Matthew:  Briana, you’re originally from Dallas, TX.  What inspired the big move to Nashville?

Briana:  I wanted to go to a school with a good musical program. Belmont is a renowned music school. I knew if I went to school there I would get a great musical education. Plus Nashville is known as music city, I knew I would have a chance to learn from real people in the industry.

Matthew:  What are you studying at Belmont University?

Briana:  I’m a commercial voice major with an emphasis in music business. As a commercial voice major I get to explore and sing many different styles of music. With my emphasis in Music Business I get to take classes about the music industry.

Matthew:  How do you feel your major will help you in your musical career?

Briana:  My major will help me to navigate the waters of the music industry. When I finally graduate from college I will understand the industry I hope to be apart of. There is a business side to this creative industry and with my degree I will be able effectively reach my goals,

Matthew:  Who are some of your influences?

Briana:  I would say that Beyonce is one of my biggest influences. I love her style and her creativity. Some of my other influences include Sara Barielles, Mariah Carey, and Alicia Keys.

Matthew: What are your short-term goals here in town?  What about long-term?

Briana:  Some of my short term goals include taking more business classes so i can be as well informed as I can be. I also want to work on my songwriting technique. While I’m in college I plan on learning as much as I possibly can. Long term goal I want to get out into the community and begin performing, whether that be in Nashville, TN or Texas. One of my long term goals is to one day get to on a record label. I believe that that will really help to jumpstart my career.

———————————————————

What is Project: Music City? Many of us have been trying to figure it out! Here are some details that can be found on P:MC’s Facebook page. In the meantime, creators Ives Salbert, Jay Salbert, & Bobby Tate have been releasing new videos to lessen the mystery of Project: Music City. Watch below!

Name:

PROJECT: MUSIC CITY

Category:

Entertainment & Arts

Description:

‘You say you want a revolution…’ - The Beatles

What is PROJECT: MUSIC CITY (P:MC)?

I can’t tell you exactly. But I will post videos in an attempt to explain what we’re doing.

Keep in mind:

~it will involve a huge amount of people

~it will be fun for the whole family

~it will cost verrrrrry little money

~it could CONTINUE a revolution

Belmont University presents Best of the Best 2010 Honoring Vince Gill

(Nashville, Tenn.) March 30, 2010— On Saturday, April 24, 2010 the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business will present its annual Best of the Best Showcase. The show will honor Vince Gill, 2010 recipient of the Robert E. Mulloy Award of Excellence, an annual award to be given to an individual who has achieved a level of excellence in the music business and entertainment industries with notable service to Belmont University and the Nashville community.
Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007, Vince Gill has become one of the best known names in country music. With more than 26 million albums sold, he has earned 18 CMA Awards, including Entertainer of the Year in 1993 and 1994. He is tied for having won the most CMA Male Vocalist Awards (five), and is currently third for accumulating the most CMA Awards in history. Gill is a member of the Grand Ole Opry and has received 20 Grammy Awards to date, the most of any male Country artist. Besides being known for his talent as a performer, musician and songwriter, Gill is regarded as one of Country Music’s best known humanitarians, participating in hundreds of charitable events throughout his career. The Vince Gill Celebrity Basketball Game and Concert began in 1990 as a simple benefit to raise funds for scholarship and program enhancement for Belmont University’s Athletics and Music Business programs. For over 12 years, the event also provided an invaluable opportunity for Music Business students to gain experience in planning and executing a music-industry event.

Co-hosted by Belmont’s Harry Chapman and Restless Heart front man and Belmont alumnus Larry Stewart, Best of the Best will feature a tribute performance by Vince’s friend and fellow star Rodney Crowell. As always, the show will highlight some of Belmont’s remarkable student talent with performances from the winners of the CEMB Showcase series—Miss B (Urban/Pop), Joshua Eric Wright (Christian), Cheryl LuQuire (Country), and Delta Saints (Rock)—and from the ASCAP Writers’ Night series winners –Clare Dunn, Hailey Faith, Hailey Steele, Josh Johnson, Greg Bates, and Jordan Kyle Reynolds.

Over the years, Vince Gill has established three endowed scholarships at Belmont University in the names of his loved ones: The Stan Gill Scholarship in Music Business (in honor of his father, Stan Gill), The Robert Coen Scholarship in Music Business (in honor of his brother, Bob Coen), and The John Hughey Scholarship in Music Business (in honor of his longtime steel guitar player and friend, John Hughey). These scholarships provide resources for deserving Curb College students. To participate, you can make a secure gift online atwww.belmont.edu/give or e-mail Harry Chapman (harry.chapman@belmont.edu) for more information.

Best of the Best is free to the public and is sponsored by: ATT The Real Yellow Pages, ASCAP, BMI, Bandit Lites, Clair Audio, and MooTV.

For more information on the event, visit belmontshowcaseseries.com .

Listen to the tunes:

http://www.myspace.com/wewerepirates

This is only the beginning!

Nashville, TN
United States
Genre:  Pop / Rock
Album(s): Weight of Words EP, Like I Mean It EP, All The Faint Lights
Website: http://www.myspace.com/stevemoakler

Matthew: Last year you released your first full-length album, All The Faint Lights, following two Pop/Rock-filled EPs (The Weight of Words EP & Like I Mean It EP). When and where did you record the new album?

Steve: Most of All The Faint Lights was recorded in a lake house in Louisa, VA over the course of 10 days in October. It definitely the most fun that I have ever had recording. It was a man-made lake built to cool a nuclear reactor, so even in October the water was toasty, so we were able to swim and take mini-canoe trips during breaks.

Matthew: How does the songwriting on this album relate to and/or evolve from your previous releases?

Steve: Well, I think I’ve become a better writer. Being in Nashville has inspired me and challenged me a lot to strengthen my craftsmanship. I think the songs on my new record are more focused. My earlier music is more abstract— not because I wanted it to be though, It was just because I was less developed as a songwriter. I think that I have gotten better at assigning each song with a message and digging in.

Matthew: How did the time in the studio with the band affect the vibe of the songs from the live solo performances we have seen?

Steve: Everybody who worked on my record was amazing at their “thing.” Every player brought a tremendous amount to the table served the songs well. I feel like each song’s potential was realized by having so many people talented people put their hands on it. I think that all the songs have been made more accessible. We had a lot of fun making this record, and my hope is that the listener is able to tell.

Matthew: Is there anything that you’d like to say to first time listeners?

Steve: Welcome aboard. I would consider it privileged to catch your ear.

Matthew: What have you been doing in the last few months since your album’s release?

Steve: I’ve been touring more than ever…I got on board with a college agency this summer and they have kept me really busy. My time is nashville has been spent writing for my next release. Lots of coffee.

Matthew: During the summer of 2008 you and Tim Schurrer went on the road for the “Home is Where the Heart is Tour”.  What are your future tour plans? (”Home is Where the Heart is” Part 2)?

Steve: In February and March I am going to be in the road with two awesome and talented guys named Ben Rector and Andrew Ripp. With their help, I’ll be playing some premier venues in cities that I have never been too before, and I’ll also have an opportunity to introduce my fans to their music. I think it’s gonna be great for all of us.  Other than that, I have a lot of college shows coming up this spring and next fall.

Matthew: The opening track to All The Faint Lights, Hesitate, was recently featured on ABC’s Private Practice.  What can you tell us about this exciting moment in your music career?

Steve: Wow. I still can’t believe that happened. That was a huge moment for me. I work pretty hard–I feel like most of the time I just keep my head down and power through, I never know exactly where I’m going or if it’s working. Hearing my song on ABC felt like a big pat on the back, and it affirmed that my work was paying off. I felt incredibly blessed and encouraged.

Matthew: Can you give us a preview of what 2010 & beyond will be like for Steve Moakler and the fans?

Steve: The next 3 months are really dense with touring, which should be a blast. I’m planning to release an acoustic/stripped down EP next. It will feature a couple previously released songs with acoustic arrangements, but I will mostly be introducing some new songs before they are formally produced and released on a record. I expect to record that in MAY.  I’m not sure when my next full-record will come out. I still feel like “All The Faint Lights”  has a little bit more juice to be squeezed out  of it.  I hope to just continue to be inspired, keep growing, and enjoying the ride. It’s totally wild.

From Steve Moakler’s Blog:

“The Real World…

Time: 7:00PM

Location: Curb Event Center

Cost: FREE

Artists: The Delta Saints, Eikon, John Flanagan, Daniel Berrios

For more information, visit http://www.belmontshowcaseseries.com/rock

http://www.myspace.com/voices69

Upcoming Shows:

February 20th. 2010 @ Ohio University

February 25th, 2010 @ The Muse in Nashville, TN

Original tweet:

“I can’t believe that my song “Hesitate” will be featured on Private Practice tonight at 10/9pm central on ABC!!! WOW!!!”

To read more tweets:

http://twitter.com/stevemoakler

Listen to the tunes:

http://www.myspace.com/stevemoakler