My Second Passion | Music City Unsigned Blog

Never underestimate the power of a passionate spirit...

Since I left college I have found myself at a crossroads. It's as if my heart has been split in half. One side is deeply in love with music and all things creative. This is where my heart has been focused since I was a kid. The other half is a fairly new passion. That is a passion for service. I did some missions growing up back home in northwest Arkansas, but it definitely wasn't a big focus in my life.

Anyways, back on point. After I graduated college I was left with what most graduates feel, an intense desire to do something important with their lives. I was tired of living "in the meantime". This is where my desire to serve came from. Not wanting to settle for anything. I participated in a couple big mission trips, both inspiring me to find ways to combine this love for serving with my first love of creativity.

I don't believe it was coincidence that not a couple months ago MCU was approached by the people at Rocketown (a Nashville music venue) with the opportunity to put a show together. John T. and myself immediately seized on this moment. We knew this was perfect timing for us to bring together our love of music and the love of serving. Thus the benefit show came to be!

John T. and myself envisioned an evening with as many of our favorite artists as possible. It would be a music collective with a single-minded purpose. Our vision was grand, but we believed it could be done. We were thankful to have the support of Rocketown and their staff to make it happen. I don't believe we could have done it without their help in coordinating it. Quickly the show began to come together. We were about to piece 16 artists together for a night of great music for an even greater cause.

I won't lie, I was scared to death that this would fall apart. I mean 16 artists in one night, many which had never met the others in their group before. It was an overwhelming task to put together. But thankfully every artist came with a gracious spirit of just wanting to be a part of this event and play their songs. This is where integrity became key. As we've developed MCU our goal was simple - authentic support of the music we love. When you are genuine in your support of someone, it is of course reciprocated. I love and respect each one of these artists and was so humbled they wanted to participate. As I've said to friends and family, it's an incredible feeling when you get to be friends and work with the people you admire.

All in all it was an amazing night supporting the great work of the Nashville Rescue Mission, a homeless shelter which aides thousands of the poverty-stricken people in Nashville. We came together as a community in love with music to support something outside of our biggest passion... each other. I know many that were involved in the show and hopefully all that attended felt their heart stir just a little bit that evening. We were able to raise enough money to provide almost 350 meals for Nashville Rescue Mission. What a great outcome! I am so thankful for everyone that attended and played. What you all did was amazing. The people of the Nashville Rescue Mission are ever so grateful.

My hope is that there are many more of these types of events to come. We as a people will be remembered by our culture. And what an amazing culture we'd be if we could continue to our bring passions together to support and provide for each other.

>> Jon D.

Tin Pan South

The 18th Tin Pan South Songwriter Festival is coming March 30 - April 3, and we're back with another show!