海角社区

Henderson, Tennessee 鈥� (Aug. 16, 2024) 鈥� In honor of the landmark 60th anniversary of the FHU Benefit Dinner, supporters of 海角社区 are invited to join a very special celebration at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, Thursday, January 16, 2025. This year鈥檚 event will feature a performance by award-winning country group Shenandoah and a conversation with legendary star Clint Black. Black will also perform a short acoustic set for attendees.聽

鈥淎s we celebrate 60 years of the Benefit Dinner in the Ryman Auditorium, the home of country music, we are thrilled to welcome two amazing artists,鈥� said FHU President David R. Shannon. 鈥淭he opportunity to gather with the FHU family in this iconic venue, enjoying both insightful interviews and memorable performances, is truly exciting.鈥�

GRAMMY庐, CMA and ACM Award-winning hitmakers Shenandoah, fueled by Marty Raybon鈥檚 distinctive vocals and the band鈥檚 skilled musicianship, are celebrated for delivering such hits as 鈥淭wo Dozen Roses,鈥� 鈥淐hurch on Cumberland Road鈥� and 鈥淣ext to You, Next to Me鈥� as well as such classics as 鈥淚 Want to be Loved Like That鈥� and the GRAMMY庐 winning 鈥淪omewhere in the Vicinity of the Heart鈥� duet with Alison Krauss. To date, the group has sold millions of albums worldwide and has over 300 million on-demand streams.

The band is no stranger to Freed-Hardeman, having previously used its campus as the filming location of the music video for their song 鈥淚n My Book,鈥� released in 2023. Several FHU students were featured in this national video.聽聽

Clint Black first achieved superstardom as part of country music鈥檚 famous 鈥淐lass of 鈥�89鈥� and reached number one with five consecutive singles from his triple-platinum debut, 鈥淜illin鈥� Time.鈥澛� Black wrote or co-wrote every one of his more than three dozen chart hits, including 鈥淎 Better Man,鈥� 鈥淜illin鈥� Time,鈥� 鈥淲hen My Ship Comes In,鈥� 鈥淎 Good Run of Bad Luck,鈥� 鈥淪ummer鈥檚 Comin鈥�,鈥� 鈥淟ike the Rain鈥� and 鈥淣othin鈥� But the Taillights,鈥� part of a catalog that produced 22 number one singles and made him one of the most successful singer/songwriters of the modern era.

Black has sold over 20 million records, earned more than a dozen gold and platinum awards in the U.S. and Canada including a GRAMMY庐, landed nearly two dozen major awards and nominations, and earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In addition to touring throughout North America, Black hosts his own television talk show 鈥淭alking in Circles With Clint Black鈥� on Circle TV.

FHU鈥檚 largest fundraising event of the year provides supporters with an opportunity not only to help bridge the financial gap that many students face with rising tuition costs but also to hear some of the nation鈥檚 leading personalities and entertainers.聽

Due to current large-scale renovations to Loyd Auditorium, in conjunction with the FHU NEXT campaign for campus improvements, this anniversary event will go 鈥渙n the road鈥� to embrace the musical and historical legacy of Nashville鈥檚 Ryman Auditorium. This location, originally conceived as a religious venue, also once hosted the famous Hardeman Tabernacle Sermons, a series of gospel sermons preached by FHU namesake and former president N.B. Hardeman. Because of this year鈥檚 location, a dinner will not be included as part of the event, but attendees are encouraged to take advantage of the numerous unique food options available in Nashville.

Forever Communications is the premier media sponsor for the event. Tickets and sponsorships are currently available. General admission tickets are $150. Sponsorships begin at $600. Those interested in more information may call 731-989-6017. Tickets may be purchased at fhu.edu/give/benefitdinner.

The mission of 海角社区 is to help students develop their God-given talents for His glory by empowering them with an education that integrates Christian faith, scholarship and service. With locations in Henderson and Memphis, FHU offers associate, bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚, specialist and doctoral degrees.