National performers are entertaining local crowds during eclipse festivities.

A Nashville songwriter for some of country music’s biggest names will perform a free concert in Hagerstown on Saturday, April 6. 

Jeffrey Steele, a five-time Grammy nominee, will perform some of those hits and share the stories behind them at Hagerstown High School’s gym, 701 Baker Road, Hagerstown.

Doors open at 3:30 p.m. for the 4 p.m. concert. Seats are first come, first served.

Jeffrey Steele, a Grammy-nominated songwriter, will perform April 6 in Hagerstown. Supplied

BMI notes a total of more than 63 million airplays for Steele’s songs for artists including Keith Urban, Zac Brown Band, Jimmy Buffett, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Cher, .38 Special, Faith Hill, LeAnn Rimes, Rascal Flatts, and Van Zant. 

CMA has twice awarded Steele its Triple Play Award for three No. 1 songs in a year. His country and A/C megahits include “What Hurts the Most,” “Raise ‘Em Up,” “Knee Deep” and “Here.”

Steele also was nominated for a Golden Globe and Critic’s Choice Award for Best Original Song “I Thought I Lost You” for Disney/Pixar’s “Bolt,” performed by Miley Cyrus and John Travolta.

Steele’s latest album features performances with Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Jamey Johnson and John Rich. 

Fellow Nashville songwriters Mike Younger, Jeff Anderson and Jeanne Petersen with Steve Cirkvencic open in a Bluebird Cafe-like round before Steele’s 6 p.m. performance. Concessions are available.  

In addition, Richmond Community Orchestra will play eclipse tunes such as “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” “Star Wars” and “Jupiter” from “The Planets” with HHS band students in HHS’ auditorium from 2-3 p.m. Admission is free.  

Additional concerts 

  • Six tribute acts are scheduled for Eclipse & More at Wayne County Fairgrounds, including Sweet Pain (KISS), MJ DEJAVU (Michael Jackson), Larger Than Life (boy bands), Tommy Lee Thompson (Elton John), Led Zepplica (Led Zeppelin) and Stupify (Disturbed). Tickets are $15 ($30 for MJ DEJAVU) at solareclipsemore2024.com. 
    Some fairgrounds entertainment is free, such as Richmond Jazz Orchestra at noon Saturday and Sean Lamb at noon Sunday. Fairgrounds admission is $5 per person (free for ages 0-10). For information, call 765-939-1103.
  • Several venues are offering live music, including Dougherty Orchards, Lincoln High School and American Legion Post 169 in Cambridge City and New Boswell in Richmond. 
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A version of this article appeared in the April 3 2024 print edition of the Western Wayne News.

Millicent Martin Emery is a reporter and editor for the Western Wayne News.