How to go
What: 2013 Nashville Hitmakers concert
Where: The auditorium of Indian Lake High School, 6210 Ohio 235 (corner of Ohio 235 and Ohio 274), Lewistown
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, July 27
Cost: $25, $50 or $100
Tickets: Call (937) 843-9776 or visit www.nashvillehitmakers.com
More info: Call (937) 441-3088 or visit www.nashvillehitmakers.com
FYI: “The Originals With Even Stevens,” Steven’s weekly radio show, is streamed live Sundays at 8 p.m. at http://hippieradio945.com; Additional information about the Indian Lake Watershed Project can be found by calling (937) 593-2946 or e-mailing vicky.boots@oh.nacdnet.net.
About this feature
Rooted in Ohio profiles interesting people who have grown up in or lived in Ohio and have gone to make a name for themselves around the country or the globe. If you know of someone worthy of being highlighted, then send an email to Life@coxinc.com and include “Rooted in Ohio idea” in the message subject line.
Accomplished songwriter Even Stevens will return to his native Lewistown July 27 with some of his close pals in the music industry for the 2013 Nashville Hitmakers concert to benefit the Indian Lake Watershed Project.
As the composer of Dr. Hook’s 1979 megahit “When You’re in Love With a Beautiful Woman” and co-writer of Eddie Rabbitt’s No. 1 “I Love a Rainy Night” (written with longtime musical partner Rabbitt) and “Love Will Turn You Around” with Kenny Rogers, to name only a few tunes, Stevens has impressively accumulated 53 BMI Awards. In addition to Rabbitt and Rogers, his songs have been covered by such legends as Alabama, Glen Campbell, George Jones, Barbara Mandrell, Marilyn McCoo, Dolly Parton and Julio Iglesias.
“The key to songwriting is to talk about the human condition,” said Stevens by phone at his home near Nashville. “It’s important to make songs as real and interesting as you can. You have to talk about things that everybody knows about. Jealous, love, hate, wants and needs. A great melody is just as important as the lyrics, as well.”
A graduate of Indian Lake High School, Stevens, who initially dreamt of being a graphic designer, began playing guitar at a young age, occasionally accompanying his family’s gospel troupe. While serving as a Morse code operator for the U.S. Coast Guard, he continued his musical pursuits by writing lyrics and poetry during his downtime. In the early 1970s, he traveled to Nashville on a whim and remarkably got a song published the first night he was in town, thanks to country legend Webb Pierce.
“Nothing ever happened with that song, but I stayed in Nashville because of it,” he said.
Designated as a Songwriter of the Century by BMI, Stevens is thrilled to bring the Nashville Hitmakers back to the Miami Valley. The concert, formulated by Sandy Helgeson, Even’s sister, was held last year at the Holland Theatre in Bellefontaine. He promises an entertaining evening full of familiar tunes bound to please audiences of all ages. Among the songwriters who will perform are Beth Nielsen Chapman (“This Kiss” by Faith Hill), Scotty Emerick (“I Love This Bar” by Toby Keith), Paul Overstreet (“Long Line of Love” by Randy Travis), Hugh Prestwood (“The Song Remember Whens” by Tricia Yearwood) and Leslie Satcher (“Troubador” by George Strait).
“Everyone will probably perform at least three or four songs,” he said. “These songwriters are the very best. They wanted to come and have been so cooperative. We had a great time last year. Everyone was so fantastic. I really want the audience to have fun this year as well.”
Stevens, an environmentalist who has fond memories of swimming in Indian Lake as a child, is also a staunch supporter of the Indian Lake Watershed Project, a non-profit organization committed to improving water quality, particularly reducing stream bank and shoreline erosion.
“I continue to love boating and fishing and the Watershed Project is such a great cause,” he said. “It’s important for us to raise money so the organization can buy equipment and other necessities. It is very rewarding to be able to give back.”
Stevens’ latest material can be heard by such artists as Trace Adkins, Kenny Chesney and newcomer Kristen Kelly. He offers sound advice for aspiring songwriters.
“It’s harder now for songwriters to make it in Nashville,” he said. “I read not too long ago that 50 to 100 songwriters are estimated to arrive in Nashville every week. But I think hardly any of them stay very long. A lot of people think you can stay a week or a month and make it but you can’t – you have to live there. And radio has tightened up these days because there are more conglomerates involved which have very restricted playlists. Songs are also kept on the air longer now which kind of stops new songwriters, new artists, from getting deals and receiving radio play. But for anyone hoping to be a songwriter, you have to be real and passionate. It takes a lot of effort.”
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