Rich, Turner to play for CBS at Belmont

I'll tag-team with my friends at Nashvillest on this one: John Rich of Big & Rich will play on CBS' The Early Show from the Belmont Mansion Tuesday morning, and they're more than happy to invite Belmont (and Vandy) students to the mansion at 5:30 in the morning.

But hey, if you can't make that, maybe you'll be more interested in Belmont alum Josh Turner, who will be showing up Wednesday morning at the mansion with the same CBS folks. Heard of anyone else showing up? You know what to do.

Photo of the Day: Serenading the Carousel

Belmont student Taylor Begert performs in the baggage claim area of Nashville International Airport Friday afternoon. Belmont students and faculty are performing in the airport today as media members and campaign officials are expected to arrive for Tuesday's presidential debate.

Belmont students rocking at the airport

As mentioned previously, Belmont students and faculty will be playing at Nashville International Airport as guests arrive from Thursday's vice presidential debate in St. Louis. Here's the lineup, just in case you know these fine talents:

Friday, October 3, 2008

Baggage Claim Stage Area:

1:00pm-2:00pm
Stephen Duncan
Taylor Begert

2:00pm-3:00pm
Greg Bates
Brooke Annibale

3:00pm-4:00pm
Stephanie Lambring
Blake Mundell

Concourse C Stage Area:

1:00pm-4:00pm
Southbound Ensemble
Henry Smiley, Director

The Great Zoro

I spoke last night with Zoro, the world-renowned drummer who will play Monday night at Belmont's Massey Hall. If you think you've seen him before, you probably have: He's the drummer for guitarist Lenny Kravitz, among countless other gigs.

He's also an adjunct professor at Belmont, a task he took on after moving to Nashville from L.A. about a year ago. Zoro --who won't reveal his full name because "it's been so long that no one knows anymore" -- will showcase a range of American music, from jazz to U.S. takes on Latin and calypso grooves, with the help of Belmont students.

"We are one of the most creative nations on the planet because we’ve had that freedom of expression," he said. "It has caused us to take things to a whole new level. We’re a great nation of people who can teach others those skills."

Those skills are showcased in this 2006 clip ... around the 3:00 mark, it gets pretty ridiculous.

The free concert, scheduled to run from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, is just one example of how Belmont is using music -- the lifeblood of the school and the city -- to try to interest students in the debate and the election. More from my interview with Zoro later on.

(Photo courtesy of Zoro the Drummer)