Green Acres

Green Acres

One of the music industry’s most dynamic couples leave a high-profile NYC lifestyle for the joys of embracing casual elegance in the country

BY STACIE STANDIFER PHOTOS BY ALAINA MULLIN

The story of Del and Carolyn Bryant is truly legendary. He was born into one of music’s most renowned musical families and she gave up her native NYC home to follow her two loves toward a less complicated existence. Carolyn claims that their 27-year marriage really was born from love at first sight when they met through connections of mutual friends in New York. The second love came along a few years later when their son, Tad, was born. It was from Tad's desire that their life overhaul began as he recognized the value of cleaner living at an early age. Carolyn attests the start of his curiosity stems from reading the Little House on the Prairie book series, which instantly prompted his desire for farm life. So, once Del retired from his position of heading up the global operations for BMI in 2014, they headed back to his roots to start a new chapter. T

They didn’t leave their sense of style in the city, but instead have closets full of designer frocks that speak to their years of attending events and working in NYC. But they also don’t take themselves too seriously, despite the family wealth and owning thousands of acres in Williamson County, as well as a home on Shelter Island. With an extended group of friends and visitors including wildly famous personalities, their home is in a way a reflection of Del’s childhood in Tennessee.

“As children,” Del remembers, “we didn’t really realize that our folks were any different from anyone else’s parents, except that we knew they were home more. I grew up thinking everyone was in the music business. I knew there were firemen, doctors and lawyers, but that wasn’t who came to our house all the time.” Regular visitors included Don Gibson, Faron Young, Chet Atkins, The Everly Brothers, Hawkshaw Hawkins, Little Jimmy Dickens, Roy Orbison, Jim Reeves, Tex Ritter, Patsy Cline and Burl Ives. They were all in the living room at one time or another.

Del and Carolyn Bryant photographed at their home in Leiper's Fork

Alaina Mullin

On her: Black and purple ensemble, personal collection; Marli art deco style ring and bracelet, King Jewelers

On him: Etro ensemble

Del and Carolyn Bryant photographed at their home in Leiper's Fork

Alaina Mullin

The couple does entertain frequently, and the house is filled with fresh flowers for impromptu dinner parties. However, their primary focus day-to-day is raising their son, Tad. “Having a teenager also gets you out of attending things sometimes, since we really are still in the phase of seeing to schoolwork and assignments with him,” says Del. Although he was born with some challenging health issues and has struggled physically to overcome them, Tad has been a driving force of the family’s activities from an early age. His ideas to help others are boundless, and he founded his own charitable foundation (HeadsUpPennyFoundation.org) at an early age. It is work for that growing foundation that now takes up the majority of Carolyn’s time as Tad attends school in downtown Nashville’s Templeton Academy. For a former Merrill Lynch broker, model and actress it is quite a switch, but one that she embraces fully. In fact, the entire family takes giving back very seriously as they feel that their heritage demands being proper stewards of all that they have been given.

The most active party when it comes to extending that passed-down legacy is Del. Along with his brother Dane, he keeps charge of the countless tasks involved with protecting, promoting and honoring the musical catalogs created by their parents, Boudleaux and Felice Bryant. While those names might not be instantly recognizable to those outside of the music industry, they are likely two of the most important figures ever to impact Nashville’s musical influence which is still thriving today. They were the first people to move to the city to develop a career in songwriting, which is hard to imagine now with a thriving community

of publishing houses and songwriters fueling our economy and creative scene. Thousands of songs including multi-general hits such as “Love Hurts,” “Wake Up Little Susie,” “Bye Bye Love,” “All I Have To Do Is Dream,” “Hey, Joe,” and “Rocky Top”. Their influence impacted every genre and their hits recorded by the world’s most famous artists are too many to count.

Having so much experience with this musical legacy and the rewards it has offered to future generations gives Del a unique perspective on advising songwriters and artistic creators today. He is avidly against selling copyrights, with full belief that there is always more opportunity for a living work in the future, even if it isn’t presently evident to the creator. “You have to think of the value longterm, not in the cash value of the day,” he explains. “There is no measure of what a work could bring financially over 25 years, and songwriters need to think in those terms. Instead of thinking about what a song or catalog can sell for today, writers should put that energy into their next song. To have inherited the fortune that we have and to have held the copyrights over the years thanks to our parents is beyond fortunate, and we know this. There is tremendous gratitude but also responsibility.” He goes on to ask the question, “What do you do with luck?” answering with a chuckle, “well, you do what you can”. That is exactly what he plans to do along with Dane, Carolyn and Tad as they build upon the treasure trove of love and talent that they hope will continue to entertain and inspire others for years to come.

Carolyn Bryant photographed at her home in Leiper's Fork

Alaina Mullin

Alaina Mullin

LEIPER’S FORK LIFE

Upon first glance, it might seem that the Bryant’s home in Leiper’s Fork is the typical abode of a Williamson County family seeking a bit of space and solitude. But when entering the house after coming up the winding hill drive, it becomes clear that this is not your average farmhouse. While not large or imposing, it is laced with design elements that you might find in a well-appointed estate in The Hamptons or another metropolitan escape. Since moving to the area 5 years ago, Carolyn and Del have made this secluded spot their home by incorporating their shared sense of style and impeccable taste throughout the property while keeping their plan for simple living top of mind in every facet of the space. Carolyn brought in one of her dear friends, NYC designer James Huniford of Huniford Design Studio to design the interiors. With soft color palettes and statement art pieces, he created the perfect home for entertaining and family enjoyment. The impressive furnishings and accents may feel uptown, but a walk into the well-used farm-style kitchen instantly reminds you that this is the country. They enjoy harvesting a big garden and preserving the bounty in an expansive pantry. Cooking and baking are big household activities, as are canning and freezing produce from their own land. They also keep chickens for fresh eggs, with the flock easily coming when called for feeding and treats.

Del and Carolyn Bryant photographed in their home in Leiper's Fork

Alaina Mullin

A YEAR OF CELEBRATION

If you would like to experience a bit of what this legacy of talent is all about, there are multiple ways to see and hear firsthand all that their work has impacted over the years.

Throughout Tennessee and beyond, there is much celebration of the Bryant’s contributions to music in 2019 and 2020. Much of that is centered around the fact that February 2020 would have marked Boudleaux’s 100th birthday as well as the 75th marriage anniversary for the couple. The Nashville community has certainly embraced the Bryant's legacy with a number of major recognitions. Currently, this includes an exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame documenting the Bryant’s songwriting journey as well as a newly added BMI Award for their song “Rocky Top.” The Nashville Symphony is hosting a special evening in February involving their music and The Peach Pickers will be paying tribute to their songs at The Ryman and the Georgia Music Foundation in July. There is also quite a bit of excitement about the water element being added to the Musica statue at the roundabout on Music Row, with the fountains being named in their honor. Merchandise is also involved, including special boxed sets of recordings, some never released previously. A great deal of the proceeds from all of these efforts will go directly to Tad’s foundation and used for distributing to multiple causes in need throughout the area.

On her: Oscar de la Renta Sweater and Pant in crème; Temple Saint Clair drop earrings and ring, King Jewelers On him: Tom Ford ensemble

Photos by Alaina Mullin

Styling by Carolyn Bryant & Stacie Standifer

Glam by Mark Evans of Trumps