Reading, Writing & Rhythm Benefit Concert Raises Awareness on Music Education

Reading, Writing & Rhythm Benefit Concert Photos

Annually since June 2000, Chely Wright has held her Reading, Writing, and Rhythm® Benefit at Nashville's Wildhorse Saloon. She began the organization to help children, who might not otherwise have the means, obtain instruments to and to raise public awareness about the importance of music education for children.

Wright begins calling artists for next year's event the day after the current event is completed. She actually spoke to 2006 headliner, Wynonna Judd prior to the 2005 Reading, Writing, and Rhythm® event. Wright recalled, "she said 'Chely, put me down for 2006' and I said oh that'd be great maybe next year you could really think about doing it. And she said 'No, put me down, I'm there' and when you get a headliner like that it's a lot easier to pull in the Little Big Town's, Keith Anderson's, Jason Aldean's, the folks who are having hits right now. All I need is one big headliner every year to lock in early and I can make it happen." Wright seems very pleased with what the charity has done. Her hopes were that they might bring in $5,000 per year and they have exceeded $125,000 per year. She admitted that it's gotten more difficult to pull in the artists as her radio success has declined, though it shouldn't because it is one of the most anticipated events just prior to the CMA Festival.

A large number of silent auction items were spread out among several tables on the second floor of the Wildhorse. Among them were items from Chely Wright, Tracy Lawrence, Gary Allan, Buddy Jewell and many more, A live auction at the first of the night granting fans front row and on-stage seating, brought in anywhere from $400-$700. Auctions were held during the night while the stage was prepared for the next act in order to keep things moving. $2,350 was given by each of two men for the opportunity that their ladies would get to go shopping with Wright at local Nashville clothing store "Flavour." Survivor winner, Danni Boatwright brought in $350 for an autographed Kansas City Chiefs football and $550 for a University of Texas football autographed by our new Tennessee Titan, Vince Young. Three fly-away packages composed of two tickets, two round-trip flights on American Airlines and two backstage passes were auctioned off for fans to see Terri Clark ($2,000), Wynonna Judd ($2,250) and Brooks & Dunn ($3,200).

Each year, Wright announces the line-up in advance of the event but holds back a little surprise for the audience and this year was no different. Expected were Little Big Town, Keith Anderson , Jason Aldean, Julie Roberts, Bryan White and Wynonna Judd but the crowd jumped to their feet when return guest Ty Herndon was announced. Herndon chose the stage to announce that he was back with a new record deal and ready to entertain.

While most of the artists were limited to between two and four songs, Bryan White made his own splash at what could have been the end of his set when a fan approaching the stage had a special request. She was willing to offer a $200 check to Reading, Writing, and Rhythm® if he would honor it. All he had to do was agree to perform "I'm Not Supposed To Love You Anymore" and he obliged.

Later in the song, emcee, and former Tennessean columnist, Brad Schmitt, brought the fan on stage to sit at White's side while he performed. Then the stakes were raised by Schmitt who offered up White's services for one more song but for $300 and the fan would remain on stage throughout the acoustic performance. A lady did take the bait and requested "Someone Else's Star." To close out, White only had to blow a kiss to a young child, involved in country artist Neal McCoy's East Texas Angel Network, who was sitting in the balcony and $100 more was donated to Reading, Writing, and Rhythm®. $600 for roughly seven minutes of time, not bad.

Wright took the stage at the end of the night and included a little surprise for the audience herself. She was going to pick up the guitar and perform a song that she had written. It wouldn't be as notable had Wright not just started teaching herself to play in January and it was a song that she had not performed in public before. As she performed "I Ain't Getting Any Younger," you could hear the bartenders popping bottle tops because the audience wanted to hear every note. Following the show, Wright signed autographs into the wee hours of the morning, not departing until after 4am!

The show was aired in its entirety by XM Satellite Radio and may be up for re-broadcasts in the near future. Check their online schedule for possible airtimes. For more information about how you can help or request help visit the Reading, Writing, and Rhythm® website for details.

Other sponsors included: American Airlines, BB&T Financial, BMI, Best Buy, Creative Artists Agency, Flavour, Harley Davidson of Cool Springs, Hillcrest Ford, Marriott Vanderbilt, Shure Mics,& Southern Ice Arena.

Article Written & Submitted by Michelle Durham