Woven Nashville: An Evening of Music, Art, and Conversation is a creative experience hosted by Sunday Night Soul’s Jason Eskridge and East Side Storytellin’s Chuck Beard at the historic Frist Art Museum. This monthly event brings together unique pairings of extraordinary Nashville creatives working in all kinds of media. Each specially curated show will combine musicians with painters, writers, comics, dancers, spoken-word artists, and more. Our goal is to provide a “mixtape” atmosphere, blending individual and collaborative performances and conversations designed to lift up the talented people who make Nashville so wonderful. Free to attend, Woven Nashville is an instant-classic treasure you will want to carry home with you.
Featured Artists This Month:
Jess Nolan
Nashville-based singer-songwriter Jess Nolan recently released her new LP ’93 via Righteous Babe Records. The seeds of ’93 sprouted in the height of 2020. In the midst of the initial involuntary stillness, she planted a backyard vegetable garden, moved her involvement in mentoring young female songwriters online, and traveled back to her New Jersey hometown to stay with family for weeks at a time. In the face of uncertainty, strong, deeply-rooted feelings came pouring out, resulting in ten poignant reflections on rebirth, reconnection, and mindfulness. “I love Jess’s voice, her melodies, they lift me,” says Ani DiFranco. “Bet you can’t listen to this record just once. So happy to welcome her into the Righteous Babe family.”
Willie Sims—Most Know Him as Big Fella
Big Fella is the ultimate bridge builder, dedicated to fostering art, community, and connection. His passion for creating a thriving cultural ecosystem is vital to Nashville’s growth and innovation. Above all, Big Fella is a devoted husband and father, embodying love and purpose in every aspect of his life.
A true renaissance man, Big Fella wears many hats: entertainer, ambassador, and entrepreneur. While in college, he launched the public-access cooking show Cookin’ With Big Fella: The Hustlin’ Gourmet, a cult classic! Big is also a legendary master of ceremonies, seer of the future, and a consummate creator.
As an organizer and festival promoter, Big Fella founded Nashville’s Official Juneteenth Firework Celebration, a cornerstone event for the city. He also channels his energy into youth outreach, using artistic expression to inspire and unlock potential in young people. His contributions to the arts ripple through the community, as he mentors musicians, producers, writers, artists, builders, and creators of all walks of life and disciplines.
Beyond music and mentorship, Big Fella is a pretty dope actor and comedian who stars in movies, television, and content produced by both his company, Fellavision, and some of the top production companies and networks in the world such as Amazon Studios, Skydance Media, and Tubi. He’s a founding member of Nashville’s Music, Film, and Entertainment Commission and serves on the board of Thistle Farms and is an ex-officio at Nashville Education Community Arts Television. Through it all, Big Fella continues to spread love and leave a lasting legacy in this city.
