At the hearts of musicians everywhere, they dream to grace the stage of the ever-legendary GRAMMY awards. Young musician Nathan Gott, a Hendersonville High School junior, has been handpicked by the GRAMMY Foundation to attend the eighth annual GRAMMY Camp program. It is a unique summer program that ties young talent with renowned artists and music industry professionals. Gott is one of 136 high school students selected for this honor. Receiving a full scholarship ride, Gott will have the privilege to travel to Los Angeles next week and to New York City later this summer. The programs will be held at University of Southern California Thornton School of Music and Converse Rubber Tracks Studio.

"We are excited to bring GRAMMY Camp to three dynamic music markets this summer, and provide this valuable experience to the next generation of music makers," shares Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Foundation in a recent press release. "GRAMMY Camp is one of our most immersive programs in terms of exposing young people to what it's like to have an actual working career in the music business, and the opportunity to receive instruction directly from GRAMMY-winning artists and industry professionals instills knowledge, confidence and lasting lessons in students."

News of the GRAMMY Camp was relayed to Gott by his father who was informed by a Hendersonville’s own musician extraordinaire, Thornton Cline. Learning of the once in a lifetime opportunity, Gott thought, “wow that’d be really cool if I could get in.” Diligently working, he submitted two original pop songs, one being “There She Goes.” Taking about three weeks to record, Gott showed his array of talents. He was the genius behind all the instruments in the song from bass, guitars, keyboard, drums and vocals. Gott expresses, “When I got in, it was amazing. They haven’t told us who’s going to be there, but in the past they’ve had people like Nick Jonas (from the Jonas Brothers), Greyson Chance, Adam Levine (from Maroon 5) and Colbie Caillat.”

Ever since Gott was a young child, he had a knack for singing. At the age of 10, he picked up his first guitar. As he started to play, he felt his passion for music arise. From there, he began to listen to more music and be influenced by it. “Seventh grade is when I decided to pursue music and singing; I wanted to become better,”Gott said. Over the past six years, Gott has been taking lessons to continually enhance his skills.

“I want to walk away with a lot of knowledge about how I’m going to pursue my career and what I have to do,” Gott said. “I want to walk away with tools to be able to start it. I’d also like to meet a lot of new friends because you never know who they might be.” Determined, Gott is prepared to establish connections for his future endeavors. “I’m hoping it will open up doors for college admission and help make it more clear as to how I’m going to make a career for myself.”

Performing at his high school’s coffeehouse, his church’s worship band in Gallatin and Puckett’s Coffee House in Nashville, Gott wants to continue to build up his exposure in local gigs. Having a bright future ahead, he has compiled a list of in-state and out-of-state colleges that he’d like to attend but leans toward Nashville’s Belmont University. Gott currently plans on majoring in music production and minoring in music engineering while teaching music lessons on the side. After college, Gott’s ultimate goal is to travel the industry’s largest music scenes and pitching songs to prominent artists. He also wants to work in production while building himself up as an artist and producing his own original pieces.

“I’m probably going to go pop/alternative with a little bit of alternative rock,”Gott describes his music style. “People that have influenced me are guys like Ryan Tedder, lead singer of OneRepublic. He has written huge songs such as ‘Halo’and ‘Keep Bleeding’. I appreciate his music and songwriting. I’m also influenced by John Mayer and Coldplay.” The one band Gott emulates and inspires to be like is the famed rock band Coldplay. “They have so much synergy. Their songs touch me. I just got back from one of their concerts; it’s an experience. When you walk in, you get these electric bracelets. As songs from their albums start off, all the bracelets light up the stadium with different colors. I’d like to show millions of people that kind of experience.” Gott doesn’t dream little when it comes to his aspirations. With his music, he wants to touch audiences emotionally - to transform their lives.

Encouraging his fellow peers, Gott conveys, “Don’t be afraid to share your music but make sure you copyright it before you share anything. It might be hard, but just don’t give up if music is something you really love. Just let it take you and share it with the world. Try to get yourself known more by going to any local gigs like Wired Coffeehouse’s open mic.”

Nothing is short to say that Gott is a prospective GRAMMY winner in the making. With drive, passion and his foot on the first stepping-stone to success, the world is slowly becoming his oyster.

By APRIL STILWELL