The CMA Songwriters evening is always a curious affair as each year it draws the same valid criticisms that never really get addressed. The first is that the evening has now become just another songwriters round, a very good songwriters round, yet one made up of performers who happen to write songs. The evening used to be about bringing out people who were faceless folk who are at first unknown until they reveal themselves as having played a part in writing maybe one of your most cherished songs. They may not in all cases be the most gifted of performers but they can tell you how each song came to be. The second issue is the audience itself, if the CMA were serious about this evening they would consider closing the bar during the performance as it becomes a magnet for those who have come along perhaps expecting something else and use the area to congregate making far too much noise.
So with those gripes aside let's dive into this years event, hosted by Charlie Worsham.
Each round would be opened by Stephen J Wilson, probably the least known of the assembled artists to a UK audience. He had an incredibly dry sense of humour and an individual style of performing. He would play each time standing up, the round one contribution "Cuckoo" came with an individual guitar style.
The second round introduction with tales of "Keggers" and "Exorcisms" was equally bizarre and the tune that came with it "the devil" and yet somehow the more time you spent with Stephen the more absorbing a character he became.
The moment he completely won over the crowd was with the intro to "Father's Son". It had a heartbreaking intro delivered in a deadpan manner ending with his dying fathers last ever words being "Write a good song for me" - that wish was well and truly granted with a raptuous round of applause greeting the completion
Stephen's final contribution naturally came with another hilarious anecdote - mixing roller skating and grunge music. It all led to "Year To Be Young 1994" when "Songs were so much more"
Lauren Alaina would later get to show herself in all her glory on the Main Stage the following night so this represented a chance to show a more stripped down approach with just an acoustic guitarist for company.
The perils of transatlantic travel soon surfaced with Lauren not quite being sure what day it was!
She would also perform standing up, her opening song would be "One Beer" but it was her second one the unreleased "Breaking Up With Single (For Good)" that caught the attention - her farewell to break up songs!
Having to follow Stephen meant traversing a roller coaster of emotions and Lauren was quick to point out that she had gone from laughing to being in tears. Her third round would see the rootsy "Thick As Thieves" which would see her walking the stage mic in hand.
Her final contribution would be her signature tune, the title track of her album "Road Less Travelled" which turned into the big pop singalong that it is.
Charlie Worsham was clearly emotional at being back on the stage and event that launched his UK career. Continuing the trend he would also play standing up opening with the excellent "Creekwater Clear". For the second round he would unveil a Stephen J Wilson co write with "These Days" for which Stephen would supply some additional guitar - it came with the telling line
"Years go by these days"
The third song of his quartet would be "Kiss You Like Dance" previewed on his Ward Thomas Support slot of last year for his "Compadres" EP with Charlie finding himself in fine voice.
On any other night it is fair to say that his final contribution would probably not have been "Lawn Chair Don't Care" given the depth of his repertoire however that original Songwriters appearance gave that song a life of it's own so it naturally was requested.
The next day would see Charlie in a new guise at the same venue finally able to make some noise
The final member of the main crew of performers was one that many were most anxious to see. The audience would know her for her hit "Bubbly" but she has long since relocated to Nashville. she at least would choose to perform seated opening with the classy "I Never Told You" her guitarist also adding some additional vocals.
Colby was an absolute delight on the night, the upbeat "I'll Be Here" sung on record with Sheryl Crow came with an irresistible pop chorus.
Colby's grasp of a classic tune was unmistakable on the night - the Pop orientated country of "For Someone" detailing how that although this ex wa snot the right person for her that she had made him perfect for the next person he met. It was smartly written and prepared,
When Colby started the preamble to "Bubbly" she had no idea quite what an effect it would have on people who had waited years for this moment - Colby had not been to the UK in 11 years, Speaking to folk aftrwards they were in tears of joy as the introduction began. Classic pop at its finest - the time with Colby was a delight and the fact that we'll be able to repeat it later in the year at Long Road was also great news.
Two guest appearances would also complete the evening - Fancy Hagood came out and would announce himself as
"Too queer for Nashville - Too Nashville for LA"
Saying he was finally "making the record he always wanted to make" - "Fly Away" seemed a good indication that it was working out well.
The other guest appearance on the night was Abbey Cone who set expectations high for her subsequent C2C set at the Indigo with her single "If You Were a Song".
So there was no doubt is was an entertaining evening with twenty two highly entertaining songs and it must be noted a subliminal attempt by the organisers to push UK Americana with the likes of Chloe Chadwick, Emilia Quinn, Kezia Gill and Jade Helliwell all playing out across the Indigo as people went to find their seats.
PHOTOS BY COLIN JONES