Country Stars Contribute to MDA Labor Day Telethon

The 49th annual MDA Show of Strength Telethon will air this Labor Day weekend with Rascal Flatts, LeAnn Rimes, Sara Evans, Brad Paisley Charles Esten and Nancy O’Dell, among many others.
ABC-TV will air the two-hour national broadcast of musical performances and heartfelt appeals in an effort to raise funds and awareness in support of the MDA’s mission to save and improve the lives affected by muscle disease. Flatts will perform “My Wish,” and Evans will sing her hit single “A Little Bit Stronger.” Both performances were taped from the iconic Grand Ole Opry in Nashville with introductions from MDA Ambassador Bryson Foster, 14.
“As much fun as it was performing for this year’s MDA telethon, getting to meet with Bryson Foster who’s affected by muscular dystrophy was the real highlight of the whole experience for me and the guys,” said Rascal Flatts lead vocalist Gary LeVox. “We’re inspired by him and all that MDA does to help the families it serves, and we’re honored to be part of the progress that’s being made to end these life-threatening diseases.”
Rimes performs her hit single “Give” at the 2014 MDA Show after meeting backstage with “blue” carpet correspondent and 15-year-old MDA Ambassador Abbey Umali of Redlands, Calif.
Paisley also will make a special appeal on behalf of families served by MDA while giving an exclusive behind-the-scenes peek at a taping of ABC’s Rising Star.
“Our telethon will offer great entertainment from some of America’s favorite Country artists who are ‘showing their strength’ to inspire millions of viewers to rally behind families who courageously wage a battle against life-threatening muscle disease every day,” said MDA President and CEO Steven M. Derks. “The Show of Strength Telethon provides an incredible opportunity to celebrate everyone who has helped drive decades of progress by MDA in the search for treatments and cures.”
Watch the event, planned to air on ABC-TV, Sunday, Aug. 31, 9pm ET/PT, 8pm CT/MT.