Join us at TPC Southwind for Ave Maria's 23rd Annual Father Leonard Oglesby Memorial Golf Tournament benefitting the residents of Ave Maria Home. <a href="https://avemariahome.org/blog/golf-tournament-2023/">Click here for details</a>.

Ave Maria Foundation Sweepstakes drawing on Sunday November 6, 2022, 3pm, during Donors' Reception at Ave Maria Home. Click for details.

The Wings of Ave Maria recently installed their 2022-2023 Board of Directors in Ave Maria's Chapel. Click to read more.

Please Join Us as Our Guest at Ave Maria Foundation’s 19th Annual Live Auction & Concert starring James Dean Hicks

Sunday, September 13, 2020 • 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Brothers Walk Patio @ Christian Brothers High School
(Outside between Heffernan Hall & Stadium)
5900 Walnut Grove Road, Memphis, Tennessee
Social Distancing and Masks Required for This Complimentary Event

Live Auction emceed by Ron Childers, WMC Meteorologist & Live Auction Check Out Immediately
Concert by James Dean Hicks

Advance RSVP’s by September 8th, due to limited Patio seating, by calling 901-405-3791

Casual Attire; Bring your lawn chair, food, and beverages.

A Special Thank You to our Sponsors

PLATINUM

Wings of Ave Maria

GOLD

Guardian Pharmacy Mid-South

Pinnacle Financial Partners

J. Martin Regan

SILVER

Canale Funeral Directors

Highland Capital Management

Amy and Dave Howe

Kirby Wines & Liquors

Frank and Jami Gattuso

Mr. and Mrs. C. Thomas Whitman

FRIEND

Anonymous

Wings of Ave Maria

About James Dean Hicks

At age 10, country music artist James Dean Hicks began traveling from his home on a farm near Bardstown, Kentucky, to Nashville where he appeared regularly on the “WSM Midnight Jamboree” with the Grand Ole Opry greats, including Ernest Tubb and Hank Snow. By age 13, James had opened concerts for Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn, George Jones, and Tammy Wynette. From this almost legendary beginning, James has traveled on to success as one of America’s premier songwriter/artists!

After earning a music degree in college, James moved to Nashville to pursue his childhood dream of becoming a professional artist/songwriter. James explains: “Staff writing helped me learn my craft. It helped me learn the basics and how to knock the rough edges off, and taught me how to write from the heart about real life. The good thing is now I know how to put those rough edges back on.”

However, there are no rough edges in James Dean Hicks’ music. His voice is as smooth as the fine Kentucky bourbon distilled in his hometown. His songs recall the purity of sound and emotion found in the best recordings of Dan Fogelberg, the down-home simplicity of Merle Haggard, and the creative edge of Don Henley. His live concerts are captivating and riveting, as he takes the listener on a musical journey through heartfelt ballads, traditional country themes, and rocking anthems. “If anyone had to pick one word to describe my music, I hope it would be ‘honesty’. I want my work to have integrity.”

This honesty shines through James’ compositions and touches universal emotions: lost love, religious faith, single parenthood, straying children, enduring love. His lyrics are complex and witty, poetic, yet simple. James performs over 200 shows each year opening for many diverse acts, from Merle Haggard to Bryan White, from the Romantics to Keith Urban.

Two of James’ compositions — “It Takes a Little Rain (To Make Love Grow)” and “This Crazy Love” — became #1 hits for the Oak Ridge Boys. “Goodbye Time” for Conway Twitty, and “Jesus and Mama”, recorded by Confederate Railroad, became James’ third #1 hit, followed closely by Sammy Kershaw’s chart-topper “National Working Woman’s Holiday.” James’ song “Grandpa Told Me So” soared up the charts for Kenny Chesney; “The Hole” was a hit by Randy Travis; and “God Gave Me You” was a hit for Bryan White. He also wrote the title cut “Sweet Kisses” for Jessica Simpson, as well as, “Life is a Party” by Aaron Carter. His song “Goodbye Time” was a #1 hit again when recorded by Blake Shelton!

Numerous artists have recorded James Dean Hicks’ songs, including Crystal Gayle, Charlie Daniels, Linda Davis, and Vince Gill/Reba McEntire. Some of country’s hottest young performers are also well-represented on that list — John Michael Montgomery, Neal McCoy, Collin Raye, Lorrie Morgan, Bryan White, Skip Ewing, and pop superstars, Aaron Neville and Tony Rich.

Biography from James Dean Hicks’ Songs from the Heart website.