Recap of the 2016 Country Cares for St. Jude Kids Seminar

In 1989, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Alabama's Randy Owen started ‘Country Cares for St. Jude Kids’ to bring together country music and radio to raise funds.

To date ‘Country Cares’ and the over 200 radio stations have raised nearly $600,000,000 for St. Jude!

To explain, each January, a large group of professionals converge on Memphis for the ‘Country Cares for St. Jude Kids Radio Seminar.’ 3 days are spent sharing ideas and learning everything possible about the hospital and the work the scientists and doctors are doing to bring cancer survival rates up. Everyone then returns with their notes and information gathered to their radio markets and turn what we learn into much needed funds for St. Jude.

For me, it’s been the opportunity of a lifetime. Not only have I forged great friendships in my 8 years going but I’ve been personally touched by the children of St. Jude and the wonders that go on within its walls.

Artists who participated this year included: Big & Rich, Trace Adkins, Justin Moore, Lady Antebellum's Charles Kelley, Frankie Ballard, Clare Dunn, Love & Theft, Drake White, Old Dominion, Ryan Kinder, Chandler Baldwin, Brooke Eden, LANco, Brett Young, Jordan Rager, Brad Tursi, and Randy Owen.

As participants, we not only learn about the cutting edge research that goes on at St. Jude but we also meet parents and patients and hear there stories, and attend seminars about various ways to raise money and to enhance the listeners experience during the radiothon.

One feature that is loved by all is the yearly special guest which is usually a very well kept secret. Past speakers have included US Navy Seal Marcus Luttrel, Hall of Fame Quarterback Joe Thiesmann, 'Undefeated' documentary subject Coach Bill Courtney, Nobel Laureate Dr. Pete Dougherty, filmmaker Tom Shadyac, US Airways Flight 1549 pilot Captain "Sully" and more. This year we were honored with a visit from singer and Nashville actress Clare Bowen who shared her story of cancer survival and the differences in going through treatment at a children's hospital in her native Australia and St. Jude.

The weekend is capped off with a songwriter's concert hosted by Owen. This year he welcomed special guests, Chris Young, Mac Mcanally and Dan & Shay who each played a few of their songs in the style of a traditional songwriter's "round."

According to Country Cares website, “The daily operating cost for St. Jude is $2.1 million, which is primarily covered by public contributions.”

Here’s a photo recap of my weekend: