×

Nashville hit writers come north for CopperDog 2022

NASHVILLE — On Saturday night, March 5, the Calumet Theatre stage will host three of the best songwriters Nashville has to offer. At 7 p.m. Gary Hannan and Friends will share their greatest songs and tell the stories behind them that have influenced our culture and the direction of country music. From sad songs to clever songs, this special event will let people see first hand a world few get to see…through the eyes of award-winning songwriters. The trio will sing the songs that topped the charts, and also share the stories behind them.

Gary Hannan, Wynn Varble and Clint Daniels made the decision to come from various parts of the southern United States, in the dead of a Copper Country winter, to perform this show. So, what would inspire three of the current top songwriters in Nashville to come to Calumet in March?

“Because, I asked ’em to,” Hannan answered with a chuckle. “I’ve been raving about the (Calumet) Theatre since I was there last time. I was telling these guys about what a sense of community you guys have, what a nice venue it is, and they were like: ‘Yeah, we’d be up for that for sure, ya know?'”

Hannan experienced the “sense of community” when he performed at the theater on Nov. 5, 2021, from several businesses and people in Calumet, even to his being presented a birthday cake while he was performing on stage.

This time will be no different. Hannan, Varble and Daniels will arrive in Calumet Thursday afternoon. The next day, they will be given a tour of the Keeweenaw Peninsula and have the opportunity to experience the CopperDog 150 dogsled race.

Not two months after Hannan’s first visit to the theater, he contacted Calumet Theatre Board Presiden, Dan Jamison, suggesting a concert during the CopperDog to give out-of-town visitors of the race an opportunity to take in a show, while at the same time, providing the Board and ideal opportunity to showcase the Calumet Theatre as a venue worth visiting again.

When Hannan was interviewed last Friday, he said neither Varble or Daniels were available to talk, because Varble was in Houston at the time, and he was not sure where Daniels was. Hannan himself had just returned to Nashville from performing at venues in the southeast.

“They’re both in different parts of the country often,” said Hannan. “It’s just really, really hard to get these guys, because they’re running around a lot, you know.”

Hannan said Wynn Varble has quite a few friends in the Upper Peninsula, and they contacted him and expressed their delight at his coming to the Calumet Theatre, even before Varble told them.

“I’m not sure what town they’re from specifically,” Hannan said, “but I know that they have traveled extensively to see his shows in the past, and they’re definitely coming to see him at the Calumet Theatre.”

Hannan’s songs have been performed by the highest selling solo artist of all time, Garth Brooks and superstar Blake Shelton. His songs “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off,” by Joe Nichols and “Back When I Knew It All,” by Montgomery Gentry. Both topped the Billboard charts.

Varble’s first radio single was “Fit To Be Tied Down” by Sammy Kershaw. Since then Wynn has had hits including “Have You Forgotten” by Darryl Worley, “Waitin’ On A Woman” by Brad Paisley, and “I’m A Little More Country Than That” by Easton Corbin.

Daniels has co-written songs for dozen of country artists including the hit “Brokenheartsville” by Joe Nichols, “Ready For The End Of The World” by George Strait and “Roll With Me” by Montgomery Gentry, as well as Brooks & Dunn’s 2008 “God Must Be Busy” and Easton Corbin’s single, “I Can’t Love You Back” and Eric Church’s “Some Of It.”

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today