Lady Antebellum appeared on ABC’s Good Morning America Tuesday morning (February 19th) to announce the details of their fourth studio album, Golden, which is set for release May 7th. The three wrote the title track with label-mate Eric Paslay over a bottle of wine in Charles Kelley’s library room. “”It’s actually the last song we wrote for the record,” Charles tells The Huffington Post. While a few details have yet to be finalized, the collection will include 11 or 12 songs, half of which were written or co-written by the group. Paul Worley is once again at the helm for Golden, having produced all Lady A’s previous releases.
“This album feels to me like one of those that from start to finish could be a good road-trip record and that’s what we wanted,” said Lady A’s Charles Kelley. “It’s one of the reasons why the term ‘golden’ was kind of cool. I think about road trips and driving down the road with those little streaks of sunshine popping through the trees, especially at sunset. ‘Golden’…it just gives you this warm, easy feeling.”
Starting the week of June 18th, campers from 14 states across the nation came to Nashville to participate in the ACM Lifting Lives music camp for people with developmental disabilities. “The residential camp has the dual purpose of studying Williams syndrome and other developmental disabilities and providing music enrichment through performance and education” according to the ACM Lifting Liveswebsite.
Jana Kramer and ACM Lifting Lives campers at BBQ
Campers participated in a fun-filled week of activities around Music City. They did what many people come to Nashville try to do, they started the week off in a songwriting session with Brett Eldredge and David Lee Murphy where they created the original song “We’re Having A Party”. This was followed by a recording session with Luke Bryan and Paul Worley 2 days later. Then, had a fun evening out at Winners singing karaoke with Lauren Alaina. The next day they were treated to BBQ with Jana Kramer. Finally, they concluded their week with a performance with Big & Rich on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry.
After a week of covering these different events with the campers, I was touched by their enthusiasm, spirit, and musical talent. It was both an amazing experience for the campers and those of us lucky enough to cover it as media. I know it was for me. It was such a special experience to see these people who have to overcome so much in their lives get to live out what is a life-long dream for many that come to Nashville. To watch the expressions on their faces as they came into contact with the different country stars and see their proud faces as they stepped on the Opry stage to sing their song…it’s a memory that I won’t forget and will always treasure. I cheered for them and even shed a few tears in pride for them as I watched them perform on that legendary stage.
I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to cover the different activities of the week because I was given a small glimpse into the lives of these very special people. It is hard to put into words how special these campers were/are. I had many opportunities to interact with them and came out each time being touched by them in so many different ways. Their enthusiasm is infectious, their sweet spirits touched my heart, and the way they are moved by music along with their musical talented is astounding. It’s truly a great thing that the ACM is doing for these people each year and I hope to take part in it again next year.
For more information about ACM Lifting Lives, go to the website: www.acmliftinglives.org. The week-long camp is a partnership between ACM Lifting Lives and Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities.
### About Williams Syndrome:
What causes Williams syndrome?
Individuals with Williams syndrome usually are missing a small piece of chromosome 7. This rare genetic disorder occurs spontaneously in 1 out of every 7, 500 births. It is not a result of an inherited characteristic from the parents. First recognized in 1961, Williams syndrome affects males and females at equal rates and has been diagnosed in all ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds.
What are the effects of Williams syndrome?
Lauren Alaina with ACM Lifting Lives campers
While every individual is unique in how they look and act, people with Williams syndrome have some traits in common. They may have some or all of these characteristics, which include:
• Small, delicate bones and features—small teeth spaced far apart
• A white star shape in the iris of the eye • High sensitivity to loud noises • Trouble nursing as a child, slow weight gain, and
colicky behavior as a baby • Anxious or nervous behavior—including “picking”
behavior • Heart, blood vessel, and stomach problems
• High levels of calcium in the blood • Learning or cognitive disabilities • Preferring to spend time with adults instead of peers • Musical talents and/or intense connection with
music—ability to learn though music • Large vocabulary,well spoken • Extremely friendly,caring behavior—cannot
identify bad intentions in other people
Can Williams syndrome be treated?
Individuals with Williams syndrome benefit from early intervention and lifelong physical and psychological therapies. Any medical problems that develop should be monitored closely by doctors experienced in working with individuals with Williams syndrome. To help alleviate maladaptive and social-emotional challenges, try to:
• Keep distractions to a minimum—manage auditory and visual distracters.
• Manage sensitivity to sound—provide comfort and explain loud noises.
• Encourage positive thinking—teach skills for reframing negative thoughts.
• Alleviate anxieties—reassure and aid transition into other activities or topics.
• Monitor sadness—be aware that depression can hide under a cheerful exterior.
• Provide social skills training—practice interaction with others, taking turns, and how to be appropriately cautious of strangers.
Children with Williams syndrome probably will have special needs in their education. The best education programs will be collaborative team approaches, and those that build on and encourage a child’s strengths. Children with Williams syndrome generally respond well—both cognitively and emotionally—to educational programs that use music as a tool. When writing is involved, allow extra time and support and recognize that using computers, calculators, and audiotape recorders may be beneficial.
Record Crowd Packs Centennial Park for the Spring Season Kickoff
A record crowd packs Centennial Park for the free music on Saturday May 5
Maybe it was because of Cinco de Mayo, maybe it was because of the beautiful day, or maybe it was because Musicians Corner is just an awesome weekly event, but one thing was for certain at the first show of the spring season on Saturday… Musicians Corner’s popularity is growing FAST.
Over 1,400 people showed up to the Musicians Corner concert, which will take place each Saturday until the end of June in Centennial Park. And what a concert it was! With new amenities such as a Beer & Wine Garden, this promises to be a season to remember.
The day started off with the group Escondido, a groovy new duo. Following them was the young, talented trio Punchinello on the Lightning 100 Acoustic Stage.
That’s when yours truly hopped on stage (pardon me for the shameless plug). It was a special event that I wanted to commemorate and share with 1,400 of my closest friends. It was my mom’s birthday, so I got to wish her a happy birthday from the Musicians Corner stage. My family and some friends made it all the way down from Pennsylvania to spend the weekend with me, and I couldn’t have been happier. Happy birthday agin mom, love you!
Ok, back to the show. To celebrate the Cinco de Mayo festivities, MC next featured Latin Salsa by Afinke. It was hard to keep the crowd seated and still for this band, who was sporting a huge brass section. Representing the acoustic stage after that was Rayvon Owen, with a smooth voice and killer falsetto.
Friends of Musicians Corner Amy Stroup and Trent Dabbs took to the main stage next as their new duo Sugar & the Hi Lows. Each has graced the MC stage as solo artists, yet they are truly a joy to listen to together, even covering the Tina Turner classic Rollin’ on the River. Anderson East was the final Acoustic Stage act of the day and, utilizing nothing but his guitar, swooned the crowd with his unique style.
Mayor Karl Dean and Esteemed Record Producer Paul Worley at Musicians Corner on May 5
After the coveted Dog of the Day Award, there was a historic event that took place. No, I don’t mean the return of the Fisk Jubilee Singers, who haven’t performed in Centennial Park in 115 years…. I mean the fact that no less than 4 people introduced them.
John Tumminello, Musicians Corner’s Executive Director took the stage first to introduce Grammy-Award-winning record producer Paul Worley. He then introduced our wonderful Mayor Karl Dean, who introduced the band’s director, who in turn introduced the band itself.
However, we must thank both Mayor Dean and Mr. Worley for their ongoing support of Musicians Corner and for the Nashville music community as a whole. We can’t say enough about these gentlemen!
And although the quadruple-introduction was an unprecedented event, let that not diminish the true history that was made at Musicians Corner. The last time the Fisk Jubilee Singers performed in Centennial Park was for President William McKinnley during the Centennial Exhibition… in 1897! You can read more about this historic event in this wonderful article from The Tennessean.
The singers haven’t changed their style or their music since their formation in 1871. It is still traditional, beautiful choir music. And the Musicians Corner crowd stuck around to hang on their every word.
The Fisk Jubilee Singers at performed in Centennial Park for the first time since the Centennial Exhibition in 1897
Musicians Corner is a non-profit program of The Conservancy for the Parthenon & Centennial Park. The spring season of runs every Saturday through June, and promises more great artists, special guests and fun activities. For additional information and the entire spring schedule please visit www.musicianscornernashville.com.
Want the latest from FOCUS on the 615 all at once? Sign-up for our weekly newsletter! You'll also get exclusive content ONLY AVAILABLE FOR SUBSCRIBERS!
