Save The Music Brings Nashville Music Community Together For Annual Benefit [Recap]

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Cesar Gueikian, Founder & CEO of Explorer Music & Brand Management Group, Amy Grant, singer-songwriter, Nat Zilkha, Co-Founder & Executive Chairman of Firebird Music and Chairman of Gibson, Inc. and Chris Isaak, singer-songwriter attend Save The Music’s 7th Annual Hometown to Hometown Event at City Winery Nashville on November 10, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Catherine Powell/Getty Images for Save the Music Foundation

Save The Music raised more than $400,000 during its seventh annual Hometown to Hometown event last night (Nov. 10) at City Winery in Nashville, bringing together members of the music community to support music education in under-resourced public high schools.

Co-hosted by Leslie Fram and Julie Williams, the event featured performances from Williams, Amy Grant, Amanda Shires and Chris Isaak, along with remarks from honorees, educators and former students who shared how access to music education has shaped their lives.

Grant, Isaak, Firebird’s Nat Zilkha and former Gibson CEO Cesar Gueikian were recognized as the 2026 Champions of the Year for their industry contributions and dedication to expanding music education opportunities for the next generation. Funds raised will support programs in communities selected by the honorees, including Nashville (Grant), New York City (Zilkha and Gueikian) and Hayward, California (Isaak).

Cesar Gueikian, Founder & CEO of Explorer Music & Brand Management Group is honored onstage at Save The Music’s 7th Annual Hometown to Hometown Event at City Winery Nashville on November 10, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Catherine Powell/Getty Images for Save the Music Foundation

Williams kicked off the evening with a performance of her song “The Women Who Made Me” before joining Fram as co-host. The two welcomed attendees and highlighted the importance of making music education accessible to students and communities across the country.

Grant took the stage for performances of “Til We Get It Right” and “Beautiful Lone Companion,” earning a standing ovation as she accepted her award from CAA’s John Huie. During her remarks, Grant spoke about the unique ability of music to bring people together and create meaningful connections.

Shires followed with performances of “Living” and “Friend Zone” in honor of Zilkha and Gueikian. The two were presented with their awards by Leonora Zilkha Williamson and Nat Zilkha, respectively. Nat reflected on his early experiences learning guitar and the role music played throughout his life, including how his search for a band eventually led him to meet Gueikian.

Gueikian shared memories of working alongside his longtime friend and former bandmate to help revitalize the Gibson brand. He also discussed his commitment to preserving the company’s legacy and supporting music education, reflecting on his own childhood in Argentina and the opportunities he wished had been available to him growing up.

Nat Zilkha, Co-Founder & Executive Chairman of Firebird Music and the Chairman of Gibson, Inc. receives guitar from his sister, Leonora Zilkha Williamson, Business Professor, Vanderbilt University at Save The Music’s 7th Annual Hometown to Hometown Event at City Winery Nashville on November 10, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Catherine Powell/Getty Images for Save the Music Foundation

The evening also highlighted the impact of Save The Music’s work in local schools. Alison Snyder, a music educator at Nashville’s Hunters Lane High School and recipient of a Hometown to Hometown grant, was joined by former students Noah Rojas and Sarah Moore. Both alumni spoke about the influence Snyder and the grant-funded music program had on their lives, crediting their experiences at Hunters Lane with inspiring them to pursue music-related degrees and careers in the industry.

Fram and Williams later encouraged attendees to contribute to the cause, prompting additional donations throughout the room. Isaak closed the evening with performances of “Wicked Game” and “Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing.” He also reflected on the experiences and musical influences that first inspired his career before accepting his Champion of the Year award, presented by fellow honoree Gueikian.

Since launching in 2019, Hometown to Hometown has raised nearly $1.7 million and helped equip 21 public schools with musical instruments, technology and other resources needed to develop music education programs.

The 2026 event was supported by Producer Sponsors SiriusXM and Sweetwater, along with Composer Sponsors Firebird Music and Gibson Gives.

Save The Music’s Hometown to Hometown online auction will remain open through Nov. 22. Items include a VIP tour of the Gibson Garage, signed artist merchandise and VIP concert packages, with proceeds benefiting the organization’s music education initiatives. The full auction catalog is available here.

Allison Snyder, Hunters Lane High School Choir, Piano and Music Technology Educator and Sarah Moore speak onstage at Save The Music’s 7th Annual Hometown to Hometown Event at City Winery Nashville on November 10, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Catherine Powell/Getty Images for Save the Music Foundation

Amy Grant, singer-songwriter performs onstage at Save The Music’s 7th Annual Hometown to Hometown Event at City Winery Nashville on November 10, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Catherine Powell/Getty Images for Save the Music Foundation

Leslie Fram, Save The Music Board Director/Founder & CEO of FEMco, Julie Williams, singer, Nat Zilkha, Co-Founder & Executive Chairman of Firebird Music and the Chairman of Gibson, Inc., Amanda Shires, singer-songwriter, Leonora Zilkha Williamson, Business Professor, Vanderbilt University, Chris Isaak, singer-songwriter, John Huie, Agent, Creative Artists Agency, Amy Grant, singer-songwriter and Cesar Gueikian, Founder & CEO of Explorer Music & Brand Management Group attend Save The Music’s 7th Annual Hometown to Hometown Event at City Winery Nashville on November 10, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Catherine Powell/Getty Images for Save the Music Foundation

Ross Copperman, singer-songwriter, Danielle Zalaznick, Chief Development Officer/Deputy Executive Director of Save the Music and F. Reid Shippen, producer/engineer/mixer speak onstage at Save The Music’s 7th Annual Hometown to Hometown Event at City Winery Nashville on November 10, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Catherine Powell/Getty Images for Save the Music Foundation

Julie Williams, singer and Leslie Fram, Save The Music Board Director/Founder & CEO of FEMco host the Save The Music’s 7th Annual Hometown to Hometown Event at City Winery Nashville on November 10, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Catherine Powell/Getty Images for Save the Music Foundation

Chris Isaak, singer-songwriter performs onstage at Save The Music’s 7th Annual Hometown to Hometown Event at City Winery Nashville on November 10, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Catherine Powell/Getty Images for Save the Music Foundation

Amanda Shires, singer-songwriter performs onstage at Save The Music’s 7th Annual Hometown to Hometown Event at City Winery Nashville on November 10, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Catherine Powell/Getty Images for Save the Music Foundation

Madison Hahnen
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