Thank You for Supporting the Virginia Law Foundation in 2021
Whether you contributed to Virginia CLE® publications or seminars, served as a Virginia Law Foundation board or committee member, or otherwise helped us make a 2021 a successful year, we thank you for your time, dedication, and expertise. We are so grateful to each and every one of you for supporting our mission. We could not do what we do without you.
As a token of our gratitude, we invite you to a virtual concert performed exclusively for our volunteers. Tune in January 13 at 7:00 p.m. ET for this exclusive concert featuring Leslie Satcher, Tony Arata, and J.T. Harding – broadcasting live from The Bluebird Cafe! CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE CONCERT.
The Bluebird Cafe, as featured in the hit TV show Nashville, is an iconic listening room where countless songwriters have performed and artists like Taylor Swift, Garth Brooks, Keith Urban, and many others have had career-making moments.
Such a location is the perfect fit for our exclusive concert’s three performers: Leslie Satcher, Tony Arata, and J.T. Harding. These three singer-songwriters have had a profound effect on the music industry, crafting countless number one hits over their illustrious careers. To learn more about our performers and The Bluebird Cafe, you can read more details in the descriptions below. During the show, you will also have the opportunity to interact with the performers, ask questions, and connect with others through a chat feature.
Music has the power to bring us together, even across distances, articulating the feelings we sometimes cannot put into words. The profound impact of music can be healing, moving, unifying, celebratory. It offers a medium for us to reflect and rejoice. With this in mind, we could think of no better way to give back to you, our volunteers, than with this exciting, exclusive concert. This can’t-miss event will be the perfect way to ring in the new year and start 2022 by celebrating our volunteers and recognizing the incredible value you all add to Virginia CLE® and the Virginia Law Foundation. Thank you again for all you do for the Virginia Law Foundation and Virginia CLE®, and we hope you enjoy the show in January!
Additionally, if you volunteered as an author or a faculty member for Virginia CLE®, please make sure to visit www.vacle.org/badge to download your digital badge. These icons can be added to your website or email to let your clients and colleagues know you supported Virginia CLE® in 2021.
If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch with Katie Arata at karata@vacle.org.
HOW TO ACCESS THE CONCERT:
You can access the concert by following this link. The show will not begin until 7:00 p.m. ET on January 13. In the meantime, you can also add the event to your calendar, and learn more about The Bluebird and our performers below!
January 13, 2022
7:00 p.m. ET
Exclusive Concert featuring Leslie Satcher, Tony Arata, and J.T. Harding
Broadcasting Live from The Bluebird Cafe
ABOUT THE BLUEBIRD CAFE:
The Bluebird Cafe is one of the world’s preeminent listening rooms that has gained worldwide recognition as a songwriter’s performance space where the “heroes behind the hits” perform their own songs; songs that have been recorded by chart-topping artists in all genres of music.
Located in a small strip mall outside of downtown Nashville, the 90 seat venue is unassuming in appearance, but some of the most significant songwriters and artists have performed in that room. Its reputation as a listening room originates from the acoustic, singer/songwriter style music that is performed there nightly.
At The Bluebird, performers include up-and-coming songwriters along with those whose music is regularly on the charts, country music as well as pop, rock and Contemporary Christian hits. Kathy Mattea was the first star to be identified with The Bluebird and is still a friend and a regular guest performer today. Garth Brooks played on both its Open Mic and Sunday Songwriter’s Shows before he was discovered – at The Bluebird – and signed to Capitol Records.
On any given night, artists such as LeAnn Rimes, Maren Morris, and Phil Vassar mingle with writers such as Marcus Hummon (Bless the Broken Road/Rascal Flatts), Allen Shamblin, (I Can’t Make You Love Me/Bonnie Raitt), Matraca Berg (Strawberry Wine/Deana Carter, Hilary Lindsey (Jesus Take the Wheel/Carrie Underwood) and Chris Tompkins and Josh Kear (Before He Cheats/Carrie Underwood).
A typical nightly performance consists of three or four songwriters seated in the center of the room (its signature In The Round format) where the writers take turns sharing their songs and stories behind the songs. It is an experience that few forget, and one that reflects why Nashville is known as Music City.
On October 10, 2012, The Bluebird Cafe made its primetime debut on ABC with the hit drama Nashville. The Bluebird Cafe is a key factor in the show’s plotline which deals with both the music industry in Nashville, the political climate in the city and the key players in both these “worlds,” which often collide.
ABOUT THE PERFORMERS:
LESLIE SATCHER
Few female Nashville singer-songwriters are more respected or more revered than the stunning talent that is Leslie Satcher. At the age of 26, the native Texan made the move to Nashville in pursuit of a singing career and was quickly recognized for her gift with lyric and melody. After being mentored at a smaller publisher by many of the music industry’s legendary songwriters, she made the move to Sony Music Publishing where she would stay for nearly 15 years. During this time, she was also signed as an artist at Warner Brothers. While recording her critically acclaimed debut album, “Love Letters”, her songs were growing in demand.
Though Leslie is primarily known as a country singer and songwriter, her talents cross all genres. She has written or co-written songs that have been recorded by everyone from Willie Nelson to Ariana Grande; Vince Gill to Sheila E.; George Strait to Sheryl Crow; Martina McBride to Keb’Mo; Blake Shelton to Bonnie Raitt and many, many more. She has received multiple BMI “Million-Air” awards recognizing a song’s one millionth airplay and her incomparable vocals contribute to an astounding number of Grammy, CMA & ACM award winning projects.
Leslie’s next two albums, “Creation” and “Gypsy Boots” were recorded independently and truly exhibit the diversity of her Texas roots and Delta soul. They are available on iTunes, CDBaby and every other major digital distributor.
She was signed to a 2015 publishing deal with London powerhouse Notting Hill Music and a recording contract with NHM’s Los Angeles based innovator of digital distribution; Notting Hill Music Masters (NHMM) label. Her debut NHMM release, “2 Days In Muscle Shoals” features her All-Star band “The Electric Honey Badgers” and includes vocals by Vince Gill, Sheryl Crow, Trisha Yearwood and more. This amazing project landed her on the First-Round GRAMMY ballot in multiple categories for the 2018 & 2019 awards seasons. In the past year, Leslie has seen her songs recorded by the likes of Reba McEntire, Sheryl Crow, Maren Morris, Stevie Nicks, Joe Walsh, Vince Gill and many, many more.
During the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, Leslie seized the opportunity to spread her wings and launch her own music publishing company Old Bank Music; a digital record label, Old Bank Recordings; and a digital distribution company, Old Bank Media Group which is the exclusive content provider to the next big name in the podcasting universe; PodPlays®!
Aside from writing hit songs for some of music’s most iconic artists; Leslie is in high demand as a performer known for her angelic voice, funny stories, the unique playing style and sound of her guitar; but mostly, her uncanny ability to connect with audiences of any size or demographic. Her typical year will include more than 150 songwriting sessions and 65 live performances all over the U.S., U.K. and Canada.
TONY ARATA
Tony Arata was born in Savannah, Georgia and grew up on nearby Tybee Island. While studying for a journalism degree from Georgia Southern University, he began performing his original songs in local bands. In 1986, he and wife Jaymi moved to Nashville where his unique, soulful style began to get the attention of people like Allen Reynolds and Garth Brooks. Garth to date has recorded seven of Tony’s songs, and “The Dance” won song of the year at The Academy of Country Music and received both a Country Music Association and a Grammy nomination, as well as a most performed song in Radio and Records Magazine.
He has also had No. 1 records with “Here I Am” for Patty Loveless, “I’m Holding My Own” for Lee Roy Parnell, and “Dreaming With My Eyes Open” for Clay Walker. Other artists who have recorded his songs include Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, Trisha Yearwood, Delbert McClinton, Don Williams, Reba McEntire, Suzy Bogguss, and Hal Ketchum.
Tony has also done four solo albums featuring new songs, covers, and guest appearances by many of Nashville’s finest musicians as well as folks who have recorded his songs, including Garth, Patty, and Lee Roy.
J.T. HARDING
J.T. Harding grew up in Detroit, Michigan, loving MTV and the radio. Following his dream to write songs J.T. moved to Hollywood California and made his first demo recording with money he won on the game show VH-1 ROCK N ROLL JEOPARDY. J.T. has written number one songs for artists such as Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Blake Shelton, and more. J.T.’s wild memoir “Party Like A Rockstar” will be published in February by Hachette books.
