Pickin' at the Pantry

Pancake Pantry to Host Christmas Edition of ‘Pickin’ at the Pantry’ Songwriter Night With Buddy’s Place

December 3rd event features Nathan Belt, Lauren Mascitti and Dakota Striplin and supports local nonprofit, The Toy Store, with toy drive

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Dec. 3, 2026) – The Pancake Pantry is pleased to announce a Christmas edition of the Pickin’ at the Pantry on Thursday, Dec. 3, from 6 to 9 p.m. at its Hillsboro Village location. The after-hours songwriters’ event, held in partnership with Buddy’s Place, will feature live performances by acclaimed songwriters Nathan Belt, Lauren Mascitti and Dakota Striplin, including a mix of holiday hits and original songs. The exclusive event menu will feature restaurant favorites alongside new holiday offerings, including a brown sugar-glazed ham entree, a herb-roasted chicken entree, Biscoff cookie butter pancakes, peppermint bark pancakes, seasonal hot chocolates and more. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for dinner with the show beginning at 7 p.m.

In the spirit of the holidays, Pancake Pantry is partnering with The Toy Store, a seasonal extension of The Store’s mission, to collect new, unwrapped toys as well as wrapping paper and supplies. The Toy Store, founded by Kimberly and Brad Paisley, provides a free shopping experience for families in need to select gifts for their children, free of charge. A collection bin will be available at the Pickin’ at the Pantry show on Dec. 3, and attendees are encouraged to bring donations to support families in our community during the holidays. Learn more at https://thestore.org/signature-events/the-toy-store. 

“We’ve really enjoyed the Pickin’ at the Pantry events, and the response from the local community has been outstanding,” said Chip Bradley, managing partner of Pancake Pantry. “We’re looking forward to hosting a Christmas show that brings people together for live music, festive menu items and holiday spirit at an iconic Nashville spot with such a rich musical history. Partnering with The Toy Store is a natural fit, bringing together our love of music, community and giving back. With Kimberly and Brad Paisley’s commitment to helping families in need, we’re excited to support their mission and encourage our guests to help make the holidays brighter for children in our community.”

Founded in 2011, Buddy’s Place has grown from a small house concert series into a respected Nashville songwriter series, showcasing acclaimed artists and supporting local talent. Owners Buddy Norris and Ellen Huddleston are dedicated to celebrating Music City’s songwriting community through curated live performances.

“I can’t think of a better place to celebrate the holidays than Pancake Pantry,” said Norris. “These incredible artists are excited to bring some festive holiday cheer to Pickin’ at the Pantry while also sharing some of their original music with the audience.”

The following artists have been hand-selected by Buddy’s Place to perform at the Dec. 3 event:

• Nathan Belt is a Texas-born country music traditionalist who began performing in his teens, traveling the North Texas Opry circuit into his early 20s. He moved to Nashville in 2001 after signing his first major publishing deal with Acuff-Rose Publishing. In 2013, he founded Nathan Belt & the Buckles, which quickly became a fan-favorite band in Music Valley and along Nashville’s famous Broadway strip. Since 2021, Belt has been a featured performer and host on the General Jackson Showboat while continuing to share his love of traditional, classic country music at honky-tonks and music venues across Nashville. Most recently, he has collaborated with longtime friend and songwriter-producer Bryan Simpson. With Simpson’s guidance, Belt has brought his love and respect for classic country to the forefront with his first EP, A Song in the Making, available now on all major streaming platforms.

• Lauren Mascitti gained national attention on American Idol in 2020, but her career began much earlier. She was writing songs and performing by age 7 and, as a teenager, performed six nights a week in Branson, Missouri, alongside gospel legend and original Oak Ridge Boy Gary McSpadden. After moving from her hometown of Louisville, Ohio, to Nashville, Lauren has shared stages and writing rooms with Pam Tillis, Matraca Berg, Suzy Bogguss, Delbert McClinton and Lonestar. She also performed with Brad Paisley and Shania Twain in a nationally televised concert honoring health care heroes during the pandemic, drawing on her experience as an RN. Lauren has performed at the Grand Ole Opry and opened for Lonestar, including the band’s first headlining show at the Ryman Auditorium. Her breakout album, God Made a Woman, appeared on The New York Times and Saving Country Music’s Best Albums of 2020 lists and reached No. 4 on the iTunes Country chart. Her upcoming project, produced by Lonestar founding member Dean Sams, continues her work as a country artist and songwriter.

• Dakota Striplin, a Brisbane, Australia, native, brings a fresh voice to modern country music, blending influences from indie, pop and 2000s R&B. After being discovered at the Nashville airport, he signed his first publishing deal with country music legend Ronnie Dunn, launching his career in Nashville. Since then, Striplin has earned more than 15 million streams and established himself as a songwriter, with his songs recorded by Alexandra Kay, Thunderstorm Artis and Brent Morgan. His unique mix of contemporary influences and country songwriting has helped him carve out his own place in Nashville’s music community. After taking a five-year hiatus from releasing new music, Striplin is returning with a series of new singles that mark the next chapter of his career.

Tickets for “Pickin’ at the Pantry” can be purchased online for $30 each with a $15 food minimum per person.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit ThePancakePantry.com

About The Pancake Pantry

The Pancake Pantry, founded in 1961, is a Nashville tradition. Known for its 23 varieties of scratch-made pancakes, The Pancake Pantry offers the best food and the friendliest service from two Nashville locations: the original in Hillsboro Village and a downtown location at Third and Molloy. Batters and syrups, crafted from secret recipes, are made fresh daily. A perennial favorite on the Nashville Scene’s Best of Nashville and the Tennessean’s Best of Music City lists, The Pancake Pantry boasts a large variety of breakfast and lunch offerings. Learn more at ThePancakePantry.com.

About Buddy’s Place

Buddy’s Place is a unique Nashville songwriter round focused on sharing the stories and the heart behind your favorite songs. Launched in 2011 by Buddy Norris, Buddy’s Place curates high-quality songwriter-focused shows featuring up-and-coming and well-known musicians sharing their songs and the stories behind them. Since its inception, Buddy’s Place has hosted nearly 150 shows with close to 160 songwriters performing in venues throughout the Nashville area. From living rooms to Broadway stages, Buddy’s Place is wherever good music plays. Learn more at buddysplacenashville.com.