Drake White Hosts Second ‘Benefit For The Brain’

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Drake White. Photo: Zack Knudsen

Drake White hosted his second “Benefit For The Brain” on Monday (Nov. 17) at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.

The sold out show benefited Make-A-Wish Middle Tennessee, CreatiVets and the Miracle Hope Foundation. The night featured performances from White, Riley Green, Jon Pardi, Kassi Ashton and surprise guest appearances by Jessi Alexander and Randy Owen of Alabama.

In between performances, guest speakers Richard Casper (CreatiVets), Ed Clay (CPI), Griffin Moore (Paradigm), Beth Touris (Make-A-Wish), Tommy Aceto (Neuroscience & Wellness Initiative) and Rikki Harris (TN Voices) took the stage to share meaningful perspectives on research, advocacy, recovery, mental health support and alternative methods further grounding the night in the purpose of “Benefit For The Brain.”

Notably, the event’s first-ever silent auction completely sold out. Fans placed bids on items such as a Charlie Daniels signed fiddle, an Old Dominion signed guitar, four field box tickets to any Chicago Cubs game, a limited-edition print from local artist Jason DeMeo (Jase), a helmet signed by Tony Pollard, and multiple Nashville Soccer Club packages including signed jerseys from Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge, plus tickets and a training session for up to eight kids, among other things.

In 2019, White endured a stroke on stage that later led to a Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) diagnosis which required seven brain surgeries. He developed the benefit show to raise money for three causes including mental wellness for military and veterans, especially PTSD, brain health in children and adolescents and innovative approaches to stroke recovery and neurological treatment. White’s non-profit The inaugural installment sold out the Ryman and raised over $253,000 and this year’s event exceeded that amount.

Riley Green & Jessi Alexander. Photo: Photo: Zack Knudsen

Kassi Ashton. Photo: Zack Knudsen

Randy Owen & Drake White. Photo: Zack Knudsen

Jon Pardi. Photo: Zack Knudsen

Lauryn Sink
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