FALL 2024

58 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S

58 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK SPECIALTY TOOLS & FASTENERS DISTRIBUTORS ASSOCIATION PO Box 44, 500 Elm Grove Rd., Ste. 2I0, Elm Grove, Wl 53122 TEL 1-800-352-2981 EMAIL info@stafda.org WEB www.stafda.org STAFDA’S OPENING PARTY AT THE COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME by Georgia H. Foley, CEO One of the iconic ‘must see’ venues in Music City is the Country Music Hall of Fame. Across from the Music City Center and connected to the Omni Nashville, STAFDA has done a buyout of the venue for its Sunday night party on November 10. Convention attendees will have two hours (6-8 p.m.) to take advantage of varied talent on the Hall of Fame’s four floors in addition to exploring the exhibits showcasing country music’s legends. STAFDA’s 48th Annual Convention & Trade Show is November 10-12 in Nashville, TN. On the main floor and entertaining attendees as they arrive will be the trio, Gypsy Grass. Founded by Asheville, NC musician Ben Phan, this supergroup of virtuoso musicians formed a love for two genres- bluegrass and gypsy jazz. A highly versatile group, Gypsy Grass can play classy swing jazz to covering popular songs with a fresh and authentic style. The trio consists of Phan on guitar and vocals, Cynthia McDermott on mandolin and vocals, and Drayton Aldridge on violin and fiddle. Also on the first floor will be singer/songwriter, Lee Thomas Miller, sharing the unique – and creative process – of songwriting. He has 20-years-worth of chart singles with seven of them reaching #1 including songs from Brad Paisley, Tim McGraw, Trace Adkins, Joe Nichols, and Terri Clark. He is a three-time Grammy award nominee and has won other major industry awards including CMA and ACM Song of the Year for “In Color” by Jamey Johnson, as well as Music Row Magazine and Nashville Songwriter’s Association annual awards. He mostly recently scored a Top 3 single with Scotty McCreery. Miller has also written songs for Brothers Osborne, Chris Stapleton, Garth Brooks, George Strait, Dierks Bentley, Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett, Brandon Heath, and countless others. SHOW EVENT ARTICLE On the third level will be the Chris Jones Band, a high energy country music band! Frontman Chris Jones was born in West Monroe, LA who had a talented mom with a beautiful voice and a bass player for a dad. It wasn’t until he was in his early 20’s and out with the guys that he was dared to enter a karaoke contest where not only did he shock his friends with his strong voice, but he won 1st place! That night placed a fire and passion in his heart to begin his singing career in the country music industry. Later he moved to Texas where he met some new friends and started a band. They rapidly began filling their date book with “A” list clubs all over the U.S. Jones is now touring full time and living his dream. The fourth floor of the Hall of Fame will feature the The Carmonas Band. As high-energy performers, their powerful vocals, sibling harmonies, and prodigal guitar licks make people sit up and listen. Growing up in a military family of 10, Aaron, Chad and Alison spent time on both coasts, with a whole lot of station wagon trips in between. Influenced by the country and bluegrass coming from North Carolina and the more eclectic, laidback style of California, their music blends a heartfelt mix of folk, bluegrass and classic rock n’ roll. The Carmonas Band has been seen on ESPN, CMT, GAC, More At Midday, and Tennessee Mornings, and featured in The Tennessean, The Village Voice, The Cary News, and Southwest Airlines Magazine, among others. In addition to taking in the top talent, there will be a number of food and beverage stations throughout the Country Music Hall of Fame. No one will leave the party hungry before they can enjoy more of Nashville’s exciting nightlife only two blocks away! Please visit www.stafda.org to learn more about membership and the Nashville Convention. SPECIALTY TOOLS & FASTENERS DISTRIBUTORS ASSOCIATION