Shannon Fontaine
Storme Warren and Joe Denim, Entertainers
SiriusXM radio personality Storme Warren alongside country musician and funnyman Joe Denim have teamed up to host the new Nashville House Concerts series in the War Memorial Auditorium, turning an often-overlooked landmark into an actual living room for one night each month.
Working with a 21st century variety show theme, the series puts musical superstars and rising talent in a relaxed setting, while songwriters take hit-making suggestions from the crowd, comedians let loose, and much more (like the city's best bartenders revealing the secrets behind their signature cocktails). It all takes place on the first Thursday of every month through June 2018.
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Hidden in plain sight: The War Memorial Auditorium is an Art Deco gem built in 1925 in the heart of Nashville's capitol district. But, with famous landmarks like the Ryman Auditorium and Grand Ole Opry House to compete with, it has a hard time getting noticed. The House Concerts aim to change that. 'The entire goal is to put something on that showcases the best of Music City, in one of the most historic venues in [Nashville],” Warren says.
Something for everyone: With such a diverse pool of talent to draw from, Warren and Denim are making sure no two shows are the same. Martina McBride kicked off the series with surprise guest Jim Lauderdale and top-flight tunesmiths Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne, plus a pair of barkeeps from The Palm who served up salami-infused drinks and opera tunes. Upcoming lineups include Lady Antebellum, Charlie Daniels, and Robert Randolph & the Family Band.
"Everybody gets their time in the spotlight individually," Warren explains, stressing that this is not another in-the-round snooze-fest. "From a superstar legend like, Martina McBride, to rising talent, like Ashley McBryde or Ryan Kinder, to songwriters, comedians, or balloon-blowing goats, it's whatever we want to put onstage. There are so many stressful performance nights for these artists, and so many stuffy nights for audiences—but this is none of that."
Who are these guys? A big part of the fun is the mischievous dynamic between Warren and Denim. 'We're like the crazy uncles that come to dinner and won't go away,” Warren jokes. 'It's like, you like us for a while, but you're glad when it's done.” 'It's like ying and twang,” Denim adds with a laugh. 'Twelve year olds in a tree-house. Anything goes, and there's nothing wrong with acting like a kid. We'll grow up soon enoughbut not this week.”