The John Jarrard Foundation has expanded its concert series to include its first-ever Dahlonega performance.

Each year, the charitable foundation hosts a number of concerts honoring the late John Jarrard, a Gainesville native and Nashville songwriter who was inducted last year into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.

On April 16, the foundation will host the Honor John Jarrard Dahlonega Concert at the Cottrell Circle C Ranch Barn. Alex Harvey, Tony Arata and Greg Barnhill are among the concert's featured singer-songwriters.

Jarrard wrote songs for performers such as Don Williams, Alabama, George Strait, Diamond Rio and Tracy Lawrence. He battled diabetes for many years before he died in 2001.

Since his death at age 47, the John Jarrard Foundation has raised more than $700,000 for local charities.

The Dahlonega event will benefit the Jarrard Foundation, Enotah Anti-Drug Coalition and the White County Meth Task Force.

But the traditional fall Gainesville event will remain. The 10th annual Bruce Burch and Friends Honor John Jarrard Concert will be held on Brenau University's front lawn in September.

Foundation administrators use performance funds to support various community organizations like Good News at Noon, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hall County and the Georgia Mountain Food Bank.