Kelley Lovelace is known in Nashville as one of country music's ace songwriters. His songs have been cut by a who's who of Nashville: Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts and Randy Houser.
But around Bethel Bible Village, Lovelace is famous for another reason. The Hixson native is host of Bethel Bible Village's major fundraiser, Bethel Golf Classic and Country Connection Concert.
Chase Bryant
Kelley Lovelace
It's a weekend of golf and entertainment that follows a winning format begun more than 40 years ago by the Bethel weekend's original celebrity host, Pat Boone.
Bethel Bible Village is a 64-acre campus in Hixson that provides noncustodial alternative foster care for families in crisis. The program allows parents or legal guardians to maintain custody of children and teens, while Bethel's houseparents provide Christian-centered supervision and guidance for them.
The "fun-raising" gets underway at 5:45 p.m. today, April 27, at the Chattanooga Convention Center, when Lovelace hosts a songwriter's showcase during which he and some of his Nashville buddies will sing their hits and share the stories behind them.
Joining Lovelace will be Chris Janson, who had back-to-back hits in "Buy Me a Boat" and "Holdin' Her," the story of how he met and married his wife.
Also onstage will be Neil Thrasher, who wrote ASCAP's 2013 Country Song of the Year, "How Country Feels," recorded by Randy Houser; and Chase Bryant, a 23-year-old newcomer whose current single is "Room To Breathe."
The 45th Bethel Golf Classic tees off Friday and Saturday, April 28-29, at Bear Trace in Harrison. The first player to shoot a hole in one will win a 2017 Ford Escape.
Concert tickets are $150. As of press time, a few scattered singles remained for the concert, according to Kevin Beirne. Individuals wanting to check on availability should call 423-842-5757.
This weekend's goal has been set at $425,000. Beirne says the money will support Bethel's mission to provide care for children of families in crisis.