Benefits/Lifenotes Daily (2/27/07)

Jon Freeman

Bob Webster, manager of producer/songwriter Cowboy Jack Clement’s publishing interests, passed away in Nashville last Thursday (2/22) at age 77. Webster met Clement in Beaumont, Texas, in the early ‘60s and moved to Nashville in 1965. Since that time, he administered the Jack Music catalog, which includes hits for George Jones, Johnny Cash, Charley Pride and many more. A memorial gathering is scheduled for noon today (2/27) at Webster’s favorite hangout, the Sportsman’s Lodge upstairs bar (601 21st Ave. S.).

Montgomery Gentry will host the Academy of Country Music Celebrity Motorcycle Ride on Sun., May 13 in Las Vegas. The Ride will kick-off from the city’s large Harley-Davidson dealership and travel to the world famous Fremont Street for a concert. Registration fees start at $30, with proceeds benefiting the Academy of Country Music® Charitable Fund. To register for this year’s ACM Celebrity Motorcycle Ride please visit www.acmcountry.com.

The 6th Annual Birdhouse Thing, benefitting the W.O. Smith Music School, will be held 5:30-8 p.m. Thurs., March 8 at The Mall at Green Hills. Faith Hill, Dierks Bentley, Keith Urban, Martina McBride and more are among the local celebrities participating in the charity event. Tickets are $35. To purchase tickets, call (615) 255-8355.

Simba Products/Copley Instruments has donated two dozen Copley Guitars to Nashville children, as part of the Music4TNKids program. Company founder Babs Simmons states that, “one of Copley’s core beliefs is that instruments should be available to everyone and our commitment to Nashville is real and regular.” Another Music4TNKids recipient in 2006 was Davidson County’s Tom Joy Elementary. This diverse north-Nashville school with almost 500 students received almost $8,000 of equipment. “We’re keeping music alive in our schools and Copley’s donation to Music4TNKids allows us to reach farther and impact more kids in more schools,” said Jeff Smagacz, Music4TNKids founder and president.