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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Buckner, Simmons Named NELA Finalists

April Hefner
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Buckner, Simmons Named NELA Finalists

The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and YP Nashville on Thursday unveiled the 2018 finalists for the Nashville Emerging Leader Awards, a program recognizing Middle Tennessee’s top young professionals under the age of 40. Assistant Director of Communications and Belmont alumna Hope Cooper Buckner and Associate Professor of Management Information Systems Dr. Lakisha Simmons were recognized as finalists in the “Public Relations, Advertising and Marketing”
 and “Education” categories, respectively.

“We are proud to recognize this talented group of finalists for the 2018 NELAs,” said Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Ralph Schulz. “The Nashville Chamber and YP Nashville are committed to building the next generation of leaders, and these young professionals recognized today possess strong leadership and a proven commitment to the continued prosperity of our community.”The NELAs recognize five finalists in 15 industry classifications. A committee of community leaders and experts within each industry selected the finalists based on their answers to essay questions, level of professional achievement, demonstrated leadership and community impact.

NELAs finalists and winners will be recognized at a ceremony on July 26 at Lipscomb University. Click here to view the complete list of finalists.

Gaines Participates in the iPDC Summer Institute at Tennessee Tech University

Hope Buckner
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Gaines Participates in the iPDC Summer Institute at Tennessee Tech University

Dr. Tisha Gaines, who will be joining the Mathematics & Computer Science department at Belmont this fall, has been accepted to participate in the iPDC summer institute at Tennessee Tech University from July 23 – July 27. Gaines is only one of 15 participants who were accepted this year.

The ACM (the Association for Computing Machinery) and IEEE Computer Society added Parallel and Distributed Computing (PDC) as a required knowledge unit in their 2013 CS curriculum recommendation. Both ACM and NSF/IEEE have developed a PDC curriculum to be integrated in undergraduate Computer Science programs.

The Computer Science Department at Tennessee Tech will host a week-long faculty development workshop on how to integrate PDC in introductory programming classes (funded by the National Science Foundation). This hands-on workshop will expose the participants to programming in parallel in shared memory environments using C/C++ and Java. After the participants become comfortable in parallel programming, the workshop will introduce the participants to pedagogy and techniques for introducing PDC in CS0, CS1 and CS2. The workshop will provide easy to integrate materials (lecture slide, hand on lab assignments with solutions, question banks with answers, etc.) to the participants.

Alumnus Cary Ryan Promoted To VP Role At Sony Music Nashville

April Hefner
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Alumnus Cary Ryan Promoted To VP Role At Sony Music Nashville

Cary RyanCary Ryan has been promoted to vice president, release planning and production for Sony Music Nashville. Most recently senior director of release planning and production, in February 1996 Ryan joined Arista Nashville, now one of three label imprints making up Sony Music Nashville. Ryan is a 1990 Graduate of Belmont with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and a music business major.

“I am truly grateful to be recognized with this promotion. Over the course of my career I’ve had the honor of working on many projects for some incredible artists and with excellent label executives and co-workers,” responds Ryan. “I look forward to continuing to be a part of music reaching people and the challenges and opportunities to that end.”

For the past 27 years, Ryan has been involved with inventory management and production in the music industry. In his new position, he will continue to oversee the Release Planning and Production department and direct the scheduling, production and distribution of products through the physical & digital supply chains for Sony Music Nashville.

Alumna Rachel Layton Named VP for Taziki’s Mediterranean Café

April Hefner
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Alumna Rachel Layton Named VP for Taziki’s Mediterranean Café

Taziki’s Mediterranean Café has named Belmont alumna Rachel Layton vice president of marketing & growth. <

Rachel LaytonPrior to joining Taziki’s, Layton most recently served as the director of marketing for A. Marshall Hospitality from 2014-2018 in Nashville, which included Puckett’s Gro. & Restaurants, Puckett’s Boat House, Homestead Manor, Scout’s Pub, Hattie Jane’s Creamery and Deacon’s New South. There she was responsible for identifying and creating revenue opportunities through advertising, sponsorships, partnerships, campaign creation and digital strategy. She was also responsible for philanthropic campaigns, event management and promotion.

She will be instrumental in the growth of the Taziki’s restaurant brand in the 17 states where the chain has a presence. Taziki’s recently opened its 84th restaurant in Eagle, Idaho last week. Layton is being tasked with building a memorable brand and growing profitable sales by leading the marketing team. She will also be developing the off-premise and catering program as well as spearheading growth initiatives.

“Rachel is a trained marketing professional with experience and a vision that will help further our team’s desire to deliver an environment that combines extraordinary food with meaningful human connection,” said Dan Simpson, CEO, Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe. “She will be responsible for marketing-related strategy decisions at both a corporate level and local level for our franchisees.”

In 2017, the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce named Layton a Nashville Emerging Leader in the Hospitality and Tourism Category. She also won the 2017 Women of Influence Award given by the Nashville Business Journal and was named a Nashville Champion of the Year by Best Buddies Tennessee in 2017.

Layton grew up in the media industry, becoming a professional radio talent at the age of 16 where she won a state championship in news. Her broadcasting career led her to Ball State University where she earned her BA in Telecommunications. Layton also earned her MBA from Belmont University.

Born in rural Indiana, Layton currently lives in Nashville, Tenn. and currently serves as the President of the Belmont University Massey Alumni Board. She also serves on the board for the Safe Haven Family Shelter.

Florida Georgia Line Honored with Billboard’s Trailblazer Award

April Hefner
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Florida Georgia Line Honored with Billboard’s Trailblazer Award

Florida Georgia LineFlorida Georgia Line members and Belmont alumni Brian Kelley (entertainment industry studies, 2009) and Tyler Hubbard (music business, 2009) were recently featured in Billboard magazine in conjunction with the duo being awarded the publication’s inaugural Trailblazer Award due to their “forward-thinking approach to their art and business.”

To read the full interview, click here.

Lamothe Presents at Song, Stage and Screen

Hope Buckner
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Lamothe Presents at Song, Stage and Screen

Assistant Professor Dr. Virginia Lamothe recently presented a paper at the 13th annual “Song, Stage and Screen” Conference in LA May 31 – June 3. Her paper, titled “Dislocation of Language and Location in the New Creation of Blackness in Williams’ and Walker’s Abyssinia (1906),” examined how one of the first all-Black Broadway musicals defied conventions of blackface minstrelsy and began a trend in theater and film for Black artists to portray realistic characters without giving in to criticism of the white press in the early 20th century.

Nashville’s Best Kept Secret? Its Thriving Fashion Hub, According to Inc Magazine

Hope Buckner
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Nashville’s Best Kept Secret? Its Thriving Fashion Hub, According to Inc Magazine

The O’More School of Design at Belmont University’s programs would agree 

Nashville’s ever growing fashion and technology scenes were recently lauded by Inc. Magazine as being the city’s greatest kept secret. At Belmont, this secret is well known as students from the recently acquired O’More College prepare to transition their studies to campus in the fall as the O’More School of Design at Belmont opens its doors.

Inc. points out the city’s well-known music scene, complete with venues, recording studios, daily concerts and more, but gives a nod towards the ever-growing tech and fashion industries as more and more ethical companies make their home in Music City. “The musical city is finding its voice as an emerging tech and fashion hub,” the article says.

It goes on to mention CEO of the Nashville Fashion Alliance Van Tucker and her goals of positioning Nashville as the growing hub it has become. Under Tucker’s leadership, NFA “aims to build an ecosystem for the largest concentration per capita of fashion companies outside Los Angeles and New York City.”

Now at Belmont, the O’More School brings new programs to campus including fashion design, interior design and fashion merchandising. By joining forces, Belmont’s fine arts offerings have expanded nearly overnight, providing new majors in fast-growing industries. Additionally, the new school creates ample opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations across campus as entrepreneurs engage with interior designers and theatre students brainstorm costume ideas with fashion designers.

And O’More’s programs continue to bring accolades to Belmont’s growing list as the Fashion Design program is one of the top 10 in the South and the only Tennessee program nationally ranked, according to fashion-schools.org.

Beyond providing a top-notch education to aspiring designers, the O’More School and Belmont’s Center for Entrepreneurship have been the educational sponsors for many of the Nashville Fashion Alliance’s seminars and workshops, opportunities to continue growing these industries throughout the city and beyond. The organization’s next workshop is focused on Brandology.

To read the article in its entirety, click here.

Belmont’s Eric Holt Included in Leadership Music’s Historic 30th Class

Hope Buckner
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Belmont’s Eric Holt Included in Leadership Music’s Historic 30th Class

Eric Holt HeadshotAssistant Professor of Music Business Eric Holt was recently named as one of Leadership Music’s historic 30th Class of 2019, among 44 other industry leaders from across the country. Founded in 1989 by 12 music industry alumni of Leadership Nashville, the national program has since graduated nearly 1,200 leaders.

Designed to create a forum for recognized music industry leaders to learn as they deep-dive into almost every segment of the music business, the program invites participants to identify and explore issues currently affecting the music industry.

“Personally, being selected for inclusion in Leadership Music Class of 2003 was a life-changing experience,” CAA’s Jeff Gregg and co-chair of the Selection Committee said. “These 45 leaders selected for the Class of 2019 are embarking on one of the most significant journeys of their career. As a member of the committee, I know I speak on behalf of those that served, we don’t take the responsibility lightly.  Choosing the class from the more than 300 qualified candidates who applied is done with great deliberation and thought.”

Participants will attend an orientation and alumni welcome reception in September and a two-day Opening Retreat in October, followed by six all-day sessions once a month ending in May with graduation at a two-day Closing Retreat.

The 45 Members of the Class of 2019 include:

  • Austen Adams, Attorney, Dickinson Wright
  • Miles Adcox, CEO/Owner, Onsite
  • Joseph Atamian, Agent, Paradigm Talent Agency
  • Greg Barnes, General Counsel, Digital Music Association (Washington, DC)
  • Michael McAnally Baum, President, Smack Songs
  • Drew Burchfield, Co-Founder, Aloompa
  • Anna Bonny Chauvet, Assistant General Counsel, U. S. Copyright Office (Washington, DC)
  • Jarrod Cooper, Vice President, Strategy and Business Development, ONErpm
  • Kevin Dalton, Business Manager, Wiles + Taylor
  • Scott Day, Chief Technology Officer, SoundExchange (Washington, DC)
  • Mehmet Dede, Talent Buyer, Drom NYC/Assistant Professor, The Hartt School (New York City, NY)
  • Nick Di Fruscia, Vice President, Awards & Membership, ACM (Los Angeles, CA)
  • Ryan Dokke, Senior Vice President/General Manager, Curb/Word Entertainment
  • Beville Dunkerley, Head of Nashville Artist Marketing & Industry Relations,  Pandora
  • Serona Elton, Associate Professor/Chair, Music Media & Industry Department, Frost School of Music, University of Miami (Miami, FL)
  • Jessica Frost, Executive Director, Industry Relations, BMI
  • Scott Gerow, Producer/Songwriter/Composer, Battery Lane Music
  • Tim Godwin, Director, Artist & Entertainment Relations, Taylor Guitar (El Cajon, CA)
  • Tony Grotticelli, Vice President, Digital Marketing, UMG
  • Chuck Harmony, Artist/CEO, Weirdo Workshop
  • Debra Herman, Head of Music Partnerships, Shazam (New York, NY)
  • Eric Holt, Assistant Professor, Belmont University/Partner, Lovenoise
  • Leigh Holt, Co-Owner/Manager, Redjett Management
  • Jackie Jones, Director, Music & Talent, CMT
  • Meredith Jones, Agent, CAA
  • Gina Keltner, Director, Talent Scheduling & Logistics, Grand Ole Opry
  • Jay Knowles, Songwriter/CEO WhaleFarm
  • Garrett Levin, Deputy General Counsel, IP Law & Policy, National Association of Broadcasters (Washington, DC)
  • Taylor Lindsey, Vice President, A&R, Sony Music Nashville
  • Chappel McCollister, Head of Strategic Partnerships, Sandbox Entertainment
  • Marie Miscia, Promotion Director, WKDF/WSM-FM, Cumulus Nashville
  • Paul Moak, Producer/Studio Owner, The Smoakstack
  • Jessica Nicholson, Managing Editor, Music Row
  • Nathan Nicholson, Head of Creative, Thirty Tigers
  • Ashleigh Overly, Managing Director, Sports & Entertainment, SunTrust Bank
  • Mike Rittberg, Chief Marketing Operator, BMLG
  • Lindsay Rothschild, Songwriter & Publisher Relations, Lead North America, YouTube (Los Angeles, CA)
  • Chad Schulz, Vice President, Radio & Streaming, Warner Music Nashville
  • Karen Silhol, Executive Vice President, Finance & Administration, RIAA (Washington, DC)
  • Brandi Simms, Senior Director, Awards & Industry Relations, CMA
  • Lauren Spahn, Attorney, Shackelford, Bowen, McKinley & Norton LLP
  • Jessica Tomasin, Manager, Echo Mountain (Asheville, NC)
  • Nate Towne, Agent, WME
  • Christy Walker-Watkins, President/Co-Owner, AristoMedia Group
  • Garry Wall, President/Founder, Sparknet Communications

For more information on Leadership Music, click here.

Bonnaroo for Credit? Belmont Students Prep for Unconventional Study Away Program

April Hefner
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Bonnaroo for Credit? Belmont Students Prep for Unconventional Study Away Program

A new Belmont Abroad program takes students from Nashville to nearby Manchester, Tennessee this week, and this  Belmont at Bonnaroo Maymester experience promises to deliver a unique academic immersion into festival culture and in-depth music research.

Led by faculty members Dr. Sarita Stewart (music business) and Dr. Ken Spring (sociology), this program consists of two co-curricular classes “Research Methods and Festival Culture” and “Sociology of Music.” During May, enrolled students spent time in the classroom studying the role of music in society and the various attributes surrounding its meaning.  They also learned about various quantitative and qualitative methodologies used in research study designs.

This week the students will apply what they’ve been learning by attending and conducting a research study at the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival from June 7-10 in partnership with Bonnaroo leadership.

Stewart said, “Basically, during the course of Bonnaroo, the students will be conducting research for the festival.  The class has been divided into four groups of five. The Bonnaroo team sent us 12 questions that they were interested in from a Gen Z standpoint. Dr. Spring and I are working with the class to develop qualitative research designs around issues of community, design, branding and fan consumption. Each group has to conduct 20 interviews for the class, so it breaks down to four interviews per person, one per day.”

Beyond the Generation Z research, students will also attend guest lectures each day of the festival from “Artists/Executives In Residence,” including a Belmont alumnus playing the festival, a music attorney, a brand executive, an artist development/promotions leader and a rock publicist, among others.

Updates from “Belmont at Bonnaroo” will be posted on the University’s Instagram account throughout the weekend.

Young Leaders Council Announces Graduates of Its Second Annual Massey Graduate School Alumni Class

April Hefner
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Young Leaders Council Announces Graduates of Its Second Annual Massey Graduate School Alumni Class

Young Leaders Council, a Nashville-based nonprofit organization that has trained more than 2,500 men and women to effectively participate on the boards of nonprofit agencies since 1985, recently announced the graduates of its second annual nonprofit board training program partnership with the Massey Graduate School of Business at Belmont University.

The YLC/Massey Graduate School Alumni Class 2018 graduates who have completed 28 hours of leadership training and will now serve one-year internships on local nonprofit boards are:  Jim Burnett (Cracker Barrel Old Country Store); William Crenshaw (Cherry Bekaert LLP); Brett Dabdoub (Mobile Mentor); Richmond Donnelly (Ipreo Private Capital Markets); Louie Escobedo (InfoWorks); Stephen May (TriStar Health); Christopher Shea (HCA Healthcare); Kate Skolits (LBMC); Mareon Smit (Sarah Cannon Research Center); and Brent Tidwell (Amerigroup).

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