Country music star Hunter Hayes will perform at the Nashville Public Education Foundation’s 11th annual Public Schools Hall of Fame luncheon on Thursday, May 14, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
Hayes is known not only for his music, but also for his commitment to music education and philanthropy. He will be joined by MNPS students during his performance, showcasing NPEF and the Country Music Association Foundation’s focus on music education in Nashville public schools.
“We are so grateful that Hunter Hayes is willing to contribute his time and talents to helping ensure one of the most successful Public Schools Hall of Fame events on record,” said Shannon Hunt, NPEF president and CEO. “Hunter reminds us of everything that is so special about Nashville – a city made rich with its musical roots, full of incredibly generous people who want to see this city continue to thrive, and a community of voices who know stronger public schools are an intrinsic part of that success.”
Hayes is a five-time GRAMMY nominee, CMA New Artist of the Year and People’s Choice Award winner, and GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS® record holder for “Most Concerts Played in Multiple Cities in 24 Hours.”
A public school graduate, Hayes is a supporter of public education and a self-professed “music geek.” He is also a supporter of the CMA Foundation’s commitment to strengthening Nashville’s public schools and partnered with the CMA Foundation and VH1’s Save The Music Foundation in 2014 to help raise awareness for music education programs in Roanoke, Va. The CMAF has invested more than $7 million over the past six years in a unique joint partnership between the NPEF, MNPS and the CMA that has provided a national model for elevating music education as a means of improving the academic outlook for kids.
At the event, NPEF will induct four MNPS alumni into its Hall of Fame and will honor two distinguished community volunteers.
“Education is critical to Nashville’s future,” Hunt said. “Honoring successful MNPS graduates who exemplify what can be achieved through public education and who have supported our schools serves as an inspiration to the entire community.”
The Foundation will award Ralph and Juli Mosley with the Nelson C. Andrews Distinguished Service Award for their contributions to the city and to Nashville’s public schools.
In addition to the Mosleys, four MNPS graduates will be honored at the event with the Distinguished Alumni Award:
- Mary Carol Humphreys Friddell, president and owner of nursing assistant training school NATS, Inc., and a 30-year MNPS teacher who taught in seven schools across the city, including Eakin, Bordeaux, Julia Green and Cockrill. Friddell is a graduate of John Overton High School;
- Decosta Jenkins, president and CEO of Nashville Electric Service and graduate of North High School;
- Beverly Keel, professor and chairwoman of Middle Tennessee State University’s Department of Recording Industry, journalist and graduate of McGavock High School; and
- Mark Rowan, president of Griffin Technology and graduate of Antioch High School.
The annual luncheon is a major fundraiser for NPEF, helping it implement a variety of outreach and programming initiatives. To purchase tickets, a table or sponsorships for this year’s event, visit nashvillepef.wpengine.com/hall-of-fame or call 615-727-1515.
About Hunter Hayes
Hailed as a “country-rock-blues guitar hero in the making” by the Los Angeles Times, five-time GRAMMY nominee and CMA Award-winning artist Hunter Hayes is a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who roared onto the music scene with his Platinum-selling, No. 1 self-titled debut album on Atlantic Records. With three No. 1 singles already under his belt (including the multi-Platinum smash “Wanted,” “Somebody’s Heartbreak,” and “I Want Crazy”), Hayes delves into deeper material on his new album, “Storyline.” He will hit the road with Lady Antebellum and Sam Hunt for the Wheels Up Tour 2015 starting in May. For the latest updates, visit www.hunterhayes.com or follow on Twitter/Instagram @HunterHayes and www.Facebook.com/HunterHayes.
