Teaching music doesn’t always have to be about notes, chords, or songs. Sometimes, learning about the musicians themselves and their significant others can provide students with a holistic view of the music world. One such personality that deserves mentioning is Brad Paisley’s wife, Kimberly Williams-Paisley.
Who is Kimberly Williams-Paisley:
Most recognized for her roles in ‘Father of the Bride’ and the TV series ‘According to Jim’, Kimberly Williams-Paisley is not just an accomplished actress, but also a successful author and an activist with a heart of gold. She married multi-platinum-selling country singer Brad Paisley in March 2003.
Why we need to teach about Kimberly Williams-Paisley:
Including her story alongside Brad Paisley’s music lessons can add layers of context, connection, and real-world experiences to the lessons. By learning about her life, students can gain perspectives on how creativity expands beyond singing or playing a musical instrument. Her influence on Brad Paisley himself is enough testimony to the importance of learning about her.
The Impact of Music & Film:
Engaging students with stories like Brad and Kimberly’s allows them to see the intertwining nature of different art forms. Kimberly is primarily involved in acting, while Brad is fully engrossed in music; yet, they both influence each other’s works unconsciously.
Philanthropy & Social Activism:
Kimberly and Brad set up a free grocery site called ‘The Store’ in Nashville to serve people struggling with food insecurity. Discussing their humanitarian efforts can instigate conversations about social activism and embed empathy in your learners.
Conclusion:
Incorporating aspects like life stories into music pedagogy can be an innovative way of teaching and making lessons more interesting for students. Teaching students about figures like Kimberly Williams-Paisley not only offers them insights into the world of music but also broader societal issues and values.
Remember, as Carl Holst aptly put it, “Education is not just information that fills our head; it’s more about what it does to our heart.”
