By Karen Parr-Moody
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Singer-songwriter Claire Wilkinson, the granddaughter of Clarksville’s well-known social activist Rita Arancibia, was shocked to learn that she won the 2014 Abe Olman Scholarships awarded by international music company BMI.
“It was such an honor,” she says.
The 17-year-old was one of only two recipients to receive this scholarship, which has also been won in the past by John Legend. Through it she received money to go towards her career.
“I never thought it would be more than a hobby,” Wilkinson says of singing and writing songs. “But I didn’t care, because I really enjoyed doing it.”
Like Arancibia, who for years has worked tirelessly to combat hunger in Clarksville through Empty Bowls and Garden of Hope, Wilkinson also possesses altruistic genes. She began to write songs at age 14, after taking voice lessons from the age of seven. She then penned her first song, “Growing Hope,” to help a nonprofit organization support hunger relief.
Wilkinson grew up in a musical family in Nashville and has played out and about during “writer’s nights.” By the age of 16, Wilkinson was working with pop artist Kesha, as well as with Taylor Swift producer Nathan Chapman and songwriter Pebe Sebert (who wrote Dolly Parton’s number-one single “Old Flames Can’t Hold a Candle to You”).
Wilkinson’s music combines elements of Nineties indie-girl rock with a modern-alternative flare. She cites musical influences that include Coldplay, Regina Spektor, Little Dragon, U2 and Imogen Heap. She is currently working on her debut album and has appeared before the New York and Los Angeles music communities.
“I believe quite a bit of it has to do with confidence and realizing the worst thing a person can say is ‘no,’” Wilkinson says of going after her musical dream. “You will be rejected, but it should only motivate you to hone your skills.”
Wilkinson has some advice to offer to other singer-songwriters: “Overall I think, in addition to playing out, developing a good relationship with a company like BMI, ASCAP, or whatever PRO-performing rights organization you choose can be instrumental in your career as a writer. For me, it was BMI. And they were amazing in connecting me with the right people.”
Claire Wilkinson and Cobaine Ivory won the 2014 Abe Olman Scholarships awarded by international music company BMI. Wilkinson’s grandmother is Clarksville social activist Rita Arancibia./Karen Parr-Moody
Karen Parr-Moody began a career as a New York journalist, working as a fashion reporter for Women’s Wear Daily, a beauty editor for Young Miss and a beauty and fashion writer for both In Style and People magazines. Regionally, she has been a writer at The Leaf-Chronicle newspaper and currently writes about arts and culture for Nashville Arts magazine each month.