Jason Isbell, Ben Folds to headline Bredesen event

Jason Isbell plays in Nashville on Sept. 25, 2015. (Metro Nashville image)

Jason Isbell and Ben Folds are headlining an event to promote former Gov. Phil Bredesen’s Democratic bid for the U.S. Senate.

The event is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 20 at the Marathon Music Works in Nashville. Entry and a commemorative poster will cost $25.

Isbell wrote a song titled “TVA” for the his previous band, the Drive-by Truckers. It might make a fitting tune to play at the event, as Bredesen has proposed using the TVA to help bring high-speed internet to rural areas in the Tennessee Valley.

Here’s an excerpt from Isbell’s song:

My granddaddy told me when he was just seven or so
His daddy lost work and they didn’t have a row to hoe
Not too much to eat for seven boys and three girls
All lived in a tent
Bunch of sharecroppers versus the world
So his mama sat down, wrote a letter to FDR
‘En a couple days later, couple of county men came in a car
Rode out in the field, told his daddy to put down the plow
He helped build the dam, gave power to most of the South
So I thank god for the TVA
Thank god for the TVA