Jason shrum music journalist Archives

October 6, 2026 Jason Shrum

Jukebox Jam 3 comes to Cannery Hall

I am absolutely elated to say that there is a Jukebox Jam 3 happening this weekend. One was exceptional, two was glorious and three looks to be spectacular. On Saturday, October 10th, at Cannery Hall, Jonathan Plevyak is once again cultivating a whole experience that you must be a part of. It’s phones down and attire up for a date night style 1950’s and 60’s soul and doo-woop inspired experience. The venue has changed but the line-up is once again stacked and let me tell you from previous attendance that this is a one of one adventure. Last year’s room was bombasted with a decor that rivalled the “Enchantment Under the Sea” theme from the prom scene in the movie Back to the Future. From what I have heard from Jonathan and others is that this year’s production will be even bigger and bolder.

September 27, 2026 Jason Shrum

Single Review: Zara Chantelle | ‘Toxic Ex’

There was a new track that slid across my desk last week and this one stuck with me. I get lots of requests these days to check out new music from various artists via their management or record label. However, this one came straight from the artist and from the Land Down Under. Not to be confused with The Upside Down from Stranger Things (old punk head trying to keep up with the kids), this is from Australia. I received a very polite and straight forward message, asking me to simply check it out if I could, from a musician named Zara Chantelle.

FEATURED LIVE REVIEWS

September 16, 2026 Jason Shrum

THE BIG STAR QUINTET PLAYS NEUHOFF DISTRICT’S RIVER STEPS CONCERT SERIES!

My prize was going to be in the Neuhoff District at the River Steps, along the Cumberland River, for a FREE show that flew under the radar somehow. This curation was also put on by a radio station but had limited advertising and was in the realm of IYKYK. Lightning 100.1 FM kept their promotion fairly low key, but if you were following along on The Gram you knew. The semi-secret show was one that severely caught my eye with Big Star on the bill. More specifically, Big Star Quintet, which is an amalgamation of legendary musicians who have recently joined forces to bring you the timeless music of the 1970’s indie power-pop band from Memphis, Tennessee. In fact, they were playing the bill alone with a gorgeously managed 7pm start time. The beauty of seeing older bands is those early start times that lead to early end times.

ALBUM REVIEWS FEATURED

September 14, 2026 Jason Shrum

Rachael Rose and ‘Butterfly’ Look for Answers about the Afterlife

‘Butterfly’ takes us down that winding road of the inevitable…death. However, this isn’t a gloom and doom song about the end of days. It is a beacon of light that begs the question of “what really happens when we die?” and combines that with a glimmering and optimistic answer. Hopefully we are with the ones that went before us, and if we are first, then hopefully our loves will follow us there. Rose says of the track, “Overall the song is about the idea of being so deeply bonded with someone that you believe you would stay connected in any and every lifetime.”

ALBUM REVIEWS FEATURED

September 7, 2026 Jason Shrum

Tower Brothers | All The Dogs | New EP Review

The band is originally from Boston, but has made a home in Nashville and is on the label Red Guitar Music. RGM is a record label based in the Music City and founded by Travis Fairley of Catchfire. Signing with the label means full service. RGM handles A&R, booking, publicity, recording, mixing and producing. I have had excellent music pushed my way by the label including Catchfire, Carl Pariso, and Daisy Sellas. The band under my current light is made up of the brothers Jackson Tower (Keys / Bass / Vocals / Guitar) and Owen Tower (Guitar / Vocals), alongside friends Thomas Prescott (Guitar) and Quinten Cohen (Drums / Vocals).

B Sides FEATURED

September 2, 2026 Jason Shrum

Kathie, Kathy, Dolly and Punk Rock

On August 25th, 2026 the world stopped with the news that Dolly Parton had passed away. It was a shockwave that was felt by so many. Everyone who had ever been touched by her music and her kindness was saddened to learn that the earth would keep spinning without The Smoky Mountain Songbird. We were so lucky to live in a timeline that saw us floating on this space rock with such a bright and selfless human being. So how would we cope? For me this bombshell coincided with my mom, Kathie, coming up to Nashville to see my new house and celebrate her birthday. She was also arriving in Music City with her friend, Kathy, who was also celebrating her birthday. The best thing that we could do was to dive headfirst into the sounds and soul of Dolly.

FEATURED LIVE REVIEWS

August 24, 2026 Jason Shrum

WNXP Summer Line Series with Bully and Massie99

This summer’s shows hit a little bit different than last summer’s shows because now, Rock Oracle is a building a team and we had our first team building exercise at WNXP’s Summer Line Series. We were in attendance for the second of four events curated by Nashville Public Radio Station WNXP (91.1 FM) for this summer. By we, I mean myself, plus new additions to the squad Sarah and Stacey who, along with Florida Oracle, Mooney, have been instrumental in taking Rock Oracle to the next level. The first WNXP event was with Devon Gilfillian and was deemed a huge success as people filled the Ascension St. Thomas Landing at Nashville Yards on June 26th. The sophomore installment of this well orchestrated showcase was Bully and Massie99, on August 22nd, at the outdoor venue. I was thrilled to introduce these artists to my team and share in a magical night evening of music community.