MARY ELLEN PETHEL is an associate professor and academic leader at Belmont University, where she directs key interdisciplinary and global initiatives-including the Belmont Global Honors Program, University You with Metro Nashville Public Schools, the Fisk-Belmont Social Justice Collaborative, and the Summer Exchange Institute with Queen's University Belfast. An award-winning author of six books on education, women, and sports, her most recent work is Title IX, Pat Summitt, and Tennessee's Trailblazers. As a public historian, she served as a consultant and cast member for the documentary Facing the Laughter: Minnie Pearl. Pethel also leads Nashville Sites as executive director and is an archivist at Harpeth Hall School. 

DON CUSIC is the Curb Professor of Music Industry History at Belmont University, where he teaches in the music business program and serves as a leading scholar of American popular music. The author of nearly thirty books, his work has shaped the field of country music studies for over three decades. His recent titles include Chet Atkins: Mr. Guitar and The Nashville Sound: An Illustrated Timeline. A frequent media contributor and historical consultant, he worked on the Ken Burns documentary Country Music and serves as editor of the International Journal of Country Music. In recognition of his lifelong contributions, Cusic was inducted into the Western Music Association Hall of Fame in 2022.