Recap of the 2015 Country Cares for St. Jude Kids Seminar

Country Cares for St. Jude Kids, an organization started by Randy Owen of Alabama has helped raise over $500 million for the kids of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital!

Each January, a group of over 1,000 radio 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 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: The Band Perry, Sam Hunt, Gloriana, The Voice winner Craig Wayne Boyd, Craig Campbell, Mickey Guyton, A Thousand Horses, Josh Abbott, Kelsea Ballerini, Chase Bryant, Jackie Lee, Randy Owen and more!

Each year we have a guest speaker and this year we were blessed with an hour of time from Captain Chesley Burnett "Sully" Sullenberger, the man hailed as a national hero when he successfully executed an emergency water landing of US Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River off Manhattan, New York City, after the aircraft was disabled by striking a flock of Canada geese during its initial climb out of LaGuardia Airport on January 15, 2009. Past guest speakers have included former Washington Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann and Nobel Prize winner Dr. Peter Doherty.

And let me not forget our 'Songwriter's Dinner' hosted by Randy Owen. Some of country music's biggest writers come together to sing their songs and tell the stories behind the music. This year we were surprised with a guest appearance from John Oates (one half of the pop duo Hall & Oates), country singer Jimmy Wayne, Jessi Alexander (I Drive Your Truck, Drink On It, The Climb), and John Randall (Whiskey Lullaby, Am I the Only One).

According to Country Cares website, “The daily operating cost for St. Jude is $2 million, which is primarily covered by public contributions. During the past five years, 81 cents of every dollar received has supported the research and treatment at St. Jude.”

Information gained at each year's seminar equips us radio folks with the knowledge and tools needed to execute a better radiothon and ultimately raise more money for St. Jude!

Here’s a photo recap of some of the artists I met while in Memphis last week. Each has given their time to help raise awareness of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

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Categories: St. Jude