FRANKLIN, Tenn. - Songwriters and bull riders wouldn't seem to have much in common, but they do: Both happen to be some of the best storytellers.

Bull riders are known to gather behind the chutes to share stories of road trips and bull rides from yesteryear, which is quite similar to a Nashville tradition in which songwriters gather on stage to share the backstories to the songs they've written.

Tonight at the Castle Recording Studios, in Franklin, Tenn., several songwriters will perform in the round, with the proceeds from the performance benefitting the Rider Relief Fund.

Recently retired bull rider Colby Yates, who released  Right Amount of Renegade last October, will be among the songwriters sharing stories along with Darryl Worley, Wynn Varble, Casey Beathard, Kerry Kurt Phillips and Dan Demay.

Yates fondly recalls the first time he performed in the round with Varble - and with good reason.

It's where he met his wife, Katie.

At the conclusion of the 2007 World Finals, Yates flew to Nashville for the first in a series of songwriting sessions that would eventually result in some of the material he recorded for Right Amount of Renegade.

When Varble scheduled the songwriting session, however, he forgot about a commitment he had made in Gulf Shores, Ala., to play in the round. Single and up for an adventure, Yates changed plans and headed down to Alabama, where he joined Varble on stage and shared a few stories and songs of his own.

Later that night he met Katie, and despite her being adamant that she "doesn't like country music" they eventually married. Three years after they met, they welcomed their child, Cutter, who was born on Dec. 10, 2010.

It's doubtful that Yates, who described his appearance at the Castle as "kind of informal," will share that particular story tonight, but he said he'll likely join his pal Varble on stage for a song or two, despite having traveled to Nashville without his guitar.

Varble, who has also co-written quite a bit of material with two-time World Champion Justin McBride, is best known for having written Brad Paisley's hit "Waiting on a Woman" and the Chris LeDoux classic "I Would for You."

TICKETS & EVENT INFO: 
Attendees will also be able to enter drawings to win merchandise and prizes. Tickets for "Songwriters in the Round" are $20 each, or $15 for groups of 10 or more. Food and beverages will also be available at the event. Tickets can be purchased at  AttendStar.com.

Right Amount of Renegade is available in the PBR Shop.

Follow Keith Ryan Cartwright on Twitter @PBR_KRC.