A Night In Nashville

Few towns are fortunate enough to have a community-based hospital completely dedicated to providing excellent health care for all stages of life, from labor and delivery to hospice care. But that’s what we have here in Saline County and that’s what A Night in Nashville benefit was all about. On May 1, the Saline Memorial Hospital Foundation hosted the fundraising event featuring some of country music’s biggest songwriters and performers.

Chip Esten, who plays Deacon Claybourne on ABC’s hit series “Nashville”, along with two of country music’s top songwriters, Steve Mandile and Jeffrey Steele headlined the event, performing country favorites and sharing their stories in an intimate setting. Chip, Steve and Jeffery are no strangers to life’s challenges and have a passion for using their talents to turn tradegy into hope.

Chip was cast as Deacon Claybourne on “Nashville” in 2012. The phenomanal success of the show has changed his life in many ways, but familiy remains his top priority. “When I first got the script a little over 2 and half years ago, I was already very satisfied with what I had. Life was good. I was a working actor, and most of all, I have a family I’m so blessed with. So I had everything I needed.” At the age of 2, Chip’s daughter was diagnosed with Acute lymphoid Leukemia, a cancer that causes overproduction of immature white blood cells. It was at this point that Chip and his family learned first hand the importance of quality health care.

So when Chip was asked to perform the Foundation benefit, he took the time to learn more about the hospital and immediately wanted to come check it out. “When I heard specifically about the Saline Memorial Foundation, I was impressed. It’s a big part of the community, serving those who would not otherwise be able to afford it. That’s what the concert is all about. It’s where the rubber hits the road in terms of people helping people and I wanted to be a part of that too.”

Steve Mandile is a producer, songwriter, and musician who has worked with big names like Ronnie Dunn and Tim McGraw, for whom he wrote the number one hit “For a Little While”. Steve is also guitar/vocalist for his own band Sixwire. The group has devoted much of their time supporting the work of hospitals such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “Sixwire does a lot of stuff with St. Jude and we understand the kinds of thing a hospital does and we love supporting that kind of work if we can.”

One of Steve’s most recent philanthropic efforts was a song he wrote and produced to raise awareness for tornado relief following the devastaing storms in Oklahoma titled “We Are America.” Steve partnered with a man who had lost everything to make the project a reality. “This man had always wanted to do a project like this. He came to me with his story of losing everything in the tornado. He lost everything; his business, and his home. From his story and the accounts of so many more, ‘We Are America’ came to be.” Those who listen and are moved by the words of the song are encouraged to give to the American Red Cross.

The final member of the trio, Jeffery Steele, has written number one hits for top artists including Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Keith Urban and LeAnn Rimes. Steele is a Grammy nominated writer/artist who was named one of Billboard Magazine’s Top Five Writers. He’s had over 100 singles released and cut over 500 songs in an 8-year period including his number one hit “What Hurts the Most,” recorded by Rascal Flatts.

Jeffery and his family experienced the most devastating personal tradegy in the loss of his son Alex in an ATV accident in January of 2007. To honor his son’s memory, Jeffery created the Alex LaVasseur Memorial Fund to better the lives of kids who enjoy the same thing as Alex did – skateboarding. “I lost my son in a tradgic accident. What you are doing to benefit the hospital is an amazing thing. It’s an honor to be here. This is great stuff. It changes people’s lives.”

All three of these entertainers demonstrate their passion for fundraising and organizations making a difference in local communities, and according to Foundation Executive Director Matt Brumley, A Night in Nashville was a tremendous success. “We had a great response from those attending the event. Well over 100 people gave from their own pocket and none of this would have been possible without our amazing sponsors; Everett Buick GMC, McCauley Services, Triple-S Alarm Company, First Security Bank and Black, Corley, Owens and Hughes Architects. I also want to thank Chip, Steve and Jeffery. They are amazingly talented and it’s refreshing to see their hearts to really want to help people.”

The Foundation is currently fundraising specifically for the equipment needed for the neurosurgery partnership with UAMS, the cath lab needed to enhance the cardiac program, emergency room and ambulance upgrades and new, much needed equipment for labor and delivery.

The next fundraising event scheduled to support the Foundation is the Swing for Saline golf tournament at Hurricane Creek. Last year the event hosted 90 teams in the 2-day event. This year’s tournament is September 11 and 12 with two flights each day. Friday night is Gathering on the Greens at the clubhouse. There will be a silent auction, great food and a live band. For more information go to salinememorial.org or call Megan Caldwell at 776-6746.