Best of the Best concludes showcase series

The Best of the Best Showcase will boast the talents of four of Belmont’s most talented musical acts and six of its most accomplished songwriters when the show takes the stage of the Curb Event Center April 25.

Performing in this year’s lineup are Stephen Whitfield, winner of the Christian Showcase, Future, winner of the Urban/Pop Showcase, The Hollywood Ten, winners of the Rock Showcase, and Jenna Basso, winner of the Country Showcase. Also performing are the writer’s showcase winners, Stephanie Lambring, Brooke Annibale, Matt Wright, Josh Johnson, Chase Foster and a final winner who had not been chosen at press time.

“I think it’s going to be great,” said senior music business major Luke McElroy, the producer of this year’s Best of the Best Showcase. “One of the neat things this year is that the removal of the Other Showcase has caused an increase in the level of talent from the four remaining genres. I have been immensely impressed with the industry professionals from outside of the school [who] chose the winners. This is some of the best talent we have at Belmont and we truly have an incredible show up our sleeves.”

In addition to the showcase’s Web site, belmontshowcaseseries.com, and Facebook group, Best of the Best 2009, students can keep up with the activities leading up to the event by following Bestof09 on Twitter.

“We are going to try and give it a whirl,” said McElroy of the decision to embrace the newest social networking trend.

“Nobody likes to be bombarded by Facebook messages and this is a nice way to get information out without annoying students. People can get involved and follow it if they want and we think that’s a nice way to do it.”

The evening of April 25 will also salute Donna Hilley, a music industry pioneer and successful music publisher who is to receive the Robert E. Mulloy Award of Excellence at the showcase. Hilley will be honored for her contributions to both the professional music community of Nashville and Belmont’s entertainment and music business program.

Among other accomplishments, Hilley introduced another industry legend, Mike Curb. to Belmont, which now includes a college and an event center that  bear his name.

To educate students about Hilley’s legacy and the show itself,  a series of convos lead up to the big day: “Faith in the Music Business,” March 30; “Women Legacy Leaders,” April 6;  “Writers in the Round,” withsome notable music industry names whose careers Hilley has influenced, April 15; and “The Donna Hilley Story,” April 20.

“It means a lot to be able to rally behind something so meaningful to the industry and the school,” McElroy said.

As for the big night itself, things kick off April 25 at 6:30 p.m. with a set from the showcase’s house band, and the show is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

Audience members are encouraged to get to Curb Center early  to catch all of the festivities before the 7 p.m. show.