Entertainment Archives - Inspired Southerner

Nashville’s Elliott Park collaborates with daughters on new album

September 28, 2020 By Kara Kennedy

Nashville Elliott Park — Elliott Park and his daughters collaborate on a new album

Nashville-based singer-songwriter and musician Elliott Park has a flair for storytelling. His songs have been sung onstage at the Ryman Opry Theatre and on Late Night With David Letterman. The main body of his work leans towards the unconventional telling of truths and healing messages. In his latest album, Songs With My Daughters coming in October provides comfort and healing the world needs.

Elliott Park and daughters — Songs With My Daughters out Oct. 16

Harmonizing Drive

In March, Park like others in this world faced extended time at home due to the pandemic. One day on a drive he and his daughters began harmonizing. The result is a creative musical collaboration with his three teenage daughters, Anna 18, Autumn, 16 and April 14.

“This is an acoustic 12 song collection was created as a response to the current times which have called for compassion and calming reassurances,” said Elliott Park. “Our album is compiled of unique songs that provide comfort and warmth to all of those who listen to it.”

Park’s unique songs couldn’t be more perfect for this moment in time. They provide comfort and warmth with a touch of whimsy. His songs can go from delightfully playful and imaginative, to dreamy and introspective. Guitar, piano, strings and sweet soulful vocals that features Park’s quintessential weathered, soothing and soulful vocals.

Blue Skies of the Rainbow Mashup

Therapeutic songs

The album provides reassuring messages of understanding and empathy. His lyrics are vulnerable, honest and passionate with a touch of quirkiness and comedic fevor. Park often gives a wink to his audience to exude his southern charm and soft fatherly way. Listening to his songs are therapeutic.

The album kicks off with To The Moon and Back, a catchy uptempo duet featuring daughter Anna that’s chock full of cheeky cuteness. The song Follow is a lighthearted encouragement to take a break from the bright lights of popular culture and to search within for one’s own talents and interests. In addition, Park encourages young adults to listen with their own heart instead of following influencers. He will donate proceeds from the sale of the song Follow to teen suicide and prevention.

Road Trips

Park’s Memories of growing up in west Texas and favorite road trips with his father brought forth Three Bottles In The Wind. The song is a rebirthing of his love for that area and its wonderfully slow culture. The emotional song Beautiful is for older kids who are just starting to see the complications of a bigger world. The song Set Me Free is a song where the instrumental leads allow the music and melody to serve as a vehicle to lift the listener to a higher place. Songs like Bloom, which is a song of encouragement and Crickets’ Ball, with its poppy harmonies and lyrics you cannot help but visualize them. Similarly, Orange Jello and The Flute Song bring more delightful vocal play from the girls and their dad.

“This album is an ear to the door of my home. My girls have grown up singing and harmonizing on their own. It’s a joy to bring that to a larger audience,” added Park.

Ellott Park Songs with My Daughters — Nashville’s Elliott Park and his daughters make memories as they perform

Songs that heal

Park’s career in music and songwriting continues on a refreshingly honest course, writing chapters of courage and healing for family and fans alike. His song I Loved Her First hit number one on Billboard and R&R in 2006.

Songs With My Daughters will be available for digital download on Oct. 16. Follow Park: Spotify, iTunes, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

Jessie Powell is healing the world through her music

June 19, 2020 By Kara Kennedy

Jessie Powell Inspired Southerner — Jessie fell in love with music at an early age

Jessie Laine Powell began her music career at an early age. At 14, she was singing on the weekends at weddings, festivals, and churches with her high school teachers whom she considered her mentors. The Lexington, Kentucky singer, songwriter soon found that music was her calling. Her goal is to heal the world through her music.

“We lived in the very small town of Winchester, Kentucky and I would travel all over the place singing,” said Jessie Laine Powell, owner of JLPMusic. “I was making good money, for a 14-year-old and I soon realized that I could make music my professional career.”

Inspired Southerner Jessie Powell — Jessie grew up singing gospel music

Jazz Standards and Gospel Music

Jessie fell in love with jazz music in her early 20s. Her dad was a minister, she grew up singing gospel music. In fact, she and her sisters traveled with their father when he preached, and they would be his choir. Traveling and singing inspired her to compose music and she released her first gospel album, “On the Edge,” in 2004.

Transitioning to Soul R&B

During the last three years, Jessie has been undergoing a transformation and delving into Soul R&B. She says as an artist you are should be constantly growing and evolving, especially with your music. For her R&B was the next step for her to enter into naturally which allows her to reach a totally new audience of listeners.

Jessie Powell heals the world with her music — Jessie is transitioning from jazz to soul R&B

“ Soul R&B allows me freedom and simplicity as a vocalist, It is a very intriguing style. It is a genre I particularly enjoy singing. It also allows me to tell a story musically and strategically. The flow is much smoother, and I am learning and growing in a completely different genre,” she added.

Over the years, Jessie has found inspiration from the sounds of such musicians as Anita Baker, Patti Austin, Phyllis Hyman as well as others. Jessie has teamed up with music producer and manager Baron Harris, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was instrumental in helping Jessie release her first Soul R&B single in the U.K.

“We released her single April 17 and it has been in rotation since with over 8.5 million listeners around the world,” said Baron Harris, president of Baron Harris Music. “DJs and radio executives from the U.S., U.K., Australia, Italy and Germany have given us great feedback on her new single.”

Helping others Heal

Jessie released her single “Like No Other Love” in the U.S. earlier this month and she hopes to put smiles on people’s faces. For Jessie, her music is a way for her to give hope, healing and happiness to the world. Through her music, she hopes that people learn to live their lives with compassion, joy. She added that before COVID-19 we all were living life at a fever pitch and at a speed in which we could not sustain. “Many lives have been lost and it breaks my heart. We’ve been forced to re-examine our priorities,” stated Jessie.

The state of the world also, as she puts it, has made humanity stop and take a look at our priorities. Families are shifting and getting back to the basics of spending time with each other, having compassion for one another, and connecting with each other in a deeper way.

“I am creating music for people so they can relax and exhale and put into perspective what God has given to us,” she said. “My purpose is huge, but I am ready to bring joy to peoples’ lives.”

Alabama design firm wins national awards for Bicentennial PastPort

December 18, 2019 By Kara Kennedy

Inspired Southerner PASTPORT — Tatum Design’s creative work for the PastPort wins local, regional and national awards

Tatum Design ‘s work for the Alabama Bicentennial PastPort initiative has earned 39 creative awards at the local, regional and national levels. To date, the PastPort has won 34 ADDY Awards, including four Golds and 20 Silvers at the local level, a “Best of Show” and five Gold regional ADDY Awards, and three Golds and one Silver at the 2018 American Advertising Award’s National ADDY competition in Chicago.

Award-winning PastPort Initiative

The PastPort brand and identity was the “Grand Prize Winner” and “Best of Region – South” at the 2018 HOW/PRINT Regional Design Awards and was selected to be featured in the prestigious 2020 Graphis Design Annual. Posters designed for the initiative will also be honored in the 2020 Graphis Poster Annual. The PastPort APP, which was designed by Tatum and programmed by MotionMobs, was showcased at this year’s Google Flutter Conference.

Tatum Design — The Alabama PastPort tells unique stories about the history of the state.

Alabama Travel and Tourism

The Alabama Bicentennial Commission reached out to Tatum four years ago to help create a collateral piece that would encourage travel throughout the state leading up to Alabama’s 200th anniversary. However, Tatum envisioned something much bigger. As an Alabama-based design firm, they wanted to create a multi-faceted initiative that would set the tone for the entire statewide celebration and bring Alabama history to life like never before.

Tatum Design PastPort — Tatum Design led the PastPort creative and won 39 design awards

History in the Making

Tatum’s goal was to celebrate every county in the state, big and small, equally. Inspired by historical people, places and events, Tatum named the initiative and crafted an immersive brand that would allow people of all ages to personally connect with Alabama history and chronicle their adventures at stamp sites within every county as they explored the state. Tatum wanted the PastPort book to serve as an educational resource, travel guide and commemorative keepsake.

Alabama PastPort — Travelers learn about Alabama’s history with the PastPort

Collaborating with Alabama Bicentennial

Tatum designed custom artwork and wrote lively narratives for all 67 counties and each of the state’s seven geographical regions. The curation of subject matter was a collaborative process between Tatum Design and the Alabama Bicentennial Commission, as well as state archivists, historians and the Encyclopedia of Alabama. The research was a vital part of Tatum’s creative process, guiding the narratives and inspiring the custom artwork Tatum created for the PastPort book.

“We wanted to tell the full, unbridled story, not just the familiar historical accounts we all learned in school,” said Wendy Tatum, Co-owner and Creative Director of Tatum Desig n. For the larger counties where well-known events took place, we dug deeper to bring the lesser-known details to light. While researching the smaller, more rural counties, we were led on adventures that uncovered more pieces of the puzzle and confirmed that every square inch of Alabama is uniquely fascinating, and every county plays an important role in the larger story of our state.”

The Creative Process

Prior to the implementation of the PastPort initiative, Tatum tested its concept through extensive visioning exercises and helped attract sponsors by designing prototypes to demonstrate how all of the brand touchpoints would work together. From conception to launch, the project took 18 months to complete and required the tireless dedication of Tatum’s entire creative team.

Tatum Design Alabama PastPort — Travelers are encouraged to get their PastPort stamped when visiting Alabama attractions

“This was a project that was close to our hearts,” said Travis Tatum, Co-owner and Executive Creative Director of Tatum Design. “Our team is extremely collaborative by nature and by design. As Alabamians and as creatives, we felt a deep sense of responsibility to capture the true spirit of our people, our land and our history. We are truly honored to have led the creative efforts of this monumental initiative, and we are humbled by the overwhelming recognition our firm has received from so many prestigious design competitions.”

For more information about Tatum Design, visit www.tatumdesign.com.

Alabama entrepreneur uses illustrations to overcome mental illness

December 15, 2019 By Kara Kennedy

Inspired Southerner Kristin Farmer Depression — Kristin Farmer decided to celebrate her life through her artwork

Kristin Farmer loves to celebrate life. She has overcome so much in hers because she has been battling Bipolar Disorder, a mental illness, for the last 13 years. The disease could have affected her negatively, but instead, she decided to channel her feelings by creating the whimsical Curly Contessa, a brand through which she celebrates living.

Inspired Southerner Curly Contessa artwork — Curly Contessa represents the matriarch of curly tresses.

The Matriarch Curly Contessa

The idea for the brand came to her when she was sitting on the side of her bed thinking about how she could treat herself. Curly Contessa is a series of hand-drawn illustrations that represent the matriarch of curly tresses. She’s a boss babe, go-getter and trendsetter.

She couldn’t find anything that represented her, an accomplished, young African-American woman, so through a series of illustrations and drawings, she create Curly Contessa. For her, the image celebrates women of color everywhere and is an image that helps them celebrate the little things in life and offers comfort, no matter what they were going through.

Inspired Southerner Curly Contessa wine glasses — Kristin has created wine glasses that showcase her illustrations.

“Battling a mental illness is tough,” said Kristin Farmer the founder and creator of Curly Contessa. “I’ve had to re-train myself just to get through each day of the week. So I find myself celebrating the little things like being able to brush my teeth. Because there have been times where the thought of getting out of bed made was hard for me. Now at the end of the day, I get to pour a toast to myself in my own my tribe wine glass or black girl wine glass.”

Inspired Southerner Curly Contessa wrapping paper — Curly Contessa wrapping paper.

Self-care Routine

The wine glass evolved into a lovely painted scarf, wrapping paper and sweatshirts adorned with Curly Contessa’s face. Curly Contessa is a labor of love that also helps Kristin overcome what she may be going through at any given moment. Curley Contessa has become part of her self-care routine. And now, she considers herself blessed because she has learned to deal with her mental illness by celebrating others.

Inspired Southerner Curly Contessa — Kristin Farmer decided to celebrate women of color by creating the Curly Contessa

Expressing Love for Women

As a result, her business has grown over the last couple of years. She encourages anyone who wants to start a business to express themselves through a creative outlet or idea that they just start, fail fast and often. Without those pitfalls she says, there is no success. So consequently, she believes entrepreneurs should find a mentor or business coach. She has grown her business through the trials and tribulations that she recommends. Kristin’s Curly Contessa is a way for her to give back to those who have helped her overcome her illness. The illustrations are the way she expresses love for women of all skin tones.

Inspired Southerner Curly Contessa Scarf — Kristin created the Curly Contessa silk scarf

“I love celebrating my tribe. I send friends and love gifts for holding me down when I’ve been through a bad spell and it’s important for those gifts to represent them. To represent us. Our diverse hair textures and varying skin tones,” she added.

Alabama artist uses artwork to bring beauty and healing to the world

December 6, 2019 By Kara Kennedy

Deb Paradise artist — Deb Paradise’s goal is to bring beauty and healing to the world through her artwork

Deb Paradise’s artwork has always been about bringing “Beauty” into the world. In fact, her philosophy has been to use art as a way to help enlighten others so that they can express their beauty inwardly and outwardly. She also believes art is a powerful tool for impacting the viewer intends that her artwork be uplifting and healing for everyone.

Deb Paradise Alabama artist — A piece of Deb’s artwork commissioned by the Hilton at Duke University

Bringing Beauty and Healing to the World

When she first began working with clay, Deb went the traditional route by showing her work in festivals and shows, but soon found that the traditional way of doing things was not something she wanted to continue to pursue. “I had a moment where it became very clear to me that I wanted to create art and sculptural pieces that would hang on the wall for everyone to enjoy. So I began seeking and finding clients who wanted to hire or commission me to create a specific art piece for their home or workspace,” said Deb Paradise, owner and founder of Paradise Creative Expressions.

Deb’s artwork hanging in a Fountain View Hotel in Dubai

Commissioned Artwork

Since discovering this about herself, she has never looked back and has continued forging her path in the world of commercial art. Deb now is a well-sought after artist commissioned to produce works of art for corporations, individuals and hotels and resorts worldwide. Deb’s work can be found all over the world, from Dubai to Cairo. And in the United States from North Carolina’s Duke University, JB Duke Hotel to Alabama’s new Gulf State Lodge in Orange Beach. One such commission for The Fountain View Hotel in Dubai was commissioned for the Majlis. The piece, entitled “Whisper” was large and had to be made in 3 panels but appear seamless upon installation. This type of problem-solving is a common challenge when working with designers.

Heirloom Pieces of Deb Paradises artist — These pieces were designed for a husband for his wife as house warming gift.

Commissioned Heirloom Pieces

One of her most satisfying commissioned pieces was for a man who wanted to do something special for his wife as they moved into a home that the two designed together. Deb met and spoke to him about his wife and what he wanted to do with the artwork. After their conversation, they agreed on the creation of three serving pieces because his wife loves to entertain. He also wanted the artwork to be unique and special to the family so they decided to incorporate the name of the street within the pieces. Deb created functional pieces, two bowls and a platter, each of which could be handed down generation after generation.

Alabama Gulf State Lodge — Deb’s commissioned work in Alabama’s Gulf State Lodge

“I had fun going back to my roots on these pieces and he was so excited, enthusiastic and grateful. My heart was so full when I delivered them to him, and they were a big hit with his wife,” Deb added.

Gulf State Lodge

Another extraordinary opportunity for Deb was being chosen to commission pieces of art for Alabama’s newly renovated Gulf State Lodge, a Hilton property in Orange Beach, Alabama. “The opportunity arose because of a client I had been working with for a long time. She had the contract to provide the artwork for the Lodge. They contacted me and I created two pieces that are hanging in the pre-function area of the Lodge. I also was asked to recommend other Alabama artists to create work for them, and I happily recommended several,” said Deb. She went on to say that it was the best feeling to have her art hanging in a property in her home state.

Artists on the Plaza

Most days Deb can be found working in her studio at Shades Mountain Plaza West in Bluff Park, Hoover. She is involved with several artists, in a group called Artists On the Plaza. They came together and formed a collective after Hoover’s Board of Education took over their spaces at the former Bluff Park Elementary School (Artists On The Bluff). Many artists landed in spaces at Shades Mountain Plaza and now they have come together collectively for events throughout the year. One such event is the Holiday Open House on Dec. 14 and 15 from 1-5pm.

Deb hosts craft nights throughout the year where artists come together for fellowship. They bring their own craft and learn techniques from each other. One of her goals for 2020 is to partner with a gallery or work with local designers in the Birmingham, Alabama area, however, for now, her work can be viewed on her website, www.paradisecreativeexpressions.com.