Whiskey Jam, Nashville's premier original live independent music series, celebrated its 1,000th show last night (Monday, Nov. 25) in downtown Nashville at Whiskey Row, marking over a decade of elevating the best and brightest in country music. Since its inception in January 2011, Whiskey Jam has become a cornerstone of the music industry, fostering the careers of artists who have collectively achieved:

450 No. 1 Songs
129 ACM Awards
92 CMA Awards
36 Grammy Awards
10 Grand Ole Opry Inductions

This milestone was celebrated with an unforgettable lineup of performers, featuring Dierks Bentley, Zach Top, Ella Langley, Dasha, Dylan Marlowe, Alana Springsteen, Graham Barham, Zach John King and Jojo DiSilva. Held at its iconic home, Whiskey Jam brought together a crowd of fans, industry leaders and artists who have all played a part in its storied legacy.

“The first time I played Whiskey Jam …I got a record deal out of it,” Zach Top reflected on stage during his third Whiskey Jam appearance last night. “Thank you to Ward and everybody that helped put this thing on for giving artists like me – and everybody who’s been on this stage tonight – a chance to come out and play a show. It’s been a success story for a lot of artists and the folks here tonight are a representation of that.”

“I played Whiskey Jam for the first time earlier this year when my album dropped and I was so excited to get the call from Ward to join the 1,000th show,” Dasha adds. “Whiskey Jam is iconic in this town. All your favorite country artists have played that stage and I’m so honored I got to be a part of such a special night.”

What began as a Monday night gathering in a small Midtown dive bar has grown into an integral part of Nashville’s music culture. Whiskey Jam’s stage has become a proving ground for artists at all stages of their careers — from newcomers to chart-toppers. It is where fans have discovered their favorite voices and where artists have refined their craft live.

Over the years, Whiskey Jam performers have reached remarkable heights. Alumni of the series have earned accolades across the music world, proving that the Whiskey Jam stage is not just a venue — it’s a launching pad.

“When Whiskey Jam started, it was all about getting together with friends to share our music in an exceptionally fun environment,” said Whiskey Jam Founder, Ward Guenther. “It’s grown in ways we never could have imagined and that’s really a testament to our incredible and supportive creative community.”

As Whiskey Jam looks ahead to its next 1,000 shows, the focus remains the same: championing great music, fostering community, and creating moments that matter in the lives of artists and fans alike.

Whiskey Jam Founder, Ward Guenther, and Dierks Bentley at WJ1K on Monday, November 25, 2024. | Photo Credit: Ryan Kinder

About Whiskey Jam:
Founded in January 2011, Whiskey Jam is a Nashville-based live music series that has hosted over 1,000 shows and provided a platform for thousands of artists. Known for its dynamic blend of emerging talent and household names, Whiskey Jam is a celebrated staple of Nashville’s vibrant music scene. For more information, visit whiskeyjam.com or follow on social media at @whiskeyjam.

Multi #1 hit songwriter John Morgan is having a “Cold Summer in San Antone” with release of his latest wrecking-ball track, available everywhere today. Written by John with Ben Hayslip and producer Will Bundy, the brooding new song depicts the isolation and coldness a broken heart can inflict, even during the most brutally hot season in Texas. Listen HERE.

Returning to his “Sad Boy Country” roots – a pivot from his recent anthemic releases of “Man of Few Words,” “Sorry Not Sorry” that Country Now praised as a “back-road anthem,” and the party starter “Friends Like That” that has earned over 8.5M on-demand streams and is racking in over 832k per week – “Morgan is standing apart from the rest of the Country crowd as he brings a more traditional Country flair to the Pop-Country sounds of today’s genre” (Songwriter Universe).

Having just made his Grand Ole Opry debut, John will return on August 18 for the “Opry Plaza Summer Concert Series Powered by Whiskey Jam.” Watch HERE for a special, behind-the-scenes look into his Opry debut.

Up next – John will head out on the road with Riley Green, ERNEST and Jameson Rodgers, hit renowned music festivals such as Headwaters Country Jam, Utah’s Country Fan Fest, WE Fest, Voices of America Country Music Festival and Tidalwave Music Festival, and release even more new music later this year.

About John Morgan:

With a style that’s defined by melodic grit and a craftsman’s approach to songwriting, John Morgan brings a blue-collar toughness to Country that’s pulled straight from the only life he knows. Hailing from a tiny town called Sylva, deep in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina, John grew up immersed in Bluegrass tradition and even toured the festival circuit each summer in a family band, before diving into songwriting, inspired by six-string legends from Tony Rice to John Mayer. More than a year after selling everything he had to follow his dream, an only-in-Nashville story involving Uber drivers and impressive demos led to a writing session with Kurt Allison and Tully Kennedy—two incredible songwriters and longtime bandmates of Country superstar Jason Aldean. That session led to the superstar cutting eight songs written by John, including his recent No. 1 “Trouble With A Heartbreak” and the GRAMMY® nominated ACM Single of the Year No. 1 smash hit with Carrie Underwood, “If I Didn’t Love You,” and Aldean signing John to Night Train Records, his imprint with BBR Music Group. The sought-after songwriter has released a slew of “Sad Boy Country” songs including his latest “Cold Summer in San Antone,” “Coldest Beer in Town,” “Right In The Middle,” and “Good With Goodbye.” Having just wrapped Aldean’s Rock N’ Roll Cowboy Tour and made his Grand Ole Opry debut, John pivots from heartbreak to party starter territory, dropping the anthemic “Friends Like That,” unapologetic “Sorry Not Sorry” and the confident “Man of Few Words,” with more new music coming soon.

KEEP UP WITH JOHN MORGAN

Whiskey Jam Celebrates a Monumental Milestone: 1,000 Shows-and-Counting

#1 HIT SONGWRITER JOHN MORGAN IS HAVING A “COLD SUMMER IN SAN ANTONE”