SHREVEPORT, La. — In Shreveport, a night of sold-out concerts aims to bring hope to those serving on the inside of prisons and jails.
The concerts Friday night at Louisiana Grandstand will feature one of Shreveport’s homegrown stars.
“We’ve sold out two shows, you know, and Shreveport makes me really proud that that our community’s supporting the idea of it,” Kix Brooks said.
Big ideas might describe how Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Kix Brooks got his start. He spent decades writing and recording as part of Brooks and Dunn with Ronnie Dunn.
“Found out about her story and how she got got into drugs, got in trouble, went to prison, got out, got three degrees, including a master’s degree in journalism. How did she do it? Because all I have to do is listen to her and watch her and hear her message to know it’s possible, you know,” Brooks said.
Brooks spoke via Zoom from his Nashville, Tenn., home in the lead-up to Friday’s concerts. He’ll be joined by fellow headliners Rafe Van Hoy and David Lee Murphy.
Brooks described the event as a songwriter showcase, where performers will share the stories behind their hits and favorite creations.
Calhoun’s organization, Hope on the Inside, will be the beneficiary. In addition to raising money for the 501-3c non-profit, there are also prison concerts in front of incarcerated inmates.
“The way she influences their thinking in a very positive way. You know, you just see them from sitting back in the chair with their arms crossed, leaning forward and eventually tears in their eyes,” Brooks said. “Prisons and inmates are something that’s easy to turn your back on.”