Carrie Underwood visits a St. Jude patient during the annual Country Cares for St. Jude Kids® seminar in Memphis.
Forty of country music's hottest stars, including Carrie Underwood, Jewel, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Steve Azar, Danny Gokey, Little Big Town, Darryl Worley and Joe Nichols, joined Country Music Hall-of-Famer Randy Owen to bring bright smiles and warm words to the patients of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital on January 15.
The hospital visit was part of the annual Country Cares for St. Jude Kids radio seminar. More than 650 members of the country music industry—from artists to record label executives to radio stations—gathered in Memphis, Tennessee, this week to kick off a new season of fundraising on behalf of St. Jude.
Each year, the seminar brings the country music industry together as both a celebration of its impact on St. Jude and to reenergize station partners for their upcoming radiothon events. The weekend features roundtable discussions and brainstorming sessions that will help country radio stations conduct successful radiothons throughout the year—a focus that is more important than ever as St. Jude continues its lifesaving care during a struggling economy that has impacted millions of Americans.
"We're so caught up in what's going on today and with the economy," said Owen. "And you wonder if people are still going to care. So yeah, every year I'm concerned that a dream that we all have, that we all share together, could get pushed aside, and [the mission of St. Jude will] be less important [to listeners] than it should be."
It was Owen who, in 1989, challenged the country music industry to support the lifesaving work of St. Jude. And the industry rose to the challenge by raising more than $365 million in the program's 20-year history.
Joining Owen were country artists Carrie Underwood, Jewel, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Steve Azar, Danny Gokey, Little Big Town, Darryl Worley, Joe Nichols and many others. Also touring the hospital were representatives from country radio stations around the country and a number of country music labels. Many expressed comments about what a unique place of hope St. Jude is for patients and their families.
"When you walk in the door of St. Jude, it is happy," said Underwood. "There are pictures on the wall—kid-created pictures—and it is not like a hospital. It is not a cold environment."
Gokey reiterated that sentiment, saying "The one thing I noticed is that this is a happy place. And you see the children and there is so much hope and optimism in their eyes."
Attendees spent much of Friday morning visiting with patients and touring the campus of St. Jude, including the new Chili’s Care Center, the Patient Care Center, and labs where cutting-edge research is conducted every day.
Jewel, making her second trip to St. Jude, said "I'm a fan of this hospital and what they are able to do for children.
"I think the part of the tour that really stood out for me today was the research lab," she added. "It was all really fascinating. And meeting the kids is always most heart-warming. The experience here is overwhelming."
Phillip Sweet of Little Big Town has been to St. Jude before, but not since becoming a parent. And that, he said, made a difference in his perception of the hospital.
"This place is even more important now that I have a little 2-year-old daughter," he said. "I can see her in these children, and you just want to do so much for the families."
For many of the artists, such as Lynyrd Skynyrd members Gary Rossington and Rickey Medlocke, the 2010 Country Cares seminar marked their first visit to the hospital they've heard so much about from others in the industry.
"I didn't have any expectations," Medlocke said. "I am excited to be here and be a part of it. This is a phenomenal place, and it's wonderful that children can come here and have a chance at life."
Rossington said he and Medlocke participated in the seminar on the encouragement of Owen. And now they plan to share the St. Jude message with others. "Anyone we meet, we are going to tell them about St. Jude. It takes your words away," Rossington said.
Two-year-old patient Jaedyn was excited about the stars he called "singers" touring the hospital. His favorite song is Elvis Presley's "Hound Dog," and artist Mallary Hope serenaded Jaedyn with the song as the two colored pictures of guitars and cowboys hats.
"It's great for them to come and take time for the kids," said Jaedyn's mom Angayla. "The (kids) deserve the excitement."
Six-year-old Zowie was able to meet the singer (Underwood) of her favorite song ("Before He Cheats"). Underwood spent some time coaxing Zowie from her shyness, but soon the two were happily chatting. Underwood wished the little girl a happy belated birthday.
"It's awesome for them to visit," said Zowie's mom, Josie. "It gives them something else to think about besides being here and being sick."
Following the tours, the radio representatives moved to the famous Peabody Hotel for the Lucky Duck Casino Night. There, they tried to turn play money into more in order to "buy" special items that could be used to raise funds at upcoming radiothons.
"Going to the hospital is my most favorite part of seminar," said Bill Black, program director of WKSJ in Mobile, Alabama, who has been attending the event for the last 10 years. "You get to see how your dollars are being spent and how you are really helping people."
