Crossroads Fundraising Event

Last Saturday night (August 16, 2014) I attended with some close friends a fundraising event at the Cannery Ballroom, hosted by Nashville Veterinary Specialists, benefiting Crossroads Campus (a nonprofit that serves at risk and disadvantaged youth while rescuing abandoned dogs and cats).

Sadly, at the last minute the featured artist, the legendary singer-songwriter Emmylou Harris, was called to the bedside of her seriously ill mother. Fortunately, on hearing that Emmylou was unable to perform, several of Nashville’s finest artists offered to fill in for her, including Buddy Miller, Sam Bush and Trisha Yearwood.

The Eclectic Five with Holly and Barry Tashian were already scheduled to perform with Emmylou. Back in the eighties, Barry was a member of Emmylou’s Hot Band, appearing with her on countless television and radio shows as a vocalist and guitarist, recording 10 albums with her during that time.

But, it was Laura Sullivan (and Friends) who opened the evening’s entertainment. The Nashville-based singer-songwriter’s performance was both uplifting and energetic.

Taking the stage next was the country-swamp, rock and blues singer-songwriter Lisa Oliver-Gray with Crossroads Campus intern Cortez Rice. They performed a rock–rap cross-genre vocal duet, accompanied by guitarist Adam Fluhrer and Buddy Miller's base player, Todd Parks.

Following their performance, the Eclectic Five sang a series of old standards from the fifties and sixties.

After a brief break, Buddy Miller, Sam Bush and Trisha Yearwood took the stage, performing a number of Emmylou’s songs. To close out her set, Trisha asked her hubby, Garth Brooks to join her on stage to sing "If I Could Only Win Your Love."

For the final set, Buddy Miller’s base player, Todd Parks joined Buddy and Sam for a jammed session that brought down the house.

All and all, the evening was a rousing success, inspiring us with great passion and artistry.

Crossroads Campus is a certified 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to bring people from all walks of life together to achieve their mission of transforming the lives of people and animals. If you would like to know more about Crossroads or make a donation click here.