Local student performers join acclaimed songwriters at this week’s Nashville Songwriters Live
When Nashville Songwriters Live returns to the Harris Center for the Arts this Friday, the evening will represent far more than a night of chart-topping songs and celebrated Nashville storytelling. Several talented Folsom-area youth musicians will step onto that same stage, performing alongside award-winning Nashville songwriters in what promises to be one of the most meaningful and inspiring elements of this year’s showcase benefit for Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference.
While this unique program celebrating its third year is known for bringing accomplished Music City hitmakers to Folsom, this year’s intergenerational collaboration has become one of its most powerful traditions. The opportunity for young local musicians to perform beside professionals whose songs have shaped modern country music is rare — and for these students, the Harris Center stage will offer both a milestone moment and a glimpse of what is possible through dedication, talent and community support.
Among the featured youth performers areGavin and Mason Mennucci, sixth- and seventh-grade brothers from California Montessori Project – Shingle Springs. The duo will showcase their guitar skills and vocal harmonies, performing together as brothers and collaborators. Their inclusion in the program underscores the strength of young musical talent emerging from area schools and reflects the event’s commitment to cultivating local artistry alongside nationally recognized performers.
Joining them will beOwen Gouveia, a seventh grader at Sutter Middle School, who will bring steady rhythmic drive to the evening from behind the drum kit. His participation adds instrumental depth to the collaborative sets and highlights the diversity of student talent represented in this year’s show.
Also performing isVictor Harris, an 11th grader at Vista del Lago High School, who will take the stage on guitar. As an upperclassman already refining his craft, Harris represents the growing pool of high school musicians stepping confidently into larger performance opportunities within the region.
Adding an especially meaningful connection to the mission of the event isNofar Ben-Aderet, a seventh grader at Rolling Hills Middle School who will be performing vocally during the program. In addition to sharing her musical talent with the audience, Ben-Aderet is an active participant in the Hands4Hope Club and has contributed more than 36 service hours. Her involvement beautifully reflects the dual purpose of the evening — celebrating artistry while supporting youth leadership and service throughout Sacramento and El Dorado counties.
Together, these young performers will not simply appear in isolation. They will share the spotlight with established Nashville-based headliners, blending emerging voices with seasoned hitmakers. The result is an evening that feels less like a typical concert and more like a collaborative musical experience rooted in community.
Of course, Nashville Songwriters Live remains anchored by a lineup of acclaimed artists whose work has helped define the sound of contemporary country music.
Three-time Emmy Award winnerGreg Barnhillreturns as one of the featured headliners. His songwriting credits include recordings by Etta James, Martina McBride, Jessica Simpson, Chicago, Leona Lewis and Tim McGraw. Barnhill earned a Grammy nomination for “Walkaway Joe,” recorded by Trisha Yearwood and Don Henley, and his background vocals appear on more than ten Tim McGraw albums. Beyond radio hits, his television work earned him an Emmy for The Today Show theme “Your Day Is Today,” solidifying a career that spans genres and media platforms.
Morgan Myles, a top-three finalist on NBC’s The Voice in 2022, brings powerhouse vocals and national recognition to the Harris Center stage. With a five-octave range and more than 30 million social media views, Myles has garnered praise from Billboard, Rolling Stone and American Songwriter, along with a standing ovation during her Grand Ole Opry debut. Touring more than 100 shows per year, she blends soul, country and rock into emotionally resonant performances.
Hit songwriterCJ Solaradds modern country momentum to the bill. The Louisiana native wrote Morgan Wallen’s breakout smash “Up Down,” featuring Florida Georgia Line, as well as Jameson Rodgers’ No. 1 hit “Some Girls.” His songs have also been recorded by 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 and nominations from ASCAP and Music Row.
Returning once again as host and performer isMark Mackay, whose country-rock energy and natural stage presence make him an ideal emcee for the evening. Mackay has toured extensively and opened for major acts including Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton and Old Dominion. Throughout the night, he guides audiences through the personal stories and creative journeys behind the songs, weaving humor and heart into the performance.
Adding regional star power to the lineup is Sacramento-area recording artistCynthia Renee, who is from Folsom and currently signed with Twelve-Seventeen/SSM Nashville Records. Her original works “Working on a Hangover” and “Good on Me” gained national attention, with “Working on a Hangover” reaching top music chart rankings in 2022–23 and “Good on Me” climbing the Music Row radio charts. Her latest single, “Have a Heart for a Hero,” has been rising on country radio 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, appeared at KNCI Radio’s Country in the Park alongside Lady A and Maddie & Tae, and more. During her portion of the program, Renee will be joined by her lead guitaristJeff Brzozowski, bringing additional musicianship and depth to her live set as she performs for the Folsom audience.
Beyond the music, Nashville Songwriters Live continues to serve a vital community purpose. The event benefits Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference, a youth-driven nonprofit organization serving students in grades six through 12 throughout Sacramento and El Dorado counties. Since 2008, Hands4Hope youth have delivered meals, toiletries, clothing and essential supplies to individuals and families facing hardship while gaining invaluable leadership and service skills.
Funds raised through ticket sales and the evening’s silent auction — featuring signed guitars from the performers, a Nashville vacation, a private bourbon tasting party and additional exclusive experiences — directly support Hands4Hope programs and outreach efforts in the region.
The concert begins at 7 p.m. Friday at the Harris Center for the Arts at Folsom Lake College. Tickets are available through the Harris Center box office and website atwww.harriscenter.net. Additional information about the event and its mission can be found at hands4hopeyouth.org/nashvillelive.
With the concert now just days away, organizers encourage the community not to miss what has become one of Folsom’s most unique live music experiences. Nashville Songwriters Live offers something rarely found in a single evening — nationally recognized hitmakers sharing the stage with local student musicians, powerful storytelling woven between performances, and a mission that directly benefits youth and families throughout Sacramento and El Dorado counties.
For country music fans, it is an opportunity to witness the creators behind beloved hits in an intimate theater setting. For families and community supporters, it is a chance to see local youth step confidently into the spotlight. And for supporters of Hands4Hope, it is a meaningful way to invest in leadership, service and tangible impact close to home.
As the lights rise at the Harris Center this Friday, the night will represent more than entertainment. It will represent collaboration, mentorship, opportunity and community — all brought together through the universal language of music.
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