Sept. 6, 2023 – The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF) has announced that it will induct the late John Jarrard, a Gainesville, Ga., native, as part of its 2023 class next month.

The original namesake for the Jarrard Burch Foundation, Jarrard was elected in NaSHOF’s “Legacy” category, which honors worthy candidates who are deceased. He will be inducted at the 53rd anniversary NaSHOF Gala on Oct. 11 at Nashville’s Music City Center alongside five previously announced members of the Class of 2023 – Casey Beathard, Kix Brooks, David Lee Murphy, Keith Urban and Rafe Van Hoy. They will join the 235 existing members of the Hall, which was established in 1970.

“Words can’t describe the emotions when I got the incredible news that our old friend was finally going to receive this special honor,” said Jody Jackson, longtime executive director of the Jarrard Burch Foundation (formerly the John Jarrard Foundation). “John was so special to so many people here in Gainesville even before he was beloved in Nashville. I wish his buddy Bruce (Burch) could’ve been here to see this day, but I know they’re singing and celebrating together.”

In 2001 fellow Gainesville native and Nashville songwriter Bruce Burch helped begin and fund a series of concerts, Bruce Burch and Friends Honor John Jarrard, in memory of his longtime friend who had recently died from diabetes complications. The organization grew from those concerts into the John Jarrard Foundation, which organizes concert fundraisers that support songwriters and benefit area organizations that were close to Jarrard’s heart. In 2022, the group rebranded as the Jarrard Burch Foundation after Burch died earlier that year following an extended battle with leukemia.

The nonprofit’s largest show and fundraiser, the 22nd Annual Songwriters Show, is scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday on the Lawn at The Chair Factory. This year’s concert features another award-winning lineup of hit country songwriters on stage together, performing songs written or co-written by each artist, who share stories about how those tunes came to be.

Those artists (and a few of their notable hits) include Greylan James (“Happy Does,” “Next Thing You Know”), Wynn Varble (“Have You Forgotten,” “Waiting on a Woman”), and Rob Williford (“Beautiful Crazy,” “Doin This”). Several local musicians will open the show. A limited number of reserved tables and select general admission tickets are available here.

“John was so special to so many people here in Gainesville even before he was beloved in Nashville. I wish his buddy Bruce (Burch) could’ve been here to see this day, but I know they’re singing and celebrating together.”

– Jody Jackson, JBF Executive Director

Proceeds from the show benefit area nonprofits and funds including Amped Kids, Boys & Girls Clubs of Lanier, The Bruce Burch Experiential Learning Fund at the University of Georgia, Georgia Mountain Food Bank, Good News Clinics, Good News at Noon and Sisu Integrated Early Learning.

“It is incredibly special to serve alongside a community of people dedicated to the legacy of John Jarrard,” said Leslie Miller, chair of the Jarrard Burch Foundation Board of Directors. “We are so excited to celebrate this tremendous honor at our show Saturday night with incredible artists who are carrying on the songwriting legacies of John and Bruce.”

To learn more about the Jarrard Burch Foundation or for ticket and sponsorship information about the upcoming Songwriters Show, visit jarrardburchfoundation.com or call 770-710-9191.

To learn more about Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, visit nashvillesongwritersfoundation.com.