The fourth Hit Makers & Rum Chasers concert marks the series’ one-year anniversary Friday at the Reichhold Center, boasting an award-winning lineup of country singer/songwriters benefitting Make-A-Wish Virgin Islands.
The concert will feature Marc Beeson, Dave Berg, Marcus Hummon and Kendell Marvel. In addition to playing their hits, the songwriters will tell the stories behind the songs.
Carolyn Miller, founder and president of 343 Agency, which produces the shows, first brought the concert series to St. Thomas in November 2013. "Songwriter nights are very common in Nashville. I thought the concept would be something fun and different for the islands."
Miller added that there is a strong following of country music in the islands, partly thanks to West Indies Radio, which played classic country. Thanks to the success of the series, Miller said she hopes to bring more concerts in other genres to the territory in 2015.
Miller said she expects to see an audience of 300 for Friday’s show, which headlines four powerhouse songwriters.
Beeson has won 10 American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers awards as a songwriter and has recorded his music with Warner Bros., BNA and Curb Records. His songs have been recorded by names like Reba McIntire, Garth Brooks and Martina McBride.
Berg has also written for McIntire, as well as Joe Nichols, Keith Urban and Blake Shelton, among others. He was named both Billboard’s Country Songwriter of the Year and ASCAP Country Song Writer of the year in 2008. He has four number ones to his name and has also released three independent albums.
Grammy-winner Hummon has been recorded in several genres, but fans will easily recognize his many country hits. "Bless the Broken Road," recorded by Rascal Flatts, won the 2005 Grammy for "Best Country Song." Hummon has also won a number of Broadcast Music Inc. awards.
Marvel’s "That Lonesome Song" was the title track on Jamey Johnson’s Grammy-nominated album. His songs have been recorded by big country names like Joe Diffie, Shelton, Lee Ann Womack and Trace Adkins.
This will be Marvel’s third performance with the series. Although he had not been to the V.I. prior to the series, he said he looks forward to each visit and has a hard time leaving. Marvel is a songwriter by trade, but thanks to a growing interest in the people behind hit songs, said that he travels all over the U.S. to perform as well. TV shows like Nashville have helped to spark interest in songwriters, he noted.
Marvel said he would like to see a full house at Reichhold Center for one of the upcoming shows. "The sound is great. It’s a beautiful amphitheater… it would be nice to build up a big enough following to fill it." He added that he loves to see the same people returning for each show, bringing new friends and fully engaging in the music.
The last two shows have also benefitted the local Make-A-Wish chapter. The series was a sponsor of the September Make-A-Wish walk on St. Thomas, and Miller said it has raised about $1,000 for the organization to date. Miller is hoping to be able to match that number at this show.
Information on the local Make-A-Wish chapter will also be available at the concert for those who would like to learn more about it.
Marvel also said that knowing the shows benefit Make-A-Wish makes him even happier to be a part of the series. He recalled one of the shows when a Wish recipient even came on stage to be recognized, saying he is glad that even the little money that does come in goes to a good cause.
The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at Reichhold Center for the Arts. For more information about the songwriters and concert, visit (www.hitmakersandrumchasers.com). Tickets range from $20 to $40. To purchase tickets, contact Reichhold at 340-693-1559 or visit online at (http://www.reichholdcenter.org/).
