ASCAP Brings Nashville To Napa For Fifth Straight Year

Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, NOTES for Education/Baldacci Family Vineyards’ Debi Cali, Jonathan Singleton, Travis Hill, David Lee Murphy, Striking Matches (Sarah Zimmerman and Justin Davis), Don Schlitz, Baldacci Family Vineyards’ Fran Leach and NOTES for Education’s Julie Meirick. Photo by ASCAP’s Alison Toczylowski

ASCAP and NOTES for Education held its fifth annual “Nashville in Napa” fundraiser on Aug. 3rd in Napa, Calif. The one-of-a-kind event brings Nashville songwriters together with top winemakers for an intimate evening of entertainment and wine tasting. Guests enjoyed live music and fine wine presented directly by those who hold the stories of their creation – the winemakers and songwriters – in an intimate writers round and chef-hosted dinner on the grounds and in the wine caves of the Baldacci Family Vineyards.

David Lee Murphy, Don Schlitz, Jonathan Singleton, Travis Hill, and Striking Matches’ Justin Davis and Sarah Zimmerman performed their tunes for the crowd among the gorgeous Napa backdrop as guests enjoyed vintages from the Baldacci and Trespass vineyards, as well as the Hope and Grace, Mi Sueno, Aonair, Chimney Rock, and Date Night wineries. An additional NOTES for Education fundraising event was held on Aug. 1 at Vintners Collective in downtown Napa featuring Striking Matches.

Hosted and sponsored by Baldacci Family Vineyards, SunTrust Bank, Palantir Technologies, Dunlop and more, ”Nashville in Napa” benefits music education in Napa Valley and Nashville. NOTES for Education funds programs that bring music, art and literacy to school-age children. The organization was founded when Frank Rogers (producer/songwriter, co-owner of Sea Gayle Music Publishing) and Debi Cali (Baldacci Family Vineyards General Manager) began to see the similarities between their industries, since often the names of the songwriters or winemakers are unknown, and only the products of their passion receive public recognition. With the intention of highlighting the process of collaboration required within these industries, NOTES was formed to support arts education for today’s youth and to continue to develop the artists of tomorrow.

Pictured (L-R): Don Schlitz and Striking Matches perform in the wine caves at Baldacci Family Vineyards. Photo by ASCAP’s Alison Toczylowski

Pictured (L-R): Jonathan Singleton, Travis Hill and David Lee Murphy perform in the wine caves at at Baldacci Family Vineyards. Photo by ASCAP’s Alison Toczylowski