Granville Automatic Releases Radio Hymns
Praised by Critics, Album Dives into Nashville’s Mysterious Past
From love and affairs to deception and murder, drugs and debauchery to war and ghosts, Nashville has it all. Today, Granville Automatic releases their fourth studio album Radio Hymns, a 13-track concept record that explores Nashville’s lesser-known history, including everything from city founder Timothy Demonbreun’s two wives to the Ryman’s last-minute save from the wrecking ball, and features guest appearances from Jim Lauderdale, Kevin Griffin of Better Than Ezra, Ben Fields and Matraca Berg. The album has been praised by the Tennessean, PopMatters, American Songwriter, and Jeff Burger at No Depression, who said, “The vignettes are colorfully and imaginatively told but I was coming back for more of the melodic and well-produced Radio Hymns even before I started paying attention to the lyrics.” Granville Automatic is currently touring and will bring the tales of Nashville to The Bluebird Cafe on November 16 as well as The Old School on November 29. Radio Hymns is available today via Amazon, Apple Music, Spotify, and the band’s website.
The duo, comprised of songwriters Vanessa Olivarez and Elizabeth Elkins, are inspired by the city’s stories that were lost over the years. Within the album’s 13 songs, the duo rocks and rolls, haunts and soars, and pays true homage to the mystery of Music City. Radio Hymns features guest appearances from Jim Lauderdale, Kevin Griffin of Better Than Ezra, Ben Fields and Matraca Berg. Elkins and Olivarez self-produced the record, using some longtime Granville players and some of Nashville’s legendary studio musicians (and studios).
The duo titled the album Radio Hymns around the premise that the two songwriters, who often write for the radio in hopes of making a living, are actually saved by songs. These are their hymns. The collection takes listeners on a journey through a storied history; songs like “Black Avenue Gallows” discuss some of the darker parts of Music Row’s past, while “Radio Hymns” discusses the fateful save of The Ryman Auditorium in the 1970s, now once again live on the Opry’s radio station, WSM. “Marbles,” inspired by Jimi Hendrix’s time in Nashville and the locals thought he’d actually lost his sanity, tells a part of Nashville’s music past far from its country fame.
Elkins and Olivarez have written songs recorded by country stars Billy Currington (the single “Drinkin’ Town With A Football Problem”), Sugarland, Kira Isabella, Wanda Jackson, Angaleena Presley and others. Their songwriting led them to a coveted Composers in Residence spot at Seaside, Fla.’s Escape to Create program. They’ve appeared on PBS’ Sun Studio Sessions and WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour. You may have heard their songs on ABC’s American Crime and The Lying Game , as well as Netflix’s The Ranch.
Tour Dates:
Nov. 8 — Decatur, GA — Eddie’s Attic *with Darden Smith
Nov. 9-12 — Miami, FL — Shine A Little Love Fest at Sea
Nov. 16 — Nashville, TN — The Bluebird Cafe
Nov. 29 — Nashville, TN — The Old School
Dec. 15 — Deadwood, SD — Deadwood Mountain Grand *with Shenandoah
Jan. 18-21 — Santa Rosa Beach, FL — 30A Songwriters Festival
