2020-2022 Concerts - Nashville Tennessee

Joan Jett  & The Blackhearts at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville TN on August 8, 2021.

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts / The Chef & I / Music City at its Best!

Everyone was scurrying to get in the Ryman for one of the first live concerts since the Covid 19 pandemic hit the USA and shut down all live music venues as well as the city. The Mother Church was in for some rock n roll tonight with the fabulous Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. Joan is an American rock singer, songwriter, composer, musician, and actress. She was born in Philadelphia and plays the guitar like a true known rock star! Joan played at our awesome outdoor venue Ascend exactly two years ago to the day in 2019.

I am sure the crowd was a little anxious with the new Delta variant cranking up in Tennessee. I was concerned with the fear of the virus but I realize we can’t lock ourselves in and never live this life that is so precious. So I myself grabbed my mask and rocked on with the best of the best! There were mask being worn throughout the venue and there were those that felt confidently safe without. It’s a personal choice I suppose.

I attended with some special friends and had dinner before the show at a fabulous little restaurant in the Gulch area of Downtown Nashville. The Chef & I had some of the most savory food I have ever tasted! My personal choice was the Mushroom Pho with Shrimp, nothing less than delightful! If ever in the area you must also try the Caramelized Cauliflower with Local Whipped Goat Cheese. A must visit location! Owners Chef Chris and wife Erica joined us for dinner and the Joan Jett festivities! What fabulous people that had an extraordinary vision that came to fruition! Thank you guys for the hospitality and the cocktails!

The Ryman crowd was diverse with age and gender. Everyone was stoked to be back together for live music; after all we are the Music City! Joan came on stage with her band and the crowd cheered with excitement! I was so excited to see as Joan’s special guest, Wanda Jackson, known in Music City as “”The Queen of Rockabilly” or the first “Lady of Rockabilly”. Jackson mixed music with fast-moving rockabilly. She was a pioneer rock & roll artist! Joan performed one of her earliest hits “Cherry Bomb” that she recorded with her first band the Runaways. One of my favorites “I love Rock n Roll” followed shortly which was number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks in 1982. Some of my other favorites are “I Hate Myself for Loving You” and “Do you Wanna Touch Me”. Joan Jett wouldn’t be Joan Jett unless she performed one of my all-time favorites, Crimson & Clover” 

for a beautiful ending to a beautiful night over and over. 

Thank you Joan Jett and Wanda Jackson for pioneering some of the first guitar girls, rockabilly, and rock n roll! I’m a native Nashvillian from the Music City that was originally known for Country Music but “I love Rock n Roll! See you next time, you are always welcome here!

Pictures, Video & Review by LaVon DuBois 

September 21, 2021: Eric Clapton at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena. The concert was great! 

Pictures by Pat Adams (with just a small pocket camera).