Since moving to Nashville, I spend more time listening to live music in a variety of venues around town. After all, this is Music City. Aside from raw talent and lots of practice, I never really think about what else makes for an outstanding show. According to Chris Pence, a sound engineer with country and pop bands, “When everything at a show sounds great, the artist is wonderful! But
Thirteen years ago, Hayley William’s hair stylist was out on leave, and Brian O’Connor was her next available option. Making small talk as she sat in his chair, Brian asked Hayley the basic questions about what she was doing and where she was working. Laughing now, as he recalls their initial conversation, Brian said he secretly rolled his eyes when Hayley told him she wrote and sang songs. Of course
Showing me around her meticulously organized and overflowing art studio, I have a hard time keeping up with Xima Lee Hulings. Amidst pens and paints and textiles and even a blow torch, she talks about her life and paintings and projects in her rapid-fire, exuberant way. Inspiring and educational, she motivates me to make a mess and create something. Because, as Xima laughs out loud and says, “Life is an
I have talked about my mid-life move to Nashville – no friends or family here, kids grown and gone. Arriving in town, I read everything I could get my hands on about happenings in our new city. I was searching for ways to meet people and create a sense of belonging. Now it is two years later – Mary Hance willingly agrees to meet with me, and I feel like
On a gloomy Monday in October, this Nashville treasure is teeming with activity. Despite the misty morning, a crew works to put finishing touches on transforming this 55-acre botanical garden into a magical, holiday wonderland. As we stroll around the Cheekwood estate and grounds, built with the Maxwell House coffee fortune, Jade Roser gives me a behind-the-scenes look into how Holiday Lights comes together. With his easy going, infectious enthusiasm,
The sergeant-in-command directs me to the room where roll call is beginning. Reminiscent of police tv shows, the two sergeants discuss the priorities for the day to the 30 or so police officers gathered. A murder suspect was apprehended overnight, so locating him is no longer a high priority item for these day shift officers. As I sit at my table and look around at the quiet and
If at first you don’t succeed…Tim Halperin’s first American Idol tryout was a bust. A few years later, he borrowed a buddy’s laptop, pulled up a seat, and sang a cappella for a webcam audition. This time around, he ended up in Los Angeles on a wild, musical ride. As we discuss Tim’s 2011 American Idol adventure, his strong faith is evident. A finalist during season 10, Tim truly believes
We downsized considerably when making the move from Houston to Nashville two years ago. Sorting through piles and years of stuff, we mainly boxed up only those things we truly loved. Not only is it emotionally hard to part with your belongings, it can be physically difficult as well. We had a tough time finding organizations and people willing to inherit all the beautiful, in our opinion, things we chose
While gathering nectar for food, honey bees carry pollen between flowers, shrubs, and plants. In turn, these crops thrive and reproduce and keep our food cycle going. Without the honey bee’s continual pollination, our food crops – and nourishment for our livestock and other animals – will die off. Several weeks ago, I spoke with Roger Senechal about what I might expect to see during last month’s total solar eclipse.
In today’s world, with our steady stream of negative news, self-promotion, and verbal and physical attacks, it is heartening to meet a man like Lee Estes. Humble and unassuming, he is an excellent example of good deeds being rewarded. As he stands in his driveway and shakes his head and smiles, it is clear he is still not accustomed to seeing his 15-story likeness a few blocks away. The Nations
