Creating Community: One “Lobby Jam” at a Time.

One morning late last June, Kenect concierge Varag Hakopian threw an electric Ibanez guitar and a 5-watt amplifier into his Jeep, intent on bringing a token of Nashville’s musical soul to work. While most midtown buildings hang guitar silhouettes in their hallways as an ode to Music City, Varag, a lifelong player and teacher, knew a real guitar within artists’ reach was more than an accent piece. Over the next few days and weeks, resident players — full time artists, singers, songwriters, and those just learning — picked up that Ibanez and shared their talent, their passion, their dreams.  Slowly, these tiny, pop-up concerts became expected, and even hoped for in the lobby. People on their way out were sometimes even able to see famous acts like Hardy, Keith Urban, or Morgan Wallen, causing them to stop and listen.   In September 2022, Varag teamed up with resident artist Tyler Cobb to give these moments a stage. Using Tyler’s personal gear, they set up a mic, made a circle of sofas around it, and called it Lobby Jams. Half a dozen resident artists, including Ancient Ravens (Tyler Cobb & Beth Marie Barie), Michael Taylor, Karebear, Jason Monachello, Laura Chen, and Mark Hyden played through the twilight for a small audience of other residents.   That first night was free-flowing and inspired, with that quiet, opening-night vulnerability that makes you want to see the very first performance of anything. Original songs, reimagined covers, and unreleased music that may one day be sung by…