COURTESY: FORD CENTER Billy Dean, Deana Carter, Lenny LeBlanc and Teddy Gentry will perform at the Ford Center Thursday, October 9.
The Ford Center has always attracted fantastic performances and personalities, and the latest in a long list of acts will grace its stage tonight.
“The Heart behind the Music” is a national touring production featuring singers and songwriters who have garnered fame and acclaim in the country music business — and now they come together to speak to audiences about their artistic experiences and work.
“The show was put together by a man called Jack Landham,” said Kate Meacham, marketing director for the Ford Center. “These (artists) were chosen because they write and perform their own songs.”
The show features Teddy Gentry, Billy Dean, Deana Carter and Lenny LeBlanc, who use their time on the stage to tell the story of their careers.
Teddy Gentry is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and founding member of the group Alabama. He enjoys sharing an insider’s view of songwriting with the audience.
“It’s kind of like sitting on your front porch and having a guitar,” Gentry said. “To me (the shows) are very entertaining and very insightful into the art of songwriting.”
Billy Dean has released three certified-gold albums.
“We love to play music and write songs and perform,” Dean said. “First of all, Teddy Gentry – he is part of country music history, with Alabama being one of the most successful bands of all time in country music. He’s also a great songwriter and story teller. He’s a lot of fun. It’s great to see someone that has had all that success be such a real person. And of course Deana Carter and I go way back. Bryan’s awesome – he’s so multi-talented. All of us are in it, I think, for the right reason.”
Deana Carter has won two Country Music Association Awards for her 1998 song “Strawberry Wine” and has received two Grammy nominations. The show is, for her, an entertaining, relaxed evening of conversation.
“I am able to sit on a stool and play guitar and tell a story about songs I have written,” she said. “It’s just really, really fun.”
Carter is also excited to bring the show to the South, where country music is so intrinsic to the culture.
Lenny LeBlanc is known for his contributions to the country music movement known as Muscle Shoals music. He is, like Carter, excited to bring the show to the Ole Miss campus.
“I am personally looking forward to being on stage with my friends,” LeBlanc added. “The Heart behind the Music is a great opportunity for songwriters like myself to share our craft with the audience.”
Though the show’s featured artists came to the country music scene many years ago, they all continue to write and perform regularly. Deana Carter has just released her sixth studio album and Lenny LeBlanc writes for pop and country singers as well as himself. “The Heart behind the Music” will feature hits from each singer’s career, and the artists will talk about their inspirations and unique writing styles.
The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the Ford Center.
