Nashville Lifestyles Magazine December 2021

Here we are. The holiday season is upon us! I don’t know about you, but it feels like this year has flown by. This time of year, for me, is a time to reflect and be grateful. I am so thankful to be here, where I am in life, my career, and my health. This career isn’t just a job; it is a life. I am thankful for the people that I get to work with. Someone recently asked me what I’ve learned by being in the magazine business for 20 years. Well, it is all about the people. It is about the people we feature and the people—clients and co-workers—who have become some of my best friends. I am so grateful for the opportunities this magazine has given me. I tell…

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! From music to magic and some tasty treats, this issue is filled with all the trimmings and trappings of the holiday season. I must say, getting to interview the Pistol Annies for our cover story was a highlight of my year. These three women have so much talent between them—from heartfelt songwriting to powerhouse vocals—they are the definition of a supergroup. Their holiday album, Hell of a Holiday, is destined to become a Christmas classic. The sad songs on this album will leave you crying in your (spiked) cocoa, and the upbeat songs are as sassy as they as celebratory. We’ve also got a roundup of four more holiday albums from some of our favorite artists. Make room on your playlist: they’ll stay in heavy…

15-24 NASHVILLE’S NUTCRACKER Nashville Ballet brings the magic of the season to the stage with one of Music City’s favorite holiday traditions, Nashville’s Nutcracker. Brilliant choreography by Paul Vasterling paired with stunning costumes and sets bring Clara’s dream world to life to delight audiences of all ages. (TPAC’s Jackson Hall; times vary; nashvilleballet.com) 219 A CHRISTMAS STORY Nashville Repertory Theatre returns to the stage performing the beloved holiday tradition A Christmas Story. Packed full of nostalgia and holiday spirit, this Christmas classic is festive fun for the whole family. (TPAC’s Andrew Johnson Theater; times vary; nashvillerep.org) 11 2021 SYMPHONY Nashville Symphony’s annual fundraiser returns for this year’s Symphony Ball, Celebrating Nashville Symphony’s 75 Years of Harmony. Raising money for Nashville Symphony’s artistic and educational mission, the concert features world-renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman and will honor…

BY CHRIS PARTON Few have had a year with as much “High-Note” qualification as Lily Rose. Little more than 12 months ago, she was delivering groceries and spending the last of her savings to replace a dead car battery, but now, she’s near the top of Music City’s unofficial “next up list.” One of the most intriguing new faces in country, the Georgia native first broke out in early 2021, making waves on TikTok with her viral I’ll-be-the-bad-guy breakup anthem, “Villain.” And since then, the ripple effects from a bold sense of self are beginning to be felt. From her swaggering mix of hip-hop and country, to her plainspoken perspective as a proudly gay woman, she’s spent this year adding new voices to the country-music dialect, and making countless would-be fans feel…

There are countless stories of young hopefuls moving to Nashville with dreams of making it in the music industry. But for Beth Laird, the success she has found helping others achieve their creative aspirations turned into her very own dream come true. When she first came to Nashville, she never imagined she’d work her way up to become one of the city’s most successful executives in country music. Nor did she predict that she would later meet her Grammy award-winning songwriter husband, Luke Laird, and that the two of them would co-found the publishing and management group Creative Nation. Now, celebrating Creative Nation’s ten-year anniversary and having worked with country music icons like Kacey Musgraves, Keith Urban, Eric Church, and more to release over 60 radio singles and 20 number…

In the spirit of giving, a new star-studded spectacular is bringing the joy of the season to TV screens nationwide direct from Music City. Created by the Emmy-Award winning producers of the beloved Nashville Christmas Parade, the Nashville Holiday Music Special will take the place of the in-person parade this year and benefit Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Premiering Dec. 4, this festive broadcast is a must-see way to celebrate the season. The one-hour show features a remarkable lineup of performances and celebrity appearances from some of Nashville’s most iconic locations. Performances by artists such as Kristin Chenoweth, Gary LeVox, Morgan Evans, Point of Grace, and more will take place at esteemed local venues including the Ryman Auditorium, Grand Ole Opry, and Skyway Studios. Kix Brooks, one half of…