MUSIC: Melinda Doolittle (May Issue)

Like so many others, I used to be obsessed with American Idol.  Each week I would be on the edge of my seat waiting to see who made it through.  I was invested in the contestants and their stories.  It was probably my favorite show.  However, my obsession ended after Season Six.  Melinda Doolittle was voted off.  I. Was. Done.  I remember screaming at the TV “What???!!” and then crying.  Yes, crying.  It seems a little crazy now, but I, along with the judges and millions of Americans, fell in love with the soulful singer from Nashville.  She was phenomenal and no doubt deserving of the title of American Idol.  I’m not saying Jordin Sparks wasn’t incredibly talented as well, but Melinda was and will always be in my mind number one.  Six years later, I have finally had the honor of meeting Melinda.  I saw her at the Taste of Williamson, and without hesitation, I introduced myself.  As I expected, she was absolutely delightful.  She is such a kind and genuine person and was happy to meet with me for this story.   

I was able to join her in the studio during her Friday ritual of recording the online show IDOLOGY, where she and TV Lines’ Michael Slezak recap each weeks episode of Idol, giving their opinions on performances, who should stay, who should go, etc.  The show is a must see for Idol watchers.  Melinda is made to be in front of the camera with her captivating smile and lively personality.  I asked her if she is ever mean because I can’t even imagine that she can be!  She says that she is honest and tries to be nice but constructive.  The Idols watch the show every week and very often take Melinda’s advice.

When she’s not recording the show, Melinda is still hard at work on her music career.  She is so excited about the record she is currently working on.  She has put together what she calls her “A-Team”, including writer Jim Weatherly (“Midnight Train to Georgia”) and producer Tre’ Corley.  She said, “Tre’ can produce the living daylights out of a song and make me love the entire thing.”  She loves working with Tre’ because he can take her “old school” vibe and combine it with the current sound. Melinda sang a song for me that will be on the album.  She said that other than me, she has only let her momma listen to it.  The song is called “Give”, and it is beautiful.  When it is released, it will definitely “give” you chills.  It is about giving to others, and its sales will benefit the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.  Melinda is also part of a compilation album featuring several artists, such as Amy Grant, Vince Gill and Alison Krauss, which will have songs written by patients of the Children’s Hospital and will benefit it, as well.  The album will be released on May 15^th. 

Melinda has been a Williamson County resident for several years.  She moved here after graduating from Belmont University.  She said she loves that Williamson County has the country and the city, and it is the best place to come home to after being on the road.  Our hometown girl’s voice is absolutely on the level of music divas such as Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey.  However, she does not have one ounce of any negative connotations that the name diva sometimes entails.  She is an authentic beauty on the inside and out.  Whatever she does, she will always have my vote!

ART: Lee Baskerville (May Issue)

In the hopes of being this year’s Steeplechase featured artist, Virginian Lee Baskerville brought a mock up of his idea to last year’s event.  It was extremely well received so he was, in deed, chosen.  Upon looking at his art, I could see that it was the right decision.  His work is outstanding. 

I was able to speak with Lee about his art and in particular the piece (pictured right) for Steeplechase.  He named it “Kinetic Energy”, deriving from experience of being a rider himself.  He said, “Horses know that something’s about to happen.  There is an intense connection between horse and rider.  You can feel the energy.  I love that moment right before you set off.  It’s amazing, like the release of an arrow.”  Originally, the horse in the painting was going to be Arcadius, last year’s winner.  Unfortunately, Arcadius died right after the race. Lee felt it was a sensitive subject and decided to make it more of a generic but timeless painting.  However, the jockey’s silks and the landscape are the same from that day.

 

Aside from horses being one of Lee’s favorite subjects, he also enjoys painting portraits.  He prefers a live subject over working from a photograph.  He says that you have to really work to get a life like energy from a painting that is not live.  For him, painting live is very relaxing.

If he could chose any other profession other than art, Lee would be an architect.  He has renovated several historic homes and buildings and currently lives in the oldest row home in Richmond, Virginia.  However, he does not foresee a future of not painting, which he does almost everyday.  Lee has been very fortunate to turn a hobby that he truly loves into a successful business.  He has come a long way from hustling after college doing small portraits.  Currently, his work ranges from $5,000 for a sketch to $40,000 for a life size portrait.  Lee stated, “If you’re a creative person and have a good work ethic, you can do a lot with your talent.  Don’t limit yourself.”

Lee’s art is on display at Stanford Fine Art in Belle Meade.  There will be a reception for him there on May 9^th at 6:30pm, and he says all are invited.  Of course, he will also be attending Steeplechase the following Saturday.  You can find out more about Lee and his amazing work at www.leebaskerville.com.

THEATER: The Boiler Room Theatre (April Issue)

My first experience at The Boiler Room Theatre (BRT) was about a year and half ago, when I went to see “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”  I know it’s not a show for everyone, including my husband, but I’m not ashamed to admit that I love it.  And, after seeing it at BRT, I love it even more.  Geoff Davin, as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, was incredible.  I’m hoping to share more about him in a future story, but I digress…

Sondra Morton, the Operations Manager of BRT, recently gave me a tour of the theatre and told me of all things that make it so unique.  The BRT is a professional theatre with paid actors, many of which have had previous careers in New York City.  Brothers, Jamey and Corbin Green, wanting to provide cutting edge theatre in Williamson County, started the BRT thirteen years ago.  All that are involved in the theatre do it because of their passion for the art, not for ticket sales. There are seven to eight main shows a year, and the theatre hosts up to nine additional shows, as well.  The Act Too Players provides some of these additional shows.  Act Too Players is owned by Sondra and is a Performing Arts School at the Factory, which produces six fully staged productions each semester.

This month, from April 19th-May 4th, the BRT is presenting the musical “Floyd Collins.”  Sondra put me in touch with Jamey Green because this show is really “his baby.”  Jamey says that the musical has long been an obsession for him and the director, Laura Skaug.  As explained by Jamey, it is a true story about an entrepreneur in the cave region of Western Kentucky by the name of Floyd Collins, who is being played by the aforementioned Geoff Davin.  The way men became quickly rich and famous (or so was the rumor), was to discover a cave, claim it and charge people to tour it. The GREAT SAND CAVE was Floyd's discovery and was, he was sure, the way to completely change his and his family's fortune. There is no spoiler alert needed with the following: he was trapped in the cave. What followed was one of the first of what we call a "media circus."  All of this began in February of 1925.  So historically, the story itself is quite significant and it's a LOCAL story, occurring less than 100 miles from Nashville.

Jamey also says that among the many things about this musical that strikes him is its boldness. To tell a story like this requires very clever writing and it succeeds in his opinion. Jamey exclaims, “What's amazing to me, is that a story, which could come across as utterly depressing, is given such a treatment here as to be alternately riveting, moving and yes, at times, even humorous.  The score of this musical is one of the most brilliant ever written for an American musical.  The way it weaves themes in and out to specify characters and situations is close to operatic!  What's amazing in the score is the interplay of indigenous American musical styles such as bluegrass, country, folk and blues, with an almost classical, ‘legit’ framing.  Quite simply, the score is uncompromising, alternately gorgeous, discordant (but oh so appropriate and powerful) and fun and bouncy.  It's been a thrill for me in this rehearsal process to see some fantastic singer/actors being pushed to their limits by an unbelievably challenging score.  This is indeed a rarely performed musical, the technical requirements - that is set, lighting, script, music are considerable.  But I don't know any other musical like it.  It is unique.  There are many good reasons to see this this musical at BRT this April- I think the best however, would be that one isn't going to have many chances to experience it!”  I love Jamey’s enthusiasm about this show.  I’m dying to see it now! Aren’t you?

I really enjoyed my time with Sondra Morton learning more about The Boiler Room Theatre.  It’s definitely another one to add to my list of treasures that we have in Williamson County.  Sondra said, “It’s our own little New York right here in Williamson County.  The talent pool here is crazy.  This theater is very reminiscent of an Off Broadway house, but the Boiler Room isn’t the theater, it’s the people.”

The Boiler Room Theatre is located in The Factory at Franklin.  For more information, go to www.boilerroomtheatre.com.  For more information on Act Too Players, visit www.acttooplayers.com.

MUSIC: Buddy Guy and Jonny Lang at The War Memorial Auditorium

The legend says that in the 1930’s Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil at “the crossroads” to become a great blues musician.  Well, I can tell you that those crossing roads are Highway 61 and Highway 49 in Clarksdale, Mississippi right next to Abe’s Barbeque and what used to be the Delta Donut.  I know this because my childhood home of seventeen years was 1.5 miles from that spot.  Living in Clarksdale ignited my love for the blues.  Muddy Waters grew up in a shack not too far from my high school.  I spent summers going to blues festivals and blues musician Sam Myers stayed at my family’s lake house once, during one of those festivals…such a great memory.  Years later, while singing with my band in clubs on Beale Street in Memphis, I always made my way to places like BB King’s and Rum Boogie during breaks and after shows to hear some good Memphis blues.

Along with my hometown, my brother was definitely a strong influence to my love for music and specifically the blues.  I sat in the corner of the garage many nights listening to his band rocking the songs of many blues greats. Almost thirty years later, he’s still singing the blues in a band called The Delta Royals (www.thedeltaroyals.com).  One musician in particular that my brother introduced me to was Buddy Guy.  Although he’s considered “Chicago Blues,” Buddy has always been one of my favorites.  The first time I saw him perform was in the late nineties at the Memphis in May festival.  I was blown away at how he played that black and white polka dotted electric guitar.   He was incredible.  Fast forward to the present, and at age 76, he’s still got it.  I was able to see him at the War Memorial Auditorium (WMA) downtown Nashville on March 1st.

The WMA has recently been revived as another great Nashville music venue.  It’s beautiful architecture is just icing on the cake to its near-perfect acoustics and intimate atmosphere.  Getting close to 100 years old, the WMA has an extraordinary history that includes being home to the Nashville Symphony, the Grand Ole Opry, and stage to hundreds of artists including David Bowie, The Eagles, Ray Charles, KISS, Robert Plant and now Buddy Guy.

Jonny Lang opened for Buddy, which made for an amazing show.  I had an extra ticket and decided to take Caroline Lewis, a young guitar student I know, so she could experience the talents of two of the greatest guitar players ever to take the stage.  In the age of over produced computer generated pop disasters, I have decided to make it my personal mission to expose as many of the new generation that I can to real music.  I made sure Caroline took it all in, experiencing the playing abilities, tone, stage presence and raw talent unfolding before her.  After the show, I told her to focus on guitar players like Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jimmy Page, the two we just saw and all the others I could recall.  I explained to her how the popularity of musicians like those is dying out and being replaced by the Justin Beibers of the world.  Fortunately, she realizes what a tragedy it is and plans to stay invested in becoming a guitar player modeled by my list of authentic musicians.

Join me in taking the advice from Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young to "teach your children well".  Nashville and all around it provides some of the best classrooms in the country, the War Memorial Auditorium included.  

ART: Olga Alexeeva and O Gallery (April Issue)

Walking in to the O Gallery in the Marathon Village in Nashville, I was shocked to find such a large amount of eclectic art displayed from floor to ceiling.  I thought that there was no way it was all from one artist, but after meeting Olga Alexeeva, I quickly understood.  She is unlike any artist I have ever met.  She says that art is an expression of life and life is a kaleidoscope so art should be a kaleidoscope, too.

Leaving her professional acting career in Moscow, Olga relocated to Nashville in 1991 to be with her sister, a Russian refugee.  Olga says Nashville became a green, peaceful, picturesque haven for her, but during her first ten years here, she was basically just trying to survive.  Her biggest struggle was the language barrier, but after learning English and getting settled, Olga found that her soul was hungry for something more.  She tried many different outlets for her creative mind and painting was last on her list.  She thought she was not good enough.  Her attitude toward art was that she couldn’t paint because she couldn’t draw.  However, Olga’s mind was changed when Nashville artist and teacher, Hazel King, used her Southern hospitality to make Olga feel comfortable with taking a class.

All experiences from theater, history and life in general poured from Olga to the paintings.  Inspiration from different teachers had an imprint on her.  She’s tried everything once.  She said, “Curiosity is the most important ingredient for success.”  She has an ongoing ability to look for something new, and says you should “never arrive.”   A lot of people told her to pick one segment, technique or style and become good at it.  She didn’t want to do that.  She feels that everybody creates from the material within themselves.  She has had eclectic life experiences with lots of layers and does not want to be limited.  If she tries to make herself create through logic, it’s not coming from her soul.  If something is not going in the right direction or it’s not natural, she stops.

Olga still takes classes, even though she teaches them now.  She does not teach a technique.  She just instructs everyone to discover themselves by relating to her previous experience of not knowing she was an artist.  She would have never painted, if she had another opportunity.  She lives by her motto: “Be a child and try everything once to have a taste of it before you decide what you want to do.”  She asks her students to be brave and allow themselves to be bad until they get better.  She has been very humbled by the way her students have come back to her to say that their lives have been changed and their eyes have been opened to beauty.  Olga is proud to have a role in that.

The O Gallery received The Nashville Scene’s “Best of Nashville” Award for “Best Gallery” in 2012 and I think it was very deserved!  The gallery is absolutely stunning.  It’s one of my new favorites, and I plan to return soon for a girl’s night out painting party with a little wine and lots of creativity!

For more information go to www.ogalleryart.com

THEATER: TRACES (March Issue)

I’ve been writing about my experience with the theater for a while now, but this is the first time that I’m writing “post-production.”  There’s a lot that goes into a show before it hits that stage and I love being a part of it.  However, sharing my experience with this particular show had to be after seeing it.  Traces is like nothing I have ever seen before.  It’s almost difficult to describe, but I will give it my best shot.

Have you ever been to a big city and stopped to watch the street performers?  I’ve seen children doing back flips on Beale Street in Memphis, artists on Jackson Square in New Orleans surrounded by painted live statues, New York dance crews in Times Square and of course lots and lots of singers in Broadway shows  in Nashville.  Imagine the best of all types of street performances that you’ve ever seen channeled in to seven performers, train them to be in the circus and give them access to the greatest theaters in the world with all the props, lighting, music and everything else that entails and you’ve got Traces.

This 7 Fingers Production could be called an “Urban Cirque de Soleil,” but there’s just more to it.  The performers are acrobats, singers, musicians, dancers and artists, but they let you know who they are as people and what they are about.  They’re not actors.  They’re on the stage as themselves.  It’s emotional, funny, intimate and exhilarating, maybe even a little confusing at times.  Not everyone will “get it”, but ALL will be entertained.   To find out more, go to www.tracesusa.com

MUSIC: Andrew Fromm (March Issue)

If you ever want to see the “creatives” of Williamson County, you can always find some in downtown Franklin in one of the local coffee shops.  They’re meeting with others in their field or sitting with their MacBook’s open, working on their latest song, story, or whatever else they are creating.  One of those “creatives” that I run into from time to time, while getting my “venti iced non-fat white chocolate mocha no whip” (in case anyone ever needs to know), is Andrew Fromm.  Andrew is a songwriter that was introduced to me a few years ago through a mutual friend. If you’re like me, when you think of a songwriter in Nashville, bar lights, open mic nights and the hopes of a cut on the next Lady A album comes to mind.  However, Andrew does not fit that mold.  He’s a Jersey boy that already found success before coming to Music City.  I’d like to say he got his big break one night in New York, but “big break” doesn’t seem to define what happened.  It should be more like his “ginormous life changing experience.”  He sang a song he wrote called “I Need You Tonight” at a birthday party for a friend.  A lot of industry executives were there, including the Senior Director of A&R for Jive Records.  He told Andrew he wanted his song for a band called The Backstreet Boys, unknown in the U.S. at the time.  This lead into Andrew’s first cut being on The Backstreet Boys’ Millennium album that sold 25 million copies.  See how “big break” just doesn’t seem to fit?

Since that night in New York, Andrew has had an amazing career.  In addition to The Backstreet Boys, he’s written songs for NSYNC, Selena Gomez, Marc Anthony, Jesse McCartney and many, many more.  He won the Pop Contemporary Song of the Year at the 42nd Annual Dove Awards for the #1 single “Beautiful, Beautiful” performed by Francesca Battistelli.  Several of his songs have appeared on some of the “Wow Hits” albums and the list goes on…

Andrew has perfected his craft through his writing style that he calls “ the channeling effect”.  This is where the sound of the chord inspires him to want to sing something over the top of it, like a natural occurrence.  He says he just knows what the music is supposed to do.  With no pre-meditation, he can just sit down and write a song.  I’ve seen him do it and it looks as easy for him as breathing.

Andrew says he loves to see the reactions of people and how songs that he has written have affected their lives.  A girl once wrote to him and said her boyfriend got killed by a drunk driver.  The night before he died he sang “I Need You Tonight” in her ear.  This is a memory she will always have and a reminder to Andrew of what a special gift songwriting can be.  He says songs leave “little stamps on life.”

Recently, a lot of Andrew’s focus has been on the business side of music.  He says he likes how this allows him to use both sides of his brain.  Through Fromm Consulting LLC, he has brokered millions and millions of sales of music publishing catalogs all over the world, including the sale of producer Timbaland’s catalog (Justin Timberlake, Missy Elliott, Britney Spears, Aaliyah etc..).  His music business ventures continue to grow, but he says he will always continue to write.

Andrew has been a Franklin resident for six and a half years.  He says he moved from the New York Music scene to Nashville because it’s more structured and has a “9 to 5” mentality.  It’s also more conducive to having a family.  Now with a beautiful wife and baby boy, he definitely made the right decision to come down south and we’re glad to have him!