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Every time I struggle with a topic to write about. All I have to do is calm down just a little, and a story drops into my lap. Such was the case for the story today. It is not news but history and I only apologize briefly for that fact.
We are so blessed in this area with so much talent and so many people willing to give of their time and talents in sharing their gifts to benefit others. Williamson AM reporter Suzanne Blackwood ran a story on New Years' Eve about a local praise band, Once & 4 All, and a tune titled "All Year Long Song." I was able to listen to the song on the computer and with the help of my son, watched their video on YouTube and instantly knew that there was nothing keeping me from hearing this song performed live.
On Jan. 2, the Classical Music Concerts in Nolensville presented In the Bleak Midwinter, a holiday concert program at Jenkins Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The music, musicians and format provided so much more than a typical Christmas or holiday concert. My heritage, like some at the concert, would dictate that the Christmas season does not end but rather starts on Christmas Day. We never took down our tree when I was a child until around the Jan. 6, 12 days after Christmas. The program's Master of Ceremony, Svetlana Yatskaya, sings and plays the harp. More than a dozen extremely talented musicians from this community preformed Gaelic, Celtic, Spanish and Ukrainian music in song and instrumentation. A friend whispered to me during the program, "Can you believe this? Classical music in Nolensville, it's almost as good as being at the Schermerhorn, and it's free."
It was indeed a bleak cold winter night with the temperature barely reaching 20 degrees outside but it was warm and cozy inside. The church provided appetizers, soups, desserts, punch and hot beverages during the intermission. What an unexpected treat. And did I mention it was all free.
As I said earlier I especially went to hear the group Once & 4 All sing and play "All Year Long Song," written by Jenkins' own Ted Hatfield. The song has a wonderful message. The audience was invited to join in the chorus. It goes like this. We need an all year long song/ Where the giving goes on and one/ We don't have to be the man in red/ To heal the hurt and keep the hungry fed/ Love will never go out of style/ It will always be in to smile/ Be a friend each day you're here/ And we will have Christmas all year.
I love it and the tune is in my head as I write. I acquired a copy of their CD after the concert and promise it will be used for inspiration for my articles all year long. Congratulations to all performing, it was an excellent concert. I am writing the story on the so remember that lead time is needed to publish stories. These are the stories and people in our community that I am so blessed to be able to write about each week.
My desire is to write good news stories about our community and for our community. Let me know what you have to share. Please e-mail your suggestions for news items to Sandy Baxter at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or leave me a voice message at 615-268-9128. A minimum of two weeks is required to meet newspaper deadlines.
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