Founding Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame member Little Richard died at age 87 on Saturday (May 9) in Middle Tennessee.
The legendary performer began and ended his career in the region, and several of his career highlights were tied to Music City. Born Richard Penniman, he rose to local fame in his native Macon, Georgia, in the early 1950s. After being jailed on a morals charge, he was exiled from Macon. The clubs of North Nashville soon became the flamboyant performer’s most profitable performing venues.
Little Richard was performing in a nightspot in Fayetteville, Tennessee, when he was summoned to New Orleans for his debut recording session for Specialty Records. Among the songs he recorded was “Tutti Frutti.” Nashville’s 50,000-watt broadcasting titan WLAC blasted the song and its performer to stardom in late 1955.
He continued to headline at the New Era Club, the Club Baron and other Nashville nightclubs as “Long Tall Sally,” “Slippin’ and Slidin,’” “Rip It Up” and “Ready Teddy” solidified his stardom in 1956.
By 1957, he was starring on national and international rock ‘n’ roll tours and appearing in such early rock films as The Girl Can’t Help It, Don’t Knock the Rock and Mister Rock ‘n’ Roll. The hits continued with such 1957-58 singles as “Lucille,” “Send Me Some Lovin,’” “The Girl Can’t Help It,” “Jenny, Jenny,” “Keep a Knockin,’” “Good Golly Miss Molly” and “Oooh My Soul.”
His charismatic showmanship included frenetic piano pounding, hoarsely shouted vocals, onstage prancing, flashy costuming, wild gyrations, bug-eyed facial contortions and ebullient outbursts. Little Richard pioneered male rock stars wearing mascara and heavy makeup, as well as exhibiting fluid sexuality. He was also notable as one of the early rockers who broke down barriers by attracting both black and white teen fans to his shows.
Nashville’s Pat Boone infamously toned down Little Richard’s outrageous personality for his bland cover of “Tutti Frutti.” But other Nashville recording artists at the time saluted Little Richard’s overwhelming influence by recording songs from his repertoire. These included Elvis Presley, The Everly Brothers, Bill Haley, Gene Vincent, Buddy Holly and Jerry Lee Lewis.
Little Richard renounced rock to become a gospel artist in 1958. He recorded a religious LP with producer Quincy Jones, but in 1962 returned to rock ‘n’ roll touring. His comeback rock hit was 1964’s “Bama Lama Bama Loo.”
During one Music City sojourn, Little Richard had been backed by future rock superstar Jimi Hendrix. The guitarist joined Little Richard’s band The Upsetters in 1964-65.
Little Richard appeared at several of the rock mass gatherings of the late 1960s, including the Toronto Pop Festival and the Atlantic City Pop Festival. His larger-than-life personality also made him a TV talk-show favorite during this era.
In 1970, his “Greenwood, Mississippi” single made an impression on some regional country charts. He was prominently featured on the 1972 Canned Heat pop hit “Rockin’ with the King.” Little Richard began recording in Muscle Shoals and Nashville around this same time.
He returned to Music City in 1976 to re-record his hits for K-Tel Records. These Nashville sessions at Jack Clement’s studio included Paul Worley on guitar and Eddie Bayers on drums. A gospel album for World Records was recorded in Music City in 1979. It was titled God’s Beautiful City.
By the 1980s, a who’s-who of rock superstars had cited Little Richard as a pioneering influence, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, James Brown, Michael Jackson, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Otis Redding, David Bowie, Bob Dylan and John Fogerty. Just about every piano-playing showman has acknowledged a debt to him—Elton John, Billy Joel, Ray Charles, Michael McDonald, Ronnie Milsap, Billy Preston, and Leon Russell.
Little Richard published his autobiography in 1984. He reemerged on the charts in 1986 with “Great Gosh A-Mighty.” The song was recorded for the soundtrack of the hit movie Down & Out in Beverly Hills, in which Little Richard had a prominent role. This led to several other film appearances, as well as bookings on such 1990s TV series as Full House, Columbo, Miami Vice and Baywatch.
He was one of the inaugural inductees into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame when it was launched in 1986. He received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1990.
He was presented with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1993. “Long Tall Sally,” “Tutti Frutti,” and “Lucille” are all in the Grammy Hall of Fame, as is his 1957 debut LP Here’s Little Richard.
He reconnected with Nashville in 1994 by recording “Somethin’ Else” with Tanya Tucker on the all-star album Rhythm, Country & Blues. The pair performed it on the CMA Awards, where he also memorably smooched Mary Chapin Carpenter during her performance of “Shut Up and Kiss Me.”
Little Richard moved to the Nashville area around 2000. He lived in the penthouse of the downtown Hilton and also settled with his brother’s family in Tullahoma, Tennessee.
He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2003. Little Richard was presented with a star on the Music City Walk of Fame in 2008. Also in Nashville, he was saluted by the National Museum of African American Music in 2015. The state honored him in 2019 with a Tennessee Governor’s Arts Award.
His death was announced by his son, Danny Jones Penniman. Richard Penniman passed away in Tullahoma from bone cancer on Saturday morning (May 9). Further family and funeral information is unknown.
Ryman Auditorium To Remain Closed Through June 6
/by Lorie HollabaughRyman Auditorium. Photo: ryman.com/media
The Ryman Auditorium is electing to remain closed in the interest of the health and well-being of its guests and employees and to align with Metro Nashville safety guidelines through June 6, 2020.
They are extending the pause on operations for all activity at the Ryman, including shows and events, retail, food service at Cafe Lula, and all tours through that date. This includes all tickets purchased for events during this period. The Ryman will contact ticketholders directly regarding event rescheduling for concerts during this period.
Tickets for tour dates through June 6, 2020 will be automatically refunded to the credit card used to place the order. The Ryman Auditorium’s customer service team has already begun to process these refunds. At this time, events held after June 6, 2020 are proceeding as planned.
For a full list of affected concerts and events, visit ryman.com.
Industry Ink: Nashville Needs A Song, Chord Overstreet, Plaid Flag Music
/by Lorie HollabaughNSAI Helps Launch “Nashville Needs A Song” Competition
The “Nashville Needs A Song” songwriting competition is asking Music City songwriters to submit compositions that help inspire and uplift Nashvillians as they navigate the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts. Nashville Needs A Song is a joint initiative of the Mayor’s Office, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp and Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI). NSAI will administer the contest, which is open to songs that include at least one songwriter who lives in Davidson County, with the submitting writer being a current member of NSAI. Submissions should be made at nashvillesongwriters.com until May 12. The first 100 submissions will be considered.
To encourage submissions and to help those who keep the music playing in Music City, the NCVC is offering prize money from its COVID-19 relief fund, which is part of its charitable foundation: $2,500 to the winning songwriter, along with $1,000 for second place and $500 for third. The winning tune may be used by the city and NCVC as part of marketing initiatives. Writers and their publishers will retain all future rights to the song.
Chord Overstreet Achieves Heavy Metal Status With “Hold On”
RIAA’s Jackie Jones with Chord Overstreet.
Chord Overstreet has earned his first career RIAA Platinum certification for his debut single, “Hold On,” and was recently congratulated via Zoom call for the accolade by Jackie Jones, the RIAA’s Vice President, Artist and Industry Relations. Continuing to impact listeners, the ballad has racked up over 175 million streams on Spotify; over 44 million streams on Apple Music, and over 203 million lyric video views on YouTube, as well as being featured in the series finale of The CW’s The Vampire Diaries.
Autumn McEntire Inks With Plaid Flag Music
Pictured (L-R): Courtney Blake, Creative Director, Autumn McEntire, Writer, Kendall Warren, Sr. Creative Director, Stephanie Cox, Sr. VP of Creative – Kobalt
Autumn McEntire has signed with Plaid Flag Music. The Oklahoma native and longtime Nashville resident began her career as a songwriter when she signed her first publishing deal upon graduating from Belmont University. As an artist, she had two independent releases and performed at the Ryman Auditorium. She’s had cuts by Matt Stell’s “Better I Drink” (2019), Walker County’s “The Hamptons” (2019), and Reba McEntire’s “Stronger Than The Truth” (2019) and has also secured cuts with up-and-coming artists Meghan Patrick, Stephanie Quayle, Lacy Cavalier, Rachel Reinert and Mae Estes.
“She’s incredible,” said Kendall Warren, Sr. Creative Director of Plaid Flag Music. “We have always admired her work and now are so excited to be partnering with her. She’s an amazing writer but an even better person. She will add incredible value to our team and we can’t wait for the future.”
Weekly Register: Gabby Barrett Continues To Rule Country Streaming Songs Chart
/by Jessica NicholsonThis week’s Top 5 country on-demand streaming songs:
Gabby Barrett, “I Hope”: 11.5 million/236 million to date
Diplo and Julia Michaels w/ Morgan Wallen, “Heartless”: 8.24 million/236 million to date
Morgan Wallen, “Chasin’ You”: 8.2 million/162 million to date
Maren Morris, “The Bones”: 7.8 million/323 million to date
Blake Shelton w/ Gwen Stefani, “Nobody But You”: 7 million/79 million to date
As previously reported, Kenny Chesney debuted atop the Billboard Top 200 albums chart this week with his latest release, Here and Now, with 233K in total consumption. He also tops this week’s country albums chart, while Luke Combs shifts down to the No. 2 and No. 3 spots. Morgan Wallen and Sam Hunt round out the top 5 country albums this week.
This week’s Top 5 country albums (total consumption):
Music, Film Industries Call On Congress To Fix Safety Net In CARES Act
/by Lorie HollabaughBMI, ASCAP, NSAI, RIAA, SAG-AFTRA, and many more organizations in the music and film industries sent a letter to members of Congress highlighting the ways implementation of the CARES Act has fallen short in aiding workers in the entertainment community. The letter also requests that these flaws be remedied in a new CARES Act COVID relief package.
In a joint statement the organizations stated: “While we appreciate the efforts of lawmakers to meet the challenges of this pandemic, we need to ensure that our community is getting the aid they need to survive. Musicians are struggling to access the basic financial resources available due to conflicting and burdensome requirements in relief programs. Simply, there is a hole in this safety net that Congress must fix in the next version of the CARES Act. We need help that only [Congress] can provide, in a way that recognizes the particulars of our industry. On behalf of the hundreds of thousands of us across the country, thank you for your understanding and your action.”
The letter lays out in stark terms the crisis that the live entertainment industry is facing due to the pandemic and points out the fact that the implementation of the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program has overlooked workers who have mixed income and report it on W-2 and 1099 forms.
“In almost all cases that we see in every state, a minimum amount of W-2 income disqualifies a self-employed individual for PUA and significantly lowers the amount of assistance they receive,” the letter states. “PUA must be updated to recognize these different income streams and allow individuals to show their mixed sources of revenue for a full accounting of their annual income.”
Among the organizations signing the letter are the Artist Rights Alliance (ARA), American Association of Independent Music (A2IM), American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI), the Future of Music Coalition, Global Music Rights (GMR), the Music Artists Coalition (MAC), the Music Business Association, National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA), Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), the Recording Academy, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the Screen Actors Guild-the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), the Society of European Stage Authors and Composers (SESAC), the Songwriters Guild of America, the Songwriters of North America (SONA), SoundExchange and many more.
Luke Bryan To Co-Host ‘A Salute To The Songwriters’ Radio Concert Benefit
/by Lorie HollabaughLuke Bryan. Photo: Jim Wright
Luke Bryan is co-hosting “A Salute To The Songwriters,” a three-hour benefit concert for the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund presented by BMI and Cox Media Group, Alpha Media, Beasley Media Group, Hubbard Radio, Neuhoff Media and Townsquare Media this Saturday, (May 16) at 7 p.m. local time.
The concert will be co-hosted by several local DJs and broadcast on more than 100 country stations across all six broadcast groups, and will feature some of the writers behind country music’s biggest hits straight from their living rooms and home studios. The lineup includes Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins, Jon Randall, Jessi Alexander, Luke Dick, Jeff Hyde, Brandon Kinney, Clint Daniels, Barry Dean, Natalie Hemby, Dylan Altman, and Wynn Varble.
The special will take audiences behind the scenes into the writing rooms with stories of how the hits were created, and will spotlight several songwriters on the rise as they discuss how this difficult time has directly affected them and their livelihoods.
“We’re proud to partner with the country’s leading local radio groups to support the songwriters whose music brings us together in good times and in bad,” said Mike O’Neill, President & CEO, BMI. “Songwriters are often considered the smallest of small businesses, and like so many small businesses, they are deeply impacted by this pandemic. We’re so grateful that some of BMI’s top country music creators are lending their voices to support this incredibly important cause.”
To donate to the MusiCares COVID-19 relief fund for songwriters, listeners can text SONGWRITERS to 41444 or click here to give online.
“Like so many others, songwriters have been deeply impacted by COVID-19 and the temporary closure of bars, restaurants and live music venues.” said Tim Clarke, VP of Content and Audience for Cox Media Group. “Broadcasters have outstanding relationships with this community, and we are honored to join together in creating this special to celebrate and support these talented individuals who are the heart of country music.”
Clay Myers Launches Nashville Music Consultants
/by Jessica NicholsonClay Myers. Photo: Donn Jones Photography
Clay Myers has launched a new boutique consulting agency, Nashville Music Consultants, which will serve music publishers, artists, songwriters, and production companies, through A&R work, recording/production services, imaging and brand development, social media, song plugging, catalog licensing and administration, talent booking, and project management.
“I’ve been fortunate to work with virtually every aspect of the industry from publishing and labels to management and touring,” Myers says. “And it has never been more important as staffs decrease, and expectations escalate to bring experience and perspective to the table. That’s what I’m ready to provide with NMC.”
Myers is already providing management, production services, and catalog representation to a variety of companies including Reviver Publishing, Starstruck Entertainment’s publishing division, Vandermont Music Publishing, Schedler Music (Austria), the Easton Corbin Music catalog, A Million Midnights Music, and more.
His recent television credits include talent producer for The Song, recorded live at TGL Farms and talent booker for The Southern Weekend show on the Circle Network. Myers is offering development services for several young artists in addition to mentoring songwriters with Songtown. Myers has also created the online songwriting/publishing forum #NashvillePitchTips, sharing his experience with aspiring writers.
Florida native Myers moved to Nashville in 1986 to work for Maypop Music, owned by country supergroup Alabama. Several years later, he was named general manager of a new music publishing division at Reba McEntire’s Starstruck Entertainment.
On the management side, Myers served as day-to-day manager for Billy Dean, Linda Davis, 4 Runner, and River Road. In 1997, Myers made the move to Creative Artists Agency (CAA), where he helped secure catalog representation deals with Sony/ATV and a CAA joint venture with Chrysalis Music. While at CAA, Myers developed and secured record deals for Little Big Town and Emerson Drive, and secured numerous cuts, including the award-winning single “Beautiful Mess” by Diamond Rio.
Later, as GM/VP of Roy Orbison Music/Still Working Music, Myers worked with hit makers Tommy Lee James, Terry McBride, Clay Mills, Billy Burnette, and Liz Rose. An advocate for artists as well as songwriters, Myers worked to help artists including Danielle Peck, Jedd Hughes, Kaci Brown, and Luna Halo land label deals.
In 2012, Myers began leading publishing company Big Tractor Music, and was instrumental in securing a buyer for the company’s catalog. During this time, he continued working the catalog as a consultant and joined the management team at Trey Turner Artist Management, representing Easton Corbin and Jackie Lee.
In 2015, Myers was contracted to establish and launch MV2, an independent music publishing and artist development company. It was in that position that Myers realized that there was an industry-wide need for experienced, independent consultants to help talented and driven songwriters and artists pursue their dreams.
“Being a part of creative growth and success has always been my passion,” he said. “Dreams are only wishes unless you make a plan and take massive action! That is how I can help. I am here to assist with a plan of action.”
Monument Records Names Steve Pleshe As Director, Regional Promotion
/by Jessica NicholsonSteve Pleshe
Steve Pleshe has joined Monument Records as Director, Regional Promotion. The new hire rounds out Monument’s newly-announced promotion staff, led by Drew Bland.
“Steve is going to be the perfect addition to the Monument Records promotion team,” said Bland, VP of Promotion at Monument. “Someone with his proven track record, knowledge of radio and enthusiastic service minded attitude is going to be a great fit for our radio station partners and artists.”
Pleshe’s career in music began as an on-air personality, followed by time as a music director, and ultimately program director, for Fresno’s KSKS-FM. In 2007 Pleshe ventured into the label side of the industry, spending a decade holding West Coast promotion positions with labels like RCA and Black River Records where he helped garner nine #1 singles for artists such as Chris Young, Sara Evans, Jake Owen and Kelsea Ballerini. In 2017 Pleshe returned to his alma mater, KSKS in Fresno, as the Program Director.
As previously announced, Lisa Mastrianni has been named Director, Regional Promotion, while Katelyn Lester has joined as Manager, Regional Promotion.
Kenny Chesney Tops ‘Billboard’ Top 200 Albums Chart For The Ninth Time
/by Jessica NicholsonKenny Chesney
Kenny Chesney has topped the all-genre Billboard Top 200 Albums chart for the ninth time in his career, with his latest album Here and Now. The Warner Music Nashville-issued release sold 233,841 units in its debut week. His latest all-genre chart-topping project comes 18 years after Chesney reached that coveted slot for the first time when his 2002 album No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems (BNA Records) reached the pinnacle of Billboard‘s Top 200 with more than 235,000 units sold.
Here and Now marks the first studio album for Chesney on the Warner Music Nashville label.
“This No. 1 is so gratifying,” Chesney said. “It says so much about the players and the songwriters, everyone working in a creative capacity in Nashville, as well as all the people working to get this music into the hands of the people who love and want it.
“No Shoes Nation has always come from the music and for the songs. That’s what makes everything rock so hard and mean so much. Trying to keep finding and writing songs that speak to them sets the bar pretty high; but without the fans, maybe there would’ve been no ‘American Kids,’ ‘You & Tequila’ or ‘Here And Now.’”
Other Chesney albums to debut at No. 1 on the all-genre chart include When The Sun Goes Down (2004), Be As You Are (Songs from an Old Blue Chair) (2005), The Road and the Radio (2005), Lucky Old Sun (2008), Hemingway’s Whiskey (2010), Life on a Rock (2013), and Live in No Shoes Nation (2017).
Music Legend Little Richard Dies At 87
/by Robert K OermannFounding Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame member Little Richard died at age 87 on Saturday (May 9) in Middle Tennessee.
The legendary performer began and ended his career in the region, and several of his career highlights were tied to Music City. Born Richard Penniman, he rose to local fame in his native Macon, Georgia, in the early 1950s. After being jailed on a morals charge, he was exiled from Macon. The clubs of North Nashville soon became the flamboyant performer’s most profitable performing venues.
Little Richard was performing in a nightspot in Fayetteville, Tennessee, when he was summoned to New Orleans for his debut recording session for Specialty Records. Among the songs he recorded was “Tutti Frutti.” Nashville’s 50,000-watt broadcasting titan WLAC blasted the song and its performer to stardom in late 1955.
He continued to headline at the New Era Club, the Club Baron and other Nashville nightclubs as “Long Tall Sally,” “Slippin’ and Slidin,’” “Rip It Up” and “Ready Teddy” solidified his stardom in 1956.
By 1957, he was starring on national and international rock ‘n’ roll tours and appearing in such early rock films as The Girl Can’t Help It, Don’t Knock the Rock and Mister Rock ‘n’ Roll. The hits continued with such 1957-58 singles as “Lucille,” “Send Me Some Lovin,’” “The Girl Can’t Help It,” “Jenny, Jenny,” “Keep a Knockin,’” “Good Golly Miss Molly” and “Oooh My Soul.”
His charismatic showmanship included frenetic piano pounding, hoarsely shouted vocals, onstage prancing, flashy costuming, wild gyrations, bug-eyed facial contortions and ebullient outbursts. Little Richard pioneered male rock stars wearing mascara and heavy makeup, as well as exhibiting fluid sexuality. He was also notable as one of the early rockers who broke down barriers by attracting both black and white teen fans to his shows.
Nashville’s Pat Boone infamously toned down Little Richard’s outrageous personality for his bland cover of “Tutti Frutti.” But other Nashville recording artists at the time saluted Little Richard’s overwhelming influence by recording songs from his repertoire. These included Elvis Presley, The Everly Brothers, Bill Haley, Gene Vincent, Buddy Holly and Jerry Lee Lewis.
Little Richard renounced rock to become a gospel artist in 1958. He recorded a religious LP with producer Quincy Jones, but in 1962 returned to rock ‘n’ roll touring. His comeback rock hit was 1964’s “Bama Lama Bama Loo.”
During one Music City sojourn, Little Richard had been backed by future rock superstar Jimi Hendrix. The guitarist joined Little Richard’s band The Upsetters in 1964-65.
Little Richard appeared at several of the rock mass gatherings of the late 1960s, including the Toronto Pop Festival and the Atlantic City Pop Festival. His larger-than-life personality also made him a TV talk-show favorite during this era.
In 1970, his “Greenwood, Mississippi” single made an impression on some regional country charts. He was prominently featured on the 1972 Canned Heat pop hit “Rockin’ with the King.” Little Richard began recording in Muscle Shoals and Nashville around this same time.
He returned to Music City in 1976 to re-record his hits for K-Tel Records. These Nashville sessions at Jack Clement’s studio included Paul Worley on guitar and Eddie Bayers on drums. A gospel album for World Records was recorded in Music City in 1979. It was titled God’s Beautiful City.
By the 1980s, a who’s-who of rock superstars had cited Little Richard as a pioneering influence, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, James Brown, Michael Jackson, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Otis Redding, David Bowie, Bob Dylan and John Fogerty. Just about every piano-playing showman has acknowledged a debt to him—Elton John, Billy Joel, Ray Charles, Michael McDonald, Ronnie Milsap, Billy Preston, and Leon Russell.
Little Richard published his autobiography in 1984. He reemerged on the charts in 1986 with “Great Gosh A-Mighty.” The song was recorded for the soundtrack of the hit movie Down & Out in Beverly Hills, in which Little Richard had a prominent role. This led to several other film appearances, as well as bookings on such 1990s TV series as Full House, Columbo, Miami Vice and Baywatch.
He was one of the inaugural inductees into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame when it was launched in 1986. He received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1990.
He was presented with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1993. “Long Tall Sally,” “Tutti Frutti,” and “Lucille” are all in the Grammy Hall of Fame, as is his 1957 debut LP Here’s Little Richard.
He reconnected with Nashville in 1994 by recording “Somethin’ Else” with Tanya Tucker on the all-star album Rhythm, Country & Blues. The pair performed it on the CMA Awards, where he also memorably smooched Mary Chapin Carpenter during her performance of “Shut Up and Kiss Me.”
Little Richard moved to the Nashville area around 2000. He lived in the penthouse of the downtown Hilton and also settled with his brother’s family in Tullahoma, Tennessee.
He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2003. Little Richard was presented with a star on the Music City Walk of Fame in 2008. Also in Nashville, he was saluted by the National Museum of African American Music in 2015. The state honored him in 2019 with a Tennessee Governor’s Arts Award.
His death was announced by his son, Danny Jones Penniman. Richard Penniman passed away in Tullahoma from bone cancer on Saturday morning (May 9). Further family and funeral information is unknown.
ALSAC Cuts 160 Positions Nationwide
/by Jessica NicholsonThe organization has had to cancel hundreds of events, including dinner, golf, fitness and community events and has suspended tours, visits and on-campus events for the safety of patients, families and employees. There have also been decreased giving from corporate partners. ALSAC raises nearly 80% of the annual operating costs of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
ALSAC, the American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities, was established by Danny Thomas, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital founder, in 1957 to raise fund and awareness in order to operate and maintain St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
“Assuring responsible stewardship of the gifts and resources entrusted to us by our generous donors is fundamental to our mission at ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital,” said ALSAC President/CEO Rick Shadyac.”
“Like many nonprofits and for profit companies across the world, ALSAC is facing significant revenue declines brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. This includes hundreds of postponed or cancelled dinner, golf, fitness and community events, many of those held across the nation by caring volunteers; the indefinite suspension of tours, visits and on-campus events to protect the safety of our patients, families and employees; and decreased giving from corporate partners and individuals facing their own economic challenges. Through millions of generous supporters, ALSAC is responsible for raising approximately 80 percent of the annual operating costs of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital where no family ever receives a bill for treatment, travel, housing, or food because we believe all a family should ever worry about is helping their child live. I deeply regret having to reduce our workforce, including the offer of voluntary options. These are difficult decisions no leader ever wants to make. But, just as we have done for the past 60 years, ALSAC must carefully manage the support of our generous donors. This requires difficult, but necessary decisions, to address the unprecedented disruption caused by the pandemic, prepare for growth in the new economy, and ensure the funds entrusted to us by our supporters fuel the continued growth of the lifesaving mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: Finding cures. Saving children.”