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Nathan East Makes Grand Ole Opry Debut Performing With Vince Gill

15 Aug 14

Nathan East, one of the world’s most recorded bassists, makes his Grand Ole Opry debut this Saturday, August 16 performing with Grand Ole Opry member and MCA Nashville recording artist Vince Gill. The pair are teaming up for a one-night only performance on the Opry stage. The Grand Ole Opry can be heard live on wsmonline.com beginning at 7PM Central Time.

“It’s a true honor to have an opportunity to play on the Opry stage for the first time,” East said. “Sharing the experience with my friend Vince Gill and all of the talented musicians in the Grand Ole Opry Band makes it even more special.”

East and Gill will perform “Can’t Find My Way Home,” a song East recorded with Eric Clapton for his self-titled debut solo album, out on Yamaha Entertainment Group. Written by Steve Winwood, the song was originally recorded by the rock band Blind Faith (Winwood, Clapton, Ginger Baker) in 1969.

East is no stranger to performing with some of Country’s finest musicians and has recorded albums with Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers and Dan Seals. Recently, East sat in with Wynonna during one of her Los Angeles performances.

To date, East has also played bass on more than a dozen Eric Clapton albums, most recently The Breeze (An Appreciation of JJ Cale). He is also interviewed in Clapton’s new tour documentary, “Planes, Trains and Eric” set for release Nov. 4. 

“Nathan’s played on more than 2,000 records for hundreds of artists of all genres but this Opry performance is a first,” said Chris Gero, Yamaha Entertainment Group Founder & VP. “Thanks to Pete Fisher and the Grand Ole Opry for this special invitation.”

Artists on the evening’s bill include Jim Ed Brown, Nathan East, Exile, Vince Gill, Andy Griggs, Aubrey Peeples, Kim Richey, Riders In The Sky, Jean Shepard, Connie Smith and Jimmy Wayne. The show starts at 7 p.m. Central. To purchase tickets to the Grand Ole Opry, visit www.opry.com.

ABOUT NATHAN EAST
Bassist Nathan East, a member of the world-renowned contemporary jazz quartet Fourplay, released his self-titled debut solo album March 25, 2014 on Yamaha Entertainment Group. Nathan East, produced by East and Yamaha Entertainment Group Founder & VP Chris Gero, features collaborations with Stevie Wonder (“Overjoyed”), Michael McDonald (“Moondance”), Sara Bareilles (“I Can Let Go Now”), Ray Parker Jr. (“Daft Funk”), Bob James and Chuck Loeb of Fourplay, David Paich of Toto and more. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Albums chart and contains the No. 1 hit, “Daft Funk” and the follow up single, “101 Eastbound,” currently at 21 on the Billboard Smooth Jazz Songs chart. East, who picked up the bass in high school and went on the road with Barry White at the age of 16, is one of the most recorded musicians in history and has played on songs recorded by George Harrison, Phil Collins, Quincy Jones, Lionel Richie, Daft Punk, Beyoncé, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Barbra Streisand, Michael Bublé, Anita Baker and many more. East has also been a touring member of many bands including Clapton, Collins, Toto, Kenny Loggins, Al Jarreau, Herbie Hancock, David Foster and Elvis Presley. www.NathanEast.com

ABOUT VINCE GILL
One of the most popular singers in modern country music, Vince Gill has a love for country music, top-notch songwriting, and world class guitar playing, all wrapped in a warm tenor and a quick and easy wit. Gill achieved his big breakthrough with “When I Call Your Name,” which won the CMA Single of the Year award. Since then, he has won 17 more CMA honors, including Song of the Year four times – making him the most-awarded artist in that category in CMA history. Since 1990, Gill has received 20 GRAMMY Awards and has sold more than 26 million albums. The Academy of Country Music has handed Gill eight awards, including their prestigious “The Home Depot Humanitarian Award” and the 2011 “Career Achievement Award.” Gill was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007. He is also a member of the Grand Ole Opry. In August 2012, Gill was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He is a member of the four-time GRAMMY-nominated band The Time Jumpers. In 2013, Gill released his first duet record with legendary pedal steel guitar player and fellow Time Jumper Paul Franklin. Entitled Bakersfield, the record pays homage to two of Gill and Franklin’s musical heroes: Buck Owens and Merle Haggard. www.VinceGill.com