BY MICHAEL CHOWNE
The first country night for many years put on by The Southgate Club in North London was a great success on Thursday 17th September 2026.
This wonderful Songwriters’ Round was presented in association with the UK Country Music Association who had invited a stellar line-up of Cheley Tackett, Savannah Gardner, Brooke Law and Mr Paul Adams, the last of whom also did a fantastic job compering.
All sat on stage at the same time, Nashville style, playing a song each and, importantly, telling the stories behind the songs with 5 rounds of songs (two each in the first half, 3 in the second). This format gives such a fantastic insight into the artists and really allows you to get to know them so put 15th October in your diary for the next Songwriters’ Round here (compered next time by Tennessee Twin).
Cheley Tackett is originally from Springfield, Ohio but was over from Nashville, where she now lives, via some performances in Denmark. This was the first stop in her tour that takes her to Lil’ Nashville in Chiswick on Sunday, followed by Manchester (Atherton), Newport in Wales, York and Poole before she’s back at The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville in early October. One of the most highly respected songwriters in Music City, I’d highly recommend you see her over here while you can as it’s been a while since she released any music. For her 5 songs Cheley played us Fried Chicken, Switzerland, My Best Dress (written with Ashley McBryde and Randall Clay), I Like Dogs The Most and Thank God For Guitars (those last two written at least partially with Erin Enderlin).
Californian dual Brit Savannah Gardner gave us 3 songs from her debut ‘Recovering Good Girl’ album – Lone Rider (written with Sharon Vaughn), High Desert Memory & Heaven Is A Feeling – along with 2 unreleased songs in Cowboys of Carrizo and Makin’ Honey. So fabulous to see Savannah revelling in playing alongside Nashville royalty and impressing royally herself. Don’t miss her with her band at The Water Rats on 14th October!
Londoner Brooke, playing a gig very close to home, also impressed massively playing 2 songs from her recent debut album ‘Naked Heart’ – Freak On and Big World – as well as older favourites Millionaires, Gypsy Woman and Boomerang. Be sure to stream her new single today -‘Adrenaline Rush’ – and get your tickets now for her autumn tour.
Really great to hear more about Paul Adams too – born in Wichita Falls, Texas and putting out country music in the UK for over 15 years now, Paul played his songs Texas Underneath, Face Don’t Fit, Be My Juliet (coming out in October), Taking A Chance and the cheeky G.A.F.Y. Well worth his place on the line-up, get out to see Paul on The Wagon Shed tour this autumn alongside Sammie Soravia, Rebecca Richards Music and Guy Surtees Music.
Last night gave us 4 quality artists bonding over music, sharing their stories and mightily impressing a (mostly) attentive audience (one table excepting!). Merch was bought by many and the format also allowed that ‘VIP’ experience of being able to talk to the artists before, during the break and after.
A really top night and, for me, a real honour to spend time with all 4 artists for a couple of hours before the show.
