Lipscomb Graduates Release Debut Album: Tennessee Four Finding Fans around the Country
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Naturally. The Tennessee Four found a fabulous title song for their debut album released in June 2006. This Nashville-based group is made up of four Lipscomb University alumni who seem to be naturals at wowing audiences and knowing just the right song to sing at the right time. The audiences love the music and want them back on stage—naturally.
Tim Smith (’86), D.J. Smith (’96), Rob Hatchett (’80) and Ford Holman (’73) haven’t quit their day jobs yet, but they are well on their way to a successful music career with their new album. With an Americana style, this quartet captivates audiences with favorite tunes such as Roger Miller’s King of the Road, Huey Lewis’ Naturally and Dean Martin’s Everybody Loves Somebody. Fans also love to hear them sing patriotic songs such as The Star-Spangled Banner. The group performs both a cappella and with a band. The group members know when they have hit the right note with a crowd. “You know you’ve won the audience when you look out and the people are singing along,” states Tim Smith.
The group started out as a hobby for the four members. Billy Taylor, their upright bass player for some early performances, recognized their talent. He began working with the group as their bandleader and encouraged the members to explore a wider range of songs and audiences. Soon, the group realized that performing was more than just a hobby. “We love singing,” Tim Smith states. “It’s growing to be a passion for all of us.”
The group branched out by singing the national anthem at a local high school. This led to performances at an NCAA conference basketball game and at a professional AAA baseball game. Soon the group found themselves performing at family gatherings, community and corporate events and holiday parties. In 2006, the group changed their name to The Tennessee Four and recorded their first album. In July 2006, they performed for Lipscomb University’s family night during Summer Celebration. All ages enjoyed the performance.
The group sings once a month at the Bell Buckle Café in Bell Buckle, Tennessee. They book three to four concerts a month and are always ready to wow a new crowd with a song. They sing familiar tunes and are also writing some originals to add to their sets. “We love what we do,” D.J. Smith claims. “We sing for the pure enjoyment of it.” Their versatility and unique harmony bring a lot of enjoyment for their fans, too. Everybody wins when they take the stage.
--Chris Pepple