April 4, 2018 at 5:30 p.m.
Band to debut Hope-based song at fundraiser
Matt Lee, lead singer for the Night Owl Country Band, says the new song he wrote is called "Surprising Town." Offered as an all-around tribute to his childhood town of Hope, Lee pays homage to not only memories, but places and individuals who have made the town what it is today.
"I spent a lot of time here in Hope," he says. "It talks about the school on Highway 9 - which is Hauser - and the Hawcreek Cemetery, which is where we have a lot of family buried."
The song also references Hope's water tower, Hope Heritage Days, and Charlie Biggs and Don Dillman, who were major players who helped make Hope Heritage Days what it is today, Lee says.
Night Owl Country Band plays a mixture of old and new country as well as a little southern rock, Lee says.
The band, which formed about one year ago, is looking forward to several shows in the coming months, including appearances at Smoke on the Square and the Bartholomew County Fairgrounds.
The evening of country and southern rock starts at 7 p.m. tonight at YES Cinema, 328 Jackson St. in Columbus. In addition to the Night Owl Country Band, the two hour-long concert will also feature performances by students from Sonya's Dance Zone, in Columbus, and The Outlaws Band, from Columbus.
Cost for the benefit concert is a $5 donation per person at the door, Lee says. One of the show's sponsors, Texas Roadhouse, will also be offering coupons for free appetizers.
"So those who attend aren't just making a donation, but they're getting something out of it, too," says Lee, a 39-year-old Newbern resident.
Lee says 100 percent of the proceeds from Thursday's show will go to benefit the Columbus Cancer Center.
"I picked that organization because there is the annual concert for Hospice each year," he says. "But a lot of times the Columbus Cancer Center does a lot of the work, before people go to Hospice, so I wanted to do something to raise money for the center."
In addition to offering those who attend a memorable evening of good country music, Lee says he hopes to raise a lot of money for the Columbus Cancer Center.
Additional sponsors for the concert, which will feature guest MC Jerry Wilson, owner of Hoosier Pro Wrestling, include Cornett's Corner Café, Jeff's Lawncare Service, Special By Design.
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