Benefit concert pays tribute to drowning victim on The Murfreesboro Post

Sidebar Ads

Benefit concert pays tribute to drowning victim

Related Articles

No Related Articles

By: By ERIN EDGEMON Business Editor

Benefit concert pays tribute to drowning victim

Silas Rock Botner

John Salaway and his record label Def Kat Music want to foster the next big songwriter and remember a young life tragically cut short through the creation of a memorial scholarship awarded to students enrolled in MTSU’s new commercial songwriting program.

“Think about your favorite song and what it means to your life,” Salaway, a 2006 graduate of MTSU’s recording industry program, said. “These songwriters (attending MTSU) could write that next song.”

The Silas Rock Botner Memorial Scholarship was created to remember the 3-year-old who died in a drowning accident Aug. 11, 2007. The first scholarship will be awarded for fall 2008.

“I just wanted to pay tribute to him,” Salaway said. “I really wanted to do something positive in his name.”

Silas’ father, Adam Botner, is in the band The Last Straw with Salaway.

Salaway said even at his young age, Silas loved to play the drums.

“I just know he was very passionate about music,” Salaway said. “He loved music. I am sure that it would be a part of his life.”

Salaway said he also felt compelled to start the scholarship because as a single parent, he knows the struggle of trying to pay for college.

“The only way I made it through college was scholarships and grants,” he said. “I know how important it is for some people.”

Steven Barnes, development director for the College of Mass Communication at MTSU, said the university is grateful that it is able to offer this scholarship to talented students.

“Memorial scholarships are a truly meaningful way for family and friends to create a legacy of a loved one,” he said. “Silas’ short life will be a lasting legacy that will benefit many students within the recording industry program.”

MTSU currently has 600 privately funded scholarships, said Kippy Todd, assistant director of annual giving and stewardship at MTSU.

“We are fortunate we have donors including friends and alumni that are willing to support students in their dream of education,” she said.

About 450 of these privately funded scholarships are endowed. Some of these funds are used for lectureships and program support.

“We pay out approximately $1 million a year in endowed money awards,” Todd said.

Salaway and other supporters are actively working to raise money for the scholarship. They hope to be able to give four $500 awards to gifted MTSU songwriters every year.

“We hope to help a few students out,” Salaway said. “Obviously, the more money we raise, the more people we can help.”

The MTSU commercial songwriting program, “Partners in Craft,” is a joint venture with the Nashville office of ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) that will launch in spring 2008. The program matches veteran industry songwriting and publishing mentors with student songwriters.

Donations to the Silas Rock Botner Memorial Scholarship can be made by visiting www.myspace.com/silasrockbotnerscholarship. Donations also can be made directly to MTSU at the attention of the Silas Rock Botner Scholarship to P.O. Box 109, Murfreesboro TN 37130.

Salaway said he wants the Silas Rock Botner Memorial Scholarship to go to students who have a “true passion for music in their hearts.

“I want a person whose total passion is music and has a unique gift for songwriting but just needs some time and experience,” he said.

MTSU commercial songwriting students who have received candidacy, typically juniors and seniors, can apply for the scholarship through the university’s financial aid office. Applicants must submit a resume; a personal essay expressing their experience and explaining why they want to become a songwriter; and a recording of some of the applicants’ best songs.

The application deadline is April 15.

Salaway, Silas’ parents Adam and Amanda Botner and others from Def Kat Music will select the scholarship recipients.

Erin Edgemon can be reached at 869-0812 and at eedgemon@murfreesboropost.com.

What: A Silas Rock Botner Memorial Scholarship benefit concert
Where: Bluesboro Rhythm & Blues Co. on the Public Square
When: Oct. 6 at 8 p.m.
Who: Featuring The Last Straw, Angela Ammons, Mike Anderson and Alison Parson
How: A portion of the cover charge from the show will benefit the scholarship

How to donate to the Silas Rock Botner Memorial Scholarship:
Checks can be mailed to MTSU at the attention of the Silas Rock Botner Scholarship to P.O. Box 109. Murfreesboro, TN 37130.
Visit www.myspace.com/silasrockbotnerscholarship to give electronically.
For more information, contact Steven Barnes, development director for the MTSU College of Mass Communication, at 494-8784.

Share:

Tags: None

Member Opinions:

By: KJ on 9/25/07
That is a beautiful way to commemerate this child's life and it allows his spirit and love of music to live on in assisting others toward their dreams. God bless the family and friends for using their pain in such a positive way.

Copyright Statement | Privacy Statement | Terms of Service

615-869-0800 | online@murfreesboropost.com | 630 Broadmor Blvd. Suite 140, P.O. 10008, Murfreesboro, TN 37129

Making Web Design Easy Since 2001

Websites for Newspapers, Magazines, HOAs, Trade Associations & Online Communities | Email Marketing, E-Commerce