As has become a tradition on Tuesday night, said to be “grown folks night out,” at Carol Ann’s on Murfreesboro Road, with the legendary Jimmy Church taking the stage as host, honoring local music makers. Those being honored may be vocalists, instrumentalists, or as on that night, a person bent on keeping the musical legacy in Nashville alive, especially on Jefferson Street, called the “original music row,” the trail-blazing Lorenzo Washington.
Washington, founder of Jefferson Street Sound, LLC, says he was rooted and nurtured in Nashville Tennessee. He says his passion for family and community is the catalyst for his life’s journey, which embraces an array of entrepreneurial experiences.
In 1972, “Lorenzo Black and White Pig Pit Bar-B-Que,” was his opening statement to the world of the self-employed. With his first business under his belt, he opened The Soul Shack Record Shop and Boutique. The Shack Game Room and Recreation Center, a community based recreation center for the youth of East Nashville, was opened in 1978. During the same time he partnered with Moses Dillard and Jesse Boyce in Dillard and Boyce Productions, originally located on Nashville’s Music Row. The single, “Come on Dance, Dance,” by the Saturday Night Band, reached number two on the Billboard Charts and was nominated for two Grammy Awards.
Inspired and motivated by the amazing musicians and artists that have gathered and performed on the historic Jefferson Street, from 1940, thru the 1970’s, Mr. Washington made a commitment to help preserve their musical legacy.
Working with Dr. Morgan Hines, DDS/artist, the “Back in the Day Tree,” was created and illustrated to represent Jefferson Street, the main artery on which a variety of nightclubs and dinner clubs stood; and it also identifies the intersecting cross streets that housed nighttime entertainment that would be later heralded as a basic foundation from which so much other music was born.
Washington moved to historical Jefferson Street property in 2010, with the continuing purpose of conserving the musical legacy that many referred to as the “original Music Row.” Partnering with Mr. Don Adams, bassist/writer/producer, they formed Jefferson Street Sound, LLC. As they celebrate their third anniversary they proudly present an amazing multi-purpose space that includes: a rehearsal hall, state-of-the-art equipment, recording studio, live recording room, and a professional staff.
Mr. Washington, said in June [2013] Jefferson Street Sound Records will release their first jazz project and artist, Don Adams, “Caution, May Cause Passion.” Following that release, Nashville’s Queen of the Blues Marion James is set to release her single, “Back in the Day.” Washington is co-publisher and it is being produced by Jefferson Street Production: Don Adams, producer and Sam Doughty, sound engineer/social media specialist.
Jefferson Street Sound, LLC is located at 2004 Jefferson Street, Nashville TN 37208 or call 615-414-6675 or jeffersonstreesound.com
