Vote Us "Best Local Blog" in Nashville Scene Poll

The Nashville Scene's "Best Of Nashville" reader's poll is in full effect this year!  Everyone is campaigning to obtain the title of "Best of ..." even Nashville's Music & Art Blog.

At first I didn't even consider trying to be part of the Best Of club this year, but too many friends and supporters of my blog reached out for me to try.

Please if you are so inclined, vote for Nashville's Music & Art Blog by Beth Inglish as "Best Local Blog" under the media category on the Nashville Scene's website.  Click here to vote!

To cast your vote you are required to vote for at least 20 other categories.  It might take a few minutes, so while you're there please vote for your favorites and some of my local supporters:

Best Bicycle Shop: Eastside Cycles

Best Local Printing Company: Wondergraphics

Best Non-Profit: The Contributor Newspaper

Best Vintage Clothing Store: GoodBuy Girls

Best Place to Worship: Crosspoint Community Church

Best Facebook Page: Nashville Arts Magazine

Best Place To Buy New Musical Instrument: Simon Ripley's Music & Art

Best Place To Buy Used Musical Instrument: Fanny's House of Music

Best Fish Taco: Local Taco

Best Local Event/Festival: Tomato Art Festival

Best Performing Arts Group: Nashville Opera

Best Style Blog: Style Blueprint

Click here to vote!

Please feel free to leave a comment and campaign for some of your "Best Of" favorites!
Please share on facebook and twitter to help me spread word.

Erika Chambers & The Vespers at Puckett's, May 25th

Go see this show!  I first met Erika Chambers over a year ago at The Rutledge when I saw her perform for the first time.  Since then we've become friends and even did a music and art show together benefiting The Contributor newspaper in October 2010.

One day last summer while having lunch at PM on Belmont she graciously gave me her new album and immediately it become one of my favorites!  Her music is nothing but beautiful melodies with lyrics that fill you full of hope, all sung by the voice of an angel.  I say she is an angel because she truly following a path illuminated by God.

One of my favorite lyrics in her song, Light at Eventide, was used in a graphic print I created for the The Contributor art show last fall.  It says, "Chase the shadows from my soul, fill my sky with rays of hope, so I know I'm not alone."  That particular phrase struck my heart because when the darkness in life tries to overcome me, all it takes is a prayer to be filled with the spirit again, and she understands that too.  I know God brought our paths together many many times and that insight is something I do not take lightly.

So do not miss her show tonight at Puckett's in Franklin!  She will be joined by special guests, The Vespers, for a first time, one of a kind, combo show that will be a special treat for all that attend.  For more information please click here.

P.S. If you miss the show tonight, she will be playing at Musician's Corner this Saturday, May 28th 3-6 PM.

Artist Bio

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Erika Chambers is a modern artist with a nostalgic twist. She has a passion for introducing new 'traditional' roots music into the classic folk scene. New listeners often assume that Erika's songs are creative renditions of old folk favorites and are surprised to find that she pens nearly every song she performs. Her music is timeless, and her voice delicately captures that quality in every song. With her unique writing style, unforgettable vocals, and captivating instrumentation, Erika is quickly capturing the attention of the Americana / Bluegrass music scene in Nashville and throughout the country. On Garageband.com, the online independent music giant, Erika has won nearly forty awards, including Track of the Week and Best Female Vocals on numerous occasions.

Show at 7:00, No Cover Charge, Tips Appreciated, call 615-794-5527 for dinner reservations.

Graphic Print by Beth Inglish, Lyrics by Erika Chambers

Give and You Will Receive

This fall I've been busy giving it all away. Giving art to benefits, giving time and giving energy. Sometimes it doesn't make sense because I haven't made a single dime, but I continue to believe that if you give then you shall receive.

I haven't always been a giving person. To be honest I'm selfish, but I'm detemined to end that side of me. Selfishness tends to only bring bad into my life and it seems to destroy everyone and everything it touches. So in my quest towards stopping my selfishness I decided to give as much as I could without worrying about the money or the time I'm never going to get back.

One thing I've realized along the way is that it's not about the money, art or time -- it's about the transformation. Each time I gave something up I realized I received a lot more in return. Each time I gave I got a little bit closer to becoming the person I want to be. It feels natural now to put it all out there and hope for the best. It feels like I'm doing the right thing and that's the reward.

Last weekend at the Friends with Benefits art show I was able to raise $425 dollars for The Contributor newspaper. That's the most money I've ever raised on my own for anything. It's very rewarding to see how hard work and lots of love can become something more than my imagination!

Now I'm on to the next art show I gave to this fall, Retune Nashville! It's this Saturday, October 23rd and tickets are still available. If you can please buy a ticket or bid on the artwork for auction online at RetuneNashville.org.

Until next time ... thanks for reading!

The Best of East Nashville

East Nashville is THE place to be. They have music, art, great restaurants and the friendliest people in town. For those of you who live South of the river and don't make it over there too often get in your car Saturday night and make a date with the East side.

Go out and eat some delicious dinner then stop by Billups Art for the Friends With Benefits Music and Art Show benefiting The Contributor newspaper. It's going to be a fabulous show and it is this week's critic's pick in the Nashville Scene! They are featuring musical acts by Erika Chambers (LOVE HER), Uberphonics, and the funkiest get down Charlie Brown kinda band, Stoned Soul Revival. The featured artists are Tasha French, Mike Hester, Amanda Bennett, Beth Inglish and more.

Need some dinner ideas? I searched through the Nashville Scene's Best of Nashville 2010 issue and found all the top voted eateries on the East side. Take your pick:

Best Hot Dog: I Dream of Weenie
Best Cheese Dip and Margarita: Rosepepper Cantina
Best Ice Cream: Pied Piper Creamery
Best Local Bakery: Sweet 16th Bakery
Best New Restaurant: Holland House
Best Menu: City House
Best and Most Romantic Restaurant: Margot Cafe
Best Cheap Eats: Calypso Cafe

See you Saturday night!

binglishART is Raising Money for the Homeless in Nashville

You Are Invited

Friends With Benefits: A Night for the Contributor

October 16, 2010
7:00 - 11:00 PM
Billups Art in East Nashville

Live Music and Art for one night only!

Click here for facebook event invitation

A couple of months ago I was asked to participate in a group art and music show to raise money for Nashville's only street newspaper, The Contributor. I immediately agreed because there is nothing better than to serve God by using my gifts to help the homeless. Seems like a perfect opportunity to bless others who need it more than I do.

Already running low on art inventory, I had to think of an affordable alternative to my signature guitar art. My only experience with The Contributor paper was buying it from one of their representatives on my way out of Trader Joe's grocery store. Homeless all around the city sell these papers to make money as an honest day's work verses panhandling. Many people on this program have found housing within months of working for the paper. This is a great cause!

I decided to create inspirational word art on poster sized recycled Trader Joe's grocery bags. I wanted to keep my cost low so more people would be able to purchase the art. The words I choose inspire and remind us how to treat others and live our lives. We all are the same in God's eyes and should always treat others with kindness, love and respect. I choose to use Bible verses, song lyrics and poetry to create the art.

During the art event on Saturday I am going to "wallpaper" and entire wall more like an installation art piece with these posters that will be for sale for only $10. I encourage the patrons to take the poster art off the wall as a pledge to adopt these characteristics and to donate $10 to the cause in exchange for the art.

For more information please email me at beth@binglishART.com.