Singers and Songwriters for St. Jude

18th Annual Singers and Songwriters

For St. Jude

September 13, 2014 - 9:30 PM

The Stem and Stein

10871 County Line Rd, Madison, AL 35758

Introducing

The Birmingham Group

Kendra Sutton, "Country to Soul"

Kendra writes from the heart, drawing her songwriting influences from Country to Soul. Kendra is a proud mother of a cancer survivor and lived on a cancer ward at Children’s hospital. She wrote a song about her daughter, Victoria, "Room 444 Victoria's Journey" available to view on YouTube. Kendra’s band Hallelujah Junction won the Battle of the Blues and is representing the State of Alabama in the World International Blues Competition in Memphis, January 2015.

Travis Widner, "Alternative Country"

Travis writes songs in the style of Ryan Adams and The Replacements. His favorite touring bands are Dawes and Water Liars.

Jay Randall, “Americana”

Jay Randall is a performing singer/songwriter in the Birmingham area. Written in the storytelling tradition of Country and Folk Music, Jay’s deeply personal songs are often described as Americana. 

Skip Cochran, “Country/Americana/Folk Rock”

When asked to describe his music, Skip replied, “Music is inside me, and it has been a dandy journey watching it come out. Hope you enjoy my music. May it touch you where you're needing to be touched.” Well, stated, Skip!

Chapman James, “Singer/Songwriter/Folk/Americana”

Chapman has had unique insights into the development of a Folk musician. "A writer is not necessarily the one that shouts 'Hear Me!' (that's the performer talking), but one that listens and seems to whisper 'I heard you'."  Whether it's the sound of a human trotting across the prairie, the epic life of a tree, the loneliness one needs to combat garden gnomes or a view of war through the eyes of a 4 year old boy, Chapman's songs are honest and simple.

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This will be a wonderful show supporting a wonderful and worthy cause. So join these talented songwriters for an evening of entertainment and fun. I promise you will not be bored and will come away with a smile on your face. I hope you'll send in your donations if you are unable to attend. All funds go directly to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Del McGee, sponsor and The Stem and Stein pay all the expenses for this benefit. The songwriters donate their time, talent and yes, their money for St. Jude.

Donate

In person at the event or

By

Check or money orders:

Made out to St. Jude Children’s Hospital

Mail to PO Box 6756 Huntsville, Al 35813

Singers and Songwriters for St. Jude

18th Annual Singers and Songwriters

For St. Jude

September 13, 2014 - 8:00 PM

The Stem and Stein

10871 County Line Rd, Madison, AL 35758

Introducing

The Shoals Group

Blaine Cantrell "Country"

Blaine is a singer/songwriter who proudly acknowledges his hometown of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, as “The Original Hit Capitol of the World.” Over the years, he has landed many songs in some of Nashville’s major publishing companies where one of his tunes was put on hold for Hank Williams, Jr. and one on hold for an upcoming movie. Although Blaine writes mostly in the country music genre, he has written Americana, Gospel, Blues and he’s always looking to venture into writing something new.

John Crosslin “Americana and Alternative Country”

John hails from the Muscle Shoals area and has a deep love for many genres of music.  Loving honesty in a well written song, he is more inclined to listen to well-crafted songs that are off the beaten path. John writes songs that will bring tears as well as songs that will have you rolling in the floor with laughter. 

Will Stults "Country/Americana"

Will Stults is a Performing Songwriter from Russellville, Alabama. He has been a featured performer at The Bluebird Café, Jim Parker’s Acoustic Songwriters Showcase, The Shoals Songwriters Showcase and more.

Lori Lovelace-Muse “Country"

Lorie has had a passion for music and songwriting since elementary school. She got serious about her music journey as a young adult and started working on her music and songwriting skills. Lorie says, “My hope is that through my journey I will be able to inspire others to find their own passions and pursue their dreams. We only have one life. We must find our God-given purpose in life while we have the chance and go for it!”

Tim Cannon "Blues/Soul/Country/Acoustic/Songwriter"

Influenced by everyone from rockers Bryan Adams, Bon Jovi and Daughtry. to country artists Rascal Flatts and Shenandoah, Tim Cannon is carrying on the tradition of the soulful hit music recorded in the lazy southern town of Muscle Shoals, AL. "Everyone from The Rolling Stones to Bob Seger to Lynyrd Skynyrd has recorded here in our little town", says Tim. "And I'm just proud to be a part of the legacy of Muscle Shoals with my debut CD, 'Wild Fire'".

There's more comin'

Donate

In person at the event or

Check or money orders:

Made out to St. Jude Children’s Hospital

Mail to PO Box 6756 Huntsville, Al 35813

Singers and Songwriters for St. Jude

18th Annual Singers and Songwriters

For St. Jude

September 13, 2014 - 6:30 PM

The Stem and Stein

10871 County Line Rd, Madison, AL 35758

Introducing

Huntsville Group 2

Cristina Lynn - "Country"

Cristina Lynn is making her mark with a style of modern, uplifting country. Rich emotion is evident in every song, and Cristina uses her voice to paint vibrant pictures of everyday life and shared experiences.

Greg Mitchell - "Country"

With a fresh cut to his credit, Greg is honing his version of country music, which he describes as “not quite Haggard, but not quite Chesney.” Greg has opened for many country music hit writers and Grammy winners with his sometimes soulful, sometimes sinful songs that are sure to get your attention.

Robert Barnes - "Oldies But Goodies/Americana"

Robert writes and sings many genres, but always delivers a terrific performance. He ranges from a blues sound, 60’s 70’s, 80's and Americana, and a little bit country.

Dana Marie Bright - "Indie Pop"

Pianist Dana Bright is fascinated by the power of intimate lyrics and intense chords. She draws on her love for classic ballads, praise music, and heart-felt love songs to capture a few real and raw moments of life with a gentle touch.

Grace Eileen Wood - "Folk/Christian"

Grace Eileen is a terrific guitarist as well as singer and songwriter. Her music focuses primarily on Folk. She has many inspirations and influences for her music and songwriting, with Christ being her biggest influence.

Homegrown Songwriters is loaded with talent! They are active in their music careers performing all over and everywhere they happen to be. They are from all walks of life, college students, business owners, engineers, school teachers, music teachers. All with busy lives, but always ready to donate their talent and time to support community causes and benefits. Send out the appeal for help and they will come. They never fail to deliver a wonderful show. 

There's more comin'

Donate

In person at the event or

Check or money orders:

Made out to St. Jude Children’s Hospital

Mail to PO Box 6756 Huntsville, Al 35813

Danny's Promise

More than 70 years ago, Danny Thomas, then a struggling young entertainer with a baby on the way, visited a Detroit church and was so moved during the Mass, he placed his last $7 in the collection box. With only a few coins left in his pocket, Danny prayed for a way to pay the looming hospital bills. The next day, he was offered a small part that would pay 10 times the amount he'd given to the church. Danny had experienced the power of prayer.

Two years later, Danny had achieved moderate acting success in Detroit, but he was struggling to take his career to the next level. Once again, he turned to the church. Praying to St. Jude Thaddeus, the patron saint of hopeless causes, Danny asked the saint to "help me find my way in life, and I will build you a shrine."

His career took a turn for the better, and soon he moved his family to Chicago to pursue career offers. A few years later, at another turning point in his life, Danny visited a church and remembered his pledge to St. Jude. Again he prayed to St. Jude and repeated his pledge to build a shrine to the saint if he would show him the way.

In the years that followed, Danny's career flourished through films and television, and he became an internationally known entertainer. He remembered his pledge to build a shrine to St. Jude.

In the early 1950s, Danny began discussing with friends what concrete form his vow might take. Gradually, the idea of a children's hospital, possibly in Memphis, Tennessee, took shape. In 1955, Danny Thomas and a group of Memphis businessmen who had agreed to help support his dream seized on the idea of creating a unique research hospital devoted to curing catastrophic diseases in children. More than just a treatment facility, this would be a research center for the children of the world.

Danny started raising money for his vision of St. Jude in the early 1950s. By 1955, the local business leaders who had joined his cause began area fundraising efforts, supplementing Danny's benefit shows that brought scores of major entertainment stars to Memphis. Often accompanied by his wife, Rose Marie, Danny crisscrossed the United States by car, sharing his dream and raising funds at meetings and benefits. The pace was so hectic that Danny Thomas and his wife once visited 28 cities in 32 days. Although Danny Thomas and his friends raised the money to build the hospital, they now faced the daunting task of funding its annual operation.

To solve this problem, Danny, of Lebanese descent, turned to his fellow Americans of Arabic-speaking heritage. Believing deeply that these Americans should, as a group, thank the United States for the gifts of freedom given their parents, Danny also felt the support of St. Jude would be a noble way of honoring his immigrant forefathers who had come to America.

Danny's request struck a responsive chord. In 1957, 100 representatives of the Arab-American community met in Chicago to form ALSAC^® with a sole purpose of raising funds for the support of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Since that time, with national headquarters in Memphis and regional offices throughout the United States, ALSAC has assumed full responsibility for all the hospital's fundraising efforts, raising hundreds of millions annually through benefits and solicitation drives among Americans of all ethnic, religious and racial backgrounds. Today, ALSAC is the nation's second largest health-care charity* and is supported by the efforts of more than 1 million volunteers nationwide.

Through striking improvements in the care of pediatric leukemias and numerous forms of solid tumors, St. Jude—which now has a daily operating cost of $1.9 million—has brought about improved health care for children all over the world. St. Jude's physicians and scientists have pioneered treatments that have helped push the overall survival rates for childhood cancers from less than 20 percent when the hospital opened in 1962 to 80 percent today.

From a promise of "Help me find my way in life, and I will build you a shrine" to the fulfillment of his dream, Danny lived to see his little hospital become an international beacon of hope for the catastrophically ill children of the world. The founder of St. Jude and ALSAC died on February 6, 1991, just two days after joining patients, parents and employees to celebrate the hospital's 29th anniversary. He was laid to rest in a family crypt at the Danny Thomas/ALSAC Pavilion on the grounds of the hospital. On July 12, 2000, his wife, Rose Marie, passed away and now lies with her beloved husband in the hospital's Memorial Garden. 

Today, their children, Marlo, Terre and Tony, carry on their parents' work and remain a driving force in fulfilling their father's mission. Danny Thomas is gone, but his dream lives on.

18th Annual, "Singers and Songwriters for St. Jude"

September 13, 2014

The Stem and Stein

10871 County Line Rd, Madison, AL 35758
(256) 325-3779

 Donate

In person at the event or

Check or money orders:

Made out to St. Jude Children’s Hospital

Mail to PO Box 6756 Huntsville, Al 35813

For The Children at St. Jude Children's Hospital!!

WOW!! Read this Facebook post from Singer/Songwriter, MaryJustice Lucas*

"PLEASE SHARE THIS TO YOUR FRIENDS (pages)

Post #2 I know it’s long, but please take a moment to read.

SAVE THE DATE: 09/13/2014! Stem & Stein in Madison / Time: to be announced

Ok guys, so most of you hopefully saw post #1 about this event! This is to raise money for the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Lots of us songwriters are working on ways to earn donations besides just what will be collected at the show.

I have prayed about it and have come to the one that is heavy on my heart.

I would like to see how many donations I can raise for St. Jude's by buzz cutting all of my hair off.

It hit me pretty hard thinking about how my Grandfather, Carl D. Lucas, battled with cancer as well, and how I regret not shaving my head for him. Honestly, it never crossed my mind 'til later on in his battle and then when it did, I was afraid it would really just break his heart, instead of comfort him... So I want to do something like that now... In honor and memory of him, in honor and memory of those past & present that have had cancer affect their lives or someone in it ... I know it's not a cure but it's a step towards one, I pray... 

So, I'm wondering how many of you would possibly be willing to make a TAX DEDUCTIBLE donation.

Every penny counts ... Even if it's a dollar, it makes a difference...

So please comment or message me and let me know if you would like to donate.

My goal is to raise at least $500.

Thank you in advance for your love and support!

~DIRECTIONS FOR DONATIONS~

1. In person at the Stem & Stein fundraiser

2. Check or money orders:

-Made out to St. Jude Children’s Hospital

-with my name (MaryJustice) on the memo line

-mail to PO Box 6756 Huntsville, Al 35813

3. Direct link to “Singer/Songwriters for St. Jude Event” donation FaceBook page.

- I will post this link once I have it."

MaryJustice Lucas and Young Fan at Swampers

Event: 

18th Annual, "Singers and Songwriters for St. Jude"*

September 13, 2014

The Stem and Stein*

10871 County Line Rd, Madison, AL 35758
(256) 325-3779

Note: This event is a very worthy cause. Please read the July 30th post regarding history of this annual event. Line-up of all singers with photos in a future post. Please click the links and like these pages on facebook to show your support! Don't forget, every dollar ($) helps toward the treatment and finding a cure for childhood cancer. St. Jude Children's Hospital treats and and has saved lives of many children, at no cost to the families. ALL monies collected at this event will be matched by Mr. Del McGee and The Stem and Stein, so your donation will be tripled. 

ALL FUNDS GO DIRECTLY TO ST. JUDE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.

*click the links

MaryJustice Lucas Playing Swampers

Saturday, August 9, 2014 

8:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Swampers Bar and Grill

The Marriot Shoals Hotel & Spa

10 Hightower Pl, Florence, AL 35630

MaryJustice Lucas has been invited for a return engagement at Swampers! This 19-year old, up and coming entertainer, is someone to keep in your sights! MaryJustice currently holds the #5 spot on ReverbNation's Nashville Pop (Singer/Songwriter) Chart and consistently ranks in the Top 10. Although ranked as "Pop," her music is more in the Indie style. Her songs are written and performed, straight from the heart, with "bittersweet honesty". Whether considered Pop, Indie or New Country, her songs appeal to music lovers of all ages.  

MaryJustice recently released an EP entitled "Forgiveness and Faith" now available on iTunes, Amazon and other internet music stores.

If you are in the area or near by, it's worth the trip to spend the evening with MaryJustice at the legendary and "family friendly" Swampers. 

Singers & Songwriters for St. Jude

18th Annual Singers and Songwriters

For St. Jude

September 13, 2014 - 5:00 PM

Benefit 

This is Del McGee's the 18th year to host this benefit to support

St. Jude Children's Hospital.  

Del McGee

Come out to see and hear some of the area's best singer/songwriters and help support our efforts to help the children of St. Jude. It's an evening of fun with friends and family. The Stem and Stein has once again opened their doors for this event! Del and The Stem and Stein will  match all donations and every penny you give goes directly to St. Jude. So, if you want to triple your donation, then here's your chance to maximize your help in the fight against childhood cancer. 

I certainly hope everyone reading this can make the show, but if you can't and would still like to participate, you can by sending your "Tax Deductible" check made payable to St. Jude.  Mail to Del McGee, P.O. Box 6756, Huntsville, AL 35813. Thank you all so much for your support, spiritually and financially.

The Stem and Stein

10871 County Line Rd, 

Madison, AL 35758
(256) 325-3779

Singers and Songwriters

***Watch this space***

 

Introducing Matt Bednarsky

Matt started out in Connecticut, got his degree in New York, did some traveling,  moved to Nashville! Matt is a Homegrown Songwriter now that he's performing at The Foyer in Huntsville, Alabama!

Put a guitar in his hands and give him an atmosphere in which to sing and you’ll soon realize that Matt brings something fresh and exciting to music. Browse his YouTube channel with more than 200 covers and originals and over 2 million video views and you’ll get an idea of his talent, “prolificness” and diversity.  Click around his online community throughout Facebook, Twitter and YouTube and you’ll see his commitment to, and gratitude toward his growing fan base.  It’s clear, Matt is no ordinary musical artist. Check out Matt's website and be amazed at his accomplishments! Matt's bio is a good read. His music is available on iTunes, but come on out to meet him at: 

The Foyer - Friday, July 18th - 8:00pm

LIVE PERFORMANCE 

WITH

MaryJustice Lucas

Don't miss these two talented performing songwriters. You are in for a real treat. Order some wonderful cheesecake, beverage of your choice, set back and enjoy!

MaryJustice Lucas Playing at Swampers

July 5th 

8:00 - 11:00 PM

Our own Homegrown Songwriter, MaryJustice Lucas is celebrating the official release of her EP "Forgiveness and Faith" at the legendary Swampers, the Shoals Marriott in Florence, Alabama.  

Come prepared to be entertained by this award-winning singer and songwriter. MaryJustice is currently ranking #9 on the ReverbNation Nashville Pop Chart, but she writes more in the indie style with songs written from the heart  expressing the passion and emotion of the situation or event of each song. Her EP is a compilation of songs written over a period of time and when listened to from track one to six you will hear a story.

"Forgiveness and Faith" was produced by Matt Morrow Music, Guntersville, Alabama. Matt also played piano, guitar, banjo and backup vocals. 

You'll be entertained with new originals as well as some of her favorite cover songs. So, don't miss this evening of "bittersweet honesty from the heart."

There is a free download of "So Much More"  on ReverbNation. The EP is available on iTunes, Amazon and several other internet music sources. For more information about this talented young artist visit MaryJusticeLucas.com. Links to her internet places and social media are on the front page with tabs to bio, photos, posters, videos and email! Join her mailing list to keep up with what's happening with this up and coming young artist.

Poster photo by Andrea Lee Photography, Florence, Alabama.

Cuko Rakko Music and Arts Festival

Music and Arts Festival

May 9, 10, 11, 2014 - Mother's Day Week-end!!

Watch the video for some interesting facts!!

Our own Homegrown Songwriter 

MaryJustice Lucas 

Saturday!

11:00AM - 12:00PM

Cuko Stage (Pavillion)

Magnolia Festival - Gardendale, Alabama

April 25 - 26, 2014 - Gardendale Civic Center

Multi-award winning Singer/Songwriter, MaryJustice Lucas*, performing on the WDJC Stage at 10:30 AM.  Two days of family-friendly fun with three music stages, rides, food, arts and crafts and more.

*Performing artists presented by Three Mile Island Productions.

Set your GPS for 857 Main Street ~ Gardendale, AL 35071 

Just North of Birmingham off I-65

TP Productions Red Caboose Variety Show

Friday, April 18th

Doors open at 6PM, Show starts at 7PM

25483 Railroad Street ~ Elkmont, AL 35620

Adults $25 ~ Children 12 & under free
Food Included

Bruce draws from his experiences as a minister, businessman, husband and father. His stories have a way of healing the heart and mending the soul. He is a founding member of the Alabama Storytelling Association and is active in the National Storytelling Network. Bruce travels telling his stories near and wide:

Alabama Public Radio; Princess Theatre – Decatur, AL

Holly Theatre – Dahlongea, GA; Georgia Public Radio

Merrimac Hall for the Performing Arts; National Public Radio

First Presbyterian (Huntsville, AL); First Presbyterian (Columbus, GA)

Nat’l Storytelling Network Convention (Gatlinburg, TN)

Fifth Annual Christian Storytellers Conference

Black Warrior Storytelling Festival (Tuscaloosa, AL)

Panoply Art Festival Huntsville, AL

Nat’l Biblical Storytellers Convention (Ridgecrest, NC)

Old time Radio Show; Mountain Music Medicine Show

Melodies and Musings Festival; Crisis Center of North Alabama

Cosmopolitan Club; 3 Foot Storytelling Festival (Meridian, MS)

Southern Community College (Monroeville, AL)

North East Community College (Rainsville, AL)

Farmer’s Opry (Pensacola, FL); Jackson State University Field School

University of Alabama at Huntsville, AL

Phil Easterbrook

Multi-instrumentalist Phil Easterbrook hails from Colorado Springs, Colorado. Phil has played banjo, guitar and resonator guitar in bluegrass bands since age 20. As a featured player in both "The Reasonable Band" and the "Heartland Band", based out of Colorado, Phil has performed at many national level events in the western region such as the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Rocky Mountain Bluegrass Festival and the Rocky Grass Festival. From 2002 through 2005, Phil played banjo, guitar and sang as a member of the Claire Lynch Band at venues such as Hardly Strictly Music Festival, Rockygrass, The Lucy Opry, the Station Inn and many others. Phil's recordings include three albums with his bluegrass bands and one album with jazz legends, "The Ralph Sutton Trio". He has been a session player on numerous recording projects and now enjoys picking with the Walker Street Opry band. Phil also operates a project recording studio, Rocket City Roots in Huntsville and specializes in acoustic music production.

Tony Robertson

Tony Robertson is from Rogersville, Alabama and adds energy to the music through his exciting and fluid mandolin style and driving rhythm. Tony started learning guitar in 1974 at age 14 on a mail order guitar from North Carolina. He moved on to mandolin and banjo shortly afterwards, learning on instruments borrowed from friends and relatives. Tony's musical resume is strong, having played with bluegrass legends Jake Landers, Rual Yarbrough and is also currently a founding member of the Ironhorse Bluegrass Band, based out of the Muscle Shoals area. Tony is an also an accomplished songwriter and multi instrumentalist and owns/operates Crossroads Recording Studio in Rogersville, Alabama. Tony joined the Walker Street Opry in 2006. Tony has a vast discography history including 2 projects with Rual Yarbrough, 9 projects with Jake Landers and a stunning 16 projects with the CMH Records Ironhorse Band.

MaryJustice Lucas

MaryJustice Lucas, a 19 year old native of Huntsville, Alabama, is a multi-award winning solo entertainer. She started writing little songs at age five. She was 11 when she sang at the Coffee Tree for the first time, singing acapella. Later she hired a guitarist to lay down the chords for her Songs for a performance CD. She won her first songwriting contest at age 13, competing against adults. MaryJustice started playing guitar at 14, with only 9 guitar lessons. That same year, 2009, she won an audition to Los Angeles 2010 “iPOP!” International, competing with 18 year olds. She placed in the Top 10 in “iSING!” with only 60 seconds of her original song, “On My Way.” MaryJustice started singing in Nashville and all over North Alabama. In The fall of 2011, at age 16, she won the Tennessee Country Gospel Music Association’s Songwriter of the Year, Video of the Year, CD of the Year and Rising Star Entertainer music awards. In the spring of 2012, at the following National competition, she brought home the top award for NACMAI (nak ma ) - The 2012 Female Entertainer of the Year, 2012 Songwriter of the Year and the 2012 Rising Star CD awards. She was featured in the NO’ALA Magazine out of Florence, Alabama and selected by the magazine and its sponsors to entertain at their W.C. Handy Festival Kick-off Party. During the past five years, she has performed extensively in Nashville and North Alabama venues in concerts, showcases, and festivals. MaryJustice has a large catalog of originals and covers she performs. MaryJustice is currently a student at Calhoun Community College where she enjoys a music scholarship and is a member of the Instrumental Ensemble as vocalist and guitarist.