Top Knot Vintage Comes to Nashville and Is Here To Stay

By Kristie Patterson

MTSU Raider Shakedown Reporter

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Top Knot Vintage has come to East Nashville, specifically to 307 N. 16^th St. and they don’t plan to leave.

Top Knot Vintage has brought a refreshing new element of vintage to fashion lovers around the East Nashville area since the beginning of March 2016.

            The owner, Taylor Sorrell, originally started the business as a traveling pop-up store. Eventually, he was approached by the owners of another vintage clothing store in Nashville called Local Honey who asked to enter a partnership and sell clothing in his store.  Top Knot Vintage has grown tremendously over the last few months, and according to Sorrell, there are no plans to slow down.

Sorrell says there might be expansion plans in the future. The short-term goal is to move to a bigger space located in Nashville and long-term is to open up multiple locations in bigger cities across the U.S., such as New York City, Los Angeles, etc.

Sorrell who is originally based in Nashville Tennessee, has a love for true vintage, but he struggled to find actual vintage.

“Everything was either too western, old school or overpriced,” said Sorrell.  He started collecting pieces, and his house became covered in clothing. Top Knot Vintage was born when he decided that he needed to do something with his vintage inspiration.

            In addition to being a popular vintage spot to look for unique fashion statements, Top Knot Vintage brings in new discoveries each week. Sorrell’s main focus is to find real vintage items that other Nashville stores don’t find locally or for a good price. Although similar to stores such as Buffalo Exchange and Local Honey, there is a different element brought to Top Knot Vintage.

 “Mostly ‘90s style clothing, but some ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s are mixed in, too.” Said Sorrell, when describing TKV. The clothing that we pick is all personally curated by us, so we have quality control. I would describe our clothing as vintage threads with modern fits.”

            This brand new store offers great fashion that is affordable and one of a kind. For more information, the Top Knot Vintage Instagram’s page @topknotvintage shows a visual of what their store brings to the table.

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Pop-Punk Line-Up Proves Nashville Isn’t Just For Country Music

By Kendra Blake

The Wonder Years
(Image provided by Hopeless Records) 

            NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A bill of pop-punk bands drew a large, rowdy crowd from the country music capital to the Cannery Ballroom on Nov. 6 for a co-headlining tour between The Wonder Years and Motion City Soundtrack.

            Many tourists don’t see Nashville as anything more than the “Home of Country Music”, making them naïve to other music scenes that are alive and very prominent in this city. Proving this fact came as an easy task for the acts on this tour, starting with the Orlando-based quintet, You Blew It. Their catchy and lively melodies got the crowd dancing quickly and ready for more.

            Taking the stage next was a band from New York called State Champs for their fifth Nashville show over the last year.  Even though they were one of the openers for the show and the newest act on the bill, there were a lot of fans jumping around and singing along. The crowd responded extremely well to their set, which mixed a lot of their previous album with their most recent release.

            State Champs lead singer Derek DeScanio headed to the merch table as soon as their set was over to meet and talk with fans.  

“We can always count on a good turn out from this city,” DeScanio said. “There’s lots of energy out there. I know there are plans in the works to come back some time in the new year and we can’t wait.”

            After the break between sets, everybody in the room was anxious and eager for more. Finally, Motion City Soundtrack took over the stage and started their set with an older single “Everything Is Alright,” making the whole room jump and dance around. The band last played Nashville back in July to a sold-out show on their tour celebrating the 10-year anniversary to their most popular, fan-favorite album “Commit This To Memory.”

            While the entire line-up for this tour has very similar music styles, each act brings out different behaviors from the fans. When MCS was finished with its set, it became clear how anxious fans of The Wonder Years were becoming.

            The crowd at The Wonder Years shows can be intense and manic, and the band’s performance made sure that this show wasn’t any different. There was a mosh pit during most of their set while Dan “Soupy” Campbell, TWY’s lead singer, kept the fans engaged and having the time of their lives.

            Long-time fan Jesse Taylor took part in the madness of the crowd.

            “This is one of the best tours I’ve been to in a long time,” Taylor said. “These bands never disappoint.”

            This tour has just wrapped up its last shows in November. You can find more touring info for each band on their respective official websites: www.Motioncitysoundtrack.com, www.thewonderyearsband.com, and www.statechampsny.com.

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Railroad Workers Fear for their Jobs

By Ryan Barry

            NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Many Chessie-Seaboard X Transportation workers in Nashville are concerned about the stability of their jobs after two major production facilities shut down last month, leaving hundreds unemployed.

            The major railroad shipping company CSX Transportation is cutting back on production costs by removing two facilities responsible for maintenance and service of CSX train engines and railcars. The Erwin rail terminal was the first to be shut down, followed by the termination of the mechanical shops in Corbin.

            Nashville CSX machinists and railyard employees wonder what’s to come after CSX shut down their facilities in both Erwin and Corbin, Tenn., leaving nearly 500 people unemployed or in transition. Some employees from Corbin and Erwin may be eligible to transfer to other CSX facilities in higher demand across the region, such as Nashville, which would complicate matters for those that work there already.

Photo by Ryan Barry

            “We’re not really afraid that it’s going to happen here or that we’re going 
to get laid off,” CSX machinist Joseph Barry said. “It’s just that now there are experienced people from Corbin that could be transferred here, and that means we’ll be lower on the totem pole, which is bad news if they need to let people go.”

            A new deal is being discussed that would combine the machinist and pipefitting crafts into one master-engineer craft to compensate for the workers being shifted from the closed facilities. This deal has caused some unions to step away from the company while others stay. “We wanted to walk away, but if it means helping people keep their jobs, then we’ll see this through,” a union representative said. The representative wished to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the relationship among the union, the workers and the company.

            The official reason for the downsizing is a lack of need for repairs following a decline in coal traffic through the region. There are other implications that the downsizing of assets is signaling a potential merger in the near future, but that is currently unconfirmed.

            For more information about this story and news relating to CSX, go to the official website at www.csx.com.

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RENOVATION OF BELCOURT THEATRE TO BEGIN

 By Emily Anderson

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Belcourt Theatre in Nashville plans to temporarily shut its doors on Dec. 25, 2015 for an expected five-month renovation project.

 The Belcourt Campaign was started around early September of this year to raise funds to renovate the 90-year-old building. The goal of the campaign is to reach $4.5 million from gifts given to the theatre, as well as contributions from pledges. These funds will be used for campaign costs, equipment and furnishings for the new theatre and construction fees. So far, a little over $3 million have been collected.

The Belcourt is a widely admired theater in the Hillsboro Village area of Tennessee’s ever-growing state capital. It first opened in 1925 and re-opened in 1999 as a non-profit institution. The theatre provides the community with a wide variety of independent and classic films. The building, while aesthetically pleasing, is too small for the theatre’s popularity and is in need of refurbishment.

The blueprints for the renovation show larger theatres with new screens and improved sound systems to enhance the audience’s experience. The entrance and ticket booth are expected to be more accessible for patrons that require mobility devices. Bathrooms will also be made larger and more accommodating to movie-goers. A second-floor is also to be added, which will include a classroom for film education, as well as gathering rooms for pre- and post-screenings.

                            Image provided by The Belcourt Campaign

According to Brooke Bernard, the development director at The Belcourt, the renovation is too complex for the theatre to stay open during construction time, as there are no original blueprints available. The campaign has hired Tuck-Hinton Architects and R.C. Mathews Contractor to do the construction. These businesses have “planned the most effective, efficient construction schedule” for the renovation. Bernard says the building is expected to stay closed from January 2015 to June 2015, but the theatre is working with local businesses to show screenings when they are able.

Patrons still have a few weeks to enjoy the selection of films offered at The Belcourt Theatre. “Reservoir Dogs” is scheduled to play two days in a row at midnight after Thanksgiving weekend. More festive films like “Gremlins” and “Die Hard” are scheduled to play in December prior to the theatre’s renovation.

For more information on the renovation of The Belcourt Theatre, ways to donate, and a calendar of showings, visit www.belcourt.org.

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Cancer is Unmasked at Sarratt Art Gallery

 by Anna Ketron

            NASHVILLE, Tenn.- Cancer was unmasked in the Sarratt Art Gallery at Vanderbilt University from Oct. 30 through Nov. 21, where local artists shared their cancer stories through colorful masks.

            Sara Bickell, Cindy Young, Teresa Gray, Diane Sesler and Jennifer Wilkins were the local artists who showcased their creations in the “Courage Unmasked” exhibit.  These women are all local artists who have suffered from cancer in one way or the other.  The women thought of themselves, or their loved ones fighting cancer, as soldiers and wanted to show their strength through their masks.

“I am a warrior,” said Wilkins.  “We all fight battles whether internally, externally or both times simultaneously.  This collection of masks represents a variety of warriors.”

Photos provided by Facebook Courage Unmasked TN

            The masks represented cancer’s pain and struggle, but they also represented the fight to live and the will to keep going.

             “The masks were originally hospital masks the patients had to wear,” said Sarratt Center Administrative Assistant Annetta Picket.

            All of the masks were transformed into bold symbols.  The masks included a full rhinestone face and neck of a colorful toucan, a lion with skin made of Bible verses, and even one completely made of flowers and vines.  All of  these masks represented freedom, hope and courage.

The exhibit and the event’s website had sections designated towards donations for research. The website, http://www.courageunmaskedtn.org/, gave everyone the chance to participate and help out by donating money.  The site did not specify how much money was raised.   

“Courage Unmasked” supported research and promoted awareness of head and neck cancer in the Nashville area. The event was a collaborative effort with the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center here in Nashville.

CHRISTMAS VILLAGE AIDS SHOPPERS AND HELPS PHILANTHROPIES

BY BRITTANY HENLEY

             NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The annual Christmas Village shopping event reconvened this year from Nov. 11-13 at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds in Nashville to sell items and work with philanthropies benefiting thousands of people each year.

More than 200 volunteers from the Vanderbilt University chapter of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority held this event that has been going on for the past 55 years. All of the proceeds from the ticket sales go to philanthropies like the Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center, which provides services and treatments for those with hearing and speech disorders. The Mama Lere School for hearing loss and the Pi Beta Phi Rehabilitation Institute are two other programs that benefit from the event to help others through scholarships and physical therapy.

                  Ashley Seth is the co-chair of Christmas Village, and she works directly with the shoppers and merchants to make sure they both have a great experience. It is really satisfying for her to help start traditions for families who come every year, but the most meaningful thing for her is the philanthropic event.

“A lot of people know it is a great shopping event where they can come and get all of their Christmas shopping done early and find really unique gifts, but a lot of them don’t know that it’s for a great cause,” said Seth. “So, anytime they buy a ticket, they are helping philanthropies.”

            Last year, they raised more than $550,000 at the event, which was a record-breaking year for them. Over the 55-year history, they have raised more than $9.5 million for the causes they support. This year, the overall goal is to break the $10 million mark.

            Christmas Village is a great place to get early Christmas shopping done while also helping out charities. A range of items such as women’s clothing boutiques, food, toys and appliances can be found while shopping. They have new, unique products and merchants coming in every year, and a lot of the items are one-of-a-kind and can’t be found in a normal shopping mall.

            Among many other vendors, Joan Beaver of Parrotsville, Tenn., was there to display her booth once again for her third year. Her booth displayed soft sculpture dolls and realistic drawings of popular colleges, including Middle Tennessee State University.

“I started coming to Christmas Village because my daughter was a Pi Beta Phi and would volunteer here,” Beaver said. “She was living in Nashville during the time, so I decided to come and create my own booth.”

            Steven Bell from Franklin, Tenn., is another vendor who has been displaying his booth for 10 years at Christmas Village. His booth consisted of unique, quality pens made from interesting materials such as leather, olive wood shipped in from Bethlehem, and real bullets. Bell’s family had been coming to the shopping event annually before they got the idea to make the unique pens.

“We always try and source really interesting materials because we believe a pen is not just a writing instrument—it’s a conversation piece,” said Bell.

            For more information, and for those interested in coming to the event next year, visit Christmas Village’s website at http://www.christmasvillage.org/.

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Country Music Artist Jernie Gaining Exposure in Nashville

By Angelina Zervas

Raider Shakedown Reporter

Jernie singing at Rippy's

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- Country music performer Jernie covered the hit song “Here for the Party” by Gretchen Wilson during a high-energy performance on April 11 at Rippy’s Bar and Grill in downtown Nashville, Tenn.

Guitar player Jordan McCants introduced Jernie to the crowd. As she began to sing, the room came alive with pulsing energy, and the crowd began to cheer. By the end of her performance, the audience in the dining room was singing along.

“I was super nervous, and I knew the song, but I had to keep looking at the words,” said Jernie, whose popularity continues to grow.

Others have been quick to recognize the young artist's potential. She received $19,000 towards her tuition in 2014 after successfully auditioning, as a mezzo-soprano, for a vocal scholarship at Middle Tennessee State University.

On April 17, Jernie was inducted to Delta Omicron, a national music fraternity. She has been pledging the fraternity during the current semester, while taking eight classes to maintain a 3.8 GPA.

“I am so happy to be a member of a lifetime network of amazing musicians,” said Jernie.

    “Jernie is a great fit for Delta Omicron,” said Garrett Kahananui Doo, first vice-president of Delta Omicron. “She embodies the fraternal spirit and musical aspects of the organization. She is incredibly talented and loves to spend time with the members of Delta Omicron.”

Jernie

A native of Fort Pierce, Fla., Jernie started singing professionally at the age of 5. The artist's mother, Jennifer Talles, was amazed when she first heard Jernie belting out songs from “Annie” the musical. She and other family members later submitted a recording of Jernie signing “The National Anthem” to the Miami Dolphins. Before long, Jernie was performing at games for the Miami Marlins and other Florida teams.

“My grandpa bribed me to learn 'The National Anthem' for $20,” said Jernie.  

By age 9, Jernie was opening for major country music stars such as Willie Nelson, Taylor Swift, Brooks and Dunn, Vince Gill, Sugarland, Rascal Flatts, Billy Ray Cyrus and Trace Adkins.

Jernie's Album Cover

Jernie landed more exposure at age 13 when she debuted a self-titled album on Mirrome Records in 2007.

Jernie received her Associates in Science degree in Business from Indian River State College while performing locally to earn money.

Since moving to Murfreesboro to study music industry at MTSU, Jernie has been networking to help build her music career. Her Nashville debut performance came after meeting McCants, who works at Rippy’s. He offered her a Saturday night performance slot during his set.

McCants was so impressed by Jernie’s talent that he has offered her an opportunity to perform for the booking agent that represents a group of Nashville music venues.

“I think that Jernie has a wonderful voice,” Doo said. “She has a beautiful tone that spins and emotes really well. I see a lot for Jernie's future. I think that she has a great amount of potential, and she can go really far in her career. She has a natural musical gift and tons of charisma.”

Jernie hopes to land a job in the Nashville music industry while finishing her degree at MTSU.

Jernie

           To hear Jernie’s music, visit her My Space page at https://myspace.com/jernieonline/music/songs. To book Jernie, send an e-mail inquiry to Jernie.talles@icloud.com.

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