Special Thanks to McCain, Steele
No one would have guessed that Sunday night was the first meeting for Edwin McCain and Jeffrey Steele. Their performance was a seamless collection of hit songs. The meeting almost didn’t happen. Around noon Sunday, McCain was in Atlanta when he learned his scheduled flight was delayed for hours. He made the decision to rent a car and drive to Huntsville rather than disappoint the crowd at Merrimack Hall. The next problem was that his guitar was on the plane. Luckily, Merrimack Hall happens to be owned by Debra and Alan Jenkins who own a large collection of guitars. The Jenkins not only donated their beautiful, historic facility, but provided the instruments as well.
By all accounts, the night was a huge success. Through ticket sales and live auction donations, $19,885 was raised for Teens Path to Success Foundation. Both award-winning songwriters shared the inspiration behind each song performed during the intimate concert. Some recollections were comical while others were heartwarming. McCain is famous for hit songs “I’ll Be” and “I Could Not Ask for More.” The song he wrote for his daughter “Walk With You” produced some misty eyes but there was hardly a dry eye in the house after he shared the song he wrote for his adoptive mother and biological mother.
Steele is a prolific songwriter in Nashville, writing fifteen #1 songs including “My Wish” and “What Hurts the Most.” His catalog has surpassed 50 million airplays. Steele has penned more than 60 hits for artists such as Montgomery Gentry, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, LeAnn Rimes, Rascal Flatts, Billy Ray Cyrus, and others. Personally, Steele is heavily involved in The Alex Le’Vasseur Memorial Fund to honor his teenage son who died tragically in an ATV accident in 2007. The fund provides scholarships to inner city youth for mentoring, tutoring and skate boarding in Nashville. Most recently, his family donated funds to build a new skate park in Alex’s name at a local Nashville YMCA.
Karen Lee, Founder, CEO and President of The Pinnacle Schools presents the artists with certificates of appreciation. New trails at Pinnacle’s Elk River Treatment Program for adolescents will be named after each artist. Steele’s trail will be named “My Wish” while McCain’s trail will be named “Walk With Me.”
Congratulations Local Teen Artists
To raise awareness of Teens Path to Success Foundation, The Pinnacle Schools sponsored an Art Contest for area teens who competed for prizes in their age group. The contest theme was:Reaching the Pinnacle: Inspiring teens to stay on a path that leads to success in their lives.
Courtney Goetsch, right, won Best of Show and the Grand Prize of an Apple iPad.
Other winners include Katherine Calvert, winner of age group 16 - 18; Haley Butler-Moore, winner of age group 14 - 15; and Jesse Hutchins, winner of age group 12 - 13.
Katherine Calvert was the winner of age group 16 - 18. She generously donated her artwork to the live auction to help raise funds for underprivileged teens. Katherine said when she heard of the contest, she looked at the website: www.teenspathtosuccess.org and read about the foundation. She said that God spoke to her during a dream that night and her artwork was the result of that dream. Her artwork raised $600 for Teens Path to Success.
Elk River graduate inspires others
Matt Kozak, a recent graduate of Elk River Treatment Program, is interviewed by Venton Blandin, a reporter with the local CBS affiliate. Matt’s interview was featured during the Sunday night news. Matt also spoke to the audience during the concert, recalling his positive experience at Elk River Treatment Program and his life since returning home.
Live auction raises more than $7,000
Sam and Shannon Clemmons, are happy with the autographed guitar they bought during the live auction. They are shown, left, with Edwin McCain. Williamm Hooke won the other guitar. Lisa O’Neal won a week in Destin, donated by John Blue. Scott McClain won a week in Costa Rica, donated by Mason and Bonnie Robertson. The VH1 Cruise was won by Edward Witt. $781 was collected from Auburn and Alabama fans who voted in $25 increments for McCain and Steele to sing “Sweet Home Alabama” for their team.
The Pinnacle Schools would like to thank our generous contributors who made the event a success:
Colonial Graphics Group
The Huntsville Times
Rolfe Grover, Clear Channel
WDRM Radio
WTAK Radio
WQRV Radio
WBHP/WHOS Radio
WRSA Lite 96.9 Radio
WAAY TV 31
WAFF TV 48
WHNT TV 19
Jay Lockridge, Auctioneer
Mark Torstenson/Fret Shop
Halsey Food Service
Charles Lee, M.D.
Mason and Bonnie Robertson
The Chocolate Gallery
John Blue
Bruce Hiles, Art Contest Judge
Leslie Lockhart, Contest Judge
Scott McClain, Art Contest Judge
Diane Strickland, Graphic Design
