A Decade of Music, Memory, & Community: The Story of Concert in the Cove
By Kelly Caldwell
What started as a simple summer gathering on Lake Wedowee has, over the last ten years, grown into one of the lake community’s most beloved traditions. Concert in the Cove wasn’t always a fundraiser, nor was it initially meant to carry so much meaning. In its earliest form, it was just a floating concert—a fun, family-friendly event hosted by Terry and Cindy Kemp, designed for neighbors and friends to come together and enjoy live music from their boats, surrounded by the beauty of the lake.
But in 2017, the tone of the concert shifted. When their daughter, Shelli Roden—a lifelong member of the Lake Wedowee community—was diagnosed with cancer, the event took on a new purpose. It became a show of support, a visible sign of how tightly knit this community truly was. That summer, the lake echoed not only with music, but with prayers, encouragement, and hope for Shelli’s recovery.
After Shelli’s passing, Terry and Cindy made the decision to carry on her legacy in the most fitting way they knew—by transforming the concert into a fundraiser for others in need. The Shelli Roden Memorial Foundation (SRMF) was born, and with it, a new chapter for Concert in the Cove. No longer just a concert, it became a mission.
Each year, the SRMF board selects several families from West Georgia and East Alabama who are facing hardship—often due to medical or financial crises. Proceeds from the concert, t-shirt sales, and a live auction are divided among these families, offering much-needed financial relief and an overwhelming sense of community support. Since its founding, the event has raised more than $200,000 for families in crisis, a testament not only to Shelli’s spirit but to the enduring generosity of the Lake Wedowee community.
The 2025 concert marks the event’s 10th anniversary. Homegrown, the Southern rock and country band that has become a fan favorite over the years, will return to headline. The group’s upbeat, familiar tunes have helped define the concert’s welcoming atmosphere—part celebration, part reunion, part lakeside revival.
As the cove fills with boats on Saturday, August 23, the scene will feel familiar to many: children jumping off swim decks, neighbors sharing snacks and stories, and the first chords of guitar echoing across the water. But for those who know the story behind it all, the moment carries more weight. It’s about honoring Shelli, lifting up others in her name, and keeping alive the kind of community spirit that turns a concert into something truly lasting.
To learn more about the event, make a donation, or stay updated, visit concertinthecove.com or follow the Shelli Roden Memorial Foundation on Facebook.
