Belmont University officially cut the ribbon celebrating the grand opening of a new $87 million multi-functional complex on Saturday, Aug. 22. Named in honor of longtime trustee and Bridges to Belmont Endowed Scholarship creators, the new R. Milton and Denice Johnson Center will house the Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business, the media studies program and a vibrant new 950-seat cafeteria. The 1:25 ceremony start time marked the University’s 125th Anniversary celebration during the 2015-16 academic year.

The building will include a Multipurpose Media Focus Lab/Entertainment Industry Research Center to study audience reaction, interaction with media technologies and consumer consumption. Area includes one-way windows for observation and media control.  Additionally, music history display cases which will initially house a selection from Dr. T.B. Boyd’s private guitar collection, “Breaking Boundaries: R.H. Boyd Publishing and the Influence of African American Music.” The collection represents more than 50 years of African American music with instruments signed by such legends as Dr. Bobby Jones, CeCe Winans and Isaac Hayes.

Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher said, “From top to bottom, this building reflects innovation, excellence and a strong commitment to setting our students up for success. Our Curb College and media studies majors will be privileged to work with equipment and in settings that meet or exceed industry standards, preparing them to not simply achieve their career goals but to lead their respective industries. It’s only appropriate that we should name this building in honor of a man who is at the forefront of his industry and a couple who generously support education with their time, energy and resources.”

HCA Chairman and CEO Milton Johnson

HCA Chairman and CEO Milton Johnson said, “Belmont is a world-class learning environment experiencing tremendous growth, and it is a privilege for Denice and me to be a part of the school’s tradition of excellence. This new center will help Belmont provide its students with the technology and other resources needed to become the best in their fields, while also enhancing campus life for all students.”

Dierks Bentley’s 10th Annual Miles & Music For Kids celebrity motorcycle ride and concert sold out within 30 minutes of tickets going on sale today, Friday, Aug. 21.

The event is scheduled to kick off CMA Awards week in Nashville on Nov. 1. It will also closeout the outdoor concert season at the new Ascend Amphitheater. This year’s lineup includes Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett, Cole Swindell, The Cadillac Three, Canaan Smith, Brooke Eden and emcee Storme Warren. All proceeds benefit Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Over the course of the event’s history, Bentley has raised more than $3 million dollars for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals across the country.

“I thought we would have a good turnout, but to sell out Ascend in minutes is crazy! It really speaks to the passion that country fans have for causes that are important to their community. I feel honored that ‘Miles & Music’ is one of them,” shares Bentley. “Every year, the biker community has also been there for us, helping raise money for these kids…they are definitely some of the most giving people out there. So, we are holding back a few extra tickets to be sure anyone who wants to ride on Nov. 1 into downtown can jump on their bikes and join us. It’ll be pretty unreal to cruise into a sold-out amphitheater reminiscing about everyone who has helped make the last 10 years so huge – I can’t wait!”

Photo (L-R): Shannon Nehus, Executive Director of Waves, with Craig Campbell, recipient of the 2015 John Henry Family Award.

Campbell Entertainment Group President Craig Campbell was honored recently with the 2015 John Henry Family Award by Tennessee Community Organizations, a professional trade organization for home and community-based service providers.

Campbell is the parent of an adult who receives services from Waves, Inc., an organization that has provided possibilities to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Williamson County for over 40 years. He was honored for his work on the inaugural Dueling Pianos for Waves event, which was held on May 14, 2015.

“I first met Craig in November 2014 at an event we had with family members of our service recipients,” said Shannon Nehus, Executive Director of Waves, Inc. “At that event, Craig came up to me and introduced himself, and indicated that he’d like to create a dueling pianos fundraiser for Waves. This was the first day in a journey to May 14, 2015. As a result of Craig’s vision, passion, and hard work, we were able to host a successful inaugural event, raising more than $22,000 for Waves. But more importantly, we were able to bring community awareness about Waves to a whole new audience of supporters through this unique event. I am delighted that TNCO chose to honor Craig for his support and dedication to Waves and our mission.”

The John Henry Family Award is given annually to a family member of a service recipient of services provided by a TNCO member agency. The family member supports the member agency with his/her time and/or resources and is active in the community in supporting the agency’s goals and initiatives.

“The day our daughter started at Waves was really a life transforming day for her and for us,” said Craig Campbell, of Campbell Entertainment Group. “I accept this on behalf of my wife and my family, the Waves board, staff, and all the service providers at Waves.”

Craig and the staff at Waves are already planning for the second annual Dueling Pianos for Waves event, which will be held in May 2016.