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John Jarrard Concert

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About Me

John Jarrard, a native of Gainesville Georgia, was a well-known Nashville songwriter who penned hits for a number of top country music stars.
John moved to Nashville in 1977 to pursue his career in songwriting. Within a year, he began experiencing sight failure resulting from diabetes, and by 1979, was totally blind. When country music superstar Don Williams recorded John's song, "Nobody But You",taking it to the top of the charts, doors began to open. Over the ensuing years, John's songs were recorded by ALABAMA,GEORGE STRAIT,REBA MCENTIRE,TRACY LAWRENCE, DIAMOND RIO and others until he had scored 11 number one hits.
In his life, John raised more than $100,000 for research, awareness and education programs of the American Diabetes Association . After a long battle with diabetes, John passed away in February 2001. He was an inspiration to people right up until his death and continues to inspire others through his legacy and the relationships he made. The Georgia General Assembly passed a resolution honoring John in 2001.
John was well loved in his hometown of Gainesville Georgia. A group of his friends, including another well respected Nashville songwriter and Gainesville native, Bruce Burch, hold an annual outdoor charity benefit concert in John's name. Since 2002, over 100 businesses and individuals have sponsored the event annually. Local charities including The Good News At Noon Shelter;The Good News Medical and Dental Clinics;Boys & Girls Club of Gainesville/Hall County;The Arts Council;The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society-Georgia Chapter;The Georgia Mountain Food Bank and The North Georgia Community Foundation are the beneficiaries. Over $160,000 in charitable grants have been made while also building a permanent endowment to more than $185,000.
The 7th Annual John Jarrard Benefit Concert is scheduled for Tuesday, October 7th, 2008 at the Smithgall Arts Depot. For information on volunteering or sponsorship call Kay Blackstock at (770)535-7880 or visit the website at www.johnjarrardconcert.org. The newly revised website should be up with new information on this year's show & artists by May 2008.John Jarrard: May 7, 1953 - February 1, 2001

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Join the Bruce Burch & Friends Committee at the next show - Tuesday, October 7, 2008 at the Smithgall Arts Depot!

2007 CONCERT DVD's are now available! At $20 per copy...you'll get a front row seat at last year's big show! Contact Kay Blackstock at (770)535-7880 or by email at [email protected].

Meet the artists that are featured on the DVD from the 2007 Show honoring John Jarrard:

Bruce Burch ------------------------------------------------------------ --------
Bruce has had two of his songs -- "Rumor Has It" and "It's Your Call" -- recorded by Reba McEntire, both of which reached number one on the charts. Born in Gainesville, GA, Bruce is one of the organizers of the benefit concert honoring John Jarrard, and a long-time friend of John Jarrard. Currently president of Bruce Burch Music, Nashville, and Administrative Director of the UGA Music Business Program Bruce has had songs recorded by Faith Hill, T. Graham Brown, George Jones, Aaron Tippin, Barbara Mandrell, Wayne Newton, Collin Raye, The Oakridge Boys and other top artists. ____________________________________________________________ _
Teddy Gentry------------------------------------------------------ -
Bass player and founding member of the group Alabama, Teddy co-wrote a number of Alabama’s hit songs, including “Why Lady Why,” “Sad Lookin’ Moon,” and “Pass It On Down.” He wrote “Old Man” with John Jarrard. Before its farewell tour in 2003, the group scored 21 gold, platinum and multi-platinum albums and 42 number one singles. They sold over 73 million records and received over 150 industry awards including 2 Grammys, 8 country music "Entertainer of the Year" honors, 2 People's Choice Awards and a star on the "Hollywood Walk of Fame.” ____________________________________________________________ _
Buddy Buie-------------------------------------------------------- -
Songwriter, producer and Georgia Music Hall of Famer, Buddy Buie got his start when a band he played in with his friend, Bobby Goldsboro, was asked to be Roy Orbison’s touring band, later called The Candymen. Through an introduction by Atlanta’s Bill Lowery, Buie produced a group that became known as the Classics IV. Becoming a highly sought-after producer, with hits by Billy Joe Royal and B.J. Thomas, and with Classics IV hits like "Spooky" and "Traces," both of which he co-wrote with J. R. Cobb and others. Buie founded the Atlanta Rhythm Section in the 70s. ____________________________________________________________
J. R. Cobb--------------------------------------------------------
Premier guitarist for Roy Orbison’s touring band, The Candymen, as well as for the Classics IV and the Atlanta Rhythm Section, J.R. is also an accomplished songwriter. He penned “Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy,” “Every Day With You Girl,” and along with Buddy Buie and others, “Spooky,” “Stormy,” and “Traces.” Cobb has also performed guitar and vocals on recordings with greats such as Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson. ____________________________________________________________
Rhett Akins -------------------------------------------------------
Rhett moved to Nashville in 1992 and landed a songwriting deal with Sony Tree Publishing. Like many other Music Row newcomers, he began writing songs and singing demos. Those demos caught the attention of an executive at Decca Records and Akins was signed to a deal in 1994. From there, the young artist became one of country music’s hottest acts, well known for such hits as “That Ain’t My Truck,” “She Said Yes” and the No. 1 “Don’t Get Me Started.” His boyish good looks, warm evocative voice and energetic stage shows made him a favorite with fans of all ages. ____________________________________________________________
Dallas Davidson ----------------------------------------------------
Dallas arrived in Nashville in January of 2004. In September of the same year the Albany, GA native landed a writing deal with Big Borrassa Music. His first cut in Nashville was a song called "Kiss My Country Ass" recorded by Rhett Akins and none other than Hank Williams Jr. The song is Rhett's current single off his brand new album. Dallas has also had cuts by Tim McGraw, Trace Adkins, Jamey Johnson and others. Right now he is enjoying a huge hit he co-wrote with friends Jamey Johnson and Randy Houser called "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk". ____________________________________________________________ __
Scotty Emerick----------------------------------------------------- --
Shortly after moving to Nashville in the early 90s, Scotty began writing songs for Sawyer Brown, one of which - "I Don't Believe in Goodbye" (#2) - he wrote with Bryan White. After writing Sawyer Brown hits, such as "Round Here" and "She's Getting There," Scotty collaborated with Toby Keith on a string of hits, including the #1 duet with Keith and Willie Nelson, "Beer for my Horses." Other #1 hits include "I Love This Bar," "I'm Just Talkin' About Tonight," "Whiskey Girl," and "As Good As I Once Was." Scotty was named Songwriter of the Year in 2004 by the Nashville Songwriters Association International. ____________________________________________________________ __
Allen Nivens --------------------------------------------------------
Gainesville songwriter and performer Allen Nivens returns, having previously performed in the past Bruce Burch and Friends concerts. He recently released his first CD entitled "Living or Dying" selling several hundred copies independently. His sound is a blend of soulful southern rock and progressive country with influences ranging from The Allman Brothers to Elvis that is truly fresh and unique. ____________________________________________________________ _

The 2007 opening acts included upcoming artists like...

Nate Currin -------------------------------------------------------
Nate is a singer/songwriter who uses music to tell stories. Nate blends a folk rock style with progressive guitar rhythms all within an acoustic feel. The result is a unique flavor of music that is reminiscent of Van Morrison, Dave Matthews, and John Mayer. Hailing from the north Atlanta area, Nate plays shows all over the southeastern U.S. from Florida, to the Carolinas, and occasionally even ventures to California to play the west coast. His following has grown through online music portals, and his independent EP CD “Another Long September” has already sold over 100 copies within the first couple of months of its release. Nate’s first full-length album will be out in September of this year. ____________________________________________________________ _
April Cummings -----------------------------------------------------
April is a sassy singer/songwriter and native of Gainesville with a sound that is a cross between Janis Joplin, Jewel and Loretta Lynn. Previously signed to an independent Nashville label, her debut album Just A Little Country was released in late 2005 and nominated for #1 album of the year by atlantacountrymusic.com. Proud of her Southern Roots, April's soulful melodies say it loud with three chords and the truth. ____________________________________________________________
Matt Moore -------------------------------------------------------
"Keep on Keepin’ on”…There’s probably no better phrase that sums up the personality and music of Matt Moore. His songwriting seems to effortlessly meander through the Country, Blues, and Bluegrass genres, all the while exposing everything from American folklore to lost love. A graduate of the University of Georgia, Moore split his time between the classroom and selling out venues across the southeast fronting the popular Athens, GA based band OverflO. Currently residing in Nashville, TN, Moore has concentrated his efforts on writing and promoting his solo material. He is currently touring in support of a new self-produced EP titled “24”.