Ty Russell follows role model, mom Karen Kingsbury, while finding his own way in music industry

Ty Russell follows role model, mom Karen Kingsbury, while finding his own way in music industry

With his own song on iTunes and a mother who is known as “the queen of Christian fiction writing,” sophomore Ty Russell is ready to be a bright light for the entertainment industry. Russell’s mother, Karen Kingsbury, has written over 50 novels appealing to all ages. Russell said his mother travels a decent amount for book signings and conventions. And although some people may think that would have a negative effect on the family, Russell insists that it’s not a factor. “She puts family first. … Even if she is on a deadline and someone needs help with homework, she helps with the homework because she is a mom first,” he said. Russell said he looks up to his mother as his role model in many different ways. “It’s cool that she has a platform but is still so humble.” Transferring from a bigger campus in Virginia called Liberty University, Russell said he is ready to see what a small campus in a big city has in store for him. “I like to get plugged in and know the faces around me every day,” Russell said. Even though his family moved to Nashville in the summer of 2011, Russell still attended Liberty for the 2011-2012 school year. “It was weird coming home from school for Thanksgiving break to a new place,.” he said. Music City seems to be a central location for Russell and his plans for the future. After asking around to try to find a smaller Christian school, Russell said Lipscomb was the most popular response. “Everyone is so nice, warm and welcoming,” he said. “Everyone is...

Lumination holds writing contests, students can win prizes

Interested in writing?  Want to be heard?  Want to win a $25 iTunes gift card?  Sign up for the Christmas holiday story contest!Write a story over the Christmas break – reviews, features, news stories, short stories (fiction), columns – you decide! To enter your story in the competition, send it as an attachment to editor@luminationnetwork.com.  Stories should be from 200 -500 words.  You can also enter edited video stories, no longer than two minutes, or audio stories, no longer than one minute. The story contest will happen three times– once during each full week of Christmas break. The deadlines to email your stories in are Saturday, Dec. 18; Saturday, Dec. 25; and  Saturday, January 1. The top three stories each week will be published on Lumination’s website, and the overall winner each week will receive a $25 iTunes gift card! The judges, Kate Keith and Hunter Patterson, are editor-in-chief and managing editor of Lumination Network, respectively. So get writing, have fun, and enjoy the holiday...

Jason Aldean’s “My Kind of Party” features one of Lipscomb’s own

Lipscomb student Thomas Rhett Akins, a junior communications major from Valdosta, Ga., will soon see his name printed on Jason Aldean’s new CD, “My Kind of Party.” Akins’ song, “I Ain’t Ready to Quit,” was cut for the cd and is listed as number seven right after the title song. Akins collaborated with two other writers on this song, and this is his first cut since signing with EMI Publishing in Nashville. Akins is the son of legendary country music singer Rhett Akins who continues to write music today. Check out “I Ain’t Ready to Quit” in stores and on iTunes tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 2. Please upgrade your...