Phillips, friends to perform annual charity concert in December

Nancy McCleary, The Sanford Herald, N.C.
·2 min read

Nov. 15—Taylor Phillips, a Lee County native who is hailed as one of the hottest songwriters on the country music scene, is coming to Sanford in December for his annual charity concert.

The Third Annual Taylor Phillips HITS Lee County with Friends Benefit Concert is scheduled Sunday, Dec. 10, 5-9 p.m., at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center.

"I always try to link up with a couple of charities," he said recently. "This is the third year and as long as the community shows up, I'll do what I do, kind of bring people together."

He dedicates each concert to the memory of his friend, Brian Kindle, a Broadway man who took his own life on Christmas Eve in 2020.

This year, he wants to create and fund a scholarship at Central Carolina Community College. Phillips said is in the process of working with CCCC to set up the scholarship.

The event is sponsored by Sanford Tourism Development Authority through its director, Wendy Bryan.

"A big shout out to Wendy," Phillips said. "She made it possible."

It's been a banner year for Phillips, who had three songs he co-wrote ranked in country music's top 10 in October. Phillips himself moved into the ninth spot of the MusicRow Top 10 Songwriter Chart in late October. Morgan Wallen's hit "Thinkin' Bout Me," was co-written by Phillips.

Phillips won't be doing a solo show. In fact, he'll be bringing some of the hottest singers in country music with him.

Scheduled to take the stage that night are:

Colt Ford, a singer/songwriter known for his country rap in songs such as "No Trash In My Trailer," teamed up with Krizz Kaliko to release the album "Hoodbillies," featuring the hit "Big Yeah"; Nate Smith, whose "World on Fire" release is yet another song Phillips co-wrote; Colin Stough and Jon Wayne Hatfield, both contestants on "American Idol" in 2023; and Michael Ray, who has worked with John Rich of Big and Rich.

Returning for this year's event are Chase Matthews, who has a hit single with "Love You Again," a song co-written by Phillips, and Frank Ray

Chase Matthews, who attended the 2022 event in Sanford, has a smash hit with "Love You Again," co-written by Phillips, and Frank Ray, who scored hits such as "Tequila Mockingbird" and "Country'd Look Good on You."

Tickets are $40 and are available at sanford-tda.ticketleap.com