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.
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.
Lori’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.
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 ~
“The Beat of Life” touches 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 ~
As 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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Rockabilly, Roots, Country Gold,,,, Poised, beautiful and exceptionally talented are just a few of the words that describe “The Darlins”, Jude Toy and Erinn Bates.
Jude Toy was born and raised in Portland Oregon and relocated to LA, where she became the lead guitar player for a rock group called the Creamers. In 1994 she decided it was time to move on and left the group to begin a solo career with her own music. She even walked away from a deal because she wanted to be true to herself and play her music her way. After working in Nashville with Bruce Burch doing some recordings Jude knew Nashville was the place for her and loaded up nine boxes full of her belongings, threw them in the back of a pickup truck, left LA and never looked back. Nashville was in her blood.
Erinn was born and raised right here in Music City USA. The love of music grabbed her early and never left her. Her thirst for music began around the age of seven or eight years old. Her Dad had a strong love of the classic country music and would serenade her on trips in the car and even though her mom wasn’t really a huge country music fan she would turn up the volume when listening to The Judd’s. One of their favorites was “Rockin’ With the Rhythm of the Rain”. She loved to listen to her older sister Danielle play the piano. Danielle taught her to play scales and “Chopsticks”. After that she began to play by ear and continued on through out her college days. Now she enjoys that passion for music as part of the duo,“The Darlins”.
The Darlins met while working as makeup artists at the world renowned Saphora Cosmetics in Nashville, TN. Not only did they have a deep love of music but they also loved helping young women find their inner beauty as well as their outer beauty. They knew from the start that a duo was meant to be. Their unwavering determination has propelled them forward quickly and as their music continues to evolve so does their acceptance in the industry.
Jude and Erinn know all too well the struggle and the effort it takes to make it in an industry that has long been a man’s world and how the journey has been really difficult but that through it all they’ve learned so much about themselves and having a career in music.
I’ve known the Darlins now for several years and I know them to love family, truth and country music. They are strong believers in hard work, striving to help others, and giving it your all and your best. They believe that you should stay true to who you are, hone your craft, and never take no for answer. Get to know your fans, reach out and really connect. They also said we should all continue to support our fellow musicians and to support the independent artists, especially us girls.
Her 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.