NASHVILLE'S WWII VETS, OLD HICKORY, MELINDA DOOLITTLE AND MORE COME TO NPT

Finally out of the post-Thanksgiving stupor enough to get back to posting. So we’re all up to speed, here’s a quick rundown of what’s coming up TV and event-wise through the end of the year.

This Sunday, December 2 at 7:00 p.m. is the broadcast premiere of our new documentary NASHVILLE WWII STORIES. Produced by our own Justin Harvey and narrated by Charlie Daniels, the film tells the personal stories of Nashvillians who served the United States during the war. It’s a wonderful film and a fitting tribute to these heroic men and women. If you missed it on Sunday, it’ll be re-broadcast on December 13 at 7:00 p.m.

As mentioned here before, please join us on December 8 at 1:00 p.m. at the Downtown Nashville Public Library for a sneak preview of ANDREW JACKSON: GOOD, EVIL AND THE PRESIDENCY. Join Carl Byker, executive producer and writer; Dan Feller, University of Tennessee professor of history and editor/director of The Papers of Andrew Jackson; and Richard Cowart, board president of The Hermitage, Jackson’s historic home in Nashville. A Q&A session and light reception will follow. Because of Jackson’s ties to Tennessee, it’s in our local interest to have a greater understanding of the man. As Americans, it’s in our greater interest to understand the role he played in shaping the presidency, the repercussions of which, we still feel today. Take a break from holiday shopping and join us for a look at this controversial figure whose formidable years were spent in our own backyard.

Finally, if you take 65 North into town, you’ve surely seen the billboard near Wedgewood for our production of CHRISTMAS AT BELMONT, hosted by American Idol finalist and Belmont Alum Melinda Doolittle. The special debuts on NPT on December 20 at 8:00 p.m. and premieres nationwide on PBS on Christmas Eve at 9:00 p.m. (CST). Call your family and friends throughout the country and tell them to tune-in on December 24 for a look at some of Nashville’s finest young talents performing the songs of the season from the Music City gem that is the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. I was there for the taping last week, and I can vouch for its wonderfulness (is that a word?) and festiveness. I was taken with just how many talented students attend Belmont. During numbers when all the choirs where on the stage along with the symphony, it was staggering.

Not everything from the taping will make the hour-long broadcast, but whichever performances are chosen will be top-notch. My fingers are crossed for the percussion ensemble’s performance of “Carol of the Bells” (NPT videographer Will Pedigo was right on top of the xylophones) and the Bluegrass Ensemble’s perfect “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem.” The thing I hope doesn’t make it is the close-up of me (although I know it doesn’t exist) sheepishly singing “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” with members of the Women’s Choir in the aisle next to me.

Belmont University President Dr. Bob Fisher welcomed the audience before the taping, and expressed his hope that households thoughout the nation in search of festive Christmas music on Christmas Eve will find the perfect accompaniment with CHRISTMAS AT BELMONT. When I was growing up we watched the yuletide log on TV, which was similiar to this video with music. CHRISTMAS AT BELMONT would have been a lot nicer.