Williamson County Living July/August 2023 Issue

A letter from the Publisher

KATHY FOX PUBLISHER | EDITOR IN CHIEF

Summer is officially here! While we are all out enjoying the warm weather, having barbecues with friends and family, or enjoying a quiet evening on the porch, we are constantly reminded of what an amazing community this is to be a part of. Whether you are downtown Franklin shopping, walking around the Park at Harlinsdale Farm, or dining out at your favorite restaurant, remember we live in one of the best communities offering so much to so many!

The cover feature of this issue of Williamson County Living is about the patriotic red, white, and blue and what it means to the country duo LOCASH. Learn how the 50th CMA Festival wrapped up this year and plan a getaway this summer, where you can hit the greens or enjoy some water activities on the Tennessee River. If you are entertaining at home, discover how to use summer vegetables for an edible centerpiece.

In addition, the business spotlight features Dental Haven, which offers a relaxing dental experience in a boutique spa-like atmosphere, located in Berry Farms. Brentwood resident Harrison Prichard shares his roots and musical inspirations. Finally, learn how to preserve those special moments and the history behind the Harrison House in south Franklin and its role during the Civil War.

I hope you enjoy this issue and the lazy days of summer days. Remember to celebrate your freedom this July 4th and as always the locally-owned businesses that make this magazine possible depend on your support. They greatly appreciate your patronage while you are out and about enjoying the warm weather!

Many summer blessings,

PUBLISHER EDITOR IN CHIEF

Kathy Fox

CREATIVE | ART DIRECTOR

Shelly Wells

DIGITAL DIRECTOR

Homer Alexis Olindo

SENIOR EDITOR

William Harwood

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Buffie Baril

Kathy Fox

Amy Montgomery

Elizabeth Shane

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Dominic Cassone

Allison Elefante

Trenton Lee Photography

Lockstep Creative

williamsoncoliving.com SOCIAL

Catch Salon & Spa offers a full range of skin and haircare services. All treatments are non-invasive and can deliver lasting results without surgery or downtime. Schedule a complementary consultation 24/7 with online booking at CATCHNASHVILLE.COM. Catch beauty specialists will develop the best treatment plan for your concerns to leave you feeling refreshed and youthful.

REE RITE ORS

B y Kathy Fox

This time of year, the summer sun shines bright, and we have the privilege of celebrating America’s independence on the 4th of July. With festivities ranging from concerts, parades, and fireworks to backyard gatherings and barbecues, everyone sees bursts of red, white, and blue including Preston Brust and Chris Lucas, the hit-making duo of LOCASH, with their recently released song “Three Favorite Colors.”

Released in February, the patriotic track, their loud and proud anthem saluting the red, white, and blue and all things USA, has created a buzz among their followers. The country ballad showcases LOCASH’s ability to combine storytelling with infectious melodies. “Three Favorite Colors” is a first-class song with a simple message that delves into the significance of colors and their association with cherished memories and emotions. Each verse brings a unique story, evoking nostalgia in listeners with the chorus serving as the powerful anchor highlighting the significance of these three colors. The connection with the colors red, white, and blue creates a handover-heart pledge of allegiance felt by Americans everywhere.

The song “Three Favorite Colors” came to fruition while the duo was on the road. “We took Drew Baldridge and Nate Kenyon on the road with us and sometimes that is the only way we can write,” said Brust. “We were sitting at lunch taking a break, we had just written a song that morning, and all of a sudden they [Baldridge and Kenyon] had this idea about three favorite colors and asked, ‘What if instead of having one favorite color, you had three favorite colors and they were red, white, and blue?’” The patriotic Brust and Lucas thought the idea terrific.

Since they had never done a song like that, the four started working on the new song which came together almost immediately. LOCASH wanted to sing it that night at the concert, so they sent the chords off to the band and literally Brust and Lucas had to read the words off their phones. “We sang it that night and the whole crowd sang along like they had heard it a thousand times. The crowd was so supportive of this song, and when the song ended we dove into an acapella version and let them sing the chorus by themselves we all got goosebumps,” described Brust.

A serendipitous meeting brought the duo together. Lucas grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, and moved to Nashville to pursue a career in music. Brust, a PK (preacher’s kid) was raised in Kokomo, Indiana, by way of Arkansas, and made his way to Nashville with aspirations of becoming a country music artist as well. As the two were pursuing individual music careers, they crossed paths in the early 2000s at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville, where Lucas was working as a DJ. After creating a friendship and recognizing their shared musical interests and complementary talents, they decided to team up and form a duo.

After joining forces, they began performing together and writing songs. Their unique blend of country, rock, and pop influences resonated with audiences, and they started gaining recognition in the country music scene. In 2009, they released their debut single, “Here Comes Summer,” which achieved moderate success. LOCASH continued to push forward and write songs, releasing music, and building their fan base. They penned mega hits for artists including Keith Urban’s #1 “You Gonna Fly” and Tim McGraw’s Top 10 “Truck Yeah” and scored several hits of their own, including their Platinum breakout “I Love This Life” and their first number one with Gold “I Know Somebody.” Since 2015, LOCASH has earned eight charting singles, two successful albums, and over 815 million global on-demand streams.

one hit “One Big Country Song.”

delivered back-to-back high-profile collaborations with the Woods & Water EP featuring the single “Beach Boys” appropriately titled as it was a collaboration with Mike Love and Bruce Johnston of the Beach Boys. After that, the song “Let It Slide” with Leslie Jordan, Blanco Brown, and LOCASH, was released in honor of Jordan after his passing in November 2022.

LOCASH’s Woods & Water EP marks the follow-up to their 2019 album Brothers, with the Gold number

They

The duo has been on the move in 2023 appearing at Monster Jam at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena in January, performing at Guy’s Flavortown Tailgate on Super Bowl Sunday co-headlining with Diplo, and going international venturing to London to launch the radio show "One Big Country Show" alongside CountryLine bringing Nashville to London.  "We're so pumped to be able to take our world across the pond and welcome more fans to our Country family," Lucas shared. The "One Big Country Show," which was named after LOCASH's Gold #1 "One Big Country Song," can be watched online at CountryLine.radio or streaming apps Wednesdays from 1-2 p.m. CST.

LOCASH has been longtime supporters of U. S. service members and has passionately taken part in several USO tours around the world, including visiting U.S. military bases in Romania, Poland, and Cuba, to show their appreciation. In May, Brust and Lucas returned to the Grand Ole Opry House and performed for the Opry Salutes the Troops show, which honored our troops and family members for their service to our nation. “We have participated in a lot of USO tours and when someone calls us to be part of the Salute the Troops at the Opry or anywhere for that matter, we jump on board because that is important to us,” said Brust. Along with LOCASH, the unforgettable evening included live music from The Oak Ridge Boys, John Conlee, Jason Crabb, The War and Treaty, and others honoring our troops.

In June, LOCASH joined in the CMA Fest 2023 activities in Music City on the CMA Close Up Stage with the Bussin' With The Boys podcast, hosted by NFL players Taylor Lewan and Will Compton. They also hosted a one-of-a-kind sporting event at CMA Fest, partnering with first-of-its-kind pickleball recovery drink DINK for LOCASH & DINK Present Country on Court: Pickleball at CMA Fest and the LOCASH & Friends Celebrity Pickleball Tournament. Some of the other artists who participated in the fun-filled tournament included Dustin Lynch, Blanco Brown, Frank Ray, Dee Jay Silver, Chuck Wicks, Boy Named Banjo, Drew Baldridge, Megan Danielle, and Colin Stough. At the conclusion of the tournament, a donation was made to the CMA Foundation, which supports music education programs for students nationwide.

WE LOVE NASHVILLE AND EVERYTHING ABOUT IT. I AM A HUGE HISTORY BUFF AND FRANKLIN IS FULL OF HISTORY. THE CEMETERIES, BATTLEFIELDS, AND HISTORIC DOWNTOWN AREA — IT IS SUCH A GREAT PLACE TO VISIT.

LOCASH

As respected entertainers with prominent recognition, LOCASH holds a history of nods from the genre’s biggest awards shows including a Vocal Duo of the Year nomination at The 56th Annual CMA Awards.

NOMINATIONS

CMA Awards

Vocal Duo of the Year (2022, 2017)

ACM Awards

Duo of the Year (2021, 2018)

New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year (2017)

Vocal Duo of the Year (2017)

New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year (2016)

CMT MUSIC AWARDS

Duo Video of the Year “One Big Country Song” (2020)

Duo Video of the Year “Feels Like A Party” (2019)

Duo Video of the Year “I Know Somebody” (2017)

ARRINGTON VINEYARDS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE PLACES TO VISIT. THE SCENERY IS BEAUTIFUL THERE AND WE ARE FRIENDS WITH KIX BROOKS, ONE OF THE OWNERS, SO IT’S ALWAYS A GOOD TIME!

Coming off their headlining "Woods & Water Tour," LOCASH is currently on the road supporting Kane Brown’s "Drunk or Dreaming Tour," which runs through early September. Follow them on social media at @locash and visit locash.com to find a concert near you. With their energetic performances and distinct musical identity, LOCASH has cemented their place as respected performers in country music and can honestly say, “I love this life!” n

PRESTON BRUST

CHRIS LUCAS

IT’S A WRAP!

By Elizabeth Shane

PHOTOS BY DOMINIC CASSONE AND PROVIDED BY ARTISTS

CMA

Fest celebrated 50 years in June 2023. The annual four-day country festival, held in downtown Nashville, boasted six official stages, plenty of popups, and over 100 artists playing from the riverfront to Music City Center. The skies were almost perfect for more than 90,000 fans each day who enjoyed the concerts and soaked it all in at Fan Fair X in the Music City. Due to inclement weather and rain, Sunday afternoon organizers closed the outdoor stages, however, that didn’t stop the finale at Nissan Stadium, with capacity crowds over the four days, from taking place Sunday evening shining the spotlight on the dynamic event.

This year the festival started June 8 with the TSU Aristocrat of Bands playing at the Chevy Riverfront Stage followed by Lainey Wilson playing to a capacity crowd at the riverfront venue. On Sunday evening, Josh Turner opened the festivities followed by notable artists Ashley McBryde, Dierks Bentley, and Tim McGraw. At midnight, Luke Bryan stepped on stage and brought down a packed house at Nissan Stadium concluding this year’s CMA Fest.

THERE’S ABSOLUTELY SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE AS CMA FEST IS AN AMAZING PLACE TO SEE YOUR FAVORITE ARTISTS UP CLOSE AND PERSONALLY, TAKE A SELFIE, GET AN AUTOGRAPH, EVEN KISS A LLAMA, AND OF COURSE, BUY SOME MERCH!

Fan Fair X events were held in Music City Center with performance stages along Broadway all the way to the Chevy Riverfront and Ascend Amphitheater on 1st Avenue South. Country music fans from 51 countries and 50 states, had four glorious days listening to music from the up-and-comers to country music superstars like Miranda Lambert, Keith Urban, and Reba McEntire to name a few. Walking down Broadway country music enthusiasts found interactive experiences to partake in and the Honky Tonks were rocking, simply put fans were having a marvelous time immersing themselves in everything music.

Always popular are the meet-and-greets with artists, panel discussions at Fan Fair X, fan club parties, and takeovers. This year featured the first-ever LOCASH & Friends

Celebrity Pickleball Tournament presented by DINK and LOCASH. Spectators even had a photo op with Yeti and E.J., the two DINK Volley Llama mascots, as fans cheered the players on during the spirited competitive tournament at Fan Fair X. There’s absolutely something for everyone as CMA Fest is an amazing place to see your favorite artists up close and personally, take a selfie, get an autograph, even kiss a llama, and of course, buy some merch!

Again this year, fans also had the chance to experience Fitness at FEST presented by Celsius at the Maui Jim Reverb Stage. The two-day fest was kicked off by TRUMAV fitness trainer Wirth Campbell, accompanied by former Bachelorette Kaitlyn Bristowe. Country artists Ashley Cooke and Madeline Edwards along with celebrity trainer Erin Oprea helped festival-goers feel the burn at the Fest.

CMA Fest has partnered with the CMA Foundation since 2006 and has invested more than $27 million into the enrichment of music education programs across the United States. The Country Music artists involved in the fest donate their time and talent each year so a portion of the ticket proceeds can help the CMA Foundation fund music education and provide educators with the needed resources to musically make a difference in children’s lives. This year $2.5 million was raised for music education.

Later this summer on July 5, CMA will debut CMA Fest: 50 Years of Fan Fair. This original documentary celebrates the humble beginnings in 1972 to what CMA Fest has grown to today and can be viewed on Hulu. Two weeks later on July 19, CMA Fest will be back in action on ABC with three hours of country music hosted by Dierks Bentley, Elle King, and Lainey Wilson and features performances by Country Music’s hottest stars.

It's a wrap for the longest-running Country Music Festival in the world but save the date for the CMA Fest next year beginning June 13, 2024. Visit cmafest.com for additional information or to buy tickets.

Check out these amazing artists! Grace Leer and Jillian Cardarelli, and the band, Century Drive. These artists joined in the CMA festivities and have been making a name for themselves. Their music is available to download on all streaming platforms so enjoy.

Grace Leer

Emerging artist Grace Leer made her appearance at CMA Fest performing at the Spotlight Stage in a stunning silver sparkling dress. Leer’s new music, “My Mind’s Made Up,” written by Leer, Nick Wayne, and Dan Agee, is a magnificently told story sung in a way that nearly everyone can relate to. There’s nothing harder to do than admitting being wrong about a partner and the hardest person to admit that to is yourself, yet Leer details it so eloquently. Leer’s storytelling is impeccable and “My Mind’s Made Up” is yet another stellar effort in a growing litany of superstar efforts by a woman unquestionably destined for stardom.

“The reason I chose music as a little girl is the way I was able to connect with people through it, and the reason I chose country music is because of the stories it tells and this song does all of that and more,” says Leer.  “I’m so honored to have created this song with Dan Agee and Nick Wayne. I am just blown away by the feedback.”

“It’s pretty amazing when the fans pick the music,” adds Leer. “I never thought when I posted a clip of the “My Mind’s Made Up” demo that it would relate to so many. It’s so cool to see that song has made people feel less alone when healing from falling in love with the idea of someone instead of the actual person they were/are. I am proud of all the music I have released but so far I am the most proud of this one.”

Leer is a California native that began singing at the age of six but after high school decided to follow her athletic passion by playing D1 soccer at the University of California, Berkeley. Leer made the move to Nashville four years ago and appeared in the Top 10 on Season 18 of ABC’s American Idol. Since then, Leer has secured a record deal via 19 Recordings, Inc. and has spent the last year writing and recording music for her self-titled debut EP, which is now available. Leer recently performed the National Anthem at the SheBelieves Cup 2023 in Nashville at Geodis Park, was CMT’s Next Up Now artist for November, and named Country Now’s Country Next. Leer has also been included in iHeart Women of Country a couple of times.

For more information, visit graceleer.com and @graceleermusic on Instagram and TikTok.

Jillian Cardarelli

Country artist/songwriter Jillian Cardarelli also performed on the CMA Fest Spotlight Stage performing her new single “Could’ve Been Boy,” which was written by Cardarelli and hit songwriters Liz Hengber and Matt Wynn. The song is about reflecting over the years on a relationship that ended and wondering what might have been. As Cardarelli explained, “When an impactful relationship ends, we’ve all probably looked back and wondered what could have been. So we wrote this song to acknowledge the ones that got away. Heartache is a universal storyline, and we know so many people will be able to relate to this song.”

This is Cardarelli’s second single release this year and with over a half million streams across all digital platforms, this Massachusetts native is blazing her own path with stunning vocals, captivating songwriting, and girl-next-door qualities. Her last single “Country Side,” debuted in February with her previous singles “What’s It Gonna Take,” “Dropped.” And “If You Had a Heart,” from her 2021 EP garnered support from Apple Music, Spotify, and Pandora. Her inspirational single “Strong” featuring Charles Esten was named one of 2020’s Most Powerful Songs by American Songwriter. “I Never Do This” was named Best Country Song by Rolling Stone in 2019.

In addition to writing and performing, Cardarelli is passionate about being involved in charitable organizations like Stand Up 2 Cancer, Band Against Cancer, Musicians on Call, PEDIGREE Foundation, and St. Jude Children’s Hospital. She often performs for charitable events and is an avid golfer, playing in various charity golf tournaments around the country.

For more information visit jilliancardarelli.com and follow her on social media at @jilliancardarelli

Century Drive

If you didn’t get a chance to Meet & Greet Century Drive at Fan Fair X or see them perform at the Nash House during CMA Fest, then you definitely need to check out this four-piece country-rock band made up of two sets of brothers hailing from the beautiful mountains of Oregon. Corey and Casey Parnell and Chad and Lonnie Chapin are all sons of preachers who are using their ingrained devotion and conviction to write, record, and release their own lane of Pacific Northwest, pavement-pounding country and Americana rock.

Their new single, “Wild Hearts, Wild Highways,” was penned and produced by Century Drive. Corey Parnell stated, “[It] is a song about love, second chances, and starting over. We all know what it’s like to have our hearts broken and to want to run away from it all. This song is about choosing to run away from it all together. It's about gaining a new perspective and finding forgiveness.”

The band was named after the scenic Cascade Lakes Highway in Oregon, a.k.a. Century Drive. Their storytelling and brotherly harmonies are celebrated among some of Nashville's hottest songwriters, including 17-time number-one writer Brian White who said, "The first time I stepped in the room to write with Century Drive I knew something special was happening. The energy and vibe were simply contagious. Unbelievable musicians, great singers, and songs set the bar high. I'm a huge fan.”

The Parnells approached the Chapins to write songs in the early days of the pandemic, and their all-nighters have resulted in a catalog of songs that punch through as they blaze their own trail on the scene. After teasing their audience with a string of singles, the group debuted their sound on an EP in 2022 titled Staring at Stars. That project landed a spotlight on CMT and The Country Network in addition to profiles in other music publications. The title track was also featured on the official Academy of Country Music's New Music Friday Playlist alongside artists such as Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett, Carrie Underwood, and Keith Urban to name a few.

Before banding together for this group, they garnered success across a variety of genres and built a brotherhood friendship spanning more than two decades. Lonnie is the band's Grammy and Dove award-winning bassist and Gospel Music Hall Of Fame alum as a member of Petra. He also co-wrote the #1 hit song “If I Had To Die For Someone” for Christian rock band Petra before becoming a founding member of the Grammy-nominated band Tait with his brother Chad. Chad is a Grammy-nominated drummer, Dove award winner, twelve-time BMI Music award winner, and recipient of the legendary BMI Song Of The Year award for his song “To Ever Live Without Me.” Lead vocalist and songwriter Corey Parnell has shared stages with noteworthy artists Kris Kristofferson, Trace Adkins, and Lindsay Ell, and has co-written songs for Steve Fee and Shannon Bex of Danity Kane. His brother and lead guitarist Casey has recorded, written, and produced for Shannon Bex of MTV’s supergroup Danity Kane and Thunderstorm Artis of NBC’s The Voice

Creating jewelry from breast milk has become a popular trend known as breast milk jewelry or milk jewelry. It involves preserving a small amount of the mother's breast milk and incorporating it into jewelry pieces such as pendants, rings, or bracelets. Breast milk jewelry is often seen as a sentimental way for mothers to commemorate their breastfeeding journey or to celebrate the bond between mother and child. It can also hold special meaning for those who have faced challenges or triumphs in their breastfeeding experience.

PHOTOS BY FOURTHCROWN STUDIOS AND KATHY FOX

In 2018, Cait Robertson and her husband, Joel, struggled with infertility as she has PCOS, polycystic ovary syndrome. PCOS is a hormonal disorder that affects women of reproductive age and causes fertility issues. It was a tough season for them, but Robertson opted for fertility treatments and took Clomid to help them conceive. Robertson got pregnant on the first try but sadly lost the baby at eight weeks. “I've never had grief like that before and it sent me into a deep depression,” Robertson said.

The night after Robertson lost the baby, she was struggling with grief. “I could not find the peace to sleep. I really felt like it was almost a darkness attacking me,” Robertson explained. “I kept having negative thoughts it was my fault so I prayed that God would give me peace to sleep and remove all of the negative thoughts.” Afterward, Robertson recalled falling asleep and having the most beautiful dream she had ever had in her life, and when she woke up she wrote down 10 pages in her journal describing the dream. “In a nutshell, it was a vision of heaven and a little girl's room in this huge mansion. It was a dream that gave me a lot of peace and I do feel like it was from God,” Robertson said. “I don't know for sure if it was a girl or boy, but I do feel like it was a girl because of that dream.” The Robertsons asked God to name their baby and God gave Joel a dream that the baby they lost was a girl. “We felt like her name should be Grace,” Robertson concluded.

Cait and Joel’s rainbow baby, Grey, was born in January 2020, and their second child, Ryland, was born in January 2022. After Ryland was born, Robertson bought a milk ring for herself but was disappointed because she didn’t find anything that was her exact style. She wanted a custom piece with a couture vibe but to no avail. It was because of this void, she set out to make her own breast milk jewelry. “I love learning new things and am crafty. I decided in 2022 my hobby was going to be making breast milk look like gemstones because I had not seen that,” explained Robertson. “When my boys would go to bed at night I would sit in my garage with my respirator mask on and try to turn breast milk into precious stones per se. Over time, I got better and better and now they are beautiful!”

The process involves dehydrating the breast milk to remove the moisture and the powder is then mixed with a proprietary preservation powder, UV stabilizers, and resin. This mixture is used to fill the jewelry settings creating a unique and personalized keepsake. Robertson makes her one-of-a-kind designs truly stunning and can add pearl shimmer, opal flakes, gold flakes, rose gold flakes, or any combination desired during the process.

Keepsake jewelry is a special way to keep memories alive forever. “It is a precious piece of jewelry made from someone's own special keepsake such as breastmilk, formula, ash, dried flowers from wedding bouquets, funeral flowers, etc., locks of hair, placenta capsule, sand, and really anything that holds deep meaning to you,” Robertson stated. “For my custom pieces, there are no wrong choices or combinations for somebody’s personal keepsake.” Breastmilk jewelry is the most popular keepsake choice because it commemorates the beautiful but difficult journey of breastfeeding and the eternal bond formed between a mama and her baby. Robertson even made herself a pink ring from the positive pregnancy test for Grace, the baby she lost, as a keepsake.

In March 2023, Robertson officially launched Milk Couture Co., in her garage in Franklin, Tennessee, and moved full steam ahead making breastmilk jewelry. With each order she receives, she feels a connection with other moms. “My number one favorite thing is connecting with other moms,” Robertson said. “On the order form, I asked people to share their stories, if they want to, and I absolutely love reading them and even talking to them on Instagram. I feel it's my calling.”

MY NUMBER ONE FAVORITE THING IS CONNECTING WITH OTHER MOMS. ON THE ORDER FORM, I ASKED PEOPLE TO SHARE THEIR STORIES, IF THEY WANT TO, AND I ABSOLUTELY LOVE READING THEM AND EVEN TALKING TO THEM ON INSTAGRAM. I FEEL IT'S MY CALLING.

Throughout this journey, Robertson has had such a heart for the mamas who experienced loss she is committed to donating a portion of all profits to Gathering Hope, an organization that provides resources, support, and community to mamas who have suffered infant loss and miscarriage. To connect with Gathering Hope visit gatheringhope.net

Milk Couture Co. is a company Robertson started for all mamas, whether they breastfed, formula fed, pumped, or have a baby on earth or in heaven. For additional information or to order a custom piece of breast milk jewelry visit milkcouture.co and follow her on social media at @milkcoutureco. Robertson would be honored to preserve your most sacred moments in time by crafting a gorgeous custom piece of heirloom jewelry for you! n

KEEPSAKE JEWELRY IS A SPECIAL WAY TO KEEP MEMORIES ALIVE FOREVER.

Outdoor Getaway!

THE SHOALS PART 2

By Kathy Fox PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE FLORENCE LAUDERDALE CVB

Withsummer in full swing, it’s time to get out, explore, and soak up the rays and fresh air. Whether you are an avid golfer or simply enjoy a relaxing walk meandering park trails, the Shoals in North Alabama offers an impressive list of appealing outdoor activities for the entire family. With its temperate climate and a convenient 2-hour drive from Williamson County, visitors will find remarkable biking, kayaking, fishing, hiking, and golfing options at every turn to make for an inspirational and memorable getaway.

The GunRunner Boutique Hotel, a hideaway in plain sight, awaits your arrival. This unique boutique hotel is located in the heart of downtown Florence, Alabama, and is within walking distance of many bars, restaurants, and historical attractions. For some retail therapy, Billy Reid’s flagship store and other boutiques are only two blocks away and the University of North Alabama’s campus is also within walking distance.

The smoke-free hotel features 10 spacious luxury suites each uniquely designed to celebrate the music, fashion, art, and history of the Shoals area. The Billy Reid room, pictured, is named after Billy Reid, the critically acclaimed fashion designer who makes his home in Florence, Alabama. This suite reflects the spirit of his work and the unpretentious style of his brand featuring amenities such as a steam shower, an 18-foot private balcony, a Bluetooth sound system, a king-size bed built by Reid himself, and so many other luxurious comforts.

For guests looking to renew and rejuvenate, the GunRunner Medical Spa in the hotel offers a variety of relaxing spa and medical services. From massages to injectables, facials to CoolSculpting, or waxing and nails, the GunRunner Medical Spa understands the importance of self-care and self-love for guests who want to pamper themselves while receiving the highest level of skincare treatments available.

HIT THE COURSE!

The Shoals is a golfing hot spot offering the perfect setting for golfers to enjoy a round. Here are a few of the top courses to golf near Florence, Alabama, beginning with The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at The Shoals, which is set alongside the scenic singing Tennessee River and features two 18-hole courses. Blackberry Trail Golf Course, set in a beautiful wetland, offers 18 holes as well as an on-site pro shop, snack bar, and grill. “The General” at Joe Wheeler State Park, set within a game sanctuary, presents 18 holes of challenging play on rolling hills with river views and plenty of wildlife sightings. Cypress Lakes Gold & Tennis Club in Muscle Shoals offers 18 holes, 15 with water features, and an on-site pro shop with many other amenities.

With its growing popularity, the Shoals features five disc golf courses located at several parks in the area. Disc golf, formerly known as frisbee golf, offers another way to enjoy scenic views and rolling hills in the Shoals. McFarland Park and Veteran’s Memorial Park in Florence, Alabama, Joe Wheeler State Park in Rogersville, Alabama, and Gattman Park in Muscle Shoals, all offer disc golf courses with a nominal fee, if any, to play.

Veteran’s Memorial Park also has four outdoor pickleball hard courts and contains a memorial to the war veterans of Florence and Lauderdale County. In 2020, Brush Creek Park, located near Waterloo, Alabama, introduced the newest disc golf course in the Shoals. Located along the picturesque Tennessee River, the 18-hole course winds through the park and is over a mile long!

EXPLORE THE WATER!

A great way to enjoy the striking scenery of the Shoals and soak it all up is to spend some time around the sparkling water. Especially when the weather heats up, it’s a great way to stay cool. Whether it is recreational fishing, kayaking, or boating, the Tennessee River and area lakes offer a range of outdoor water activities.

The Tennessee River flows through the Shoals and Pickwick Lake, Wilson Lake, and Wheeler Lake were created by a series of dams on the river. These fishing hot spots are loaded with smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, catfish, crappie, saltwater stripe, sauger, and bream. Drop your line in the rivers, lakes, and creeks and explore the variety of terrain and challenging fishing experiences. The Florence Harbor Marina is only five minutes from downtown Florence and can take care of any boat rental. If you prefer to kayak, reach out to Beardo Outdoors for daily rentals.

For a relaxing day on the water, a guided cruise offered by Wheeler Lake Scenic Cruises will be delightful. General public and private tours take passengers along the scenic coves and bluffs of Joe Wheeler State Park, the spectacular lower section of Lake Wheeler, and Wilson Lake. There are different tour durations. On the four- and eight-hour trips, passengers will be guided through the Wheeler Dam lock twice, spend time sightseeing around the beautiful Wilson Lake, and stop for lunch at Swampers Bar and Grille at the Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa

HIKING, BIKING, CLIMBING & MORE!

For those looking to escape everyday life, exploring the natural wooded beauty of the Shoals is the answer. The Shoals boasts inspiring hiking trails, picturesque waterfalls, and outdoor adventures waiting to be discovered.

Shoal Creek Preserve, just north of Florence, Alabama, is 300 acres of woods, waterfalls, creeks, and bluffs. Experience 4 ½ miles of terrain for hiking, mountain bikes, and trails for horses. The natural beauty is unrivaled. The TVA Trails are suited for every interest and experience level. With more than 180 miles of trails for hiking, walking, mountain biking, or rock climbing, there is something for everyone. Some trails lead to fishing holes and campsites, one horse trail, and there are trails that lead to hunting grounds during the season.

Grab a pair of binoculars and hit the North Alabama Birding Trail to peek into the wildlife. A delight for bird watchers with 397 bird species seen in Alabama including woodpeckers, hummingbirds, cranes, and even large roosts of bald eagles. A quiet morning walk will turn into hours of discovering the natural habitat of the trails.

The park is the site for numerous events and festivals during the year including the W.C. Handy Music Festival, which will be held July 21 – 30, 2023. Mark your calendar for this fun event and join in the celebration promoting the legacy of the Father of the Blues and Florence native W.C. Handy!

DOWNTOWN FLORENCE STROLL

Two blocks from the GunRunner Boutique Hotel is the historic Wilson Park with its majestic fountain. The park, first designated as a Public Walk in 1818, officially changed its name in 1924 to honor the former U.S. President Woodrow Wilson after his death. The park showcases beautiful landscaping, benches to enjoy the surroundings, and the Wilson Park Fountain in the middle of the park.

In addition to year-round outdoor activities, October brings the Alabama Renaissance Faire. Florence is known as the “Renaissance City,” and hosts the faire the fourth weekend of October in Wilson Park. Enjoy authentic Renaissance food, costumes, and music. VISIT

Start planning your next getaway today and enjoy the great outdoors and the Hit Recording Capital of the World. For additional information visit TheShoalsAL.com and follow them on social media at @visittheshoalsal or visit the FlorenceLauderdale Visitor Center located at 200 Jim Spain Drive in Florence to get maps, brochures, and your singing river swag from The Shoals Shop. n

Dental Haven — Sit Back, Relax and Smile!

Dr. Megan Girmscheid recently opened her new practice, Dental Haven, in the Berry Farms community of Franklin. Sit back, relax, and smile as she built Dental Haven as a safe place for patients to come and receive quality and gentle dental care using the most innovative technologies. “It's my passion and my purpose. Dentistry is my way of helping and serving the community”, Dr. Girmscheid said. After spending seven years with Dental Bliss, she was ready to step out on her own and created a boutique, spa-like atmosphere for her patients where they will feel relaxed and experience soothing care.

Dr. Girmscheid grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, and at the early age of 15, decided to pursue a career in dentistry after she got her braces removed. Her beautiful new smile gave her brand-new confidence, and she knew that she wanted to provide that same feeling to others. Dr. Girmscheid received her Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition with a minor in vocal performance from the University of Kentucky and later went on to receive her Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry, DMD, from the University of Louisville.

As you walk into Dental Haven, you will be greeted by smiling faces and the modern amenities of a warm and inviting sanctuary. After a consultation or cleaning by one of their hygienists, you will meet with Dr. Girmscheid and receive a comprehensive oral exam. The team goes the extra mile in discussing any concerns and/or goals you have for your smile, ultimately outlining a unique treatment plan tailored specifically to your needs.

Dental Haven offers a complete range of dental services including preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry along with teeth whitening, Botox, and veneers. Dr. Girmscheid knows that some patients deal with dental anxiety and offers a variety of sedation options to make their experience relaxing and stress-free. “I wanted to create a calming place for patients to get the care that they need. Some patients have had traumatic experiences in the past and some are just nervous about the experience. “Regardless of the scenario, I have the experience of treating these patients and getting their oral health back on track,” said Dr. Girmscheid. “Their concerns will be heard, and they will receive the care that they need, with no judgement.”

Before leaving, you can schedule future visits and sign up for an inhouse membership plan (optional), which is a comprehensive, affordable membership for quality dental care throughout the year. The staff is also happy to answer any insurance-related or financial questions to make your appointment as seamless as possible. They believe quality dental care should be able to fit into your budget.

To schedule your stress-free appointment, visit dentalhaventn.com to book online or give them a call at (615) 861-3035. Follow them on social media at @dentalhaventn n

(615) 861-3035 • DENTALHAVENTN.COM

7020 BERRY FARMS CROSSING • SUITE 216

DR. MEGAN GIRMSCHEID

Musical NOTES

FEATURING HARRISON PRICHARD

By Kathy Fox

Let us introduce you to Harrison Prichard, a rising 4th grader who attends Lipscomb Elementary School in Brentwood, Tennessee. As a budding musician, he literally started banging on the piano when he was 12 months old. As his mother Deena recalled, “Harrison would play on the piano because he would watch his brother Ellis, who was taking piano lessons, practice. I remember having to say, ‘Harrison please stop!’ because he would interrupt Ellis while he was practicing but that was the start of it all for Harrison.” Even at his young age, Harrison proved to have musical prowess as he would dance to music and move his body around having fun. Anyone who met the little guy knew he had music in his veins.

During his toddler years, Harrison had several ear infections and the doctors decided to put a tube in his left ear when he was three years old to help alleviate recurrent ear infections. When the ear infections continued the doctors went to remove the tube and found cholesteatoma, an abnormal skin growth or skin cyst trapped behind the eardrum. Harrison’s growth had woven its way around his eardrum and was growing toward the brain and brain stem. Surgery was scheduled and the specialist deconstructed the eardrum to remove the abnormal growth and then did a reconstruction to complete the procedure. One of the main concerns post-operative of course was a potential loss of hearing due to the reconstruction of the eardrum, but that was closely monitored as Harrison developed.

Fast forward a few years and in 2020, Harrison’s parents enrolled him at Roots Academy, a music lesson and dance studio, in Brentwood as a creative outlet and a chance for him to develop his musical talents. At that time, the six-year-old thought he wanted to pursue dance and started boys hip hop. However, due to Covid, everything was taught online and was very challenging because of this. After that year, Harrison decided he wanted to move to piano lessons and that was when he officially started the piano.

Around that same time Harrison moved to piano lessons, the audiologist recommended a hearing aid to assist with his hearing due to an imbalance in his hearing and all the background noise in the classroom at school. For one who has a passion for music a hearing imbalance or loss can impact musical ability as hearing is crucial for perceiving and interpreting sound, whether it is with pitch perception, tone and timbre recognition, rhythm perception, or harmony and chord recognition. As Harrison continued to develop musically, his hearing aid helped mitigate any hearing imbalance. Other than the shiny blue piece in his ear, one would never suspect any hearing concerns as he has thrived musically.

This past year, with his mentor Mike at Roots, Harrison has flourished on the piano. As his mentor said, “We are two goofballs that they put together and when you put us in the same room together, you never know what's going to happen during a music lesson or a music showcase for that matter.” While the two worked on the spring showcase this past April, they showed this goofy side during the introduction of Harrison’s song at the showcase. “We made the introduction a bit longer than permitted as we had a mini skit that showed our goofiness when I introduced his song “First Place” and presented Harrison with a lot of first place medals,” Mike chuckled. “We asked for forgiveness later.” In addition to the piano, Harrison plays the guitar and ukulele. Last year he learned how to play them both on his own without one lesson impressive!

Harrison has several songs under his belt now at the age of nine such as “Rule the World,” “A Thousand Years Ago,” “All Free,” and “For The Rest of My Life.” In 2021, he wrote “Look Away,” which is an electronic song that is an instrumental. “It was a fun song to make and I used GarageBand [a music composing app],” he said. “It took me about two months to do and I put different types of instruments and different melodies all together.” With one of his newer singles from this year, “But I Love You,” Harrison wrote and sang the lyrics, composed all the music, and posted it to Spotify.

Harrison loves to perform and one of his first shows was at the Commodore Grille in 2022. He was the youngest person to ever play there at the age of eight and played three songs on the ukulele for the crowd. In January 2023, Harrison went back to Commodore Grille and played the first song on guitar and his next two were played on the ukulele. For only playing these string instruments for about a year now, he shows real talent and passion for his craft. When asked where he got his talent from, Harrison smiled and said, “Definitely my dad!”

Like any other boy his age, when Harrison is not creating music he loves to play video games of course, and spend time with his family traveling. One of his most memorable trips was an Alaskan cruise they took last year. He also likes doing math and enjoys reading and right now he is reading the first of the Lord of the Rings books, The Fellowship of the Ring.

Be on the lookout for this rising singer-songwriter superstar in years to come. Harrison is a bubbly and adorable nine-year-old with a smile that will melt your heart. His music is pretty amazing too, and we look forward to seeing him at the Opry someday! n

By Amy Montgomery

PHOTOS BY ALLISON ELEFANTE

PEOPLE LOVE NEW TWISTS ON EVERYDAY STAPLES. SURPRISE YOUR GUESTS WITH A COLORFUL SUMMER VEGETABLE HARVEST CENTERPIECE.

Summer vegetables are at their prime right now! There is nothing better than all those locally grown veggies cooked up at home and topped off with a slice of homemade cornbread. Have you ever thought about using these summer-time beauties to adorn your table? Actually, using vegetables as your centerpiece? It can be done and will be the topic of conversation at your next summer gathering. The best part of all is you can eat them the next day.

You might ask, how did this idea come about? It came about as a necessity after being asked by a customer how to put a fresh arrangement on her table even though she is highly allergic to most flowers. How could you go wrong with fresh broccoli, asparagus, and tomatoes? We used small florets of broccoli in small vases, asparagus bunched up and tied with twill, and vine-ripened tomatoes still on the vine along with a generous sprinkling of heirloom cherry tomatoes. The colors are vibrant and perfect for a beautiful summer table indoors or out.

Think of all the choices available at your local farmers market. The selections are endless, cucumbers, green beans, yellow corn, okra, eggplant. Partially shucked ears of bright yellow corn on the table in between tomatoes and a sprinkling of fresh green beans would look wonderful with bright red napkins and maybe even a summer-themed kitchen tea towel for your placemat. Gingham is always a pretty choice to use for summer tables. Gingham tablecloths, napkins, or placemats. Cloth napkins are always wonderful, but for a casual, relaxed dinner don't be afraid to use paper. Paper works for dinner napkins and paper cocktail napkins are pretty much a standard at any gathering.

THINK OF ALL THE CHOICES AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL FARMERS MARKET. THE SELECTIONS ARE ENDLESS, CUCUMBERS, GREEN BEANS, YELLOW CORN, OKRA, EGGPLANT.

local farmers markets

columbia farmers market riverwalk park

102 riverside dr. * columbia, tn 38401 (931) 388-3647

This open-air market is open rain or shine on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. The main season runs from May - October. Visit @columbiafarmersfreshmarket on Instagram for additional information.

franklin farmers market behind the factory

230 franklin rd. * franklin, tn 37064 (615) 916-1274

franklinfarmersmarket.com

A true Tennessee farmers market with produce including fruit, dairy, meats and baked goods. Every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. Visit local farmers and a select number of local crafters with unique and beautiful goods.

westhaven farmers market

magli green park

191 front st. * franklin, tn 37064 (615) 967-6765

westhavenfarmersmarket.com

Bringing a new generation of farmers to the table. Open every Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. from May through October. There is a variety of vendors for you to choose from where you will find all kinds of organic or naturally grown produce, several varieties of meat, baked goods, farm-fresh eggs, and crafts!

nolensville farmers market

7248 nolensville rd. nolensville, tn 37135 (931) 284-9295

nolensvillefarmersmarket.com

This market is open year-round on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Support local agriculture, food, and arts. Visit their website to sign up for their email newsletter.

kindred farm store

4531 snow creek rd. santa fe, tn 38482 (615) 326-9354

thekindredfarm.com

The farm store is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. Stop by and peek into the greenhouses bursting with veggies and take home the tastiest things they make and grow including produce, flowers, pasture-raised eggs, yummy pickled things, and a whole lot more!

bountiful blessing farm

654 dry prong rd. williamsport, tn 38487 (931) 583-2701

bountifulblessingsfarm.com

Support this local farm by signing up for the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program — an exclusive produce share membership, or visit them at the 12 South Farmers Market (Tuesdays) and the St. George Farmers Market (Thursdays) in Nashville during the summer.

please visit the market's website, social media page, or contact them directly for the most up-to-date information and vendor list.

People love new twists on everyday staples. Surprise your guests with a colorful summer vegetable harvest centerpiece. The best part of this, is you can support local by purchasing at your farmers market and then make something delicious with your centerpiece to enjoy it for a second time!

Help support Tennessee agriculture by shopping locally. It’s a great way for community engagement and offers the opportunity to purchase artisanal products, fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and other agricultural products directly for local farmers and producers. Discover something new and delicious while making an edible centerpiece for your table! n

AMY MONTGOMERY has 25 years of design experience and owns Amy Montgomery Home in Columbia, Tennessee. She is a lifestylist focused on home and flowers and delights in offering her customers an elevated customer service experience. Visit amymontgomeryhome.com for additional information and follow her on social media at @amymontgomeryhome.

imagine ...

More than sixty years ago, the building hummed of sewing machines and production at one of the largest shirt factories in southern Tennessee.

Now fast forward to find this incredible 71,000 square foot industrial facility converted to its present-day grandeur with the original steel windows and doors, an outside deck for music and entertainment, food, gifts, specialty tea, a boutique resale shop, and so much more. There is ample parking, and you can expect the unexpected from music on Saturdays, to rare antiques and treasures of all kinds every day of the week. Plan your day at the Factory at Columbia and experience all these wonderful retail and dining establishments under one roof.

101 NORTH JAMES M. CAMPBELL BOULEVARD | COLUMBIA, TN

factoryatcolumbia

PRESERVING

Precious Moments

NASHVILLE FLORAL PRESERVATION

By Kathy Fox

PHOTOS BY LOCKSTEP CREATIVE

Stunning flowers are a beautiful way to express appreciation and are the best way to someone’s heart. Whether it is your dream wedding, birthday, Mother’s Day, or a simple thank you, flowers are without doubt the number one gift option worldwide. Quite frankly, there is nothing more fulfilling than giving or receiving a bouquet filled with gorgeous flowers for that special occasion.

However, we all know that sad feeling when the beautiful bouquet begins to wilt, especially when it has sentimental significance from an event like a wedding or birth. So how does one preserve flowers so they can be displayed and remembered for years to come? There are several options ranging from traditional air drying, the age-old method of book pressing, silica gel/sand, microwave pressing, or preserving them in resin. Each method produces a different result but will preserve the flowers and create a keepsake to remember that special occasion.

After Spring Hill resident Merritt DuPree got married in May 2022, she wanted to have a keepsake made from her wedding bouquet. “I have always been deeply passionate about florals and keepsakes. I wanted to get my flowers preserved because they were literally the most important thing to me about my wedding aside from actually getting married,” explained Dupree. When she started looking for resin flower preservation options, she quickly realized there were not many. She finally found a company and hoped for the best, but unfortunately was not happy with the final product. “I was not pleased at all with the results. After I got my flowers back, I told my husband I know could do this and do it so much better,” said DuPree.

Shortly thereafter, Dupree decided to launch her business, Nashville Floral Preservation. Using her background in art and flowers she began learning how to preserve flowers. “I started learning the basics in the fall of 2022 and then started applying them. I didn't take a specific class, but was self-taught by watching videos,” DuPree said. “I also spoke with the owners of the companies where I was buying my resin and they walked me through some crucial points of how to work with it because it is not easy. I feel like a chemist half the time because the resin can be dangerous if you are not taking the right precautions.”

For those who have not worked with resin, minor skin contact can cause acute contact dermatitis. Fumes from the resin can also cause severe respiratory irritation so it is important to wear a proper respirator. As DuPree explains, “Resin can overheat if you mix too much or pour too much in your mold at one time. It can even catch on fire, which is crazy especially since it starts in a liquid form. As it cures it hardens, which is a chemical reaction, so it heats up as it cures and then cools. Resin fumes should not be inhaled, so I use lots of filtration and wear a heavy-duty mask when I work with it as well as gloves.”

DuPree treats the flowers with the utmost care and completely respects the flowers’ organic design during the preservation process. So much so that she even started composting the stems with hopes of growing flowers in the dirt created. Dupree’s artistic eye takes time in creating each design and thoughtfully selects the flowers. To ensure these resin pieces will stand the test of time, she only uses the best materials and has many different molds to choose from that can be displayed throughout the home as centerpieces, wall hangings, or functional pieces like a ring holder and necklace. The most popular mold is the 10-inch resin arch, which is a centerpiece that beautifully displays multiple blooms.

DUPREE TREATS THE FLOWERS WITH THE UTMOST CARE AND COMPLETELY RESPECTS THE FLOWERS’ ORGANIC DESIGN DURING THE PRESERVATION PROCESS.

The preservation process is lengthy, from start to finish can take up to three months, and it is recommended to book at least six months in advance. For the best results, the fresher the flowers the better. First DuPree dries the flowers in silica sand and that takes two to three weeks to ensure all the moisture is gone. A layout design is then created from the selected flowers and she sends photos for approval before the resin pour process so there are no surprises. Finally, DuPree pours seven to eight layers of resin, to cover the flowers. This requires 72 hours per layer to allow for the resin to cure.

DuPree noted there are common questions from clients about the process such as, “Will the color and shape of the flower change or will the resin amber over time?” As she explained, “Since the flowers are preserved with silica gel that helps preserve the color and shape, but there can be some deepening of the colors during the process. Regarding the resin darkening, I use the best resin available with UV inhibitors. However, due to the fact resin is a polymer it can amber over time so it’s best to keep pieces out of direct sunlight and warmer temperatures, but the flowers are completely safe.”

This past year, DuPree has been busy working with event and wedding planners Monroe Media and Events LLC and Nolensville florist Bloom House in creating precious memories for their brides. In May, she attended the Tennessee Bridal & Wedding Expo and will be at the Mint Spring Farm Open House in Nolensville on August 8 and The Pink Bride held at the Nashville Fairgrounds on August 13. For additional information or to reserve your date to have your florals preserved, visit nashvillefloralpreservation.com and follow her on social media at @nashvillefloralpreservation n

FRANKLIN'S HISTORICAL Harrison House AND ITS GUARDIAN — PAMELA LEWIS

By Buffie Baril

PHOTOS BY TRENTON LEE PHOTOGRAPHY

Music industry legend, visionary, history lover, preservationist, philanthropist, and friend, Pamela Lewis, arrived in Franklin, Tennessee, in 1993. What she didn’t know was the house she was entertaining buying, was a home that changed the course of American history and ultimately would change her.

Not being from the South, Lewis often refers to herself as a damn Yankee who stumbled on Nashville by way of the music business. Whether it was fate, destiny, or something else, the moment Lewis laid eyes on the Greek Revival home, known as the Harrison House, she felt an emotional connection. The feeling you have when you finally meet your soulmate.

The Harrison House, located on Columbia Pike, south of Winstead Hill, has one of the most picturesque landscapes of Franklin, Tennessee. Surrounding the Harrison House are 68 bucolic acres complete with barns, horses, turkeys, guineas, chickens, ducks, dogs, and cats. As you walk the property, you feel a sense of connectedness with an important piece of Tennessee history.

Despite its serene setting today, the Harrison House was famous for being the site of the command post for Confederate General John Bell Hood during the 1864 Battle of Franklin. In fact, it’s where General Hood held his last staff meeting before the battle, was also used as a spy headquarters, and served as an army field hospital in 1862 and 1864. The historic home’s story is undeniably captivating, but so is Lewis’s story, who has been the guardian of the house now for many years.

Originally from the state of New York, Lewis grew up in Red Hook, a small town in upstate New York. Lewis graduated from Wells College on scenic Cayuga Lake, majoring in Economics and Marketing, and minoring in French and Communications. She did additional coursework at Fordham University and The New School for Social Research in New York City. She also attended Scarritt Bennett Center and received her Executive Mini MBA from Belmont University when in Nashville.

After college Lewis eventually found herself working as a secretary at MTV’s parent company, Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment Company, now Viacom. She questioned why she went to college to become a secretary but was quickly promoted to media marketing manager. At the time, she was dating a photographer who asked her to go to the Meadowlands with him. Lewis had no idea it would lead to her talking with heads of major record labels like Joe Galante, Randy Goodman, and Tony Brown, but she believes in the power of place, and these backstage conversations are what led her to Nashville.

Lewis decided she had to learn the music business and accepted a job at RCA Records with label executive Joe Galante, originally from New York as well, and moved to Nashville in 1984. During those times, there weren’t a lot of female role models or managers and Lewis shared, “I always felt like an outsider because I was from New York. I was scared to death, and it was really a stressful job, but it was a good learning experience.”

Lewis worked on the movie Rhinestone in 1984, which was filmed in Leiper’s Fork. Her client, Dolly Parton, co-starred with Sylvester Stallone. After working for RCA for a year with a roster including Parton and other legends like Kenny Rogers, The Judds, Vince Gill, Keith Whitley, and Alabama, Lewis would be unfairly fired. She recalled refusing the advances of one of her bosses and shortly thereafter, her office was moved to a closet in what Lewis believes was an attempt to make her quit. However, when Lewis refused to quit, she was fired. She never made the connection between getting fired and refusing her boss’s advances until the Me Too movement. “At the time, I thought I was just not the right person for the job,” Lewis said.

As she continued to push through, she set a financial goal of becoming a homeowner and rolled up her sleeves and went to work. Not only did she achieve her goal of home ownership in East Nashville, but she also got the attention of her future business partner Bob Doyle and the two formed Doyle/Lewis Management. Their first client was a newcomer from Oklahoma by the name of Garth Brooks.

The new management team was scrappy and creative, and Lewis believes these differences are how the magic happened. Because of her drive and marketing genius, she was able to open doors for Brooks and helped make him a superstar. She remained his manager for eight years and with more than 170 million records sold, he became one of the world’s best-selling artists. Billboard ranked Brooks as the greatest male solo artist on the Billboard 200 chart of all time. Doyle/Lewis Management went on to manage country rockers Great Plains, Trent Summar, and Hank Flamingo, along with folk singer/songwriter Buddy Mondlock and Stephanie Davis, landing deals for all these acts.

Life on Music Row wasn’t easy. Although Lewis felt lucky to be in the room, she had to deal with some men underestimating her. “It was demoralizing,” Lewis explained, “not to be taken seriously.” Lewis persevered and helped another unknown, Trisha Yearwood, land her first record deal at MCA Records. Yearwood’s first single, “She’s in Love with the Boy,” went to number one.

An astute businesswoman, Lewis built an impressive real estate portfolio, which included five Nashville properties on 16th Avenue South, aka the Music Row area, which she purchased in 1993. Lewis explained, “I thought it was important to have a diversified income source and continue my public relations agency.” Tammy Wynette, who kept her beautician’s license even after she became a country music star, told Lewis, “You don’t put all your eggs all in one basket.” Lewis chose one of those properties for the new office of her public relations company, PLA Media. With her incredible team of Mark Logan, Becky Parson, and Ava Hundley, PLA Media is now one of the top public relations agencies in Nashville.

In addition to the property on Music Row, Lewis bought the historic Harrison House in Franklin that same year, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Lewis fell in love with the land and the Harrison House so much so that in 2015, she published a book, A Tennessee Yankee, where she shares insight into how she became the guardian of the Harrison House and its history.

The original part of the Harrison House was built in 1810 and did not face Columbia Pike. It was built in the Federal style and was later extended and remodeled to face the new road of Columbia Pike in the Greek Revival style. You can see the exterior brick from the original house, which is now enclosed as a den and part of the new house.

The Harrison House was considered one of the finest homes in Franklin with immaculate gardens thanks to Mrs. Harrison. There are two staircases, one in the rear where the presentday kitchen is located from the original home, and one in the stunning foyer. The staircase and newel posts are still in beautiful condition considering the age of the home.

A GORGEOUS GIRANDOLE CANDELABRA, A GIFT TO THE HARRISON FAMILY FROM THE FOUNTAIN BRANCH CARTER FAMILY.

Lewis’s extensive antique collection includes a piano once used by Matilda Harrison, a framed photo of Matilda, and a settee which was from the former First Lady Rachel Donelson Jackson’s Tulip Grove. The formal dining room is massive and boasts stunning buffets, fabulous chairs, and vintage serving pieces. A gorgeous girandole candelabra, which was a wedding present to the Harrisons from the Fountain Branch Carter family, who built the now Historic Carter House in Franklin, is on display. The floors, mostly original, are made of cedar, pine, and poplar wood.

There are many fascinating chapters to the story of the home. One of the front parlors, which Lewis decorated around a kimono she received in Japan while an exchange student, was probably where most of the surgeries took place during the war. The other parlor was commandeered by General John Bell Hood where he and his generals, including Nathan Bedford Forrest, planned the Battle of Franklin. And upstairs, there is the secret almost hidden room Lewis uses as a bedroom which was the spy headquarters for Annie Briggs Harrison during the Civil War.

Another piece of recent history includes former resident Jeannie C. Riley, known best for her 1968 number one hit “Harper Valley PTA.” The racy song for the time was penned by fellow Franklin resident, the late Tom T. Hall, sold over six million copies and won both a Grammy Award and CMA Award. Riley loved sitting on the portico and singing to the cows and also wrote a book, From Harpeth Valley to the Mountain Top, that can be purchased at Landmark Booksellers in downtown Franklin.

Lewis explained, “The Harrison House has been a blessing and an honor. The house found me and loved me. I’m just passing through trying to be a good steward.” Lewis has definitely been a good steward of her time and money and has been involved with a plethora of outreaches ranging from historic preservation in Franklin to women’s and children’s advocacy or global environmental causes to mental health as examples, but the list is very long. Additionally, in 2022 she was honored by becoming a distinguished fellow of the Royal Society of Arts FRSA during Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Celebration year and is also a U.S. Ambassador for The Unity of Faiths Foundation.

Furthermore, the charitable work Lewis has done is immense. Her foundation has given hundreds of thousands of dollars to a vast number of charities and educational scholarships. Her leadership in Nashville and Franklin is also very commendable. Whether it was working closely with Lillian Stewart and Mary Pearce to help make Franklin the wonderful community it is today, serving as an alderman, or being appointed to Planning and Historic Zoning Commissions in Franklin. This list is long and includes the Belmont Mansion and Tennessee State Museum boards, the Nashville City Cemetery Board, the Tennessee Preservation Trust, and so many others. The hours donated to numerous boards and philanthropies are immeasurable, but impactful to Middle Tennessee.

Throughout her life, Lewis has remained true to herself and continues to be passionate about history. She has worked hard to help others and her devotion as a preservationist and philanthropist is so big that it guides her into making the world a better place, especially here in lovely Franklin. n

BUFFIE BARIL is a Tennessee REALTOR®, founder of LovelyFranklin.com, and local storyteller. You can follow her on social media at @buffiebarilrealtor and @lovelyfranklintn or visit LovelyFranklin.com

FRAMED PHOTO OF MATILDA HARRISON, WHO WAS THE GRANDMOTHER OF LILLIAN CAMPBELL STEWART — THE FIRST AND ONLY FEMALE MAYOR OF FRANKLIN FROM 1987-89.