Have you ever been at a birthday party, corporate event, or wedding and couldn't help but dance when the live band started playing? There's just something special about live music that gets your endorphins flowing and your energy pumping. Even slow songs are better when a live band plays them.
Live music truly elevates an event from good to unforgettable. While hiring a DJ has its perks, live music often proves to be a better choice for everyone. A live band brings a unique energy to any occasion, whether it's lively and upbeat or slow and romantic. The music can be classic and timeless or upbeat and in line with today's top hits. Whatever kind of event you're hosting, there's a live musical act out there ready to make your event truly memorable.
And while you might think that finding a real-deal band at an affordable price is next to impossible, it's now easier than ever to hire a live band in Carnton Plantation, TN, with Song Story Music by your side.
At SongStory Music, we specialize in sending real-deal Nashville musical artists to your next big event or party. From country and folk music to pop and just about everything in between, we work with musicians who know how to turn an average event into something you'll remember for a lifetime.
SongStory Music was created in November 2020 in Nashville, TN, where dreamers can be found on every corner. After a devastating year for the creative community here in Nashville, founder Sarah Moseley wanted to find a way to help her music community and also provide an opportunity for songwriters to make additional money. As a local songwriter herself, she began to dream up the idea of a business that let customers hire a live band consisting of Nashville artists and local talent from Music City.
Some of the events best suited for a live band from SongStory include the following:
By being a part of SongStory Music, you're a part of a mission and we can't wait to take your event to a whole new level of awesome.
Regardless of the type of event you're hosting, you've got guest needs, event goals, and a budget to stick to. So, why should you hire a live band from SongStory Music? You could just call a friend or family member and pay them with a twelve-pack. The simple answer is that your friends aren't professional artists. Chances are he's not part of a band that knows how to engage a crowd and put on a memorable performance.
Whether your event is local to Nashville or somewhere else in the U.S., our writers have years of experience as professional songwriters and live music players. They know how to bring fun and excitement to your event because they've done it at a high level for years. Some of our past performances include live music at the Grand Hyatt, The Listening Room Café, My Go Red Fundraiser, the W Hotel in Nashville, and many more.
The best part is that we've made hiring a live band seamless, so you don't have to worry about guesswork or musicians no-showing your event. Customers refer their friends and family to SongStory Music because we provide:
Our live bands from Nashville have played a wide range of events and special occasions. If you can imagine a type of event, chances are our bands have played something similar. Some of the most common events our musicians love to play include the following:
Your wedding day is one of the most important events of your life. Shouldn't the live music at your wedding be amazing, too? Our artists have performed and toured all over the world, so we can guarantee that you'll love what they bring to the table. Whether you want heartfelt, slow songs for daddy-daughter dances or fun tunes to get your guests on the dance floor, we've got you covered.
Corporate and work events have a reputation for being drab and slow-moving. But when you book a live band in Carnton Plantation, TN, from SongStory, your corporate team building exercises will be anything but boring. Our artists have experience in all types of corporate events and know how to show your team a good time.
Are you hosting a special party but want live music instead of a DJ? Our live bands bring Nashville to you! Whether you need some ambiance music in the background so your guests can mingle or some high-energy music to get the party started, we can help. Our packages are tailored to your needs.
Award ceremonies are often formal occasions, but they don't have to be lifeless. A live band can entertain guests with music during cocktail hour and dinner, and then switch to more lively tunes for the after-party. Live music helps create an enjoyable and unforgettable experience for all those present – especially award recipients and their families.
Whether you're celebrating a wedding anniversary or something else like a business anniversary, you want your guests to be happy and entertained. Hiring a live band is one of the best ways to achieve that goal while also adding a unique vibe and soundtrack for the occasion.
If you're like most folks, Christmas party season has a way of sneaking up that can leave you in a tizzy. If you're organizing a special gathering for your colleagues, friends, or relatives, hiring a live band is a great way to spread holiday joy. Musicians from SongStory can perform traditional Christmas tunes as well as a diverse selection of popular party songs that will encourage everyone to dance and enjoy the season.
Nashville, known as Music City, is the heart of country music, attracting a diverse mix of musicians and songwriters. It's a melting pot of musical genres, drawing people from all over the world to witness the incredible talent on display at every turn. Nashville is often referred to as the city of dreamers, as it's a place where aspiring songwriters flock to bring their musical ambitions to life.
The road to becoming a professional songwriter is challenging, but those who are truly passionate about their craft can find the success they seek. Moving to a city where everyone is as talented as you are can be daunting, requiring confidence in your abilities and a clear understanding of what sets you apart. That competition drives high-quality music across the board. At SongStory, we work with the best and brightest Nashville musicians available. So, when it's time to book a musician in Carnton Plantation, TN, you can rest easy knowing your live band will rock the show.
In fact, our live bands have performed with some of the biggest names in country music, including Katy Perry, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Jason Aldean, and even Garth Brooks.
Live bands from Nashville are some of the best in the business because they're surrounded by an immense amount of talent and passionate songwriters. From downtown Broadway to famous music row, the city is filled with incredible venues where talented live bands play every night. We're grateful to be surrounded by so many music lovers and dedicated artists, because it gives our customers access to the best live bands around.
Every live band at SongStory Music possesses a unique sound and specializes in a specific genre. Some are even versatile enough to write music in multiple genres! Each band brings a fresh sound to our lineup and has honed their skills through collaborations with other songwriters and dedicating time to perfecting their craft. By booking a musician from SongStory, you give us the chance to bring a piece of the beloved Nashville music scene to you.
What makes Nashville such a special place for musicians and music lovers alike? Nashville has a long history of fostering local music artists and live bands, dating back decades to when Elvis Presley was the talk of the town. But that's just the beginning. Before you hire a musician in Carnton Plantation, TN, check out these facts about Music City:
Now that you know more about SongStory Music and what makes our musicians from Nashville so special, let's
Live music has the power to create an unforgettable atmosphere at any occasion, be it a wedding, corporate event, or private party. But what exactly are the benefits of having a live band perform? Let's take a closer look at the advantages of incorporating live music into your event.
Looking to set a lively and festive tone? A live band is an excellent choice. For a more relaxed atmosphere, consider hiring a solo musician. Live music can really help to establish the vibe you're aiming for. Don't forget that live music can also create an intimate setting. The personal touch of live musicians will make your guests feel special and give them moments to cherish, especially during significant occasions like walking down the aisle or the first dance.
Live music offers an interactive and engaging experience, while a DJ's performance can sometimes be more passive. When hiring a band, there are numerous focal points aside from the lead singer, especially if all band members are fully engaged and enjoying the performance. A great band knows how to energize the crowd like a DJ, while also delivering unique, customized renditions of songs. They can choose to faithfully reproduce the original sound or infuse their own distinct style, making the performance truly one-of-a-kind.
Live musical performers bring a unique element to any occasion. When you book a live band in Carnton Plantation, TN, you can add personal touches to your event in a way that other forms of entertainment cannot provide. For instance, you can select songs that hold special significance for you or your guests or choose music that complements the theme of your event. When you collaborate with SongStory, you even have the option of having a musician compose a personalized song for you and arrange for a live band to perform it. It doesn't get more personal than that!
Live bands have a remarkable way of getting people on their feet. Whether they're dancing or simply tapping along to the beat, it adds an infectious energy to any event. This is especially advantageous for occasions that involve a lot of sitting, such as conferences and seminars. Live music helps break up the monotony and keeps guests engaged throughout. Furthermore, a lively band that can engage with the crowd adds an extra level of vibrancy, ensuring that your event will be memorable long after it's over.
When you hire live bands, you are bringing on board professional performers skilled at captivating and entertaining the audience. They come fully equipped, sparing you the hassle of renting sound systems or instruments. Their expertise guarantees a seamless event and an enjoyable experience for your guests.
Yes, you read that right! Live music has been found to be good for people's health and well-being. Studies have shown that watching live music can help reduce stress hormones, including cortisol. Scientists have recently looked into the positive mood-altering effects of live music and found that cortisol levels decreased after witnessing a live performance. Also, dancing to the live band of your choice can give you the same benefits as 30 minutes on a treadmill. That means you're exercising and burning calories without having to go to the gym or go for a run.
Looking for live music for your next event? Whether it's a corporate gathering, wedding, private party, or birthday, SongStory Music has got you covered. No matter where you are, our talented artists can make it happen. With experience performing at various events in Nashville and beyond, we're ready to bring your musical vision to life.
Our team recognizes that every event is special, and we'll collaborate closely with you to deliver exactly what you need. Whether it's cover songs, personal requests, or original music, our artists are up to the task. Get ready for a one-of-a-kind live performance from our team of Nashville artists!
Tennessee, bordered by the beauty of North Carolina and Virginia, boasts its own excitement. The state wows with locations such as ...
Tennessee, bordered by the beauty of North Carolina and Virginia, boasts its own excitement. The state wows with locations such as Nashville, the Grand Ole Opry, and national parks. Tennessee also encompasses plenty of rivers, each streaming through an abundance of unique and getaway-worthy small towns.
Cozy, friendly, and inviting, these small towns in Tennessee are the place to be. Whether you are planning a romantic weekend outing, a family trip, or want a break from the city life of Nashville, one of the towns on this list might be your next stop!
Pigeon Forge is a small mountain town located at the bottom of the Smoky Mountains. The town is home to a multitude of outdoor adventures, including nature trails and fall foliage located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The town is also situated on Little Pigeon River, which gets its name from the number of birds that flock to the area. There are also many fun games for visitors, including mini golf, go-karts, and theater shows.
While you are there, check out Dollywood, which is country singer Dolly Parton’s Appalachian-themed park. In it, you will find carnival rides, a waterpark, and a museum filled with her old costumes and nostalgic memorabilia.
A small town with plenty to do year-round, Tiptonville is ideal for anyone who enjoys spending time outdoors. Visitors will also enjoy numerous historical sites and family activities. The town is home to Reelfoot Lake State Park, which is perfect for birdwatching, hiking, and camping.
The state park is accessible via the Great River Road scenic byway, which runs parallel to the Mississippi River. Visitors can also check out the Civil War at the Battle of Island No. 10 Monument and relish in a little history. Turn a well-spent day into a weekend getaway and stay at Boyette's Resort.
Located just south of Nashville, Franklin is a key site of the American Civil War. The Carter House and Carnton Plantation are both located in the town, which is perfect if you have a keen interest in the history.
Visitors can also enjoy the downtown shopping area, dining and entertainment, and different festivals throughout the year. The Harpeth River streams through the town, where visitors can canoe, fish, and enjoy the soundscape of wildlife as they please.
Collierville is part of the Wolf River Watershed and near the Mississippi River. The town also offers numerous trails for hunting and hiking alongside plenty of wildlife. In 1857, the town's railroad, named the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, became the first to link the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River.
In the town square, visitors will find unique architecture and old buildings. There are bookstores, specialty shops, and boutiques, in addition to restaurants and attractions for foodies. You can also extend your stay in one of the bed and breakfasts, inns, or hotels.
A town in, and the county seat of Washington, Jonesborough is home to year-round family-friendly events and activities. Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, the town boasts attractions such as a waterpark, historic town tours, and a theater featuring different shows and musicals.
Visitors can stop in the International Storytelling Center on the town's main street and listen to tales from the local storytellers. Located near the Mississippi River and Nolichucky River, you can enjoy fishing, rafting, camping, and more.
Located in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee, Tellico Plains is the perfect town to access the Cherohala Skyway and the Cherokee National Forest. Visitors will find themselves engulfed in nature and adventure in this town.
Activities include hiking near Bald River Falls, watching the seasons change throughout the Gorge, and checking out the mountain view from one of the famed log cabin rentals. The Charles Hall Museum is also worth a visit, containing unique and interesting artifacts chock full of town history.
Nestled just outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Townsend, Tennessee, is a peaceful and relaxing location. There are plenty of activities to engage in, including golfing, shopping, scenic hikes, and a trip to the Little River for fishing and tubing.
There are also many different cabins and resorts for visitors, making this outdoor oasis perfect for a break from city life. And if you do choose to stay a while, consider attending one of the town's many events, such as the Bigfoot Festival or the Mountain Lights Christmas experience.
Brimming with charming places to visit, Tennessee is the perfect state to stop if you want to enjoy unique histories, beautiful landscapes, and relax the weekend away. These scenic towns offer plenty in terms of beauty and things to do, especially if you are looking forward to river views and water activities!
Share
Battle of Franklin Trust, the organization which manages Rippavilla, Carter House, and Carnton Plantation, has announced these historic sites will no longer host concerts and weddings.The change is in effect immediately.The last event in Carnton Plantation’s summer concert series, which was scheduled for Sunday, July 31, has been canceled. The announcement was made on social media and no makeup date has been announced.A statement has been released regarding events at the sites.In the 1980s and 1990s, as ...
Battle of Franklin Trust, the organization which manages Rippavilla, Carter House, and Carnton Plantation, has announced these historic sites will no longer host concerts and weddings.
The change is in effect immediately.
The last event in Carnton Plantation’s summer concert series, which was scheduled for Sunday, July 31, has been canceled. The announcement was made on social media and no makeup date has been announced.
A statement has been released regarding events at the sites.
In the 1980s and 1990s, as historic sites took advantage of growing numbers of history-minded tourists, many began to offer various events such as weddings, concerts, and other social functions. Some sites also had holiday functions, teas, parties, and ghost tours. Most everyone involved with such things did so because it helped to generate revenue and there was some tangible marketing value. However, as the saying goes, time changes everything.
For many years Carnton was just such a site. Over 20 years ago Carnton’s day-to-day tourism attendance was barely 10% of what it is today. In recent years we have scaled back events, and now we are ready to take the next step. Events have simply become a less necessary part of who we are, and that includes Carter House and Rippavilla. Our focus must shift almost solely to the 100,000+ visitors who come out every year. Our focus must be on the future and how to respectfully manage these important historic sites.
Effective immediately we will no longer be booking weddings at any of the sites that we manage. The weddings that we currently have on our schedule will be the last. Our summer concert series will also be retired as well as Bootlegger’s Bash.
It continues to state the Battle of Spring Hill, along with Battle of Franklin events, will continue as well as the Legacy Dinner and the Descendants Reunion.
“Our sites are just so busy with visitors coming to see these historical sites, they are thriving,” says Eric A. Jacobson, CEO of Battle of Franklin Trust.
During the pandemic, when the locations had to close, BOFT realized events weren’t serving the properties and now wish to honor the history of the sites by focusing on their historical value to the community.
Learn more here.
Carnton Plantation:1345 Eastern Flank Circle, Franklin
Carter House:1140 Columbia Avenue, Franklin
Rippavilla: 5700 Main Street, Spring Hill
If you want to understand the Civil War's Battle of Franklin and how it affected the people of then-small town Franklin, visiting Franklin's three Civil War house museums makes a lot of sense.Not only do you hear the historical account of this important and incredibly bloody battle from different tour guides, but you also hear the personal...
If you want to understand the Civil War's Battle of Franklin and how it affected the people of then-small town Franklin, visiting Franklin's three Civil War house museums makes a lot of sense.
Not only do you hear the historical account of this important and incredibly bloody battle from different tour guides, but you also hear the personal side of how the battle affected three families whose homes loomed large in the 1864 story.
A group of friends and I made a day trip out of visiting the three Franklin homes on a crisp, sunny March day and came away with a much better understanding of how the Battle of Franklin affected Franklin in the 1860s and the role it played in the Civil War as a whole.
It was a long day to take in three full tours (it took us from 9 a.m. until after 3 p.m. with a break for lunch at Meridee's Bread Basket), but it was well worth it to get the whole story about this devastating battle that left 10,000 soldiers dead, wounded, captured or missing.
Plus, it is cheaper to buy a combo Value Ticket to all three homes than to purchase admission separately.
All three tours show how much life changed in November 1864, when the Confederate army of Tennessee attacked the Union army at the southern edge of Franklin.
Funny thing was that on our ride back to Nashville, my friends and I had a hard time choosing a favorite of the war-torn homes. We were all glad to have toured them all.
We loved the Lotz House for a lot of reasons, including our guide J.T. Thompson, who brought the Lotz family to life with his enthusiastic and well researched narrative of their life before, during and after the war.
He told us that Johann Lotz, a German immigrant and master carpenter and woodworker, built his home in Franklin from 1855 to 1858 as a "show house" for his woodworking skills.
Thompson's use of poignant details about the family and the times made his tour one of the most engaging I have ever experienced. He interspersed nuggets of interesting period and family information, presented against the backdrop of his account of the harrowing Battle of Franklin.
One minute he was telling us about the daughter, Matilda Lotz, a 6-year-old at the time of the battle, who became an internationally acclaimed artist. Moments later, he showed us how the subtle use of gold in the pre-electricity home was used to create light. He demonstrated how a "chaperone sofa" worked to keep young suitors at arm's length, and he made sure we saw the blood stains that remain on the floors from the battle's aftermath.
Thompson made sure that we didn’t miss — or underappreciate — the beauty of the lovingly carved mantles, the curved black walnut handrail on the staircase, the exquisitely made pieces of the Lotz furniture and the original art, some of which is Matilda Lotz's.
About the Lotz House: Over the years, the Lotz House served as a law office, Subway sandwich shop, florist and haunted house. It was slated to serve as headquarters for a Mexican restaurant that planned to call itself Lotza Taco before Thompson, with his passion for history, stepped in. He and his wife bought the house in 2003 and created a nonprofit to bring it back to life and operate it as a house museum to help tell the story of the Battle of Franklin. Lotz House been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1978, but only open as a house museum since 2008.
Address: 1111 Columbia Ave., Franklin
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 1-4 p.m. Sunday, or by appointment
Admission: $12 for adults, $10 for seniors 65 and older, $6 for children 7-13 and free for ages 6 and under. Discounts include 10 percent off for AAA members. Mention the website for 10 percent off, and ask about group discounts.
Annual attendance: 52,000
Details: 615-790-7190 or https://www.lotzhouse.com
Carter House, which was the epicenter of the Battle of Franklin, is located just across Columbia Avenue from the Lotz House.
Our guide, Shelia Mullican, was informative, funny and knowledgeable about the fierce fighting that took place on the Carter lawn as the Confederates made their attack. The sturdy brick house was pummeled with cannon balls and bullets, leaving holes and strike marks in the brick walls and on the floors of the almost fortress-like structure.
We toured both floors of the house, but the most powerful stop was the cellar, where the Carters, some of their servants and the five-member Lotz family huddled for nine to 10 hours while the battle raged.
Mullican's telling was heartrending. She helped us imagine what this group of 27 men, women and children, crammed into one room, would have heard, smelled, and feared from their dark underground hideaway in the heat of this violent battle, which is described as the five bloodiest hours of the Civil War.
When the fighting stopped and the U.S. Army evacuated in the middle of the night, the families emerged from their makeshift safe-room to find a war-torn wasteland, with the lawn strewn with hundreds of dead and dying Union and Confederate bodies.
The final stop on the official Carter House tour was a "wow" moment to most everyone in our group. We went inside the wood-frame farm office outbuilding, which was riddled with bullet holes, strike marks and ricocheted bullets that hit as the Confederate soldiers moved in from the south and made their assault on the Union army. Mullican told us the gunfire hit the building from both directions as the battle raged.
Our after-tour look around the lovely Carter House grounds enabled us to explore the original smokehouse, kitchen building and an authentic slave cabin, giving us a look at daily life in the 1860s, in addition to the narrative of the gruesome war days we had just heard about.
Ms. Cheap, delivered: Sign up for my weekly newsletter
Another plus for the Carter House was that there were a couple of opportunities for members of our tour group to sit down along the way to hear some of the narrative. Taking a seat for a few minutes was welcome after standing so much on the first tour.
About Carter House: The Carter House State Historic Site is set on 25 acres. Carter House was built around 1830 by Fountain Branch Carter. It was purchased by the State of Tennessee in 1951, and it was first opened to the public in 1953. Today it is managed by The Battle of Franklin Trust.
Address: 1140 Columbia Ave., Franklin.
Admission: $18 for adults, $8 for children ages 6-15
Details: The classic tour includes a 60-minute guided tour of the home and access to the grounds.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
Annual attendance: 40,000
Details: 615-791-1861 or https://boft.org/
Our third stop was Carnton, with its gorgeous brick home with a huge white porch, spectacular grounds and the powerful cemetery where 1,500 Confederate soldiers are buried.
Our tour guide Lyle Ihde provided details about the home and the McGavock family and shared mind-boggling stories of the home serving as the largest field hospital in the area. The surgeries, mostly amputations, took place in virtually every room of the house, and he showed us the blood stains to prove it.
So you like discounts? Ms. Cheap has exclusive offers for new Tennessean subscribers
The Confederate cemetery, which is the self-guided part of the tour, was incredibly poignant, with row after row of small, initialed headstones arranged by the soldier's state of origin. The average age of the soldiers who fell in the battle was 22-23 years old, and most were originally buried in shallow graves where they fell near Carter House. In 1866, the bodies were moved to Carnton, after the McGavock family donated two acres near the house for their reburial.
The cemetery at Carnton is the largest privately owned Confederate cemetery in the country.
About Carnton: Carnton was built in 1826 by former Nashville Mayor Randal McGavock and was the home of John and Carrie McGavock at the time of the Civil War. The home and 48 acres is privately owned and is managed by the Battle of Franklin Trust.
Address: 1345 Eastern Flank Cir., Franklin
Admission: $18 for adults, $8 for children ages 6-15
The ticket includes a 60-minute guided tour of the home and access to the grounds and cemetery.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday
Annual attendance: 60,000
Details: 615-794-0903 https://boft.org
The $35 Value Ticket, which is available at all three sites, is a discounted ticket to the Classic House Tours at Carter House and Carnton and the house tour at Lotz House. If purchased separately, you would pay $48 for adult admission to all three historic homes.
You do not need to visit the houses in any particular order, but plan at least 5 hours to see them all.
The Value Ticket does not expire, so you could tour one property and come back days or weeks later to tour the others. All three homes have free parking.
Reach Ms. Cheap at 615-259-8282 or mscheap@tennessean.com. Follow her on Facebook at facebook.com/mscheap, and at Tennessean.com/mscheap, and on Twitter @Ms_Cheap, and catch her every Thursday at 11 a.m. on WTVF-Channel 5’s “Talk of the Town.”
