There will be an acoustic benefit concert on Feb. 20 featuring Hunter Hayes and Scotty McCreery as well as other country music acts at the Clear Channel Metroplex in Little Rock.
This year’s full lineup includes Grammy-nominated Hunter Hayes, American Idol Season 10 winner Scotty McCreery, Parmalee, The Railers, The Josh Abbott Band, Chase Bryant and Kelsea Ballerini.
The concert is to help promote their larger fundraising effort, an Annual Radiothon also in support of St. Jude, which will be Feb. 19 and 20, according to David Burkley, a DJ at the station. Last year’s efforts raised more than $100,000 according to the KSSN 96 website.
“We do a ‘Country Cares for Kids’ St. Jude Radiothon each year, in February, to raise money for the hospital and their patients,” Burkley said. “When artists’ schedules are open for dates surrounding the Radiothon, we try to bring acts to the area in support of the cause.”
KSSN’s operations manager Chad Heritage is in charge of overseeing the coordination of bringing available performers together and organizing the show. Heritage said that all the money raised by the event goes to help the children of St. Jude.
“Not only do we raise money for St. Jude, but also bringing awareness to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital from that concert (allows us to) build on year after year (and) make it bigger.”
Self-described country music fan, Freshman Natalie Autrey, already has tickets to the show.
“I am really excited to go to the concert because I love country music, plus anything for St. Jude is a great cause because who doesn’t like helping kids?” Autrey said.
According to St. Jude’s website their mission is to provide care to all children, particularly those with life-threatening illnesses and make sure families do not have to pay any of the expenses. This is done through donations from all over the world.
The “St. Jude Acoustic Jam” starts at 7 p.m. and doors open at 6 p.m. General Admission tickets can be purchased from Crossroads Western Wear in North Little Rock, Mid-State Appliance in Little Rock, Rib Crib in Benton and O.K. Corral Western Store in Conway. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. The event is hosted by radio stations KSSN 96 and 105.1 the Wolf.
