Jimmy Eugene, “The Heartstrings” and quartet of students share country music with campus

Four Lipscomb students took the stage Friday night and followed the footsteps of artists like Taylor Swift and Luke Bryan as they performed with local country artist and oral surgeon Jimmy Eugene in Shamblin Theater. Eugene’s band members “The Heartstrings,” or the “E. String Band,” are local musicians who have played with some of the best in the business. Leading off the night, Eugene agreed to let a few of Lipscomb’s talented artists steal the show before “The Heartstrings” took the stage. Jesse Taylor, a junior singer-songwriter at Lipscomb, started the evening off, followed by senior Kelly Dean, freshman David Austin Lowry and senior Lacy Printz respectively. They all performed one of their own original songs. “This was the first time I’ve played this song in front of people that I know, so I was a little nervous,” senior Kelly Dean said after her performance. “I was glad to have people I knew in the audience, though.” Eugene and “The Heartstrings” played several songs throughout the night, including a song Eugene wrote titled “West Bound Plane” about a young lady with cancer he met on a flight from Memphis to New Orleans. “Tonight when you’re going to bed, say a little prayer for that lady,” Jimmy said after performing his hit “West Bound Plane.” “I think about her often.” The night continued with the feel-good music from the band. During intermission, the artists from Lipscomb took the stage once more, only this time, playing covers from their favorite artists in the business while Eugene passed out t-shirts and CD’s. “The Heartstring” band took the stage one last time, singing...