Artists Step Up To Help Charity

Photo: Robin Weiner

Several Nashville stars marked the launch of a new charity initiative for injured veterans on June 8 in Washington D.C. Amy Grant and Vince Gill hosted and performed at the musical event at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and were joined by Alison Krauss, Michael McDonald, Darius Rucker, Melinda Doolittle and Mac McAnally. The Challenge America initiative supports returning injured veterans and their families by helping them through recreation, finding jobs and housing programs. Also on hand to share their poignant stories were ABC’s Bob Woodruff, and NY Times bestselling author Stephen Mansfield.

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The Writer’s Share, to benefit the TJ Martell Foundation for cancer and AIDS, will take place June 18 at the Bluebird Cafe. The 9 PM show, arranged by Jen Foster in memory of her mother, will feature Foster, Richard Marx, Chuck Cannon, Mike Reid, and Lari White.

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The Blackberry Jam Music Festival will take place for the sixth consecutive year at the Boyd Mill Farm at 3218 Boxley Valley Road in Franklin on Sat., June 20 from 2-10 p.m. This live music event, held on a “u-pick” blackberry farm, features Walter Egan, Colin Linden and Buddy Greene. Proceeds will go to Hard Bargain Mount Hope Redevelopment, Mercy Children’s Clinic, Kids on Stage Scholarship Fund and Kid Pan Alley. Tickets are $10 for adults; children 12  and under are free. For details or tickets go to http://www.theblackberryjam.com

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The 11th Annual Phillip Fulmer and Charlie Daniels Golf Classic will be tomorrow (6/16) at the Hermitage Golf Course. The event will benefit The Jason Foundation, a non-profit, educational organization dedicated to the awareness and prevention of youth suicide.