Get the story behind hit country songs at Nashville Songwriters show

This is the fourth year the event has been held at DPAC. Previously it was held at a variety of venues in the area. Area resident Jeff Outlaw (that's his actual name!) is a songwriter and organizer of the event. Outlaw said the origin of the event was his effort to try to fundraise for a school without just making a donation.

"I just had some friends come over from Nashville and the performance started in the classroom at an elementary school," Outlaw said.

Through the years the show kept getting bigger and requiring larger venues.

After taking a break last year due to COVID-19, the show is back and will include Billboard’s “Top New Country Artist of 2021," Lainey Wilson.

In addition to Wilson, there will be a collection of songwriters including Jessi Alexander who co-wrote "The Climb" for Miley Cyrus. Also on the bill is Wynn Varble, whose hits include “Waitin’ on a Woman” by Brad Paisley, “Have You Forgotten?” by Darryl Worley,and “A Little More Country Than That” by Easton Corbin.

Tim Nichols, who wrote "Live Like You Were Dying," will also be there. He has performed at every Nashville Songwriter event since its creation.

"You're gonna hear these things performed and they're probably gonna sound a little bit different, but you get to hear how the thing was crafted," Outlaw said.

Outlaw has worked with Phil Vassar, Troy Cartwright, Matt Nathanson, John Legend, Plain White T’s, Kip Moore, Drake White and Brothers Osborne. He's written hits including “She’s On Her Way” by Phil Vassar and “Still Ain’t Made It Home” by Casey Donahew.

WRAL is one of the presenters of this year's show, which will raise money for three local organizations: Kidznotes, The North Carolina Boys Academy and Voyager Academy Friends of the Arts.

In its 20th year, the fundraiser will be passing the half-million dollar mark for donations to area programs, Outlaw said.