WOW! AMAZING! BEAUTIFUL! PERSPECTIVE! INSPIRING! Those are just some of the words I can use to describe this past weekend as I joined over 30 members of Team WFRE for our trip to Nashville and the St Jude Rock N Roll Marathon (I “walked” the 5k.)
The trip began Thursday night as our friends at On The Town Limousines took us to BWI for our Southwest flight. When we arrived, we checked into our rooms at the Omni Resorts Nashville (which is a GREAT hotel) and got some rest as we prepared for the next few days!
Friday, we snagged some breakfast at “Kitchen Notes” at the Omni then checked in for the race at Music City Center and saw some great vendors at the Expo.
Afterwards, we spent some time with members of Team WFRE exploring Nashville and all that Broadway has to offer, we checked out Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row, The Stage, and Honky Tonk Central before heading back to the hotel to get ready for the “Pasta Dinner & Songwriters Party” and our annual Team WFRE Team Photo! (See above)
A special moment for @stjude patient Austin Denton, who announced @astronaut as the @Broncos’ first pick!
?: #NFLDraft on NFL Network + FOX pic.twitter.com/OovITmre9I
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) April 27, 2018
We loaded up on carbs for the race with a wonderful dinner as ALSAC CEO Rick Shadyac addressed the room. We watched a video in which St Jude patient Austin announced a pick for the Denver Broncos in the NFL Draft the night before.
Mr Shadyac thanked everyone involved and made special mention of Team WFRE and in the 7 years the team has been together, Team WFRE has raised nearly $1,000,000. This year’s total was $140,000 and Congrats to Chris Kennedy, the Top Team WFRE Fundraiser this year with nearly $15,000!
As for the Songwriters portion of the Pasta Party, if you’ve never seen a songwriters session, you need to get to one!
This year it was Chuck Wicks (Stealing Cinderella,) Tom Douglas (The House That Built Me, Meanwhile Back At Mama’s, Southern Voice,) Marc Beeson (When She Cries, She’s Got A Way With Words, We Are Tonight) and Dennis Matkosky (You’ll Think of Me, Red Light and Maniac…. Yes, THAT Maniac!) It’s always cool to hear some of the “behind the scenes” things of how songs were written.
After dinner, it was back to the Omni for some shut eye as we needed to be at the Start Line at 6:45am!
At 6:45, the Star Spangled Banner is played…. And we’re off!
58 minutes and 32 seconds later, I crossed the finish line!!!!
After the 5k, a group of us who finished the 5k went back up to the Woodland Street Bridge to cheer on the racers and the rest of Team WFRE!…. Cowbells in hand of course!
As we’re walking to the bridge, I look over and who do I see?
Yup! Dierks Bentley, his wife Cassidy and their children. Cassidy ran in the Half-Marathon and Dierks was on Dad duty!
We cheered on the rest of the Team WFRE members and other racers and then it was back to Nissan Stadium to spend some time with the Team.
After a midday nap, it was off to FGL House (GREAT STEAK!) Thanx to Michael, the manager, for helping us accommodate 30 people on one of their busiest days!
Then it was off to Ascend Amphitheater to see the Hunter Hayes concert. Erin Kinsey opened the show…. Remember her name!
Hunter was on point as always, played a mix of his hits and some new music he’ll be putting out soon.
Sunday, it was off to John Rich’s house! Every year, John hosts a brunch for the top fundraisers at his home in Nashville and invites some of his friends to perform. This year joining John Rich was Raelynn, Michael Ray and Drake White.
We would LOVE for you to join us next year and every year after! Join Team WFRE here!
