Gracie: “Summer’s End” by John Prine
Hi! My name is Gracie Kent, and I am one of Lightning 100’s summer 2026 interns. I am from Fort Worth, Texas, and I am currently studying Media & Entertainment Industries. And, a minor in Music Business at Belmont University.
My intern pick, and the song that best describes me, is “Summer’s End” by John Prine. Of course, I have always loved summer, largely because it meant going to summer camp in the piney woods of East Texas. Camp was a place I looked forward to every year. It became a big part of how I think about summer.
“Summer’s End” captures the feeling of a season coming to a close. Whilst also having to leave somewhere that means a lot to you. Every time I listen to it, I think back to those summers spent under the pine trees. It’s a nostalgic song. Most importantly, quiet and honest, which is why it feels like the right choice for me.
Ella: “The Glow” by Sylvan Esso
Hey, my name is Ella DeYoung, and I am one of Lightning 100’s interns this summer! I am a Nashville native from Germantown. I’m currently studying Business Creative Enterprises and Political Science to pursue Entertainment Law.
The song I chose for the intern pick of the week is “The Glow” by Sylvan Esso. Uniquely, I first heard them on Lightning 100 in 2014 and haven’t stopped listening since. Sylvan Esso was one of the first artists I fell in love with, and one of my first Ryman shows. Seeing them live at the Ryman was what made me want to get into the music industry.
“The Glow” starts with synth and a kick drum to establish this upbeat, childlike experience. There is a slight nuance where the lyrics contrast with the instrumentals. This exhibits the loss of what something once was. Then, the lyrics shift to match the instrumentals of the song to create joy within the nostalgia. Lastly, the song finishes with the same repeating lyrics, “I remember the glow.” This provides a sense of comfort in the past and a readiness to keep growing.
Josh: “Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd
Hey, my name is Josh. I grew up in New Jersey and came down to Nashville to finish school. I’m studying Audio Engineering at Belmont University with a minor in Music Business. I love recording myself playing guitar and producing songs. Besides music, I love watching baseball and hockey.
My Intern pick of the week is “Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd. The album tells a story of a character, “Pink,” who was heavily inspired by Roger Waters. I love the creativity behind the album and how Pink Floyd isn’t afraid to experiment with different sounds and techniques.
Furthermore, “Comfortably Numb” is also one of my favorite songs because of its emotional lyrics and amazing guitar solos. David Gilmour is also one of my favorite guitarists because of the emotion and meaning he brings to his solos.