Industry Helps Children’s Hospital With Concert, Tennis Tourney

Members of the music industry are working together to raise much-needed funds for the Center for Child Development at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. They are organizing the 37th annual Music City Tennis Invitational, scheduled for on April 24-25 at Vanderbilt University, and a special pre-tournament concert taking place this Thursday, Feb. 4 at the Bluebird Cafe. Award-winning artists and songwriters performing at the 9 PM concert include Chris Wallin, David Ball, Jim Collins and Thom Shepherd. Reservations can be made at the Bluebird website, www.bluebirdcafe.com or by calling the Bluebird at 615-383-1461.  Tickets are $15.

The MCTI tennis tournament regularly recruits recording artists, celebrities, songwriters and music executives. It is the only fundraiser that directly benefits the Center for Child Development at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. The Center provides screening, evaluation and referral services for children who are developmentally delayed or who suffer from such conditions as autism, intellectual disability and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders.

Since publisher Wesley Rose and Helen Farmer of the American Cancer Society founded the MCTI in 1973, it has raised $1,189,556. MCTI is the longest-running music-related charity tennis tournament in the country. The tournament is open to tennis players of all levels. Registration for one player is $235, or $195 for United States Professional Tennis Association’s (USTA) members. More information on sponsorship, volunteer opportunities, and player registration can be found at www.musiccitytennis.com. MCTI was recognized as the USTA Southern Charity Tennis Event of the Year for 2008 and the USTA 2008 Charity Tennis Event of the Year.

MCTI committee members (L-R): Patsy Bradley, MCTI Co-Chair; Bill Riddle, MCTI Co-Chair & Tournament Director; Kathy Ashworth, MCTI committee member; Phran Galante, MCTI Co-Chair; and Richard Falken, MCTI committee member.