Even Stevens is among the most accomplished songwriters of any generation of music, with scores of awards for his lyrical prowess that transcends any genre.
The Lewistown native and 1964 graduate of Indian Lake High School has earned national and international acclaim for writing or co-writing a string of popular songs across both pop and country charts.
But despite all the awards and notoriety, Stevens was honored Monday during a regular meeting of the Indian Lake School Board with an award more personal to him than any other.
Stevens was presented during the meeting with a Distinguished Alumni award from the Indian Lake Schools’ Board of Education. Superintendent Rob Underwood explained that board members and school administrators introduced the award about two years ago to recognize past alumni for their accomplishments, as well as for their service to the Indian Lake community.
“This year’s recipient embodies the spirit of this award perfectly,” the superintendent said.
Stevens choked back tears Monday as he spoke to a socially-distant gathering inside the Indian Lake High School Auditorium.
“This means so much to me,” Stevens said. “Indian Lake is near to my heart and coming back here every year is always a special time.”
Stevens has organized and hosted a Nashville Hitmakers concert at Indian Lake High School since 2012. The annual event has raised thousands of dollars for musical programs for Indian Lake schools, as well as for the Indian Lake Watershed Project.
A lifelong environmentalist, Stevens traces his love and adoration for the outdoors to his days as a youth wading the banks of Indian Lake.
Speaking Monday, Stevens also offered encouraging words to students in attendance for their own board recognition during the meeting. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee highlighted the importance to students of doing their best, and to be generous with their time and to always seek to give back.
Stevens said his favorite concert to play every year is always his homecoming show with the Nashville Hitmakers. The Hitmakers show, which was canceled in 2020 because of coronavirus, is currently on track to return to ILHS later this year.
“The interaction between the crowd and musicians at that show is always so intimate,” Stevens said. “You really feel at home during The Hitmakers and it’s a taste of what it’s like to be a part of this Indian Lake family.”