Hitting the Right Notes
Steven Cade's Generous Donation to CAReS
By Sasha Bush
The Ashland Beacon
This past Thursday, The Neighborhood of Ashland Kentucky experienced a special mini concert by renowned country artist Steven Cade. The occasion was further highlighted by a generous donation from Cade’s Giving Guitars Foundation – a guitar that will be used by CAReS in a unique and impactful way.
Steven Cade, an award-winning Nashville musician and the founder of the Giving Guitars Foundation, has made it his life’s mission to harness the power of music to create positive change. Alongside Brent Yates, author and founder of Aion, Cade established the foundation to raise awareness about the important role music can play in transforming lives.
The foundation's mission is to donate guitars to inspire individuals in need, particularly those in shelters, at-risk youth centers, or foster homes. Since then, Cade has visited over 80 shelters and agencies across 16 states, partnering with Yates to donate over 150 guitars and raise thousands of dollars supporting those in need. Cade’s efforts reflect the profound impact that music can have on one’s personal well-being and community support.
"Our mission is to make a positive impact using music and work toward breaking the cycle of poverty in our country one note at a time," Cade shared. "We do this by donating guitars to inspire families, men, women, and children who have fallen on hard times. We encourage them to pick up the guitar, learn the instrument, and use it to eventually bless others." Studies have shown that playing an instrument can relieve stress, build character, and offer direction, helping to improve lives despite one’s circumstances.
The guitar donated to CAReS will be integrated into the organization’s programs and will function like a library book – offering those in need a chance to experience music therapy and personal growth through the instrument. This initiative is part of CAReS’ broader goal to support individuals and families in crisis situations by providing them with essential resources and opportunities.
Lynn Childers, Executive Director of CAReS, expressed her gratitude, stating, “We are really honored to be chosen to have this donation from the Giving Guitars Foundation. This is going to provide people an outlet, and it’s just music therapy plain and simple.” With every guitar that is donated to shelters all around the United States Cade always ask the director of the shelter to sign a special guitar that he plans to fill up with signatures and then gift to the President of the United States in 2025. Childers was very honored to be able to add her signature to Cade’s special guitar.
Cade, originally from Houston and now based in Nashville, has made significant strides in modern country music. With a distinctive blend of contemporary pop elements and traditional country influences, Cade has earned many accolades throughout his career, including the Best Modern Country Artist award at the Grand Ole Opry’s Josie Music Awards, multiple Grammy considerations, and recognition for his original Christmas song “Still Find Christmas” at the Holiday Music and Film Awards.
In addition to his musical achievements, Cade was inducted into the California Music Hall of Fame and honored as one of Huck’s Heroes on the Mike Huckabee show for his philanthropic efforts. The Giving Guitars Foundation, under his leadership, has made a substantial impact to people from all around, raising over $250,000 for charities and visiting over 100 shelters.
For those interested in supporting or learning more about the Giving Guitars Foundation, more information can be found on their website: [Instruments for Inspiration] (https://www.instrumentsforinspiration.org/).
Through initiatives like these, the transformative power of music is being harnessed to support and uplift individuals facing difficult times, offering hope and healing one note at a time.
"I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ " -Acts 20:35. NKJ
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