A Writer’s Night showcases talent, benefits Relay for Life

Country music playing and an array of instruments across the stage set the tone for A Writer’s Night Monday in Shamblin Theater. The concert was organized by Lipscomb’s chapter of CMA EDU, a nationwide program thats gives college students a foot in the door to the world of country music. Lipscomb’s CMA EDU president Miranda Davidson created the concert to benefit cancer research through Lipscomb’s Relay for Life event. “We got the idea of coming up with a songwriter’s night so we could raise money for Relay For Life,” Davidson said. “We have a really great lineup, so I’m excited.” Audience members sat at round tables and sipped fresh coffee, creating an intimate atmosphere. Ashley Scire and Hayden Hines kicked the night off with some original tunes and a few covers. Scire performed her original songs “The Memory is Still With Me,” “Cracks,” “Goodbye is Cheap” and “Tough Guy.” Hines covered Darius Rucker’s “Wagon Wheel” and Florida Georgia Line’s “Cruise.” “I love doing these kinds of shows,” Scire said. “I just like to support such a good cause. I think music can speak to everybody, and I love using it for the good.” Next up were Byron Hatcher, Abbi Scott and Phillip White. Hatcher began with his song called “Nashville.” Later he played “50 Years,” a song he wrote for his grandmother after his grandfather passed away. Scott performed four original songs. Two of them, “Make Mine Count” and “Screwed Up Life,” will be on her upcoming album. White, who accompanied Scott, is a professional songwriter who has written for acts like Rascal Flatts, Reba McEntire and George Strait. He gave...
The Arcadian Wild brings good music, vibes to Two Old Hippies

The Arcadian Wild brings good music, vibes to Two Old Hippies

Good music, good vibes and a captivated crowd — that was the theme of The Arcadian Wild’s show Saturday night at Two Old Hippies. This indie-folk group was formed in October 2013 when three Lipscomb students came together. Sophomore music major Sarah Wood from Pueblo, Colorado, junior music major Everett Davis from Avon, Connecticut and Lipscomb graduate Lincoln Mick from Jacksonville, Florida, make up the group’s original members. In the fall of 2014, the group welcomed a new member, freshman music composition major Isaac Horn from Jonesboro, Arkansas. Several Lipscomb students came to the show, which featured a mix of new songs and some from the group’s first EP. “My favorite part was watching them express their artistry through their music,” sophomore Kelly Morrell said. “You can tell they put a lot of work into not just the lyrics, but the instrumentation – you can tell they are very passionate.” Although the group classifies itself as indie-folk, each member brings a distinctive style to the mix. “I think we’ve all been really influenced by a lot of different people, which makes our sound so unique because we all bring completely different writing styles to the table and different styles of playing,” Wood said. The group’s influences range from artists like The Avett Brothers, Regina Spektor, The Lumineers and The Tallest Man on Earth. Audience members agreed that the group’s sound and songwriting is unique. “I really enjoy that they write all of their own music,” freshman Zoey Dodge said. “It’s all really original and inventive.” Two Old Hippies is just one of the many venues they have played in Nashville. Last summer The Arcadian Wild played a tour, traveling...
May 2014 graduation ceremonies send record number out into world

May 2014 graduation ceremonies send record number out into world

Due to a record number of graduates, Lipscomb University held two commencement ceremonies for the spring 2014 graduates Saturday afternoon in Allen Arena. Over 800 students received their undergrad, graduate or doctorate degrees in the ceremonies, including those who received Lipscomb’s first ever doctorate of ministry degrees. During the undergraduate ceremony, Director of the Beaman Library and 30-year faculty member Carolyn Wilson offered words of wisdom for the graduating students. “My father told me when I began my first career, which was teaching, that I should not determine success in terms of just monetary rewards,” Wilson said. Lipscomb president Randy Lowry also spoke during the ceremony, commenting on the bittersweet feelings of graduation day. “You’re on a path right now, and I know it’s hard to look back and look forward at the same time, but I want you to take a moment to think about that,” Lowry said. “Every path connects you not only to where you are going, but also to where you’ve been. “I hope you spend time celebrating. The past is a wonderful thing for us to recognize. But then there’s the future. The future is in some ways very uncertain and in other ways not so much.” During the undergraduate ceremony, David Sampson, President and CEO of the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, was awarded with the prestigious Alumnus of the Year award. Sampson has also worked in the government as the deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce and assistant secretary of commerce for economic development in the George W. Bush administration. In a change from the usual solo performance, Lipscomb’s Alma Mater...

Singarama’s On Fire hands two wins to ‘Just Drop It’; other acts net one apiece

Entering the last show of the three-day production of Singarama’s On Fire, the “Stop,” ‘Drop” and “Roll”  groups were all tied up with one win a piece. That changed when university president Randy Lowry announced the show “Just Drop It” as the Sweepstakes Award winner at Collins Alumni Auditorium Saturday night. The show, consisting of members from Sigma Iota Delta, Delta Sigma, Pi Delta, Kappa Chi and friends, made its way to the top, something that director and senior Aaron Joseph said was unforgettable. “It was a fantastic feeling,” Joseph said. “I’ll never be able to forget the feeling [of winning].” Joseph also spoke on one of the key elements of the production. “Scott Bledsoe and Rainey Lankford wrote the script for me, and they did a fantastic job,” Joseph said. “I think that’s what pulled the whole show together.” The story of “Just Drop It” is about a man named Dan, who is constantly assailed by his fear in life. Eventually, he drops his fear and becomes a happier person. The act won its first honor, the Theme Category Award, on Thursday. The “Drop” group sang and danced to “I’m So Excited,” “Bad,” “More,” “Love on Top,” “Higher and Higher,” “Any Way You Want It,” “I Know Where I’ve Been” and “Goodbye.” Joseph admits that he did not walk the path to success alone. “I got so much help from so many different people,” Joseph said. “I couldn’t have done it without those people.” “Don’t Stop Me Now,” directed by junior Makenzie Kanyuh, won the Music Category Award on Friday night. The show consisted of students from Delta...
2014 Singarama hosts and hostesses ready to entertain

2014 Singarama hosts and hostesses ready to entertain

Lipscomb’s 51st edition of Singarama is in full swing, and the six hosts and hostesses are excited to share the hard work they have dedicated to the show. Senior Lincoln Mick, sophomore Michael Oruma, junior Caitlin Phelps, senior Lacey Printz, junior Tyler Russell and junior McKenna Smith are the hosts and hostesses of the 2014 Singarama. This year’s theme is Singarama’s On Fire. The show will consist of three different smaller themes that will be broken up by performances from the hosts and hostesses who vary in Singarama experience. Three have hosted the show before, and three are new to the hosting lineup. Smith and Oruma hosted last year, and Mick hosted his freshman year. “I’ve wanted to do it for the past four years, but because of track, I haven’t been able to because I’ve been competing, but since I’m injured, I have the opportunity to, and I’m just really excited about it,” Printz said. “This is my first year, also,” Russell said. I saw the show last year and loved it. “It just looked like so much fun, so I just thought I’d try out.” The hosts and hostesses’ job is to entertain the audience and keep the flow of the show going. “We kind of kick off the show, and then we help entertain the crowd in between social club shows,” Russell said. The group had been rehearsing at a recording studio away from campus, SIR Nashville. “It’s making it real being off-campus,” Printz said.”That’s such a cool environment with so many people that are so passionate about music. “It’s all business, too. We have a great...