THOMAS CRABTREE
Cirque du Soleil and Universal Music Group Nashville are honoring legendary trailblazers of country music while embracing contemporary talents and the genre’s evolving spirit through a dynamic theatrical production, Songblazers – A Journey Into Country Music.
Audiences are invited to witness breathtaking acrobatics, awe-inspiring aerial acts, displays of extraordinary strength, and a score featuring the works of brilliant artists. As the crowd grooves to beloved country tunes, they will be entranced by the breathtaking skills of Cirque du Soleil artists. The one-of-a-kind performance will grace Andrew Jackson Hall at TPAC from July 2 until July 28 before visiting seven other cities.
Songblazers – A Journey Into Country Music is rooted in storytelling and insatiable adoration for music. Cirque du Soleil Director of Creation Daniel Ross wanted to emulate the picture- painting lyricism in country songs and combine it with the circus. The show, written and directed by Amy Tinkham, charts the journey of two main characters as they forge their own path to country recognition.
“To be asked to make a show about country music is a very daunting task because it’s giant. So, the approach that I took was to go deeply into the history and crafting of a song, which is really key to country music. Telling the truth and telling the story is the beautiful part of country music, so that’s what Songblazers is about,” Tinkham says.
Propelled by inspiration from all angles, the team layers the genre’s rich qualities with the performers’ talents.
“I’m surrounded by inspiration for Songblazers, starting with the musical songs that we’ve chosen for the production. I’m taking inspiration from the acrobatic artists, all of the wonderful singers and musicians that are involved with this show, the entire history of country music, and my musical background as well with all of the different genres that I’ve played over the years and music that I’ve created and worked with,” says Seth Roberts, Arranger and Music Producer.
Aligning with their goal to pay homage to country music’s timeless elements, Cirque du Soleil collaborated with Sam Williams, a contemporary country artist, grandson of country pioneer Hank Williams, and the son of outlaw legend Hank Williams Jr. He created an original song for the show “Carnival Heart,” that fuses plainspoken poetics and gut-wrenching honesty with vulnerability and empathy. Williams wrote the song with PJ Harding and Ned Houston, inspired by self- discovery, friendship, and hope.
“Where I come from, most people don’t get to go to the circus. We go to county fairs and carnivals, and the carnival in a small town is filled with joy, excitement, mystery, euphoria, you name it," Williams says. "That feeling is one you always remember, and I think the roller coaster of emotions lines up with what you want to feel seeing such an incredibly beautiful production, such as Cirque’s."
An evening packed with feeling, love, and legacies, Songblazers promises to be an unforgettable experience for audiences. (505 Deaderick St., 615-782-4040; tpac.org)