Attire that will transform any bride into a masterpiece
Classically Designed To Look Just As Appealing In 10-50 Years As It Does Today. 8,063 SF | 6 Bedrooms | 6 Full Baths | 1 Half Bath | 3 Car Garage | 1.03 Acre Site | Completed December 2024
Features Include: ·A stunning and smartly designed kitchen with a large scullery and domestic o ce/utility space. · e primary suite on the main level with soaring ceilings, a spa-like bath and abundant closet space. ·Four oversized en suite bedrooms upstairs plus a bonus area e terrace level o ers your choice of a separate apartment, or recreation area. A lovely screened porch with a replace plus an oversized deck o er year round outdoor living. All beautifully situated on an amazing one acre level lot suitable for a future pool, sport court, or gardens.
PINAFORE PINAFORE H.M.S. H.M.S.
by Gilbert & Sullivan by Gilbert & Sullivan Gilbert
TENNESSEE PERFORMING PERFORMING ARTS CENTER ARTS CENTER
features
Artfully Wed
Wearable art for walking down the aisle 41 Stand Beside You
Elegant wedding venues that offer an escape from the ordinary
50 Forever and Ever, Amen
The 40th annual Symphony Ball honors Randy Travis and John Esposito
59 Styll, Sparkling
Stephanie Styll makes a splash at her liquorless liquor store
63 That’s Your Cue
The Nashville Repertory Theatre celebrates 40 years
parties
Force for Change
A Place at the Table brings hope and opportunity
Mischievous Mice and Sugarplum Soldiers
Hundreds flock to the Fisher Center for a blockbuster Nutcracker tea
Winter Wonderland
The Symphony Ball Patrons Party sets the stage for the upcoming ball
74 A Gentlemen’s Agreement
Guests gather for the 24th annual Gentlemen’s Breakfast
Scarlett Burke of AMAX Talent in a SAINT Bridal Couture gown from Dress Theory. Photographed on location at The Fisher Center for the Performing Arts by Tausha Dickinson. For more bridal fashion, turn to page 21.
To New Beginnings
The new year brings new bridal looks and plenty of celebrations
EACH NEW YEAR brings the promise of transition and transformation — the possibility of something new. This is especially true for couples setting out on the path of marriage. As each bride or groom takes a step forward, they welcome a new phase of life and say goodbye to an old one.
This year, attire as art is one of the top wedding trends. Brides are making an entrance — and a statement — with their signature look. Our bridal fashion feature is full of artistic looks from top designers, which will transform any bride into a walking masterpiece. We also tour some of Nashville’s most beautiful wedding venues. And we go behind the scenes with master hair and makeup artist Madison Dennis of MHD Beauty.
This month, we introduce two new columns: Ndesign, featuring Music City’s makers and designers, and Worth the Drive, highlighting surprising new destinations within 300 miles of Nashville. Whitney Clay takes us inside Halls Catch, a new dining venture from the Hall family. And Carrington Fox invites us into Killjoy — a nonalcoholic bottle shop in East Nashville, perfect for the alcohol-free or the sober-curious.
Finally, we celebrate two major milestones. As the Symphony Ball reaches 40 years, we share in-depth coverage from the beautiful evening. And as the Nashville Repertory Theatre marks its 40th year in 2025, we explore the history and legacy of this artistic organization.
At the dawn of this new year, we want to thank each and every one of you for your support and friendship. We would not be able to continue this journey without you, our faithful reader. The future is bright, and we look forward to bringing you even more brilliant stories of the people and places that make Nashville such a vibrant community.
BY JANET KURTZ
Janet moved to Nashville 26 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
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
Marketing
events and marketing director
Robin Fomusa
brand partnerships & event manager
Alissa Wetzel
events coordinator
Maddy Fraiche
Advertising
publisher
Olivia Moye Britton
advertising solutions consultants
Teresa Birdsong, Maddy Fraiche, Michael Jezewski, Carla Mathis, Allie Muirhead, Heather Cantrell Mullins, Niki Tyree, Alissa Wetzel
associate account executive
Kailey Idziak, Rena Ivanov
sales operations manager
Chelon Hasty
advertising solutions associates
Audry Houle, Jack Stejskal
Circulation
circulation manager
Gary Minnis
Business
president
Mike Smith
chief financial officer
Todd Patton
IT director
John Schaeffer
Owner
FW Publishing, LLC
Bill Freeman
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 educational programs that develop confidence, creativity, and cognitive skills through the arts.
The annual Season for Young People introduces students from 295 schools to the performing arts with more than 50% of young audiences receiving free or nominally priced tickets to attend!
From Aladdin to The Lion King, Disney Musicals in Schools sustains after-school theatre programs with multi-year instruction, allowing more than 350 students to present their own Disney musical each year!
The Spotlight Awards celebrate the musical and theatrical talents of more than 3,000 local rising artists from Tennessee high schools by providing unique opportunities to learn from Broadway veterans.
Your membership support changes lives. As a nonprofit center of learning, artistic creativity, and community access, TPAC needs your support, either through an annual gift or a monthly giving plan, to serve as the cultural cornerstone for our communities in Nashville and across Tennessee.
International Dance Series brings the breathtaking artistry and athleticism of renowned dance companies center stage. On January 31 and February 1, the Martha Graham Dance Company celebrates its 100th anniversary at TPAC performing the iconic Appalachian Spring, set to Aaron Copland’s famous score. From March 7–8, Ballet Folklorico de Mexico brings the vibrant folklore, costumes, music, and dance of Mexico’s rich history to TPAC!
JAN 31 | 7:30pm FEB 1 | 2pm & 7:30pm Ballet Folklórico de México Mar 7 | 7:30pm Mar 8 | 7:30pm
Behind the Scenes
With Madison Dennis of MHD Beauty
A FARMER’S DAUGHTER. A singer. A pageant competitor. A Belmont alumna. All things that describe Madison Hardy Dennis. Today, though, she’s settled on one title: entrepreneur.
The longtime Nashvillian launched MHD Beauty in 2014 and followed up by starting her MHD Cosmetics brand the following year. After years of doing hair and makeup for brides and pageant girls, Madison took things to the next level in 2023 and opened MHD Beauty Parlor, a Berry Hill outpost that emblematizes her hard work. Now, Madison has her eye on the future.
THE BASICS
Hometown: Philadelphia, Miss.
ZIP code: 37211
Time in Nashville: 17 years
Number of fake eyelashes used in a wedding season: Me?
Probably about 400 annually. Our team? Thousands.
As she works toward expanding her business outside of Nashville, Madison remains committed to operating her company with integrity and passion. No matter how big her business gets, she continues to chase and celebrate “the best feeling in the world” — making someone’s wedding- or pageant-day dreams a reality.
What did you want to be when you were younger? I always said I wanted to be a singer, a cosmetologist or a meteorologist. Singing brought me to Nashville many times to record music, attend shows and network, and I eventually ended up at Belmont University to pursue a music business degree.
The music industry is an ever-changing landscape. And once I figured out the life of a singer wasn’t what I wanted long-term, I shifted gears into the beauty world. As for meteorology, I still get giddy over weather and celestial events!
What’s your No. 1 tip for a bride on her wedding day? It actually has nothing to do with glam. Every bride should turn her phone off and just enjoy the day. Delegate everything to someone else ahead of time, and just enjoy the process of getting ready with your people without distractions. We rarely have permission to shut off the outside world and be fully present for a once-in-a-lifetime event.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Run your business with integrity. It’s so easy to get discouraged when your growth doesn’t match the hard work you’ve put in. But at the end of the day, if you are running your business with integrity, you will have longevity. That is the most important thing to me.
What’s the most memorable or proudest moment from your career? Working with my brother, HARDY, on the music video set for “One Beer,” which went on to become his first No. 1 hit as an artist. I have the platinum record hanging up in my office at the beauty parlor.
How do you want to continue to leave your stamp on the city of Nashville? I started MHD Beauty with a mission to make every client feel understood, confident, empowered and beautiful. We do that through listening, meeting people where they are, and providing highly skilled services for them. We will continue to do that for the people of Nashville as long as we are able.
BY PAIGE GAWLEY
PHOTOGRAPH BY ANGELINA CASTILLO
Name: Madison Hardy Dennis
Sea Change
The Hall family, known for its steakhouses, is trying something new with Halls Catch
IT’S NOT UNUSUAL for a restaurateur to listen to customer requests and tweak an ingredient in a dish or add a garnish to a cocktail. A chef might even consider a new menu item if patrons persuasively plead their case. But creating a whole new restaurant? That’s going the extra mile.
The Hall family, who brought the Charleston, S.C., favorite Halls Chophouse to Nashville’s Broadwest complex in 2022, had planned for the adjoining space to be another one of their brands, Slightly North of Broad, a Southern bistro. But over and over, locals kept requesting a seafood restaurant. The company listened.
“It finally stuck, and here we are with a fine-dining seafood restaurant,” says general manager Vladimir Simich. While the restaurant is the first of its kind for the Hall family, in typical fashion, the quality of the food is first and foremost.
“Our seafood is 24 to 36 hours out of the sea, and the Atlanta airport is our loading dock. Everything flies in,” says Chad Ellis, senior general manager of both Halls restaurants in Nashville. “Although we’re landlocked, this is the freshest seafood you can get in the country — if you’re not sitting outside fishing.”
While seafood dominates the menu, overseen by Executive Chef Morgan Lewis,
the ode to the sea is subtler when it comes to the design. The 7,000-square-foot restaurant, which seats a little over 200 guests, was intended to complement Halls Chophouse — only a hallway away — but have its own identity. Garvin Design Group out of Columbia, S.C., helmed the architecture and design for both restaurants.
“We wanted it to be very clean and fresh and new and modern — being in contrast to Halls [Chophouse], which is dark and moody and classic-clubby,” says Kim Moon, who was on the Garvin team that oversaw the project.
There are no fishing nets hanging from the ceiling and no anchors on the wall. The references are more nuanced. Two large abstract marine life paintings by wellknown South Carolina artist Mike Williams flank the front door. The upscale restaurant features an oceanic blue-green and brown tile floor. The bar has copper accents and a white quartz top with a pearl finish. The curved white ceiling in the main part of the restaurant evokes the ebb and flow of the ocean. “It’s very organic, rather than orthogonal,” says Kim.
BY WHITNEY CLAY PHOTOGRAPHS BY SAM CALDERON FOR HALLS CATCH
DINNER IS SERVED
The restaurant, open for dinner every day except Sunday, includes a sampling of sushi rolls, raw dishes and delicacies, like pure Beluga caviar at $750 for 30 grams. Seafood entrées include a Maine lobster, a whole Icelandic sole carved tableside, and a seafood stew featuring Alaskan king crab, mussels, clams, prawns, calamari and halibut in a tomato-sa ron broth. For those who prefer turf to surf, there’s a petite filet mignon, a Kansas City bone-in strip steak and Japanese Niigata Wagyu.
A HALL-WAY APART
Halls Chophouse and Catch are separated by a rug-clad hallway. They even share sta on occasion, especially if a customer visiting one restaurant has a favorite server from the other. They share the Port Room, a private dining room that can be used for corporate meetings. “The design does capture components of both spaces,” says Kim. The dining room is a little darker than Catch, but features white mesh light fixtures with silver elements — which, Kim says, remind her of oysters.
LETTING THE OUTSIDE IN
A popular spot is the year-round heated patio, which has a beautiful view at night. All the concrete and commercial buildings in midtown seemingly fade away, replaced by colorful, nighttime city lights. Floor-to-ceiling windows can be fully opened, weather permitting. Dark-brown rattan chairs surround light wood tables, and the room is dotted with plants. There’s a large-screen TV above the patio bar, so dinner out doesn’t mean missing a big game. As Vladimir says, “It’s fine dining, but relaxed fine dining.”
Ndesign: Cory Beasley, Oxbow Woodworks
Creating pieces to tell stories for generations to come
A STROLL THROUGH the tidy workshop of Oxbow Woodworks makes it easy to understand why artisan woodworker Cory Beasley doesn’t like to do the same thing twice. For Cory and his creative team, Yosely Pereira and Aaron Jackson, there are just too many new and intriguing puzzles to solve to spend time doing things they’ve already done.
Sure, they’ll construct two matching tables from a single fallen tree. Or restore a pair of symmetrical pews from the church where a couple got engaged. Or shape a waist-high pile of identical spindles to preserve a historic staircase railing. But once the sawdust settles on each painstaking project, Cory is looking for the next novel challenge.
“If it’s made of wood, we can build it,” says Cory, who grew up in Alabama with a father and uncles who worked in carpentry, masonry and other skilled trades. In 2023, he founded Oxbow, naming it for a favorite bend in the Little Harpeth River, near the home he shares with wife Bari, executive director of the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County.
“With Bari’s job, we see a lot of historical houses and pieces,” Cory says, while standing near his table saw and looking across a field toward Franklin’s 19th-century landmark Beechwood Hall. Hand-hewn details of historic cabinetmaking, including mortise-and-tenon joinery and elaborate carving, inspire Cory to create furnishings to pass down through a family. “We want to show people we can still make fine things by hand,” he says. He calls these fine things “generational pieces.”
When a tree fell at Wyatt Hall on Franklin Pike, Cory and the homeowner harvested, milled and dried the fallen wood. Oxbow used it to construct a console table for the house, which has stood on the property since 1800.
When the picket gates at historic Old Town in Franklin needed new life, Oxbow duplicated them.
When a family in Williamsport, Tenn., disassembled a historic barn, Cory salvaged the siding — made from trees grown on-site — to create tables and porch swings to return to the property.
“Every piece we make, I hope it tells a story,” says Cory, who brims with anecdotes of working with clients to create generational pieces. In some cases, a client provides a photograph or an original piece to work from. In others, the client gives Oxbow free rein to deliver a finished product.
“So far, everybody has liked it,” Cory says, looking at piles of seasoned wood stacked and ready for a year’s worth of commissions. “So far, everybody has come back.”
BY CARRINGTON FOX PHOTOGRAPH BY ERIC ENGLAND
Worth the Drive: Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards
The Virginia Highlands offer a serene getaway, with a glass of wine or two
In a new regular column, journalist Margaret Littman highlights unusual luxury travel experiences, particularly those that are an easy trip from Nashville.
NICEWONDER. IT’S NOT JUST a clever name. In fact, it was the actual last name of Don Nicewonder, a business executive and philanthropist who had the vision for what is now a luxury golf getaway in Bristol, Va. Nicewonder (the man) dreamt of having a PGA-worthy golf course in the Virginia Highlands. Over the years, he developed The Virginian Golf Club and Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards, an adjacent destination for visitors.
It is a wonder how nice this oasis is. As you drive in, you’re surrounded by rolling hills, some sport-
ing their natural topography and others planted full of foliage and blooms that provide four-season interest. You see neat rows of vineyards, and eventually, a white inn rising over the surrounding landscape, feeling more like a European villa than a spot just 20 miles from a popular NASCAR track. All befitting a place with this name.
Your arrival is anticipated. As soon as you approach the inn, the staff is waiting in the parking lot to grab your luggage and start your vacation with impeccable service.
Thanks to the vision of Mr. Nicewonder — and his family, who have taken the reins since his passing in 2022 — this is a serene mountain retreat. It’s a place for low-key lounging and reflection.
WHAT’S NEARBY
Nicewonder is on the Virginia side of the city of Bristol, a charming town in the Appalachian Mountains that straddles the Tennessee-Virginia line. Bristol is bustling and historic, and sometimes caught up in its campiness of being in two states at once.
It’s home to the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, and it’s thought to be the first place country music was ever recorded. Other country music street cred includes being the home of Tennessee Ernie Ford and the last place Hank Williams was seen alive. Head to the Burger Bar diner on Piedmont Avenue to have a sandwich and visit that last spot in Williams’ history.
All that activity — including bars, restaurants and shops (check out the denim at LC King Manufacturing) — is less than a 20-minute drive from the bucolic hills of Nicewonder.
WHAT TO DO
On a clear day, start with a helicopter ride over these 450 verdant acres, and take in all that is nestled in these mountains. Play 18 holes on the Tom Fazio-designed course at The Virginian Golf Club, Nicewonder’s sister property. Go fly-fishing. Head to the spa. Look out at the landscape from the infinity pool. Take a yoga class. Shoot arrows at the archery range. Go hiking. Or, most luxurious: Do nothing. Enjoy sitting in the occasional swing or bench built along the walking trails for a respite.
Whether or not you’re an oenophile, it’s worth taking a farm tour followed by a wine tasting. Learn about the Virginia-grown viognier, chardonnay, merlot, cabernet franc and petit verdot grapes that have been cultivated here since 2013.
THE BASICS
What: Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards
Where: Bristol, Va.
Distance from Nashville: 300 miles
Why it stands out: An 18-hole golf course, walking trails, a working vineyard, luxury yurts
WHERE TO EAT
Certainly, you can go into town to eat at some of Bristol’s hot spots, including Blackbird Bakery, known for their specialty from-scratch pastries. But the urge to stay put once you arrive will be strong.
Hickory, the inn’s restaurant helmed by James Beard Award-nominated chef Travis Milton, offers enough variety to lure you back multiple nights (and for brunch). This farmland grows herbs and vegetables, not just grapes for wine, and Milton uses much of the local bounty in his recipes.
In addition to Hickory, there's Taste, the indoor-outdoor tasting room at the winery, popular with locals and hotel guests who want to have a glass of wine with a view.
HOW TO GET A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP
Choose between the 28-room inn, with large rooms and ample amenities, or the yurt village, which has its own firepits and private community vibe. The yurts aren’t roughing it, with their high ceilings, 500 square feet (or more) of space, and luxury appointments. The pet-friendly yurt village is a short walk from the gym, spa, inn and restaurants, but is also self-contained enough to be a good spot for a private wedding party or corporate retreat.
The inn is a traditional boutique hotel, with large windows looking out on the landscape and plenty of places for relaxing, including in front of a cozy fire. Walls are dotted with art that, at first blush, is simply aesthetically pleasing, but after examination includes many nods to Nicewonder family history. The inn has both open staircases and elevators and may be better suited to those with mobility concerns than the yurt village.
BY MARGARET LITTMAN PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF NICEWONDER FARM & VINEYARDS
Hair and Makeup: Nichole Holloway-Smithson | MHD Beauty, Helen Bush
Florists: The Bloom House, FIORELLA Nashville, Forget Me Not Designs, Knestrick By Design
Location: The Fisher Center for the Performing Arts
Shop: Adorn Bridal
Gown: Nicole + Felicia strapless mikado dress with a dramatic rosette cape
Earrings: For Future Reference vintage gold and diamond cluster earrings (Department Nashville)
Necklace: Vintage gold and diamond necklace (Department Nashville)
Shop: Dress Theory
Gown: Galia Lahav Horizon gown with oversized floral lace, a high slit and a dramatic train
Earrings: Margaret Ellis Jewelry pearl cluster earrings
Bracelet: Margaret Ellis Jewelry pearl cluster cuff
Shoes: Nina Berkely shimmer sandals (DSW)
Bouquet: FIORELLA Nashville
Shop: Dress Theory
Gown: SAINT Bridal Couture
Juliette gown with a fully boned corset, a pleated organza overlay and a full train
Earrings: Margaret Ellis Jewelry
stone gingko earrings
Bracelet: Margaret Ellis Jewelry electron cuff
Making Moments Together
Extraordinary
With expansive environments, flexible spaces, flawless service, and the expert teams to bring your event to life, Gaylord Springs Golf Links brings people together in an extraordinary way. Our destination venue is purpose-built for your needs and those of your attendees.
Whether you’re planning a corporate meeting or a dream wedding, our industry-leading planners are ready to help you realize every detail and possibility of your vision in breathtaking, one-of-a-kind settings.
Bringing people together is what we do best.
GaylordSprings.com
Gaylord Springs Clubhouse
Gaylord Springs Pavilion
Gaylord Springs Pavilion
Gaylord Springs Golf Links
Gaylord Springs Clubhouse
Gaylord Springs Pavilion
Shop: Olia Zavozina
Gown: Olia Zavozina mermaid gown with gold lace-appliqué detailing and a scallop-hem train
Earrings: For Future Reference vintage gold earrings with diamonds, emeralds and rubies (Department Nashville)
Necklace: For Future Reference vintage gold and diamond necklace (Department Nashville) Bouquet: The Bloom House
Shop: The Bride Room
Gown: Anne Barge Inman gown with a corset bodice, pleated tulle and silk organza tiers, and a dramatic train
Earrings: Margaret Ellis
Jewelry pearl cluster earrings
Bracelet: Margaret Ellis
Jewelry pearl cluster cuff
photo by Jordan & Alaina Photography
Bracelet:
Shop: b. Hughes Bridal
Gown: Reem Acra Lullaby gown with a high neckline, sheer lace sleeves and handplaced pearl buttons
Earrings: Margaret Ellis
Jewelry double flower pearl cluster earrings
Margaret Ellis
Jewelry flower pearl toggle bracelet
Bouquet: FIORELLA Nashville
Shop: b. Hughes Bridal
Gown: Vera Wang Alexa strapless ballgown with a plunging neoprene bodice, a tulle skirt and cascading silk-organza flowers
Earrings: Joelle Kharrat Totem of Air gold and diamond earrings (Department Nashville)
Bracelet: For Future Reference vintage gold and pearl bracelet (Department Nashville) Flower: The Bloom House
Shop: Olia Zavozina Gown: Olia Zavozina floral jacquard ballgown with offthe-shoulder sleeves, a corset bodice and a dramatic train
Gown: SAINT Bridal Couture Ophelia gown with a wrapped bodice, an A-line skirt and a handcrafted organza rose at the waistline
jacket earrings
Shop: Gus Mayer
Suit: Pamella Roland white
crepe suit with pink sequin
degradé embroidery
Earrings: Margaret Ellis
Jewelry Rock Lobster
hammered silver earrings
Necklace: Margaret Ellis
Jewelry Nicks collar
Shoes: Mix No. 6 Yelenaa pink
shimmer pumps (DSW)
Bouquet: Knestrick By Design
ST A ND BESIDE YOU
Elegant wedding venues that offer an escape from the ordinary
Finding the perfect wedding venue can be daunting, but it’s a crucial step in crafting the perfect event. Couples may seek a masterpiece of grandeur, like the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, or a serene countryside retreat, like Franklin’s Southall Farm & Inn. Others may enjoy the modern sophistication and timeless charm of The Harpeth hotel, or the pastoral escape of Diamond Creek Farms. Each venue brings its own ambiance, serving as a unique backdrop for that special day.
BY WHITNEY CLAY AND JANET KURTZ PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY
OF DIAMOND CREEK FARMS, THE FISHER CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, TEC PETAJA FOR SOUTHALL FARM & INN, THE HARPETH
DI A MOND CREEK FARMS
TUCKED AWAY IN a bucolic setting with rolling hills, live oaks, grazing horses and sparkling ponds sits Diamond Creek Farms. Boasting one of the biggest event venues in Nashville, Diamond Creek can accommodate larger-than-average ceremonies and receptions. Its beautiful manicured lawn has played host to numerous events, and the exclusive setting offers couples and their guests an escape from the hustle and bustle of urban venues.
The beauty of Diamond Creek Farms lies not only in the stunning 100-acre property, but also in the flexibility of the main venue. With white walls and foldable glass doors offering ample natural light and the ability to bring the outside in, the venue is the perfect blank canvas on which a bride can create her dream wedding. The grounds are dotted with special points of interest, like meditative ponds, live oaks covered with twinkling lights, and a firepit to take it all in. Diamond Creek Farms is also animal-friendly and has welcomed equine guests from Black Burro Events on several occasions.
As an added dimension of service, the venue offers a luxuriously appointed bride-and-groom suite for first looks or a little escape during the reception. The Diamond Creek Farms team offers exceptional service with on-site coordination — though brides are also invited to work with select wedding planners. Generous hours allow for extensive setup and teardown. Customizable packages are also available to make the day as intimate or expansive as a couple prefers.
THE FISHE R CENTE R FO R THE PE R FO R MING ARTS
THE MAJESTIC CASCADING fountains at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts on Belmont Boulevard set the scene for the beauty that lies within. Glass doors open into a three-story grand foyer, conjuring visions of string quartets serenading guests from one of the balconies.
While weddings are new for the 3-year-old venue on Belmont University’s campus, the soaring ceilings, cerulean-blue walls, gleaming marble floors, crystal chandeliers and fluted Corinthian columns offer the perfect backdrop for a magical day. The Fisher Center, with its abundance of dramatic architectural details, needs very little embellishment. Depending on the season, you can open the doors to bring the outside in. The lobby alone can accommodate 450 guests for a seated dinner.
Two ballrooms flank the grand lobby: the South Ballroom and the Brad Paisley & Kimberly Williams-Paisley Ballroom. Each has multitiered brass chandeliers — smaller versions of those in the foyer — and herringbone Brazilian chestnut floors. Identical in size, each ballroom can host 200 guests for a seated dinner and offers audiovisual capabilities. When both ballrooms are opened and combined with the foyer, the space is large enough to seat 800 to 900 guests for dinner.
The 1,727-seat theater is also available for weddings and events. The multiuse flexible spaces can be curated — with the help of a Fisher Center event manager — in a variety of ways, depending on a couple’s vision. You could use one of the ballrooms, with its own entrance, for a seated dinner, then pull the curtain back to reveal a dance floor and band in the grand lobby, for example.
Three dressing rooms and the Green Room are available to the bridal party. There’s also a warming kitchen for caterers. Another undeniable perk? Free parking right across the street.
SOUTH ALL FA RM & INN
LOCATED ALONG MEANDERING Carter’s Creek Road lies Southall Farm & Inn — a pastoral retreat that offers a respite for weary travelers and a place for retreat and reflection. Southall is also an iconic wedding destination with myriad locations for intimate nuptials. The stunning rural setting creates a natural backdrop for unforgettable moments and memories.
Weddings at Southall offer a connection to nature, regardless of the formality of the event. Southall offers several wedding venues — many of them outside — which naturally change with the seasons. The Orchard Event Center boasts high ceilings, exposed beams, and a flood of natural light from window-lined walls that offer views of the surrounding hills. The exquisite Hilltop Pavilion, perched high atop a hill, offers panoramic views of the property’s over-400 acres — adding a stunning sunset glow to any event. For more intimate gatherings, the charming Covered Bridge is one of the most special spaces in the area, allowing seating for up to 80 guests. With seasonality in mind, no two weddings are alike. The cuisine at each wedding is similarly unique, as Southall’s culinary team uses only the freshest local ingredients — including produce grown on the property. With world-class culinary talent at the helm, each menu is innovative and tailored to the couple. Guests will also delight at the use of honey from the resort’s multiple hives, cared for by Jay Williams and his team. After the wedding, the happy couple may retire to one of the beautifully appointed accommodations in the inn or one of the exclusive cottages dotting the property.
THE H AR PETH
LOCATED IN THE heart of downtown Franklin just steps away from the historic town square, The Harpeth hotel is an elegant wedding venue that marries modern design with a historic Southern aesthetic. The neutral palette and unique architecture offer countless backdrops for timeless photographs that will last well beyond the wedding.
At the center of the hotel is The Harpeth’s manicured courtyard, featuring an impressive bifurcated staircase that has served as the setting for many nuptials. A perfect pairing, the Riverside Ballroom has played host to countless receptions — each a unique reflection of the personalities of the bride and groom. As an added amenity, happy couples have exclusive access to Willow Plunge, a speakeasy-style VIP lounge ideal for first looks, private pre-reception dinners for couples, and more.
The Harpeth culinary team specializes in regional cuisine, crafting menus that give guests a taste of the color and culture of the area. With an emphasis on uniqueness and a deep appreciation of fresh ingredients, the chefs build dishes that both surprise and delight.
After the wedding ends and all the goodbyes have been said, couples may choose to retire to the comfort of one of The Harpeth’s luxurious guest rooms or suites. Each room offers the comforts of home with the service of a luxury hotel. Many couples enjoy a relaxing day after the wedding with breakfast in bed and a stroll through the historic streets of downtown Franklin — looking to The Harpeth as the perfect destination for an experience all its own.
Photo by Mary Rosenbaum
e 40th annual Symphony Ball honors Randy Travis and John Esposito
SOMETIME IN THE 1600S, the first symphonies began to emerge, and by the 1730s and ’40s, they had taken the form we know today. It is estimated that there are over 2,000 symphonies currently performing throughout the country — the oldest being the New York Philharmonic. The Nashville Symphony came into being in 1946 — the brainchild of Walter Sharp, who had returned from World War II the year before. It wasn’t until 1985 that the idea to create a fundraiser for the beloved symphony took root. The first co-chairs, Jeannie Hastings and Judy Simmons, began the cherished winter tradition. And 40 years later, their legacy lives on.
Co-chairs Jason Bradshaw, Bob Deal
The 40th annual Symphony Ball was a stunning triumph of sensory immersion. As guests arrived at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, their eyes immediately darted to a bountiful display of local flowers by Forget Me Not Designs surrounding an expertly chiseled ice sculpture. Attendees sipped Champagne in elegant coupe glasses as they enjoyed hors d’oeuvres of seared tuna with lemon aioli on wontons, artichoke parmesan puffs and wild mushroom-and-gruyère gougères. The Nfocus Portrait Studio featured a soft-blue backdrop from Quest Events, and a line of trees from Forget Me Not had a lively crowd of revelers ready to capture the moment.
Symphony Ball co-chairs Jason Bradshaw and Bob Deal envisioned an evening in a winter wonderland, which is exactly what event planner Bruce Pittman and his team created. Entering the Laura Turner Concert Hall, all eyes traveled from the ceiling down the walls as projections of snow “fell” from above. Each table featured ice-blue and soft-snowdrift overlays. In the center of the room was a 10-foot focal-point table featuring a 50-arm candelabra laced with snow-kissed florals. Centerpieces included delicate white arrangements showcasing brilliant white amaryllis, silver-leaf pine cones and flocked evergreen branches within silver and mirror vessels. Guests’ tables were finished with lifelike snow at the center.
Once dinner — prepared by Kristen Winston Catering — began, the Nashville Symphony took the stage, led by Kelly Corcoran. After a beautiful performance, symphony president and CEO Alan Valentine invited Michelle Gaskin Brown of Amazon to the stage to present the Harmony Awards to this year’s recipients, country music legend Randy Travis and longtime Warner Music Nashville CEO John Esposito. “As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Symphony Ball, we are thrilled to recognize two remarkable figures in Nashville’s music community,” said Jason and Bob. “Each in his own way, Randy Travis and John Esposito have revolutionized and reinvigorated country music, and their talents are matched only by their commitment to raising up the next generation of music makers.”
The crowd listened intently as John shared how music impacted his early life. He said he went from being a skinny kid who didn’t really fit in to being the cool drummer in a band — and noted that music education gave him a sense of confidence. “This event helps raise money to provide free music education programs in Middle Tennessee,” John said. “We must all fight to keep music in the schools. ... It’s an issue of humanity. Music education helps broaden hearts and minds.”
The energy in the room was electric as James DuPré performed Randy Travis songs while the chart-topping entertainer looked on. Since experiencing a stroke in 2013, Randy has lived with paralysis on the right side of his body, preventing him from performing. The audience listened reverently as James performed some of Randy’s hits.
Revelers danced late into the night — fueled by donuts and sacks of Krystal burgers. Late Party chairs Virginia Garchitorena, Benton Swann, Kacy Bringaze Young and Michael Young organized a terrific evening as guests danced away the night.
BY JANET KURTZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANGELINA CASTILLO, ERIC ENGLAND
John Esposito, Randy Travis, Alan Valentine
Frank and Julie Boehm
Herbert and Michelle Gaskin Brown
Donna Joyner, Jay Joyner
Jay Jones and Rob Turner
André and Dorothea Churchwell
Chris and Virginia Garchitorena
Hank and Kate Ingram
Vicki and Rick Horne
Carl and Grace Awh
Ben Scott and Russell Bates
Hunter and Ashley Horne Herring
Jacob and Kelly Unger
Terri Major, Steve Robson
Marci Houff, Janice Elliott Morgan, Tracy Wade
Julie and John Schneider
Leiyan and Larry Keele Shari and Red Martin
Randy and Mary Travis Bob and Alberta Doochin
Grant and Suzanne Smothers
Alan Valentine, John Esposito, Michelle Gaskin Brown
Elizabeth Papel, Henry Ingram, Gloria Houghland
Allen DeCuyper and Steve Sirls
Vicki and Kerry McCluggage
John and Chantel Esposito, Mary and Randy Travis, Alan Valentine, Jason Bradshaw, Bob Deal
Donnie and Kayla Counts
Kevin and Katie Crumbo
Hunter Claire Rogers
Barry Stowe, Emily Humphreys
Mark Lopez and Patrick Boggs
Ridley and Betsy Wills, Carol and Darryl Yochem
Morel Enoch, Milton White, Elizabeth Waller
Susan and Robert Falk
Meera Ballal and Seenu Reddy
STYLL, SP A RKLIN G
Stephanie Styll makes a splash at Killjoy, her liquorless liquor store
IF YOU ARE TRYING to pinpoint the moment when zero-proof beverages tipped into mainstream cocktail hour, maybe it was September 2024 at the Beyond Bourbon fundraiser at OZ Arts Nashville, when the Killjoy booze-free beverage shop manned a tasting booth that held its own alongside venerable global brands of brown spirits. Or maybe that tipping point for nonalcoholic (NA) cocktailing came in October 2024, when Killjoy founder Stephanie Styll won a NEXT Award from the Nashville Entrepreneur Center for exceptional achievement in entrepreneurship.
Or it could have been when Killjoy first served drinks backstage at CMA Fest in 2023 — the same year the fledgling business made the list of top nonalcoholic bottle shops in the country, according to Wine Enthusiast magazine.
Wherever you look, demand for zero-proof cocktailing is on the rise — so much so that Stephanie has already expanded her young enterprise, moving from a hidden 200-square-foot closet in the backstreets of Wedgewood-Houston to a high-profile storefront in The Shoppes on Fatherland in East Nashville.
Stepping out of the shadows
WHEN STEPHANIE LAUNCHED Killjoy in 2023 with her brother-in-law, John Caldwell, the store was so tucked away that the website directed patrons to enter a coffee shop, look for a mural on a patio, then say “Killjoy” three times to summon an alcohol-free absinthe fairy. It was that small. And quirky.
Fast-forward to November 2024, when Stephanie cut the ribbon on a high-visibility shop, more than four times as large as the original. Now, she has her very own Killjoy mural.
“Nashville is a city known for drinking, and I really wasn’t sure how receptive people would be to the idea of partying booze-free, but y’all have TURNED UP for this movement and for Killjoy,” Stephanie posted on Instagram when she received the NEXT Award. “I am grateful for the open minds and support of everyone that’s been along on this journey.”
For Stephanie, the zero-proof adventure began years before becoming an entrepreneur, during the COVID19 shutdown, when she found herself drinking more than she wanted to. Hers is a familiar story that might account for the boom in zero-proof cocktailing among younger Americans. The move felt good, wellness-wise, but toasting with water at parties felt boring and lonely, and there wasn’t a consolidated source for diverse zero-proof options.
So she created one.
Just a taste
A VISIT TO KILLJOY is a colorful romp through a cocktail party without a hangover.
There are liquorless spirits produced by methods that either remove alcohol or combine alcohol-free ingredients to approximate the flavor of the original. There are gins, vodkas and tequilas in various stages of repose. There are whiskeys — like the NKD Distilleries and Drink Monday whiskeys that were available for tasting at the 2024 Beyond Bourbon at OZ.
There are novel NA drinks with the complexity of classic liquors and liqueurs, such as Drømme Awake (with pomegranate, hibiscus and pepper), and Drømme Calm (with melon, maple and ginger). There are premixed alcohol-free cocktails in cans and bottles, such as palomas, mojitos, margaritas and Phony Negronis. There are sparkling waters infused with hops, and there are NA beers. There are drinks with plant-based adaptogens, like mushrooms, hemp and kava root, designed to ease stress and, in some cases, provide a body buzz.
And, yes, there is NA wine.
Heading into the future
“Whites and rosés are more similar to the real thing,” Stephanie says, adding that oenophiles who love big, meaty, dry reds will likely find that zero-proof wines fall short of their expectations. That’s because alcohol informs texture. And in absence of alcohol, many winemakers — particularly those marketed through grocery stores — compensate with sugar, making a dry NA red something of a unicorn.
Fortunately, Stephanie prefers a dry NA red, so she can authoritatively guide patrons to winemakers like Sovi Wine Co. from Napa, which employs “vacuum distillation” or “spinning cone” processes to extract alcohol without relying on sugar for body.
And Killjoy’s website offers helpful, honest reviews from other patrons. “Every season, the wines are getting better and better,” Stephanie says, adding that the hot market is motivating winemakers to improve NA repertoires. “If you tried a wine a year ago, you should try something else now.”
With so many options on the shelves, shopping at Killjoy can be dizzying, but Stephanie, John and the team are knowledgeable hosts, eager to introduce patrons to a new menu of cocktail options. “The hangover-free party is here to stay!” Stephanie posted on Instagram when she won the NEXT Award. “I’m here for it and the afterparty too!”
BY CARRINGTON FOX PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND
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TH AT’S YOUR CUE
The Nashville Repertory Theatre celebrates 40 years
LONG BEFORE THE first lead was cast or the first costume was stitched, Nashvillians had a dream to build a first-rate local theater company in town. Under the umbrella of the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC), the Nashville Repertory Theatre — originally the Tennessee Repertory Theatre — began to grow. This year marks the 40th year for the venerable institution — and that is something to celebrate.
History
IN 1985, Mac Pirkle and Martha Ingram founded the Tennessee Repertory Theatre from Mac’s production company, Southern Stages. (The name changed in 2014 to better align with other production companies, like Nashville Opera and Nashville Ballet.) While some might debate which show was the theater’s debut, many artists and supporters say the first performance was of Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie.
In the early days, the Nashville Repertory Theatre acted as an educational arm of TPAC, exposing students to the art of theater by producing plays for them. Many current patrons of the Rep will tell you their first experience with theater was watching a Nashville Rep performance.
Legacy
THROUGH THE DECADES, the Nashville Rep grew, gradually adding more artists and performances to its repertoire. Today, the organization is Middle Tennessee’s leading employer of theater professionals.
When many creatives were out of work during the pandemic, the Rep commissioned original pieces from local playwrights and cast local actors in performances of them — creating plays you could stream at home while theaters were closed. At the same time, the organization moved its educational content from classrooms to virtual platforms. The hard work paid off: Support for the theater company jumped during the pandemic and has only continued to grow.
Outside of its theater performances, one of the Rep’s most beloved events is its wildly successful Broadway Brunch — the organization’s primary fundraiser. Each year, patrons and supporters gather for a spirited brunch filled with theatrical performances by Nashville Rep actors. The event has raised crucial funds for the Rep’s operations, ensuring a continued legacy for the theater company.
Future
TODAY, THE NASHVILLE REP looks to the future. The organization is laser-focused on expanding its educational programs over the next three to five years. In 2025, the Nashville Rep plans to launch the Young Stars program — a fully produced musical performed by students to encourage more young people to get involved with theater.
While keeping an eye on the horizon, the Nashville Rep continues to bring top-notch performances to Nashville. The April 2025 capstone is a production of Sunday in the Park with George — quite fittingly, a story about the struggles and triumphs of becoming an artist.
BY JANET KURTZ
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF NASHVILLE REPERTORY THEATRE AND ERIC ENGLAND
Force for Chne
A Place at the Table brings hope and opportunity
Thistle Farms is proving that love really does heal. For the second straight year, the organization welcomed donors, program alumnae, volunteers and employees to enjoy an incredible dinner together. All the while, those in attendance became part of the organization’s mission to create a place at the table for more women survivors.
The event began with passed hors d’oeuvres and mocktails, as attendees mingled and watched a slideshow of the nonprofit’s incredible accomplishments. Guests stopped into the on-site store, shopping for candles, home goods, apparel and handcrafted jewelry made by people all over the world.
Thistle Farms hosted three people from YEWO, its Malawibased jewelry partner. Two artisans and one store manager made the journey from Africa to the U.S. for a weeklong visit, learning about Thistle Farms’ stateside operations and the logistics of running a business.
Thistle Farms treated them — and the rest of the guests — to a remarkable meal. Culinary icon Deb Paquette prepared the feast in collaboration with Eric Owings, executive chef of The Café at Thistle Farms.
As attendees devoured kale salad, pork ribeye, gingerbread panna cotta and three expertly paired mocktails, Tasha Kennard, the organization’s CEO, shared an impactful message: “Justice deserves the attention it requires.” Thistle Farms seeks to offer that attention by providing residence, job assistance, free healthcare, and trauma therapy to women in need. The goal? To show that “love is the most powerful force for change in the world,” Kennard said.
The evening was part of Thistle Farms’ Light the Way campaign to raise $1 million by Dec. 31. Donations up to that amount raised at the event had double the impact, as they were matched dollar-for-dollar by a generous — and anonymous — donor.
BY PAIGE GAWLEY
PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANGELINA CASTILLO
Ty Johnson, Tammy Kowalski, Latisha Burns Melody Morris, Kerey Morris
Hannah Alexander, Rachel Minton
Katrina and Jason Green
Brandi Jack, Tasha Kennard, Heidi Hayne
Claire Coleman, Sara Thomas, Tasha Kennard, Sara Patrick
Carey and Judy Parsons, Ally and Blake Parsons
Mischievous Mice nd Surplum Soldiers
Hundreds flock to the Fisher Center for a blockbuster Nutcracker Tea
Nashville Ballet’s Nutcracker Tea was a riotous Christmas sugarplum in mauves and pinks, from the towers of purple balloon soldiers to the scalloped pink napkins, trimmed in gold. The Fisher Center for the Performing Arts hosted the annual event for all ages, and many fashionable little ballerinas donned pink shoes and tutus alongside others in their Nutcracker Sunday best. Boys sported Christmas plaid shirts and chinos, and girls were demure in dresses smocked with reindeer, wreaths and Christmas trees. Lauren Pitts Shanley and daughter Daphne stood tall in fun mother-daughter Chelsea boots.
Three lovely co-chairs — Leigh Adams, Crystal ChurchwellAdams and Julie Galbierz — must have had a ball planning each delightful detail. Everything was perfect, and the crowd was bigger than ever, approaching 900 before the mini-performances began on the half-hour. Performed by NB2, Nashville Ballet’s second company, in the Braid Paisley & Kimberly Williams-Paisley Ballroom, each lasted a tantalizing 10 to 15 minutes, and every child left with an idea of the story and a dream of dancing.
The patrons hour was packed with activities: photos with lithe sugarplum fairies, face painting, tiara and pointe shoe decorating, sparkle strands of fairy hair, and teatime snacks. Delectables included petites quiches, crisp grilled cheese brioches, pigs in a blanket, multicolored macarons and divine dark-chocolate brownies, all consumed with sips of hot chocolate — or libations like Champagne for the adult attendees, every bit as delighted with the event as the little ones, down to wide-eyed babes in arms.
A mystical combination of the sun fading in the afternoon, the cut-glass windows and violet uplights gave a sparkle to the emptying lobby as the sun moved west, leaving, as in Clara’s dream, visions of mice battling soldiers and the sugar-dusted lips of dreamers, echoing a sweet afternoon.
BY BETH ALEXANDER PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND
Kendra Deas, Michelle Gaskin Brown with Emerson
Vicki Horne, Ashley Horne Herring with Harlow Samantha Everett, Kayla Counts with Tristan, Courtney Kurkowski
Co-chairs Crystal Churchwell-Evans, Julie Galbierz and Leigh Adams, Nick Mullikin
Karyn Frist with Campbell and Amelia Fearn
André and Dorothea Churchwell with Julie Elizabeth
The American Heart Association's Heart Gala is inspired by the heart itself, with four chambers representing equity, knowledge, discovery, and advocacy. These pillars embody our commitment to bringing health and hope to everyone, everywhere, as we work tirelessly to eliminate health disparities, advance medical research, educate communities, and champion lifesaving
The Symphony Ball Patrons Party sets the stage for the upcoming ball
On a starry winter evening, revelers gathered at the historic Hermitage Hotel for this year’s Symphony Ball Patrons Party. While unseasonably cold outside, a palpable sense of warmth and community enveloped guests as they entered the drawing room — bringing to mind the first scenes of The Nutcracker.
Transforming the venue into a true winter wonderland, 40th Symphony Ball co-chairs Jason Bradshaw and Bob Deal showcased their creative flair. They adorned the room with softblue velvet-draped tables and stunning centerpieces of white roses, hydrangeas and evergreens. A magnificent Christmas tree anchored a corner of the room, while myriad white candles flickered throughout, adding a touch of holiday magic to the gathering.
As guests whirled around the lively room in their festive attire, the excitement for the upcoming ball was contagious. Alan Valentine, president and CEO of the Nashville Symphony, welcomed the esteemed supporters and shared that this year’s Patrons Party had raised more funds than any other in the past 40 years. He fondly recalled the first Symphony Ball, held in 1985 and chaired by Judy Simmons and Jeannie Hastings. Many in the room had attended that first ball and smiled and nodded at the sweet memory. Alan then thanked this year’s vibrant co-chairs — and honorary chair Martha Ingram — for their contributions to this milestone event.
Alan also pointed out some upcoming Symphony Ball highlights: the return of the Craig Duncan orchestra, who provided the entertainment at the first ball; this year’s Harmony Award winners, Country Music Hall of Famer Randy Travis and Music Row powerhouse John Esposito; and the co-chairs of the ball’s Late Party, Virginia Garchitorena, Benton Swann, Kacy Bringaze Young and Michael Young.
Guests enjoyed a selection of delightful beverages — including an oh-so popular martini and Champagne bar — before indulging in a sumptuous three-course seated dinner that began with a rich and warming lobster bisque. It was truly divine.
The whole evening was delightful, with a heartwarming blend of generations, reminiscent of the kind of merry gathering that Clara and her parents would have cherished.
BY GLORIA HOUGHLAND PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANGELINA CASTILLO
Nicole Dunigan, Jenneen Reed
Chris and Virginia Garchitorena
Jeff vom Saal, Alan Valentine, Nancy and Mark Peacock
Larry and Elizabeth Papel, Laura and Charles Niewold
Guests gather for the 24th annual Gentlemen’s Breakfast
Editors note: An extended version of former Sen. Frist’s speech is available at nfocusmagazine.com
For 24 years, friends have gathered for the highly anticipated Gentlemen’s Breakfast. The annual event — hosted by Gordon Inman and his friend Chris Holmes at the Inmans’ home — draws business leaders, sports personalities, public figures and politicians for friendly fellowship, a look back at the year ending, and a hopeful vision for the future. This year’s event was no different: Guests mingled and filled the room with lively conversation that lifted spirits. The jovial mood continued as a parade of gentlemen meandered to the breakfast tent. Once they took their seats to enjoy a delicious breakfast by Kristen Winston Catering , Gordon shared his customary welcome and recounted the beginning of the Gentleman’s Breakfast. One day, when Gordon and Clayton McWhorter were returning from a quail hunt, Clayton said he wished that he knew someone who could cook quail really well. Gordon volunteered his sister-in-law, and thus began the annual tradition.
The morning’s keynote speaker, former Sen. Bill Frist, then took the stage. Guests listened in rapt silence as Bill told the story of his aunt, Margaret Cate, who was the principal at Hattie Cotton Elementary School when it was bombed in 1957, during school integration and the civil rights movement. Bill described one mother — a woman of color — and her determination to give her daughter, Patricia Watson, an education, despite a mob of angry protesters intent on preventing that. The day before the bombing, it was too dangerous for Patricia’s mother to bring her home after school. So Aunt Bonnie (as Margaret was known) gathered her strength and drove her student home.
Later that night, 100 sticks of dynamite destroyed the west wing of the school — shattering the feeling of safety and security there. Through it all, Bill’s Aunt Bonnie remained stoic and resolute as she oversaw the rebuilding process. His Christmas message was a lesson from his aunt: “If we look to our inner angels, if we call them a conviction of our values ... if we call upon our own Aunt Bonnies, life will be good and it will be better. It will be fulfilling and it will be prosperous.”
BY JANET KURTZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS
Chris Holmes, Gordon Inman, Bill Frist
Ed Silva, Darrell Waltrip, Gordon Inman
Bill Hagerty, Chuck Blackburn, Tom Foster
John Seigenthaler, Bob Fisher
Bill Hagerty, Chuck Blackburn, Tom Foster Phil Pfeffer, JR Roper, Alan Valentine
Shaun and Gordon Inman
Austin Pennington, Donnie Cameron, Jeff Hughes
FATHER RYAN HIGH SCHOOL will celebrate its 100th anniversary this year, but its storied Nashville history goes back even further. In 1914, Thomas Sebastian Byrne, the bishop of Nashville, began plans for the Nashville Catholic High School for Boys. Following a series of setbacks, including Byrne’s 1923 death, the school opened its doors in September 1925. Thanks to the Catholic community’s generosity, the school operated tuition-free for three decades.
The school, renamed Father Ryan in 1929 when it moved from its original West End location to an Elliston Place campus, went on to mark many milestones. In 1954, it became the first of two schools in Tennessee to integrate. In 1970, it merged with the all-female Cathedral High School to become a coeducational institution. Twenty-one years later, the school made the move to its current address on Norwood Drive.
Today, the school is home to more than 830 students, who are able to choose from over 200 courses, 31 sports teams and more than 40 clubs and organizations as they prepare for college.
