JEFF CARSON MEMORIAL BENEFIT RAISES OVER $82,000 FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP

JEFF CARSON MEMORIAL BENEFIT RAISES OVER $82,000 FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP

Pictured L-R: Josh Bleidt, Event Producer and Jeff Carson manager; Barrett Hobbs, Nashville Palace owner; Diane Wilhoit, President of LEAP (Law Enforcement Assistance Partnership);

Kim Carson, widow of Jeff Carson; Dayton Carson (Jeff’s son); and Justin Ward, CEO of Encore Music Group

A month and a half after Jeff Carson’s death, fellow country music artists and friends got together to pay tribute to the fallen officer and country music singer. Michael Ray, Tracy Lawrence, John Berry, Lee Greenwood, Ricochet, Wade Hayes, Ty Herndon, Rhett Akins, Craig Campbell, Halfway to Hazard, and War Hippies all participated in the special May 10, 2022 benefit that took place at the 700-seat capacity Nashville Palace. The results were that not only was a good time had by all but over $82,000 was raised to support his fellow officers through the 501(c)(3) non-profit (LEAP) Law Enforcement Assistance Partnership.

“This is exactly what Jeff would have wanted to happen. He was always so giving of his time and wanted to help others. He loved Country music and he loved being an officer. He felt he could touch people with both professions,” says Kim Carson. “I couldn’t be more proud of everyone involved in this event and I am so thankful for all of Jeff’s friends who came out to help honor his legacy.”

About Jeff Carson:

Carson was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and began his musical career early on singing in church. He recorded demos, including Tracy Byrd (“Walkin’ To Jerusalem”), Tracy Lawrence (“I See it Now”), Reba McEntire (“The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter”), Tim McGraw (“I Wouldn’t Want It Any Other Way”), Faith Hill (“It Matters To Me”), Mark Wills (“Places I’ve Never Been”), Diamond Rio (“Mirror Mirror”) among others. “Yeah Buddy,” was his first charting single and was followed up with ‘Not On Your Love,’ which went number one. The following single, ‘The Car,’ became a top-five hit, topping out at number two and won Carson his first Academy of Country Music award for “Video of the Year.” Carson had several other singles, including “Real Life (Was Never The Same Again)” from his album “Real Life.” In total, Carson’s career achieved 14 charted singles on the Billboard chart. Carson took a break from music to become a law enforcement officer with Franklin Police Department in Williamson County, Tennessee, where he remained on the police force.

Returning to music in 2019, he signed with Encore Music Group and has been in the studio with Buddy Hyatt recording a specialty album to be released later this year that includes duets with Michael Ray, Darryl Worley, Mark Wills, and Craig Morgan.