Issuu

F E B R UA RY 2 022 | TH E LO C A L LOV E I S S U E

Living on Purpose With

Radio Amy

M U S C A D I N E R E T R E AT

Mu sca di n e Ret re at is a priva te l a kefro nt h o me per fec t fo r a fam i l y g et away. B e au t i f u l l y d e c ora ted a nd s it uated be hi n d a ga ted entra n ce, th i s h o m e s l e e p s 10 an d b o as t s a g e nt l e wal k to th e water, a private b o a t l a u n ch , a n d a do ck th a t c an h o u s e a b o at an d a j et s k i -b r i ng you r own, or re nt one fro m o n e of o u r pa r tn er provi d e r s aro u n d t h e l ake . St ar t yo u r d ay wi th a cup of coffe e on th e l a rge sc reen ed- i n deck, a n d af te r a d ay o n t h e wate r, gather a ro u n d th e o u td o o r fi repl a c e for s’m o re s .

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

February Local Love

February 2022 PUBLISHER

Jennifer Downs | bellemeade@citylifestyle.com MANAGING EDITOR

Our February issue is dedicated to sharing about local love in our area. As you read about a few famous locals in our community and their stories of passion and self-expression, we hope you are inspired to pursue what you love. After all, February is the month of love. With the hectic schedules we often keep, it's easy to let our hobbies, talents and special interests fall by the wayside. We just have to be deliberate about allowing ourselves time to pour into interests that we love and that fill us up. So, while you fill your home with chocolates, flowers and valentines (and perhaps college basketball) this month, remember to give yourself some time to do what you love. Find what makes you feel alive, and don’t forget to share it with us. And while you are at it, don’t forget to shop local and support our local makers and artists right here in our community.

Jennifer Kaufman jennifer.kaufman@citylifestyle.com COPY EDITOR

Julie Brown Patton | julie.patton@citylifestyle.com AD DESIGNER

Matthew Endersbe LAYOUT DESIGNER

Jayme Emery CONTR IBUTING WR ITER S

Sue Baldani, Lacey Johnson, Julie Brown Patton CONTR IBUTING PHOTOGR APHER S

Solomon Davis, Christy Hunter, Susan Adcock, Ashley Hylbert, Ese Morrison

JENNIFER K AUFMAN, MANAGING EDITOR @BELLEMEADELIFESTYLE

Corporate Team CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Randy Radosevich CHIEF DIGITAL OFFICER Bruce Ianni DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson AD MANAGER Chad Jensen WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

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Proverbs 3:5-6 Belle Meade Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Belle Meade area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Belle Meade Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but

L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R

the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 2

inside the issue The Local Love Issue

F E ATU R E D

D E PA RTM E NTS

30 #PIMPINJOY and Living on Purpose With Radio Amy

Lifestyle Letter

City Scene

Business Monthly

Financial Buzz

Happy Hour

FO O D + B EV ER AG E

Giving Back

ST YLE + B EAU T Y

Locally Sourced

Must See

Inspired By

After Falling Into Radio By Accident, Amy Brown Inspires Millions Of Listeners By Humor And Heart

38 Most Insta-Worthy Walls in Nashville 42 Practically Divine

Inspiration, Hope And Healing Comes Through Dynamic Storytelling

48 Power Of One Museum

Nashville Hosts Only Museum Around The Globe Dedicated Solely To Preserving African American Music Essence

O N T H E C OV E R

Photography: Ashley Hylbert Amy Brown, aka, Radio Amy from the Bobby Bones Show. Styled by Carson Love

LO CA L S ERV IC E S

LI FE + C U LT U R E

LI FE + C U LT U R E ENT ERTA I NMENT

2225 Bandywood Dr. Nashville, Tennessee

FI N D WHAT YOU L OVE , LOV E WHAT YOU FIND As the Georgian Project progresses, it is transforming into a blend of a brand new house and a classic 1960’s ranch. The existing home is special with 10 foot ceilings, great flow, and an amazing lot. So, in February, we want to focus on love. We are loving what we are finding for and in the house. Of course, there have been some surprises that we don’t love, but even those have led to loving things we found to fix them. It is hard to choose our favorite new design element for the home, because we love all of them. “A great thing about renovating a home is if you do not love it, do not add it,” says Joe Jennings, “I think the thing I am most excited about is the small roofline we have added over the garage doors (also called a garage arbor). It adds interest to the side of the house, and protects the garage from rain, but it looks like it was part of the original design. As a realtor and a designer, the best part of my job is helping home buyers see the possibilities to create something they love.” One thing that we loved when we found the house was all the natural light that came in through the floor to ceiling windows. Though they needed to be replaced, we did not want to alter the size or style. The Georgian Project is named after the street the house sits on, but it is also after the architecture of the home. The windows matched that style perfectly. “Now, the home is much more energy efficient with double panes, and changing the finish color made the home more modern and updated,” Joe adds. A perfect example of changing something you don’t love is the area behind the kitchen. What was a dark staircase up to a bedroom over the garage has been completely changed. “First, we expanded the area into the garage to add a mud room and we raised the ceiling to twelve feet,” says Joe, “Then we rebuilt the staircase to provide ample landings. Next to come is a fantastic handrail in a Chippendale style to add architectural interest and keep the area open and filled with light.” If you are loving the Georgian Project and want to read more about Joe Jennings and the renovation, go to www.readytosellnashville. com, and check out the Georgian Project

Joe Jennings Realtor®

615-971-1119 | www.bhhs.com Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Woodmont Realty 5107 Maryland Way # 100 Brentwood, Tennessee 37027

©2021 BHH Aff iliates, LLC . An independently owned and operated f ranchisee of BHH Aff iliates, LLC . Berkshire Hathaway HomeSer vices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeSer vices symbol are registered ser vice marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway aff iliate. Equal Housing Oppor tunity.

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F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 2

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen in the city. 1

7 5

(1-6): Southern Oak Wealth Holiday Party at The Sound Room at the W Hotel. 1. Ann Young, Jon Trusty, Patrick Poling 2: Mike and Holly Farley 3: Wilbert and Daphney Long 4: David and Morgan Leigh Ivey Marks 5: Paul England, Ann and Donnie Young, Adrianna Mansolino 6: Christian Poling and Katherine Robeson 7: Traci Snowden and Meg Epstein All Images Courtesy of Solomon Davis

C I T Y SC E N E

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CHRISTY HUNTER

9 SUSAN ADCOCK, COURTESY OF NASHVILLE BALLET

SUSAN ADCOCK, COURTESY OF NASHVILLE BALLET

CHRISTY HUNTER

SUSAN ADCOCK, COURTESY OF NASHVILLE BALLET

(8-10): This year’s Iris Ball benefiting the Oasis Center 8. Milan Nolen, Brittany Rashkin, McKenna Monk, Sharon Okaah, Sara McCauley, Lane Latimer 9: Yosef Aborady, Connor Brennan, Sydney Johnson, Brendan Scanzano 10: Miss Tennessee – Tally Bevis 11-14: Nashville Ballet was thrilled to end 2021 with a special celebration of past Ballet Ball Chairs. The event took place at Belle Meade Country Club on Dec. 21, 2021 and included 20 of the past 33 event chairs.

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/B E L L E M E A D E

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F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 2

business monthly A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

Annual Iris Ball Supports Oasis Center Connections

Nashville Business Incubation Center Adds New Board Members

Historic Site & Winery Funds Tennessee State University Scholarship

The annual Iris Ball was hosted Jan. 8 at Marathon Music Works to support nonprofit The Oasis Center Connections, Nashville’s largest college access program dedicated to making college a reality for low-income, new American, and first-generation college students. OCC also provides mentors, year-round ACT prep courses and tutoring at Nashville State Community College. The black tie fundraiser included entertainment from Java Band, hors d'oeuvres, a silent auction and a wide selection of libations.

Angela Crane-Jones, CEO, Nashville Business Incubation Center (NBIC) announced the appointment of seven new junior board members: Leia Avery (Just Play Entertainment), Janelle Douglas (Janelle Douglas Real Estate), Justyn Carlson (Nashville Predators), Edric Hammond (State of Tennessee Governor’s Office of Diversity Business Enterprise), Alina Hall (United Capital Funding), Phylicia Moye (University School of Nashville), Jimmie Jones (Turner Construction) and Deprea Crane (Keller Schroeder).

Beginning this spring, Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery will fund a $10,000 annual scholarship through the History Department of Tennessee State University. This annual scholarship is an outgrowth of Belle Meade’s Journey to Jubilee Programming, started in 2018 as the site desired to explore the stories of the African Americans who were brought to and born at Belle Meade from 1807 through the years following Emancipation. For information about applying for this scholarship: TNState.edu/financial_ aid/scholarships.aspx. Photography Courtesy of Tennessee State University

If you want to be included, send us a message! Visit CityLifestyle.com/BelleMeade to get in touch.

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Cultivate a Fresh Perspective with Whole Home Organization Tailored Living’s expertly-designed organization solutions respect your tangibles by creating storage space unique to their use and functionality. New Book Spotlights Belle Meade, As Composed By Local Historian Local historian Ridley Wills II published his most recent book, “Belle Meade: A Legacy of Land, Lives, and Love," as commissioned by Mayor James Hunt. Ridley, 87, grew up in Belle Meade. Previously, he's written about history of local landmarks, such as the Belle Meade Plantation, Harding Pike, Chickering Lane, Montgomery Bell Academy and the Belle Meade Country Club -- 30 books in total. The book sells for $34.95 at Belle Meade City Hall.

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F IN A N CIA L BU Z Z | LOCA L S E RVI CE S

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS SOUTHERN OAK WEALTH GROUP

When investing money and developing a portfolio, one wants a certified financial planner who understands unique needs and goals. Someone nearby who can sit down and carefully come up with a strategy to make the most of money now, and in the future, is helpful. “Everyone is a little bit different,” says J. Patrick Poling, founder, managing director and senior portfolio manager of Southern Oak Wealth Group, which opened in Brentwood in 2019. “There is a formula that calculates if someone is this age, then they need to be invested in this much stock, this many bonds. But this formula doesn’t always apply to everyone, so we like to dig a little deeper.” As an independent firm, the advisors at Southern Oak (all of whom came from Merrill Lynch and are from the area) have the freedom and knowledge to go beyond these formulas and steer clients in the right direction for their unique needs. Patrick and his partners, Jonathan Trusty and Ann Hollis-Young, have been together for 10-plus years, although Jonathan and Ann were with Merrill Lynch/ Bank of America in some capacity for 13 and 14 years, respectively. “We brought our whole team with us, and clients made the move with us,” says Patrick.

ARTICLE BY SUE BALDANI

“Most of our business has grown through referrals from these and other current clients. We’ve also gotten a lot of new business from people who have moved into the area from out-of-state, because we are able to set them up right here where they live.” Southern Oak also believes in helping clients by connecting them with other local advisors, such as estate planning attorneys, accountants, and bank executives. “We are able to point them in the right direction, whether that be finding an attractive mortgage rate, setting up an estate plan, or finding a good local bank for a business loan,” he says. “I think that’s one of the big advantages of being tapped into not just the community, but other businesses around town as well. When everyone is local, it makes that team more cohesive, which benefits our clients.” He adds that most of their clients are small business owners based in Tennessee. “It helps to connect them with these other advisors, other clients and other business owners right here in their own community.” Another advantage of knowing the area is having the ability to make clients aware of the many local commercial and industrial real estate investment opportunities. “Much of what we deal with branches outside of just

CONTINUED > FEB R UARY 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/B E L L E M E A D E

the normal stocks and bonds,” says Patrick. “A lot has to do with local real estate opportunities in Tennessee that we are familiar with and clients who live here are familiar with, so they can speak to us freely about those things. We can help weigh in on these investments.” He says the relationships he and his team have developed with clients through the years have been a nice bonus. “We’ve gotten so close to some of our clients that we go to their kids’ weddings, we have them over for lunch, or go to parties with them, so there is a big social aspect.” 615.246.5510 SouthernOakWealthGroup.com

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BUTCHERTOWN HALL Located at Germantown’s Morgan Park, Butchertown Hall cooks up wood-fired premium cuts, craft tacos and Tex-Mex standards, accompanied by hand-crafted cocktails and a mighty margarita. Sip something such as their PineappleSage Soda, made by steeping pineapple juice with fresh sage or Strawberry-Limeade Soda.

STK STEAKHOUSE STK has created a harmony between the modern steakhouse and chic lounge. Their “Don’t Mock Me” mocktail is the perfect refresher, with watermelon water, cucumber juice and mint as its headliners.

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Photo by Mary Craven [left to right] Strawberry Cucumber Spritz, Creamsicle, Mint to Be, and Cranberry Ginger Beer

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/B E L L E M E A D E

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FEB R UARY 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/B E L L E M E A D E

#PIMPINJOY AND LIVING ON PURPOSE WITH RADIO AMY AFTER FALLING INTO RADIO BY ACCIDENT, AMY BROWN INSPIRES MILLIONS OF LISTENERS BY HUMOR AND HEART ARTICLE BY LACEY JOHNSON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ASHLEY HYLBERT

G IV IN G BAC K | STY L E + BE AUTY

There’s a quote from one of Napoleon Hill’s books that reads, “Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.” It lands in my consciousness as Amy Brown, co-host of iHeartRadio’s award-winning “The Bobby Bones Show,” doting wife and hard-working mom, lounges on a sofa in her cozy, light-filled Brentwood home. Amy seems unequivocally kind. She’s modest, too, almost unaware of her status. Or, at the very least, she isn’t entangled in the glorification part of it. She’s a real girl’s girl–the kind of friend you’d phone in a crisis because you’d know her doors would swing open for you. She not only wears her heart on her sleeve, but isn’t ashamed to let it bleed a bit–vulnerably but mostly generously. It’s clear that, more than anything else, she’s decided to be amongst the rare breed of human beings that make other human beings feel happy about being here, no matter how cold and scary the world might turn at times. If you were to pass her in the produce aisle, it’d be a stretch to imagine that she’s an essential part of the weekday morning routines of millions upon millions of fans across about 180 radio stations in the United States and Canada. Or that she also co-hosts two wildly popular, nationally syndicated weekend programs as well: “Country Top 30 with Bobby Bones” and “Women of iHeartCountry.” Somehow, miraculously, the recognition hasn’t wormed its way into her beautiful head. Of course, maybe that’s because she never saw it coming, and hasn't had much of a chance to slow down since. “I try not to think about how widely syndicated the show is, because it can get overwhelming. Mostly, I concentrate on connecting with individuals. Because, at the end of the day, that’s what we’re doing,” she says.

On an unremarkable day in 2005, a 25 year-old Amy, still living in her native state of Texas with no plans of ever leaving, naively Googled: “What do radio DJs make?” Amy was single, childless and working in sales when her pal, Bobby Bones, asked her to join his established radio show as a co-host. His goal was to form a group of folks around the microphone who lacked formal training, and who were game to show up as nothing other than their colorful, quirky, unrehearsed selves. Ones who’d be willing to shine a spotlight over both the dazzling milestones and dirt-kicking realities of life, along with the unexceptional chapters in between. He had a hunch that she could champion exactly that. Amy confesses that, early on, she never saw it as a professional move. “I didn’t see radio as a career at first, because it hadn’t been on my radar. At most, I thought it might be a fun experiment for a while,” she says, laughing. A bit torn about stepping into an unfamiliar world, Amy sought guidance from her mother, who was quick to shout her encouragement. “My mom said to me, ‘Amy, if there’s ever a time in your life where it's a good idea to leave something secure and go try something fun, now’s the time.’ So that’s what I did,” she says. Amy is a shining example that, though it’s common for humans to wait for the heavens to part and rain down with instructio, perhaps hoping for a sign on the side of the road or an audible voice that’ll reveal their divine purpose, that’s seldom how it happens. Because, most of the time, the answers are sneakily hidden within our innate talents, gifts and personality quirks. Always at home in front of the microphone, Amy says she was often scolded for being chatty during classes at school, and that she never felt intimidated by an audience. “I didn’t have aspirations for a public presence, but I was at ease being on stage. So, really, I believe this is what I meant to do all along. It just took me a unique way to get here,” she says. In the early days, “The Bobby Bones Show” was based in Austin, Texas, reaching a modest audience CONTINUED >

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within the pop market. Initially, Amy signed a contract for two years. Then for another two years. Then another. In 2013, IHeartRadio moved the show to Nashville, crowning it its own nationally syndicated entity in the country world. Over the years, listeners have followed along with Amy’s highest of highs and hardest of lows–from becoming a giddy fiance to ‘Airforce Guy,” to then supporting her new husband from afar through several stretches in Afghanistan, to her mother’s relentless battle with cancer, to seven years of unexplained infertility, and to her unconventional entrance into motherhood by adopting two older children from Haiti. She’s used her personal narratives as a tool to spark connection and empathy–inviting listeners to search for the resilience within themselves, no matter the struggles they might be staring down. “As we’ve shared our joys for listeners, they’ve found theirs. As we’ve shared our sorrows, they’ve felt less alone,” Amy says. While some of her favorite memories on air include moments such as being surprised by George Strait or sitting side stage at the Ryman Auditorium, watching Brooks & Dunn perform “Neon Moon” With Bobby’s band, The Raging Idiots, there’s one experience that goes down in history as the most unforgettable of them all. To give some backstory, Amy’s mom, Judy, who was not only hell bent on keeping a tight grip on her sass during her fight against cancer, but to celebrate it, inspired a movement that would accidentally, but most fantastically, go viral. Knowing her listeners were inspired by her mom’s fiery spirit and cheerful attitude, and that they appreciated being kept in the loop on her progress, and also knowing that her mom had long and daunting hours of downtime to be spent at the hospital while awaiting chemotherapy treatments, Amy decided to create a Twitter account for her. While setting it up, Amy jokingly typed in @Judybepimpinjoy, specifically because @ Judychoosesjoy wasn’t available. It had a nice ring to it, so they rolled with it. Hilariously, listeners joined in with their virtual glasses held high, toasting to the spunky gleefulness of it all. Soon after, Bobby started encouraging listeners to hashtag “PIMPINJOY.” Within months, it had become a full-on movement that was taking on a life of its own. Its message was simple: Infect the world with kindness. Spread joy to others anytime you feel inclined, as often as possible, in whatever means you can. As the movement caught fire, Bobby had the idea to host a week-long challenge of joy-filled spiritedness. Listeners were encouraged to strike anyone from co-workers to strangers with a bolt of kindness. Things like opening a door for another patron at the shopping mall. Flashing your cashier a warm smile while in line at the grocery store. Hitting your barista with a sunny compliment. One day, a woman called, spewing with awe and thankfulness. Except, strangely, she’d never tuned into the show a day in her life.

G IV IN G BAC K | STY L E + BE AUTY

While in line at the tire shop, the caller had learned that all four of her tires needed to be replaced immediately. A struggling mother, she didn’t have the funds to make that happen, mumbling to the service attendant, “I can only do one today, but I’ll come back and do the others when I can...” But, as it happens, a fan of “The Bobby Bones Show” was listening from the back of the line, to which he responded, “I’d like to get all four tires for her!” The woman, feeling a wave of embarrassment, tried to talk him out of it, but he insisted, saying, “It’s Joy Week on this radio show I listen to. I’ve got it.” Amy says she and her co-hosts still don’t know who the listener is. He never called in to make himself known. But they were able to confirm this: The show was impacting not only listeners, but was seeping into the entire world in wonderfully altruistic and healing ways. “I still get goosebumps, even now, telling that story. I’ll never forget it. And I’m sure there are other amazing examples of generosity that the show has inspired– things we’ll never know about. I’m just grateful to play a role in it,” Amy says. Sadly, in 2014, Amy’s mom succumbed to her fight against cancer. In response, Amy had “joy” tattooed onto her wrist, in her mom’s handwriting, in honor of her. Because, in choosing joy for herself in such a dark time, her mother spread immeasurable joy to others as well, almost certainly in ways that continue to outlive her. Amy is cautious to add that #PIMPINJOY isn’t at all about linking arms with toxic positivity, however, nor is it about denying the graveness of any situation. It’s about letting yourself have hard days or seasons, be honest about them, and then give yourself permission to find the light again, over and over again. Since #PIMPINJOY's accidental inception, “The Bobby Bones Show” collaborated with The Shop Forward (founded by Meri Barnes), to make an apparel line with 100 percent of proceeds going to various causes and charities. This partnership was the springboard for another brand Amy co-founded with Barnes, she called ESPWA (meaning "hope" in Haitian Creole). ESPWA is a clothing & accessories line that supports different organizations in Haiti, a corner of the world that is near to Amy's heart. After a visit to what she calls “a beautiful country” in 2012, Amy and her husband made the decision to start a long, fiveyear process of adopting their two children from an orphanage in Port-Au-Prince; Stevenson, now 11, and Stachira, now 14. Having been a mom for four years, when she speaks of them, it’s clear she cares deeply for their safety and well-being in the same way any loving mother would. And, though, to the world, it might appear that she rescued them, she emphasizes that they also rescued her. CONTINUED >

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/B E L L E M E A D E

“Our children have given my husband and me the amazing gift of teaching us about some of our deepest wounds,” Amy says. In addition to her national radio presence and joy-filled entrepreneurial ventures, she’s also got a terrifically successful podcast, 4 Things With Amy Brown, through iHeartRadio. Dr. Oz, Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman are among her roster of eminent guests. She covers topics such as navigating grief, the power of vulnerability and honing the magic of gratitude, to the proper way to dry brush. And, sometimes, she simply answers listeners’ emails. Not surprisingly, in classic Amy Brown fashion, she continues to find new ways to create possibility within hardship. In 2020, in the midst of a global pandemic, with an ill father (who, heartbreakingly, would pass away the following year), she expanded her podcast presence, teaming up with iHeartRadio to launch The Amy Brown Podcast Network, which now features a slate of voices in the realm of health and wellness, including OUTWEIGH, which she co-hosts with her friend Lisa Hayim, a registered dietician and wellness expert, covering the nuances of recovering from disordered eating. She’s so passionate in her mission to dash the world with hope, she once face-planted into a tree. “I was in downtown Austin for the iHeartCountry Festival and saw someone wearing a #PIMPINJOY hat. I shouted, ‘Oh my gosh, Hiiii!’ I was so excited that I ran right into the tree. It was one of those moments where a city street camera would have made for some funny material,” Amy says, laughing. For Amy, all of this is to serve as a reminder that we’re never alone, and that we each move through unseen struggles as we trek along the path of our individual stories. It’s an invitation to remember that, while none of us are immune to despair, we can show up as evidence of compassion and empowerment for others, in the same way we’ll undoubtedly need someone to show up for us, too. And, most of all? It’s the audacity to find joy and laughter along the way, no matter what comes.

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Inspiration, Hope And Healing Comes Through Dynamic Storytelling

M UST SE E | L IFE + CU LTURE

Becca Stevens

Many people know Becca Stevens and the amazing work she and others have accomplished through Thistle Farms in Nashville, a global movement for women’s freedom. It has changed the course of many women’s lives, especially those who have experienced emotional and physical traumas. “I’m part of a large circle where hands are holding hands,” she says. “I love being a part of a larger story, of a community doing that healing work, so it’s not just me as an individual. The circle keeps expanding and inviting more people in for healing.” Another way she's inviting people in is through some good old-fashioned storytelling. Full of inspiration, insight and her mother’s own words, her new book, Practically Divine, released in October of 2021, is also deep, humorous and infused with love. “If I distilled my faith down to a word, it is ‘love’,” says Becca. “That’s why there are volumes, tomes, operas and books all based around it. The world is saying it’s the essence of who we are and Whose we are. It’s the most powerful force.” One of her inspirations for writing the book came from running into her abuser’s grandson at the café she built at Thistle Farms (Becca was sexually abused at the age of 5). “That was a big one,” she says. “It triggered this whole idea of my past and my present and how I could see this divine thread throughout, and how it was easy to feel like I was coming from a place of really wanting nothing but the best in love and compassion for this young man. I was also thinking how my mom would have been so happy and proud if she would’ve lived to see it.” Practically Divine, she says, is gleaned from 25 years of being in a community that’s learning to see the beauty in our imperfections, to see the wonder in our brokenness. “I thought it was time to really bring it all together,” says Becca.

“Not only the stories, but also the wisdom that I was able to be a part of and share. It’s a really hard time in our country, so it was the right time for remembering that we are practically divine.” The book is threaded throughout with sayings from her mother, Anne -- which even 25 years after her death -- Becca still reflects on to get her through the challenges and vagaries of life. She wants these phrases to serve as jumping-off places for deeper thought and conversation. “The one I started with is ‘In Broad Daylight.’ She used to say things like ‘Someone just cut me off in broad daylight!’ all the time, and it’s the idea of the audacity of people doing things like that in the light of day. How is it we think that if we do something in the dark it’s somehow better and we can get away with it?” Another is 'Who promised you fair?' “And it has to be with her tone of voice,” says Becca. “She was a single mom to five kids – tell me about not fair.” (Becca’s dad died when she was a young 5 years.) “Basically, she was saying you might as well go look for something else like mercy, or compassion, or resiliency, because life isn’t fair.” Of course, her personal experiences with childhood abuse and poverty played a big part in writing the book. “Starting at around 5 years old, it influenced everything in my life,” she says. “It influenced how I got married, how I parented, how I chose my work. It influenced how I saw the world and how I read the news. But hopefully it also gave me the desire to dig deeper and find truth. It gave me some humor and it gave me some courage to speak the truth when I saw it. I was scared to write it because there were some people who were mad about some of the stuff I was writing. All of us want to be liked, but all of us also want to be free, and those don’t always go together.”

CONTINUED > FEB R UARY 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/B E L L E M E A D E

“I love being a part of a larger story, of a community doing that healing work, so it’s not just me as an individual. The circle keeps expanding and inviting more people in for healing.” In addition to healing others, writing the book was also a healing process for her. She found the solace and inspiration that she hopes to give to others who pick it up and read it. “I hope when finished with it, they have an insight into their own lives and are inspired to react to that insight in a different way,” says Becca. “It’s a call for reflection first, and then a call to action.”

She adds, “It’s a great book to give to someone who is going through a life transition or someone who is starting a new venture. Many times when people are starting something new, they are open to new ideas, and this might be a beautiful book to carry with them into that new venture.” Order Practically Divine from Amazon, or at ThistleFarms.org/pages/practically-divine.

L E A R N M O R E : To purchase tickets to Thistle Farm’s next conference in Nashville in March, go to ThistleFarms.org.

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Power Of One Museum NASHVILLE HOSTS ONLY MUSEUM AROUND THE GLOBE DEDICATED SOLELY TO PRESERVING AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSIC ESSENCE ARTICLE BY JULIE BROWN PATTON PHOTOGRAPHY BY ESE MORRISON (353 MEDIA GROUP)

After a long-awaited opening originally slated for 2020 and postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic conditions, the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville officially opened Jan. 18, 2021. Now it reigns as the only museum in the world dedicated solely to preserving African American music traditions and celebrating the central role African Americans played in shaping American music. The museum integrates history and interactive technology to honor the musical heroes of African American music of the past and present. Tours begin daily at 9 a.m. and occur every half hour. National chairs include musicians and singer-songwriters Darius Rucker, India Arie, Keb’ Mo’ and CeCe Winans. Modern country music artist Vince Gill is among the group's board of directors. Background: In 2002, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce members proposed the idea of NMAAM as a way to celebrate and preserve the influence African Americans had on music. They established a task force to explore all of the possibilities. As the project matured, the scope changed from a local to a national initiative, and simultaneously narrowed its focus from music, culture and arts to focus exclusively on music. Construction for the museum initially was slated for Jefferson Street, but in

2015, Nashville city officials announced plans to redevelop the former convention center site. Included in those plans was a prominent, state-of-the-art location for NMAAM. Since that time, NMAAM developed unique programs and offerings without a physical exhibit space. The National Museum of African Ameri can Music broke ground in early 2017. "As an educational facility, national tourist destination and economic development engine for Middle Tennessee, NMAAM is a vibrant museum where youth, artists and families find creative and cultural inspiration," says museum president and CEO Henry Beecher Hicks III. “We've been preparing for this for more than 20 years, but this museum has actually been 400 years in the making. We welcome music lovers from around the world. We also thank the thousands of people who've supported us, as we celebrate the history of African American music, which truly is the soundtrack of our nation.” NMAAM’s state-of-the-art performance hall now screens films, host lectures and stages concerts. The library houses classrooms, along with a vital repository of digitally mastered African American music. A boutique café and store provides additional ways for visitors to enjoy visits. The museum offers volunteer roles, as well as a speakers bureau and capital campaign. Online donations can be made ranging from $25 to $1,000. CONTINUED > FEB R UARY 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/B E L L E M E A D E

During last April, NMAAM and the CMA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Country Music Association, announced a partnership that offers the museum’s collaborative project, Music Legends & Heroes, to select high schools within Metro Nashville Public Schools. As part of the Music Legends & Heroes program, several musicians, including country artists Breland, Willie Jones, Reyna Roberts and Tiera mentored students, sharing their histories and answering questions about the industry. “NMAAM and the CMA Foundation have long shared the same mission of supporting Nashville schools through extensive music education and programs, so this partnership was a natural fit,” says Tamar Smithers, NMAAM education and public programs director. “We were thrilled to partner with the National Museum of African American Music, which has become an important fixture in the downtown Nashville landscape,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA chief executive officer. “NMAAM’s mission to educate the world, preserve the legacy and celebrate the role African Americans play in creating the American soundtrack goes beyond any single genre. We're delighted to work on the Music Legends & Heroes program, which provides students the opportunity to learn about all music.”

510 BROADWAY Visit Musem Wednesdays through Mondays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Museum is closed on Tuesdays. Amplify museum store open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

TICKET PRICES: • Adult (18 and older) — $24.95 each • Youth (Ages 7-17; 6 and younger are free) — $13.50 each • Senior (Age 65 and older) — $18.75 each • Student/Teacher/Military (valid ID required) — $18.75 each 615.301.8724 NMAAM.org

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