Lady A’s Charles Kelley, Ernest and The Warren Brothers to perform hit songs for 21st District Recovery Court fundraiser
3rd Annual The Stories Behind the Songs, presented by H.G. Hill Realty Company, held April 3 at The Franklin Theatre
Recovery Court is funded through grants and donations, and receives no taxpayer funding; Every $1 invested saves taxpayers at least $35 in avoided criminal justice costs
FRANKLIN, Tenn. – Feb. 6, 2025 – The 21st District Recovery Court (Recovery Court) is hosting their 3rd annual singer-songwriter night, The Stories Behind the Songs presented by H.G. Hill Realty Company, on Thurs., April 3, 2025, from 7 – 9 p.m. at The Franklin Theatre. This year’s artist lineup includes Charles Kelley, one third of the seven-time GRAMMY® Award-winning Lady A. The trio has amassed 11 No. One’s including their 11xPLATINUM “Need You Now,” five billion digital streams and they have earned ACM and CMA “Vocal Group of the Year” trophies three years in a row and countless other honors including seven GRAMMY awards, Billboard Music Awards, People’s Choice Awards, Teen Choice Awards and a Tony Award nod.
Kelley joins top selling singer-songwriter, Ernest, who’s songwriting credits include 11 number-one hits, sophomore critically acclaimed album NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, and 2X PLATINUM song, “Flower Shops,” featuring Morgan Wallen. Award-winning songwriters, Brett and Brad Warren of The Warren Brothers, serve as the event’s hosts again this year. In addition to their collaborations with Kelley and Ernest, the duo has written numerous hits for Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Jason Aldean, Faith Hill, Martina McBride,Blake Shelton, Toby Keith and more. The intimate musical experience at the historic The Franklin Theatre includes the artists’ stories behind their many top hits and collaborations, while raising funds for Recovery Court.
“It’s always fun to hit the stage with guys like Brett, Brad and Ernest,” shared Kelley. “Honoring and supporting Recovery Court and the important work they do in helping participants beat their addictions and restore their lives and families is something that’s really important to me.”
All proceeds from the event go directly to support Recovery Court’s 22-year mission to end the cycle of addiction and crime in our community by providing accountability and compassion to non-violent offenders in the criminal justice system. “We are thrilled to bring together these notable hitmakers as they share their talents in support of our program,” said Connie Martin, executive director with the 21st District Recovery Court. “The funds raised will help us provide the 20 participants currently in our intensive two-year program with the resources, tools and accountability needed to beat their addiction and restore their lives to a safe and positive environment.”
Recovery Court is funded through grants and donations, and receives no taxpayer funding. The singer-songwriter event is one of two annual fundraisers in 2025. The Community Engagement Luncheon will be held Mon., Oct. 20, 2025. “Our program is not an easy way out,” said Martin. “The court only considers applicants demonstrating a genuine desire to confront their addictions. Those that are accepted undergo rigorous treatment and intensive monitoring as they learn life skills and new habits for successful living. Our model is unique in that it uses a non-adversarial, therapeutic approach to crimes rooted in addiction.”
According to local law enforcement professionals, most crimes committed in our community are drug or alcohol related. Recovery Courts have proven effective in reducing the revolving door of drug and alcohol related crime as well as reducing the cost to taxpayers. The program spends approximately $16,500 per participant annually compared to an estimated $48,800 to incarcerate each offender for a year. For every $1 invested in Recovery Courts, at least $35 in avoided criminal justice costs is saved.
In addition to the event’s presenting sponsor, H.G. Hill Realty Company, sponsors include: A Vintage Affair, Jay Brown & Friends, Buerger, Moseley and Carson, PLC, Choate Construction, David Dingler & Friends, Judge & Mrs. Timothy L. Easter, Jamison Graphics, LLC, Gray Public Relations, Senator Jack Johnson & Friends, Jennifer Johnson & Friends, Doug Lackey, Benchmark Realty, Larsen Law PLLC, Let it Shine Gymnastics, Tim & Janie Richards, and Brett Warren & Family.
Those who would like to support Recovery Court but cannot attend the event may make an online donation at 21stdc.org.
About Charles Kelley: Charles Kelley is most known as one third of the GRAMMY® Award-winning Lady A, one of the 21st century’s premier vocal groups, blending deeply felt emotions with classic Country sounds, with the group amassing 11 No. One hits with more than 18 million album units and 34 million tracks sold and nearly 5 billion digital streams. In addition to his massive success with Lady A, Kelley has released music as a solo artist, including his album, THE DRIVER, which earned a Grammy nomination for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for its title track and he also recently released a reflective new song, “As Far As You Could.” Along with penning a number of hits for Lady A, Charles Kelley has co-written No. One hits for Luke Bryan, Darius Rucker and Brett Young as well as songs for Miranda Lambert and more. For more information on Charles Kelley and Lady A, visit LadyAMusic.com.
About Ernest: Nashville’s unpredictable hitmaker ERNEST is “The Charmer” (MusicRow): a triple threat talent who “creates a sound all his own” (Pollstar) and one of Music City’s defining artist-writers. The 2X ACM Award nominee (2024), 2X CMA Triple Play Award winner, and 2022 / 2023 Variety Hitmaker fuses influences ranging from Eminem to George Jones, crafting a twist-heavy verse style that’s earned him 11 No. 1 hits as a songwriter and one No. 1 on country radio. His highly anticipated full-length sophomore album, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, a set that “maintain(s) Nashville’s tethering to its legendary history while wholly embracing the soul of the city’s future” (The Tennessean), features 26 new songs and collaborations with Lainey Wilson, Lukas Nelson, Jelly Roll, HARDY, and more. The album has been shortlisted as one of the Best of the Year So Far by Billboard, The Tennessean, and Country Now, following in the footsteps of its critically acclaimed predecessor, FLOWER SHOPS (THE ALBUM), and its cleverly expanded deluxe edition, FLOWER SHOPS (THE ALBUM): Two Dozen Roses, which added a baker’s dozen of fresh cuts to the bunch.
About The Warren Brothers: The Warren Brothers are an American songwriting duo. Brad and Brett Warren have written hits for Tim McGraw (“If You’re Reading This”, “Felt Good on My Lips”, “Highway Don’t Care”, “Thought About You”), Toby Keith (“Red Solo Cup”), Keith Urban (“Little Bit of Everything”), Faith Hill (“The Lucky One”), Martina McBride (“Anyway”, “Wrong Baby Wrong”), Dierks Bentley (“Feel That Fire”), Jerrod Niemann (“Drink To That All Night”), Jason Aldean (“Lights Come On”, “We Back”), Blake Shelton (“Every Time I Hear That Song”), Chris Young (“Sober Saturday Night”) and more. They’ve recorded songs by Luke Bryan, Little Big Town, Lady A, Thomas Rhett, Cole Swindell, Gary Allan, Tyler Farr, Billy Currington and many other A-list country artists. In addition, the brothers have also written songs for rock bands including Lynyrd Skynyrd, Nickelback, Hinder, Joss Stone and Boys Like Girls. They moved to Nashville from Tampa, Fla. in 1995 and in 1997 signed with RCA records, making three albums for RCA’s sister label BNA Records. During that time, they toured with Martina McBride and Faith Hill. As artists, they have seven Billboard Top 40 hits. McGraw took an interest in their songwriting and has recorded more than 30 of their songs. They were CMA nominees for Duo of the Year for six straight years and had GRAMMY® nominations for Song of the Year (“If You’re Reading This”) and a CMA Song of the Year (“Anyway”). In 2013 the duo won a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Original Song for ‘Good Afternoon America,’ the theme song for the ABC program ‘Good Afternoon America’ which they co-wrote with Little Big Town.
About 21st District Recovery Court: 21st Recovery Court serves the 21st Judicial District. Program participants are non-violent offenders with a history of chemical dependency, which has shown to be one of the primary reasons for repeated criminal activity. The program works with law enforcement and the courts as participants engage in a highly supervised, two-year program, providing treatment, supervision and support. Graduates of recovery court programs have a low rate of reoffending, especially compared to those offenders supervised in traditional court probation and parole programs. Participants’ recovery allows them to have a productive life while the community is served by a reduction in criminal activity and cost-effective treatment for offenders. Most importantly, the families and lives of the participants are restored to a safe and positive environment. Recovery courts in Tennessee are not supported by state judicial budgets, rather they are partially funded by a portion of statutory court costs paid by criminal offenders. For more information, visit 21stdc.org or call 615.595.7868.
