Creators of the ever-growing Music City Roots show only ever looked at one host venue – the Loveless Barn. 

Some people told Mayo and cofounder John Walker that the show would never work that far away from downtown and Music Row.

“But that’s exactly what we wanted,” Walker said. “Our motto is ‘We’re on the edge of Music City,’ for both location and for the music we provide.” 

Launched in October 2009, Music City Roots broadcasts live every Wednesday night on Lightning 100 and over the web, where viewers participate in an online chat during the performances. The show pays homage to the Saturday Night Barn Dance, and how the Grand Ole Opry used to be.

“Loretta Lynn didn’t step on the stage famous. She’s famous because she stepped on the stage,” said Walker, who moved from Detroit 11 years ago and saw the Nashville music scene through the eyes of Motown. 

Visionaries saw Music City Roots as a platform to bring lesser-known, but very talented, musicians to the public. The melting pot of artists play roots,  Appalachian, jam band, Gospel, blue grass and folk music with every instrument imaginable – even the scrubboard and ceramic jug. And at the end of the show, each band shares the stage together in what they call the “Loveless Jam.”

“It’s about bringing audiences together, and different generations together,” said Walker, who admits some of these performers have brought tears to his eyes. “We’re trying to erase these categories.” He and Mayo are currently working on an iPhone and Android app that will allow users to watch the show on their phones. It should be available in a month. Tickets to Music City Roots are $10, and showtime is 7 p.m. Children 5 and under get in free, and tickets for ages 6 to 18 or students with IDs are $5. For more information, visit www.MusicCityRoots.com. “We really want the locals to come out and embrace what we’re doing,” Walker said. Read more>>

By Marissa DeCuir