Hit songwriters bring Nashville hits and stories to Harris Center Feb. 27 alongside local talents all for a great cause
For country music fans who love the stories behind the songs just as much as the songs themselves, next week’s Nashville Songwriters Live at the Harris Center for the Arts promises to be one of the most memorable nights of live music to hit Folsom this year — and it all supports a cause that is changing lives right here at home.
Set for Friday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m., Nashville Songwriters Live: Performances and Stories of Your Favorite Hit Songs returns for its third year, bringing some of Nashville’s most accomplished hitmakers to the stage for an intimate evening of full-band performances, stripped-down acoustic moments and the kind of storytelling that can only come from the writers who lived the songs. This isn’t a tribute show. It’s the real thing.
Leading the lineup is three-time Emmy Award winner Greg Barnhill, whose songwriting career spans decades and genres. His songs have been recorded by iconic artists including 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 achieved crossover success with “House of Love” for Amy Grant and Vince Gill. As a first-call master vocalist in Nashville, his background vocals appear on more than ten Tim McGraw albums. Beyond the stage, Barnhill has also written and produced television themes and jingles, winning an Emmy for The Today Show theme “Your Day Is Today.”
Greg Barnhill
Morgan Myles
Joining him is powerhouse vocalist Morgan Myles, a top-three finalist from NBC’s The Voice in 2022 whose five-octave range and emotional delivery captivated a national audience. Myles has amassed more than 30 million social media views, earned recognition from Billboard, Rolling Stone and American Songwriter, and received a standing ovation during her Grand Ole Opry debut. Touring more than 100 shows a year, she blends soul, country and rock into performances known for both vocal precision and raw heart.
Hit songwriter CJ Solar brings modern country firepower to the evening. The Louisiana native has helped define today’s country sound with Morgan Wallen’s breakout smash “Up Down,” featuring Florida Georgia Line, and Jameson Rodgers’ No. 1 hit “Some Girls.” His songs have also been recorded by Jason Aldean, Justin Moore and Jerrod Niemann. As an 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.
CJ Solar
Mark Mackay
Returning as both host and performer is Mark Mackay, whose dynamic country-rock energy and national touring experience make him a perfect guide for the evening. Mackay has opened for Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton and Old Dominion, and his natural charisma keeps audiences engaged from the first note to the final encore. As emcee, he leads concertgoers through the stories, inspiration and humor behind the hits, turning the performance into a shared experience.
Adding a strong local presence to the nationally recognized lineup is local to Folsom singer-songwriter Cynthia Renee, who signed with Twelve-Seventeen/SSM Nashville Records in 2023. Known for her heartfelt vocals and authentic songwriting, Renee has built growing momentum in modern country music with radio-recognized tracks including “Working on a Hangover” and “Good on Me.” “Working on a Hangover” reached top ranks on national music charts in 2022–23, while “Good on Me” continues climbing the Music Row radio charts.
Cynthia Renee
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 sung the National Anthem at NBA and NASCAR events as well.
Local youth musicians join the show
In addition to the featured national and regional performers, several talented Folsom-area youth musicians will also take part in this year’s program, bringing their own artistry to the Harris Center stage.
Gavin and Mason Mennucci — sixth- and seventh-grade brothers from California Montessori Project – Shingle Springs — will showcase their guitar skills and vocals, performing together as a dynamic young duo. Joining them is Owen Gouveia, a seventh grader at Sutter Middle School who will take his place behind the drum kit, adding rhythmic energy to the evening.
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 share her talents as a vocalist. Ben-Aderet is also an active participant in the Hands4Hope Club, contributing more than 36 service hours — a powerful reflection of the mission at the heart of the event. Together, these young performers will share the spotlight with Nashville’s seasoned hitmakers, creating a rare intergenerational collaboration that strengthens the concert’s commitment to cultivating local talent alongside nationally recognized artists.
Beyond the star power and hit songs, what truly elevates Nashville Songwriters Live is its purpose.
The event benefits Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference, a youth-driven nonprofit serving students in grades six through 12 across Sacramento and El Dorado counties. Since 2008, Hands4Hope youth have delivered meals, clothing, toiletries and essential supplies to individuals and families facing hardship while learning critical leadership and service skills. The organization’s school-based and after-school programs empower young people to step into meaningful community roles, making an impact far beyond the classroom.
Funds raised through ticket sales and an accompanying silent auction — which includes signed guitars from the performers, a Nashville vacation, a private bourbon tasting party and other exclusive experiences — directly support Hands4Hope programs and the vulnerable residents they serve.
For local country fans, the appeal is undeniable: hit songs, award-winning writers, rising stars and authentic storytelling, all in an intimate concert setting at the Harris Center for the Arts at Folsom Lake College. But the deeper draw is knowing that every ticket purchased helps fuel leadership development in local youth and provides tangible support to neighbors in need.
With the concert just days away, organizers encourage fans not to wait. Shows in past years have drawn strong community support, and this third annual edition promises to be the biggest yet.
The performance begins at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27. Tickets are available through the Harris Center box office and website. Additional information is available at hands4hopeyouth.org/nashvillelive.
For country music lovers across the region, Nashville Songwriters Live isn’t just another concert — it’s an opportunity to experience the heart of Music City right here in Folsom while giving back to a cause that strengthens the entire community.
Copyright © 2026, Folsom Times, a digital product of All Town Media LLC. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
<p>The post Nashville hitmakers bound for Folsom stage for a great cause first appeared on Folsom Times.</p>
