best singers I’ve ever heard–period. We are just beside ourselves to have landed such an extraordinary concentration of vocal talent for this show,” which Speck describes as “a nonstop avalanche” of 39 rock and roll and R&B standards, including “Jailhouse Rock”, “Hound Dog”, “Stand By Me”, “Kansas City”, “I’m a Woman”, and many more.

“Our concept and take on the show is to strip away a lot of the Broadway and Vegas feel of it and focus more on the unbelievable Leiber & Stoller music catalog,” said Speck. “For inspiration, we went back to the original recordings of all these great songs. We are taking the show back to its roots.”

Speck will serve as Executive Producer for “Smokey Joe’s Cafe,” and Studio Tenn’s other principle Matt Logan is Director and Designer. Joining them are Choreographer Emily Tello and Musical Director and Conductor Steve Kummer.

Tickets for “Smokey Joe’s Cafe” are available now at FranklinTheatre.com or at the Box Office, (615) 538-2076. Season tickets are also still available for a limited time. Season Ticket holders receive a 20% discount on admission to each of the five shows in Studio Tenn’s expanded 2012-2013 season: “Smokey Joe’s Cafe”, “Twelve Angry Men” (staged at the historic Williamson County Courthouse), Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”, “Big River”, and “My Fair Lady”. For more information, visit StudioTenn.com.

Series Kicks Off Friday, June 15 with “The Big Lebowski”

The Franklin Theatre will host late-night cult classic movie screenings this summer for patrons 21 and up. The 2012 Midnight Movie series will include “The Big Lebowski” on Friday, June 15, “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” on Friday, July 20, and “Airplane!” on Friday, August 17. Tickets are just $5 and are now available online at FranklinTheatre.com or by calling the theatre Box Office at (615) 538-2076.

Patrons are encouraged to come in costume to these screenings. Each event will feature prizes and coordinating drink specials, such as White Russians at The Big Lebowski. All patrons wishing to purchase alcohol must present a valid ID to receive a wrist band.

The late-night movies are returning this summer due to popular demand. During the summer of 2011, the Franklin Theatre sold out two late-night screenings each of “The Big Lebowski” and “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.”

“Airplane!” another cult classic comedy, will show at the Franklin Theatre for the first time the night of August 17.

The Mel Brooks Western parody “Blazing Saddles” will also show at 11 p.m. on Saturday, June 23, as part of the Franklin Theatre’s “Wild West Weekend”–a themed celebration of the venue’s first anniversary. The Wild West Weekend will also feature a concert by Western swing band The Time Jumpers on Friday, June 22 at 8 p.m. and Saturday movie screenings of the Don Bluth animated classic “An American Tail: Fievel Goes West” at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. and the original “True Grit” starring John Wayne at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Ranger Doug from Riders in the Sky will be on hand to host and entertain throughout the day.

Originally built in 1937, the Franklin Theatre re-opened to the public on June 3, 2011 following a multi-year, multi-million-dollar restoration. The Main Street landmark is owned and operated by the nonprofit Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County. More information is available online at www.franklintheatre.com.

“WILD WESTERN WEEKEND” ANNIVERSARY PARTY THIS WEEKEND!

In the spirit of its grand reopening in June of 2011, the Franklin Theatre will host its first anniversary celebration with a weekend of activities and entertainment on Friday, June 22 and Saturday, June 23. While last year’s grand reopening was inspired by classic 1930s films, this year’s celebration will take on the theme of another beloved genre of old Hollywood: the Wild West–and will feature award-winning live music of the same vein.

The Wild Western Weekend will kickoff Friday, June 22 with a concert by the world renowned Western swing band “The Time Jumpers.”The award-winning and Grammy nominated Time Jumpers evolved from casual jam sessions among Nashville’s studio elite to become known for their tight arrangements, soulful singers, brilliant soloists and an irresistible swinging rhythm. Tickets for this performance go on sale to the public Friday, June 1 at FranklinTheatre.com and at the Box Office, (615) 538-2076.

On Saturday, June 23, Ranger Doug, “The Idol of American Youth” from Nashville’s famed cowboy quartet “Riders in the Sky” will entertain patrons and host a full day of Western movies, storytellings, games and activities at the Franklin Theatre.

Film screenings will begin with kid-friendly morning and matinee showings of the Don Bluth animated classic “An American Tail: Fievel Goes West” at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., followed by the original 1969 “True Grit” starring John Wayne at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Entertainment will continue late into the evening with a late-night screening of Mel Brooks’ “Blazing Saddles” for patrons age 21 and up. Attendees are encouraged to dress up. This late-night screening will featured themed drink specials, costume contests, prizes and giveaways. Tickets to these movie screenings are just $5 and are on sale now at FranklinTheatre.com.

From Charity Case to Social, Economic & Creative Catalyst in One Year

FRANKLIN, TENN, June 1, 2012–This summer, the “new” 1937 Franklin Theatre will celebrate its first birthday–the anniversary of its Grand Reopening, held on June 3, 2011. The historic movie house closed in 2007 when rising rents rendered the Main Street movie business less-than-lucrative. The nonprofit preservationist Heritage Foundation spearheaded a fundraising effort to “Save the Franklin Theatre.” Over $8.5 million was raised–entirely through private donations–for the purchase and complete renovation of the building.

A year later, the Franklin Theatre has expanded offerings to preserve the Main Street movie tradition with several screenings per week while successfully adding to its mix and mission world-class live music and theatre.

In the first year since the culmination of its donor-funded $8.5 million restoration, the nonprofit 300-seat Franklin Theater has helped raised over half a million dollars for other causes in the local community.

Some gifts just keep on giving.

“Certainly, we expected the return of movies to Main Street and the addition of live theater and extraordinary music concerts,” said the Heritage Foundation’s Executive Director Mary Pearce. “And some also saw the theater as a venue for collaboration among the arts, education and community enrichment and an opportunity to attract resources for great charitable efforts.”

Many of the Franklin Theatre’s live events have been fundraisers for other nonprofits or charitable causes in the community. Sheryl Crow performed three nights at the Franklin Theatre in December of 2011 as a fundraiser for New Hope Academy, a local school. Delbert McClinton raised money for his ailing friend and road manager. Jerry Douglas gave a Christmas concert to benefit the Children’s Organ Transplant Organization. Wynonna Judd performed at a benefit for Williamson County CASA, a group that provides court-appointed advocates for child victims of abuse and neglect.

“We were able to generate a lot of awareness and support for Williamson County CASA through our benefit concert ‘Voices for the Children’ held at the Franklin Theatre,” said CASA board member Elizabeth Jewell. The May 1 benefit concert featuring Wynonna Judd raised $42,000 for the organization. “We’re so glad to have this venue back in our community and to be able to work together with the Franklin Theatre to support our mission of advocating for the best interests of abused and neglected children in our community.”

The Green Nights Series–the theatre’s own fundraising series in which superstar artists donate their time and talent–has so far included Vince Gill & Amy Grant, Michael McDonald, The Judds, Ronnie Dunn, and Michael W. Smith. “Green Nights” also nods to the environmental sustainability of the theatre’s new construction. Legacy Trees will be planted next fall in the name of each participating artist in “Green Nights Grove”–the location of which is soon to be confirmed.

Over the course of its first year ever as a music venue, The Franklin Theatre has become a beacon for musical diversity in the region, having hosted world-class acts from a variety of musical genres, including Americana, jazz, bluegrass, gospel, country, blues, pop, Big Band and rock and roll. Its year one roster has included 23 Grammy Award Winners.

Another new tradition, the Franklin Theatre hosts quarterly professional live theatre produced by Studio Tenn Theatre Company, a local nonprofit comprising Broadway veterans from Nashville. Studio Tenn’s first season at the Franklin Theatre featured the sold-out debut fall musical “Guys and Dolls”, an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” and the moving story of Helen Keller and her teacher Annie Sullivan in “The Miracle Worker.” The phenomenal success of “Guys and Dolls” prompted the addition of an encore production to the season, “The Sound of Music,” which runs May 31-June 17–including two production on the Franklin Theatre’s first anniversary of its reopening, June 3.

Beyond bringing back movies, the Franklin Theatre’s live entertainment offerings have been a boon to business and tourism in Downtown Franklin. In its first year, the Franklin Theatre is estimated to have had a direct economic impact in excess of $2 million.

“The Franklin Theatre is a powerful economic driver that generates revenue inside and outside its own doors,” said Williamson County Convention & Visitor Bureau Executive Director Mark Shore. “It has become a catalyst for extending the hours of an already vibrant downtown. As a tourism product, the theatre does as much to sustain nearby businesses, retail and restaurants as it does to sustain its own operations and is a signature attraction on its own.”

The Franklin Theatre has had visitors from all fifty United States, as well as several from Europe and Canada.

Bob Roethemeyer is current president and longtime member of the Downtown Franklin Association. His vintage, gift and home accessories boutique Avec Moi sits directly across the street from the Franklin Theatre. “It is just so exciting to see people coming and going in a well-lit building that is dedicated to entertainment of the community,” Roethemeyer said. The increased activity surrounding the theatre–especially on weekends–“has had a positive impact on the experiences of folks who come to Downtown Franklin to visit shops, eat and see a movie or show,” he said.

Valued traditions are being carried forward and new ones forged. As for the Franklin Theatre’s future, Director Dan Hays said great music, movies and theatrical productions will remain among the venue’s top priorities, joined by the development of further educational and outreach initiatives.

“We understand the responsibility to create and leave new legacies relevant to our lives today and for those that follow,” said Hays. “We can be the greatest 300-seat music venue in the world by multiplying what happens inside the theater well beyond our own community. Your dreams about what the Franklin Theatre can be are just beginning.”

Studio Tenn Theatre Company’s production of “The Sound of Music” is set to open at the historic 300-seat Franklin Theatre on Thursday, May 31 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at FranklinTheatre.com.

Opening weekend of “The Sound of Music” coincides with the first anniversary of the Franklin Theatre’s grand re-opening, which took place on June 3, 2011. To commemorate the venue’s one-year anniversary this Sunday, Studio Tenn is treating all patrons of the June 3 afternoon and evening performances to a free movie ticket. Vouchers will be distributed after each performance and can be redeemed at the box office through August 2012 for a movie ticket to any regularly scheduled public screening.

The nonprofit Franklin Theatre re-opened to the public on June 3, 2011 following a multi-year, multi-million-dollar restoration–including the addition of state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, outfitting the venue for live entertainment for the first time in its 75-year history. Studio Tenn’s Managing Director Jake Speck and Artistic Director Matt Logan produced the star-studded stage show for the Franklin Theatre’s Grand Opening gala last summer, which included the popular “Do, Re, Mi” performed by cast member Shealean Newman and local school children.

Resident theatre company of the Franklin Theatre, Studio Tenn is the first professional company to bring Broadway stars along with homegrown talent to Franklin’s Main Street in original and inventive adaptations of classic American musicals and plays. Led by Broadway’s Jessica Grové (Les Miserables, A Little Night Music) as Maria and Ben Davis (La Boheme, A Little Night Music,) as Captain Von Trapp, “The Sound of Music” is an encore production to Studio Tenn’s 2011-2012 season, added after the sweeping success of its debut musical, “Guys and Dolls”, resulted in eight sold-out shows. Studio Tenn continued to sell out the house with runs of “A Christmas Carol” in December and “The Miracle Worker” in March.

“The Sound of Music” runs May 31 through June 17, with evening performances at 7 p.m. Thursday through Sunday of each week and matinees at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are available online at FranklinTheatre.com and at the Franklin Theatre Box Office, which can be reached directly at (615) 538-2076. Group discounts are available for parties of ten or more. For more information visit FranklinTheatre.com or StudioTenn.com.

Student and Actors’ Equity Rush Tickets

Studio Tenn Theatre Company will offer $15 Rush Tickets to college students and Actors’ Equity Association Members beginning with their production of “The Sound of Music”, running May 31-June 17. Rush tickets may be purchased at the Franklin Theatre box office one hour prior to showtime, pending availability. A valid student ID or Actors’ Equity Association Membership is required.

“Summer Movie Kickoff” Series Announced for May 23-25

The Franklin Theatre recently announced that it will offer a series of free movie screenings from May 23-25 for local elementary, middle and high school students. Scheduled for the Williamson County School District’s first three days of summer vacation, the Franklin Theatre’s “Summer Movie Kickoff” special is open to Kindergarten through twelfth-grade students of public and private schools in the area, as well as homeschooled children. Film offerings include matinees of “Shrek” (PG) at 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. and evening screenings of “Mean Girls” (PG-13) at 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

Advance Tickets Available through Special Promotion Code

Tickets for the free student screenings may be reserved in advance at FranklinTheatre.com using the promotion code, “SMK2012.” Those reserving complimentary tickets using this promotion code will be prompted to enter the name of their school (or their child’s school). Reserving tickets in advance guarantees a seat at the movie screening of your choice; remaining tickets will be available at the box office on a first-come, first-served basis. A valid Student ID should be presented at the box office for each complimentary ticket. Young children must be accompanied by an adult.

Click here to visit the movies page of our website and reserve your free tickets in advance.

Public movie tickets will be sold to non-students for the everyday price of $5 while supplies last.

The mission of the nonprofit Franklin Theatre is to build community through shared experiences. As a historic Main Street movie house, the Franklin Theatre is dedicated to providing and preserving affordable options for family-friendly entertainment in Downtown Franklin.

Originally built in 1937, the Franklin Theatre re-opened to the public on June 3, 2011 following a multi-year, multi-million-dollar restoration. The Main Street landmark is owned and operated by the nonprofit Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County. More information is available online at FranklinTheatre.com.