The eyes of the nation will soon be on Nashville, its stunning Symphony Center, its world-class school of music and one of its favorite daughters.
In case you missed the announcement last week, Belmont University graduate (’99) and American Idol finalist Melinda Doolittle will host the 2007 Christmas at Belmont concert, a production of Nashville Public Television that will air nationally on PBS Monday, Dec. 24, at 10 p.m. EST. Middle Tennessee will get a chance to see it a little sooner when it has its local premiere on NPT Thursday, Dec. 20, at 8 p.m. CST. This year, the show will be broadcast from the illustrious Schermerhorn Symphony Center. As you may know, Doolittle was a top finalist on the sixth season of American Idol, where she won the hearts and votes of millions of Americans and gathered legions of devoted fans.
Christmas at Belmont is an annual Belmont tradition celebrating the holiday season and the musical diversity and rich talent of the university’s School of Music. The concert features a collage of familiar carols (“Carol of the Bells”), classical masterworks (“Gloria”), world music and light-hearted seasonal favorites (“You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch”). More than 400 student voices join with School of Music faculty and the Nashville Children’s Choir to present the annual holiday production. Doolittle will perform several sure-to-be crowd pleasers, such as Vince Guaraldi’s “Christmastime Is Here” with the Belmont Jazz Quintet and “Joy to the World” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” with all Christmas at Belmont performers. Previous hosts have included Peggy Lee and Belmont alumnus Josh Turner (’01). Turner has since become a bona fide country superstar and the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Doolittle graduated from the Belmont School of Music in 1999 with a degree in commercial voice and began her professional singing career as a backup singer for acts such as BeBe and CeCe Winans, Michael McDonald, Kirk Franklin, Aaron Neville, Alabama, Jonny Lang and Anointed. Doolittle emerged from the background to headliner after her successful run on the sixth season of TV juggernaut American Idol. Since her run on the show, Doolittle performed in the American Idol national tour and has been preparing for her debut album.
Pictured in the photo above: Cynthia Curtis, dean of the Belmont School of Music, Melinda Doolittle and Daniel Tidwell, vice president of development for Nashville Public Television.
10 Comments
GriotLori says:
All of Melinda’s Backups are eagerly awaiting this concert. What a wonderful opportunity to see Our Girl in her musical birthplace. Thank you Belmont School of Music and thank you PBS for helping to spread the Melinda-luv!
Come visit us at http://www.melindafan.net!
[…] December 24 – Melinda Doolittle hosts Christmas at Belmont, broadcast on PBS stations. Check your local PBS station schedule for day and time. Mandisa […]
I have to say that I am am absolutely thrilled to be seeing our girl again. Melinda is just a great women. I love her personality and how true she is to her religion! ALWAYS. Melinda can make me and many other of her MANY backups smile at ANYTHING!
Thank You Belmont School of music and PBS.
Melinda she a great singer, i am huges fans of her, How amazing person she is. With a powerful voice. We love her. Melinda alway make me smile.
Update about Melinda first album will be released in fall, she also work on Holiday CD. Come join us to the new website http://www.mdstreetteam.com to support Melinda’s career. I am one of her backups 741# this is my number. lol
I am such a big fan of Melinda. She is such an example for christians. Taking stands for God and doing something that alot of people would not try to do. My whole family loves how you let God shine through you. Someday I would love to meet Melinda. If any of you all did know her, I would like to meet her. But and if she evergets on this site, Thank you again for being a witness. Oh I am 15 from Tennessee. Thanks!
Mason!
Melinda Doolittle talented vocalist with a heart of gold. The album’s first single, “It’s Your Love,” was released to radio stations nationwide in September. If you want more info join us at http://www.melindasbackups.com
First i want to thank you for all the wonderful articles you post. Thanks again for let us spread the love we have for our’s favorites one. Melinda Doolittle are really a talented singer with a big heart of Gold! Without website will be really difficult for any fans to share the great news about them. Thanks.
FREE SONG FROM AMERICAN IDOL’S MELINDA DOOLITTLE! GO TO http://www.melindadoolittle.com and get it NOW – FREE! New album released on February 3, 2009! Don’t miss it!
Thank you for letting us post about our favorite singer. Without this site, it would be really difficult to share the latest news about them.
FREE SONG FROM AMERICAN IDOL’S MELINDA DOOLITTLE! GO TO http://www.melindadoolittle.com and get it NOW – FREE! New album released on February 3, 2009! Don’t miss it!
MELINDA DOOLITTLE IN HER FIRST-EVER NIGHTCLUB ENGAGEMENT
NOVEMBER 17 – 21, NEW YORK CITY
FEINSTEIN’S AT LOEWS REGENCY, the nightclub proclaimed “Best of New York” by New York Magazine, will debut MELINDA DOOLITTLE in her first-ever nightclub engagement from November 17 – 21. The “American Idol” finalist will perform an intimate evening of jazz standards, pop hits and Broadway classics, in addition to selections from her CD, Coming Back To You. All shows are at the Regency Hotel (540 Park Avenue at 61st Street). For ticket reservations and club information, please call (212) 339-4095 or visit feinsteinsatloewsregency.com and TicketWeb.com.