National Life Group has named Emery Dunham, a 14-year-old freshman at The Colony High School, the 2026 Beats for Good performer. Dunham will open National Life Group Do Good Fest® on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Levitt Pavilion in Arlington, Texas. The family-friendly music festival will be headlined by multi-platinum rock band Barenaked Ladies and will feature GRAMMY Award-winning singer-songwriter Lisa Loeb, joined by the original members of Nine Stories.
Beats for Good is National Life Group's annual program that gives young musicians the opportunity to perform on the Do Good Fest stage while supporting music and arts programs in their communities.
Dunham is a 14-year-old singer-songwriter, guitarist and harmonica player who attends The Colony High School. Inspired by artists including The Beatles, Phoebe Bridgers and Lizzy McAlpine, Dunham performs her own interpretations of cover songs while also writing original music. Dunham will receive a $1,500 personal cash prize and selected The Colony High School Arts Department to receive a $5,000 donation made on behalf of the National Life Group Foundation.
“Beats for Good celebrates the power of young people to use their talents to make a difference,” said John Mullett, President of the National Life Group Foundation. “Emery represents that spirit beautifully. She’s not only sharing her music with our Do Good Fest community but using this opportunity to give back to the arts at her own school. That’s what doing good is all about.”
All ticket proceeds will benefit Tarrant Area Food Bank’s (TAFB) Ready to Learn initiative. TAFB provides over one million nutritious meals weekly, and food and nutrition education programs to those facing hunger. As a member of Feeding America, TAFB empowers communities to alleviate hunger and improve health.
General admission tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the gate, with additional donations encouraged. Children ages 5 and younger receive free admission and do not need a ticket. Gates open at 4 p.m. with Dunham taking the stage at 5 p.m. The festival will also feature food trucks, a full bar and a sold-out VIP experience. For tickets, the full lineup and event information, visit www.dogoodfest.com.