Showing posts with label nashvillemusic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nashvillemusic. Show all posts

7/29/2016

Lori Dixon in Harmony with…….“The Beat of Life”


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Written by Sherryl Craig
For Women of Music Music of Women

Lori Dixon has been in love with music most all her life. It was something she did because she loved it.
Lori, Hannah, and Joshua
Lori, Hannah, and Joshua

There are many special things in her life… and music plays, or has played, a huge part in it. First she is a proud mom to two amazing children. Her 18 yr old daughter Hannah and her 14 yr old son Joshua, who by the way is a bright and thriving videograher. She studied Environmental Science and Animal Behavior, studied Education at Trevecca Nazarene University, and has been a teacher, a zookeeper and curator.
Lori is also a singer/songwriter and a devoted mentor in a program close to her heart called “The Beat of Life.” It is through this program that she’s using that love of music to make another passion a reality.. Helping those in need by sharing with them the healing gift of music.
IMG_7633Lori’s medicine is a non-profit called “The Beat of Life” and it is such an amazing project, with a large number of talented people from through out the various communities giving of themselves to help others in need. The project consists of teams of accomplished musicians and singer/songwriters that work with individual groups, like adults challenged with illnesses of various kinds, those challenged in the legal system, children struggling with abuse and/or bullying, and then take these real life situations turning them into compelling and thought-provoking songs.
Local artists and other supporters we want to mention who give of their time are Steve Bryant, Billy Dawson, Adam Wood who wrote the theme song for “The Beat of Life” called The Music Came Back, Jeni Dominelli the Founder and CEO of The Beat of Life, and dear friend and artist who performs with Lori in various locations PJ Ju, newly transplanted to Nashville from New York.
Lori Dixon
Lori Dixon

Music is such a huge part of her life and has always been so. She performs locally in Nashville and shares her exceptional talents with country music fans as often as she cans. Her passion for music is what helped give her son Joshua, the ability to gain language skills he needed due to autism. During a special project Lori met a gentleman by the name of Dan Harrel, or maybe you know him better as “Cowboy Dan.. It was Cowboy Dan’s CD’s that intrigued Joshua and through listening to them he was able to learn melodiously how to pronounce his words, even by singing them.
~ “With music we can change the world, help children challenged with disabilities and struggles.” Lori Dixon, 2016 ~
IMG_6906“The Beat of Lifetouches many areas in it’s musical out reach. Lori and the dedicated group of volunteers visit local corrections facilities for men and women and bring the prisoners into the craft of writing songs, “Redemption Songs”, from their own life experiences. Support like one of their own most valuable players, Steve Bryant Chief Operating Officer for The Beat of Life. The songs are used as music therapy to help those incarcerated in using their life experiences to heal and recover. They would then apply the results of music therapy to being able to once again join the community in a positive way. The program has worked so well that there have talks about expanding it further and in to other facilities.
The anti-bullying program for children is called “Sing It to Stop It” and the songs are pulled from the stories that the children tell of how bullying has affected them. Country music artist and author Billy Dawson shares his anti-bullying book “You Never Know” and speaks to the youngsters about the importance of respect and love. Lyrics of the songs written will vary by the group and the age of the writer/authors.
~ “Music empowers others to tell their stories, music is some of the greatest medicine we could ever have.” Lori Dixon, 2016 ~
20160504_121141As Director of Programs, Lori knows the work that goes into this project helps to embolden those who have been brought down by many of life’s struggles and how to use it in a more positive way. This is an amazing project that has not only encouraged those in recovery, in abusive situations, and struggling with low self esteem or bullying to take back their lives, but to use their words to create a musical expression that would encourage healing. The writers round/space where all the magic happens is called The Workshop and you can check it out here; http://www.theworkshopmusic.com/
All the various areas of work with this project is humbling to think of but “Beautiful Minds” is especially close to me because of my own work in mental health. I was intrigued to find out more. Lori and the gang visit with those who are mentally challenged and write heart-warming and compelling songs from the stories of their challenges. The songs are all written right there while every one sits in a group and shares the stories of mountains they’ve climbed and valley’s they have walked through in life.
Plans for the future would be to plan a once a month writers round at local venues throughout Nashville, to continue helping local musicians in need through fund raisers, and to continue giving back new life through song to all those who need a little help healing with the programs through “The Beat of Life.” ~ Lori Dixon~
For more in formation on Lori Dixon and “The Beat of Life” you can visit the links below;
http://www.thebeatoflife.org/
https://www.facebook.com/lori.hamlett?fref=ts
*The material included in this article is the sole property of the writer, (Sherryl Craig,) and the photographer, (Cilene Bosch.) All elements may be used in other publications as determined by the owners. Permission must be obtained for reproduction.

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7/13/2016

Leslie Cours Mather Reminds us "We Are America"

Leslie AmericaCharm and grace, poised and warmhearted are all words to describe what you find with Leslie Cours Mather. You also find fun, excitement, and a deep love of family, her country and of course country music. Her love for music came from her father who sang in a quartet and inspired her to be herself and do things that she love. At the age of 8 she began piano lessons and she was hooked. As the child of a military father Leslie moved from place to place sometimes and through that became inspired by the many places, people and beauty she saw around the world. The sky was the limit with what she could create from the beauty that surrounded her.
Inspired by the lovely Linda Ronstadt for her strength and courage in trying different styles and not being afraid to be herself, Leslie grasped that courage as she continued to pursue her career. She would soon find out that the industry is not always wine and roses. Her expectations of the industry changed and she almost gave up. But then an unexpected meeting with a close friend of the family changed things and Leslie found a ray of hope for a future music career. Legendary producer Denny Diante saw something very special in Leslie and came on board to produce her music and help jump start her career while allowing her to be true to herself and the kind of music she wanted to create.
Don't let anyone change you, always be true to yourself.” ~Leslie Cours Mather~
As time passed she honed her singing/songwriting skills and once again discovered that love for music that she had from her childhood. Marriage and family was still a steadfast part of her life and she said that, “if someone thinks they can't have both, a career and a family they are mistaken. You can have both.” ~Leslie Cours Mather~
leslie twoRemarkable is the story of devotion to her family. After her daughter was born she once again put her career on hold after her daughter was diagnosed with Leukemia. Being there to support and care for her was the most important thing. And so life moved on...... Leslie continued to hold on to her dream all the while being a devoted mother, daughter and wife. Recently her father passed and Leslie was also diagnosed with kidney failure. Through it all she has found hope and courage to keep her dreams alive. Not just for herself but for her family and to help support others who may be experiencing the same struggles. Her comfort came from taking the struggles and painful emotions and turning them into heartwarming and inspirational songs. Her lyrics expressed her loved, devotion, and hope in the face of adversity. Out of the darkest the light shines through.
Currently Leslie is working on her newest single “We Are America” and the response has been phenomenal. I must say, the first time I heard the song I had chills. The message is powerful and concrete. The title says it all. We...Are...America.
“We Are America” has been described as an anthem for our country. Lee Greenwood did it with “God Bless America” and now Leslie has brought pride, courage, faith and hope back to us through this amazing song. The lyrics inspire us to stand proud and stand tall. It instills in us the courage to fight for our future, for our families, and for our country and home.
 
 




Vivacious and shimmering her smile and her personality radiant through every word and lyric. Leslie is warm and her voice is inviting. Her courage to remain unchanged by an industry that can be very harsh at times is expressed in the dynamics of her music.
leslie oneHer outlook for the rest of this year and in to 2017 is to continue on the pursuit of inspiring others to take a stand for truth and honor, continue on her road to recovery with her health and promote her music with zest and a full heart. After the successful fight through the battle with her daughters leukemia, then the loss of her father, and now her own battle with kidney failure Leslie still see's the ray of light ahead. She said that once she gets past the dialysis and things improve with what will most likely be a transplant she will be ready to start and tour around the nation. At this time she wants to continue to focus on the single and the video that will soon be released.
A woman of strong conviction, devotion and commitment Leslie has looked at life as an adventure, moving from one place to the next, learning and growing in a positive way even through the tough times, and remaining faithful no matter how rough life might get.
Her previous single “Countrified” has met with great success, she blew the crowds away with her performance at CMA Fest when she performed on the Chevy Roadhouse stage and she also released “Hell Hath No Fury” which has received outstanding reviews as well. She is a woman on a mission and a strong supporter of women in the music industry. It has been my pleasure to share her story with you.
Links to her website: http://www.lesliecoursmather.com/
leslie threeAs our interview came to a close she shared a little advice with me for new artists and any one in the industry who might be feeling a little discouraged.
Life brings unexpected challenges so don't give up, never give up. Meet those challenges head on and be true to who you are and what you feel inside” ~Leslie Cours Mather, 2016 ~
*The material included in this article is the sole property of the writer, (Sherryl Craig) and the President/Founder of WMMW, (Cilene Bosch.)  All elements may be used in other publications as determined by the owners. Permission must be obtained for reproduction.