WRAL-TV is sponsoring a unique event to support the arts and local students. The Loud Lemon Foundation presents Nashville Songwriters at the DPAC with great songs, stories and laughter on Friday, April 27, 2018. The concert begins at 7:30pm, and 94.7 QDR joins WRAL-TV in sponsoring the benefit for Kidznotes, North Carolina Boy’s Academy and Voyager Academy Friends of the Arts (VAFOA).
The songwriters behind 75 #1 songs will be performing their biggest hits live at this benefit. Locally-based songwriter Jeff Outlaw helped coordinate and will host the event.
“We created the event starting out in a small cafeteria as a fundraiser for a local schools chorus program,” he explained. “We tried to find an event that was unique to the area and would add value and an experience that was outside the norm.”
The 2018 concert will mark the 14th year of the event which has now grown to various venues.
“We are so honored to have partnered with DPAC,” said Outlaw of this year’s benefit. “This event will raise substantial money towards three awesome organizations that are changing young people’s lives in many ways.”
The eight participating songwriters have all written with each other. They come together and decide on the set list for the concert at the sound check earlier in the day.
“That is one of the unique pieces of this event is that it is truly unscripted and unrehearsed and a great look into the stories behind the individuals creating the songs,” said Outlaw.
He says the group looks forward to working together and getting the rare chance to perform together.
“We are all great friends and we have all written great songs together,” said Outlaw, “and to be able to collaborate on stage with those is an annual thing that we all look forward to so that is the main driver.”
He says it is an added bonus that he is based in the Triangle and able to host the event.
“These great friends of mine and great collaborators are very generous with their time to come over,” Outlaw said, “and being able to perform with them is an honor.”
The group of eight includes 5 Grammy® nominees, 2 Grammy® winners, and one Hall of Fame® inductee. The line-up and some of their top hit songs includes:
- Tim Nichols (“Live Like You Were Dying” by Tim McGraw, “Heads Carolina, Tails California by Jo Dee Messina)
- Rodney Clawson (“I Saw God Today” by George Strait, “Dirt” by Florida Georgia Line)
- Nicolle Gaylon (“We Were Us” by Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert, “All The Pretty Girls” by Kenny Chesney)
- Jimmy Yeary (“I Drive Your Truck” by Lee Brice, “Til It’s Gone” by Kenney Chesney)
- Jessi Alexander (“Mine Would Be You” by Blake Shelton, “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus)
- Wynn Varble (“I’m a Little More Country Than That” by Easton Corbin, “Waitin’ on a Woman” by Brad Paisley)
- T. Harding (“Different For Girls” by Dierks Bentley, “Smile” – Uncle Kracker)
- Jeff Outlaw (“She’s On Her Way” by Phil Vassar)
Purchase tickets and find out more HERE
“Expect to be blown away by these writers coming from Nashville,” said Outlaw.
About Kidznotes
Kidznotes is a music for social change program based on the El Sistema model of youth orchestras, which started in Venezuela and has now spread worldwide. The non-profit strives to change lives through ever-expanding participation in youth orchestras, bands and choirs. Students, pre-K through 12th grade, are engaged in an intense, fully integrated, out-of-school musical program that includes instrumental instruction, choir, music theory, general music, orchestra, and band. The program operates during the school year and as a summer camp.
About North Carolina Boy’s Academy
The North Carolina Boy’s Academy (NCBA) is a holistic Christian boarding school for teenage boys struggling with life-controlling problems. The program is designed to help young boys, age 13-17, realize their potential and lay foundations to become courageous and God honoring men. The program exposes students to godly male roles models in a 15 month process NCBA endeavors to help young men understand and experience the value of goal setting, team play, community and, ultimately, helping to set the direction to discover God’s purpose for their lives.
About Voyager Academy Friends of the Arts (VAFOA)
The mission statement of the VAFOA is to promote, support, and increase exposure and funding to all visual and performing arts at Voyager Academy. The work of this organization will benefit Voyager students in grades K – 12. This group will strive to raise awareness that Arts Education is essential to learning.
