By Anna Robertson Ham | Photography By Robert Klein
Grammy® nominee Martina McBride is set to headline the 2nd Annual “The Stories Behind the Songs” fundraiser on February 21st at The Franklin Theatre. The event promises an intimate musical experience featuring Martina alongside singer-songwriters The Warren Brothers and Leslie Satcher. The evening is dedicated to supporting the 21st District Recovery Court’s mission to break the cycle of addiction and crime in the community. Recovery Court, funded solely through grants and donations without any taxpayer support, has been making a significant impact for twenty-one years. The program, designed for non-violent offenders in the criminal justice system, emphasizes accountability and compassion. All proceeds from the event will directly contribute to Recovery Court’s ongoing efforts. The organization’s funding model underscores its reliance on community support, with the singer-songwriter night being one of just two annual fundraisers in 2024.
Martina McBride is a Grammy-nominated artist with over twenty million albums sold and boasts twenty Top Ten singles and six #1 hits. Brad and Brett Warren of The Warren Brothers are CMA nominees and GRAMMY® nominees and have hits for Tim McGraw, Toby Keith, Faith Hill and more. Leslie Satcher has been nominated to the Nashville Songwriters’ Hall of Fame and captivates during live performances. All of these musical talents on a stage together will bring camaraderie like none other and promise an unforgettable night of music.
Martina told us that she, The Warren Brothers and Leslie Satcher have collaborated many times, including in songwriting and shows. “We’ve done events together and it’s always so much fun, because they’re all three such great storytellers and such great people,” Martina says. “Having that history together really makes it so much more meaningful when you all are on stage - and that way to connect with each other and the audience. So that’s really impactful for sure.”
Martina says she felt drawn to be a part of the 21st District Recovery Court’s songwriter event after Brett called her about it and asked her to participate. “Any time they are involved in something, I know it’s important and authentic and worthy. And when I get to do anything with The Warren Brothers and Leslie Satcher, it is just bound to be a good time,” she explains. “This is such a unique and wonderful organization. It’s just going to be a beautiful, fun night of music and stories and go to help an amazing organization.”
Martina has hits from “Independence Day” to “This One’s For The Girls” and “In My Daughter’s Eyes” - which she has seen be very impactful. “I love ‘This One’s For The Girls’ because it’s multi-generational. I see young girls on TikTok singing that song, and I’m like…this is so cool! It’s one of those ballads that I don’t think will ever go away. It’s very validating,” Martina says. “The legacy of songs that I’ve left behind - that seem to have resonated with people and mattered - that’s just what you wish for. You want to leave behind something that mattered.”
Aside from her meaningful songs, Martina feels it is important to give back. She has her own charitable organization, Team Music Is Love, which is her global charity initiative dedicated to making the world better through the power of music - bringing people and music together to do good. “It’s just important to try. To make the world better place… That’s something that I believe in,” she says. “Being that voice to bring awareness to things that are truly important.”
Visit martinamcbride.com to learn more about the Team Music Is Love organization. For tickets to “The Stories Behind the Songs” or for more information on the Recovery Court as well as their mission, visit 21stdc.org. Donations can also be made on the website for those that cannot attend the event, but still would like to contribute. Every $1 invested in Recovery Court translates to at least $35 in avoided criminal justice expenses.
