chips are down by Jarren Blair

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Jarren Blair is genuinely one of the most talented people I’ve seen in Nashville since I’ve moved here. Often donning a cherry red guitar and a little black box — his secret weapon, used to stretch and pitch his voice to extreme lengths — Blair has been doo-dading around town with various acts in various capacities with my favorite being alongside East Nashville’s, Brian Brown. Whether its his rendition of Nirvana’s, “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” or his hit single, “Space Jam,” the crowd is always in for a treat if Blair is on the bill.

One of the few actual locals, Blair is a Nashville lifer, a rare title given the huge percentage of transplants that make up the local music scene. Coming off a nice run with a residency at Inglewood Lounge, “a reoccurring improv music set with local musicians on Sunday nights,” (WPLN), singing background vocals for the Crumbsnatchers at Bonnaroo, and being named WNXP’s Nashville Artist of the Month back in June, Blair has been setting up his hand to clear the board with his new album, chips are down (๑ᵕ⌓ᵕ̤). Not only a new album, but a bet on himself.