Hit Makers and Rum Chasers – A Benefit for the Children of the Virgin Islands
Hit songwriters converged at City Winery in Nashville to lend their talents for a hurricane relief concert to benefit children in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) affected by hurricanes Irma and Marie. Presented by The Charley Foundation, the Nashville-based non-profit organization that provides support to charitable agencies addressing the critical needs of children. The evening featured songwriters and musical guests performing and telling the stories behind their hits. A special dinner buffet and specialty cocktail menu was created by renowned USVI chef Mathayam Vacharat. Ty Bentli & Chuck Wicks , hosts of NASH FM 103.3’s “Ty, Kelly & Chuck,” and Elaina Smith of “Nash Nights Live” served as the evening’s emcees.
The concert lineup included Marc Beeson (“When She Cries,” “We Are Tonight,” “She’s Got a Way with Words”), Kent Blazy (“If Tomorrow Never Comes,” “Gettin’ Her Home,” “Ain’t Goin’ Til the Sun Comes Up”), St. John songwriter Erin Hart (“Freedom in the Wind,” “Breathe,” “Boys on the Boat”), Love & Theft (“Angel Eyes,” “Runaway,” “Whiskey On My Breath”), Danny Myrick (“She’s Country,” “I Love This Life,” “International Harvester”), Jerrod Niemann (“Love Love,” “Drink To That All Night,” “What Do You Want”), and Bridgette Tatum (“She’s Country,” “The Yee-Haw Song”).
“The storms had a devastating impact across the U.S. Virgin Islands,” said Carolyn Miller, founder of The Charley Foundation. “Children are among the most vulnerable affected and the talent assembled for this concert will directly help many kids in need.”
All proceeds benefit children’s charities and family relief organizations located in the USVI. Beneficiaries include the Gifft Hill School, The Virgin Islands Children’s Museum, St. John School of the Arts and Family Resource Center.
As a resident of St. John since 1995, Chef Mathayom Vacharat is the owner and head chef at Mathayom Private Chefs and St. John Catering at Windy Level. His home was destroyed by Irma. His experience as executive chef at premiere fine dining restaurants on St. John lends his cuisine a breadth of influences ranging from Asian Fusion to Progressive American to Caribbean Flair. Chef Vacharat is creating an island-inspired custom buffet along with the perfect Blue Chair Bay Rum drink pairings for this event.
Curb / Word Entertainment, Average Joe’s and Montgomery Bell Academy were among the event sponsors.
About The Charley Foundation:
The Charley Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides support to charitable agencies addressing the critical needs of children. Through donations, sponsorships and fundraising events, the Charley Foundation supports agencies that provide relief for children who are victims of neglect, abuse or other crises, children who live with chronic or critical illness, children who endure poverty or homelessness, and children who require mentoring or other proactive outreach. An entirely volunteer-driven organization, The Charley Foundation guarantees that each charitable agency they support is a non-profit, tax-exempt charity governed by volunteers. The Charley Foundation produces the annual Ringside: A Fight for Kids fundraising gala featuring “Rumble of the Row” boxing matches between music industry professionals. Website: www.charleyfoundation.org.
