If you go
› What: Music City Hit-Makers› Where: Tivoli Theatre, 709 Broad St› When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7› Admission: $21 and up› For more information: 423-267-8583
Did you know that “Jesus Take the Wheel” was originally pitched to Hillary Scott before she joined Charles Kelly and Dave Haywood to form Lady Antebellum?
After Scott chose the trio instead of pursuing a solo career, the song was later played for Carrie Underwood and her team. Fresh off “American Idol,” Underwood loved it and made it her first single off her “Some Hearts” album. The song launched her career on an upward trajectory that hasn’t leveled off yet.
That country-Christian crossover hit spent six weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs, reached No. 4 on Billboard’s Christian chart and cracked the top 20 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. It was named Single of the Year at the 2005 Academy of Country Music Awards, and won Grammy Awards for Best Female Country Vocal Performance and Best Country Song.
Hillary LindseyTwo of the three writers who penned “Jesus Take the Wheel,” Hillary Lindsey and Brett James, will take the stage at the Tivoli Theatre on Saturday night when the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera hosts Music City Hit-Makers. The third singer-songwriter joining them will be Rivers Rutherford, whose songs have been hits for Brad Paisley and Tim McGraw. Bob Bernhardt will conduct the country-themed pops concert.