Southern Is YOUR Lifestyle

A Multi-Million Dollar Record Deal

NAOMI BANNISTER’S UNIQUE JOURNEY TO MIDDLE TENNESSEE

In 2012 my husband, Jordan, and I moved to Franklin. It came after a long-time friend of mine had messaged me on Facebook to say he was living in the best small town in America, and we HAD to come out see it for ourselves. It took one visit. Suddenly we were listing our house back in Canada and heading this way. I wish I could say this was a unique story, but today I hear a similar story almost every day!

Prior to my journey of falling in love with Franklin, I had grown up in Canada, lived in Orlando, Florida, worked in New York City as a young aspiring singer - having signed a mighty five million dollar recording contract with Sony Records; I had traveled Europe making a record for two years, then moved to Los Angeles. There, my world - and first record deal - crumbled (along with the Twin Towers in the early 2000s).

Some could say I had nine lives when I rebounded and signed an indie deal that had me in the studio with the legendary guitarist Carlos Santana cutting what was intended to be my first single. A few major Billboard articles and rave reviews later, I found myself once again, with a failed ,never released attempt, seemingly at the end.

But if you know anything about the entertainment industry, it’s all about a good story! And my story wasn’t finished just yet. I wound up back in NYC in a recording studio with Mario Winans (BeBe Winans nephew), at Sean ‘Puff Daddy’ Combs studio, tossing around ideas. Then, I ultimately had the moment that would change my life and path forever when a chauffeur approached me with a dream, saying that I’d been chasing all the wrong things. My life had to be God-centered and God-focused if I was ever to find happiness and have all of my dreams fulfilled. It was several months later it all clicked, back in Los Angeles, in a studio with American Idol’s original judge, Randy Jackson, telling him I really needed to find what God had in store for my life and leave the dream I’d been chasing behind.

I met my husband months later, followed by the launch of my Christian music ministry, finally leading us to Franklin. In 2015 I had my eldest son, and like so many parents can say, my life changed forever, and the rest is history! I left music behind and began a career in real estate. The perfect next step and progression to my story. After years of negotiation, contracts, marketing and advertising in music, real estate made perfect sense.

Now, I run a successful real estate career in Williamson County, have two sons, and my husband owns Buy The Square Foot, a professional home measurement company.

My story has many twists and turns, as I believe every story does! If you would like to discuss the next steps of your story and life, whether it’s buying, selling or investing. I would be honored to speak with you! I provide luxury service at every price point.

NAOMI BANNISTER | KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY Luxury Real Estate Professional

Awarded Best Real Estate Agent in Franklin, Naomi’s standard of excellence is apparent and one reason why she has negotiated, closed, and become one of the top agents in the Southeast Region at Keller Williams Realty. Her skill of innovative and cutting edge marketing, advertising, strong negotiation, attention to detail, communication and a real and genuine heart for people, combined with her desire to fulfill clients goals, this is the reason for you to choose Naomi as your real estate professional in Middle Tennessee, whether you are buying, selling, investing, relocating in residential or commercial real estate Naomi is the agent for you. Contact Naomi today (c) 615.707,0597 (o) 615.788.1818 or at NaomiBannister@kw.com.

(615) 794-7415 • TENNESSEEVALLEYHOMES.COM

Home is Where Your Story Begins

THE ANTIQUES & GARDEN SHOW OF NASHVILLE RETURNS JESSICA AMERSON PHOTOGRAPHY

The Antiques & Garden Show of Nashville, one of the country’s largest antiques and horticultural events, is an annual charitable event whose purpose is to raise funds for Cheekwood and Economic Club of Nashville (ECON) Charities. This event makes its highly anticipated return February 11th through 13th, at the Music City Center in downtown Nashville. Keynoting the event is entrepreneur, bestselling author and Emmy Awardwinning television show host Martha Stewart. The Show draws more than 15,000 attendees annually to experience its impressive showcase of antiques from more than 150 dealers, world-class landscaped gardens and opportunities to engage with some of the nation’s top names in design and horticulture through educational lectures, panel discussions and book signings.

Chairs Ashley Smith and Julia Spickard have selected the 2022 Show’s theme to be “Home is where your story begins,” and are thrilled to announce an exceptional lineup of featured speakers and moderators that bridge the entertaining, gardening and design worlds. The keynote lecture will be given by Martha Stewart, followed by Bunny Williams, who is returning for her second year. Also included are Clea Shearer, Joanna Teplin and Alexa Hampton.

“We’re proud to present the amazing talent speaking at the 2022 Show on the common sentiment that home is where your story begins,” Julia said. “We’re also honored to have Gracie Studios providing the design inspiration for this year’s theme, which has been translated into an exclusive design created just for the Show.” The 2022 Show also promises three outstanding garden displays presented by accomplished landscape designers that attendees can interactively experience. This year’s garden designers are Anne Daigh and Wade Rick of Daigh Rick. They will present the East Garden with a beautiful garden structure built by one of Nashville’s top builders West Cook Builders, and Joseph Hillenmeyer of Lexington, KY, whose showcase design will feature a spectacular Hartley Botanic Greenhouse in the West Garden. In addition, the design for Cheekwood’s botanical Entry Exhibition will again be led by Cheekwood VP of Gardens and Facilities Peter Grimaldi.

PEYTON HOGUE PHOTOGRAPHY

LECTURE SERIES

Martha Stewart

KEYNOTE LECTURE Martha Stewart is the Founder of the first multichannel lifestyle company, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, an entrepreneur, bestselling author of ninety-nine to date, lifestyle books and an Emmy Award-winning television show host. Reaching more than 100 million devoted fans on a monthly basis through her magazines, television shows, books, and products for the home, sold at multiple retail and online outlets, Martha is the “go-to” source for the homemaker. She and her talented staff provide trusted, timely, and useful information on all aspects of everyday living: cooking, entertaining, gardening, home renovating, collecting, organizing, crafting, healthy living, holidays, weddings and pet care, both in print and social media.

Bunny Williams

GARDEN AND LANDSCAPE DESIGN LECTURE: THE MAKING OF A GARDEN OVER 30 YEARS Bunny will walk through the various gardens she has developed surrounding her house in Falls Village, Connecticut, over the course of more than thirty years. Illustrating early versions of her sunken parterre, vegetable and woodland gardens, along with the spaces that connect each of them, she’ll lead us through how they’ve evolved and the lessons she’s learned along the way.

Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin of The Home Edit

LIFESTYLE LECTURE: - IN CONVERSATION WITH GEN SOHR OF PENCIL & PAPER CO. Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin of The Home Edit started their organizing business the day they met six years ago with a singular dream— combine organizing with aesthetics and share it with the world. Their hope to marry form and function proved fruitful. The duo is now operating organizing branches in cities across the U.S., are the authors of two New York Times number one best-selling books, the stars of the Emmy-nominated Netflix series “Get Organized with The Home Edit” and creators of multiple product lines sold in stores across the globe. Join Clea and Joanna for a casual, in-depth chat with design-maven Gen Sohr, as the two share their secrets for conquering your clutter with their unique brand of interior styling, practicality and humor.

Alexa Hampton

DESIGN PANEL: LEXTALKS LIVE & INPERSON WITH ALEXA HAMPTON - AN INSIDE LOOK AT THE CAREERS AND STORIES BEHIND DESIGN’S TOP TALENT World-renowned designer Alexa Hampton takes her popular “52 Weeks of Design” interview series on the road for the first-ever in-person LexTalks Live, during which she’ll interview design panelists Jenn and Mike Gracie, Christopher Spitzmiller and Ashley Whittaker. Take an inside look into the careers of the industry’s top designers and taste-makers as Alexa leads the conversation spanning the topics of design, gardening and lifestyle. Enjoy behind-the-scenes stories and a celebration of the design world accompanied by a slideshow presentation with vivid and insightful imagery.

THIS IS HOME

“Living in Shelton Square feels like an experience. All of the development pulls the community into the center. We love that it is intentionally thought-out. It gives us a real homey and warm feeling.” – Anthony and Sherry Febles

NEW HOMES FROM THE $400s - $900s www.sheltonsquareliving.com

FEATURE A Southern Gentleman Is... CupidIS IN THE HOUSE THE REAL STORY OF CUPID WITH YOUR SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN Now that we have brought in the New Year, it’s time to start thinking about Valentine’s Day. And, of course, when you do — Cupid always pops up. You know, the guy in a diaper with the wings and bow and arrow? Synonymous with hearts and chocolate and love…this mythical figure agreed to sit down and talk amore, and I jumped at the chance to learn more about this mysterious iconic figure. SG: Thank you so much for sharing some time with me. I am so excited to meet you. I have seen photos on cards and boxes of candy with your likeness all my life. Let’s talk more about you and try to separate fact from fiction. As with most legends, there are many unknown and not exactly accurate depictions of you. Cupid: Haha. I am happy to chat. First, as you can see, I am a grown man — not a chubby baby in a diaper. That was an image created several years ago by the clever marketing people selling cards and candy for this holiday of love. As you mentioned….inaccurate information abounds! My life story is a long one. SO, let’s start with Mom and Dad. My parents are Greek gods. My mother, Venus, is the Goddess of Love , and my father, Mars, is known as the God of War. They gave me the name Cupid which means “to desire.” I was given the conventional attributes of the Olympian gods, such as superhuman strength, endurance and longevity. However, I was also given extensive archery skills with powers to shoot loving, gold and magical tipped arrows to cause affection for the first thing my victims see after getting hit. I am not bragging or complaining. I am just telling it like it is. Being the son of Greek gods is no easy task. There are some big carbatines (ancient Greek sandals) to fill and a lot of expectations. I am sure a lot of your readers know exactly what I mean. SG: So, you mentioned your family. Tell me more about your childhood and what it is like being raised by Greek gods. Cupid: I was always under the very close eye of my parents, like most kids, full of mischief and curiosity. When you are young and have superpowers, it can be dangerous. At times I was a little callous and careless. Sometimes, just as a harmless troublemaker having fun, shooting my arrow at the oddest couples, just to see how it would go. One time, I had a conflict with another young male. I felt that he was making fun of me. So, I struck him with an arrow to make him fall for a beautiful young lady — who I then made fall in love with someone else. I believe that was the worst thing I ever did. For, it inflicted terrible pain. I mean, have you ever loved someone who loved someone else? No doubt, I got this mischief and sometimes poor behavior from my mother. However, this all changed when I fell in love.

My mother, Venus, had trouble dealing with women whose beauty rivaled her own. She once bribed a Trojan prince named Paris

"as you can see, I am a grown man, not a chubby baby in a diaper"

to choose her over two other goddesses in a beauty pageant. His reward was a Greek beauty named Helen. Unfortunately, Helen was already married to Menelaus, King of Sparta, as we all know from the story. When Paris took Helen to Troy, a thousand ships were launched to bring her back, resulting in the Trojan War.

A tale of jealousy all my own is where my life changed.

There was a young lady named Psyche. Though a mortal, she was the most beautiful woman in the world. Men would travel from far away lands to get a glimpse of her. This infuriated my mother because Psyche was getting so much attention. So she sent me to make Psyche’s life miserable by using one of my arrows to make her fall in love with the ugliest monster-like man I could find. Being an obedient son, I went on my mission. When I had Psyche in my sights, preparing to shoot as she caught eyes with the ugliest man in the crowd outside her house... I then saw her face. That was it. I literally shot myself in the foot. I was in love.

Now, what to do. I couldn’t marry her - I am a God, and she a mortal. Not to mention what mother would say or do. So, in secret at night, I started having her meet me so she could not see my face. Yes, we were falling in love. I took her to live in a luxurious palace and visited every night. I had servants cater to all her needs each day. But I insisted she could never see my face. If she did, I would leave her.

One day she had her sisters come to visit. They became extremely jealous of her new home, the servants and all she was given. They told her that I must be a monster if I wouldn’t let her see my face and suggested that she shine my face with light while I was sleeping. That night she did, and she saw who I was a god, As Psyche did not have wings, she could not follow me. She searched everywhere for me while I was trying to figure out what to do. Unable to find me, Psyche ended up coming to my mother for help. My mother told her that she would tell her where I was if she completed a specific task which she willingly agreed to do. The task took her to the Underworld, where she was to bring back a beautiful box but was told not to open the box, no matter what. But again, curiosity got the best of her, and she opened to look inside. It contained the sleep of darkness, which swiftly put her into an eternal sleep.

Knowing my mother had something to do with her disappearance, I searched and found Psyche. Crushed with grief and sadness, I gave her a kiss, and she awoke. I knew then that I could never again be without her. I went to Jupiter, the King of Gods, told him my story, and he agreed to help me. He granted Psyche immortality so she could live with me as my wife in Olympus among the gods, where she became the Goddess of the Soul. We had a daughter named Hedone, the Goddess of Pleasure. Yes, ours is a true love story.

The lesson we learned from all this is that there can be no love without trust. Or, as Elvis put it… “we can’t go on together with suspicious minds.” SG: Wow! What a story. So, does it always work when you shoot your arrow in someone? Does it last? Cupid: Johnny, nothing is perfect. Heck, I know you’re a Kentucky Wildcat basketball fan. Even they only win ninety percent of their home games at Rupp Arena. With love or whatever you want to call it, you just never know sometimes. Obviously, love can be fleeting. But then, was that really TRUE love? Sometimes people think they were shot with one of my arrows but end up realizing it wasn’t love at all. It may have been something…something that had a hold, but was it love or something dang near like it?

Others just find a way to mess things up. You know, they find that love is grand, and divorce is 200 grand.

The phrase “love is blind” comes from people falling in love with an image of what they want that person to be or what they hope they will become. As a result, they only see the good early on and overlook the bad, the shortcomings. But, for that to last, it will take some work from both sides.

Mostly, I just want to impart happiness to both mortal and immortal couples. I can only light the spark, so to speak. It’s up to the lovers to see it through. SG: Thank you, Cupid.

Love. It has caused wars, costs lives, broken up homes, families and friendships. Oh, yeah and broken many a heart. Maybe that is why over sixty percent of all recorded hit songs are about love, and don’t we all have a favorite love story on the big screen we watch over and over (cry over is more like it). Art imitates life, as they say – and in no greater way than a romantic movie with a happy ending.

Not a man (or woman) or god, in Heaven or on Earth, really knows the secret to love. But let me know if you figure it out. In the meantime, Happy Valentine’s Day. Here’s to love and all that goes with it. Fortunately for us mortals, matters of the heart don’t usually involve a jealous goddess. So, celebrate this Valentine’s Day with the one you love, and may Cupid’s arrow work its magic! “Love is something sent from heaven to worry the hell out of you.” — Dolly Parton

YOUR SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN Johnny Birdsong

Johnny Birdsong, Publisher at YOUR Williamson Magazine, is a Kentucky native and Williamson County convert but above all, a Southern Gentleman. In upcoming issues, this column will feature Johnny to offer time-honored advice in the area of manners, hospitality, and what being a gentleman means as he chats and visits with such gentlemen from all over our county. You never know who he may be sitting down with next!