"JAPAN’S TOMI FUJIYAMA RETURNS TO NASHVILLE ON MUSIC CITY ROOTS:

LIVE FROM THE LOVELESS CAFE – WED. JANUARY 27, 2010"

INDEPENDENT FILM, “MADE IN JAPAN” DOCUMENTS 70-YEAR-OLD JAPANESE COUNTRY SINGER’S EMOTIONAL RETURN TO HER NASHVILLE MEMORIES
Nashville's Thriving Roots/Americana Music Scene
welcomes International artists as part of Global outreach

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – January 21,2010 - "Music City Roots: Live From The Loveless Cafe,"  airing on flagship legend WSM 650-AM, is proud to host an appearance by 70-year-old Japanese Country singer, Tomi Fujiyama, as she returns to Nashville to put the finishing touches on an independent documentary film called “Made in Japan”.

Tomi Fujiyama, known as Japan’s “first lady of Country Music”, appeared on the WSM Grand Ole Opry 39^th anniversary show in 1964, after being discovered by the musical comedy duo Lonzo and Oscar in Las Vegas, and continued on to have a successful recording career. New York director and film producer Joshua Bishop became enamored with Tomi’s story on a trip to Japan, and secured funding to produce the film. Elijah Wood will narrate the documentary.

“The Music City story, like its music, is vast and diverse. As we seek to export our local cultural treasures to the world, it’s important to recognize those who were forerunners in that effort. We are honored to have Tomi as our guest,” said John Walker, one of the show’s producers. In describing the film, director/producer Josh Bishop said, “Made in Japan is intended to be a feature Documentary film in the spirit of ‘Grizzly Man’, ‘Crumb’, ‘Imagine: John Lennon’, and ‘Shut-up and Sing’; all stories that capture indomitable spirits that have overcome obstacles and adversaries to become unexpected legends.”

 

Tomi’s performance will include American Country standards as well as traditional Japanese songs. She will be accompanied my legendary Nashville musicians Billy Henson (guitar) and Chris Scruggs (steel guitar) and Mike Bub (bass). Other performers on this Wednesday’s show will be Cowboy Jack Clement, Gove Scrivenor, Chris Scruggs and emerging Americana artist Nathan Blake Lynn.

About Music City Roots:

Music City Roots: Live From The Loveless Cafe, is a weekly show built on the remarkable Americana music scene and the legacy of WSM's historic roots in live radio. “Roots” is currently airing Wednesday nights from 7 - 9 p.m. CST live from the Loveless Barn, at the intersection of Highway 100 and the Natchez Trace Parkway. The show is produced by Todd Mayo, creator of the subterranean radio show, Bluegrass Underground, and John Walker, Nashville producer and marketing consultant. Tickets are $10 or $5 with a student ID. They are available in advance at Grimey's New and Pre-loved Music (1604 8th Ave. S) or online at www.musiccityroots.com. Tickets may also be purchased in advance or on-site at the Loveless Barn.

About Loveless Cafe:
Nationally acclaimed, frequented by celebrities, world travelers and local appetites alike, the Loveless Cafe remains unchanged in the quaint country charm and genuine Southern cooking that has made it an eating landmark of the South since opening its doors in 1951. Named "Top Down-Home Dining Spot" by USA Today, the cafe features an all-day breakfast menu as well as a full line-up of traditional supper selections like fried chicken, pork BBQ and Southern sides. The Loveless Cafe is sure to offer one of the best meals you've ever had. For more information call (615) 646-9700 or visit www.lovelesscafe.com.

The Loveless Barn is a new jewel in Nashville's performance venue scene. Built from the ground up in 2008 as a dedicated music and event hall, it compliments the world-famous Loveless Cafe, one of the city's most popular destinations. "At the Loveless Cafe, we cherish our rich history and tradition and it only makes sense to join forces with such a visionary show," says Jesse Goldstein of the Loveless Cafe. "Music City Roots: Live from the Loveless Cafe is exactly the type of event we have envisioned for the Loveless Barn long before it was even built."

About Music City Media:
Music City Media is an independent marketing, promotion and content development company based in Nashville, Tennessee. Created for the purpose of exporting the vast array of musical culture found so abundantly in Tennessee, its core business is the creation and promotion of live musical events that are recorded for distribution in the audio format. Music City Media provides branded entertainment for its partners and affiliates, and seeks to engage for-profit and non-profit brands in an authentic manner with original content.

About WSM:

WSM 650-AM is the most consequential and influential broadcaster in the history of country music and an icon of Nashville. Launched on October 5, 1925, WSM spawned not only the Grand Ole Opry, the longest-running show in broadcasting, but Nashville's first recording studio, first music publishers, first talent agency, even the first FM radio station in American history. This year, WSM adjusted its format to embrace Americana, an umbrella that supports authentic artistry with ties to American roots music. As the flagship station for this independently produced show, WSM revives its historic role as a keeper of the traditional flame, as well as a trusted tastemaker that looks to the future of country music in all its forms and sub-genres.