“Voice’ winner to headline concert for The Call

The 2020 winner of “The Voice” will hold a free concert to benefit The Call of Saline and Perry Counties at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the Benton High School Auditorium, 211 North Border St.

Doors open at 5:45 p.m.

The concert is being put on by The Summit Church.

Todd Tilghman is a pastor from Meridian, Mississippi, and father of eight who won season 18 of the popular singing competition. According to a news release, Tilghman is the show's oldest winner so far. On the show, he had all four judges vying to coach him.

“It is a great opportunity for people to get back to hearing live music,” said organizer Reid Phifer.

Phifer said the concert came about because Tilghman is friends with Summit Church member Tricia Goyer, a local author. He told her he would be traveling through Benton and offered to do a concert for the church.

Tilghman and his wife, Brooke, have fostered and adopted children so it was natural for Summit to pair the concert with raising money for The

Call, an organization dedicated to recruiting, training and supporting foster and adoptive families.

“They are an organization… that really really is trying to make an impact and change in the world,” Phifer said.

He hopes this fundraiser will help the nonprofit which had to cancel its fundraisers in 2020 due to COVID-19.

Julia Descarpentrie, county coordinator for The Call, will speak about the organization. They also plan to show videos with information.

Mia Gieldum, of Bentonville, will be the opening act for Tilgham.

Both artists will perform intimate acoustic sets.

Phifer described Tilghman's music as inspirational country and wholesome.

Tilghman also plans to promote the book he wrote with is wife “Every Little Win: How Celebrating Small Victories Can Lead to Big Joy.”

Zac Reno, of Summit Church, will do a Q & A with Tilghman about his story and the book.

The event is free to attend, but Summit asks those planning to attend register through Eventbrite. There are only 700 tickets available and half have already been claimed.

They plan to offer a time of giving for those who wish to donate to The Call. There will be a silent auction, including items signed by former Major League Baseball Player and Cy Young winner Cliff Lee.

The Call will have merchandise for sale.

Tilghman will also have a merchandise table and copies of his book will be available for purchase.

After the show, Tilghman plans to meet attendees, take pictures and sign copies of the book.

Phifer encourages the community to attend the show, have fun and support The Call.