NASHVILLE, TN. (Top 40 Charts/ NAMI Nashville) - NAMI Nashville is pleased to announce the first in a planned series of benefit events to introduce itself to the Nashville music community. Billed as "Hope, Not Stigma," the debut show will feature established and rising singer/songwriters and will be held at Lyrix, 94 Peabody Street, Nashville, on Wednesday, May 9, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Featured artists will be Show Dog Records recording artists,
Rushlow Harris, Joy Lynn White, Luna Chica Records artists, Carlton Moody and Walter Egan of the group, Burrito Deluxe, Becky Hobbs, and Kurt Layton. Tickets for the event are $10.00 and will be available at the door.
NAMI Nashville is the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (https://www.nami-nashville.org/). NAMI is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals, and their families, who are dealing with mental health issues, including, depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), attention deficit disorder (ADD), post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, and other disorders of the brain. Founded in 1979, NAMI has become the country's voice on mental illness, a national group with organizations in every state and in over 1,100 local communities across the country who join together to meet the NAMI mission of advocacy, research and education.
The idea for the "Hope, Not Stigma" songwriter series was conceived by Brenda Cline, Music Row artist manager, and owner of NashRock Entertainment. As a newly-elected member of NAMI Nashville's Board of Directors, Cline wanted to act upon group President, Pat Williams' dream to reach out to the Nashville music community and spread word about the organization and the services they offer to those in need of help. Cline then recruited Clif Doyal, of CDA Promotions-Nashville to help co-organize and promote the shows.
Cline states, "Having worked in the music industry for 15 years, I have seen many dreams shattered and lives devastated as a result of artists losing record deals, writers losing publishing deals, managers losing artists, and colleagues losing jobs. I have witnessed artists and peers suffering from stress, anxiety, depression, alcohol and drug addiction, and suicidal thoughts. The high stress of working in such a volatile business can be overwhelming." "I'm amazed that people are so hesitant to reach out for help with mental health issues. Maybe it's because of the stigma attached or maybe it's because that the support services aren't readily available in time of need or crisis. I'm really excited that NAMI is here to help our friends in the music community by providing resources and support. We all need a little help from time-to-time, especially in this business and NAMI is here to do just that."
The May 9, "Hope, Not Stigma" show boasts an impressive lineup;
Rushlow Harris is one of the newest acts to sign with Toby Keith's label, Show Dog Records. The duo features former Little Texas frontman, Tim Rushlow, and cousin, Doni Harris, one-time lead singer of Lariat. They are currently promoting the touching ballad 'Bagpipes Cryin',' from their forthcoming CD release.
Joy Lynn White is a well-known Americana/Country recording artist, and formerly on the rosters of Sony/Columbia and Little Dog Records. She recently won first place in the International Songwriter's Competition in the Americana genre. Lynn 's latest critically-acclaimed release, 'One More Time' on Thortch Records, was produced by Kyle Lehning.
Carlton Moody and Walter Egan are the singing voices of Country-Rock band, Burrito Deluxe, who All Music Guide recently called a 'Country Supergroup.' Their latest CD is Disciples Of The Truth on Luna Chica Records. Moody recently won the France CMA International Country Artist Achievement Award. Egan is best known for the '80s hit, 'Magnet and Steel.'
Oklahoma native, Becky Hobbs has had a long career as a Country singer/songwriter, including her own hits, "Let's Get Over Them Together," and "Jones On The Jukebox." She has also penned hit songs for others, including, "Angels Among Us" for Alabama , and "I Want To Know You Before We Make Love" for Conway Twitty.
Kurt Layton is a soulful, Country singer/songwriter, who has recently completed a demo with noted producer, and former Mercury A&R man, Carson Chamberlain. Layton , a Kansas native, has sung at the hallowed Apollo Theatre in Harlem, and fronted his own touring band, Against The Grain, prior to re-locating to Nashville .
All proceeds from the "Hope, Not Stigma" events will go to benefit NAMI-Nashville, and will stay within the local community.
