Athens State’s Center for Lifelong Learning is pleased to announce that tickets are on sale now for “The Story Behind The Song: Songwriters Showcase,” which will be presented on Friday, June 23, at 6:30 p.m. at the Alabama Center for the Arts, 122 Second Avenue, Decatur, Alabama. Tickets are $15 each.
The Songwriters Showcase features Nashville songwriters Phillip White, Monty Holmes, and Mark Narmore performing an array of award-winning songs that they have written for Country Music’s Top Recording Artists. Each songwriter will also talk about what was happening in their lives that inspired the song to “come to life” and how they worked with the singers and recording artists to tell the story. White, Holmes, and Narmore have each received numerous awards and accolades, including ACM Song of the Year (Phillip White), Songs from Grammy-Award Winning Country Album of the Year (Monty Holmes), and Most Played Country Song on the Radio (Mark Narmore).
Phillip White is an Alabama native who has spent the last 20+ years writing songs for some of the biggest artists in the business. George Strait, Luke Bryan, Chris Ledoux, Vince Gill, Bonnie Tyler, Scotty McCreery, Darius Rucker, Wynonna, Reba, Blake Shelton, Rascal Flatts, Jake Owen, and Neal McCoy are some of the artists who have recorded Phillip’s work. Rascal Flatts recorded White’s “I’m Movin’ On,” which won the Academy of Country Music’s Song of the Year. White has been recognized in the TV and film industry as well, writing “I’m A Survivor,” the theme song for Reba McEntire’s self-titled hit TV show. His work is also featured on the soundtrack for the film Act of Valor.
Monty Holmes’ love of traditional country music was instilled in him as a child growing up in Lubbock, Texas. Monty has penned several hit songs for George Strait, including the chart toppers “I Know She Still Loves Me,” “When Did You Stop Loving Me,” and from the 2009 Grammy award winning Country Album of the Year, “Troubadour” and “House of Cash.” In 2009, “Troubadour” was honored with the Nashville Songwriter’s Association International’s “One of the 10 Songs I Wish I Had Written” award, which is voted on by fellow songwriters. Monty co-wrote Lee Ann Womack’s debut single, “Never Again, Again,” as well as “What I Do the Best” for John Michael Montgomery.
Mark Narmore hails from the music mecca of Muscle Shoals, Alabama. He has over 80 major recordings to his credit including the likes of Josh Turner, John Michael Montgomery, Terri Clark, Craig Morgan, Shenandoah, Blackhawk, Brandy Clark, Sylvia, Tracy Lawrence and Michelle Wright. Mark’s first country hit was “The Moon over Georgia,” recorded by Shenandoah, followed by Blackhawk’s “Like There Ain’t No Yesterday.” In 2005, Mark co-wrote the most played country song on the radio that year and also Billboard’s #8 song for the 2000’s decade, “That’s What I Love About Sunday.” Mark has a bronze star in the lobby of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in the Shoals for his achievements.
This is the second Songwriters Showcase offered by Athens State’s Center for Lifelong Learning, and we are so pleased to bring this summer concert once again to North Alabama. To purchase tickets, please visit our website at www.athens.edu/CLL. Then click on “Current Courses,” and find the Songwriters Showcase on June 23 in the Events Calendar. Tickets are also available by calling 256-233-8260 or by stopping by the Center for Lifelong Learning at 121 South Marion Street in Athens.
By: Wanda Campbell
Center for Lifelong Learning – 121 South Marion Street, Athens, AL 35611 – 256-233-8262
