For the Love of Music

Join us on Saturday, November 15, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Foulds Theatre for an intimate evening with award-winning songwriters Monty Powell, Anna Wilson, and Kelly Neff.

In this special performance, audiences will hear not only the songs, but the stories behind them, the sparks of inspiration, the heartbreaks, the humor, and the humanity that turn words and melodies into art. It’s a rare chance to experience music the way it begins: one voice, one guitar, one story at a time.

Few artists know the anatomy of a song like Monty Powell, whose songwriting credits span some of country music’s biggest names- Tim McGraw, Brooks & Dunn, and Keith Urban among them. With over 60 million records featuring his songs, Powell has earned SESAC’s Songwriter of the Year, CMA’s coveted Triple Play Award, and multiple BMI Millionaire Awards. His creative partnership with Keith Urban led to the Golden Globe-nominated song “For You” from the film Act of Valor, as well as the formation of Urban’s early band The Ranch. Yet despite his long list of accolades, Powell remains grounded in the simple joy of storytelling through song.

Alongside him is Anna Wilson, his wife and longtime musical collaborator. With a voice Jazz Times once described as “crème de cocoa,” Wilson has carved her own path as a genre-defying songwriter and recording artist, seamlessly blending country, jazz, and Americana. She’s shared the microphone with Kenny Rogers, Ray Price, and Rascal Flatts, and her songs have appeared on more than seven million RIAA-certified albums. Her projects, including the acclaimed Countrypolitan Duets and her Americana duo Troubadour 77 with Powell, reveal an artist who defies boundaries but always leads with heart.
Their shared history as both songwriters and storytellers forms the backbone of the evening, but adding even more depth to the lineup is Kelly Neff, an award-winning singer-songwriter whose rootsy blend of blues, folk, funk, and rock captures audiences from the first note. Twice named Songwriter of the Year by the Songwriters Showcase of America, Neff has opened for national acts like Melissa Etheridge, Keb’ Mo’, and The Wallflowers. Her most recent album, About Face, is a reflection of transformation and resilience, themes that shine through her soulful performances and rich storytelling.