While, in all likelihood, you best know Nashville-based singer-songwriter Sam Palladio from his role as Gunnar on ABC’s Nashville, you should also know him for skill as a solo artist, as he preps to release his first album, forged from several years and countless experiences across stages and studios in Music City and beyond, thanks to recognition from the show, but ultimately due to his innate musicianship. A unique talent, Sam scored his Nashville gig not just for his acting chops, but for his musical merit, and whenever you get a chance to see him out of character, flexing his talent as a performer, you should take it. Especially when it’s at City Winery, where Palladio plays his largest local show to date this Sunday, March 27, along with fellow Brits The Shires. Tickets to this unique event are still on sale right here while they last, so grab yours now and read on for more about the show!
SAM PALLADIO
If you only know British singer-songwriter Sam Palladio as Nashville‘s Gunnar, you’re selling yourself (and Sam) short. Palladio is an incredibly talented and multi-faceted performer in real life, and, though he certainly channels some Americana and country sensibilities, his solo sound lands more in the vein of folk rock, rooted in a very organic, personal thematic focus, and taking cues from classic story-driven songwriters like Paul Simon and James Taylor. An actor and a musician before his breakthrough role on Nashville, Palladio has found success both in film and television, but it was his move to Music City (and the incredible talent behind the show) that’s helped him mount a prominent solo musical career. A local resident for the foreseeable future, Sam has graced the stages of the likes of The Grand Ole Opry, The Ryman, Music City Roots, and more, touring the United States along with his castmates for a show-sponsored series of live runs, and touring Europe last year for the first time on his solo tunes, supporting the legendary Ron Sexsmith. Sam has been readying his solo debut for awhile, working with some of the best producers and songwriters Nashville has to offer, so you can expect a wide range of original numbers at this show. Needless to say, Sam Palladio is the real deal, and if you only know his character from the TV show, you’ll be thrilled the meet the talented performer whose essence brings Gunnar to life. City Winery marks his biggest local headliner to date, and we couldn’t think of a more appropriate spot to see Sam in action.
THE SHIRES
Like Palladio, country folk duo The Shires hail originally from the UK, but have been spending a lot of time in Nashville since the success of their full-length debut, last year’s Brave, helped bring them to the attention of the country community at large. A relatively new act, they’ve already become the first English country band to land a major label American record deal, and the first to land a top 10 album in their native UK. Part of a renewed wave of interest in American country musical traditions in Britain, the band have managed to co-opt the soul of the scene without losing their inherent Englishness, making them a unique and interesting act to watch. Two distinctive songwriters, as a duo The Shires work together harmoniously, and we’re beyond excited to see what they can do in person.
Sam Palladio and The Shires will perform Sunday, March 27 at City Winery. The show is all ages, begins at 8 p.m. (doors at 6 p.m.), and tickets are available for $2o-25.
