Nashville Shines Bright at Save The Music’s Fifth Annual Event
Nashville was buzzing with excitement on Tuesday night as the city hosted the fifth annual “Hometown to Hometown” event, a heartwarming fundraiser organized by Save The Music. This year’s event took place at the lovely City Winery Nashville and was a spectacular success, raising over $300,000 for music education programs in under-resourced public high schools. Can you believe that? That’s a lot of cash to help keep music alive in our schools!
A Celebration of Female Powerhouses
The evening was co-hosted by well-known figures Leslie Fram and Angie K, who brought an infectious energy to the event. The spotlight was on three incredible women: Maren Morris, Brittney Spencer, and Ali Harnell of Live Nation Women, all of whom were honored as 2024 Champions of the Year. These remarkable ladies have made significant contributions to the music industry and are passionate advocates for music education.
Empowering Performances
The night was filled with powerful performances and moving speeches that celebrated the bonds between women across different stages of their careers. Artists such as Angie K, Brandy Clark, and Allison Russell took to the stage, captivating the audience with their incredible talent. Abbey Cone started things off with a touching performance of “If You Were A Song,” warming up the crowd for what was to come.
One of the highlights of the evening came when Brittney Spencer delivered a breathtaking rendition of “Bigger Than The Song,” earning her the first standing ovation of the night! The award for Champion of the Year was graciously presented to her by Beverly Keel, the Dean of MTSU’s College of Media and Entertainment, who shared heartfelt words about the importance of coming together and supporting one another.
Inspiring Stories and Chats
As the night went on, the audience was treated to a thoughtful conversation between Ali Harnell and Leslie Fram about Harnell’s career journey, which was both inspiring and relatable. Allison Russell and Ruby Amanfu then stole hearts with their mesmerizing performance of “A Beautiful Noise,” showcasing the power of collaboration.
After some incredible performances, Joy Oladokun got the crowd on their feet with her energetic song “What Would This World Do.” The atmosphere was simply electric as everyone eagerly anticipated the final act of the evening.
Grand Finale with Maren Morris
The night truly reached its peak when Maren Morris took the stage to perform her hit “The Bones.” Following her performance, her mother, Kellie Morris, had the honor of presenting her daughter with the Champion of the Year award. It was an emotional moment for everyone, showcasing the deep familial bonds that music can create.
A Thoughtful Tribute from Nashville’s Students
Wrapping up the event, the spotlight turned to the James Lawson High School, a previous grant recipient from Save The Music. Music educator Tyler Meredith and two talented students, Jay J Roberts and Jailynn Boone, shared touching stories about how the music technology grant changed their school’s landscape. Jay particularly inspired the crowd by talking about her aspirations to pursue a career in music technology—all thanks to the programs made possible by supporting events like this!
Making a Difference Together
The funds raised during the evening will go towards developing new music technology programs in Nashville and the honorees’ hometowns: Dallas for Maren and Baltimore for Brittney. Since the event’s launch in 2019, “Hometown to Hometown” has been a powerful force for change, raising a staggering one million dollars and aiding 15 high schools with crucial music technology equipment.
Nashville proved once again that when it comes to music education and female empowerment, the city is truly a force to be reckoned with. Everyone left with full hearts and inspired spirits, excited to see what the future holds for music in our schools.
