Last Thursday, June 12th, Nashville Dancin’, a free, outdoor, summer concert series, kicked off with a broad selection of artists performing along the beautiful Nashville, TN waterfront. The event was the first of nine this summer, and featured local chefs, distillers, and artisans, as well as performances by Kernal and His New Strangers, Los Colognes, Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers and Houndmouth.

Shortly after doors opened, local Tennessee bluegrass icon The Kernal took the stage with his merry troupe, the New Strangers. As attendees trickled in, one couldn’t deny the jovial spirit and local cheer in the air; Natives were reminded of Dancin’ in the District, a bygone concert series that ran for 13 years in downtown Nashville. Last year, event organizer Tom Morales revived the weekly summer series with a fresh, new spirit while staying true to principles that had originally made Dancin’ in the District a success. Says Morales, “It’s great to see Dancin’ back creating those magic moments with great music, people having fun and meeting new friends, accented by the full moon rising over the Cumberland River and the General Jackson riverboat blowing its horn!”

After the Kernal, the audience was treated to a set by local Nashville group and Red Bull Sound Select artist Los Colognes. Dressed in casual khakis and Hawaiian shirts, few expected the powerful songs and jams that followed. The band tore through extended cuts from their album Working Together including the fun, catchy title track. The group’s set featured superb guitar and keyboard interplay, and a keyboard tone reminiscent of the Grateful Dead’s Brent Mydland.

As the sun set and the crowd reached its peak of roughly 8,000, Nicki Bluhm took the stage with husband Tim Bluhm and her amazing roots band, the Gramblers, featuring Deren Nay, Dave Mulligan, Mike Curry, and ALO’s Steve Adams. Nicki and the group got the crowd moving with songs like “Jetplane” and “Till I’m Blue.” As if right on cue, the General Jackson riverboat tooted its horn at the close of their set, as if to introduce the next band.

Founded in New Albany, Indiana in late 2011, Houndmouth achieved major buzz and made waves in the music industry with their successful debut album From the Hills Below the City. At Dancin’, they thrilled the crowd with album favorites like “Houston Train”, “Penitentiary,” and “On The Road.” The group also debuted several brand new songs which surely whetted the appetite of fans, who eagerly anticipate the group’s forthcoming follow-up record. Drinking, carrying on, and even swapping instruments, Houndmouth seemed to be having just as much fun as the audience, if not more.

The second installment of Nashville Dancin’ kicks off tonight, with free performances by Xavier Rudd and The Main Squeeze. The series will run every Thursday until July 31st. A full schedule of upcoming shows is available at http://www.nashvilledancin.com.