Cancer Benefit for Music Journalist Draws Fans and Friends From Across the U.S.

 

Nashville Music Industry Gathers to Host the “Big Beautiful Bruce Brown Benefit” and Successfully Reached the Initial $20,000 GoFundMe Goal During the Benefit on August 9th.

 

ON-DEMAND LIVESTREAM “REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS” NOW STREAMING FREE FOR ALL: 

NASHVILLE, TN – On August 9, friends and fans gathered online and at The Well Coffee Shop in Nashville (Green Hills) at 7 pm CST to launch a pre-recorded streaming music benefit to raise funds and spirits for retired music journalist Bruce Brown that premiered at 8pm CST via a private YouTube link. Leading up to the 8pm (CST) launch of the pre-recorded streaming event, friends and co-workers of Brown’s, including John Styll (founder of CCM Magazine) and Thom Granger (former editor of CCM) and others gathered for a live-streamed “hang” to talk with Brown about his life and career, and the scene in which they all cut their teeth. 

 

Brown has been diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer – mylelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) – that is causing him to travel for treatments. A GoFundMe campaign has been created for Brown to raise much needed funds.  More information may be found at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-bruce-battle-rare-blood-cancer

 

The “Big Beautiful Bruce Brown Benefit”, as it is being named, is being produced by True Tunes, also based in Nashville, and is being organized by a cadre of Brown’s friends and industry associates, along with Lipscomb University student workers. Artists featured on the musical event include: Jimmy A, Bob Bennett, The Choir, Eddie DeGarmo, Rob Frazier, Dan Haseltine, Glenn Kaiser, Phil Keaggy, Phil Madeira, Bill Mallonee, Kevin Max, Charlie Peacock, Dave Perkins, River & Rail, Mike Roe, The Sweet Sorrows, Russ Taff, Chris Taylor, Terry Taylor, Michelle Lynn Thompson, and The Throes and includes special non-musical appearances by Amy Grant, Steve Taylor, and Ojo Taylor as well as other artists and industry friends.

 

After attending the University of Missouri, Fredericksburg, VA resident, Brown has had an expansive career working in the music industry as both a technical and creative contributor especially in support of faith-fueled music.  Brown’s extensive curriculum vitae includes music journalism (CMT Television, Musicforce, CCM), artist management (Rick Altizer, Ceili Rain, Fleau and No Apples for Adam), Managing and Contributing Editor (CCM Magazine, 7Ball), IT Specialist (Voice of America), Studio Engineer (ABC News) and retail advertising/marketing. Now retired, Brown continues to grow his vinyl collection and works on various projects including co-producing the monthly True Tunes Podcast.

Notes longtime friend, True Tunes producer and event ringmaster, John J. Thompson, “We are all looking forward to joining together to help support and encourage our friend for this once-in-a-lifetime event. There are a lot of people in our musical community who love this guy for all that he is and all that he has done for the CCM industry and artists. When I was very young and had some decidedly ‘out-of-the-box’ ideas about music, culture and connecting with an audience, Bruce was one industry insider I could always count on for sound advice and encouragement. The opportunity to work with him so closely these last five years on the podcast has been one of the true blessings of my life. Everyone needs a Bruce in their life.”

Besides Thompson, the other producers of the concert are long-time Brown associate and former CCM magazine contributing editor, Kathleen Ervin, alongside artist manager/fellow journalist, Mark Hollingsworth and his staff of Josh Kato and Kaelyn Rozgony, both of whom currently study at Lipscomb University, majoring in Music Industry Studies. 

 

The event is being streamed live via a private, on-demand link that will be sent to donors in exchange for a suggested donation to Brown’s GoFundMe campaign. (Previous donors to the campaign have also been sent instructions to secure the link to the livestream.) Donors will also receive a free download of the event poster, designed by Jay Smith of Juicebox Designs. To recieve the private link, donors are asked to give to the campaign first, and then email BBBBBenefit@gmail.com to request the link. It will be sent as soon as possible. 

If you have already given to the campaign but would like to give a little bit more for the event, feel free! While the campaign reached its initial goal DURING the live event, everyone involved is excited to see even more funds come in for the family. But if you have already give you do not need to give more to recieve the streaming link. It will be sent to you upon request.

THE NASHVILLE IN-PERSON GATHERING ON 8-9-25 Featuring John Styll and Thom Granger: The event at The Well (Green Hills) on August 9th at The Well included on-stage conversations with several of Bruce’s longtime associates and friends, notably including CCM Founder John Styll and former CCM editor Thom Granger. The archive of that livestream is now available to all.

John Styll has more than 50 years of experience working with the music community in radio, publications, association governance, and more. For 23 years, Styll was President and CEO of CCM Communications, a company he founded in 1978 and which published groundbreaking magazines, including CCM (Contemporary Christian Music). He also served as the President and CEO of the Gospel Music Association from 2003 – 2009. He most recently served as President/COO of Far Further LLC, a Top-Level Domain development and marketing company focused on serving the global music community. He has also served as a consultant for several music community organizations, including SoundExchange and NAMM.

Thom Granger has chronicled the growth and development of what came to be known as contemporary Christian music since its inception. From his involvement with one of the first generation “Jesus Music” bands, to contributions in CCM magazine from the first issue (and eventually becoming its editor), to work in various radio, television, and music industry endeavors, Thom has been recognized for his role as a journalist and spokesperson for the genre for 50 years. His work with BMG to launch a direct marketing initiative in the field became its most successful new business startup in the division’s history.

Other special guests included Chris Hauser (radio promoter). Present in the room, but not on stage, were artists, industry friends, and more.

At 8pm those in attendance stayed and watched the pre-recorded livestream musical event together.

For more information on the Big Beautiful Bruce Brown Benefit, please contact Kathleen Ervin at KErvin8448 at gmail.com