NYE 2015

New Year's Eve 2015 found me in Nashville, Tennessee. I was there for the 7th Annual "Jack Daniel's Bash On Broadway", which was expected to be the largest in the event's history. Featuring seven artists on two stages and a 5-minute fireworks display, the "Jack Daniel's Bash On Broadway" was the hottest "ticket" in town. Performing on the Music City Stage was LANco, Wild Cub and The Whigs. And performing on the Jack Daniels Stage was Sugar and The Hi-Lows, CMA-nominee Kelsea Ballerini, CMA-winner Chris Stapleton and globally-acclaimed band Kings Of Leon. Earlier in the evening on the Music City stage, Kelsea Ballerini joined Tennessee Mayor Megan Barry to raise the "Music Note", which was dropped at the stroke of midnight.

The temperature for the day was a brisk 38 degrees and cloudy, but no rain was expected. I arrived on Broadway a little early to take in the atmosphere. People were already out and about at 5th Avenue near the Music City stage as long lines formed at various food truck vendors. Event officials and Tennessee Metro Police estimated a record downtown attendance of more than 150,000, which included a record street crowd of 143,000 with revelers also filling bars on Lower Broadway. Last year's record attendance was 130,000. Everyone appeared to be behaving themselves while they enjoyed the music. Large video screens were also set up for those who couldn't wane through the crowd to make it to each stage. Because of the huge crowds, I didn't make it up to 5th Avenue to photograph the performers on the Music City stage, so I stayed on 1st Avenue at the Jack Daniel's Stage. Headliners Kings Of Leon stopped their performance for the countdown and the Music Note drop. At the stroke of midnight, the note dropped, the fireworks exploded and confetti rained down on Broadway. After that brief intermission, Kings Of Leon continued their performance. HAPPY NEW YEAR!