Underneath the bright lights of Music City, scores of Freed-Hardeman University supporters flooded the “mother church of country music,” Ryman Auditorium, for an FHU Benefit Dinner event unlike any in its 60-year history. Thursday, Jan. 16, guests gathered in Middle Tennessee to experience an intimate evening with country music superstars Shenandoah and Clint Black, as the Celebration at the Ryman: FHU’s 60th Anniversary of the Benefit Dinner brought in $1,556,029 for student scholarships.
“The 60th celebration was the fourth best in the history of the Benefit Dinner, raising more than $1.5 million and bringing the 60-year total to more than $37 million,” said FHU Senior Vice President Dave Clouse.
Before the evening’s main event, the Music City chapter of the Freed-Hardeman Associates hosted a warm welcome reception in one of Nashville’s most iconic landmarks, 333 Commerce Street—fondly known as the Batman building.
Associates member Katherine Bennett helped to organize the pre-show event alongside her brother-in-law, Craig Bennett, whose firm is located in the iconic AT&T Building. Guests enjoyed live music from FHU alumnus and trustee John Law and his band, Murphy’s Law, while they indulged in Goo Goo Clusters, Nashville’s signature candy that is produced just a few streets away.
“The purpose of this reception is really to help build that relationship capital that is so special to Freed-Hardeman, because that’s really where the school’s most important value is,” Katherine Bennett said. “We wanted to offer a place for people to gather and reconnect right before heading to the Ryman.”
While today the Ryman is best known as the birthplace of the Grand Ole Opry and a sacred space for country music, the historic venue has many strong spiritual roots as well as a memorable connection to Freed-Hardeman history. First built in 1892, Ryman Auditorium was originally named the Union Gospel Tabernacle and was designed to be a place for religious revivals. Former Freed-Hardeman president and well-known gospel preacher N.B. Hardeman himself preached on the same stage in 1922 to an overflow audience, with crowds even lined up outside.
During his welcoming remarks, FHU President David R. Shannon imagined what the former president would think of the university today. “I wish that Brother Hardeman could stand beside us right here tonight. I also wish he could stand in the middle of campus and in the middle of our student body. I think he would be proud of what’s happened because what he was doing is what we are still doing—and that is all for the glory of God.”
In order to sustain this Godly legacy and to keep the university accessible to as many young people as possible, the annual FHU Benefit Dinner has grown to become a highly successful and much anticipated fundraising event. An introductory video segment featuring President David R. Shannon, along with former FHU Vice President of Advancement Frank McMeen, FHU Senior Vice President Dave Clouse and FHU Chancellor Milton Sewell, showcased the four men reminiscing about past dinners, memorable speakers and the event’s lasting positive impact.
“I think it brought some prestige to the university,” McMeen shared. “What we did here for 60 years was something that doesn’t normally happen in a town that’s the size of Henderson. People think of Freed-Hardeman as being a small place until they see the impact of filling this place up and raising over a million dollars in a night. It’s an amazing, impressive thing for Freed-Hardeman and for Henderson.”
Featuring lead singer Marty Raybon, GRAMMY, CMA and ACM-winning hitmakers Shenandoah soon took the Ryman stage to perform some of their greatest hits. The FHU audience enthusiastically joined in for such well-known songs as “Mama Knows,” “Next to You, Next to Me,” “The Church on Cumberland Road,” “Sunday in the South” and “I Want To Be Loved Like That,” with Raybon sharing positive and uplifting messages with the crowd throughout their performance.
Later in the evening, President Shannon welcomed superstar Clint Black to join him on stage for a time of personal conversation. The GRAMMY-award-winning singer/songwriter reflected on his amazing life and career, sharing stories about his favorite performances and how he got his start in the music industry.
“First and foremost, I’m an entertainer,” Black said. “I love to entertain people, love to make people laugh and love to sing for people. I feel like that’s who I’ve always been. I’ve just been traveling around, looking for another group to sing for!”
Black spoke to the audience about his childhood in Houston, Texas, his early struggles adjusting to fame while staying true to his roots, and meeting his wife of 33 years, Lisa Hartman Black. He said that the best marriage advice he received came from the famous Roy Rogers himself: “Never go to bed angry.”
“It all comes down to communication,” Black said, elaborating on this advice. “You have to assume the best of your mate. Assume that your partner didn’t intend to hurt you, and be willing to talk through your feelings.”
Shannon also asked questions about some of the singer’s favorite things, including his favorite snack (ice cream), favorite sport (golf), favorite vehicle (his old Toyota pickup truck), favorite career moment (appearing on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson) and favorite performances (anything in a small theater like the Ryman).
Following this time of conversation, Black gave a personal and heartfelt performance of some of his greatest hits, accompanied only by his guitar and his harmonica, thrilling the audience of Freed-Hardeman supporters.
At the evening’s conclusion, John Law led the crowd in an uplifting rendition of “When We All Get to Heaven.” As attendees raised their voices together in praise, the historic space felt once more like a place of religious revival.
With the combined total from ticket sales, donations and sale of commemorative merchandise, the 60th Anniversary of the Benefit dinner fundraising efforts ensure that future generations of students can continue to receive a quality, faith-based education. Attendees will cherish their role in making history at both the Ryman Auditorium and Freed-Hardeman University.
The 61st Annual FHU Benefit Dinner will return to FHU’s campus to be held in the newly remodeled Dryden Auditorium in December 2025.