BMI to present Acoustic Lounge showcase series

Summertime heats up as BMI presents four outstanding singer/songwriters at the July edition of its Acoustic Lounge showcase series. Held Monday, July 9 at Genghis Cohen, the event will feature acoustic performances from Love Story Hero, Jessica Lombard, Emily Tessmer and Beau Davidson. The Acoustic Lounge takes place the first Monday of each month at 7:00 pm, and is free and open to the public.
Love Story Hero is the musical project of Justin Culver, which, as he describes it, “…is just me and an acoustic guitar, pouring my heart out through every word and note played.” Influences include Damien Rice, Spill Canvas, Dashboard Confessional, Jason Mraz, Foo Fighters, Wilco, and others. Writing and performing for the sheer love of the craft, Culver wants the honesty of his work to connect with his listeners and hopes his music will be something different from some of the generic material out there today – music that will speak to your heart from his.
At the age of 12, Jessica Lombard has already established herself as a prolific songwriter and seasoned performer. She writes music and lyrics with an ability that stretches far beyond her years. Jessica initially displayed an interest in the piano at the tender age of 3, and by the time she was 6, she was playing sophisticated arrangements. She is truly a phenomenon, an artist whose musical style has been compared to that of Jewel and Tori Amos with an artistic vision all her own. Jessica is constantly writing new songs while diligently studying piano and voice. She recently appeared in a stage version of Beauty and the Beast and was cast as ‘Star To Be’ in the musical Annie. She is currently rehearsing the role of Alice for Alice in Wonderland.
Emily Tessmer’s upcoming release, Luminarium, presents her fans with the gift they have been hoping to get most of all: herself. Poignant, soulful and resonant, Emily’s original songs marry her vocal and songwriting talents. Produced by Erik Eldenius (LA Music Awards nominee for album of the year) and Mathew Ross, Luminarium conveys the power of vulnerability in songs such as "Crown Of Stars" and “Heal Now.” Backed by a stellar group of musicians, including Eldenius, Jorgen Carlsson, Sean Hurley, Toshi Yanagi, Jeff Young and Stuart Mathis, Luminarium offers a rock vibe set against Emily’s healing vocals.
Prior to her solo accomplishments Emily and her former band worked in studio on a production deal funded by MCA, headlined at the Veenhoop Festival, played Los Angeles’s Troubadour, and opened for diverse artists, including Gilby Clarke and Blue Oyster Cult. This year, Emily was invited to sing the National Anthem for a San Diego Padres game also had the opportunity to present Clint Eastwood with his lifetime Achievement Award as the awards presenter for a seventh consecutive season with the Directors Guild of America. Additionally, Emily was commissioned by Kristen and Mike Klink (Guns n’ Roses) to write an original song for their foundation, A Song of My Own, a charity whereby singer/songwriters connect with terminally ill children. Emily wrote Annie’s song and Annie went into remission from Leukemia shortly thereafter.
“I consider that song and Annie’s remission to be one of the most blessed moments in my life,” Emily says.
Beau Davidson, born in Memphis and raised in the traditions of gospel music and those embodied by Elvis Presley, Al Green, and Otis Redding, has written songs reminiscent of the "Memphis sound" infused with modern inflections, now recognized as "soul/pop."
Beau's debut single, “More Than I Can Give,” from the upcoming release The Good Hurt, crosses traditional musical boundaries by combining Memphis soul with mainstream pop, appealing to adult contemporary, pop, and country listeners. The introduction is a throwback to vintage, low-fi Memphis radio that reminds the listener of what was and gives him a taste of what is to be.
The Acoustic Lounge is one of many opportunities BMI offers artists to showcase their talent in front of their peers and a supportive audience. The atmosphere is relaxed and fun, offering a great opportunity to network with other aspiring and working singer/songwriters. For established writers, it provides a chance to monitor new musical trends and be involved in the grass-roots/DIY musical movement.
Broadcast Music, Inc.® (BMI) is an American performing right organization that represents more than 300,000 songwriters, composers and publishers in all genres of music. For more than 65 years, BMI has represented the most popular and beloved music from around the world, a vast repertoire that includes more than 6.5 million works. The non-profit-making corporation collects license fees from businesses that use music, which it then distributes as royalties to the musical creators and copyright owners it represents.