The 36th annual Country Cares for St. Jude Kids returned to Memphis last week bringing together the country music community in support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
This year, Russell and Kailey Dickerson were honored with the Randy Owen Angels Among Us Award, highlighting their dedication to St. Jude. Founded by ALABAMA’s Randy Owen in 1989, Country Cares has spent decades bringing country music and a meaningful cause together.
“Country music carries stories of family, faith, resilience and hope from one generation to the next,” said Ike Anand, President and CEO of ALSAC/St. Jude. “In many ways, that is what you are creating tonight. Every gift to St. Jude creates something lasting — not for a single quarter or a fiscal year, but for generations. When you support St. Jude and share our story with your audiences, that generosity does not stop with a single patient. It fuels research, clinical trials, technology, global partnerships and future breakthroughs we cannot yet imagine. One act of kindness becomes many acts of healing. And ultimately, it becomes a legacy carried forward in every birthday celebrated, every milestone reached and every child who grows up and gets the chance to dream about their future.”
The country couple delivered heartfelt speeches upon acceptance of the Angels Among Us Award. Russell’s moving speech ultimately came down to one simple yet powerful word, “yes,” and Kailey also sharing her sentiment of the cause.
“What have Russell and Kailey Dickerson done to deserve this beautiful award?” said Russell Dickerson from stage. “I’m not the biggest superstar in country music by any means, nor am I the biggest donor to St. Jude by any means either. And the only thing I can really think of why it would be us up here is the word ‘yes.’ We get pulled in a lot of directions in this industry and business. We get a lot asked of us to be there, fly there, play here, call here. And honestly, as we have built a family, it’s become a lot more ‘no’s.’ But if I ever hear the two magical words ‘St. Jude’ – yes. And it’s that same ‘yes’ that these St. Jude families get every day. St. Jude is going to do everything within their world class power to make sure there are as many ‘yeses’ while you’re here as possible.”
“You meet these kids and these families and you cannot leave St. Jude the same as when you walk in, it’s impossible,” added Kailey Dickerson from stage. “So we want to say thank you to Randy and Kelly. Thank you for paving the way for this calling in country music. It’s such an honor to be a part of it.”
The incredible and moving event also featured performances from HARDY, Anne Wilson, Mitchell Tenpenny, Deerock and St. Jude cancer survivor Darren Warren.
Learn more about St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and how you can help make a difference at musicgives.org.