Rutherford County, TN – Some of Country Music’s finest artists performed at the Rutherford County Correctional Work Center (RCCWC) this month.

Executive Director of Hope on the Inside, Briana Calhoun, arranged for a who’s who of country stars to play a concert at the facility during the height of the Country Music Association festival activities. Before Calhoun performed, she shared about the lowest time in her life, years ago, when she was addicted to drugs, homeless, and hiding in a doghouse because she was so hopeless. Three days later, a bounty hunter found her, and that quickly led to a five-year prison sentence.

Fast forward to today, Calhoun is figuratively unrecognizable. She taught school for 12 years and recently stepped away to embark on a new journey with the nonprofit organization.

The sets included some of the following songs: Kix Brooks sang Memory Picture, Dallas Davidson sang Huntin & Fishin, Randy Houser sang Like a Cowboy, Briana Calhoun sang Where These Boots Have Been, Anita Cochran sang Girl Fight, and Angie K sang Red Dirt on Mars.

Attendees got more than just the foot-stomping, hand-clapping country music Nashville is famous for. Mixed between the melodies, the artists shared their most personal reflections on overcoming life-challenging situations, including substance abuse, cancer battles, and reaching their dreams, and offered motivational suggestions.

“Your life can get better no matter where you are,” one of the performers said. “Once time is gone we can’t get it back, so make the most of every morning.”

Calhoun, along with her business partner Kix Brooks of Brooks and Dunn, raised $70,000 during the festival to help the nonprofit organization take music into facilities around the nation.

RCCWC Superintendent William Cope, CJM, and his team strive to bring meaningful events to the facility.

“As correctional leaders, our responsibility extends beyond custody — it includes creating spaces where residents can rediscover meaning in their lives,” Cope said. “When we provide restorative opportunities centered on living with purpose, we offer more than programs — we offer the possibility of a future built on hope, accountability, and personal transformation. We were very thankful for the opportunity to host the type of event that Hope on the Inside provided to these incarcerated individuals who truly want to change.”

More information about Hope On The Inside can be found at https://hopeontheinside.com/.

Photo Above This Article: (L-R): RCCWC Superintendent William Cope, CJM, Kix Brooks, Briana Calhoun, RCCWC Lieutenant Thaddeus Oclaray, RCCWC Lieutenant Chad Duggin