When Nashville recording artist LynnMarie learned that her son, James, would be born with Down syndrome, her world stopped. “I didn’t think I could go on, much less continue with my career,” she said. “As the years went, by I found myself sitting in my bathrobe, struggling with fear and depression. But finally, I found a way back.”
LynnMarie has chronicled that journey in a one-woman show, “Stories & Songs from My Bathrobe – One Woman’s Journey from Depression to Dessert,” that she will perform March 26 as a benefit for Vanderbilt University’s Susan Gray School.
The performance is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Wyatt Center Rotunda at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of education and human development. Tickets are $40 and are available online.
All proceeds from the March 26 event will go to The Susan Gray School, which is part of Peabody College. For nearly four decades, the school has served young children with developmental disabilities. It has the distinction of being the first nationally recognized early intervention program to combine typically developing children with children with disabilities in an educational setting.
The Susan Gray School was one of the resources LynnMarie turned to when James was born.
“The teachers and staff have provided James with an educational base that I know will shape the rest of his life. This is my way to say thanks and hopefully provide some financial support,” she said. “[rquote]My hope is that my story, told with an entertaining approach, will provide hope to people facing issues like co-dependency, depression and unexpected life challenges.[/rquote]”
“Susan Gray School is so very fortunate to be a part of this event. Lynn is an incredible, multi-talented individual and this show is not to be missed,” Ruth Wolery, Susan Gray School director and assistant professor of the practice of special education, said.
LynnMarie has received five Grammy nominations and performed her unique style of accordion music throughout the U.S. and Europe, as well as on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The 90-minute two-act show will start at 7:00 p.m. The ticket price included cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, dinner and dessert.
Visit the event website for more information and to purchase tickets.
Visit the Susan Gray School’s website for more information about its programs.