Belmont And Warner Chappell Present Alumni Writers Showcase

Top Row: James Elliott (Chair of Songwriting Program, Belmont University), Doug Howard (Dean of Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business, Belmont University), Carlton Anderson (Songwriter, Warner Chappell), Mark Trussell (Songwriter, Warner Chappell), Jordan Reynolds (Songwriter, Warner Chappell), Drew Ramsey (Songwriting Professor, Belmont University), Ben Vaughn (President/CEO, Warner Chappell Nashville). Bottom Row: Caroline Watkins (Songwriter, Warner Chappell), Grace Lee (Belmont student, Warner Chappell Songwriting Intern), Parker Welling (Songwriter, Warner Chappell), and Jessi Vaughn (A&R/Digital Manager, Warner Chappell). Photo: Courtesy Belmont University

Belmont University’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business and Warner Chappell Music recently presented a writers showcase in the Johnson Theater with special performances by Jordan Reynolds, Parker Welling, Mark Trussell, Carlton Anderson, Caroline Watkins, and Grace Lee.

These Belmont alumni returning to campus shared music, advice, and stories from their time at the University, and the event showcased the special partnership between Belmont and Warner Chappell. Over the years, the publishing company has hired many Belmont alumni in business and creative roles, most recently offering a new, unique internship opportunity for songwriting students.

One of the evening’s performers, Grace Lee, a junior songwriting major, is currently participating in Warner Chappell’s Emerging Talent Associate – Songwriting program. Through the internship, Lee will be treated as an up-and-coming Warner Chappell songwriter, receiving various co-writing opportunities with professional songwriters, consistent song feedback, one-on-one time with the A&R staff, and mentoring on the publishing community in Nashville.

“Being a Belmont alumni myself, it has been such an honor to help facilitate the Warner Chappell/Belmont songwriting program. Alison Junker (previously at WC, now at Spotify) and Ben Vaughn created the program in 2018 and passed it on to me in 2019,” said Jessi Vaughn, Manager, A&R/Digital at Warner Chappell Music. “I have been blown away by the talent, willingness to learn, and bravery that Grace has displayed thus far. Walking into the room to write songs with people you’ve never met can be intimidating. Not only has she created amazing art, but she’s also done an incredible job in forging new friendships in the songwriting community. I look forward to seeing the rising stars this program yields over the next several years.”

“I loved hearing the stories of these Belmont alumni who write for Warner Chappell Music,” said James Elliott, Chair of Belmont’s Songwriting Program. “It was great listening to the hit songs they’ve written and how they met their co-writers and so many others they work with during their time as Belmont students. The Curb College has a rich history with Warner Chappell and we’re excited about the new opportunities Ben Vaughn and his team are providing for Songwriting majors like Grace Lee to co-write with their writers via the innovative Warner Chappell Songwriting Internship.”

Grace Lee. Photo: Courtesy Belmont University.