ARTICLE: Nashville Song Writers Come Together For One Of Their Own

(L -R Michael Peterson, CJ's mom, CJ Watson)

Music City. Nashville. Music Row. All of these describe a city known for its music, but music starts with the talent and willingness of a songwriter to share their heart and emotions through song. The Listening Room on February 2nd was home to nearly seven hours of music and over forty of Nashville’s finest songwriters and musicians who joined together to share their talents and stories all in an effort to help raise money for CJ Watson who recently underwent a quadruple bypass on 12/2/08 and had no insurance available to aid in medical costs, prescriptions and everyday living expenses.

CJ Watson is a songwriter/singer/guitarist and aspiring producer who has shared the stage with Charlie Louvin, Bad Company, Brad Paisley, Foghat, Stonewall Jackson, Wanda Jackson, Humble Pie, Chad Brock, The Georgia Satellites, Black Oak Arkansas, Juice Newton, Blake Shelton, The Byrds and many, many others. His songs have been recorded by James Otto, Mustang Sally, Lisa Shaffer, Jason Whitehorn as well as Independent artists like Camille, Trent Jeffcoat and Christie Warner.

As quoted in the online posting announcing the benefit “He is a faithful friend, and huge supporter of others. He is a talented songwriter and truly a selfless person. His health has been of issue lately, and with minimal complaint forged through everyday continuing to bring joy to listeners all over the country. He will cry with you, pray with you and cuss with you. He has always been there for me. He sacrifices himself for the benefit of others with a big smile upon his face.”

CJ was overwhelmed with the response as the listening room was standing room only and filled with writers, artists, music industry executives, fans and friends; all in support of him. On more than one occasion his eyes were rimmed with tears as he spoke of the love he felt by everyone in the room. He took to the stage, with his doctors blessing, with his band the Evertones (Jeff Gilkinson and Steve Peavey) and Dakota Grove to entertain the crowd with his amazing vocal and instrumental talents. During his performance on stage a guitar that had been autographed by everyone who performed was raffled off and the winner, graciously approached the stage to give it to CJ as a reminder of the love of the music family he belongs too.

Song writers who shared the special night with CJ, included Chris Wallin (Toby Keith “Love Me If You Can”, Kenny Chesney “Don’t Blink”), Steve Williams (Craig Morgan,”Redneck Yacht Club”) Rivers Rutherford (Brad Paisley's “When I Get Where I'm Going”), Tony Lane (Lee Ann Womack “A Little Past Little Rock.”, Lisa Carver (Julie Roberts, "Wake Up Older"), Mark Stephen Jones (Toby Keith, “The Lonely”), and Pam Belford (George Strait,"If I Know Me”) among many, many others.

For full photo coverage of the event visit www.flickr.com/photos/momentsbymoser