Nashville Notes

Like much of the country, Nashville’s winter months were milder than normal - an ominous sign for the already humid and buggy summer months to come. Still, despite Mother Nature making us doubt what month it is, we always know it’s springtime in Nashville when a busload of eager young Berklee students arrive for their annual spring break trip to Music City.

Students enjoyed tours, panels, and interviews with some of the biggest names in the music industry. As always, local alumni played a huge role in the week, imparting their knowledge and experience, including Luke Gilfeather ’93, Laura Matula ’03, Charlie Worsham ’06, Annie Clements ’03, Justin Nault ’08, Kevin Rapillo ’90, and Caitlin Nicol-Thomas ’07, among others. Thanks to all for your input.

Nicol-Thomas, who was part of the popular alumni panel held at Warner Music Nashville, also announced that she had just been cast in the upcoming network primetime drama Nashville. Look for her on ABC in the months ahead. And while you look for Nicol-Thomas, listen for the song “Love Like Mine,” written by Emily Shackelton ’07, which will be in all commercials and promos
for the show and featured throughout the first season. In other good news, Wynonna Judd just recorded Shackelton’s song “Anywhere but Here.” Shackelton will also be featured alongside a group of industry professionals in an article about Nashville songwriters in Southern Living magazine’s June issue.

Beyond the spring break festivities, the local alumni community continues to gather regularly. A number of alumni got together to celebrate the second anniversary of “Strength in (Musical) Numbers,” a monthly meeting led by alum Sarah Tollerson ’08, which provides local alumni with an informal chance to get together, hang out, and network on a regular basis. Meanwhile, Eric Normand ’89 continues to host “The Nashville Berklee Jam,” another monthly opportunity to come together to hear from a music industry veteran and then hold an open jam.

In awards news, Natalie Stovall ’04 was recently named entertainer of the year and female performer of the Year by Campus Activities magazine. Stovall is the first female musician to win entertainer of the year in more than 20 years.

Jenn Bostic ’08 has been nomi- nated for four Independent Country Music Association Awards including best Female Artist, Best Songwriter, Best Musician and Best Indie Country song for “Jealous of the Angels.”

Kira Small ’93 wrote the tune “I Will Raise My Voice” that is nominated for an Independent Music Award in the Gospel Song category. Rachel Solomon ’05 and Kyle James Hauser ’07 cowrote “Peter and Gladys,” which appeared on MTV’s season premiere of 16 and Pregnant in April.

Matt Mangano ’00 just wrapped up production on Blackberry Smoke’s album The Whippoorwill. The Atlanta- based southern rock band is signed to Zac Brown’s Southern Ground label and the CD was coproduced by Brown, Mangano, and fellow alumnus Clay Cook ’98.

Shantell Ogden ’05 organized a successful family-friendly music and arts festival called Liahonaroo. As part of the festival, alumnus and Berkleemusic.com songwriting instructor Shane Adams ’95 hosted a series of artist development workshops.

That’s the news from Music City.