Jeffrey Steele & Friends Benefit Raises Nearly $170,000 for At-Risk Youth at 19th Annual Nashville Fundraiser

The spirit of music and community came together in powerful fashion on March 2 as the Jeffrey Steele & Friends annual benefit returned to the historic Franklin Theatre, raising nearly $170,000 to support overlooked and at-risk youth across Middle Tennessee and beyond.

Now in its 19th year, the event continues a mission deeply personal to Steele and the LeVasseur family. The fundraiser honors the memory of Steele’s son Alex, who passed away in 2007, and supports the ongoing work of the Alex LeVasseur Memorial Fund, an initiative dedicated to empowering young people through music, mentorship, and community programs.

Hosted by Storme Warren of The BIG 615 and Casey LeVasseur, the evening delivered a star-studded surprise lineup of performers who joined Steele and his band for a night of collaboration and storytelling. Artists taking the stage included Billy Ray Cyrus, LOCASH, David Lee Murphy, Uncle Kracker, Lit, and Phil Vassar, among others.

Throughout the night, the artists performed a mix of fan favorites, collaborations, and special moments, including a group performance of Steele’s latest single, “A Voice.” The evening also featured a heartfelt tribute to legendary guitarist Steve Cropper, performed by Steele and Vassar.

The show opened with an energetic set from the Music Monday Band, a group of young musicians involved with programs at the Alex LeVasseur Music Lab. Their performance served as a reminder of the event’s true purpose: giving young people access to creative opportunities and positive mentorship.

Since its founding, the Alex LeVasseur Memorial Fund has built partnerships with organizations including the YMCA of Middle Tennessee, The Skatepark Project, and The Beat of Life. Together, these initiatives support youth programming, music education, mentorship, and safe recreational spaces.

Through its partnership with The Skatepark Project, the fund has helped build 14 skateparks in underserved communities across the United States, while the Alex LeVasseur Memorial Scholarship Program continues to provide access to music lessons and creative mentorship for vulnerable youth.

Additional milestones include the opening of the Alex LeVasseur Music Lab inside the Brentwood YMCA Teen Center and the Alex LeVasseur Memorial Skatepark, a newly designed concrete park that officially opened in August 2024.

With this year’s event, the Jeffrey Steele & Friends benefit has now raised more than $2.3 million over the past 19 years, reinforcing the power of music to create lasting impact beyond the stage.