Tickets now on sale for Feb. 27 event that brings performances and the stories behind your favorite songs to Harris Center to benefit Hands4Hope Youth Making a Difference
The legendary music of Nashville is returning to Folsom for the third year with Nashville Songwriters Live: Performances and Stories of Your Favorite Hit Songs, a one-night-only concert experience on February 27, 2026, benefiting local nonprofit Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference.
The evening will showcase a unique blend of full-band performances, stripped-down acoustic moments, and compelling storytelling that offers the audience a behind-the-scenes look at some songs and stories that shaped modern music.
This year’s lineup includes three-time Emmy Award winner Greg Barnhill, a celebrated songwriter whose work has been recorded by legendary artists such as Etta James, Martina McBride, and Jessica Simpson. Barnhill’s background vocals can also be heard on more than ten albums by Tim McGraw. Joining him is Morgan Myles, a top-three finalist from NBC’s The Voice. Returning for a third year is hit songwriter CJ Solar, known for writing chart-topping songs for some of country music’s biggest names. Also returning is singer-songwriter Mark Mackay, who brings dynamic musicality, high-energy performances, and memorable stories from his life touring and opening for stars worldwide.
In addition to the featured Nashville artists, the event will highlight special performances by local up-and-coming musicians and students, including featured local talent Cynthia Renee of Folsom.
This fundraiser will support Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference. The proceeds from this event will be used to help those most vulnerable in our community while teaching youth invaluable life skills of leadership and service.
“Since 2008, Hands4Hope youth have delivered meals, toiletries, clothing, and supplies to those struggling while gaining skills they can take with them for life,” said Jennifer Bassett, Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference’s Founder and Executive Director. “This exciting fundraising event will help us expand our reach to meet growing community needs, while providing a unique and memorable family entertainment experience.”
Additionally, a silent auction available to both concertgoers and anyone online will offer guitars signed by the performers, a Nashville vacation, a private bourbon tasting party, and other exciting offerings, with all proceeds benefiting Hands4Hope.
Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference is a nonprofit, youth-driven organization with the mission to inspire and empower youth in leadership and service. It offers hands-on education and community outreach opportunities to youth from 6th through 12th grades through school-based and after-school programs in Sacramento and El Dorado counties.
For more information visit hands4hopeyouth.org or call (916) 294-7426.
About the artists set to perform
Greg Barnhill
Originally from New Orleans, Greg Barnhill has been writing and performing throughout his career, with songs recorded by artists including Etta James, Martina McBride, Jessica Simpson, Chicago, Leona Lewis, and Tim McGraw, among many others. In 2022, the Backstreet Boys released their first Christmas album featuring Barnhill’s co-written song “Christmas in New York,” which is quickly becoming a holiday favorite.
A major milestone in Barnhill’s career came with “Walkaway Joe,” recorded by Trisha Yearwood and Don Henley, which earned him a Grammy nomination. He also achieved crossover success with “House of Love” for Amy Grant and Vince Gill and garnered critical acclaim for Gary Allan’s 2014 single “It Ain’t the Whiskey.” A first-call master vocalist in Nashville, Barnhill’s background vocals can be heard on more than ten Tim McGraw albums. In addition to his songwriting and performing career, Barnhill has written, recorded, and produced numerous television themes and jingles, earning three Emmy nominations and winning an Emmy for The Today Show theme “Your Day Is Today,” with a fourth nomination in 2022 for WPIX’s “Get Your Game On” for the New York Mets.
Morgan Myles
With a five-octave range and an unmistakable voice that blends power with emotion, Morgan Myles has established herself as one of Nashville’s most compelling rising stars. A finalist on NBC’s The Voice in 2022, Myles captivated millions of viewers and has since amassed over 30 million views across social media platforms. Her hard work and authenticity have earned recognition from Billboard, Rolling Stone, and American Songwriter, as well as a standing ovation during her Grand Ole Opry debut.
A multi-instrumentalist and relentless touring artist, Myles performs more than 100 shows each year, connecting with audiences through her honest songwriting and magnetic stage presence. Her sound—rooted in soul, country, and rock—reflects both her powerhouse vocals and the heart she pours into every performance.
CJ Solar
CJ Solar is the rare artist who bridges Southern rock soul with modern country storytelling. A Louisiana native turned Nashville hitmaker, Solar has spent the past decade writing songs that define the sound of today’s country — including Morgan Wallen’s breakout smash “Up Down,” featuring Florida Georgia Line, and Jameson Rodgers’ chart-topping hit “Some Girls.” His songs have also been recorded by Jason Aldean, Justin Moore, and Jerrod Niemann, among others.
As an artist, Solar has released three EPs and his acclaimed debut album The Future’s Neon (2022), blending gritty guitars with heartfelt lyricism. A relentless performer, he’s toured extensively across the U.S., channeling his high-energy shows into new music slated for release in 2025. Recognized as one of Rolling Stone’s “New Artists You Need to Know,” a nominee for ASCAP’s “Artist-Writer of the Year,” and Music Row’s Independent Artist of the Year, Solar continues to carve out a sound that’s uniquely his own.
Mark Mackay
Mark Mackay is a dynamic country-rock artist, songwriter, and guitarist whose passion for storytelling and performing has made him a standout in today’s independent music scene. Blending the energy of rock with the heart of country, Mackay has toured extensively nationwide, opening for acts including Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, and Old Dominion. His authentic sound, electric stage presence, and genuine connection with fans have earned him recognition as a rising force in modern country music.
In addition to his talents as a performer, Mackay is a natural emcee whose charisma and enthusiasm light up every stage he steps onto. This year, he proudly returns as host and performer for the 3rd Annual Nashville Songwriters Live benefit concert, guiding audiences through an evening of unforgettable stories and songs from some of Nashville’s finest writers.
Whether captivating a crowd with a heartfelt ballad or energizing them with a guitar-driven anthem, Mackay embodies the spirit of the event — using music to inspire, connect, and give back.
Cynthia Renee
Cynthia Renee is a Sacramento-area singer-songwriter who signed with Twelve-Seventeen/SSM Nashville Records in 2023. Renowned for her heartfelt vocals and authentic songwriting, Renee has become a celebrated name in the modern country music scene. She has made hundreds of regional appearances, captivating audiences with her original songs and modern country covers. Two of her standout tracks, “Good on Me” and “Working on a Hangover,” have received significant acclaim on country radio. “Working on a Hangover” soared to the top ranks of several national music charts in 2022–23, while “Good on Me,” her latest release, is steadily climbing and currently sits in the top 100 of the Music Row radio charts.
Cynthia’s latest single “Have a Heart for a Hero” has been rising up the country radio charts and has been nominated for a Josie Independent Music Award for Social Impact Video of the Year. Her single “Good on Me” has also been nominated for Female Country Song of the Year. Renee has also left a lasting impression onstage, sharing performances with iconic country artists such as Uncle Kracker and rising artist Chase Bryant. She performed at KNCI Radio’s Country in the Park alongside Lady A and Maddie & Tae and has been featured at prestigious venues such as the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City and the Harris Center for the Performing Arts in Folsom, California.
The event is sponsored by Designing Dreams Flooring and Remodeling, CapTrust, Dignity Health, El Dorado Disposal, Nor-Cal Equipment Rentals, The Elliott & Pistone Group / Baird, UC Davis Health, Anrak, Brightstar Partners Insurance, Capital Rivers Commercial, Carlsen Muir Family Foundation, Folsom Times, Nugget Market/Forklift, Rick and Laura Fergerson and Style Readers Media.
Tickets are available through the Harris Center box office and website. For more information, visit hands4hopeyouth.org/nashvillelive.
Copyright © 2026, Folsom Times, a digital product of All Town Media LLC. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
