By Nikki Burkhamer
Examiner Contributor
Video included below
It’s not often that you get to spend three hours in the same room with heroes and legends, but that was the case Saturday, Aug. 17, at the Indian Lake High School auditorium.
For 12 years, The Nashville Hitmakers have hosted a yearly concert, which has raised over half a million dollars to support the Indian Lake Watershed Project.
In addition to that heroic amount of donation, this concert has also handed the Indian Lake School Music Department more than $50,000. And who is mostly responsible for heralding the legendary, performing talent, the valiant, donating supporters, and the lucky, yearly spectators? It is a sibling duo who hails from Lewistown.
Even Stevens, a National Songwriters Hall of Fame member, joins with his sister Sandy Helgeson, who is a many published and talented writer in her own right. These two local heroes have helped to keep Indian Lake a healthy and viable tourist destination for Logan County residents and beyond. Their efforts are celebrated and heralded in their own community with this well-planned, annual concert.
A guitar painted and donated by Marilyn Reed of Marilyn’s Artistry was auctioned for $1,200 at the event. Julia Valentine won the bidding for the beautifully painted six-string.
“I have worked in the Indian Lake Schools with kids, and I did all of the paintings in 600 Downtown, Main Street Marketplace, and the paintings inside Michael Angelo’s,” Reed stated with a happy smile.
Another guitar that was signed by all of the evening’s performers was auctioned off for $4,000. It was purchased by Woody’s Tavern.
The panel of performers was packed with hitmakers that have scores of number ones, and the famous Nashville stars that these songwriters have worked with over several decades make these artists legendary.
James Slater, a two-time Grammy Nominated Singer-Songwriter, wowed the spectators with his ‘Jerry Lee Lewis’ level of piano performance.
After playing and singing the song entitled, “When God Whispered Your Name,” Slater said, “Thank you Nicole Kidman for making your husband [Keith Urban] record this song.”
Allison Prestwood, who is also an attorney, played an expert bass. She regularly tours with Vince Gill, Amy Grant and Trisha Yearwood as well as many other widely known artists.
Thom Schuyler, who may also be considered a comedian along with the accomplishment of being inducted into the Nashville Hall of Fame, divulged that, “Even called me about a week ago and said, I’m gonna sit you where I sat you last year.”
I said, “Even? I wasn’t even here last year,” as loud laughter erupted from the crowd.
“Thom and I go way back,” Stevens rebutted. “But, this is the last time I’m going to talk to him, I think,” Even joked to more laughing from the large crowd.
Schuyler had the auditorium in stitches as well as in awe of his beautifully written music that he sang and played for his audience. Over 200 artists have recorded his songs, and he has had five #1 hits including “16th Avenue” and “Love Will Turn You Around.”
Later Schuyler said, “The other thing I was going to mention is that the people in Dubai don’t watch the Flintstones, but the people in Abu Dhabi do.”
Mike Loudermilk, who might have gleaned his talent from his famous father named Jon, entertained us with a montage of his late father’s hits. Mike has been called a Finger Pickin’ Guitar Wizard.
Rafe Van Hoy told the story of his big hit, “I Don’t have to Be Me ‘Til Monday.” The song was performed by Steve Azar and made it to number two on the US Billboard Hot Country and Singles Tracks in 2002.
“Alan Jackson had a song called ‘Drive,’ and he double-parked for two weeks at number one, and when they took him off of the chart, they took us off too,” Van Hoy chuckled.
“These are my dear friends,” Even Stevens told his adoring audience. “It’s so fun to play with all of these great musicians.”
