NASHVILLE, Tenn. – September 9, 2024 – PEDIGREE Foundation will host their annual “Dogtober” Writers Round at 3rd & Lindsley in Nashville, TN on October 1, 2024 (6:00pm Doors | 7:30pm Show) to raise funds for shelters and rescues to help increase dog adoption.
The event aims to unite fellow dog-lovers for a special evening of music hosted by Nashville Songwriter Hall of Famer and hitmaker Marcus Hummon, along with Jillian Cardarelli, Jake Rose and Grant Vogel, who are set to perform and share stories behind the songs. In addition, the event, sponsored by Pinnacle Financial Partners, will be emceed by Danielle Breezy, WKRN’s Chief Meteorologist and Joe Breezy, with Mix 92.9.
Nearly 3.2 million dogs entered shelters and rescues in 2023, but only 2.2 million of those dogs successfully found homes. In fact, recent data from Shelter Animals Count shows that the average length of stay in an animal shelter has nearly doubled for large dogs, from 11 to 21 days, from 2019 to 2024. The mission of PEDIGREE Foundation is to support shelter and rescue organizations across the nation that are focused primarily on supporting fostering, behavior and transport programs, as well as disaster relief while ultimately helping dogs in need find a loving home. Overcapacity challenges - particularly of large dogs in need of adoption and fostering - behavior training and staff resources continue to be major concerns this year. Donor support is making a difference as PEDIGREE Foundation focuses on transport, foster and behavior training – proven solutions to reduce shelter capacity issues and get more dogs into the homes they deserve.
As shelters face these critical challenges again this year, PEDIGREE Foundation continues to demonstrate its commitment to supporting the animal welfare community through its annual grant programs.
“We are thrilled to have the support of our friends in the music industry that want to help make a difference in the lives of these dogs through this fundraising event,” said Deb Fair, Executive Director of PEDIGREE Foundation. “It’s events like this that help us raise more funds to support shelters and rescues, like Seattle Humane’s Lifesaver Rescue Program, which transports animals from shelters that are at capacity to other shelters in the U.S., where they get a second chance to find their new family.”
In 2023, PEDIGREE Foundation awarded more than $1 million in annual grants to animal shelters and rescue organizations across the U.S. and Canada. With the support of these grants, approximately 75,000 dogs across the two countries will receive care and find new homes. Since 2008, PEDIGREE Foundation has awarded over $12 million and helped more than 800,000 dogs through its annual grant program to support and partner with animal welfare organizations across North America.
Tickets are $25 and on sale now at: ticketweb.com/dogtober or visit www.3rdandLindsley.com for more information. Friends of the Foundation sponsors for the event include Highwoods Properties, Nashville Predators and the Kevin Carter Foundation.
For more information about PEDIGREE Foundation, please visit PEDIGREEFoundation.org.
Marcus Hummon
Grammy winner and two-time NSAI Songwriter Hall of Fame nominee, Marcus Hummon has enjoyed a successful career as a songwriter, recording artist, composer, playwright and author. In 2019, Hummon was inducted to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. His best known hits: ‘Bless The Broken Road’ (Rascal Flatts), ‘Cowboy Take Me Away’, and ‘Ready To Run’ (The Dixie Chicks), ‘Born To Fly’ (Sara Evans), ‘One Of These Days’ (Tim McGraw), and ‘Only Love’ (Wynonna). Several of his songs have been nominated for Grammys, ACMs and CMAs and Dove Awards. In 2005, ‘Bless The Broken Road’, won the Grammy for ‘Best Country Song’ (NSAI’s Best Country Song 2005 and 2007). Along the way, he has garnered numerous BMI awards, including 5 #1 awards from BMI.
Jillian Cardarelli
Blazing her own unique path in the music scene with her stunning vocals, captivating songwriting, and strong work ethic. Her highly-anticipated single, “I’ll Get Over You” featuring Vince Gill, releases on 9/27. Her recent single "Waiting on the Sunrise" aired on the popular Fox TV series Farmer Wants a Wife in March. She recently served as the celebrity host for the Tunnel to Towers Never Forget Concert TV Special featuring Jelly Roll. Cardarelli is fresh off her appearance at Elvis Week at Graceland where she performed her popular single “If I Could Talk to Elvis” featuring Larry Strickland that hit #1 Fan Voted Video on CMT 12-Pack Countdown with appearances on WSM’s Coffee, Country & Cody, Sirius XM Radio- Elvis Radio on its release. Her songs have been recognized as 2020’s Most Powerful Songs by American Songwriter and Best New Country Song by Rolling Stone (2019).
Jake Rose
Singer songwriter from a pumpkin farm north of Minneapolis and frontman of rock band New Medicine. Jake has written songs for various artists like Florida Georgia Line, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Jimmie Allen, Cassadee Pope, Colt Ford and Kid Rock. His first single "Sleeves" debuted on CMT and The Highway. His songs have been streamed more than 300 million times. Jake has opened shows for Tim McGraw, Billy Currington, EYB, Jon Pardi, Brad Paisley, Maren Morris and more. He currently resides in Nashville and writes for Endurance Music Publishing.
Grant Vogel
CCMA nominated songwriter and producer born and raised in Memphis, TN. He started singing as soon as he could talk and playing in bands, writing, and touring at a young age. He found a love for all different styles of country music growing up and moved to Nashville while attending Middle Tennessee State University. Coming out of college he made a living producing and singing demos while writing for other artists. He has since written and produced songs for artists such as David Nail, Tucker Wetmore, LANCO, Tenille Arts, Brett Young, Laine Hardy, Madeline Merlo, Levi Hummon, and Steve Moakler to name a few. His songs have been featured in television and film including the recent blockbuster movie Twisters.
About PEDIGREE Foundation
We believe every dog deserves a loving, forever home. PEDIGREE Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization working to help end pet homelessness. Nearly 3.2 million dogs end up in shelters and rescues every year, and nearly half never find a home. The foundation was established in 2008 by Mars Petcare, maker of PEDIGREE® food for dogs, to help increase dog adoption rates. We’ve awarded more than 6,200 grants and $12 million to U.S. shelters and rescues that help dogs in need. Since launching our Canadian grant program in 2022, we have provided $200k CAD to local shelters and rescues in need across Canada, as well as $20k CAD in Disaster Relief. At PEDIGREE Foundation, we’re working toward a day when all dogs are safe, secure, cared for, fed well and loved. See how you can help at www.PedigreeFoundation.org.
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