IMPORTANT NOTE: These are the archived stories for Belmont News & Achievements prior to June 26, 2023. To see current stories, click here.

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‘Country Mile’ Podcast Continues to Draw Big Names, Strong Reviews

April Hefner
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‘Country Mile’ Podcast Continues to Draw Big Names, Strong Reviews

Just over two months since its launch, the podcast series “Country Mile” continues to draw great talent and strong reviews. Produced by The Tennessean (part of the USA TODAY NETWORK) and Belmont University in support of the Ken Burns’s documentary on “Country Music,” “Country Mile” was recorded at some of Nashville’s most iconic venues and features top artists discussing the genre in depth.

Country Mile logo

The most recent episode features Belmont alumnus Brad Paisley sharing insights on his first televised variety special, which aired nationwide Dec. 3 on ABC, as well as the nonprofit grocery store, The Store, that he’s starting with his wife Kimberly Williams Paisley and in conjunction with his alma mater. Read more about and listen to the episode on the Tennessean’s website.

Other episodes in the “Country Mile” series to date include:

  • Can’t Touch That Hope – Chris Young and Vince Gill (recorded in Belmont University’s Gallery of Iconic Guitars, The GIG)
  • Lovin’ on the People – Ricky Skaggs and High Valley (recorded at the famed Quonset Hut, currently used as classroom space for Belmont’s Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business)
  • On the Road – Dierks Bentley and Tenille Townes
  • ‘I Got Enough Stories to Last a Lifetime’ – Dolly Parton
  • ’90s Coming Back Like a Rocket Ship’ – Travis Tritt and Tracy Lawrence
  • Requested Material – Sara Evans and Martina McBride
  • Marty Stuart and Chris Scruggs
  • Garth Brooks and Ashley McBryde take us to songwriting school (recorded in Belmont’s Curb Event Center)
  • Unpacking the CMAs – Luke Combs, Lil Nas X, Dan + Shay and more

The podcast series, which currently holds a 4.8 rating on iTunes, is available on iTunes, Spotify and online throughout the USA TODAY Network.

Belmont Guitar Ensemble Featured on Guitar Gathering’s Live Lesson

Haley Charlton
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Belmont Guitar Ensemble Featured on Guitar Gathering’s Live Lesson

The Guitar Gathering featured 15 students from the Belmont Guitar Ensemble in its live-streamed classical guitar lesson on November 19. The Guitar Gathering is an online community of guitar lovers of all types and skill levels that talk guitars, ask questions and learn from professionals and other guitar learners from all over the world.

Guitar Gathering hosts a series of live lessons on most Tuesday nights with Nashville guitarist and educator Steve Krenz. The series features discussions with world class guest artists, helpful information on being a better guitarist and interactions with guitarists all over the world.

The Belmont Guitar Ensemble and Director Robert Thompson stopped by Gruhn Guitars to perform for the live-streamed lesson on the Guitar Gathering Youtube channel, which has 17,000 subscribers. Thompson was able to discuss each piece the ensemble played and answer viewers’ questions in real time.

Krenz said, “Belmont is one of the top music schools in the nation, and we are fortunate to have it just down the road from where we are sitting. The folks that are able to come through Belmont’s program are very fortunate. In fact, I saw just the other day that the CMA Instrumentalist of the Year is a Belmont alumna: Jenee Fleenor, the first female in history to win CMA Musician of the Year. It’s just amazing the quality of musicians that are coming out of Belmont.”

Songs from the lesson included:

  • “Moliendo Café” by Jose Perroni – Performed by: Rachel Chalmers, Hannah Keglovits, Andrew McDowell and Madalyn Vanarthos
  • “E Ai? (What’s Up)” by Stefan Oser – Performed by: Ted Bryant and Nicolas Phillips
  • “Samba Feliz” by Stefan Oser- Performed by: Sean Jannay and Dermot Berg
  • “Drewries Accordes” by Anonymous (Arr. by Patrick Russ) – Performed by: Nicholas Phillips and Jackson Fickert-Rowland
  • “Joropo” by Alfonso Montes – Performed by: Johnny Eisenstat and Nicholas Phillips
  • “Fool on the Hill” by Lennon/McCartney (Arr. by Leo Brouwer) – Performed by: Sam Burns and Jackson Rickert-Rowland
  • “Agua e Vinho” by Egberto Gismonti (Arr. Frevo Duo) – Performed by: Luke Sunderland and Madalyn Vanarthos
  • “Imagens Do Nordeste” by Celso Machado – Performed by: Rachel Chalmers and Hannah Keglovits
  • “Souvenir de Russie, Op. 63″ by Fernando Sor – Performed by: Quinten Callawert and David Shivers

Thompson said of the classical ensemble, “It’s a class at Belmont, but it’s more like a community of folks that really get to know each other and have fun making music. That, to me, is what it’s all about.”

Notable Alumni, Students Offer Nationally Broadcast Christmas Performances

Haley Charlton
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Notable Alumni, Students Offer Nationally Broadcast Christmas Performances

The month of December is full of opportunities to catch Belmont University on national television.

On December 3, country superstar Brad Paisley, a Belmont alumnus and co-founder of the new nonprofit free grocery store The Store, hosted his first variety special on ABC. Aptly named, “Brad Paisley Thinks He’s Special,” the show featured many special guests, including Carrie Underwood, Kelsea Ballerini, Hootie and the Blowfish, Tim McGraw, The Jonas Brothers, NFL player Peyton Manning and “Bachelor” Host Chris Harrison.

Immediately following, the “CMA Country Christmas” aired on ABC, which was filmed earlier this fall on Belmont’s campus and featured another Belmont alumna, Trisha Yearwood, as host. Joining Yearwood for “CMA Country Christmas” were Kristin Chenoweth, for KING & COUNTRY, Chris Janson, Tori Kelly, Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts, Runaway June, CeCe Winans, Brett Young and Chris Young.

Later this month, be sure to catch the nearly 800 Belmont student musicians alongside guest artists Michael W. Smith and CeCe Winans for the annual “Christmas at Belmont” holiday production. This concert of traditional carols, classical masterworks, world music and light-hearted seasonal favorites will air nation-wide on PBS on Monday, December 23 at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT. Nashville Public Television will also air the holiday spectacular on Christmas Eve at 7 p.m. CT. along with other stations around the country. Check local listings for times.

Christmas at Belmont airs nation-wide on PBS on Monday, December 23 at 9 p.m. ET/ 8 p.m. CT

Alumnus Mike Sistad Honored with 2019 Music City Milestone Award

Haley Charlton
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Alumnus Mike Sistad Honored with 2019 Music City Milestone Award

Belmont University’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business, alongside industry partner American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), recently honored alumnus Mike Sistad as the latest recipient of the Music City Milestone Award (MCMA).

“The Music City Milestone Award celebrates the connection of ASCAP at one end of Music Row and Belmont University at the other,” explained Belmont Music Business Instructor Dan Keen. “It’s very gratifying to honor Belmont alumni who have distinguished themselves on the executive side of the music business!”

Joining ASCAP’s Nashville Membership team as creative director in 2001, Sistad was promoted in June to vice president at ASCAP and still leads its Nashville Membership team. Sistad has been an integral member of ASCAP’s Membership group for more than eighteen years and has nurtured and signed some of the organization’s top talent, including Chris Stapleton, Kelsea Ballerini, Old Dominion, Brothers Osborne, Carly Pearce and more.

Sistad said, “I am proud to be a part of the Belmont family and honored to receive this year’s Music City Milestone Award. I have been fortunate to be a part of the Nashville music community since graduating from Belmont and this was a wonderful event to thank my family, friends and mentors for their support over the years.”

In addition to attendance from publishing executives and friends, CMA, ACM, Billboard and Grammy Award winning recording artist Chris Stapleton surprised Sistad at the award event in his honor. Keen said, “I remember Chris saying that Mike was one of the first people he met in Nashville and that he played a key role in launching and sustaining his career.”

A Belmont University graduate, Sistad has held many roles, including a stint with legendary Muscle Shoals producer and musician Barry Beckett, an A&R executive position with Arista Records Nashville, and band member for two-time ASCAP Country Songwriter/Artist of the Year Phil Vassar. Originally from Minnesota, Sistad has worked on both the creative and business sides of the music industry. As a musician, he has performed across most of North America, including stops at the Houston Rodeo and Calgary Stampede, as well as radio and television performances including “A Prairie Home Companion” and the Grand Ole Opry. Sistad has previously served as both a board governor and chapter advisor for the Nashville Chapter of the Recording Academy, in addition to being a CMA and ACM member and Leadership Music alumnus.

Previous Music City Milestone Award recipients include Cyndi Forman, Beka Tischker, Ben Vaughn, Ashley Gorley, Connie Harrington, Rusty Gaston, LeAnn Phelan and Carla Wallace.

Group shot at award event
Pictured: Doug Howard, Sarah Cates, Pat Alger, James Elliott, Mike Sistad, Dan Keen, Drew Ramsey, Julie Thomas.

Alumnae Entertainment Business Managers Host Curb College Seminar

Haley Charlton
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Alumnae Entertainment Business Managers Host Curb College Seminar

Two representatives from Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy Entertainment Business Management recently spoke with Belmont students at a Curb College seminar titled “Artists in the Streaming Age – How Do They Get Paid?”

Belmont alumnae Adrien Good, associate business manager, and Erica Rosa, royalty manager, presented the basics of money flow in the modern music industry. The goal was to illustrate the exact journey a song takes to turn from melodies in a consumer’s ear into millions of dollars in the pockets of artists and songwriters.

The presentation began with an introduction of the various roles a business manager plays: educator, accountant and even armchair psychologist. Everyone, Good shared, has a history with money before entering the FBMM offices. As such, a great deal of the work they do focuses on better understanding the often-flawed relationship artists have with money and spending.

“If you’re thinking of going into business management, it’s something that isn’t just pigeonholed into accounting. It really is a wide area,” Good shared.

Room full of students listening to seminar

Following the introduction of their duties at FBMM, Good and Rosa began introducing the fundamentals of understanding money flows in music. They covered concepts from the basic different copyrights found within a recorded song and the various types of royalties paid to artists and songwriters, to the differences of payment processes between interactive and non-interactive streaming. The duo also provided a great walk-through of how Spotify pays out artists, a relatively new and complex process.

This seminar served as a great example of the supplementary educational opportunities offered to students at Belmont. Additionally, it allowed students studying disciplines outside of Curb College with an interest in the mechanics of the music industry an opportunity to learn.

Faculty Present at Lilly Conference on College Teaching

Katie McAdams
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Faculty Present at Lilly Conference on College Teaching

Belmont was well-represented at the Lilly Conference on College Teaching held at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio on November 21-23. The Lilly Conference brings together scholar teachers from across academic disciplines. A total of nine Belmont faculty participants were included, from media studies, communication, English, psychological science, social work, public relations and The Teaching Center.

Belmont faculty members contributed four presentations for the “Evidence-Based Learning and Teaching” conference theme. Each of the Belmont presentations was the result on ongoing scholarship and longstanding collaborations with campus colleagues.

Nathan Webb, chair of the Communication Department, Julie Hunt, associate professor of social work, and Andrea Stover, professor of English, shared their experiences as an active scholarly group in a poster titled “The Quest to Develop Authentic Learning Objectives Through an Interdisciplinary Faculty Group.”

Hyangsook Lee, assistant professor of journalism in the Department of Media Studies, discussed her scholarship in a poster titled “Augmented Learning: Understanding Augmented Reality’s Progress and Potential in Higher Education and Professional Training.”

In their presentation entitled “Radical Redesign: What To Do When Teaching Just Isn’t Working,” Jason Lovvorn, associate professor of English, Andrea Stover, professor of English, and Sue Trout, assistant professor of English, offered examples of transforming courses during the middle of a semester.

Pete Giordano, professor of psychology, and Mike Pinter, director of The Teaching Center and professor of mathematics, delivered an invited presentation titled “The Role of (Organized) Unpredictability in Teaching and Learning,” in which they explored opportunities for faculty to fruitfully and effectively use elements of unpredictability in their courses.

Christie Kleinmann, teaching center and professor of public relations, also participated in conference sessions and contributed to the Belmont group’s conversations about teaching and learning that occurred throughout the conference.

Additional information about each presentation is available on the conference website: http://celt.miamioh.edu/lillycon/presenters.php.

James Matthews to Headline World’s Big Sleep Out

Katie McAdams
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James Matthews to Headline World’s Big Sleep Out

James Matthews, piano performance major class of 2019 and current Master of Music in piano performance candidate, will headline at The World’s Big Sleep Out on December 7, a charity event raising funds to end homelessness around the globe.

Matthews will perform at the New York event alongside celebrities including Will Smith. Matthews will also share his story of the time when he was homeless.

“Belmont was pivotal in preparing me for success,” shared Matthews.

Alumna Nicole Brandt Minyard Nominated for 2019 East Nashvillian of the Year

Haley Charlton
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Alumna Nicole Brandt Minyard Nominated for 2019 East Nashvillian of the Year

Belmont alumna Nicole Brandt Minyard, class of 2014, is on the official list of nominees for the 2019 East Nashvillian of the Year. Members of the Historic East Nashville Merchants Association will vote from the list of nominees selected by the East Nashville community. Voting will end on December 5 at 11 p.m. CST.

Minyard was nominated for her work with Poverty and the Arts, a social enterprise nonprofit she founded as a student at Belmont. 

The East Nashvillian writes, “Poverty and the Arts Gallery has developed relationships with area galleries and businesses to display artists’ work. They developed an online store to ensure maximum exposure and income earning potential for their artists. Nicole has been the driving force behind the success of the business, as she works tirelessly to be everything from CEO to marketing to personally hanging art at shows. Through the Center for Non-Profit Leadership, she continues to build a unique set of skills to achieve success. For those that utilize POVA and for those that support it, it is truly a haven and a represents the true East Nashville: where creativity and community are united.”

Other nominees include business owners Manuel Delgado, owner of Delgado Guitars, Christian Paro, commercial developer, Alex Hulsey of Encircle Acupuncture, formerly known as East Nashville Community Acupuncture, Melanie Cochran, owner of The Wild Cow & Graze, Anaconda Vintage. Citizen nominees include Marilyn Greer, Eric Hoke and Anthony Viglietti. The full list of nominees can be found HERE.

About Poverty and the Arts                   

Located on Dickerson Pike in East Nashville, Poverty and the Arts (POVA) is a social enterprise nonprofit that equips people impacted by homelessness with the artistic resources, training and marketplace to overcome barriers to employment by leveraging their creative talent to earn meaningful income and foster community. 

Brad Paisley Announces Celebrity Dodgeball Tournament to Benefit Nonprofit The Store

April Hefner
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Brad Paisley Announces Celebrity Dodgeball Tournament to Benefit Nonprofit The Store

**Jan. 22, 2020 Update: The Brad Paisley Celebrity Dodgeball Tournament, scheduled for Feb. 20 at Belmont University’s Curb Event Center, has been postponed and a new date will be announced at a later time.

The inaugural Brad Paisley’s Celebrity Dodgeball Tournament was announced today as a fundraiser for The Store, a new nonprofit free grocery store Brad and his wife Kimberly Williams-Paisley are starting in association with Brad’s alma mater, Belmont University. The eight-team National Dodgeball League (NDL)-officiated tournament will be held from 6-9 p.m. on Thurs., Feb. 20, 2020 in Belmont’s Curb Event Center. In addition to the “epic” live tournament, the evening will feature musical performances from Brad and friends as well as a number of surprises.

Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. this Friday, December 6. (Click here for general sales ticket link.) A limited number of VIP event tickets are available for $250, with general admission tickets available for $50. Event sponsors and celebrity players will be announced in the coming weeks.

The Store, which is in the final stages of a capital campaign to support the building’s construction, is scheduled to begin operations in the first quarter of 2020. The Store will operate as a free-referral based grocery store, allowing people in need to shop with dignity for their basic needs. It aims to empower individuals seeking self-sufficiency. Funds raised from the Celebrity Dodgeball Tournament will be applied to The Store’s annual operating budget.

Located at 2009 12th Ave. South next to Belmont University’s Ministry Center, The Store will also partner with Belmont students and faculty to provide local, low income families support through nutritional and pharmacy education, health screenings, legal aid clinics, mental health counseling and music therapy.

Today’s announcement of Brad Paisley’s Celebrity Dodgeball Tournament arrives just before the country music superstar’s hour-long, prime-time special “Brad Paisley Thinks He’s Special,” airing on ABC tomorrow, December 3 at  8 p.m. Eastern|7 p.m. Central.

Brad Paisley is a critically acclaimed singer, songwriter, guitarist and entertainer whose talents have earned him numerous awards, including three GRAMMYs, two American Music Awards, 15 Academy of Country Music Awards and 14 Country Music Association Awards (including Entertainer of the Year), among many others. He has been a proud member of the Grand Ole Opry since 2001. Paisley has written 21 of his 24 #1 hits and has accumulated over 20 million career total worldwide album sales, track downloads and streaming equivalents. Paisley’s 2019 World Tour ended in October with eight sold-out shows in Europe and he now holds the record for a headlining country artist in all of the European venues played on this tour.  Paisley is involved with a successful ongoing multi-year ad campaign with NationwideÒ Insurance, along with Peyton Manning. Paisley has partnered with Boot Barn® and developed an exclusive line of jeans, hats, T-shirts, jewelry, belts and woven shirts called Moonshine Spirit by Brad Paisley. Connect with Brad at www.BradPaisley.com, www.Facebook.com/BradPaisley, on Twitter @BradPaisley, on Instagram @Brad Paisley, and YouTube at YouTube.com/BradPaisley.

About The Store
Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley have partnered with Belmont University to spearhead The Store, a year-round free grocery store allowing people to shop with dignity for their basic needs. Individuals and families will be referred by nonprofit and government agencies for a term of one year. There is no charge to those referred or to the people and agencies that send them. They may shop for food to supplement their income during times of crisis and as they work toward self-sufficiency.

A philosophy of community empowerment means The Store aims to solve hunger issues in its community by developing programs to meet the needs of the community, including partnering with other organizations on issues of food security. The Store believes in cooperation and collaboration between organizations to better serve the population. Over time, the organization plans to develop additional supplemental services beyond the grocery store, such as job training, cooking and nutrition classes. For more information, visit www.thestore.org.

About Belmont University
Belmont University—home of the October 22, 2020 Presidential Debate, the third and final in the election season—is made up of nearly 8,500 students who come from every state and more than 36 countries. Nationally ranked and consistently recognized by U.S. News & World Report for its innovation and commitment to teaching, Belmont brings together the best of liberal arts and professional education in a Christian community of learning and service. The University’s purpose is to help students explore their passions and develop their talents to meet the world’s needs. With more than 95 areas of undergraduate study, more than 25 master’s programs and five doctoral degrees, there is no limit to the ways Belmont University can expand an individual’s horizon. For more information, visit www.belmont.edu.

Littlejohn Releases New Book on Daoism

Katie McAdams
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Littlejohn Releases New Book on Daoism

Dr. Ronnie Littlejohn, professor of philosophy and director of Asian studies, recently released a new book titled, “Historical Dictionary of Daoism.” The book contains a chronology, an introduction, appendixes, an extensive bibliography and more than 500 cross-referenced entries related to the Chinese belief and worldview known as Daoism. This includes more than 400 entries related to Daoist terms, names and practices.

The work is included in the Rowman & Littlefield series, “Historical Dictionaries,” which presents essential information on a broad range of subjects from history, art, business, cultures, global conflicts and international relations, literature, music, philosophy, religion, sports and theater. It is the latest of the nearly 100 works in the series published since 1996.

Book Cover

The general editor of the series, Jon Woronoff, observes, “There is now a growing and flourishing circle of scholars who study and teach Daoism. One of the most prominent is the author of this work, Ronnie Littlejohn.”

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