YEAH! News UPDATE - September 18th, 2026
YEAH! empowers youth through inclusive, community-driven music experiences. Read on to see how you can get involved and help young people find their voices!
Catch the Local Legends at Nashville Fair tomorrow!
The Local Legends tour is heading to the Fairgrounds!
This Saturday, find YEAH! youth alumni rocking the 615 Stage (conveniently located near the concessions!) from 1:30 pm to 6:00 pm.
In FY26, 82% of youth in YEAH! programs reported increased confidence after participating in our programs and initiatives like the Local Legends Tour help make that confidence shift happen. But we need YOU to show up and support these creative youths as they step out onto Nashville's stages.
Get tickets to the Nashville Fair! →
Don't miss the kitty cats & creativity this Sunday at the YEAH! Youth Open Mic!
Join us this weekend for our second open mic at Crossroads Cat Cafe! We've already got a great lineup but there's plenty of room for any young person who would like to sign up to perform in front of an awesome and supportive audience.
This event is free and all proceeds from the cafe go to support Crossroads' mission to connect young people and animals. Come support the incredible creativity of Nashville youth at the YEAH! Youth Open Mic at Crossroads Cat Cafe!
Do you know a young musician 20 years or under who wants to perform? Fill out the form on our website to let us know they're interested!
More info + sign up here →
YEAH! x Writer's Gym - October 7th
Songwriters of all backgrounds and levels: get inspired with our awesome teens at this songwriting workshop sponsored by the Free Nashville Poetry Library!
This one-time community workshop introduces participants to the art of songwriting through the perspectives of three youth teaching artists that have shown their passion and talent for songwriting during YEAH! programs.
The session is designed to be welcoming to beginners and structured to encourage creativity without requiring prior writing or musical background.
All ages are welcome and supplies will be provided! Donations are welcome and help to pay our young teaching artists and support future YEAH! programming.
More about FNPL & Writer's Gym →
YEAH! on WXNA 101.5 FM!
YEAH!'s Executive Director Mariela Moscoso was this week's guest on Mostly Local on Nashville's all volunteer-run radio station WXNA.
Mariela joined WXNA host and forming YEAH! teaching artist Claire Steele on-air to share about camp, Claire's experiences at Southern Girls Rock n Roll Camp, and also speak about Claire and Vic’s Chrysalis Cohort Scholarship, a fund created to provide full or partial camp tuition to expand access to affirming music education.
Listen to the full episode, which also includes an archival recording of Julien Baker's appearance at camp in 2018 and tracks from YEAH!'s 2025 alumni album Starstruck Sessions, Volume 1, streaming in the station archive at WXNAfm.org.
Honoring Dolly Parton & “Sing for the Common Man”
Earlier this year, Jada Star released her cover of “Sing for the Common Man,” featuring her aunt Dolly Parton, through Owepar Records. The song, originally written by Freida Parton and Mark Andersen, has long carried a message about dignity, working people, and the everyday communities that shape us. This new recording blends Jada and Dolly’s voices in a way that honors that family legacy and brings the song’s original spirit forward.
Before Dolly’s passing, six YEAH! youth vocalists were invited to contribute background vocals to the track. They recorded at The Record Shop under the musical direction of YEAH! teaching artist and professional musician Erskine “EJ” Ford, Jr., adding their voices to a project rooted in the Parton family’s history. Their appearance on the song now stands as a meaningful tribute: young Nashville musicians helping carry forward a message Dolly championed throughout her life.
You can listen to the track on Spotify and join us in celebrating this moment of remembrance and gratitude. ♥︎
Listen to "Sing for the Common Man" →
YEAH! Awarded Guitar Center Music Foundation Instrument Grant
YEAH! has been awarded a new instrument grant from the Guitar Center Music Foundation, providing keyboards and essential supplies that will strengthen our year‑round music pathways for youth across Middle Tennessee. These resources will expand access for students in our camps, Rock Block programs, and community residencies, ensuring young musicians have the tools they need to learn, create, and perform.
We have been invited to accept the donation at The Cookout event hosted by Warner Records Nashville on today, September 18, where we will share with attendees how YEAH! empowers young people through inclusive, community‑driven music education.
This grant reflects a growing network of partners investing in youth creativity and access. We are grateful to the Guitar Center Music Foundation for helping us place more instruments directly into the hands of young Nashville musicians. Thank you Guitar Center Foundation!
The YEAH! FY26 Impact Report is available now:
Our FY26 Impact Report is now live, offering a full look at how YEAH! equipped 117 young people across Middle Tennessee with creative, technical, and community‑building music experiences this year.
Inside, you’ll find key outcomes like 69% returning participants, 97% of youth receiving need‑based scholarships, and a major expansion of performance opportunities through the Local Legends Tour. The report also highlights program growth inside Title I schools and public libraries, rising demand for year‑round pathways, and the strategic priorities guiding our next phase of expansion.
Read the full report below to see how your support is shaping creative futures across Nashville.
Read the YEAH! FY26 Impact Report →
Share about YEAH!
Help us reach more young people and families by sharing this post with someone who believes in creative, inclusive spaces for youth. Every share about YEAH! helps us connect more kids to confidence, community, and the power of making music together - because, together, we ROCK!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Find YEAH! at these awesome events coming up around town:
Saturday, September 19th:
YEAH! Local Legends at Nashville Fair, 1pm-5pm
Sunday, September 20th:
YEAH! Youth Open Mic at Crossroads Cat Cafe, 10am-1pm, more info
Saturday, October 17th:
YEAH! Local Legends at Light the Nations Festival, 12pm-1pm
Sunday, October 18th:
YEAH! Youth Open Mic at Crossroads Cat Cafe, 10am-1pm, more info