The legendary music of Nashville comes to Folsom in the form of Nashville Songwriters Live: The Stories Behind Your Favorite Songs, a unique celebrity entertainment event on Nov. 20 that also acts as a benefit event for local nonprofit Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference.

Featuring songwriters Jeffrey Steele, Mark Mackay and CJ Solar, who have written songs for chart-topping artists including Keith Urban, Eric Church, Zac Brown Band and Morgan Wallen, the audience will experience an intimate, acoustic performance format where the writers play the music and tell the stories behind the songs, providing a unique and personal experience.

“We’re all super excited to support Hands4Hope. They are an amazing nonprofit and Thanksgiving week is a great time to play in California,” said Mackay, a California native and classic rock/country songwriter.

“I’m also super stoked to be performing with Jeff; he’s my mentor and one of the most talented artists I’ve ever known,” he continued. “By the way, there is no set list for this event and we don’t script any of the banter — we just go with it!”

This fundraiser will support the Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference Education Program at four Folsom schools, including Folsom Middle, Sutter Middle, Folsom High and Vista del Lago High, in addition to its Community Engagement Program serving Mercy Creekview, Folsom’s Hope, Twin Lakes Food Bank and Powerhouse Ministries Inc. The proceeds from this event will be used to help those most vulnerable in the community while teaching youth invaluable life skills of leadership and service.

“As we celebrate our 15th year as an organization, we are proud of the impact that youth have made across many areas of need within our community,” said Jennifer Bassett, Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference’s founder and executive director. “As needs in the community have increased, our youth-led service learning programs have responded by delivering more donations and supplies to those struggling. This exciting fundraiser event will allow us to deepen our work in Folsom while providing a unique and memorable family entertainment experience.”

The show will also feature spotlights on local youth, including students from the Vista Del Lago High School guitar program performing a montage of country music throughout the ages. Additionally, a silent auction available to both attendees and anyone online will offer guitars signed by celebrity musical artists, with all proceeds benefiting Hands4Hope.

The show takes place at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20 show at the Harris Center for the Arts, 10 College Parkway in Folsom. A select number of tickets are still available but are expected to sell out soon To purchase tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit HarrisCenter.net.

Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference is a nonprofit, youth driven organization with the mission to inspire and empower youth in leadership and service. Hands4Hope offers hands-on education and community engagement opportunities to youth from kindergarten through 12th grades through on-campus and after-school programs in Sacramento and El Dorado counties.

For more information visit hands4hopeyouth.org or call (916) 294-7426.