by Nicci Carney | Mar 27, 2013 | News Slider
One of the biggest weeks in Contemporary Christian and Gospel music will be coming back home to Music City. After spending the last two years in Atlanta, the 44th annual Dove Awards will be back in Nashville, Tennessee on Oct. 15. The taping of the awards will be on the grounds of Lipscomb University in Allen Arena. The news regarding return of the Dove Awards broke March 19 on the Gospel Music Association website. Along with the move back to Nashville, the taping has been moved into the month of October where sales in Christian music are on the rise. The event has previously been held in the month of April. With moving back to Music City, GMA also announced that they have added a film category to the list of categories this year. This primarily comes from the rise in Christian filming production companies and quality films that have been released over the past few years. Last year, Jason Crabb, Laura Story, Lecrae, NEEDTOBREATHE, Switchfoot and Chris Tomlin were among the winners. The hosts, performers and nominees will be announced on Aug. 22, 2013. To be apart of the voting process, become a member and apply on the GMA website by March 30. For more information on the Dove Awards and other GMA Events, go to...
by Nicci Carney | Mar 9, 2013 | News Slider
Friday, March 8, Shamblin Theater hosted the opening night for Blackbird Theater’s production of Amadeus. The Peter Shaffer play, later adapted into the Academy Award-winning film, tells the story of the tumultuous life and death of Mozart from the perspective of his long time rival Salieri. Feeling he was cheated by God because he was not blessed with the gift Mozart had, the play shows the mental and spiritual battle Salieri fought. The Amadeus production at Lipscomb gives Blackbird Theater founders Wes Driver and Greg Greene an opportunity to work at their Alma Mater, as well as work with current Lipscomb students. The idea began with Lipscomb Theater department chair Mike Fernandez and his encouragement for the duo to create the theater production company and be artist-in-residence. Driver is the artistic director, and Greene serves as the managing director. The hope of Driver and Green is to inspire, yet challenge, the minds of the audience. “The type of theater we hope to produce is transformative. We want to produce productions that will initially challenge people but ultimately inspires them,” Driver said. For Greene, the expectation for the show is, “to transform the people’s thinking and give them an opportunity to reflect on the big issues in life. Having conversations after the show and the responses from social media is what makes a show successful.” The production is one of the many performances from the Nashville Symphony and Orchestra throughout the months of March and April. Mozart in the Music City will be a period of all things Mozart. This includes the production of Amadeus, the Orchestra performing The Magic Flute and the Symphony holding a piano concerto. Student tickets are...
by Nicci Carney | Mar 5, 2013 | News Slider, Opinion
Grammy-nominated keyboardist for Maroon 5 PJ Morton has crafted music for some the biggest and respected acts in R&B, gospel and soul music. Some worried that his gospel-laced, soul-tinged sound would change when he signed with YMCMB last year. He puts those worries to rest with the release of his EP, Following My First Mind. Last Tuesday, he released his new single “Only One,” proving his sound is unchanged. Morton is known putting his silky, soulful vocals with some smooth, jamming tracks, and he has done this with his new song that will be featured on his upcoming major label debut album New Orleans. The song begins with a nice drum lick with PJ’s smooth voice quickly following. “Only One” is a uptempo love song telling the love of his life that she is the only one he loves and lives for. The line that is sure to make anyone fall in love with this song comes in the second verse: “I know that forever is a long time, but there is no other choice in my mind.” It’s guaranteed to make any hopeless romantic fall in love. To accompany beautiful lyrics in the bridge is the sound of some the best horns I’ve heard in years. The production of “Only One” will put you in mind of Stevie Wonder’s music in the ‘80s, mixed with a few of the sounds of today’s R&B. And that’s to be expected, given that the Motown legend has a harmonica solo on this track, providing accompaniment that only Stevie Wonder could pull off. PJ Morton has knocked it out of the park...
by Nicci Carney | Dec 5, 2012 | News Slider
Close friends, family, faculty and other members of the Lipscomb community filled the main floor of Collins Alumni Auditorium to celebrate the life of Lipscomb senior education major Kelcy Smart Wednesday evening. Smart died during Thanksgiving break at the age of 22. The university’s A Cappella Singers, a group that Smart was heavily involved with during her time at Lipscomb, performed several hymns and songs as guests were being seated. Dr. Scott Sager, Lipscomb’s vice president of church relations, welcomed everyone and said a prayer to start the memorial service. Dr. Jackie Halstead gave a personal reflection of how she came to know Smart. Halstead was the faculty adviser for Delta Xi, the social club in which Smart held membership. In the middle of the service, two of Smart’s closet friends–seniors Bethany Ink, a Delta Xi sister, and David Grayson–shared precious memories of their time with her. Grayson honored Smart by quoting lines from one of her favorite hymns, “Be Still My Soul,” and Ink said that she will never meet someone like her ever again. Dr. Dwight Tays said that three characteristics–thoughtfulness, her smile and kindness–will always be a reminder of Smart and commended her parents, who were in attendance, on how well they had raised her. The service continued with a song, “Blessed be Your Name,” by adjunct professor Terry Cheatham, who is the praise and worship minister at Western Hills Church of Christ, where Smart attended. Dean Scott McDowell gave encouragement through scripture. McDowell read from the story of Lazarus and encouraged the family that even though Smart was not present physically, they can find comfort...
by Nicci Carney | Sep 17, 2012 | News Slider
With the death of MTSU student Jacob Nunley due to an aggressive case of bacterial meningitis, Lipscomb Health Services are on alert to make sure students are protected from this illness. Just a day after Nunley’s death was announced, the Lipscomb student body received an email regarding meningitis vaccination information, encouraging students to take the vaccine seriously as well as pay attention to symptoms and risk factors of the illness. Lipscomb’s Nurse Practitioner Bethany Massey said the risk for contracting meningitis is very high in college, especially for freshmen. “Bacterial meningitis has an increase in incidents between college freshmen,” she said. “Our biggest concern is for the ages 16-21 because the risk factors are high within the age group—from sharing drinks, food and kissing.” Every day tasks like keeping your hands clean can be important in preventing this serious, and sometimes fatal illness. Massey said the vaccine will decrease the chances of getting meningitis. “[The vaccine] is the best way to prevent from getting the bacterial form of meningitis,” she said. “Washing your hands is important, but the vaccine is your best protection.” The vaccine is available in the health center for $120, and local health services around Nashville should carry the vaccine as well. Massey said students should be aware of the symptoms that are related to the illness: High fever Severe headache Stiff neck Vomiting or nausea Confusion Seizures Sleepiness Sensitivity to the light No appetite Skin rash (in the cases of viral and meningococcal) For more information regarding the vaccine, visit the Health Center in the lower level of Elam or send an email to healthservices@lipscomb.edu....
