Charles English, Teddy Gentry, Lenny LeBlanc, Deana Carter and Billy Dean perform at the Ford Center in ‘The Heart Behind the Music.’
“The Heart Behind the Music” songwriter’s showcase gave music fans an opportunity to learn the stories that inspired hit songs we all know and love. Billy Dean, Deana Carter, Lenny LeBlanc, Teddy Gentry and Charles English talked about the personal tales behind hit songs such as “Let Them be Little,” “You and Tequila,” “Falling” and “My Home’s in Alabama.”
In the intimate acoustic performance, the musicians brought the feel of intimate venues such as Bluebird Cafe in Nashville to Oxford.
The showcase has performed several shows throughout the year and will continue performing in locations such as Birmingham, Alabama, and Panama City, Florida.
“‘The Heart Behind the Music’ is responsible for pulling us all together and giving an audience a different perspective on the hit songs that we’ve written by sharing the real-life stories that inspired the songs,” Dean said. “People seem to really enjoy that insight. It’s something that’s usually just a Nashville thing, and we got the chance to bring it to Oxford, Mississippi.”
Some of the songs performed were just written and not yet released. And by just written, I mean one was written backstage just before the show.
The artists revealed personal stories about their lives, a contrast to regular performances. We’ve all heard songs that we can relate to, but hearing the stories behind the songs was really a touching experience.
Lenny LeBlanc
For example, Teddy Gentry revealed personal stories about his relationship with his daughter.
Charles English with Teddy Gentry
Deana Carter talked about her struggle with being a mother and having a career before playing her song “Do or Die” off her latest album, “Southern Way of Life.”
Deana Carter
Billy Dean talked about his childhood and how innocence disappears as we grow older leading up to “Billy the Kid.”
Billy Dean
This isn’t the kind of stuff you hear at a regular concert, so it added a little something extra.
Carter enjoyed her experience at the Ford Center.
“The sound is great, the stage is wonderful and being with these guys is amazing,” she said. “The crowd is so kind and welcoming, and we just had a great time.”
And yes, she played “Strawberry Wine.” And she said “Hotty Toddy.”
After the show, she even autographed a bottle of strawberry wine for a fan.
Country artist and songwriter Deana Carter signs a bottle of wine after ‘The Heart Behind the Music’ for a fan at the Ford Center.
Next up at the Ford Center is Kenny Loggins on Oct. 30. Tickets are available at the UM Box Office inside the Student Union or on the Ford Center website.