NASHVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 15, 2014 – Nathan East, one of the world's most recorded bassists, makes his Grand Ole Opry debut on Saturday, Aug. 16 performing with Grand Ole Opry member and MCA Nashville recording artist Vince Gill. The pair are teaming up for a one-night only performance on the Opry stage, during the 8:45 – 9:15 p.m. Central time slot. See the lineup at www.opry.com.
"It's a true honor to have an opportunity to play on the Opry stage for the first time," East said. "Sharing the experience with my friend Vince Gill and all of the talented musicians in the Grand Ole Opry Band makes it even more special."
Gill and East will perform "Can't Find My Way Home," a song East recorded with Eric Clapton for his self-titled debut solo album, out on Yamaha Entertainment Group. Written by Steve Winwood, the song was originally recorded by the rock band Blind Faith (Winwood, Clapton, Ginger Baker) in 1969.
East is no stranger to performing with some of Country's finest musicians and has recorded albums with Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers and Dan Seals. Recently, East sat in with Wynonna during one of her Los Angeles performances.
To date, East has also played bass on more than a dozen Eric Clapton albums, most recently The Breeze (An Appreciation of JJ Cale). He is also interviewed in Clapton's new tour documentary, "Planes, Trains and Eric" set for release Nov. 4.
"Nathan's played on more than 2,000 records for hundreds of artists of all genres but this Opry performance is a first," said Chris Gero, founder and vice president of Yamaha Entertainment Group Founder. "Thanks to Pete Fisher and the Grand Ole Opry for this special invitation."
Artists on the evening's bill include Jim Ed Brown, Nathan East, Exile, Vince Gill, Andy Griggs, Aubrey Peeples, Kim Richey, Riders In The Sky, Jean Shepard, Connie Smith and Jimmy Wayne.
The show starts at 7 p.m. Central. To purchase tickets to the Grand Ole Opry, visit www.opry.com.
The Opry can be heard on 650 WSM-AM, SIRIUS XM Satellite Radio ch.56 and www.opry.com.
East, a member of the world-renowned contemporary jazz quartet Fourplay, released his self-titled debut solo album March 25, 2014 on Yamaha Entertainment Group. Nathan East, produced by East and Chris Gero, features collaborations with Stevie Wonder ("Overjoyed"), Michael McDonald ("Moondance"), Sara Bareilles ("I Can Let Go Now"), Ray Parker Jr. ("Daft Funk"), Bob James and Chuck Loeb of Fourplay, David Paich of Toto and more.
The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Albums chart and contains the No. 1 hit, "Daft Funk" and the follow up single, "101 Eastbound." East, who picked up the bass in high school and went on the road with Barry White at the age of 16, is one of the most recorded bassists in the history of music and has played on songs recorded by Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Phil Collins, Quincy Jones, Lionel Richie, Daft Punk, Beyoncé, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Justin Timberlake, Bob Dylan, Barbra Streisand, Stevie Wonder, Michael McDonald, Anita Baker and many more. East has also been a touring member of many bands including Clapton, Collins, Toto, Kenny Loggins, Al Jarreau, Herbie Hancock, David Foster and Elvis Presley. www.NathanEast.com
