By Bart Moss for the FCT

About a hundred people were in attendance at the A.W. Todd Center Saturday night to listen to some legendary north Alabama songwriters sing their hits and talk about their inspiration.

The event was sponsored by the South Side Baptist Church Relay for Life team. Mousey Brown, captain of the South Side team, said he was pleased with the event.

“We had a good crowd come out tonight,” said Brown. “The folks who showed up got a treat. We had some very good music from some very talented people.”

Local songwriter Will Stults, coordinator for the North Alabama Songwriters, was on stage with Walt Aldridge and Mark Narmore as they belted out hit after hit.

Narmore, who played the piano, sang several songs, including one he wrote for the group Shenandoah, “Moon Over Georgia.”

Aldridge, who played the guitar, sang hit songs he wrote like “Simple Man” that was recorded by Ricky Van Shelton and “Ain’t No Gettin Over Me” recorded Ronnie Milsap.

Aldridge, a cancer survivor himself, talked about his experience with the disease and the hope for a cure.

“I’ve been cancer-free for ten years,” said Aldridge. “When the doctor tells you that you have cancer, it takes some time to get your wits about you. I asked the doctor what my prognosis was, and he said, ‘Get well.’

“The reason I got well, and many others get well, is because of events like this and Relay for Life that raise money for research and awareness.

“When I got my prognosis, I didn’t know how to process it. I collapsed into the fetal position. The only way I knew to get through it was to write songs. That is what I do best. It helped me channel my emotions in a positive way, and I’m positive that helped me cope and recover.”

Relay for Life will be held in downtown Russellville May 5.