singer from Longview to perform at Hannah House’s annual benefit concert | New

“This is my first time partnering with Hannah House and my first opening for Darryl Worley,” Skinner said. “I really respect Darryl as an artist and as a former US Navy I really love his message and the strength of his lyrics, especially in songs like ‘Have you forgotten?’ around September 11. Hannah House which I had not heard of until now, but I personally have a huge passion for pro-life causes, especially faith-based initiatives to help struggling mothers and their children in difficult situations.

Now Skinner has said he’s ready to perform at the Oct. 2 fundraiser and is hopeful guests are willing to donate to a good cause.

“I hope people with a lot of money come to the benefit and write huge checks,” Skinner joked.

Skinner has said that music is something he has always been surrounded by his entire life.

“I’ve always played music,” Skinner said. “My dad was a musician and my uncle was a touring country singer in the 1970s and my dad toured with him a lot. Around our house there was always a guitar sitting around – it was just part of the culture of my life at home. I was in the choir throughout school and my dad bought me my first big boy guitar that I still play with today.

Skinner said his family reunions often ended with jam sessions or impromptu concerts, with family members playing country music and blue grass music, although his personal musical inclinations tended to vary widely.

“I’ve listened to everything from classical music to Hank Sr., Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash and all those classic country guys I’ve heard from my dad, to the Eagles, Stone Temple Pilots, to the Beach Boys and Jimi Hendrix. “, did he declare. . “I’m a music omnivore, and it all came together when I sat down to write music.”

Skinner has said that he released an EP (Extended Play album) years ago, but going through a major life change really boosted his songwriting skills.

“I was a full-time work English teacher and started playing music professionally only about five years ago,” he said. “I went through a divorce and this life experience really deepened the writing of my song. If I had sat down at 20, I wouldn’t be able to write songs like I do now at 42. Now I write with a purpose.

With the songwriting solidified, Skinner was ready to record his music for a single and then a full album, his first, titled “Through the Fire”.

“We released ‘Through the Fire’ last year, and I’ve already written the songs for my second album, ‘Flood’, and I’m now working on my third album,” Skinner said. “I’m going for a more bluesy Mississippi Delta sound on that one.”

With his first two singles, Skinner got a taste of country chart fever.

“My first single was called ‘Red Summer’ and it was about the racial conflict here in this region in 1919 which led to martial law and a lockdown,” he said. “I love history, especially Texas history, and I write about things that are meaningful to me. My great-great-grandfather came to Texas after the Civil War and my family has been here ever since. I love Texas.

This love for Texas has now led the singer to rise to the Texas Country Music Top 50 charts with his second single, “Uncle Sledge,” which peaked at No. 45 but still hangs over the charts.

“’Uncle Sledge’ is a fictional character based on a real person,” Skinner said. “It’s based on my uncle who was a real cowboy. He wore spurs almost every time I saw him, and I wanted this song to sound like Tyler Childers meets Waylon Jennings.

On his album, Skinner wrote every song and fans will have the chance to hear those lyrics, his voice and his band when the band take the stage to open for Darryl Worley on October 2 at Bear Creek Smokehouse.

As a former US Navy and country singer, Skinner said he had a great deal of respect for Worley’s dedication to performing for US troops and his continued patriotic support.

“I am pro-America, pro-freedom, and I love that Darryl was part of the initiative to restore American values ​​to the people for our future generations,” he said.

Skinner said he hopes that with the passage of Texas’ new heartbeat law – which allows anyone who facilitates abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected to be sued – that the home Hannah House Maternity Hospital will need more funding as she has an influx of expecting mothers to help who have chosen life for their babies.

“I’m a father of five,” Skinner said. “My wife and I are passionately pro-life. I love what the Hannah House Maternity Home does by providing healthy resources for mothers. It is a wonderful cause.

The annual benefit concert serves as a fundraiser for the nonprofit Hannah House Maternity Home of Gilmer, which helps young pregnant women in East Texas and beyond make the best decision for themselves and their children as part of a loving and safe environment, Hannah House manager Melanie Wright previously said.

“This is an annual event and one of two fundraisers that we do each year to help fund our nonprofit and help young women and children,” Wright said previously.

Money raised through the event is used specifically to provide safe housing and God-centered counseling for young pregnant women as they decide whether adoption or parenthood is the best choice.

Not only do women stay at Hannah House to receive support throughout their pregnancy, some women who choose adoption stay there for up to six weeks afterwards, Wright said.

“In its 22 year history, more than 500 women and children have been helped by Hannah House,” she said. “We facilitate adoptions and sometimes the mother stays here after childbirth for up to six weeks. For others, we offer parenting transition resources.

Besides the two benefits of fundraising, Wright said the nonprofit relies on monthly support from about 10 churches in the area, but is looking for other churches to join.

“We are here for women and children,” she said. “We are here to change the life of the mother and to save the life of the child.”

Advance tickets are on sale now for the concert and tickets sold on the day of the event will have an admission increase.

General Admission tickets and VIP tickets are currently still available for purchase online at www.stubwire.com.

VIP tickets cost $ 100 each and include front stage seating, a free lawn chair already set up, access to a VIP lounge for dinner provided by Bear Creek Smokehouse, and includes a three-meat plate with two Accompanying dishes. The VIP courtesy tent offers snacks and includes VIP parking and a goodie bag. VIP ticket sales are limited.

Concert and dinner tickets are $ 50 each and include concert admission and a Bear Creek Smokehouse dinner plate that includes smoked meat and two side dishes, a bun and water or tea. Tickets for the children’s concert and dinner are $ 25 for children 13 and under.

Concert tickets only are $ 35 and concert tickets only for children 13 and under are $ 15.

Doors will open at 4:00 pm on October 2 at the Bear Creek Smokehouse, located at 10857 Highway 154 in Marshall and dinner will begin at 5:30 pm The music concert will begin at 7:30 pm.

Smoking is permitted in designated areas and coolers are permitted, but glass bottles are not permitted. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets as the concert takes place in the pasture.

Raffle tickets for an autographed Darryl Worley guitar are on sale at Bear Creek Smokehouse and 3 Girls Nutrition.

The event’s sponsors are Julie Woods & Associates, Lesa Wright Photography, Roof Care, Hilton Garden Inn, Robroy Industries, 4-A Oilfield, Harleton Cornerstone, Mall Energy, Premier Homecare and Bevill Music.