Scenes From Country Cares for St. Jude Seminar

Kix Brooks with St. Jude patient Christian

More than 25 country artists descended on Memphis over the weekend for the annual Country Cares for St. Jude Kids Seminar to tour the facility and visit with patients and their families. The event, which hosted nearly 800 radio and music business professionals, officially kicked off the St. Jude radiothon season and offered interactive breakout sessions on how to create a successful fundraising campaign for St. Jude. Artists in attendance included Randy Owen, Martina McBride, Lauren Alaina, Lee Brice, Edens Edge, Kix Brooks and many more.

“This is the thing people have to remember,” remarked Kix Brooks. “This is not a desperate, sad place. If anything, these kids are so strong and they have hope. We’re saving so many children here at St. Jude. But, of course, we want to save them all. And that’s not a pipedream. It’s our responsibility to make it happen. It’s up to us.”

Randy Owen presents John Rich with Angels Among Us Award

During the annual songwriter’s dinner on Saturday (Jan. 14), John Rich was presented by Randy Owen with the first-ever Randy Owen Angels Among Us Award to recognize his outstanding commitment and dedication to the organization’s mission. In 2011, Rich put the hospital in the national spotlight when he won NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice and helped raise over $1.4 million.

“St. Jude holds a very special place in my heart,” said Rich. “It’s like no other place and I’m just so honored to help raise awareness for this organization and to receive the first-ever Angels Among Us Award from Randy.”

Alabama frontman Owen founded Country Cares in 1989 by recruiting his fellow artists, radio stations, and listeners to help support St. Jude’s mission. Since it began, Country Cares has raised over $400 million for the organization.

Eli Young Band smiles for the camera with St. Jude patient Hillary