Belmont University men’s basketball will be the subject of a feature story for a series of ABC Sports college basketball programs titled “Race to March Madness.” The “Race to March Madness” series is comprised of three one-hour specials centered on some of the most compelling storylines in college basketball.
The Belmont Basketball feature – which will air Sat., Mar. 7 at 1:30 p.m. CT on ABC – will include contributions from seniors Henry Harris, Matthew Dotson and Andy Wicke, Belmont Head Coach Rick Byrd, as well as 19-time Grammy Award-winning artist and longtime program supporter, Vince Gill. Click here for more on this story.
Men’s Basketball Team Featured on ABC
TV Personality to Host 2009 Country Showcase
In support of the students and programs of the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business, Great American Country’s Nan Kelley will host Belmont University’s 2009 Country Showcase live in the Curb Event Center on Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. Kelley is host of GAC’s “Opry Live” show and also interviews artists on GAC’s “Top 20 Countdown.”
“I’m so excited to be involved,” said Kelley. “As a member of the country music community, I’ve known for years the positive impact Belmont has had on students who long to have a career in the music business. The fact that Belmont is doing its part to ensure the future of country music is in good hands will be obvious to the audience that night, and I’m glad I get to take part in it.”
Erik Parker, producer of the 2009 Country Showcase said, “We are so honored to have Nan as our host. She’s the epitome of what the country music industry should be about—authenticity, humility and positive impact. It’s humbling to know she’s chosen to support our student production.”
Kelley said she understands how important education is, and appreciates programs like the ones Belmont has to offer. “I had the opportunity to receive a first class education in my field and it’s been an invaluable leg up to the career of my dreams,” Kelley said. “It’s important to me that students today are receiving those same opportunities.”
This year’s artists include Jenna Basso, Steven Darden, Cassidy Lynn, W.C. Marion and bluegrass act The Westbound Rangers. To hear a demo reel with selections from of all of this year’s artists, visit www.belmontshowcaseseries.com/country.
Alums Organize Nashville’s ‘Twestival’
Belmont alumnae Christy Frink (’08, Social Work) and Morgan Levy (’06, Music Business) organized the Nashville “Twestival,” which was held yesterday. Twestivals are face-to-face gatherings that allow online social network Twitter users to meet offline and in person. More than 175 cities globally hosted Twestivals yesterday to raise money for charity : water, a non-profit organization bringing clean, safe drinking water to people in developing nations. Frink and Levy also operate a blog about Nashville life and culture at www.nashvillest.com.
Click here for more on this story from The Tennessean.
Littlejohn Awarded Asian Studies Grant
Dr. Ronnie Littlejohn, chairman of the philosophy department and director of Belmont’s Asian Studies program, has been awarded a Freeman Foundation/East-West Center grant of $4,000 for a faculty development workshop in East Asia and the Ecologies of Development to be held in September. The program will be held in concert with next year’s Humanities Symposium.
Paine Named Editor of Japan Studies Association Journal
Dr. John Paine (English, Foreign Languages, Asian Studies) recently became the editor of the Japan Studies Association Journal. He is also the editor of the Journal of the Short Story in English with Dr. Corinne Dale (English). One of his colleagues recently remarked that under Paine’s editorship Japan Studies Association Journal shows the “marks of the thorough scholarship and careful precision” for which he is known.
Spring Presents Paper on First Year Experience
Dr. Ken Spring, associate professor of sociology, recently presented a paper at the Annual First Year Experience Conference in Orlando, Florida. The paper was titled “A Civic Approach: Community, Education, and Responsibility”
and highlighted the work of Belmont faculty, staff and administration on creating a more seamless approach to education and civic engagement.
Spring specifically addressed the ways in which FYS has been used as a way of framing the Belmont experience and welcoming students into the culture of our campus. On a 5.0 scale, Spring’s session received a 4.9 for the overall quality of the presentation from the attendees.
Giorgianni Accepted as Grant Reviewer
The Federal Health Research Services Administration recently contact Dr. Sal Giorgianni, assistant professor and director of experiential education and development in the School of Pharmacy, to inform him that he was accepted as a grant reviewer for the 2009-2010 cycle. HRSA is responsible for reviewing, administering and disseminating information on research across the US on important health services issues and policies.
In addition, Howard (Rex) Smith, Giorgianni’s son-in-law, won a Grammy at this year’s awards. The award was for his role as music director and drummer on the Best Reggae Album 2008, Burning Spear’s Jah is Real, released by Burning Music Production. Smith is currently on tour and recording as the drummer for Wyclef Jean.
Bernie Herms to Receive Curtain Call Award
Belmont University’s School of Music will present its annual Curtain Call Award to producer, composer, songwriter and Grammy nominee Bernie Herms. The award is presented annually to a School of Music alumnus in honor of achievement in the field of commercial and popular music.
Herms will receive the award on Feb. 24 during a concert in his honor that will feature recording artists Casting Crowns, Natalie Grant and RED. Herms has worked with all three artists through the course of his career. The concert and award presentation will be at 7:30 p.m. in Massey Concert Hall. The event is free and open to the public.
In addition to the concert performers, Herms’ credits include projects with well-known artists such as Brad Paisley, CeCe Winans, Lonestar, Selah, Lorrie Morgan, Mark Shultz, Sammy Kershaw and Steven Curtis Chapman. His production credits have also extended to popular soundtracks such as Charlotte’s Web, The Nativity and Amazing Grace. Most recently, his work gained five nominations at the 2008 GMA Dove Awards, including Producer of the Year for In Better Hands for his wife Natalie Grant and a win for Song of the Year, “Praise You in this Storm.”
Previous Applause Award winners include Melinda Doolittle, Josh Turner, Ginny Owens and Tammy Rogers King.
Braddy Named to ‘American Idol’ Top 36
Ricky Braddy, a 2007 Commercial Music graduate from Belmont, was named Wednesday night to the Top 36 of “American Idol.” During his time at Belmont, the North Carolina native was selected to participate in the 2006 Commercial Music Showcase where he performed “Dying to Live” and the Ray Charles’ classic “Song for You.”
The 36 “American Idol” hopefuls will be split into three groups of 12, and for three consecutive weeks, one group will perform live each Tuesday. At the end of each performance show, viewers will be able to vote for their favorite contestants for at least two hours in their region. Braddy was selected to compete in Group 1, and his live performance will air this Tues., Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. on FOX.
On Wednesdays, the live results show will announce the three semi-finalists (the top male, the top female and the next top vote-recipient) that America has chosen to move on in the competition. On Thurs., March 5, a special “Wild Card” episode will feature the judges’ favorite remaining contestants battling it out live for a coveted spot in the next phase of the competition.
For more on Ricky Braddy, visit his fan club Web site at www.thebraddybunch.com.
Hogan Wins First Player of the Week Honor
Belmont freshman Abbey Hogan notched the clinching point in each of the Bruins’ two wins last week, upping her singles record to 6-2 for the season. On Wednesday, the conference office awarded Hogan her first career Player of the Week honor. Click here for more on this story.
