by Jayme Foltz | Jun 29, 2021 | Arts and Entertainment, COVID-19, News Slider
COVID left most Tennessee residents and tourists and performers saying goodbye to the 2020 entertainment scene in Nashville. Now, it’s 2021. Forty-five percent of the population in the United States is fully vaccinated and 53% of the population has received one dose of the vaccine. As the world continues to slowly go back to normal, so does Music City. With venues being reopened, artists getting out of the studios and their homes and fans ready to cheer, big name concerts and festivals are making a grand comeback to Tennessee. Here’s a sampling: Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th @ Downtown Nashville – July 4 The free concert is the city’s first major post-pandemic event and will be headlined by country music star Brad Paisley. Lily Hiatt, Regi Wooten and Friends, Priscilla Block, and more will also take the stage. The event will also feature the Nashville Symphony in a synchronized performance with what officials are heralding as the largest fireworks display in Nashville’s history. Lifest Music City @ Hideaway Farm – July 29-31 Originating in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Lifest extends Music City for the very first time with Lifest Music City. The Christian music festivals are presented by nonprofit organization Life Promotions, focused on supporting mental health and wellness in today’s youth. With three days filled with music and fun, Lifest gives the option to its concert goers to camp on the festival grounds. The festival will include performances from Newsboys, Skillet, Lecrae, Sidewalk Prophets, Mandisa, Matthew West, Michael W. Smith, and more. Luke Bryan @ Bridgestone Arena – July 30 Fresh off his third ACM Entertainer of the...
by Bailey Burnett | Jan 27, 2020 | BREAKING NEWS, News Slider
A Lipscomb student from Australia said he feels helpless as wildfires that began in July continue to ravage his homeland. “The fires affected me emotionally more than physically, obviously due to being halfway around the world,” said Scott McKenzie, from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The corporate management major with a marketing concentration said he wishes he was home, where he could perhaps do something about the catastrophe. “I felt helpless being in the US and did not know what to do besides try to raise awareness as much as possible. If I were home, I would have been out there doing everything I can to help those risking their lives for the beautiful country of Australia.” CNN News has reported at least 28 people have died nationwide, and in the state of New South Wales alone, more than 3,000 homes have been destroyed or damaged. State and federal authorities are struggling to contain the massive flames, even with firefighting assistance from other countries, including the United States. A Lipscomb environmental sustainability student said there is a need to focus on the human impact on the environment. “People choose to look anywhere but our own impact on the environment,” said Cecelie Eiler, from Freeport, Illinois. “This wildfire is the biggest thing we can hold on to and show people that this is a problem,” said Eiler, who is vice president of Share Our Supper. “We can splash data and numbers in people’s faces all day long but unless you’re a data-driven person you’re not going to connect with that. To make a change people need to visualize the impacts they are...
by Hunter Patterson | Feb 15, 2012 | News Slider
While hospitality is one of the Volunteer State’s most notable traits, Colin Reed says Tennessee’s tourism industry has more opportunity than ever to grow. And his audience had a vested interest in increasing tourism. The Nashville Business Breakfast, which was held at Lipscomb University and co-sponsored by the Nashville Business Journal, was attended by professionals in fields from media to politics and everywhere in between. Reed, the CEO of Gaylord Entertainment, said that though Tennessee’s tourism industry is valued at over $14 billion, the state has never attracted international tourists. While Mayor Karl Dean highlighted the uniqueness of the city’s airport, with country music artists welcoming you to Nashville, Reed said that international travelers couldn’t get directly into the city. Currently, those traveling from abroad must have a very hectic itinerary. Reed compared the local airport, BNA, to the airport in Denver, where Gaylord is building a resort and convention center. On an average day, Denver has 15 international flights. Nashville only has two – Cancun during the spring and summer and year-round flights to Toronto Reed also announced to the crowd that the 2011 year was the most successful one in the Opryland Hotel’s history. The hotel made $291.8 million last year, just one year after the flood that destroyed much of the property around the hotel. Gaylord’s plan to “attract and expand leisure based business” began earlier this year when the company announced the construction of a new theme park. Reed says the park is expected to get 500,000 visitors annually. By the third year, it is expected to generate an output of $66 million. Reed also said...
