IF YOU GOWhat: A Song for the Children with Vince Gill.When: 8 p.m. today.Where: Tivoli Theatre, 709 Broad St.Admission: $35, $50.Phone: 642-TIXS.VIP PARTYTickets ($175) include dinner by Carrabba's Italian Grill at 5 p.m. at Loose Cannon Studio and a post-concert dessert reception. Call 266-6918 for availability.
Fresh off a performance at the Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday night and the release of a new album, country superstar Vince Gill will play a benefit for the Children's Advocacy Center of Hamilton County tonight in the Tivoli Theatre.
"This is our 10th year to hold the concert and the sixth year he has come down from Nashville to do it," said Cathy Eldahan, external-affairs coordinator for the center. "He supports our mission, and he has told us he is happy to do the concert as long as we want him back. Even as busy as he is this week with the CMAs and interviews for his new CD, he has made time to come here."
Funds raised by the concert and preceding VIP party support services to children who are alleged victims of sexual and physical abuse. The CAC's free services include forensic interviews, medical examinations, counseling and family advocacy. During the 2010-11 fiscal year, 430 children received direct services from the center, according to its website.
Concertgoers will be among the first to hear Gill perform cuts from his 2-week-old album, "Guitar Slinger." It's Gill's first album in five years, and the singer said in a news release he's proud of the product.
"I think the songs are better, I play better, I sing better and it sounds better. There are some beautiful, powerful songs here."
Among them is his new single, "Threaten Me With Heaven," which he co-wrote with wife Amy Grant, Dillon O'Brian and Will Owsley, who has since died.
Gill's concert performance always includes favorites from his career, and he has been known to take audience requests. He'll have his band onstage with him "and he always brings a guest, usually a well-known guest," adds Eldahan. Eldahan said the show was nearing sellout and a half-dozen tickets remained for the VIP party as of Tuesday. For availability, call 266-6918.