Legendary Oak Ridge Boys Lifting Voices in Support of Lebanon School

oakridgeboys

For five years now, McClain Christian Academy has been bringing music to the Mill in Lebanon, Tenn. Gretchen Wilson and friends started out the program on February 21, 2009 and continued helping it build for the next couple of years. Last year, Josh Turner joined the party. Much like the academy itself, MCA Music At The Mill it keeps growing by leaps and bonds. Grand Ole Opry members, The Oak Ridge Boys headlined this year's event.

Over 600 came out on February 2nd, in support of MCA and to see the Oak Ridge Boys, Deborah Allen, Rachel Bradshaw, Sal Gonzalez, Ray Stevens, Ricky Skaggs and Michael W. Smith volunteer their talents to help this small, non-profit school. Aside from ticket sales, ranging from $50 to $150 VIP tickets, items were donated for a silent auction and live auction. The VIP tickets were the first to sell-out. They included dinner (catered by Wildberry Catering) and a meet and greet with select artists. Guests were from all over Tennessee and three different states, including Texas.

The Oak Ridge Boys are honored to join the amazing acts for this year’s MCA Music at the Mill.  We are supporters of our number one natural resource, our children.  The Oaks give back from the success we have had to help children have a place to get a great education…McClain Christian Academy,” says lead singer Duane Allen.

The Oaks are celebrating their 40th Anniversary as a band.  


“We are excited beyond measure in having The Oak Ridge Boys perform at The Mill.  The intent of McClain Christian Academy is to prepare the young minds of all its students for leadership and to prepare their hearts for service.  It is committed to being an innovator in education, creating a Christ-centered environment where knowledge, understanding, and wisdom prepare its students to live a life of success, honor, and service,” adds MCA Headmaster Dr. Charles Poston. 
He also described the event as a complete success with 99% of the comments being positive.

They will continue the Music At The Mill series every February, Poston describes the Mill as a perfect facility for the concerts. Thanks to the involvement of the parents, grandparents and other volunteers, the show can continue bringing stars such as The Oaks to support MCA.MCA is located in Lebanon and provides small classes, a family atmosphere and a personalized education, along with extracurricular activities. It is small by design. However, since MCA began in 1965, the enrollment has increased substantially. According to Poston, MCA began as a private Kindergarten class and has grown every year. The first graduating class was in 2011.

All our families, staff, and students have a close bond,” stated Dr. Charles Poston, Headmaster.  “This bond strengthens throughout the year due to our 98% student body participation in athletics and fine arts programs. McClain builds their students into confident, well-rounded individuals.”

The music community is very supportive of MCA. Poston said, “Every year, right before Christmas, Charlie Daniels comes to the school and sings to the students. His wife, Hazel, is very involved with the school, as well.”

Thanks to the support of the community and surrounding areas with events such as Music At The Mill, MCA can continue its programs.

“We are just very appreciative of the support from the community and the artists who volunteer their time. We are encourages because of this and these events make it possible to continue doing our programs. We can continue to prepare minds for leadership and hearts for service. I, personally, would like to express my appreciation to our school family who willingly volunteers their time and is dedicated to the school. There is no way that we could have done it without the volunteers,” said Poston.

For more information and a tour of McClain Christian Academy’s schools call 615-444-2678.

For more on charity involvement and how celebrities give back, go to www.givealittlenashville.com

written by Krys Midgett

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