Celebrated bluegrass group The Grascals took part in Operation Yellow Ribbon on Tuesday evening at Lipscomb University's Allen Arena. The group performed alongside Charlie Daniels, Wynonna and Montgomery Gentry to raise awareness and money for Lipscomb's Yellow Ribbon Program, which offers eligible post-9/11 GI Bill veterans and their families financial assistance for their continuing education.
Speaking to Examiner.com in the press room, Grascals banjo player Kristin Scott Benson said the group became involved with Operation Yellow Ribbon through Charlie Daniels, whose production team volunteers its time to put the event together every year. "We were so blessed to do a few projects with him prior to this, and anything he's associated with, we're happy to be a part of it," she noted.
"It is such a worthwhile event, because this helps vets that come home be able to go to school tuition-free if it's here at Lipscomb, and also it allows them to go to private universities for about the same cost as a state school," Benson said. "So it really opens up their options for their education. And that's something. We can't outdo our vets, so this is a worthwhile event and we're proud to be a part of it."
Grascals singer Terry Eldredge added, "A lot of vets come home, and they don't necessarily know what they're gonna do. So it really helps them out. It helps kick up their life a notch."
The Grascals performed two songs Tuesday night before joining Charlie Daniels for a rousing version of "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," which he also performed on the group's recent album The Grascals & Friends: Country Classics with a Bluegrass Spin. Eldredge lionized the country music legend's dedication to veteran's causes.
"Charlie Daniels, he is the true Santa Claus," Eldredge said. "There is a Santa Claus, and his actual name's not St. Nick, it's St. Charlie Daniels. That's what I feel."
For more information about the Yellow Ribbon Program, visit this link.
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