Violettes Meets Song Writer, David Lauver, Part 2

Song Writer, David Lauver, uses Talent as Volunteer 

Mr. Lauver is a long time volunteer for youth education causes. Volunteering for Violettes' Youth Songwriters Competition, is just another way that he gives back. This is a continuation of Violettes Meets David Lauver, Part 1. Thank you again from Violettes by Becky.Violettes: You work for many months each year planning a fundraiser for scholarships at the University of Tennessee and Pellissippi State Community College. Tell us about this.Mr. Lauver: As a member of East Tennessee’s Society of Professional Journalists, I help write and perform in the “Front Page Follies.” This annual scholarship fundraising roast brings together some 250 state and local leaders to laugh at themselves for a good cause. I’ve chaired the script committee for more than 30 years—writing satirical skits, songs, and parodies that poke fun at newsmakers and news events. Proceeds from the Follies have funded more than $50,000 in scholarships at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and Pellissippi State Community College. Each year’s scholarships are named for an outstanding East Tennessee print or broadcast journalist. Our 2014 scholarships were presented in honor of WBIR-TV anchor Robin Wilhoit. The show’s scripts and videos preserve a unique “pop culture” perspective on the events that have shaped East Tennessee for more than a third of a century.Violettes: What is your personal songwriting story? Has anyone in KSA written hits recorded by a star?Mr. Lauver: I wrote my first song when I was in high school, but really didn’t know much about the craft of songwriting until I joined KSA, the Nashville Songwriters Association International, and the Songwriters Guild of America. What I’ve learned from those resources has helped me to express myself more effectively and create songs listeners seem to enjoy. I’ve been fortunate to be a five-time finalist/performer in the national songwriting competition at North Carolina’s “Merlefest,” and in 2014 I had the first-place gospel/inspirational song in the Great American Songwriting Contest. I’ve also performed on radio and television broadcasts and at Gatlinburg’s Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival, Maryville’s Foothills Fall Festival, and Nashville writers’ nights and showcases. Several of my songs celebrate the people, land, and history of this region. I’ve provided original tunes for special events at local landmarks, including Knoxville’s Historic Ramsey House; the “Marble Springs” home of Tennessee Governor John Sevier; and Clinton Highway’s iconic “Airplane Filling Station.” My song “Freedom Rolls,” which pays tribute to the rescue workers of September 11 and East Tennessean’s response to that tragedy, was performed as part of the 2002 community remembrance ceremonies in Downtown Knoxville. Our biggest KSA “success story” is Kim Williams, who in 2012 was elected to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Kim, a Rogersville native, is a lifetime member of KSA who gives back to the group by conducting songwriting workshops each month. He has written songs found on CDs, tapes, and videos that have sold more than 154 million copies. Kim’s song “Three Wooden Crosses,” recorded by Randy Travis, was named Song of the Year by the Country Music Association, the Academy of Country Music, the Christian Country Music Association, the Gospel Music Association and the Nashville Songwriters Association International. With recording artist Garth Brooks, Kim wrote a string of hits that Brooks took to the top of the charts. Those No. 1 songs include “Ain’t Goin’ Down ‘Til the Sun Comes Up,” “It’s Midnight, Cinderella,” “Papa Loved Mama,” and “She’s Gonna Make It.”Thank you Mr. Lauver for all that you do.##########################################################################################################################################