Eric Church Band Golf Event Raises Funds For MusiCares

Pictured (L-R): Lee Hendricks (bass), Michael Todd (tour crew), Debbie Carroll of MusiCares, Driver Williams (guitar), Ben Rigby (tour crew), Craig Wright (drums), Jeff Hyde (acoustic guitar). Photo: Chad Lee

The fifth annual Eric Church Band “Put a Club in My Hand” Golf Tournament has raised $214,190 for MusiCares, the charitable arm of The Recording Academy.

Produced by Big Hearted Babes, the event was held in Nashville on Aug. 22. The invitation-only tournament was an all-day event featuring an 18-hole scramble for artists, musicians, tour staff, music industry professionals and more.

Funds for the donation were raised through 160 registered golfers, 34 generous partners and a silent auction. To date, the annual event has raised more than $600,000 for MusiCares, an organization that provides a safety net of assistance for those in the music industry to help with medical, financial, and personal emergencies.

“What makes this event so special is that not only does it reflect Eric’s longtime support of MusiCares, but each year, Eric’s band and crew put this fundraising tournament together,” said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy and MusiCares. “For me, this underscores the fact that MusiCares serves music people in professions throughout the industry. In fact, we recently started a round of special outreach and assistance for music people affected by the Louisiana floods, and benefits such as this golf tournament help MusiCares to be immediately responsive when a crisis strikes part of our community.”