Hang with the Legends

Thanks to a generous troupe of Nashville songwriters and musicians, Blue Ridge School is enriched through Songwriters Round, Saturday, August 19,

Seventeen years ago, Nashville’s hall-of-fame songwriter Rivers Rutherford, gave Blue Ridge School a monumental boost.

He offered Margaret McRae, his motherin-law (a Blue Ridge School educator and later, a school board member), a sure-fire fund-raising idea for supplemental support for BRS. He’d bring a handful of his songwriting buddies from Nashville down for an evening of good ol’ countrywestern jubilation, conversation, and the secrets of song-creation.

It’s approaching two decades of annual visits since then, and the gang just keeps making the Rounds. In 2022, the halls of the Boys and Girls Club and upwards of 500 ticketed attendees had a night with CMA legends they’ll never forget. In fact, the event has become so popular, guests in attendance get the first grabs for the following year’s Songwriter’s Round.

For those newly-introduced to the Round and its creator, here’s a brief on Rivers’ inauguration into the Big Time. The Highwaymen (Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson) recorded his first cut when he was 21. That launched a dozen number one hits, several Grammys, CMA and ACM nominations, and over 20 ASCAP awards. Add to that resume Country Song of the Year and Songwriter of the Year, and you’ve got a string of jewels that keeps on growing, gem after gem.

Locally, Susan Waller has seen the Songwriter’s Roundup Foundation flourish since the fundraiser’s establishment in 2002 when she and three others started the BRS Education Foundation. She’s served as the Round’s president eight out of the first 11 years. Carl Hyde served the past 10 years and now Susan is interim. She chaired most of the years of its existence. The first Songwriter’s

Round was in 2006.

Grants, financial support, and Roundup proceeds supplement the educational needs of students and educators. The monies also cover professional development, classroom materials, active learning panels, and even gift cards for teachers.

That’s not all – a nurse and a social worker were brought onboard, along with a music artist-in-residence.

In addition, the “Give 5, Read 5” summer reading program was initiated along with an after-school math tutoring program, the Muddy Sneakers Outdoor Learning Program, and print and audio resources galore for the media centers. It’s a treasure trove from Nashville heaven and all of it is thanks to Rutherford and his powerhouse of pals who are as devoted as he to do their part in changing the world through music and education.

Help yourself to an extraordinary evening while encouraging the young people at Blue Ridge School to excel in an environment enriched and funded by successful, generous role models.

A few tables remain (FYI, they’ve sold out every year). It’s your chance to hang with the legends in a benefit for the Blue Ridge School Education Foundation as they present Rivers Rutherford and Friends, Saturday, August 19, at the Keller Pavilion Boys and Girls Club of the Plateau, 558 Frank Allen Road, Cashiers.

To confirm a table reservation (10 people/$2,200) email Susan Waller at songwriterstix@gmail.com . Your best bet is to email before payment so Susan can lock in your reservation. Then she’ll give you payment instructions. You’ll send to: BRS Education Foundation, P.O. Box 803, Cashiers, North Carolina, 28717.