Nfocus May 2025

BEN PAGE ON BRYANT FLEMING'S IMPACT ON NASHVILLE, AND OUR COVERAGE OF GALAS AND EVENTS

Tu sca n Ch ar m M ee ts Co asta l Co

DesignedbyKevinCo ey and b ui ltby Al an Lo oneyofCast le Contr ac to rs, th is c us tomho me wasinspiredbythe owners’love of Tusc an architectureandt he casualcomfort of acoastalho me e wind in gdrivethroughastand ofpinetre esad dsaserenesenseofarrivala nd thequintessential se tt in gforth is dr ea myhome.Wh il ethereisa cont em p or aryopenfeelingthroug ho utthe pu bl ic areas of thehouse,aser ie softallarc he sde nethespaceinto separaterooms and fu nc tions. e homeoo ze swithsimp leel eg an ce fe atur in ghighb eam edc ei lings,threewoodburn in g replac es, w ide plankw oo d oo rs a nd walls of windo ws forabundantnaturalligh t. Alargeislandde nes t he kitchen an dp re ppantrywh ich wasspe ci cal ly de si gnedfort he ownerwhoisatr ue foodie /chef. e stunn in g Europe an breezeway leads tot he fourbaygaragea nd theoutdoorkitchen. is home o ersfunctionality an d exi bilityforwhateveryourh obb ies, intere st sa nd l if est yl emayrequir e, wh il et he rare2. 15 acredee p, w id eandlevel yard is perfectfort he buyertoc us tom ize tot he irspe ci c n ee ds.Perfe ct forapool,sportsandentertainingareas.

e primarybedroomw in gisont he main oorwithtwo/threeadditionalbedroomsu p, t he ho me wasthoughtfully d es ignedwithexpan si onspace an dplumbedtoeas ilyad da5thbedrooms ui teupstairs e det ach edspaceoverthe garagewhich is current ly t he owners p rivateo ce,canbeexp an dedto cr eateasp acio us“mo therin l aw”apartment o r g ue s t quarte rs wit h i t s ownprivat e entrance.

Fo r More Info rm ation

are BUYING at

Strong Rental Income Potential -

Condos can often generate high rental yields, especially in prime convention, tourism, and group travel locations like Nashville where demand for Hotels and Short Term Rentals are consistently one of top 5 Market's in the US.

Strong Rental Income Potential

Hotel Management Services:

VOCE’s Hospitality management program, allowing investors to benefit from hands-off ownership while enjoying all of the perks of hotel amenities.

Condos can often generate high especially in prime convention, tourism, group travel locations like Nashville demand for Hotels and Short Term are consistently one of top 5 Market's US.

Personal Usage:

Hotel Management Services:

Owner-Investors can enjoy personal use anytime or date combined with an income producing investment with great potential tax benefits.

VOCE’s Hospitality management allowing investors to benefit from ownership while enjoying all of hotel amenities.

Appreciation and Equity Growth:

VOCE is located in the highly desirable Mid-town area of Nashville which has consistently appreciated in value over time, providing owner-investors an excellent opportunity for increased capital and equity growth.

Personal Usage:

Contact: VOCE Hotel and Residences

Email: info@vocehotelandresidences.com M: 615-235-5564

Owner-Investors can enjoy personal anytime or date combined with producing investment with great tax benefits.

For more than 30 years, we’ve been building dream houses by making every home a castle. With unwavering dedication to artistry and quality, and a commitment to superior service, your journey home begins here.

IWC Performance Chronograph.

Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph 41

Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team, Ref. 3883

The Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph 41 is the most performance-oriented IWC chronograph ever engineered. It combines our experience in chronographs with our expertise in advanced materials. This version with a Ceratanium® case, an elaborate black lacquered dial, and appliqués filled with Super-LumiNova® is dedicated to our longstanding partner, the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula OneTM Team. IWC. Engineered.

George Russell

IWC Boutique

The Mall At Green Hills

Nashville

PRESENTED BY KING JE WE LE RS

PHOTOGRAPH: NATHAN WESTERFIELD

VisionLeadership

ADIFFERENTAPPROACHTOANEMPOWERINGCULTURE

Intheever-evolvinglandscapeofNashville'srealestatemarket,RE/MAXHomesandEstates,LipmanGroupstandsoutnotjustforitsmarket expertisebutforitsunwaveringcommitmenttoheartfeltleadership.AtthehelmareOwnerandCEOLarryLipmanandManagingBrokerAnnaAltic, whosecombinedvisionanddedicationhavecultivatedaculturewhererelationships,authenticity,andcommunitytakeprecedence.

AnativeNashvillian,LarryLipmanhaswitnessedthecity'stransformationoverthedecades.Withover37yearsintherealestateindustry,Larry's approachisdeeplypersonal.Hebelievesthatrealestateisnotmerelyabouttransactionsbutaboutbuildinglastingrelationships.Hisphilosophyis evidentin hisstatement:"TheRealtor®andclient'business'isnotmerelybusiness,butarelationship,apartnershipdeservingofattentivecareand abundantmutualrespect."UnderLarry'sleadership,theLipmanGrouphasembracedamissionto"passionatelyhelpalllivethelifetheyenvision." Thisvisionhasnotonlyshapedthecompany'sinternalculturebuthasalsoresonatedwithclientsandthebroaderNashvillecommunity.

Withovertwodecadesintherealestatesector,AnnaAlticbringsawealthofexperienceandadeepunderstandingofNashville'surbancore.Her leadershipstyleischaracterizedbyempowerment,support,andagenuinepassionforcommunityinvolvement.Annabelievesinfosteringan environmentwhereagentscanthrive,stating,"AtLipmanGroup,webelieveinthetransformativepowerofpositivityandcommunity.Yourvictories areourcelebrations,andwestandbyyouthrougheverychallenge."Anna'scommitment toprofessionaldevelopmentandcommunityadvocacyhas beeninstrumentalinnurturingateamofagentswhoarenotonlyskilledbutalsodeeplyconnectedtotheneighborhoodstheyserve.

Theleadershipduo'semphasisonrelationshipsandcommunityisreflectedinthetestimonialsoftheiragents.Realtor®MariaHollandshares,"The LipmanGrouphasbeenagreatresourceandsupporttocomealongsideme...Theyalsohavealeadershipstaffthatismarkedbyintegrity.Theyare peopleandacompanyIcantrust."Beyondtheoffice,theLipmanGroupactivelyengageswiththeNashvillecommunity.TheirVisitingArtistSeries, forinstance,notonlyshowcaseslocaltalentbutalsosupportscharitablecauses,withproceedsbenefitingorganizationslikeVanderbiltChildren's Hospital.Inanindustryoftendrivenbynumbersandtransactions,RE/MAXHomesandEstates,LipmanGroup,undertheguidanceofLarryLipman andAnnaAltic,exemplifiesadifferentapproach—onewhereleadershipismeasuredbythestrengthofrelationships,theauthenticityofinteractions, andthepositiveimpactonthecommunity.Theirmodelservesasatestamenttothepowerofleadingwithheartintheworldofrealestate.

CHRIS CHANDLER

Frequency & Distortion

OPENING RECEPTION MAY 15, 5:00 – 8:00 PM

EXHIBIT OPEN THROUGH JULY 18

AT THE COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME® AND MUSEUM

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. ALL WORK IS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE.

LEARN MORE

ABOVE: Chris Chandler, AB085, 2025

A CENTER OF ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE

TPAC’s International Dance Series brings the breathtaking artistry and athleticism of renowned dance companies center stage. On May 30-31, Paul Taylor Dance Company brings an exuberant all-Taylor program of Esplanade, Company B, and Arden Court

The Joffrey Ballet makes a rare Nashville appearance on June 28-29, performing an adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s timeless fairy tale, Princess and the Pea

Joffrey Ballet JUN 28 | 7:30PM JUN 29 | 1:00PM

or call 615-782-4040 Paul Taylor Dance Company MAY 30 | 7:30PM MAY 31 | 7:30PM

A CENTER OF

LEARNING & IMAGINATION

From the arts spring infinite possibilities. With a simple melody, we unlock building blocks of learning and empathy. Tennessee Performing Arts Center champions OVER 49,000 STUDENTS each year with transformative arts education programs that develop confidence, creativity, and cognitive skills.

EVERY GIFT MAKES AN IMPACT! Please consider an annual or monthly gift and make a difference.

•$100 (approx. $9 monthly) supplies one sensory kit for a relaxed performance to a student with autism.

•$125 (approx. $11 monthly) gives two people from an underserved community access to a TPAC performance.

•$250 (approx. $21 monthly) sends 25 students on a field trip to TPAC for a Season for Young People performance.

•$500 (approx. $42 monthly) sends one child to TPAC’s Musical Theatre Summer Camp.

•$1,000 (approx. $84 monthly) provides two teaching artists to bring Disney Musicals in Schools to rural Tennessee counties.

Photo

TPAC Mission Moment:

YUDA: Blurring the Lines of Style

Meet Alexandros Darsinos, the architect behind Studio YUDA’s conceptually driven designs

Frame of Reference Belle Meade Framers and Midtown Gallery Framers join forces

parties

85 Heart and Soul Unforeseen

The Seton Celebration Patrons Party raises giving expectations for the upcoming gala 86 Ah, Gastronomy!

The Frist Gala Patrons Party paired food and conversation

The 35th Annual ATHENA Awards & Scholarship Gala shined a light on remarkable

Full Hearts

The Seton Celebration Gala raises vital funds for women’s heart care 94 Singin’ in the Rain

Nothing but sunshine at Studio Tenn’s effervescent One Night Only

Pure Imagination

The TPAC Gala creates an evening of art and whimsy

100 On the Rails

A Vintage Travel Experience took Interfaith Dental supporters on an excursion

103 Answering the Call

The Nashville Zoo’s Call of the Wild Dinner was a celebrity-filled event

Ben Page, photographed by Eric England at 2025 Home of Distinction Brookhill. For more on Homes of Distinction, turn to page 33.

To Dwell

A moment’s pause for distinctive living

WHILE MANY WOULD describe homes as places to “live in,” I prefer to think of them as places to dwell — to remain, to rest, to find peace. These spaces become extensions of our personalities and reflections of who we are. Bringing together a vision of exactly how to express that is often best left in the hands of professionals. So we turn to our architects, our interior designers and our landscape architects, who carry extensive expertise in their fields, to transform our dreams into reality.

This month, we celebrate our annual Homes of Distinction profiles, which feature some of the most distinctive dwellings on the market today. There were a tremendous number of spectacular entries, but our team was able to narrow the field to seven beautiful homes. We sit down with Alexandros Darsinos, head of Studio YUDA’s Nashville branch, who designs some of Nashville’s most beloved boutiques, coffee shops and homes. We also spotlight Bryant Fleming, one of the most prolific architects, interior designers and landscape architects of his era. Byrant left his mark on Nashville — not just through his work designing Cheekwood, but through many other projects that have stood the test of time in our city.

Whitney Clay takes us inside recently opened music venue The Pinnacle in the Nashville Yards development and visits with interior designer Jonathan Savage to talk about his new book. Margaret Littman takes us to the RT Lodge for an exclusive look at a new spa coming to the Smoky Mountains retreat. And event season is in full swing, which means pages of galas, events and celebrations — all with their own missions to lift up organizations in Nashville.

Touring houses to write Homes of Distinction is always a journey. The visits help us better understand current design and interior trends. But more than that, they give us a peek into a moment, frozen in time, when someone said, “Yes, this is me. This is who I am.” We hope this issue brings you space to dwell.

BY JANET KURTZ

Janet moved to Nashville 27 years ago. She is an avid reader, traveler and collector of fountain pens, and she lives in downtown Nashville with her husband, Ron, and their dog, Julep. Email her at jkurtz@nfocusmagazine.com or follow her on Instagram @musiccitytraveler

Editorial

founding editor

Herbert Fox Jr.

editor-in-chief

Janet Kurtz

contributing editors

Lindsey Lanquist, Jack Silverman

associate editor

Madeleine Bradford

social correspondent

Gloria Houghland

contributors

Beth Alexander, Emily Bache, Abigail Breslin, Chris Chamberlain, Whitney Clay, Melissa Corbin, Carrington Fox, Paige Gawley, Hannah Herner, Margaret Littman, Hamilton Matthew Masters, Nicolle Praino, Nancy Vienneau

Art

art director

Christie Passarello

senior photographer

Eric England

staff photographer

Angelina Castillo

contributing photographers

Michael Scott Evans, Tausha Dickinson, Peyton Hoge, Hamilton Matthew Masters

graphic designers

Sandi Harrison, Mary Louise Meadors, Tracey Starck

Advertising

publisher

Olivia Moye Britton

advertising solutions consultants

Teresa Birdsong, Maddy Fraiche, Kailey Idziak, Rena Ivanov, Michael Jezewski, Carla Mathis, Allie Muirhead, Heather Cantrell Mullins, Niki Tyree, Andrea Vasquez, Alissa Wetzel

sales operations manager

Chelon Hasty

advertising solutions associates

Audry Houle, Jack Stejskal

Marketing

events and marketing director

Robin Fomusa

brand partnerships & event manager

Alissa Wetzel

Circulation

circulation manager

Gary Minnis

Business

president

Mike Smith

chief financial officer

Todd Patton

IT director

John Schaeffer

Owner

FW Publishing, LLC

Step Inside: Art Sets the Stage

The Pinnacle music venue honors artistic expression in many forms

AS VISITORS CLIMB a floating staircase to the second floor in The Pinnacle, the city’s newest live music venue, they are met by a striking kinetic art installation. “Circa Luna,” by Strangehandle (Jason Brooks), is composed of 36 LaserDiscs, whose movements are guided by the phases of the moon.

The 90,000-square-foot venue, operated by AEG Presents, celebrates not only the performing arts, but the visual arts as well. Works by over 40 local artists dot the walls of the space, which is largely reminiscent of an art gallery.

“We wanted it to actually feel like an art exhibit that just showcases Nashville-based artists,” says Emily Cox, owner of the creative project management firm Formation, who oversaw the design. “Because I think a lot of times, people don’t recognize how good their visual art community is, and we have such a talented one.”

Much of the art is movement-based.

“The idea was: Music moves people,” Emily says. “They come [to a performance] to feel something, and we wanted to create an experience for them to feel moved by something before they’re even in the actual show.”

Other noteworthy works include an untitled piece by LeXander Bryant showcasing wheatpaste photography and “Your Love; To Infinity” by visual artist Lance Scruggs.

The 4,500-person space can be adapted for a range of events. The venue can remove the chairs on the floor near the stage to offer a general admission option, or set up tables for corporate events or parties.

“I intend to do everything from EDM to Latin to country to rock,” says Mike DuCharme, regional vice president of AEG Presents, the live music division of entertainment giant AEG Worldwide. “I think we’ve intentionally tried to book a little bit of everything for everybody. I’ve got boxing events that’ll happen here, wrestling events that we’ll televise.” They are even in talks to potentially host award shows.

Above the floor level, there is a balcony as well as upper risers. There are both seated and standing options depending on the event. There are seven bars, including the 300- to 400-person rooftop bar, which is open to patrons during shows. It features a video wall so guests don’t miss any of the performance while grabbing a drink. Artists might also use the space for meet and greets, or it could be rented out for a party, says Mike.

BY WHITNEY CLAY PHOTOGRAPHS BY

NATHAN ZUCKER / ALIVE COVERAGE, BEN ADAMS / ALIVE COVERAGE, NICK LETELLIER / ALIVE COVERAGE

UPCOMING SHOWS

This summer, concerts include Alice in Chains, Eric Church, Counting Crows, Smino and Lord Huron. L-Acoustics made sure the sound system is state-of-the art, and HOK was the architect. Mike says one thing that sets The Pinnacle apart is that it’s a new build — it didn’t have a past life as something else. Its sole purpose is, and has been from the start, “to be a great music venue.”

When it comes to parking, there are three convenient garages within Nashville Yards — and there’s always the option of taking a rideshare.

IN CONTEXT

The Pinnacle holds a prominent position in Nashville Yards, a nearly completed 19-acre mixed-use development in Midtown. There are residential towers, like the Everett, an apartment building now leasing, and the Emory, o ering condos for sale.

Companies that have relocated to Nashville Yards include Pinnacle Financial Partners, Creative Artists Agency, and the law firm Bass, Berry & Sims. Amazon has two o ce towers there. In addition to the Grand Hyatt Nashville and The Union Station Nashville Yards, there will be an array of retail shops and restaurants.

BACK OF HOUSE

On the second floor behind the stage, there are four production rooms, a catering kitchen, and bathrooms with showers for long days and nights. On the third floor — the artist’s floor — there are six dressing rooms outfitted with comfortable sofas and textured chairs in earthy shades, like tobacco, terra-cotta and forest green. “I wanted it to feel cozy, residential and a little more elevated,” says Emily. There’s even a roadie hangout space complete with a ping-pong table.

Ndesign: Southern Sensibility

Jonathan Savage, SAVAGE Interior Design

INTERIOR DESIGNER JONATHAN SAVAGE studied in London, spent years working in New York and has clients around the globe. Yet the Livingston, Tenn., native still very much identifies with a Southern sensibility.

“I think in the South, we entertain at home — we have dinner parties, we have cocktail parties, we have people over — and so we become house-proud,” says Jonathan. “And when you’re houseproud, you have the tenacity to continue to work to make the house the best it can be. And I think Southerners want their homes to represent them.”

After relocating from New York to Nashville in 2010, Jonathan opened his own firm, SAVAGE Interior Design, which has continued to grow. He now also has an office in Palm Beach, Fla., and he travels back and forth between the two cities with his longtime partner, Bradley Wensel, and their dog, Artie. As if he wasn’t already busy enough, Jonathan just wrapped up a 16-city tour to promote his first book, The Savage Style Jonathan dedicated the book to his parents. “My parents always were supportive of me and my creativity and what I wanted to do,” he says. “They are my biggest fans.” He describes his mother’s design philosophy as “more is more.” His is slightly more tempered. “Make it count,” he says. “Everything has a purpose. Everything has a place. And appropriateness matters.” In his book, Jonathan quotes his early mentor David Kleinberg: “No silk ball gowns at the beach.”

Getting style and practicality to peacefully coexist is a “struggle every day,” Jonathan admits, but it’s also central to his work. “I think that the form can sometimes outweigh the function,” he says. “But if you can get both, it’s a grand slam, right?”

Jonathan and Bradley have designed their 1970s Nashville home with a “more modern” bent. In their kitchen, bird’s-eye maple cabinets with black lacquer and leather details complement black granite countertops — a favorite work surface for Jonathan, an avid cook. In their condo in Palm Beach, they kept the interiors neutral, because the blue skies and green foliage outside already provided plenty of color. As Jonathan notes in his book, “Why would I even try to compete with Mother Nature when I know she’s always going to win?”

In a client’s living room, Jonathan dotted one wall with artist Myra Burg’s vibrant cylinders, setting the stage for the room’s “color explosion.” In another home’s black-and-white library, he wrapped the walls in black leather with a woodand-lacquer key motif.

The homes Jonathan has designed for his clients all reflect their various tastes and accommodate their unique lifestyles. And none are short on visual impact.

BY WHITNEY CLAY PHOTOGRAPHS BY ALAN POIZNER, DOUGLAS FRIEDMAN, ZEKE RUELAS

Worth the Drive: RT Lodge

The addition of the new Carriage House Spa will bring this Smoky Mountain lodge to the next level of getaways

SUSAN WILEY COOPER WALKER moved to East Tennessee from Pennsylvania in 1932 to be close to her sister, who was married to the Maryville College chaplain. Susan had a vision and built a 26-room, Classical-Revival-style home. She then surrounded it with a lush garden, meandering pathways, a carriage house and stately stonework, all adjacent to the campus where her sister lived.

It’s been 93 years, and Susan’s influence is still felt at the place she called Morningside. Over the years, her property has lived multiple lives, as a private residence, a restaurant and a corporate retreat and training center for restaurant company Ruby Tuesday (yes, that Ruby Tuesday). The main house, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, is now the centerpiece of the RT Lodge resort, created in 2021. Since then, it has become an under-the-radar getaway for girls groups, couples and destination weddings.

And the transformation continues. This fall, RT Lodge will open the Carriage House Spa, an element that will cement the retreat’s reputation as a place to get away from it all. Nfocus got an exclusive look at plans for the relaxation haven that is just steps from the main house. It will feature an infrared sauna, seven treatment rooms and two hot tubs. You’ll be able to indulge in a massage and then walk to the Morningside Room for a local beer or cocktail, or to an outdoor rocking chair where you can watch the koi pond and listen to the sounds of wildlife in the surrounding 155 acres.

For as serene as Susan’s getaway is, nestled in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, RT Lodge gets talked about for the level of hospitality it offers — attentive and familiar. The retreat itself provides a mountain-lodge-like feel, with a touch of refinement.

What: RT Lodge

Where: Maryville, Tenn.

Distance from Nashville: 185 Miles

Why it stands out: Riotous color in the flower gardens may catch your eye, but the laid-back yet accommodating hospitality will grab your soul.

WHAT’S NEARBY

Just 30 minutes from the Townsend entrance of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this is what they call “the peaceful side of the Smokies.” Slide over to Tremont or Cades Cove to avoid the hubbub of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Maryville has a charming downtown with boutiques and breweries, worth exploring on foot or by bike.

WHAT TO DO

Yes, you can and should go into the national park to hike and fish. You can rent a Bronco as an add-on to your lodge reservation and do some off-roading in the mountains.

But one of the gifts of RT Lodge is Susan’s grounds. Leave time to sit and watch the koi in the pond. Walk her paths and admire the gardens — rich with color in every season — or borrow a bicycle and pedal through the Maryville College campus. And what would a resort near a college campus be if there wasn’t disc golf or giant Jenga to play?

WHERE TO EAT

Because RT Lodge is just 19 miles from downtown Knoxville, the Restaurant at RT is in regular dinner-date rotation for folks who live in the area. Chef Trevor Stockton is known for his meticulously crafted, ingredient-focused menus relying on local produce, and for using pork from his family’s Stockton Farms. Everything is made on-site, from pimento cheese to hot sauce to bread. Staying at RT Lodge makes the dining experience that much more special. You get to follow your leisurely meal with a walk under the stars and then taste some s’mores from the firepit before heading back to your room. (Yes, even if you have enjoyed one of pastry chef Caitlyn Cox’s desserts.) If you’re all about food, check out The Gathering, the lodge’s culinary weekend each fall.

HOW TO GET A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP

There’s something extra plush about the bedding at RT Lodge. While some of the rooms still have a bit of a corporate retreat vibe, they are outfitted to help you feel cozy for a night in the mountains, with wood furniture, decorative skis, plaid pillows and Barefoot Dreams robes.

BY MARGARET LITTMAN PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF RT LODGE

HOMES

OF DISTINCTION

The more things change, the more they stay the same. And this year’s Homes of Distinction are no exception. Stately historic mansions and modern new builds are the perfect analogy for Nashville’s ever-changing face. The following seven homes offer something for discerning individuals in the market for a new home in Nashville.

PHOTOGRAPH BY PAUL NICOL

1103 Belle Meade Blvd.

DRIVING THROUGH NASHVILLE, you’ll see plenty of houses trying to capture the elegant lines and gracious spaces of a Georgian-style classic, but it will be near impossible to find as seamless a marriage of Old-World character and newfangled charisma as this stately residence near the Percy Warner Park end of Belle Meade Boulevard. Built around 1936 and fully renovated and designed by Lindsay Rhodes Interiors in 2020, this landmark house offers an elegant footprint for beautiful living, both indoors and outside. Located just steps from the iconic stone gates of Warner Parks, the .85-acre lot, with landscape design by Duke Design Group, hosts a mature tree canopy, manicured topiaries and lush boxwoods, along with traditional architectural details of Chippendale railings and Corinthian columns.

ADDRESS 1103 Belle Meade Blvd., Nashville, TN 37205

LIST PRICE

$9,500,000

CONTACT

Grace Clayton (615.305.1426), Grace Clayton Group at Engel & Völkers

Behind the venerable painted-brick façade, updated and expanded interiors — including five bedrooms and seven bathrooms (five full and two half) — infuse the pre-war structure with an unexpectedly modern energy. A spacious chef’s kitchen and scullery — with white cabinetry, dramatic black-and-white marble floors, Carrara marble countertops and stainless-steel Viking and Sub-Zero appliances — afford ample entertaining space. Visitors can gather around a freestanding table, at a four-top bar counter or in a formal dining room, dressed in Gucci wallpaper, with French

doors that open onto a covered patio.

Interiors are layered with rich millwork and design accents, such as paneled arched corridors connecting grand living spaces, Phylrich fixtures in spa-like bathrooms, multiple fireplaces and a vaulted painted-wood ceiling above a rustic stone fireplace in the family room. While neutral paint colors predominate to present a ready canvas for displaying art, design details — such as handpainted French wallpaper, colorful tiles and an array of natural stone surfaces — convey personality as well as a commitment to quality.

Beyond the almost 7,000 square feet of interior space (including the basement), comfortable living and lounging areas surround the park-like property, including limestone and bluestone terrace areas, a pavilion with an outdoor fireplace beside the gunite pool and hot tub — even a putting green. The result is a resort-style living experience just a short stroll away from one of Nashville’s most beautiful natural resources.

BY CARRINGTON FOX PHOTOGRAPHS BY PIXEL CREW

SETTLED ON TWO ACRES off Franklin Pike sits a modern, 14,000-square-foot showstopper. The home — built by Jon Field of Bricker Design Group — offers awe-inspiring design moments, from its grand entrance hall to its verdant outdoor living spaces. Upon entering the home, a curved staircase immediately draws the eye upward and toward a modern chandelier, reminiscent of the Bruce Munro Studio Bell Chandelier at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens.

This home is made for entertaining. Its open kitchen flows seamlessly into a sprawling living area, which — while perfect for extraordinary events — offers a cozy-enough feel for a casual night in. Top-of-the-line fixtures and appliances grace the kitchen, making catering for large groups or hosting intimate family dinners a breeze. The kitchen also offers expansive custom cabinetry, providing ample storage.

ADDRESS

5026 Franklin Pike, Nashville, TN 37220

LIST PRICE

$8,750,000

CONTACT

Jordan Patterson (731.377.1103) at Compass Real Estate

Located on the main level, the primary bedroom teems with natural light and views of the pristine grounds, while sliding doors offer easy access to a spacious patio with a pool. In addition to several stunning event spaces, the home offers a wine cellar with space for approximately 750 bottles — ideal for collectors — and an adjacent entertainment area.

The second floor offers an impressive array of common spaces with an additional built-in

bar for ease of entertaining. Health and wellness enthusiasts will enjoy the in-home fitness center. The second level also houses the majority of the home’s bedrooms, which are complete with spacious closets. An entrance to the separate guest house — with a full kitchen, bedroom suites and more — is also accessible from this floor.

The outdoor living areas are equally stunning, with exterior patios and balconies for enjoying lovely days and nights. Centered

around an impressive pool, the main-level outdoor living space boasts a grilling area, a bar with a television, and several fireplaces and firepits — perfect for hosting pool parties and watching sports events. The home offers two three-car attached garages with space for car lifts, allowing for up to 12 vehicles.

BY JANET KURTZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL NICOL

6120 Hillsboro Pike

DRIVING SOUTH ON Hillsboro Pike, with Green Hills in the rearview mirror, the bustle of city life gives way to gracious pastures and winding drives — including a graceful approach, through rolling lawns and towering pines, that leads to Tuscan elegance and coastal comfort in the heart of Forest Hills.

A custom-built collaboration between architect Kevin Coffey and Castle Homes contractor Alan Looney, this approximately 6,500-square-foot showplace marries quality and creativity with notes of Europe and Middle Tennessee and memories of beach living in Georgia.

Enter through a deeply recessed arched doorway to find an airy contemporary layout with open public spaces defined by a series of arcades. Warmed by natural light and accented with beamed ceilings and wood-burning fireplaces,

ADDRESS

6120 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37215

LIST PRICE

$4,649,000

CONTACT

Beth Molteni (615.566.1610) at Fridrich & Clark Realty

the rooms seamlessly connect to exterior spaces for comfortable indoor-outdoor living.

Heart and hearth of the home, the kitchen’s prep pantry and large island invite frequent festive cooking and entertaining in a house built to gather friends in flexible and functional spaces that weave in and out of porch and patio.

The ground-floor primary bedroom, with a spa-like bath, opens onto an arbored terrace, while upstairs offers three more bedrooms and a

flexible space that could be finished for an apartment, game room or other creative purpose.

In addition to a three-car garage, ample flat areas on the 2.15-acre lot can accommodate parking for the inevitable parties thrown on this hospitable property.

From the breezeway connecting the house to a woodworking shop to the axial views from the front door to rear garden, the house abounds with thoughtful details: soaring beams in cathedral ceilings, timber-frame and iron-

work accents, standing-seam metal awnings, an outdoor television above a covered fireplace, and luxurious garden tubs.

With its serene neutral palette and soaring walls, this elegant, easygoing layout is ready to showcase an art collection, while simultaneously framing natural masterworks of local landscape just outside the windows.

BY CARRINGTON FOX PHOTOGRAPHS BY STUDIOBUELL

104 Lynnwood Blvd.

ORIGINALLY BUILT FOR Edwin Warner and designed by the renowned Bryant Fleming — architect and landscape architect of Cheekwood — Brookhill is a stunning, 13-acre estate just off Harding Road. Legend has it that Mabel and Leslie Cheek toured the home when it was built in 1927 — and then hired Fleming to design Cheekwood’s grand mansion and gardens.

Walking into the house feels like stepping back in time. Key architectural details have been preserved and welltended for almost 100 years. The black-and-white tiled entry hall, with its original curving staircase, harkens back to the roaring ’20s. A stunning formal dining room with hand-cast plaster moulding leads into a kitchen that marries

ADDRESS 104 Lynnwood Blvd., Nashville, TN 37205 LIST PRICE

$17,500,000

CONTACT

Rick French (615.604.2323) at French King Fine Properties

historic elements with modern appliances. The kitchen also has a separate entrance for deliveries, making it ideal for catering.

On the other side of the entrance is a hallway leading to a massive library fit for an Astor or Vanderbilt. The expansive great room — with one of four working fireplaces, wood-paneled walls and a matching ceiling — is perfect for entertaining a crowd. Both the east and west sides of the home offer invigorating sun rooms, including one that gives way to a charming,

walled, almost-secret garden — an inviting place to spark inspiration for artistic endeavors.

Upstairs boasts four bedrooms, including a primary suite with another working fireplace, a marble-vanity bathroom and an expansive closet. Each bedroom continues the unique character that resounds through the home. Two share a Jack-and-Jill bathroom, perfect for a family with young ones.

Above the contiguous three-car garage is a full apartment with a bedroom, living and dining space,

and a kitchen — ideal for visiting friends and family.

The real treasure of the estate is its myriad acres of land, which are alternately tended and natural. Stately boxwoods stand sentinel along the walkways close to the house, and a delicate trellis covered with tender wisteria sits beside the gently flowing Sugartree Creek.

BY JANET KURTZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY DAVID MARROW FOR REALKIT

TO PARAPHRASE THE old saying, beauty doesn’t always shout. Sometimes, it whispers, as in the case of the entrance to 414 Lynnwood Blvd. Tucked behind a suspended copper gas lantern is a recessed — almost hidden — dark-wood-and-glass front door.

While the custom-built, New-England-inspired home is only a few years old, it very much has a sense of place. It feels as though it’s always been there, albeit with conveniences designed for a modern family. At the end of the foyer is a nook — one of many in the house — perfect for an antique bench, in this case, a family heirloom. Just around the corner is a sunken living room with a fireplace, floor-to-ceiling windows, and views of a deck surrounded by trees.

TN 37205 LIST PRICE

$5,949,000

(615.478.2444) at Fridrich & Clark Realty

The idea was to create a home that feels old and intentional, but also, state of the art. It’s the best of both worlds. The deck overlooks a beautiful heated pool that can be operated by a smartphone.

The five-bedroom and five-and-a-halfbath, 6,575-square-foot home features an open kitchen with a quartz island, countertop and backsplash. All the appliances are concealed behind custom white cabinetry. In keeping

with the clean aesthetic, the backsplash is on a track, so as to hide spices or other kitchen necessities. There is a large, natural-light-filled breakfast nook just off the kitchen.

There’s a main floor primary bedroom with a striking adjoining bath. The ceiling is pecky cypress, as is the tub surround. The accents fit in perfectly with the large bathroom window, which offers a view of trees — as though you’re miles and miles from the city,

not on Lynnwood Boulevard. There are three en-suite bedrooms upstairs and another on the expansive lower level, ideal for an in-law suite. Other highlights include a walk-in pantry, office nook and mudroom right off the porte cochère, perfect for Nashville’s rainy days.

BY WHITNEY CLAY PHOTOGRAPHS BY 615 MEDIA

ADDRESS 1302 Pillow St., Nashville, TN 37203

LIST PRICE

LOCATED IN THE up-and-coming Wedgewood-Houston district, this home — nestled at the bottom of the hill at the entrance of Pillow Street — is an entertainer’s dream. Custom elements and modern design bring a unique charm to the house, while a functional layout offers a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor spaces. During the day, natural light streams in through steel-framed windows. At night, the Nashville skyline is visible from two different vantage points in the home — the second-floor primary bedroom and the third-floor rooftop deck.

$3,400,000

CONTACT

Ivy Vick (615.485.0963) at Parks Compass Real Estate

1302 Pillow St.

Entering the home, visitors are greeted by a cheery, natural-light-filled room — ideal for use as an office or library — and a modern staircase leading to the main level of the house. Upstairs offers ample entertaining space fit for gathering friends and family. A collapsible door opens to reveal an intimate outdoor area, bringing nature in and offering ease of flow for larger events. With Geodis Park just a 25-minute walk away, soccer fans will enjoy hosting pre- and post-game events.

The kitchen, outfitted with state-of-the-art appliances, includes a mini-wine fridge and extensive shelving. The white-and-gray island is an inviting spot for cozy breakfasts and family dinners. With four bedrooms, five full bathrooms and two half baths, this home offers space for a growing family or extended visits from friends. The detached garage offers an in-law suite for long-term guests. The primary bathroom includes a full dual-head shower and a spa-like freestanding soaking tub.

For those looking for outdoor space that feels both elevated and exclusive, the home features a rooftop deck — with gas hookups for an outdoor grill — perfect for enjoying views of the Nashville skyline. This luxurious feature sets the home apart, offering a cosmopolitan experience in one of Nashville’s trendiest emerging neighborhoods.

BY JANET KURTZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY REALKIT

1804 Writers Circle

IN THIS STRIKING 6,475-square-foot family home, there is not a detail overlooked. Outside, to the right of the front door and past wooden gates, is a peaceful courtyard, complete with a fountain and shade garden by landscape architect Anne Daigh. The home itself, which boasts five bedrooms and five-and-a-half baths, was thoughtfully crafted by architect Preston Shea, interior designer Jason Arnold and realtor Tristan Kinsley, who originally built the house for his family in 2018.

When visitors enter the home through 10-foot, glass-and-alderwood doors, the living room immediately becomes the focal point, with its views of the estate’s trees and gardens — the perfect spot to watch an incredible sunset. An ArcusStone fireplace, hand troweled on site, is flanked by arched built-ins with custom pecky cypress doors.

ADDRESS

1804 Writers Circle, Brentwood, TN 37027

LIST PRICE

$3,499,900

CONTACT

Tristan Kinsley (615.545.9490) at Compass Real Estate

In the kitchen, with appliances discreetly tucked away behind custom white cabinetry, an island with a soapstone top and mahogany legs functions as a counter but looks like a beautiful piece of furniture. The kitchen — designed not to look like a kitchen — boasts no upper cabinets. Not to worry — there is plenty of storage in the “working pantry,” which has black-andwhite marble floors, white-oak built-ins and an extra sink. Even the laundry room is thoughtfully designed, with a commercial-kitchen-style sink, stainless-steel countertops and a hand-

made ceramic-tile backsplash.

The first-floor primary bedroom suite features spacious closets and an idyllic bathroom with heated limestone floors, a freestanding tub and a separate shower with dual thermostatic rain showerheads.

There are three en-suite bedrooms upstairs, as well as a children’s playroom with built-in reading nooks and wall sconces — perfect for curling up with a good book.

The lower level, which faces beautifully landscaped gardens, features a gas fireplace, a

bar area with an integrated ice maker, a SubZero beverage center, and a temperaturecontrolled wine cellar. There is also the option of a fifth bedroom downstairs, which is currently being used as an office. To make sure no amenity was forgotten, the lower level also offers a full bath with a steam shower that boasts a range of aromatherapy choices. Eucalyptus, anyone?

BY WHITNEY CLAY PHOTOGRAPHS BY GARETT BUELL

OUTSIDE IN

Bryant Fleming’s work and impact on Nashville

NEARLY 20 YEARS AGO, local landscape architect Ben Page of Page Landscape delivered the keynote speech to the the Southern Garden History Society Convention. His focus: the prolific work of famed building and landscape architect Bryant Fleming, who joins the pantheon of prominent design figures — like landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, landscape architect Beatrix Farrand and architect Charles Adams Platt — who helped shaped the national landscape movement known as the Country Place Era. Bryant made a particularly significant mark across the country, especially here in Nashville.

As the city began to blossom into a bustling metropolis, dynastic families — Warner, Cheek, Allen, Schwab, Tyne and others — wanted to create homes for their families that reflected their financial and social positions. Because the Southern Garden History Society was initially founded to study and document the importance of designs like Bryant’s, Ben felt it was only natural to celebrate the architect’s important work at Cheekwood. It was a fitting topic for the conference, as Ben not only worked on Cheekwood but also helped restore several other Bryantdesigned properties, breathing new life into their outdoor spaces and preserving Nashville’s architectural treasures.

THE MERICN COUNTRY PLCE ER

FUELED BY PROSPERITY from the Industrial Revolution, Americans developed a passion for outdoor living. Around the turn of the 20th century, President Theodore Roosevelt expanded the National Park System, created the National Park Service and signed the American Antiquities Act into law. At the same time, many Americans began seeking refuge in the countryside as cities grew more crowded.

The country’s most prominent families built expansive country estates, modeled after Europe’s grand homes. These properties featured large houses designed for entertaining and displaying the owner’s erudition and social status. The formal gardens included terraces, fountains, alleés, sculptures and carefully chosen established plants to give the landscape a sense of history. Uninterrupted vistas often completed the scene, offering sweeping views of a home’s bucolic surroundings.

Bryant was brought to Nashville in 1923 for his first project. Before long, he’d taken on so much work here — and in nearby Memphis and Louisville — that he and his father decided to live in Nashville on and off. Bryant’s notable projects in Nashville include Brookhill for Edwin Warner, Jocelyn Hollow for W.F. Allen, a home remodel for George Schwab, Cheekwood for the Cheek family, Burlington for the Shepherd family, Watersmeet for the Runcie Clements family ( in cooperation with architect Herbert Rogers), Longleat for the Tyne family, and the Allée at Percy Warner Park.

Ben Page at Brookhill

Bryant Fleming

BROOKHILL

BROOKHILL IS AN ESCAPE to the country while being minutes away from the heartbeat of the city — offering a graceful balance of elegance and nature. The home’s lush, expansive lawn and intimate garden spaces feel both refined and inviting. A charming walled garden graces the west side of the home while Sugartree Creek runs along the east, accompanied by a floodplain and a wisteria-covered trellis that beckons visitors to sit and embrace the natural harmony.

In his speech, Ben noted that Brookhill was an early — and very restrained — classically inspired piece of architecture. An arcade, with its contiguous arches, leads from the garage to a side door. The grand front entrance faces east, and many of its original interior design elements remain intact — preserved as they would have been in the 1920s. A black-and-white marble checkered floor leads to a stunning spiral staircase. The library and great room both have wood-paneled walls, and the latter even has a wood-paneled ceiling. Both rooms feature rich parquet floors installed by Bryant.

Urban legend claims that after touring Brookhill, Leslie and Mabel Cheek hired Bryant to design their dream home on the 52 acres they had recently acquired.

Bryant Fleming

Brookhill

CHEEKWOOD ESTTE & G  RDENS

AT CHEEKWOOD , Bryant envisioned a garden landscape as the project’s raison d’être. He brilliantly moved the footprint of the house from its seemingly logical location to the top of the hill so the Swan Lawn — with its gorgeous Swan Fountain — could occupy the estate’s pride of place. With the house and fountain in place, Bryant unfolded a series of garden rooms around the hill — creating magical and interconnected horticultural experiences for the owners and their many guests to enjoy.

Cheekwood is widely recognized as a premier example of America’s Country Places Era. Because Bryant designed both the home and its surrounding landscape elements, the project also provides a rare opportunity to celebrate the harmonious interiorexterior relationships that have become hallmarks of the best 20th-century residential designs.

Bryant had the rare architectural confidence to borrow stylistic elements from a vast spectrum of design movements, including the Italian and French Renaissances, the English Georgian period, the Regency era, and the American Colonial period. He mixed and matched elements to create his own romantic idea of what was right for each client — always paying homage to the site’s genius loci, its unique character.

THE  LLÉE T PERCY W RNER P RK

DURING THIS ERA, the park service continued to grow through public-private partnership. In 1926, Luke Lea and his wife Percie Warner Lea — daugther of Percy Warner — deeded 817 acres of land in Belle Meade to Metro Parks for $1, launching what would become the Warner Parks system. In 1932, the Edward Daugherty Gates were completed as an entrance to the park. That same year, Bryant completed work on Cheekwood.

Lea commissioned Bryant to design the steps at the Allée in Percy Warner Park as an open invitation to the public. Bryant used rough-hewn limestone from the site to build the ascending staircase. From the top, visitors could — and still can — take in sweeping views of Belle Meade Boulevard.

Thanks to Ben Page for his contributions to this story.

BY JANET KURTZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND, DAVID MARROW FOR REALKIT, COURTESY OF CHEEKWOOD ARCHIVES, COURTESY OF WARNER PARKS

Cheekwood Estate & Gardens

The Allée at Percy Warner Park

Studio YUDA: Blurring the Lines of Style

Meet Alexandros Darsinos, the architect behind Studio YUDA’s conceptually driven designs

WHILE NASHVILLE BRIMS with art, culture and design, few works of architecture stand out as distinctly as Studio YUDA’s. With its ability to transport guests to different places, the innovative architecture and design firm is responsible for crafting some of the city’s most memorable spaces.

Commercial properties designed by Alexandros Darsinos, head of Studio YUDA’s Nashville branch, typically evolve into local hot spots, like Coral Club, Cafe Babu — run by his wife, Shivani Darsinos — and Rooted. His concept-driven eye also translates to residential properties that range from sleek, ultra-modern structures to European-style villas.

“I am such a believer that clients have a strong perspective on how they live or what inspires them,” says Alexandros. “A house is only going to be inspiring if you understand yourself, your likes and your needs, and then try to abstract that into what you can feel comfortable in.”

This versatile skill set seamlessly melds with clients’ visions. Through this architect-to-customer collaboration, Alexandros creates striking spaces that inspire clients and reflect their personalities. “The idea of going back to your house as just a place to sleep or entertain is not as interesting to us as trying to create a place that also inspires you as an artist,” says Alexandros. “I’m a stark believer that architecture can do that.”

Bright Beginnings

ALEXANDROS, A NATIVE Nashvillian, left home at 15 to finish high school in Greece. While later attending Columbia University, he collaborated with Yuchen Guo, his current business partner, on nearly every project. “We used school as a testing ground for exploring ideas together,” Alexandros says.

Over the years, Alexandros moved around and immersed himself in design scenes in Tokyo, Milan, New York, South Carolina and more. When opening Studio YUDA, he set his sights back on Nashville. “When it was time to open my own firm, it was natural to come back home,” Alexandros says. Because Yuchen resides in China, the firm currently operates out of Nashville and Shanghai, with its two founders leading their respective local branches.

Alexandros and Yuchen combined their cultural backgrounds to form Studio YUDA’s visual and philosophical identity. “[Yuchen] brings in a lot of Chinese philosophy and art into the conversation, whereas I bring a lot of Mediterranean or American concepts,” Alexandros says. “It’s about the merging of those two philosophical, cultural differences.”

The duo’s artistic inclinations mirror those of Swiss architect Peter Zumthor, whose designs transcend defined stylistic boundaries. “It doesn’t matter what material you give him, what style you give him,” Alexandros says. “At the end of the day, he’s a great designer, and he’ll make it into the most beautiful, experiential space you’ve ever been to. To us, that’s true design.”

Organic Inspiration

INSTEAD OF CHANNELING one style or another, Alexandros focuses on conceptual homes and commercial spaces that reflect bigger-picture values. Every Studio YUDA project is centered around nature. Lane A, a dynamically modern residential property, was constructed around a grand Japanese maple to ground people within their environment. “The Japanese maple itself is the architectural element of the house,” Alexandros says.

Studio YUDA’s more classical homes, such as 23 Min and Westview, create relationships between structures and their surrounding landscapes. The 23 Min home was intentionally crafted to complement the rolling terrain where it’s perched, while the French-Provincial-inspired Westview estate features materials obtained directly from the French countryside.

Sometimes, Alexandros’ designs combine these contemporary and classical elements. Take Cora, for example — an eclectic, contemporary home constructed for a local artist. The home’s prominent, geometrical exterior tastefully complements the inside’s warm woods and intricate finishes.

When sourcing project materials, Alexandros is drawn to elements left in their most untouched forms — specifically, “anything that is natural and raw and allows us to give a sense of earthy tones back into the space.” The firm’s holistic view of design — and free-flowing creative process — also brings fresh aesthetic energy to Nashville’s retail scene. Take the sneaker and streetwear store Rooted, for example, which Alexandros decorated with abstract, concrete structures.

Creating Community

THROUGH DREAMING UP Cafe Babu’s organic appearance with Shivani, Alexandros meshed his expertise with the business’s mission — to honor culture and facilitate community. Combining the couple’s Greek and Indian backgrounds, Cafe Babu is accented with a warmtoned concrete interior, fabric flowing from the ceiling, and hand-crafted tables and chairs. When sitting outside, your glance might land on an untouched boulder or a raw tree stump, which adds to the space’s natural feel.

“When people come in and say this is a nostalgic feeling of something they feel back home, it becomes crosscultural and a little bit more timeless,” Alexandros says. “To me, [those are] the projects I’m most interested in exploring, versus trying to copy and paste any kind of style that’s already been done before.”

Most importantly, Alexandros maintains a flexible, thoughtful design process to create community-driven spaces. “If things form or appear, and spatially they scatter and move, it’s the same idea as the movement and fluidity of community,” he says. “We try to be very fluid with our design concepts, but also have a space that is open, inviting and seasonally engaging.”

BY MADELEINE BRADFORD PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANGELINA CASTILLO, MINNIE MORKLITHAVONG, TEC PETAJA, STUDIO YUDA

Frame of Reference

Belle Meade Framers and Midtown Gallery Framers join forces

A CITY AS CREATIVE as Nashville — awash in iconic memorabilia from cultural events, major league sports matches and world-class performances — needs talented resources for framing and preserving art and artifacts, from ticket stubs and jerseys to albums and autographs.

Belle Meade Framers, owned by Kevin and Joanna Dransfield and children Evin and Katie, and Midtown Gallery Framers, owned by Gary Tisdale, have topped the list of framing professionals for many years. In fact, Belle Meade recently celebrated 50 years in business since its

1974 debut on Kenner Avenue. Now, the venerable framers have come together under one marquee in Paddock Place on White Bridge Road.

In January, Midtown’s Gary and his longtime employee Anita Marshall closed their Berry Hill shop and joined the Dransfields at Belle Meade. The family had already consolidated with The Beveled Edge framing studio in 2019. All under one roof, the combined shop will update its sign to include all three names: Belle Meade Framers and The Beveled Edge with Midtown Gallery.

Anyone who has ever worked to select a custom frame for a treasured artwork or souvenir knows how personal the process can be — and how much a confident professional can help guide the selection. For example, if you’ve got an 89-by-92-inch vintage movie poster backed with linen, that’s too big to fabricate and then move into your space. So Gary, who started framing part-time in college and owned his own studios for 36 years, tackles that kind of project by sourcing custom plastic that can bend just enough to fit through the door of a house. Then he assembles the frame on site for a one-of-a-kind result.

That commitment to custom craft spurred Gary to link up with the Dransfields, who work with large and longtime clients, including downtown hotels and honky-tonks, the Tennessee Titans and Nashville Predators, and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where Belle Meade Framers recently helped select and frame art for the newly opened 12th and 14th floors at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital.

Father-daughter duo Kevin and Katie work in the Columbia, Tenn., warehouse, fabricating custom-cut molding for the frames, while mother and son Joanna and Evin lead the Paddock Place team in matting and assembling artworks on site on White Bridge Road.

Midtown can merge client records with Belle Meade, so customers will have access to the specifics of their past orders, and Gary can trust his clients are in good hands. “I wanted a soft landing for my customers,” he says, adding that he has many second- and third-generation clients. “This merger allowed me to do that.”

These days, the Paddock Place store buzzes with the familiar faces of longtime framing pros, including Gary, general manager Randy Reed and showroom manager Murphy Duke, who joined the team as part of the Beveled Edge merger. Meanwhile, the Belle Meade team has also added Frames Unlimited in Franklin to its enterprise, widening the frame, so to speak, on their esteemed family business.

BY CARRINGTON FOX

PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANGELINA CASTILLO

Your Dream Event Awaits at Gaylord Springs Golf Links

Nestled along the picturesque Cumberland River, Gaylord Springs Golf Links is a breathtaking Scottish-style, par-72 golf course that has enchanted golfers with its stunning views for decades. While golfers flock to tackle the award-winning and challenging course, Gaylord Springs Golf Links also stands out as a premier venue for weddings, receptions, corporate events, and parties. With its tranquil atmosphere and versatile event spaces, including the Gaylord Springs Clubhouse and Pavilion, the facility is perfect for both indoor and outdoor gatherings.

A stunning complement to the course is its clubhouse – a Southern-style edifice marked by white pillars and covered in glass. “We pride ourselves on our clubhouse,” said Tina Abellanosa, director of travel industry and catering sales at Gaylord Springs Golf Links. “It’s a beautiful course with so much greenery, it’s magnificent. As you drive onto the grounds, it’s so magical. You’re in the heart of Nashville, yet it feels like a hidden oasis.”

The gates open to reveal the course’s rolling hills with the clubhouse at its center, which is an excellent venue for all types of events. The clubhouse’s second floor is predominantly event space, with floor-to-ceiling windows, offering unparalleled views of the course’s natural surroundings. The clubhouse has recently undergone an aesthetic interior upgrade allowing for an even more elegant event environment.

“It’s a good break for those who are wanting to hold meetings,” Abellanosa said. “You don’t want to be closed in four walls, so we provide an opportunity to see some sunlight and help inspire some creativity.” The clubhouse’s grand staircase is another focal point, further adding to the timeless and elegant feel of the entire space and has become a requisite photo spot for weddings, especially.

The outdoor pavilion is also available for ceremonies, receptions or parties of up to 200 people. Surrounded by lush greenery and billowing trees, the venue is an ideal setting for fall, spring and summer gatherings.

“Gaylord Springs is associated with Gaylord Opryland Resort, so we share the same culinary and banquet team,” Abellanosa explains. “Guests will experience impeccable service and enjoy the creativity and expertise of our food and beverage Stars. It’s something we take pride in because we have unique resources.”

With the support of Gaylord Opryland Resort, the events team at Gaylord Springs Golf Links can customize menus and personalize details for each event. “One of the most memorable events was an around-the-world themed soiree, which allowed our team’s talent to shine while fully realizing the client’s vision.”

Gaylord Springs Golf Links can accommodate events ranging from 50 to 500 guests, with all details customizable. For more information or to contact an events team member, visit gaylordsprings.com/private-events.

Gaylord Springs Clubhouse

Gaylord Springs Pavilion

Gaylord Springs Clubhouse

Gaylord Springs Golf Links

Gaylord Springs Clubhouse

© 2023 Brocoff Photography

© 2023 Brocoff Photography

©2021 Donnell Perry Photography

©2021 Donnell Perry Photography

Gaylord Springs Clubhouse

INSIDER’S GUIDE TO REALTORS

Publisher: Olivia Moye Britton

Advertising Solutions Consultant: Carla Mathis, Heather Cantrell Mullins

Writer: Danny Bonvissuto

Art Director: Christie Passarello

Photographers: Eric England, Adam Sanner

INSIDER’S GUIDE TO REALTORS

Beth Molteni

Fridrich & Clark Realty, LLC

Email: beth@bethmolteni.com

Phone: M 615.566.1610, O 615.327.4800

BETH IS QUICK to share the credit for her consistant real estate success. She says it is the support of her friends former clients and fellow real estate agents that have elevated her in the industry.

I never could be an annoying “cold caller,” Beth says. “But I knew if I stayed attentive, worked hard, and remained resourceful, it would pay off through repeat and referral business.” She spends much of her time networking with other agents and friends to stay in the know about what is coming on the market or will be sold off market.

Every realtor juggles multiple clients — Beth Molteni makes sure it doesn’t feel that way.

“I want every client to feel like I am focused on their needs” Beth’s first exposure to the importance of personal attention and customer satisfaction came when she started out as a buyer for a Nashville department store.

“It was great basic training for being a realtor because the customer is always right and I worked lots of nights, weekends and holidays,” she said.

Beth was introduced to real estate when a fellow board member for the Children’s Museum of Nashville (now the Adventure Science Center) recruited her to be the marketing director for Fieldstone Farms, a new American General Land Development project. After that, she was hired for the same role at The Governors Club, an Arnold Palmer golf course development. From these positions she learned all aspects

of the business, from the development side, to the sales and marketing side as well being a representative on various community boards and city events. After 10 years in real estate development, Beth easily transitioned as a Realtor with Fridrich and Clark where all of her prior experience prepared her to quickly become one of Nashville’s top Realtors.

In her cumulative 30-plus years in the industry, Beth has navigated through many different markets and various types of clients. While the buyers are often thinking in the present of what they need and want right now, Beth is always looking forward and thinking about the future marketability of a home: How would I market this house if they wanted me to sell it in 2-5 plus years? Will it go up in value? Will there be any issues that would make it hard to sell? It is only from many years as a listing agent that she has can help her buyers think this way and make sound decisions.

I love the challenge with each new buyer as I listen to their needs and use every resource imaginable to find the right house. With sellers, I want to make suggestions that will put their house is the best position to get the most money with the least amount of stress. I give tours, I make beds, I make hundreds of calls, I hold your hands and give counsel. I will negotiate hard and smart and stay with you to the finish. I am on your side, your friend and Realtor for life.

And YES, I can find the perfect home for you AND your dog!

HOMETOWN

I am a Middle Tennessee girl, born and raised

HOW LONG IN NASHVILLE Hmm, now that would be telling my age

FAMILY

Husband, 5 children, counting in-laws, 2 grandchildren and one on the way

OBSESSION

Grandchildren, Tennis and Architecture/Interior Design

A FUN NIGHT OUT MEANS

I usually have to get away from the house to remove myself from the phone and computer, so I love a nice dinner out with my husband, family or friends

FIRST CONCERT

Black Sabbath at the Municipal Auditorium. I was shocked my parents let me go.

CHILDHOOD DREAM

I really wanted to work for an ad agency. I was always coming up with slogans, jingles and my own ideas for creative pitches, and ad ideas.

INSIDER’S GUIDE TO REALTORS

Denise Battles

THIRTEEN YEARS AGO, Denise Battles visited Nashville for a weekend from Boston and fell in love.

“I’d traveled extensively but had never visited anywhere that inspired me to move,” Denise said. “I thought maybe it was just a fun weekend, so I came back again and confirmed this is where I wanted to be. I didn’t know anyone in town, so when I talk to clients about relocating, I speak from first-hand experience.”

Denise didn’t start out in real estate — she calls herself a “recovering CPA.”

“I quit four jobs in three years and thought, maybe I don’t want to spend 10 hours a day in an office for the rest of my life,” she said. “I wanted to try my hand at being my own boss.”

She hit the ground running:making 500 cold calls a week, knocking on doors and posting in Facebook groups. Still, she didn’t make a single dollar her first year.

“One of my character flaws is how stubborn I am,” she said. “I knew I wanted to be a Realtor, so there was no choice but to succeed. Just because I wasn’t there yet didn’t mean it wasn’t possible. I just had to keep trying and figure out a way to make it work.”

Eight years later, Denise’s business runs entirely on referrals, and she has closed more than 88 million in sales volume.

As a CPA, Denise spent much of her time pointing out what people were doing wrong. Now, she gets to play a more positive role — and finds it incredibly rewarding to be part of a process that excites people.

“To me, success isn’t about dollar volume,” she says. “It’s about having clients who enjoy working with me so much that they wouldn’t think of going anywhere else.I want them to feel heard and like the process was almost effortless.”

Braintree, Massachusetts

I’M OBSESSED WITH Sports. I play sand volleyball, flag football, golf and pickleball and enjoy watching everything.

I COMFORT MYSELF BY Spending time with people I love

FIRST CONCERT

Goo Goo Dolls and Sugar Ray

CHILDHOOD DREAM

I wanted to be a mission control specialist. Apollo 13 was my favorite movie — I wanted to be the person who solves the problem and brings astronauts home.

HOMETOWN

INSIDER’S GUIDE TO REALTORS

Ivy Vick

Parks Compass

Email: ivy.vick@compass.com

Phone: M 615.485.0963, O 615.383.6964

IVY VICK planned to follow in her father’s footsteps, a renowned engineer for Janis Joplin, Neil Young, and the Grateful Dead, into the music business. She spent her childhood working in his Nashville studio, Georgetown Masters, and later pursued a double degree in Business and Marketing with a Music Business emphasis at Belmont University. Tragically, shortly after her graduation, her father passed away suddenly, and the music business became intertwined with grief.

Through a friend’s introduction, Ivy found a new path in real estate, selling new home construction. As Nashville’s market began to boom, she shifted her focus to condo projects, including The Icon—one of the first major developments in the revitalization of the Gulch.

“I would tell clients, as we looked out the windows, that there would be restaurants, incredible retail, designer shopping, and high-end furniture nearby. People would laugh and say, ‘Yeah, right. That’ll never happen,’” she recalled. “But I could envision it all when there was nothing to see. And look at it now.”

Ivy received a crash course in real estate while selling The Icon. The 2008 market crash hit when the building was nearly sold out, causing buyers to back out and new ones to step in. She sold the same units multiple times, often at significantly different prices.

“The challenges I faced shaped me as both a person and a real estate agent. I learned so much from each obstacle,” said Ivy, now in her 23rd year in the industry with over $1 billion in sales. “Experience is everything in real estate, just like with a financial planner. Hiring an agent with years of expertise is critical because I’m not just a realtor—I’m a real estate advisor, guiding my clients through their investments with the same care as a financial advisor. Looking back, I don’t think I could sit in a chair all day tweaking the same song 100 times. What I loved about the music business was the people. As an agent, I’m more involved in people’s lives now, in a deeply personal way.”

Ivy is married to builder Jonathan Vick. When she’s not showing properties, she selects design elements for his high-end luxury homes in Nashville’s urban core. “Jonathan and I saw a lack of quality construction in Nashville and believe quality outweighs quantity,” she said.

BIG CITY BENEFIT

I love that you can drive 15 minutes from downtown and be in the country.

FAMILY

Husband Jonathan, daughter Theory, and son Hudson.

TRAVELS

Fly fishing in Tulum, with no TV or phone service, is an incredible way to connect with nature and escape life’s

noise. It’s catch-and-release, which I love. I always kiss the fish to thank it before releasing it back into the water.

DOWNTIME

Meditation and reading translations of Sumerian texts—the earliest known recorded literature from ancient Mesopotamia. It’s fascinating to see how spiritually connected they were to everything.

FIRST CONCERT

Neil Young — in the womb and out

ALTERNATE CAREER

If money were no object, I’d focus on helping people. There’s no greater gift than giving back to those in need.

INSIDER’S GUIDE TO REALTORS

Joni Miller

Joni Miller Homes

Wilson Group Real Estate

Email: jonimiller@realtracs.com

Phone: M 615.390.1496, O 615.436.3031

FROM A YOUNG AGE, Joni Miller dreamed of a future in fashion and design. When her father told her there was no money to be made in the fashion industry (this was in the early 80s), she pursued court stenography instead— a decision that ultimately led to a 23-year career as a commercial real estate paralegal with the prestigious law firm Bass Berry & Sims PLC. Over the years, commercial brokers often told her she belonged out in the field selling real estate, not behind a desk.

At home, Joni faced a different kind of challenge. Her son, Brandt, battled ongoing health issues, spending years in and out of Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.

“If something rare or unusual could happen, it happened to him,” she said. “I needed to break the income ceiling so I could give him everything he needed.”

In February 2004, Joni earned her real estate license while still working full-time, squeezing in

showings during evenings and weekends. When the market crashed in 2009, she landed a contract selling REO foreclosures for Fannie Mae.

“They told me they had over 1,000 applicants and would narrow it to 250 — but they only needed one person,” she recalled. “I told them, ‘I am your one! I’ll outwork them all.’ My broker thought I was crazy, but I knew it was sink or swim.”

Joni went on to manage up to 80 to 100 foreclosure properties at a time, staying the course until both the market—and her “miracle child”—recovered. Today, she’s a broker with Wilson Group Real Estate in Green Hills, with more than 21 years of experience, millions in sales, and a client list that feels more like a circle of friends.

“The biggest compliment I get is how quickly clients trust me. They know I’ve got their best interest at heart,” she said. “If a house is lipstick on a pig, I’ll tell them. I’m not in it just for the transaction — I’m not that kind of agent. It is all about relationships.”

WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT NASHVILLE

I love our Nashville growth and diversity and all new things that come with that including all the entertainment venues and ever expanding food scene.

HOMETOWN

Keokuk, Iowa

NASHVILLE SINCE

Age 9

TRAVELS

We love to go visit our grandchildren in Dallas. As we are just beginning our overseas adventures we went to Switzerland and Italy last

year, along with the Philippines and South Korea this year and we plan to go to Ireland this upcoming year. Finally, at a stage in life to be more adventurous with our travel!

FIRST CONCERT

Foreigner at Municipal Auditorium at age 12

COMFORT FOOD

Pizza and pasta, but retail therapy is my real comfort.

IF NOT A REALTOR

I’d be a Personal shopper

MORNING ROUTINE

A five-mile run with Magnus, my American Boxer

INSIDER’S GUIDE TO REALTORS

Shelly Bearden

The Bearden Brand

Fridrich & Clark Realty, LLC

Email: sharpshelly@gmail.com

Phone: M 615.478.2444, O 615.327.4800

SHELLY BEARDEN is a living testimonial to the importance of location in real estate. She and her husband, Rob, who joined The Bearden Brand in 2019 after a long career in banking, bought their current house knowing only the address and what it looked like on the outside. They weren’t even allowed inside until 11 days after going under contract.

“I thought, as long as there’s not a dead body in there, that is where I want to be. And maybe even if there is a dead body in there I’ll still buy it,” she said. “The house is never going to be perfect, even if you build it. When you find a good house in a great location, buy it.”

Shelly started in new home sales right out of college, after learning about the opportunity at a career fair her senior year at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

“There were three cute girls in business suits and I asked them what they did for a living,” she said. “They said they sold real estate so I said, well, let’s talk about it!”

The self-motivation required for a career in real estate is in her bones: She grew up working in the retail stores her entrepreneurial parents owned: eel skin products, pink ice, knives — you name it.

“No one in my family sat still. Everyone was driven to get after it,” she said. “After my dad retired from retail, he became a realtor in Knoxville.”

Shelly is proud that her team is known for finding buyers a house before it hits the market and working with all price points in all parts of town.

“I love being able to say that I sold someone their first home, then the home where they had their babies and now their forever home,” she said. “It means a lot to me to start and end with the same client — knowing they trust you to go through the process again and again and again. The callbacks from clients I worked with 15 years ago are the most fun to get.”

I FEEL SUCCESSFUL WHEN

I can close my eyes at night knowing that I have gone above and beyond for my clients and improved their perceptions of our industry.

WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT NASHVILLE IS the people, growth and all the cool stuff that comes to town

HOMETOWN

Knoxville

IN NASHVILLE SINCE 2002

FAMILY

Three boys, ages 9, 14 and 15

PETS

English shepherds Duke and Dottie

I CAN’T DO WITHOUT My husband. He’s not ego- or award-

driven. Doesn’t need the spotlight or recognition, but he’s an essential part of our business. I think that’s why we work so well together: we’re yin and yang.

FIRST CONCERT

New Kids on the Block

IF I COULDN’T BE A REALTOR, I’d become a Commercial agent. I love seeing the growth and all the new things coming to Nashville, and I admire the people making that happen.

MY NEXT CAR

I joke that we should get a tour bus. We’re not only real estate agents; we’re tour guides.

CHILDHOOD DREAM

I knew I wanted to be some kind of business woman. I always said I wanted to hear my high heels click down the hallway of a corporate office.

Photos taken at 414 Lynnwood Boulevard, an active listing in Belle Meade.

INSIDER’S GUIDE TO REALTORS

Therese Winnington

T.

Lewis Real Estate & Design, LLC

Email: twinnington@yahoo.com

Phone: 615.545.8700

THERESE WINNINGTON sees everything as an opportunity. When she moved to Nashville 13 years ago and didn’t know anyone, it was an opportunity to create a community. She didn’t know then that the city would become “my home, heart and soul.”

She grew up with a strong mother — a realtor who didn’t believe in the word “no.” Though she initially resisted taking the same path, Therese saw a growing, changing city and wanted to be part of making it better.

“The Nashville real estate market is more than just a career to me,” she said. “It’s a belief in something bigger, in the power of believing in oneself and in others and helping each other to grow to build a united community in which we all thrive.”

Working for realty companies opened doors to starting her own brokerage, which led to her own property management firm.

“I got my start in this industry by somebody seeing more in me than I saw in myself at the time, which led to the growth of a business, lifestyle, and brand I hope to pass down to my family,” she said.

To Therese, every client is the opportunity to build a relationship that doesn’t end when the transaction does.

“Once a client is a client, and I understand their ins and outs, wants and needs, it’s a lifetime commitment for me,” she said. “My job is to guide them and use my experience and contacts to provide them the best experience they can get — and still call me 10 years from now and say, ‘Hey Therese, we’re thinking about putting a pool in the backyard. Who should we call?’ That is the job.”

HOMETOWN

Wilmington, Delaware

IN NASHVILLE SINCE 2012

FAMILY

A husband and six-year-old son McGavock. When we left the hospital after he was born, we had to go meet an appraiser.

PETS

A dog named Moose, who was supposed to be a purebred Dachshund and is not. He’s the most expensive non-Dachshund I’ve ever bought.

I COMFORT MYSELF WITH Facials. I hate massages but can fall asleep and snore on the table during a facial.

FIRST CONCERT

Either Janet Jackson or Debbie Gibson

I CAN’T DO WITHOUT My husband. I lucked into marrying my best friend.

CHILDHOOD DREAM

I wanted to be a cleaning lady. I’d go to my friends’ houses and their rooms were sloppy and I’d organize and clean them.

HOMES OF DISTINCTION

PRESENTED BY

You’re invited to join Nfocus for an intimate evening of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres as we celebrate the release of our annual Homes of Distinction. Enjoy an exclusive look inside one of this year’s carefully selected multimillion-dollar featured residences.

SPONSORED BY

RSVP in the QR Code below

Hert nd Soul

The Seton Celebration Patrons Party raises giving expectations for the upcoming gala

On a chilly Thursday in March, Brian and Judy Wilcox welcomed guests into their stunning Forest Hills home for the annual Seton Celebration Patrons Party, a cocktail-attired prelude to April’s black-tie Seton Celebration Gala.

Co-chaired by Erin and Clay Kaiser and Nishtha Sareen and Abhishek Ojha to raise funds for the Ascension Saint Thomas Foundation, the event allowed donors and supporters to mingle as they enjoyed a signature pineapple cocktail and sampled hors d’oeuvres, like bite-sized chicken tacos.

After a welcome from the Wilcoxes, guests joined in a prayer for women’s heart health, as this year’s gala is supporting the newly launched Ascension Saint Thomas Heart Women’s Clinic Midtown.

Fahad Tahir, the president and CEO of Ascension Saint Thomas, spoke about the origins of the Seton Society and its mission to cultivate a purpose and pass it on. He also acknowledged this year’s honorees, cardiologist John Bright Cage and country singer Carly Pearce. The former has spent his three-decade career offering preventative and ongoing cardiac care, while the latter became an advocate for heart health awareness when she was diagnosed with recurrent pericarditis.

Nishtha, a cardiologist who specializes in women’s heart health, gave a moving speech about women’s heart disease, which is often underdiagnosed and undertreated, with care usually not covered by insurance.

That fact makes the fundraising efforts at this year’s gala all the more important — a point John emphasized when he addressed the crowd during his acceptance speech. He urged all those present to act as leaders at the upcoming gala, by encouraging their fellow guests and tablemates to give generously so women can get the vital heart care they need.

After the speeches concluded, spirits were high and hopeful as guests dined on offerings like beef rolls, jumbo shrimp and stuffed mushrooms, as well as miniature lemon tarts, salted caramel blondies and chocolate truffle buttons.

Attendees exited the Wilcoxes’ home with a box of macaroons from Little Gourmand in hand, and a focus on the giving to come at the April gala.

BY PAIGE GAWLEY PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANGELINA CASTILLO

Co-chair Clay Kaiser, Harrison Kiser

Bonnie and John Bright Cage, Michael Swan

Co-chairs Abhishek Ojha and Nishtha Sareen

John Rodgers, Michael Noble, Aleta and Byron Trauger

Steve Tai, Fahad Tahir, Jane Tai

Andy Zurick, Beth Bleecker, co-chair Erin Kaiser

Tina Shaw-Cox, Elizabeth and Andy Zurick

h, Gstronomy!

The Frist Gala Patrons Party paired food and conversation

First Course Trio of Appetizers

Chilled English Pea Soup, Spring Vegetable Tart, Baby Greens with Vinaigrette

Entrée

Herb-Crusted Chilean Sea Bass

Lemon-Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, Broccolini, Caramelized Fennel, Heirloom Carrots, Fennel Soubise

Dessert

Dark Chocolate Mousse Bomb

Raspberry Coulis

It seems fitting that an evening centered around gastronomy and conversation should begin with a menu. The exhibit Farm to Table: Art, Food, and Identity in the Age of Impressionism carried the theme of the Frist Gala Patrons Party. Co-chairs Corinne Kidd, Amy Richards and Kathryn Saunders — close friends since their days at Vanderbilt University — cast a beautiful scene as they, in various pink hues, mingled with supporters. Florals by Knestrick By Design, evocative of the scenes in the paintings hanging on the walls, dotted the space and decorated the tables for a dinner that was expertly created by Kristen Winston Catering.

During the reception, guests toured the gallery to visit — or, in many cases, revisit — the exhibit, which has drawn extensive media attention and countless visitors to the Frist Art Museum. Guests enjoyed the serenity of exclusivity as they passed the works of masters like Rosa Bonheur, Gustave Courbet, Paul Gauguin, Claude Monet and Camille Pissarro, which allowed each viewer the time to take in and contemplate each piece. Often used as a political commentary of the day, works of the genre document the interweaving of gastronomy with French national identity, while also profiling the journey of food through the eyes of farmers, fishmongers and cafe patrons, and spotlighting the food itself.

As with many dinner parties, conversation was the evening’s highlight. In a riveting discussion, poet Ciona Rouse and professor Kevin D. Murphy explored the history of Impressionism and themes of connection and cultivation.

BY JANET KURTZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND

Kent and Nora Kirby, Jennifer and Billy Frist

Ciona Rouse, Kevin D. Murphy

Brock and Corinne Kidd, Tracy and Bill Frist

Co-chairs Kathryn Saunders, Amy Richards, Corinne Kidd

Louise and John Bryan, Julie Frist

Mary and Lee Barfield

Jonathan Norris, Stephanie and Bill Ditenhafer

Located on .25 acres in River Trace Estates of Donelson area in Nashville, Tn. Ten minutes distance to the following: Grand Ole Opry, Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, Gaylord Springs Golf Course, Two Rivers Mansion. This adorable house has been freshly painted and has modern lighting. An eat in kitchen and a formal dining area. Large deck in the back to enjoy with a hot tub that will remain.

Looking for a modern condo, freshly painted with updated details? Here it is! On 2nd oor, in desirable Lenox Village, coming soon to purchase! Live in desirable Lenox Village, don’t miss this opportunity! Some photos are virtually furnished so you can get ideas of how it would look furnished. The 2nd oor unit is available! One thing that makes Lenox village so sought after, is that Lenox Village is a walkable neighborhood.

NOTABLE SALES

6963

MEET DEBBIE

You need more than just a good agent; you need one who genuinely cares about her clients! Debbie Gregory of RE/MAX Choice Properties has everything to assist you in buying or selling real estate in Nashville and surrounding areas of middle Tennessee. She collaborates with a variety of banks and lenders who can help you get prequali ed. Additionally, she has established long-term relationships with local title and closing companies, real estate attorneys, and home inspectors. Since 2005, Debbie Gregory has been in the middle Tennessee market of Brentwood, Franklin, and Nashville. She has sold millions of dollars worth of real estate by marketing properties not only locally but also nationally and internationally. A Nashville native, Debbie possesses an extensive understanding of the middle Tennessee market and region. She takes the time to explain the real estate process and the necessary documents involved. Call her to be your guide thru your next real estate transaction!

DEBBIE GREGORY- TN REALTOR SINCE 2005

C: 615.578.3166 | O: 615.921.0700

5310 Maryland Way, Ste 320 | Brentwood, TN 37027 musiccityagent@gmail.com | regregory.com

Turnin Obstcles Into Opportunity

The 35th Annual ATHENA Awards & Scholarship Gala shined a light on remarkable women

It’s fitting that, during Women’s History Month, Nashville

Cable held its 35th Annual ATHENA Awards & Scholarship Gala to celebrate remarkable women in Middle Tennessee. Hundreds, dressed in stylish cocktail attire, poured into Music City Center, excited for a night of togetherness and inspiration, and ready to honor women who have shown exemplary leadership, performance, commitment to community and support of women.

After mingling in the lobby, guests enjoyed a hearty grilled chicken dinner. Co-chairs Laquita Stribling and Novonda Lilly spoke about their excitement to recognize those who’d empowered future generations by turning obstacles into opportunity. As girl-power anthems like “Girl on Fire” and “9 to 5” played, the 2025 nominees entered the room to raucous applause.

After a speech from Mayor Freddie O’Connell, emcee Lauren Lowrey turned the focus to students. College student Sarah Anderson and high schooler Violet Hansen earned a standing ovation for their poetry performance, before 10 teens were presented with $1,000 scholarships and brand-new laptops.

In her keynote address, serial entrepreneur Sherry Deutschmann urged women to stop talking about empowerment and instead lean into the power they already possess within them. The speech was an unmitigated hit — and a perfect segue into the night’s main event, the awards presentation.

The ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award went to Vanessa Helbig Johnson, the vice president of youth services and adult education at YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee and the executive director of Girls Inc. Throughout her career, Vanessa has championed initiatives that work to end racism, empower women and create opportunities. The ATHENA Traditional Award was given to Adrienne Battle, the first woman to lead Metro Nashville Public Schools as superintendent. That’s a massive feat, as just 1% of U.S. superintendents are Black women, a percentage Adrienne seeks to grow through her trailblazing career.

The night didn’t end when the speeches did. Rather, Raq City Soul Band took the stage, delighting the crowd with a 30-minute set of danceable tunes.

BY PAIGE GAWLEY

BY ANGELINA CASTILLO

Roxianne Bethune, Sharon Roberson

Lauren Lowrey

PHOTOGRAPHS

Co-chair Novonda Lilly, Katherine Brown, co-chair Laquita Stribling

Julia Baker, Ann Parker Jannyse Tapp

Alexandria Ford

Skyler Prewitt, Sarah Moseley, Andrea Pineda, Emily Lara, Marquita Qualls

Renee and Charlie Bass

Subhi and Maysoon Ali, Samar Ali

Ylonda Banister, Karen Williams, Tanaka Ross

Carol Childress, Terry Vo

Pat Shea, Danielle Spence, Rita Mitchell, Hannah Sears, Brit Mitchell

April Britt, Mendy Mazzo, Veronica Marable Johnson, Linda Peek Schacht

Joy Styles

Sandra and Gene Prewitt

Camden Angell, Spencer Mullins

Frank and Mary Davis

Briana Hawkins, Chiquita Young

DFull Herts

The Seton Celebration Gala raises vital funds for women’s heart care

ays of tornado warnings and rainy weather couldn’t keep patrons away from the Ascension Saint Thomas Foundation’s 34th annual Seton Celebration Gala. Dressed in their finest black-tie attire, guests arrived to the soldout event at the newly opened The Pinnacle at Nashville Yards.

After ascending the venue’s grand staircase, guests mingled and posed for photos as they enjoyed passed hors d’oeuvres and sipped Champagne. When attendees headed into the ballroom for the program, they were awestruck by stunning florals, velvet tablecloths and glamorous chandeliers.

Emcee Lauren Lowrey began the program by discussing the importance of this year’s cause — the hospital’s newly expanded Heart Women’s Program. It’s of particular significance for the newscaster, as she nearly died from a heart event in 2018.

Co-chairs Beth Bleecker and Ben Noll and Andy and Elizabeth Zurick underscored the importance of the cause. They emphasized the foundation’s desire to ensure women have access to heart care, as women’s heart conditions are often underdiagnosed, undertreated and not covered by insurance.

After a dinner duet of filet and sea bass, both bellies and hearts were full. Fahad Tahir, the president and CEO of Ascension Saint Thomas, kicked off the main event — the induction of two new people into the Seton Society.

First up was Carly Pearce, a country singer who decided to go public with her recurrent pericarditis diagnosis to advocate for women’s heart health. Dr. John Bright Cage was the second 2025 honoree. Fahad praised the cardiologist, who’s set to retire later this year, as a passionate and faithful physician and community leader.

Carly then treated the room to a performance of her original song “no rain,” which she said might serve as a reminder that there is sunshine after the rain.

Next year’s gala co-chairs — Nishtha Sareen and Clay Kaiser — once again reminded attendees of the event’s vital purpose, telling them that heart disease is the biggest killer of women, topping all cancers combined.

The doctors’ speech certainly got the generosity flowing. During a “paddles up” moment, attendees raised well over $130,000, all of which will go directly to funding the Heart Women’s Program. Guests celebrated their good work by closing out the night dancing to the musical stylings of Universal Crush.

BY PAIGE GAWLEY

Carly Pearce, Fatima Nawaz and Fahad Tahir

Abhishek Ojha, Linda Ohringer, Nishtha Sareen, Harrison Kiser

PHOTOGRAPHS BY MICHAEL SCOTT EVANS

Blake Lewis and Lauren Lowrey

Allison and Daniel Cage, John Bright Cage and Bonnie Cage, John David and Sarah Cage

Brandon and Coffi Corbin

Co-chairs Andy and Elizabeth Zurick, Beth Bleecker and Ben Noll

Bayard and Rosemary Walters

Joan and Allen Kaiser, Julie Alley, Dan Kaiser, Erin and Clay Kaiser

SSinin’ in the Rin

Nothing but sunshine at Studio Tenn’s effervescent One Night Only

tudio Tenn Theatre Company’s artistic director Patrick Cassidy opened One Night Only, the theater’s annual fundraiser, with an impromptu song and dance à la Gene Kelly. It may be typical for theater peeps to walk around with bits of songs and sonnets in their heads, but an authentic soft-shoe from a 1952 movie seems rare. Nonetheless, many smiled as they hummed along to “Singin’ in the Rain.”

“Weather’s not going to stop people in Franklin from going to a party!” said Lynne McAlister, surveying the gathering crowd filling Liberty Hall. Tables populated with theater people, philanthropists and an enthusiastic gathering of Studio Tenn devotees were proof — all there to celebrate the theater’s 15th anniversary of bringing joy, enlightenment and top-drawer talent to Middle Tennessee. There were plenty of umbrellas there, but no empty tables.

The superstar of the evening was four-time Tony Award winner Jessie Mueller, presented with the Legacy Award recognizing excellence in professional theater. After gracious thanks for the honor, she belted “I Feel the Earth Move” from Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Awe-inspiring.

The ageless, beatific Cal Turner sat with old friends. A man of enormous generosity, his transformative gift enabled the theater to produce shows in a versatile, elegant performance space dubbed the Turner Theater. Godfather of downtown Franklin and former Factory At Franklin owner Calvin LeHew also beamed with pride. “I love walking through these doors and just seeing it thrive,” he said.

For a crowd this diverse, a buffet is the best choice. This one was laden with options: salmon, carved beef or lamb chops, mixed vegetables, salad, delectable mini-Yukons, and a preset dessert — a light chocolate mousse, topped with a roasted plantain.

Fashions that night ranged from sexy sequin shine to romantic floaty florals, with an occasional classic black and white, like Lynne’s showstopping gown. Like a trained thespian, this valued supporter read over the list of job titles of those employed by Studio Tenn, the theater that makes theater not just accessible, but irresistible. All smiles everywhere, all night long.

BY BETH ALEXANDER PHOTOGRAPHS BY KRIS RAE

Trent and Bethni Hemphill, Teresa and Danny Anderson

Andy and Kim Southard, Calvin and Marilyn LeHew

Jessie Mueller, Patrick Cassidy

Johnny and Jillian Frist

Larry Westbrook, Cal Turner

Roger Walters, Lynne McAlister, Alan Simms

Jay and Donna Richards

& RESTORE! PureWave VEMI Bed Vibroacoustic Electromagnetic Infrared

Ballancer Pro Lymphatic Drainage Compression Therapy

Glo2Facials, Body Treatments, Laser Hair Removal, Dermaplaning

Boutique Spa For appointments and gift cards callFull menu of services at ShopTiba.com Open 10-6, Monday-Saturday In Berry Hill West Iris Drive • Nashville, TN Now the latest wellness technologies are available along with TIBA’s highly acclaimed facials and body treatments... in a new se ing you have to experience!

Dedicated to enhancing the beauty, confidence and health of Nashvillians for over 40 years.

FOUR SEASONS

FOUR SEASONS

FOUR SEASONS

Four Seasons Private Residence Estate Home, Nashville’s finest downtown living experience! Designer finishes, custom cabinets & bath. Luxurious furnishings & other high end finishes. Beautiful hardwood flooring throughout, walk-in closet and a chef’s kitchenThis suite o ers an unmatched work + live lifestyle in the epicenter of Music City. Included is full access to an abundance of amenities, a dedicated concierge, a resident-only sky garden, and world-class eateries such as The Rutledge. Just blocks away from Nashville’s famous Broadway district, this development o ers every opportunity to discover Music City with ease. Don’t Miss Out!!! Lease term options; 6-9 months lease $8000.00/mo, and 10months + at $7500.00

Four Seasons Private Residence Estate Home, Nashville’s finest downtown living experience! Designer finishes, custom cabinets & bath. Luxurious furnishings & other high end finishes. Beautiful hardwood flooring throughout, walk-in closet and a chef’s kitchenThis suite o ers an unmatched work + live lifestyle in the epicenter of Music City. Included is full access to an abundance of amenities, a dedicated concierge, a resident-only sky garden, and world-class eateries such as The Rutledge. Just blocks away from Nashville’s famous Broadway district, this development o ers every opportunity to discover Music City with ease. Don’t Miss Out!!! Lease term options; 6-9 months lease $8000.00/mo, and 10months + at $7500.00 For

Four Seasons Private Residence Estate Home, Nashville’s finest downtown living experience! Designer finishes, custom cabinets & bath. Luxurious furnishings & other high end finishes. Beautiful hardwood flooring throughout, walk-in closet and a chef’s kitchenThis suite o ers an unmatched work + live lifestyle in the epicenter of Music City. Included is full access to an abundance of amenities, a dedicated concierge, a resident-only sky garden, and world-class eateries such as The Rutledge. Just blocks away from Nashville’s famous Broadway district, this development o ers every opportunity to discover Music City with ease. Don’t Miss Out!!! Lease term options; 6-9 months lease $8000.00/mo, and 10months + at $7500.00

Greater Nashville Residential Property

& Leasing Inquiries, call 615-946-0902 (o ice) | 615-504-3157 (cell)

Pure Imintion

The TPAC Gala creates an evening of art and whimsy

The energy at the Four Seasons Nashville on a blustery Saturday evening wasn’t created by the storm raging outside, but by the throngs of supporters that arrived for the annual TPAC Gala. Throughout the reception space, oversized flowers framed captivating tableaux. Think performance artists clad in metallic attire holding shafts of neon light that created pops of luminescent color throughout the room. Each piece felt like a commentary on the collision of the natural and man-made worlds — and how the two can work in tandem to make something truly beautiful. As the room continued to fill, guests enjoyed delicious hors d’oeuvres before entering the ballroom for the main event.

Host Christopher Hanke took the stage to welcome and delight the crowd with stories of how richly theater has impacted his life. Board chair Melvin Malone discussed the impact of theater in any community, noting that “theater nurtures creativity in future leaders.” One of the most impactful moments came when guests heard from Spotlight Award winner Jayden Murphy. “I still remember the excitement, the nerves and the feeling of stepping into the spotlight that, in many ways, has never faded,” he shared.

All enjoyed a brilliant performance by New Dialect. Then, anticipation built as guests waited for headliner Matthew Morrison to take the stage. Instead, a spotlight appeared at the back of the room, and Matthew emerged singing “Pure Imagination” from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory

For the rest of the evening, guests watched in awe as Broadway stars Rachel Potter, Bryonha Marie and Telly Leung alternately drew guests into the enthralling world of theater, performing songs like “A Whole New World” from Aladdin, “Corner of the Sky” from Pippin and “Go the Distance” from Hercules. In a particularly special performance, the Spotlight Award winners and Broadway stars came together to sing a mash-up of “The Story of Tonight” from Hamilton and “You Will Be Found” from Dear Evan Hansen — released as a single by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Ben Platt called “Found/Tonight.” The collaboration immediately brought the crowd to their feet.

As always, the party did not stop there, instead concluding with the Late Party at the Nashville City Club.

BY JANET KURTZ PHOTOGRAPHS

BY

ERIC ENGLAND

Jennifer Turner, Adam Sansiveri, Kendall Brown

Bryonha Marie New Dialect

Matthew Morrison

Telly Leung

Linda Cochran, Johnny Burrell

Les Goodall, Will Helou, Stephanie Rotolo

Neil Krugman and Lee Pratt

Hal Cato and Michael Burcham

Rachel Potter Linda Cochran, Mary Cate Conn, Diana Pelham

Banning Bouldin, Webb Bankemper, Melodie Madden Adams, Matt Logan

Jailin Renee Roberts

Kyle and Nancy Floyd

Melvin Malone Alberta and Robert Doochin

Lance Gruner, David Andrews and Matt Paco

Deah RamaGabe PhilipsNaomi Chason

David BonnerCli

Puolos

Candace Franklin

Jon Sexton Bryan Popin

Jennifer Wilson SCAN

IOn

the ils

A Vintage Travel Experience took Interfaith Dental supporters on an excursion

nterfaith Dental’s 2025 gala, “A Vintage Travel Experience,” started a bit differently than its previous events — for more reasons than one.

Promised a night of glamour, adventure and making a difference, guests were asked to arrive at the Tennessee Central Railway Museum promptly so they didn’t miss the main event: riding on an old-fashioned excursion train. The result was truly moving — along the train tracks, that is. Nasty weather and a tornado warning less than an hour before the event inevitably thinned the crowd, but those boarding the train that evening were in for a treat.

Back at the station, Flavor Catering readied passengers with passed appetizers of mini grilled-cheese sandwiches and curry chicken, along with themed cocktails, beer and wine. The Dan Nadasdi trio played jazz standards — and learned “Chattanooga Choo Choo” especially for the occasion.

Encouraged to dress in creative vintage travel attire, guests harkened back to the heyday of the railway. CEO Rhonda SwitzerNadasdi even donned a conductor’s suit.

Each of the Tennessee Central Railway’s eight train cars offered a different ambiance, as guests enjoyed more drinks and ample charcuterie boxes. As they made their way to either end of the experience, revelers enjoyed tricks from Mr. Jason’s Magic, as well as acoustic Irish music from fiddle player George Lawson and guitarist Oisín Cooke. Singers Nikki Berra, Kendall Rogers and Alex Wasson performed classics, and volunteer conductors educated guests about the train’s history.

As the sun began to set, guests returned to “The Smile Plaza” to enjoy music and dancing, dinner, and gelato from Scoops D’amore. Bahn-mi-style sandwiches, roasted carrots, pasta salad and deviled eggs sustained guests following their journey.

Throughout the night, guests could scan QR codes to learn more about patient journeys at Interfaith Dental, which has provided free dental care to people in need in Nashville since its founding in 1994.

The commitment to the theme and the special excursion experience gave passengers a reason to smile too.

BY HANNAH HERNER PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANGELINA CASTILLO

Katrina Eagilen and Womack Stokes

Ron Selliers

Marty and Megan Bruck

Douglass and Margaret Smith Jeff Newton, Rhonda Switzer-Nadasdi

Dan Hipps, Kathy Tucker

Darlene Parnell, John Ervin

Stephanie Graham, Drew and Jennie Latimer

Wines that Express the Voice of the Soil

Honoring Special Guests Philippe & Cherie Melka

Named one of the top nine winemakers in the world by Robert Parker, Philippe is one of Napa’s most highly respected winemakers and consultants advising on terroir, grape varietals, winemaking, and other facets of expertise.

Also Featuring These Clients of Atelier Melka Dalecio Family Wines•Flint Knoll•Moone Tsai Wines•Namo Wines•Tench Estate•Zakin Estate

SPONSORS

The Nashville Zoo’s Call of the Wild Dinner was a celebrity-filled event

While celebrity sightings at galas and events are commonplace in Nashville, it is less typical for the stars in question to have tails, beaks or the most adorable wiggly noses. But that is exactly what guests of the Nashville Zoo’s Call of the Wild Dinner encountered on a clear spring evening. Animal ambassadors — like Benedict Cumberbunny the Continental Giant rabbit, a pair of camera-loving flamingos, and of course, Hamish the Scottish Highland calf, who’d previously won hearts around the world by showing off his zoomies — dazzled guests at the outdoor event.

Co-chairs Clara and Wesley Belden and Lauren and Tee Isenhour planned the perfect evening. As guests sat for dinner, temperatures began to dip, but it was warm and cozy inside the dinner tent. During a delicious meal prepared by the Nashville Zoo culinary team, the zoo’s president and CEO Rick Schwartz thanked guests for their continued support. He noted that with donors’ help, the zoo has been able to add exhibits for monkeys and Komodo dragons, as well as the upcoming Leopard Forest, which will house an extremely rare Amur leopard.

The zoo’s plans don’t stop there. “Our dream, really, is to become a botanical garden as well as a zoological garden,” Rick shared. “This year, we planted about 25,000 tulips, and that’s going to continue to grow.”

After dinner, guests flowed to Festival Field for the evening’s milestone moment: a performance by champion of philanthropy Brad Paisley, then another by singer-songwriter Will Hoge and his band. Before the entertainment began, guests warmed themselves beside the firepits that peppered the field, and servers passed trays of delicious mini-s’more tarts — the perfect sweet treat to enjoy on a cool night. As guests settled in, Brad took the stage and thanked everyone for braving the chilly temps to be there.

BY JANET KURTZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANGELINA CASTILLO

Katie and Kevin Crumbo

Allen DeCuyper, Mary Wieck, Steve Sirls, Larry Wieck

Meg Crofton, Rick Schwartz, Kim Pridgen

Hamish the Scottish Highland calf

Co-chairs Lauren Isenhour, Clara Belden

Brad Paisley

Rebecca Sigler, Madeline Consoer, Libby Schuerman, Austyn Jablonski, Molly Sigler

Benedict Cumberbunny

Marty Warren, Gosia Busuttil, Nancy Warren, Anton Busuttil

Katie Vasilopoulos, Nick Mullikin

Laurie Eskind, Trish Munro, Laurie Seabury

Chip Wilkison, Tripp King, Rascoe and Caroline Dean

Power en Pointe

A reimagined Power of the Purse is reborn at OZ Arts Nasvhille

It’s a season for reinvention on the Nashville social circuit, and the reimagined Power of the Purse arrived like a lightning bolt. An electric evening transformed the event from daytime luncheon to super-powered girls’ night out, starting with a charming routine from six young ballerinas with Rejoice Ballet: relevé, pirouette, plié

An atmosphere of fantasy welcomed guests into OZ Arts Nashville. Cocktail tables were topped with spring blooms — ranunculus and Lenten roses in Crayola hues. Bright cocktail napkins broadcast two targets of the Community Foundation’s Women’s Fund: economic self-sufficiency and violence prevention. Other napkins celebrated the fund’s 30th anniversary. Over three decades, more than $3 million has gone to 180 nonprofit organizations in Middle Tennessee. The Women’s Fund has come a long way, baby.

Cocktails began in the octagonal former humidor space and surrounding bar area, where a silk-screening activity was underway. Guests ventured to the terrace for a late-afternoon sunset and the signature drink PowHer Twist, made with Limoncello for a piquant spring sip. Women-owned vendors provided the menu. Maneet Chauhan offered baingan bharta cornets, and SusieCakes provided tempting tiny cupcakes with curls of delectable icing.

Individual vendors hosted a cocktail-style dinner around the large banquet hall. Bars were plentiful and bottomless, and nonalcoholic options were abundant. Killjoy stood near the stage, pouring nonalcoholic Champagne, sparkling Topo-Chico and refreshing fruitstrained water. Among the outstanding vendors were Menu Maker Catering, serving beet salad, and Clean Plate Club, serving crisp cucumber hors d’oeuvres and Asian noodles. Dessert Designs offered its signature caramel cake. Those taking their first taste nearly fainted with pleasure. The rest of us already know it’s sumptuous.

Entertainment was plentiful and varied — riveting ballet from Rejoice, tunes from DJ MISSFREQ and performances from Girls Write Nashville, a contrast in styles. The silent auction of purses drew attention all night long, and an energetic live auction climaxed in bidding on a retreat for six in Cortona, Italy. Props for the best party favor of 2025: a bright white umbrella from Elite Caregiving Services, a necessary accessory considering our mercurial climate.

The Women’s Fund’s third focus is health, well-being and talent. Power of the Purse was packed with all three.

BY BETH ALEXANDER

PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANGELINA CASTILLO

Megan Jordan, Andee Rudloff, Julia Martin

Shelby Bailey, Sallie Bailey, Fran Linley

Alizah Greenberg, Cameron Simmons, Monique Villa Capra

Lori Bell, Josephine VanDevender Ward, co-chair Arnita Ozgener

Elizabeth Goetz, Tash Weddle

Sara Zare, Sete Zare

Jessica Pearson, Katie McDougall

Kellie Ruocco, Emily Johnson, Ashley Painter

Jackie Karr, Hannah Page, Cindee Gold, Bethany Diffenderfer

Sherrie Russ Levine, Meera Ballal, Tina Doniger, Claudia Huskey

Hadley Miller, Dalih Suchet

Kimberly Lewis, Marci Houff, Jamie Eskind

Spring is now on display in Centennial Park! Support the Park by coming to an event, volunteering, or becoming a member of the nonprofit Centennial Park Conservancy. Give during our Spring fundraising campaign, and you'll help sustain the vibrancy of the place where Nashville grows!

May Events

MAY 16 - JUNE 14

Musicians Corner

Nashville's free concert series returns for its spring series! Don’t miss the 79 performances over 11 concert dates this Spring, featuring eclectic talent from Nashville and beyond.

THROUGH JUNE 1 AT THE PARTHENON

Christy Lee Rogers: The Muses

Emerging from the darkest depths and exploding in a burst of light, Christy Lee Rogers’ photographs in The Muses are sure to inspire.

MAY 2 - 4

Tennessee Craft Fair

This free Nashville tradition celebrates American handmade, finely crafted artwork directly from the juried, award-winning artists.

Takeyoureventtothenextlevel—nomatter thesize,style,oroccasion!Fromkids' birthdaystoelegantweddings,casual gatheringstocorporatesoirées,FabTap bringsthefun,flavor,andflairtomakeevery celebrationtrulyunforgettable!. ur event to the next level no

www.thefabtapco.com hello@thefabtapco.com 615-247-9858

You Cn Be My Lucky Penny

A Country Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson’s raised record numbers for research

Guests arrived at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts for the sold-out Michael J. Fox Foundation event A Country Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson’s, an evening of music and crucial fundraising for Parkinson’s research. Co-chair Philip Krajeck of Rolf and Daughters peppered the Grand Foyer with tasting stations featuring delectable croque-monsieurs, tasty agnolotti and a raw bar. The crowd — the largest in the event’s history — watched as music industry royalty graced the red carpet before the concert.

Once revelers filed into the performance hall, Willie Geist, co-anchor of MSNBC’s Morning Joe and anchor of Sunday TODAY with Willie Geist, welcomed guests and shed light on the evening’s mission. “Michael has been the North Star for millions of Parkinson’s families like ours — not just here in America, but around the world,” he said. Country music sensation Little Big Town charmed the crowd with hits like “Girl Crush” and “Boondocks,” and singer Kimberly Schlapman shared how her mother’s journey with Parkinson’s inspired her family — and the band — to dedicate their time to supporting research in the field.

In a moment that brought guests to their feet, Human Powered Potential team members Brendan Cusick, Peter Durso, Scott Forman and Patrick Morrissey joined the stage, after the crowd had watched a short film about the daunting 41 days they spent at sea participating in The World’s Toughest Row. The team raised $41 million for the Michael J. Fox Foundation, with one donor offering to give $3 for every $1 donated. Patrick, who has Parkinson’s, shared that he’s continued to work out every day since the race. “Parkinson’s does not stop, and neither can I,” he said.

Comedian Dusty Slay broke up the emotional stories with a lighthearted comedy set. And Michael J. Fox spoke beautifully, thanking the crowd for their generosity. “The love is so real and the support is so real,” he said.

Award-winning musician Chris Stapleton headlined the event with a set that included “You Should Probably Leave,” “Starting Over,” “Joy Of My Life,” “Broken Halo” and “Tennessee Whiskey.” The evening ended in true Marty McFly fashion, as Little Big Town and Chris Stapleton performed a finale rendition of “Johnny B. Goode” by Chuck Berry.

BY JANET KURTZ

PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANGELINA CASTILLO, JASON KEMPIN VIA GETTY IMAGES, JOHN SHEARER VIA GETTY IMAGES

Co-chairs Richard and Virginia Fitzgerald, Peggy and Dick Fitzgerald Chris Stapleton, Michael J. Fox

Mark and SaraGrace Dorris

Bary and Nancy Bailey, co-chairs Bill and Tracy Frist

Dusty Slay

Kimberly Schlapman

Katy McNeill, Deana Ivey, Heather Middleton, KP McNeill

Lauren and Brandon Freyberger, Lesley and David Bartley

Newt and Kristin Pate

Rick and Vandana Abramson

Scott Forman, Patrick Morrissey, Peter Durso, Brendan Cusick

Chris Stapleton

Dusty Slay, Chris Stapleton, Michael J. Fox, Karen Fairchild, Jimi Westbrook, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet

Scott Hamilton, Chaz Corzine

Kelly and Jacob Unger

Michelle Powell, Mary Bergin, Lisa Perez Flanagan, Karen Burgett

Kristin Nelson, Teddy Martin

Jimi Westbrook, Kimberly Schlapman, Karen Fairchild, Phillip Sweet

Willie Geist, Kimberly Schlapman, Sheryl Crow

Emily Johnson, Arnita Ozgener

John Phillips, Nancy Hawley

Red and Shari Martin

Patrick and Clare Martinez, Rita Martinez and Charlie Nelson, Kristin Nelson

The

Interior Desin Collection

THROUGHOUT HIS PROLIFIC CAREER, renowned interior designer Albert Hadley infused his portfolio with distinct flair and personality. The Tennessee native was a premier decorator for high society, tastefully combining classic and contemporary styles. His prominent clientele included Al and Tipper Gore, Diane Sawyer and the Astor and Getty families.

In 1962, Albert met designer Sister Parish, who would become his long-term collaborator. The two kicked off their partnership in style by designing the White House breakfast room for then-First Lady and President Jacqueline and John F. Kennedy. Two years later, Sister and Albert formed the revered design firm Parish-Hadley.

Albert carried his belief that the best rooms have history into every home he worked on. The Nashville Public Library preserved his creative eye by curating the Albert Hadley Interior Design Collection, which features over 800 personal and professional sketches from 1940 to 2010. The collection gives onlookers a glimpse into Albert’s artistic vision, further solidifying his legacy as one of the nation’s most celebrated designers.

BY MADELEINE BRADFORD SKETCHES COURTESY OF THE NASHVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY