By Charlotte Fontaine NASHVILLE, TN — Michelle Lauvghn Robinson Obama was born on January 17, 1964. Her childhood centered around a close relationship to her family while she was being raised in the South Side of Chicago, IL. Growing up in a cramped second floor apartment owned by her aunt, Obama was brought up on a foundation that valued strong work ethic, resilience in hardship, and dreaming big despite limitations. She was born to Fraser Robinson, III, a city water plant employee by day, Democratic precinct captain by night, and Marian Shields Robinson, a secretary turned homemaker who dedicated many…
Author: Charlotte Fontaine
By Charlotte Fontaine NASHVILLE, TN — I caught author and divorce lawyer Anne Hamer on a rare moment of down time recently, in the excitement and anticipation of the release of her brand new book “Fearless Freedom: A Divorced Lawyer’s Guide to Divorce.” Hamer is an accomplished and driven divorce attorney who decided to take her professional and personal expertise on the subject to a creative level when she penned this step by step guide to getting through separating from a spouse. She is intelligent, caring, and well spoken about how she wants her clients to feel, as well as…
By Charlotte Fontaine NASHVILLE, TN — It’s tough being the opening act for a popular musical artist, but MAY-A gave a captivating performance at Marathon Music Works this month that left a meaningful impression. A mature, thoughtful and energetic 22 year old singer-songwriter from Australia, MAY-A’s second EP titled “Analysis Paralysis” came out September 1st of this year. I had the chance to catch up with her backstage as she squeezed a yellow stress ball while we spoke. She was enthusiastic about her tour with Nessa Barrett and playing shows in the U.S., particularly noting a love of the large…
By Charlotte Fontaine NASHVILLE, TN — I recently sat down over eggs and coffee at The Pancake Pantry with distinguished author Paula Blackman to discuss the recent release of her book “Night Train to Nashville: The Greatest Untold Story of Music City.” Despite the ever-growing comparison culture we live in, it is very rare to meet someone who is truly fulfilled, in the right place at the right time, and living out their purpose. Paula exuded these qualities as she discussed her work, which is based on gripping stories her revolutionary radio executive grandfather shared with her when she was…
By Charlotte Fontaine NASHVILLE, TN — Introducing the spunky but soft singer songwriter from Nashville, Haddie Jane. Haddie’s music evokes a memory of a time with the popularity of the handlebar mustaches, Zooey Deschanel’s face on billboards everywhere, and putting the vignette filter on instagram posts, but with the perfect updated twist of high production, sorrowful vocals, and dreamy washed out instrumentation. One can liken her musical style to a cross between Ingrid Michaelson and The Strokes’ acoustic numbers. Her aesthetic feels emotional, as it wavers between a circus clown and the look of a young Nancy Sinatra, depending on…
By Charlotte Fontaine NASHVILLE, TN — The sun made its presence known when hundreds gathered at this year’s hot 4th of July “Let Freedom Sing! Music City” event which took over Downtown Nashville. An event that ran from 12 PM to 10 PM, tourists and locals waited to be let in to the streets flooded with entertainment that celebrated freedom, family, friends, and independence. Featuring multiple sets from DJ Coach, live performances from Les Kerr & The Bayou Band, Ben Rector, Tiera Kennedy, and more, culminating with superstar headliner Brad Paisley, many came to mark the holiday through music that…
By Charlotte Fontaine NASHVILLE, TN — This week I sat down with up-and-coming indie rock band Multi Ultra, winners of Lightning 100’s Music City Mayhem music competition. Their 20-minute live set at 3rd & Lindsley on April 27th determined who would win a plethora of prizes any local musician would salivate at, including 12 weeks of air-play on 100.1FM, recording sessions, an advertising package, gear discounts and more. The show felt more like one of their own and less of a battle against other music acts (let it be known Multi Ultra was voted for over 25,000 times through online…
By Charlotte Fontaine NASHVILLE, TN — Musical artist Corook performed to a sold out room at the Basement East on March 27th. Their three-piece band opened for artist Maddie Zahm, but the energy and attention they gathered from the audience made it feel like everyone was there to see them. Corook is a self-described alternative/indie artist who writes with a perfect blend of vulnerability and off-beat wit. A sea of beanies, sweaters, selfies, and seltzers were in anticipation of Corook coming out on stage at the medium-sized venue. The room was jovial despite the tragedy that had occurred that morning…
By Charlotte Fontaine NASHVILLE, TN — On February 25, Vanderbilt University’s The Wond’ry held its annual Renaissance Women’s Summit. Beginning at 8 a.m. sharp the special occasion included panels, speakers, vendors, a student competition, workshops, and “fireside chats” conducted by successful women in their respective fields answering audience questions—all in a space that smelled like wintery perfumes. These entrepreneurial ladies came in focused, friendly, and fashionable; for every hot pink suit, there was a hot take on how to help one another more efficiently. Congenial conversations were being had among attendees exchanging Instagrams between speeches. Women were free to come…
By Charlotte Fontaine NASHVILLE, TN — The National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) honored Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with its event “A Drum Major for Justice” held in its Roots Theater. A crowd of local families, phones poised for streaming, celebrated the work and life of Dr. King and shared their passion for the continued daily fight for justice, equality and freedom for all in this country. The event, titled “A Drum Major For Justice,” included multiple keynote speakers, beat poetry, musical performances, and a panel throughout its four hours where people could freely come and go. Children…