Benefit News (8/9/12)

Craig Morgan’s 6th annual charity weekend kicks off Saturday, August 11, in Dickson, TN, and an assortment of celebrity guests will be joining the singer for the events. Motocross stars Destry Abbott, Fred Andrews, Cowboy Kenny Bartram, Randy Hawkins, Kevin Windham and singer Bucky Covington will all participate in an exhibition and trail ride on Saturday (8/11). Later that evening, Darryl Worley and Morning Express host Robin Meade will join Morgan for a special concert hosted by GAC’s Nan Kelley.

On Sunday (8/12), the Celebrity Sporting Clay Event will take place at the Tennessee Clay Target Complex in Nashville and feature an exhibition by “The Ultimate Shooter” Tim Bradley. Proceeds from the weekend events will benefit the Craig Morgan Charity Fund, a component fund of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. Tickets are here.

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Billy Gilman helps distribute a pair of shoes last Friday in Jacksonville, FL. Photo: Jodi Arnold, courtesy of Soles4Souls

More than 30,000 people around the globe were given new pairs of shoes, thanks to the success of the country charity single “The Choice.” The song features contributions by 19 major country artists, including Keith Urban, Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire, Josh Turner, Vince Gill and more to benefit Soles4Souls. “I always took for granted the significance of owning a pair of shoes, but I never will again,” said Billy Gilman, who co-wrote the song and spearheaded the effort to bring the artists together.

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Inpop Records artist Karyn Williams recently made an appearance in Cincinnati, OH for a benefit in support of the Angelman Syndrome Foundation’s Madonna Jam. Williams entertained attendees with selections from her new album Only You, which is due out August 28. She was joined onstage by Blessid Union of Souls frontman Eliot Sloan and singer-songwriters Reggie Hamm and her husband Brian White. Williams is also slated to play the Music With a Mission benefit for Nashville Rescue Mission at the Schermerhorn Center on Oct. 14.

(L-R): Eliot Sloan, Brian White, Karyn Williams, Regie Hamm

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A collection of local rockers will unite at 3rd & Lindsley Thursday, August 16 for Nashville Takes on the Blues, a benefit for Cold Stares singer/guitarist Chris Tapp who is currently undergoing a year of treatment for melanoma. Performers for the evening include Matthew Perryman Jones, Jeremy Lister, Mark Huff and more. More info here.