Industry Ink: Miranda Lambert, Belmont, Gatlinburg Songwriters Festival, PLA Media

Miranda Lambert Opens Her Own Casa Rosa Restaurant

Miranda Lambert has officially opened her lower broadway restaurant and bar Casa Rosa, making her the first female country artist with a bar on broadway in Nashville. Lambert collaborated with her long-time personal designer, Phara Queen, and TC Restaurant Group (TCRG) on the project, which offers a distinctive blend of Tex-Mex cantina with a feminine flare.

The venue showcases seminal pieces of the country superstar’s wardrobe, tour memorabilia, and special vintage items personally collected by Lambert on her travels. Artist and sculptor for TCRG, Tim “Tiny” Parker crafted one-of-a-kind pieces for the Lambert-inspired venue, including a 12-foot tall Saguaro cactus, a dazzling mirrored saddle that spins overhead with “MIRANDA” branded along the back what was inspired by the iconic piece at Billy Bob’s in Ft. Worth, and an all-things Miranda 30-foot long mural that includes her horses, Airstream, red Chevrolet, album titles and more over a landscape of Marfa, Texas.

Casa Rosa reflects Miranda’s unapologetic, boldly feminine presence, eclectic tastes and love of Tex-Mex cooking. TC Restaurant Group, with more than 40 years in the hospitality industry, has designed spaces for Sun Records, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line and more.

 

 

Belmont University Adds Amy Crook, Sarah Cates To Senior Leadership

Belmont University has announced two additions to its Senior Leadership team with the appointments of Dr. Amy Crook and Sarah Cates as Vice Presidents.

Cates, a Belmont alumna who previously served as Director of Development and Industry Relations as well as in a variety of roles within Belmont’s Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business, will serve as Vice President for Special Projects and Strategic Partnerships. In this role, she will articulate Belmont’s vision, mission and values with internal and external stakeholders; proactively identify growth areas and partnerships; and serve as an external representative of the President as needed locally and beyond, among other responsibilities.

“I am honored and humbled to serve in this new role to help cultivate a sense of imagination for what could be for Belmont’s future,” Cates notes. “Our connection to the community, entrepreneurial spirit and Christ-centered mission have always been a north star for our work, and we will continue to build on these values with both internal and external partners as we seek an even bolder future ahead.”

Crook, an associate professor of management in Belmont’s Massey College of Business, will assume the role of Vice President for Transformative Innovation, Character and Purpose. In this position, she will focus on internal relationship building and transformative interdisciplinary collaborations while fostering an entrepreneurial mindset to integrate student learning, scholarship and opportunities for social innovation.

“Our Belmont faculty, staff and students have amazingly creative ways they want to engage and transform the world, and I’m excited to bring together people across disciplines who are passionate about meeting a particular need,” says Crook. “I want Belmont to be known as the place that hones your character and academic acumen, and then provides you unparalleled support to unleash these strengths to tackle complex problems in our local and global community. I can’t wait to see what God will do in this next chapter of Belmont University.”

 

 

Gatlinburg Songwriters Festival Adds DP’s Celebrity Theater As Main Venue

The Gatlinburg Songwriters Festival, set to take place in downtown Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge from Aug. 19-22, has announced DP’s Celebrity Theater at Dollywood as one of the festival’s main venues. The theater will host several shows per day on Friday, Aug., 20 and Saturday, Aug. 21. Members of the Gatlinburg Songwriters Festival will have access to exclusive discounted tickets to Dollywood.

“Entertainment is a vital piece of the Dollywood experience,” says Roger White, Dollywood Entertainment Manager. “When we were approached about being part of this event, we were thrilled because we wanted to be able to shine the spotlight on these talented songwriters and musicians. The art they produce has the power to inspire so many powerful emotions and this is a great opportunity for them to share their craft with our guests.”

In addition to discounted Dollywood tickets, the $30 membership also provides festival goers with access to discounts for other attractions around Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, special events, panels, and one-night show tickets. Membership sign-up can be found here.

 

 

PLA Media Adds Buckstein To Artist Roster

PLA Media has added Buckstein to its artist roster as he prepares to release new music and embark on a summer tour across the Rocky Mountain West.

Buckstein made his national debut as a contestant on the fifth season of American Idol. Since then, he has built a grassroots following with his band The Heard opening up for Charlie Daniels, Kane Brown, Kip Moore, Dustin Lynch, Old Dominion, Eli Young Band, Midland, Mark Chesnutt, Clay Walker, Aaron Watson, Vanilla Ice and more. The Colorado native will be unveiling a project with tracks spotlighting his emotive baritone ballads, new-grass rooted lanes of country and the leading contemporary sounds. Fans can expect the lead single release from his EP in early June with the full EP slated for a July release.

“When Buckstein’s management team brought the new project to our office, we were blown away,” says PLA Media Executive Director Mark Logsdon. “His baritone voice soars across this EP and his passion for country music, inclusivity, community outreach and the love for his home state are boldly authentic and unique. We are elated to be a part of his team.” ​