Even Stevens returns to the stage this weekend at the Nashville Hitmakers concert Saturday at Indian Lake High School. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
“We will do this as long as they want us to.”
Local Hall of Fame and Grammy Award-winning songwriter Even Stevens has once again returned to Logan County for the Nashville Hitmakers concert. This annual musical fest will take place at Indian Lake High School, 6210 State Route 235, Lewistown, at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19.
The Nashville Hitmakers offers an evening of original songs performed by the artists who wrote them. And this year’s lineup won’t disappoint fans of country and pop music.
Once again Stevens, who grew up in Lewistown, will headline the concert. His extensive career includes the pop, country and adult contemporary No. 1 hit “I Love a Rainy Night” and the Grammy, ACM Award and ASCAP Song of the Year winner “Love Will Turn You Around.” Stevens songs have been in the Billboard top 10 an impressive 42 times.
Joining Stevens on the stage are his friends, husband and wife team Forrest and Pherrel Williams of the Forrest Williams Band, who will open the show will several original numbers.
“I’ve been wanting them here for three or four years, and they’re finally able to make it,” Stevens said. “That really makes me happy. They’re great musicians and singers.”
Two other Hall of Famers are returning this year — Chuck Cannon, who has written many of Toby Keith’s hits like “How Do You Like Me Now,” and Matraca Berg. Known for the hit “Strawberry Wine,” Berg is glad to be back at Indian Lake after having to cancel in 2022 due to covid.
Another familiar talent taking the stage tonight is Mike Loudermilk, a studio musician and guitarist Stevens has been playing alongside for years, all over the country and around the world.
In addition, Stevens will introduce a new face to the Nashville Hitmakers in bass player Ryan Madora. He discovered Madora when he heard her playing with the Dylan Altman band in Key West.
“I chased her down and asked if she’d come to Indian Lake and play bass with us.”
To Stevens’ delight, Madora said yes.
When he’s not performing with the Nashville Hitmakers, Stevens has been enjoying more out-of-state live gigs and other opportunities. For instance, in a few weeks he’ll be in Utah at the Park City Song Summit. While there, he’s been invited to be part of a filmed interview.
“We’ll talk about songwriting, and I’ll play some songs,” he explained. “They do one person a year. It’s an honor.”
Still, the Indian Lake High School graduate is always glad to come home, especially since Nashville Hitmakers sends money to the Indian Lake Watershed Project. In fact, saving the lake led Stevens and his sister, event organizer Sandy Helgeson, to start the Nashville Hitmakers 11 years ago.
And it’s not too late to get tickets for this year’s show! They can be purchased by calling 937-935-9324 or online at nashvillehitmakers.com.