I’ve long admired what Brian and Bernice Hembree have brought to Northwest Arkansas—through their music, community work, and ongoing efforts to preserve and revive the spirit of this region. When I saw that Brian would be the featured speaker for this month’s Creative Mornings Fayetteville, I knew it was going to be special. And I was right.
Creative Mornings Fayetteville has quietly become one of my favorite recurring events. Each month, I walk away inspired, informed, and reminded of the incredible people doing meaningful work right here in our backyard. This month’s theme—Revival—felt particularly powerful. We gathered at Iron Lotus, sipping Confident Coffee, and grounding ourselves in the soulful storytelling and songs of Brian Hembree.
Brian took us on a journey through the concept of revival—from tent revivals in Tulsa to the folk music resurgence of the 1960s, from Woody Guthrie to Beyoncé. He spoke of music as memory, as protest, as prayer. He sang songs like “American Requiem,” “Tulsa 1921,” and “In the Pines,” weaving history, heartbreak, and hope into every note.
As he spoke of the Tulsa massacre and Woody Guthrie’s haunting lyrics, I felt a deep appreciation for how music continues to hold space for our collective past. Brian reminded us that revivals aren’t just about music styles—they’re about cultural reckoning and renewal. They are about truth-telling.
Outside the music, the morning was filled with what Creative Mornings does best: community. From Morgan Keeley’s announcement about the upcoming Bats and Bluegrass Festival to Bethany Carter’s beautiful work with Inspired Handsand Canopy NWA, we got a glimpse of the many ways revival is happening all around us—in art, in nature, in refugee-led entrepreneurship.
A big shoutout to Regina Borno, Angel (our espresso shot maven), and the whole Creative Mornings team for making these moments happen. Every month, they craft something that feels like a deep breath, a warm gathering, and a call to action all at once.
And if you’ve been around Northwest Arkansas for a while, you’ll be thrilled to know that next month’s theme is PUNK, and Sunshine Broder will be presenting. Talk about the perfect fit. Her fierce creativity and presence have shaped the local scene for years.
So, here’s your invitation—find and follow Creative Mornings Fayetteville. Show up. Be inspired. Listen closely. Speak truth. Connect with the doers, dreamers, and makers who make this region so rich in heart and art.
