by Sydney Poe | Jan 22, 2013 | News Slider, Opinion, Sports
Whether it’s in reference to the city’s rising economy, sports fever, southern charm or constant entertainment, Nashville has been dubbed the new ‘it city,’ and it’s about time. For a few years, different news outlets and magazines have noted the rise both population and economy in Music City, but it seems that 2013 may just be the year that Nashville emerges as a top destination in the country. Back in 2011, Forbes magazine listed Nashville at No. 3 on their list of cities in line to be the ‘next big boom town’. Last year, the Business Insider ranked the city at No. 5 for fastest growing job markets in the U.S. Now, the New York Times is referring to Nashville as the next “it city,” and people can’t wait to become a citizen of the GQ-named ‘Nowville’. For a city that used to be mocked for its honky-tonk feel, how did it rise to the top? To start, the change in country music has helped move Nashville away from the old country vibe. Names like Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton have made it popular to enjoy country music again. Urban and Shelton are both in the national spotlight with roles on the hit television shows American Idol and The Voice, while Underwood, Swift and Lambert have all spent the past five years bringing in a younger demographic to the country music fan base. Country music is no longer limited to just Broadway Ave. Bridgestone Arena is constantly rotating the biggest names not only in country music, but the music industry in general throughout...
by Kelly Dean | Jan 16, 2013 | Opinion
Thousands of people move to Nashville, the “country music capital,” with hopes that their talents will get them noticed by the right person. Whether they score that record deal or not, these musicians put their heart and soul into their music that ultimately leads their lives. Hearing the same country songs on the radio can get old really fast. It’s always nice to have some new tunes shuffling around on your iPod or MP3 player. If you can’t get enough of country music, then take a few minutes, turn down the radio and turn up these three artists you may have never heard of. Kelleigh Bannen This Nashville native is sure to win you over. Kelleigh Bannen’s original music and bubbly personality make the up-and-coming country artist unique and worth listening to. In 2009, Bannen played 90 gigs in 90 days in honor of her brother who passed away after a long battle with addiction. You may be familiar with her first radio single, “Sorry on the Rocks.” On Bannen’s website, she says, “I want to make the kind of music that feels great when you crank it up on your way home from work on Friday night. The kind that plays in your head even when you turn it off. And I want to make the kind of music that makes you lean in and think about who you are, and who you want to be.” Check out her latest video for her single and original music on Bannen’s website, http://www.kelleighbannen.com/ Eric Paslay Eric Paslay has made it on the Country Billboards, won award after award and all...
by Emily Snell | Dec 14, 2012 | Uncategorized
Dr. Brandi Kellett knows life is a balancing act. The adjunct English professor, PTO president and mom of three also knows it’s OK to have an imperfect life. “I don’t have to be right, and I don’t have to be strong. Weakness and failure are part of the gig,” she said, illustrating that by looking at the Bible. “In Corinthians, when God says to Paul, ‘My grace is sufficient for you because my power is made perfect in weakness,’ it doesn’t say, ‘I’ll be strong until you get back on your feet, but like really, you need to get your crap together.’ It says, ‘My strength is only made perfect when you are not.’” In other words, human frailties are part of the overall plan and are part of the life experience, she said. “As I’ve become more accomplished in my professional life, my marriage and parenting, and my church and all these different arenas, I’ve actually learned to take myself a lot less seriously,” she said. Along the way, she has realized humility goes a long way toward helping a person live with honesty and integrity, “which is what I think it’s all about.” “I’ve learned that [humility] is actually the key to compassion for other people, which is why it matters so much,” she said. “It doesn’t matter because God wants a bunch of meek, little people walking around. He knows that humility is the key to living well with others. And it really doesn’t happen without it. It’s the key to empathy and kindness and community, I think.” Kellett said even her new role as PTO...
by Brynn Watkins | Nov 30, 2012 | Uncategorized
Looking for shiny new gifts for the holiday season? Why not support gifted merchants from around the world while doing your shopping for loved ones this season! If that idea sounds appealing, then the Red Earth Trading Company should be your one stop shop. Based in Nashville, the Red Earth Trading Co. was founded in 2010 by Travis Gravette. Gravette wanted to create a company incorporating both fashion and philanthropy. While traveling in East Africa, he discovered talented artisans who were getting paid very little for their beautiful work. Gravette saw the talent and drive of these gifted merchants and thought of an idea. This idea turned into Red Earth Trading Co., a company creating hope for merchants in East Africa by generating trade and commerce. The company collaborates with the artisans to create high quality home goods, jewelry and accessories with 100 percent of the company profits going back to help fuel development of non-profits in Africa. According to the Red Earth Trading Co. website here is how the process works: 1. We build relationships with artisans in developing nations that create exceptional products, value their employees and desire to make a difference in their community. 2. We work directly with our artisans to design and create quality products that are fashionable. 3. We pay at or above fair market prices on all products and pay up front for each order. 4. We import our products to the U.S. and sell them for a profit. 5. We cover our expenses and reinvest in the business. 6. At the end of the year, our profits are given to sustain the community development work of...
by Brianne Welch | Oct 31, 2012 | Uncategorized
Safe Haven Family Shelter is a family homelessness organization that not only provides care for the homeless but also offers programs to get families out of poverty. Community Relations Manager Stephanie Tinnell, who is also a Lipscomb grad, said the shelter was originally able to house five families at a time, but the shelter is looking to double the occupancy in the next year. “This summer we will expand to ten families,” Tinnell said. The shelter is currently in the process of renovating the facility, so they are in a temporary location, but the renovations should bring an abundant amount of help to the shelter, she explained. “We are going to double in capacity, so we can expand our programs.” One of the main programs Safe Haven is excited about expanding is its therapy wing. Safe Haven offers different kinds of therapy programs for adults as well as children. “One of the biggest components of family homelessness is emotional and physical abuse, and we want to help the families get through that and on their own again,” Tinnell said. The plans for expansion include group therapy and a play therapy area that will be used alongside the therapy programs that are already in place. Safe Haven’s programs are designed to aid and benefit the families who come to them for help, but Tinnell says the families are not the only ones who benefit. Tinnell said her job is mainly to get word out to the public about Safe Haven and different events the shelter hosts, but she is also a volunteer who loves working with the children. “Making sure...
