by Becca Risley | Oct 9, 2015 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider
Several of Fanny Crosby’s (1820-1915) never-published hymns were recently discovered, restored and brought to life Thursday evening at Heaven’s Encore in Lipscomb’s Alumni Auditorium. The evening’s musical director Bobby Blazier asked a variety of artists to take Crosby’s lyrics and set them to music. The evening also celebrated the 150th anniversary of Crosby’s death and was recorded live on Periscope. “She was a very powerful, amazing woman with an amazing amount of heartbreak and heartache in her life,” Blazier said. “But her joy would fill the country. That joy comes out in her songs.” Founder of American Policy Roundtable Dave Zanotti hosted the event alongside Wayne Shepherd. Zanotti and Shepherd recorded the event for a special radio show on The Public Square. This World Premiere of undiscovered hymns and new music will be heard on over 200 radio stations as well as internet and podcast broadcasts. Zanotti said the program will even reach some of the underground churches in China. The pair led the audience through the life of Crosby, pausing only for autobiographical video interludes and scheduled performances of each song available on the new album. Featured performances included The Blind Boys of Alabama, Ernie Hasse & Signature Sound and Nashville’s own The Calling. “What we want is for this music to come to the world as quick as possible,” Zanotti said. “This is the premiere. We hope thousands of radio stations pick this up, but we don’t have a single dime invested. We are invested in something more – in the music.” Crosby composed over 8,000 poems and songs during her 95 years. She was also an educator...
by Becca Risley | Oct 9, 2015 | Galleries
Several of Fanny Crosby’s never-published hymns were recently discovered, restored and brought to life Thursday, Oct. 8 at Heaven’s Encore in Lipscomb’s Willard Collins Alumni Auditorium. The Blind Boys of Alabama, The Blackwood Experience, Ricky Skaggs, Michael Farren and more performed the new music from America’s most beloved hymn writer. Photos by Becca Risley...
by Becca Risley | Oct 4, 2015 | Galleries
Current students and alumni made their way to campus for the 36th annual Tau Phi Cowboy Show 7 p.m. Saturday night. This year’s production was hosted by Tau Phi alum Jesse Taylor and alumna Michelle Robertson in Collins Alumni Auditorium. The show featured covers of popular country songs including “Here For A Good Time” by George Strait and “Temporary Home” by Carrie Underwood. Photos by Ben Davis and Becca Risley « ‹ of 2 ›...
by Becca Risley | Sep 23, 2015 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider
Up-and-coming country singer Abbi Scott said she dreams of sold-out arenas, personalized tours and selling millions of records. “I don’t want to be a small-time singer who just does it for fun,” Scott said. “I want to be Garth Brooks big. It’s not for the money, I just want to live out my passion and bring back the soul of country.” Scott first realized this was her dream around age 5, while standing in her living room during American Idol commercials and singing into a hairbrush for her parents to “judge” her. At age 8, Scott performed live in public for the first time at a county fair in her home state of Indiana. She won the contest that year and for the next six years. It wasn’t until Scott performed at the Colgate Country Showdown in 2009 that she met several people with singer/songwriter contacts in Nashville. At age 14, Scott and her family traveled to Music City for the first time. “After that, I traveled back and forth between Nashville and Indiana two weekends a month all through high school,” Scott said. “Sometimes the trip would be for writing and sometimes I would come for gigs.” Now a sophomore on campus at Lipscomb, Scott studies Public Relations and works with publicist Katherine Cook to perform as many times and at as many venues as possible. “I went to college because I thought it would be the wise decision while I’m waiting to get my break,” Scott said. “Performing is what I love to do. It’s my passion and it’s what I want to do for the rest of my...
by Becca Risley | Sep 18, 2015 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider
A mix of vomit, cross-dressing, football, rap and much more bring all 37 of Shakespeare’s plays to life as the Lipscomb Theatre Department puts on The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged). “That’s just act one,” director Nat McIntyre said. “By enjoying the insane ridiculousness of this show, I think it honors Shakespeare much more than many straight-up Shakespeare productions.” The show follows five actors who weave their way through all of Shakespeare’s comedies, histories and tragedies in 97 minutes. The actors work together as narrators and characters to tell each Shakespearean story. Featured in the show are freshman theatre majors Jacob Friend and Anna Elizabeth Micksch, junior theatre majors Ann-Marie Bagge and Nelson Tilley and senior acting major Andrew Johnson. McIntyre has worked with the actors to connect the words of the show to the students on campus. “Some of the jokes have been updated just for the university,” Johnson said. “We’ve been updating the show to help it feel more topical.” Compleat Wrks was London’s longest-running comedy and spent nine years headlining at London’s West End. The show has since been performed several times in the United States and is a first for Lipscomb. “It’s a really good show for Lipscomb because it’s different than what we normally do,” Johnson said. “It’s extremely light-hearted and up-to-date. It’ll make people laugh for sure.” The play will be performed Sept. 18-20 and 25-27 at 7:30 p.m. in Flatt Amphitheater. Tickets for The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged) can be purchased either in the box office on campus, online, or at the door. Cost is $17 for individuals, $12 for faculty and staff and $5 for...
