Concert and online silent auction support Hands4Hope Youth Making a Difference for special night of story and song
The songs you know by heart — the ones that climbed the charts, filled arenas and became the soundtrack to road trips and heartbreak — are coming straight from the writers who created them, and they’re taking the stage in Folsom tonight.
Nashville Songwriters Live: Performances and Stories of Your Favorite Hit Songs returns to the Harris Center for the Arts at Folsom Lake College this evening at 7 p.m., bringing three-time Emmy winner Greg Barnhill, powerhouse vocalist Morgan Myles, hitmaker CJ Solar and returning host Mark Mackay together for an intimate, story-driven concert that blends full-band energy with acoustic authenticity. Add in Folsom’s own Cynthia Renee and a lineup of talented local youth musicians, and the result is a one-night-only experience that delivers both star power and hometown heart — all in support of Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference.
This isn’t a tribute night or a cover show. It’s the real artists behind some of the biggest songs out there in today’s country music.
“We are so excited to welcome Nashville Songwriters Live back to Folsom this year — it’s such a unique experience to hear hit-making storytellers share their music, and even more meaningful knowing every ticket helps support Hands4Hope’s work empowering young leaders in our community,” said Jennifer Bassett, Founder and Executive Director of Hands4Hope.
Greg Barnhill brings decades of songwriting excellence to the stage. A Grammy nominee for “Walkaway Joe,” recorded by Trisha Yearwood and Don Henley, Barnhill’s catalog spans genres and generations. His songs have been recorded by Etta James, Martina McBride, Jessica Simpson, Chicago, Leona Lewis and Tim McGraw.
He achieved crossover success with “House of Love” for Amy Grant and Vince Gill and has lent his background vocals to more than ten Tim McGraw albums. Beyond the recording studio, Barnhill also earned an Emmy Award for writing and producing The Today Show theme, “Your Day Is Today,” underscoring the breadth of a career that reaches far beyond Nashville’s Music Row.
Sharing the spotlight tonight is Morgan Myles, whose national breakout came as a top-three finalist on NBC’s The Voice in 2022. Known for her five-octave range and commanding emotional delivery, Myles has generated more than 30 million social media views and earned recognition from Billboard, Rolling Stone and American Songwriter.
She received a standing ovation during her Grand Ole Opry debut and tours more than 100 shows a year, delivering a blend of soul, country and rock that resonates long after the final note.
CJ Solar represents the modern edge of country songwriting. The Louisiana native co-wrote Morgan Wallen’s breakout smash “Up Down,” featuring Florida Georgia Line, as well as Jameson Rodgers’ No. 1 hit “Some Girls.”
His songwriting credits also include cuts for Jason Aldean, Justin Moore and Jerrod Niemann. As a recording artist, Solar has released three EPs and his debut album The Future’s Neon, earning recognition from Rolling Stone as one of its “New Artists You Need to Know” along with nominations from ASCAP and Music Row.
Guiding the night as both performer and emcee is Mark Mackay, whose country-rock style and high-energy stage presence have made him a fan favorite. Mackay has opened for Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton and Old Dominion, and tonight he leads the audience beyond the music and into the inspiration, humor and stories that shaped each hit.
His role as host transforms the concert into a shared, behind-the-scenes journey through Nashville’s songwriting machine.
Adding a powerful local connection is Cynthia Renee, the Folsom-area singer-songwriter who signed with Twelve-Seventeen/SSM Nashville Records in 2023. Her radio-recognized tracks “Working on a Hangover” and “Good on Me” have built national momentum, with “Working on a Hangover” reaching top ranks on national music charts in 2022–23 and “Good on Me” continuing its climb on the Music Row radio charts.
Her latest single, “Have a Heart for a Hero,” has been rising up country radio charts and earned a Josie Independent Music Award nomination for Social Impact Video of the Year. Renee has shared stages with Uncle Kracker and Chase Bryant, performed at KNCI Radio’s Country in the Park alongside Lady A and Maddie & Tae, and delivered the National Anthem at NBA and NASCAR events.
Tonight’s performance also showcases the next generation of talent from the Folsom region. Gavin and Mason Mennucci, sixth- and seventh-grade brothers from California Montessori Project – Shingle Springs, will perform as a guitar-and-vocal duo. Owen Gouveia, a seventh grader at Sutter Middle School, will add percussion behind the drum kit. Victor Harris, an 11th grader at Vista del Lago High School, will perform on guitar, while Nofar Ben-Aderet, a seventh grader at Rolling Hills Middle School, will contribute vocals. Ben-Aderet is also active in the Hands4Hope Club and has contributed more than 36 service hours, reflecting the deeper purpose behind tonight’s concert.
“This event brings incredible talent to the Harris Center, showcases our local youth musicians, and gives people a chance to make a real difference right here at home,” added Bassett. “We’re grateful to the artists, sponsors, volunteers, and everyone planning to attend — and we can’t wait to fill the theater with music and community spirit.”
While the stage lights prepare to shine tonight, the Nashville Songwriters Live online silent auction is already heating up — and you do not have to be present at the concert to participate or win. Bidding closes promptly at 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, and organizers encourage supporters not to wait until the last minute. From spa indulgences to vacation getaways, culinary delights to collectibles, nearly two dozen items are available. Signed guitars from the performers are among the most sought-after items, and for those attending the concert in person, winners can ask the artists to custom sign the guitars any way they’d like, transforming them into truly priceless mementos from an unforgettable night. The full list of auction items and bidding information is available HERE.
Every bid directly benefits Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference, the youth-driven nonprofit serving students in grades six through 12 across Sacramento and El Dorado counties.
As the lights go up at 7 p.m. tonight, Folsom won’t just host a concert. It will host the stories behind the songs, the voices that shaped country radio and a community coming together for a cause that invests in its youth — whether through a ticket in the audience or a winning bid online. Tickets remain available through the Harris Center box office and website, and additional information about the event and Hands4Hope can be found at hands4hopeyouth.org/nashvillelive.
This year’s Nashville Songwriters Live would not be possible without the generous support of its many community sponsors, including Anrak Corporation, Baird Private Wealth Management, Brian Holcomb, Brightstar Partners Insurance, CAPTRUST – Christeen Reeg Financial Advisor, Capital Rivers Commercial, Carlsen Muir Family Foundation, Designing Dreams Flooring & Remodeling, Dignity Health, Edwards Stevens Tucker LLP, El Dorado Disposal, Folsom Times, Garth Horn Construction, Holly’s Hill Vineyards, Leslie and John Michaylo, Nor-Cal Equipment Rentals, Nugget Markets / Forklift, R.E.Y Engineers, Inc., Rick and Laura Fergerson, Snook’s Candies & Chocolate Factory, Style Readers Media, The Zenith, UC Davis Health, West Coast Carports and Western Sign Company.
Their collective commitment underscores the strength of a community that rallies behind both live music and youth-driven impact through Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference.
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