Ron Wynn

Nashville

Sports and Entertainment Editor at The Tennessee Tribune

Freelance Contributor at The Bluegrass Situation

Articles

Fisk Food and Jazz Festival Keeps It Smooth

3 days ago | nashvillescene.com | Ron Wynn

4-9:30 p.m. Saturday, June 28, at The Yard at Fisk UniversitySince it launched in 1973, radio station WFSK 88.1-FM — better known as Jazzy 88 — has become a major part of the landscape of Fisk University. When Middle Tennessee State University station WMOT changed to an Americana format in 2016, Jazzy 88 became the area’s only 24/7 jazz station.
Mike Ralphs of Bad Company and Mott the Hoople Dies at 81

4 days ago | premierguitar.com | Ron Wynn

Mick Ralphs’ burly guitar tone and arrangements made “Ready for Love,” “Can’t Get Enough,” “Bad Company,” “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” and others part of the soundtrack of the ’70s. English guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter Mick Ralphs was among a select group of performers who achieved both consistent commercial success and artistic triumph throughout a career that extended from the mid-’60s until 2016, when a stroke led to his hospitalization and, eventually, retirement.
Nashville Monday Night Jazz Returns

2 weeks ago | nashvillescene.com | Ron Wynn

As with R&B, soul, blues and gospel, there is an extensive tradition of live jazz concerts and performances presented in North Nashville. One of the more popular and long-running contemporary series has recently returned in expanded fashion. Nashville Monday Night Jazz, or NMNJ, has returned as a weekly staple and is now available in two different venues.
R&B star comes to Nashville

1 month ago | tntribune.com | Ron Wynn

One of the finest vocalists among contemporary R&B stylists returns to Nashville this week. Howard Hewett will be performing at the City Winery Saturday night. His brilliant career dates back to his childhood years on the gospel circuit, where he worked with his older sisters in the Hewett Singers group. He switched to secular music as a teen, working in the funk band Lyfe. But his first big break in the R&B world came with the beloved trio Shalamar.
Another Look: Ben Graves, ‘Settle Down’

1 month ago | nashvillescene.com | Ron Wynn

Vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Ben Graves’ Settle Down, released in October, brings the balance of precision and spontaneity as well as the instrumental flair that characterizes a jazz date to what is predominantly (though not entirely) a pop record. The degree of musical integrity and ability displayed not only by Graves but also fellow contributors Matt Rollins (keyboards), Viktor Krauss (bass) and Jano Rix (drums) is a massive bonus to the release.
Alison Joy Williams Dives Deep Into the Blues

1 month ago | nashvillescene.com | Ron Wynn

Playing 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, at 3rd and LindsleyThroughout her career, explosive vocalist and songwriter Alison Joy Williams has done a bit of everything — from rock and pop to country, Americana and gospel. But the blues remains the genre she most enjoys. While she has appeared in numerous venues and at festivals across the U.S. and around the world, she considers Nashville her second home, even since relocating to the Pacific Northwest.
Another Look: Valerie June, ‘Owls, Omens, and Oracles’

2 months ago | nashvillescene.com | Ron Wynn

Dynamic vocalist andinstrumentalist Valerie June delivers 14 conceptually challenging, lyrically intriguing numbers on her newest release Owls, Omens, and Oracles. She's exploring the realm of spirituality, both in terns of personal beliefs and social impact. These songs espouse and celebrate expressions of joy, with June's vocals consistently engaging and exuberant. M.
Classic gospel, contemporary blues artists come to Nashville

Mar 27, 2025 | tntribune.com | Ron Wynn

By Ron WynnOne of gospel’s finest groups and the son of a legendary blues musician will be appearing in Nashville to get April underway in fine fashion. They are both coming to the City Winery, with the Blind Boys of Alabama slated to appear there April 1 and Cedric Burnside on April 3.
Another Look: Ryan Middagh Jazz Orchestra, ‘Tenor Madness’

Mar 26, 2025 | nashvillescene.com | Ron Wynn

Since COVID lockdown, we’ve run a recurring print column called Another Look that rounds up several super-brief record reviews. It’s a way to highlight worthy releases from Nashville-residing musicians during the past few months that we haven’t yet covered in-depth. The time has come for an evolution: Rather than one whopping article, we’re revamping Another Look as a series of single short reviews, with one or more iterations online each week.
Fisk makes more athletic history

Mar 14, 2025 | tntribune.com | Ron Wynn

When Fisk University announced it was starting gymnastics back in the fall of 2022, the general feeling was great in terms of symbolic importance, but beyond that, what would be the impact? As the first HBCU to venture into this athletic area, there was no precedent, nothing to make a comparison with or to beyond simply wanting to do well. That first team in 2023 was profiled everywhere from CNN to CBS and on the NCAA’s website.