While Americans watched and endured the devastation of the shootings at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado on April 20, 1999, country music artist Chely Wright saw something more.

"My initial thought was...those kids who did the shooting were fairly certain their lives were going to end that day, either by their hand or someone else's. It occurred to me, these children had no sense of acceptance or belonging. There was no ballgame, no band practice or after-school event where they felt like they belonged; a place where they wanted to be; a place where they fit in."

Chely's personal thoughts surrounding the event were disturbing and reminded Wright of a promise she made to herself long ago when she was growing up in a small Kansas town dreaming of making it big in country music.

"I always promised myself that if I ever 'made it' in the music business, I would do something to help other kids who might be interested in music," she said. "When the shootings took place at Columbine, it made me realize there was something I could do and now was the time to do it. I could bring music into children's lives.   This decision was a 'natural' for me."

Therein lay the premise behind Wright's Reading, Writing & Rhythm.  Wright established the non-profit in October 1999 with the purpose of raising funds for music education in public schools and to supply musical instruments and equipment to schools in need across the nation.

Wright is active to help the organization raise awareness of music education on national and local levels as well as raise money for public schools. The primary source of funding for the charity is Wright's active fan club and website. An exclusive annual calendar is sold through the fan club with all proceeds benefiting the charity. In addition, as the official kick off to Fan Fair each year, Wright hosts a benefit concert to raise money with all proceeds benefiting the cause, inviting personal friends from the country music scene and the Hollywood screen. Stars who have participated in this event in the past include country music artists, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Terry Clark, Rascal Flatts, Martina McBride, Keith Urban, Diamond Rio, Brad Paisley, Darryl Worley, Clay Walker, Ronnie Milsap, and Loretta Lynn; pop recording artists, Richard Marx and Nine Days; and TV and Film celebrities, Evan Marriott (Joe Millionaire) and Vern Troyer (aka Mini Me of Austin Powers). Hollywood actress Sissy Spacek made a surprise walk-on appearance during the 2002 show to sing with Loretta Lynn.