Nashville, TN—-On a rainy Tuesday night, supporters, alumni, and music fans flocked to the Mother Church of Country Music to celebrate a milestone in the world of education. St. Bernard Academy, Nashville’s first and oldest elementary school, turned 150 years old and to commemorate, school officials held a concert on April 18, 2017 at the famed Ryman Auditorium.
With roots tracing all the way back to Dublin, Ireland, the school’s name hails from Mother Bernard, who sent Six Sisters of Mercy to Nashville from Providence, Rhode Island on a mission: to provide higher education to early generations of immigrants. Since its humble beginnings, St. Bernard has in some instances, consisted of four generations of families over its 150 years of service. The mission has always remained the same: focus on a high level of academic education, all while building on the core principles of self discipline, compassion, and a sense of responsibility for social justice. The students begin with a prayer every day, named after the Sisters of Mercy founder, Mother Catherine McAuley.
The school is located in the Hillsboro Village part of town, where it has been since 1905. The high school building closed down in 1988, but was fought for and bought by parents and faculty and is now home to 350 students, ranging from kindergarten to eighth grade.
The Ryman celebration’s star studded lineup began with the young and energetic Americana band, Aberdeen Green. Produced by Paul Worley (who also produced this show), this fierce, female duo combines the free flowing harmonies of Fleetwood Mac with the rawness of Bonnie Raitt and Joni Mitchell. Recent high school graduate and The Voice Season 9 contestant, Zach Seabaugh, has opened for acts such a Lady Antebellum and Jennifer Nettles and it’s easy to see why. With a James Dean appeal and Elvis dance moves, this Georgia native captured the audience with his funky dance moves and smooth voice. Sisters and St Bernard students Bella Lee (17’) and Lola McCormick (’20) blew everyone away with a calming sound beyond their years, not to mention near perfect pitch, especially when covering Fleetwood Mac’s “Chains.”
St Bernard’s special night also included multiple songs from 2016 Grammy award winners for Best Bluegrass album, The Steeldrivers. Led by fiddle extraordinaire Tammy Rogers and backed by the incredible voice of Gary Nichols, the breeding of Nashville and Muscle Shoals soul and grit is truly the place where “rainbows never die.” (And yes, that Grammy nominated song was performed and received a standing ovation).
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A songwriter’s songwriter then took the stage, in the form of Rodney Crowell. Crowell, who has two grandchildren at St Bernard, has a long and lustrous career, which not only includes several hits under his own umbrella, but also for artists such as Keith Urban and Tim McGraw. From acoustic guitars and Celtic harps came the full piece Mercy Band with the dynamic keyboard and vocal stylings of Gabe Dixon. His hand clappin’, foot stompin’ ivory rhythms blend jazz, adult contemporary, funk, and even a bit of gospel.
The show closed out with hit maker and one third of Lady Antebellum, Charles Kelley. Kelley started the set with Lady A’s first big hit, “I Run to You,” joined onstage by Tammy Rogers and Paul Worley. Two of Kelley’s solo releases, “The Driver” and “Leaving Nashville” left the audience speechless from the powerful messages and vocal performances. Gary Nichols (The Steeldrivers) and hit Nashville writer, Abe Stolkasa, joined Kelley onstage to sing the harmonies usually done by Dierks Bentley and Eric Paslay. Prior to singing “Leaving Nashville,” Kelley told the story of how it almost neglected to be recorded because writer Stolkasa deemed it “too true and dark.” The ACM and CMA Award winner then ended his show with his band’s first release, (which also jump started Lady A’s working relationship and friendship with producer Worley.) “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore” concluded a magical and memorable evening for the St. Bernard Academy.
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Congratulations on your achievements and accomplishments St. Bernard and for all you do to impact the community. Here’s to the next 150 years!
For more information on St. Bernard Academy, visit www.stbernardacademy.org.