Songs & Stories Concerts Raise More than $130K to Support Children

Nationally Known, Award-Winning Singer Songwriters James Otto, Wyatt Durette & Patrick Davis Perform to Benefit Sailing Foundation

Wednesday, March 12th & Thursday, March 13th, 2025

Fort Lauderdale, FL — On March 12^th and 13^th, award-winning singer/songwriters James Otto, Wyatt Durrette and Patrick Davis came to town for two unforgettable nights of Songs & Stories benefitting the LYC Sailing Foundation (LYCSF). Supporters, community members and underwriters came together for two-nights of #1 hits and award-winning songs from the songwriters who put pen to paper and brought these stories to life through music.

The events raised more than $134,000 which will support Fort Lauderdale Learn to Sail camps, Gold Star Sailing for children who lost a parent in the line of military duty, grants and scholarships for young sailors and other LYCSF programs.

“Phil and I were honored to invite our friends Patrick, Wyatt and James to South Florida for their first ever South Florida Songs & Stories performance,” said LYCSF Chair Beth Rielly. To be able to share this experience with our community and raise money for children through the sport of sailing was a wonderful combination.”

Wednesday’s exclusive event with 57 attendees was held at the home of Phil & Beth Rielly where guests dined dockside. After dinner, the evening’s program began with Emcee Sage Steele, an American television anchor and supporter of LYCSF. Speakers included Beth Rielly, Chair of the LYCSF, Col. Patrick Powers, founder of the Gold Star Sailing Program, Major JD Rulien, founder of Gold Star Sailing Camp South Florida and Beth Haely, Gold Star mother and ambassador for Mission BBQ.

After the speakers, singer/songwriters James Otto, Wyatt Durrette and Patrick Davis took the stage and performed while talking about the inspiration behind the songs that included hits from Zac Brown Band and Jimmy Buffett.

Before the evening ended, a live auction took place with attendees bidding on signed guitars and exclusive vacations. The auction raised nearly $30,000.

Thursday’s event had nearly 120 in attendance and was held at the Lauderdale Yacht Club. During the cocktail hour, guests bid on the silent auction which raised $20,000 in combination with a few live auction items. The evening’s Emcee was Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Broward. Before the performance began, Beth Rielly and Col. Patrick Powers spoke about the LYCSF sailing programs and profound impact they have on the youth who participate.

Each night, attendees were treated to singer/songwriters James Otto, Wyatt Durrette and Patrick Davis taking the stage again and performing their hits like Toes in the Water (Wyatt Durrette/Zak Brown Band), Carolina When I Die (Patrick Davis), Somethin’ ‘Bout a Boat (Patrick Davis/Jimmy Buffett), and In Color (James Otto/Jamey Johnson).

The LYCSF would like to express their gratitude to our underwriters, donors, performers, vendors, volunteers and attendees that made these two fundraising experiences a huge success!

Vendor Partners included Mission BBQ, Aspire Wines, Gulf Stream Distillery, Gulf Stream Brewery, Two Blondes & a Bun Décor, BellaMoon Desserts and Cardio Access,

“We live in the yachting capital of the world so it just makes sense to harness our resources to give the gift of sailing to children,” said Rielly. “The Sailing Foundation has grown through the years and our demand to help children has increased. Donations are helping us meet this demand and build our programs. Many thanks to all who support us.”

About Wyatt Durrette

Wyatt Durrette is an award-winning singer/songwriter from Richmond, VA. He has reached a staggering 10 billion digital streams, 14 #1 songs and 35 million records sold. Wyatt has written with superstars Luke Combs, Zac Brown Band, Jason Mraz, Darius Rucker, Jimmy Buffett and more and won CMA Song of the Year for “Beautiful Crazy (Luke Combs). Wyatt added 2 more Song of the Year awards with “Homegrown” and “Even Though I’m Leaving.” Wyatt made history again in 2023 when “Beautiful Crazy” became one of only 7 songs in Country music to reach Diamond Status, selling 10 Million. Wyatt’s curated premiere songwriter round SOUTHERN ROUNDS, which plays monthly in Nashville, will be going on the road in 2024. Wyatt performs with Levi Lowrey as “Yesterday’s Wine.” You can learn more about Wyatt here:https://www.wyattdurrette.com/ and https://www.yesterdayswineofficial.com Wyatt is showing no signs of slowing down, co-writing 5 songs on the new Zac Brown Band album “The Comeback” as well as Niko Moon’s hit single “Easy Tonight.”

About James Otto

James Otto, has been called The Biggest Voice In Country Music & that might just be true, his voice is as big as he is. He’s a seasoned and soulful singer that understands the electrifying magic that occurs when a remarkable voice meets a hit song. His breakthrough hit in 2008, “Just Got Started Lovin’ You,” soared to the top of the country charts and was the Most Played Country Single of the Year and is one of the top 100 most played songs in the history of country radio. Otto rose to prominence when he signed with Warner Bros. and released the album “Sunset Man.” He also began earning a reputation as one of Nashville’s most compelling songwriters as he co-wrote Jamey Johnson’s career defining hit “In Color,” which was nominated for a Grammy and won both the Country Music Academy’s “Song of the Year” and the Academy of Country Music’s “Song of the Year” awards in 2008. Otto has also penned songs for Randy Houser, Chris Janson, John Anderson, Trace Adkins, Randy Owen and many others including the Zac Brown Band hit “No Hurry.” His highly anticipated new album Self Made Fool” is slated for release in early 2024. https://jamesotto.net/

About Patrick Davis

Patrick Davis has spent two decades leaving his mark onstage, on record, and in the writing room. He’s a critically-acclaimed solo artist. A road warrior. Founder of music festivals like Songwriters in Paradise. Most importantly, Davis has established himself as a prolific songwriter, penning tunes not only for his own albums, but also for icons like Guy Clark and Jimmy Buffett. With Carolina When I Die, he reintroduces himself as a Southern storyteller and classic craftsman. It’s a modern-day album steeped in the timeless sounds of his influences: the smooth soul of Ray Charles, the heartland folk-rock of Jackson Browne, the nuanced country of Lyle Lovett, and the big-band bombast of Joe Cocker & Mad Dogs & Englishmen. Tying those sounds together is a versatile musician who, having already established himself as a hit songwriter for others, is rededicating himself to his own records. Carolina When I Die may be the fifth full-length release of Davis’ catalog, but it marks a new beginning, too. https://www.patrickdavismusic.com/