by Kage Sanderson | Nov 14, 2013 | News Slider
Kelly Dean, a senior journalism/new media major and Lumination contributor, was recently recognized for her time with Country Music Association’s journalism team during last summer’s CMA Fest by receiving the CMA Close Up Award of Merit for Journalism. “I honestly could not believe I won the Award of Merit,” Dean said. “I had to read the email four times before it registered. I thought it had been a mistake, honestly! I never really have had that much confidence in my writing skills, but I know that writing is something I enjoy.” Dean credits working the CMA Fest as something that has helped ignite advancements in her career as a writer. “I have seen major improvement in my writing throughout the past two years,” Dean said. “Especially after working the CMA Fest, because of the real world experience.” Along with receiving the honor, Dean got the chance to assist the CMA Close Up team with their coverage of last week’s 47th Annual CMA Awards. She has been part of the Lipscomb journalism team that won the Southeast Journalism Conference’s Best of the South Awards in 2011 that included third place in “Best Video News” and first place as “Best College TV Station”. Dean has also been a part of numerous other successful journalism projects throughout her college years. “This is the biggest honor I have ever received in my journalism career,” Dean said. “I felt so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the CMA Close Up team to begin with, but to receive this honor was humbling because I was doing what I love in the industry that I absolutely love.” With...
by Kelsea Ballerini | Oct 25, 2012 | News Slider
Two Lipscomb sophomores have added their voices to the rich musical tapestry that is found at Lipscomb. McKenna Smith and Kayla Hawkins are singer-songwriters who are building their careers, education and faith while studying here. Tau Phi’s Cowboy Show, Pi Delta’s Cocoa and Carols, and other venues around town such as The Listening Room are all places you may have heard Smith’s matchless, sweet twang serenading a crowd. “Once I started singing, my passion for music only grew,” Smith said. Growing up in Nolensville, Tenn., a few miles southeast of Nashville, she has been around the music scene, examining her options and opportunities, for a good while. But on campus, she wants to simply have fun with her music and to participate in programs and performances. With a strong social media backbone and songwriting that appeals to a wide span of people, Hawkins shares her music with anyone and everyone who will listen. “I grew up on country music and was fascinated by the lyrics and the stories the songs told,” said Hawkins, who began writing those stories at the age of 13. Now, according to Hawkins, “I take the stage whenever I get the chance.” “The ultimate goal is to be a signed artist, but I just have to see what God has in store for me,” Hawkins says. Smith said she’s not sure what her future holds, but she’s optimistic about her future. “I know that I would absolutely love a career with music, and it would be such a blessing to make it the center of my life,” she said. “The only thing I really know about...
![[Photos] CMA Fest 2012](http://luminationnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/7382675540_7eabd1fcde_b-300x2001.jpg)
by Whitney Jarreld | Jun 17, 2012 | News Slider
Cowboy hats, cutoff blue jeans, cowboy boots, country music stars, street performers, locals and people from out of state and out of the country. Each summer country music fans flock to Nashville for the CMA Fest. With a record of 71,000 daily patrons, this year’s CMA Fest attendance jumped over nine percent from last year. Here are some photos from the Riverfront and Broadway festivities. ...
by Crystal Davis | Feb 14, 2012 | News Slider
Kelsea Ballerini isn’t taking the advantages of living in Music City for granted. At the age of 13, Kelsea started writing songs. She always loved music, she said, and figuring out itwas her true passion was “just the cherry on top.” Kelsea, a freshman who originally grew up in Knoxville, decided to move to Nashville to pursue singing and songwriting. Kelsea, currently undecided on a major, is still figuring out what to study at Lipscomb. Though majoring in music is not out of the question, she’s not focused on studying it right now since she’s already successful on her own. Last year, Kelsea played a show with country artist Emily West, whose song with Keith Urban, “Blue Sky,” recently hit the top 10 list. Kelsea also had a song on hold for Beyonce’s new record, and a song she co-wrote was featured on Nickelodeon’s hit show “Victorious.” Her music is, by her own definition, “country bluesy poppy soul.” Kelsea is an open book. She tries to be “as genuine as I can about whatever it is that inspired me to write,” she said. Kelsea said she doesn’t feel the need to “sugar coat things or beat around the bush.” She said she thinks people value writing that shows who the artist truly is. Kelsea said she would love to write with Hillary Lindsey of Lady Antebellum. Kelly Clarkson, Bruno Mars and John Mayer top the list of who she would most love to sing with. Kelsea said her most memorable moment was meeting of a fan who absolutely adored her. At an airport in Chicago, a young girl approached her to get an autograph. At...
by Whitney Jarreld | Jan 13, 2012 | News Slider
Met by a cheering crowd, Taylor Swift joined The Civil Wars Jan. 12, at the Ryman Auditorium for a surprise appearance, debuting their new song “Safe and Sound.” The Staves opened for The Civil Wars. The sold-out show’s audience was enthralled with The Civil Wars, giving them a standing ovation after the song ‘Barton Hollow.’ Before the event, Nashville was buzzing with rumors about a possible Swift appearance during the concert. After performing several of their songs, the duo began joking that they like helping other artists and asked the audience to be nice to their guest because she was new and wasn’t well known. As soon as she stepped onto stage, the audience welcomed Swift with a long and loud cheer. The song “Safe and Sound” was written by all three artists for the “Hunger Games” soundtrack. It mashes together their talents for a folky, harmonious and mellow ballad. The Civil Wars are on the rise in the indie music scene, and Swift by all nature is a hit country music star. The musical duo has a natural talent for this type of song, but Swift was surprising in her mature lyrics and soothing voice. After another standing ovation at the end, The Civil Wars performed two encores, the latter one being all...
