Songwriter showcase planned to support Franciscan Health Foundation

Millions of people have heard the songs.

Country music heavyweights such as Randy Travis, Sara Evans, Blake Shelton and Brad Paisley have made them hits.

Now, local residents have the opportunity to learn the stories behind them — from the artists who wrote them.

The Franciscan Health Foundation has invited a trio of singer-songwriters — Victoria Banks, Tommy Karlas and Joel Shewmake — to perform Sept. 13 at Mallow Run Winery for its Party with a Purpose event. The idea is bring the audience behind the curtains of the Nashville scene and show what it’s like for performers in Music City.

“You admire the people you hear on the radio, but I have a special admiration for the people behind the scenes — the creative minds behind the songs,” said Greg Williamson, executive director of Franciscan Health Foundation Central Indiana “I’d call this an intimate listening-room experience.”

At the same time, the event raises money to help the mental and physical well-being of Franciscan Health physicians, nurses and all staff members.

“This is a way we can help some really talented caregivers manage their stress, improve their well-being and help them do the very best for our patients,” Williamson said.

The Franciscan Health Foundation is was created to support the programs and services of the Franciscan Alliance, focused on addressing the ever-growing healthcare needs of the community and supporting patient needs at our not-for-profit hospitals, outpatient facilities and community-based programs

For years, it has hosted its Party with a Purpose as a fundraiser, usually as a gala event. Money raised during the events helps the foundation put on more than 30 programs, including cancer care programs, family health initiatives, educational campaigns and programs for Franciscan Health employees.

Williamson was inspired to change it up a little bit in 2022, creating a singer-songwriter showcase. He was inspired after a trip to Nashville with his wife.

“We stopped in the Bluebird Cafe, and there were these three guys playing. We were blown away,” he said. “We’ve done hospital galas here for years, and they get kind of stuffy, they’re black-tie, and they don’t always feel accessible to people. This was a chance to do something different.”

The format has proven to be incredibly popular as it goes into its third year.

Banks was named Female Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year by the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) in 2010 and has been nominated for nine other CCMA Awards. She is an instructor of songwriting at Belmont University’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business.

Karlas has been featured in every singer-songwriter showcase since the start. He has written songs for Shelton, Travis, Trisha Yearwood, and many more. He penned the multi-week number one smash hit, “Roll With Me,” which went on to be the fastest-rising and most downloaded song of Montgomery Gentry’s career and earned him an ASCAP Songwriter Of The Year nomination.

Shewmake has built an impressive professional writing career, collaborating with industry giants like BMG, Amylase Entertainment and Warner Chapel. His songwriting prowess has yielded hits for renowned artists including Craig Campbell, Gary Allan, Montgomery Gentry, Trace Adkins, Brad Paisley, Jerrod Niemann, Jacob Bryant, Cody Johnson, Randall King, Brent Cobb and more.

All three will share their songs as well as give some insight into how the tracks were made.

“It’s not just the music, it’s the backstory that you wouldn’t get just by listening to the songs on the radio,” Williamson said.

Proceeds from Party with a Purpose go toward the Franciscan Health Foundation’s Employee Wellbeing Fund. The fund was created to support mental health and well-being initiatives for Franciscan Health coworkers.

Most health care workers, at some point during their career, report feeling overwhelmed, depressed, anxious, along with feeling physically and mentally exhausted, Williamson said. The foundation wanted to offer resources to address mental health issues employees may be experiencing.

The Employee Wellbeing Fund provides education and resources for improving mental health and avoiding burnout. Already, the fund has helped the hospital’s security team purchase items such as body armor and body cameras, as well as helping create an outdoor picnic area for the employees.

“They can get outside, get some fresh air and some sun, just to lift your spirits to help make a really tough and demanding job a little easier,” Williamson said. “Well-being is a really big umbrella, so if something falls under that well-being umbrella, we’ll have some resources to meet that.”

IF YOU GO

Party with a Purpose

What: A country music fundraiser featuring Victoria Banks, Tommy Karlas and Joel Shewmake to benefit healthcare worker mental health initiatives.

Who: Franciscan Health Foundation

When: 7 p.m. Sept. 13; doors open at 6.

Where: Mallow Run Winery, 6964 W. Whiteland Road, Bargersville

Cost: $15 in advance, $20 at the door

Information: franciscanhealthfoundation.org/FamilyNight