Charity News: Brett Eldredge, Thomas Rhett, Mark Wills, Chase Bryant

Brett Eldredge, Thomas Rhett Surprise St. Jude Patient With Private Concert

Pictured (L-R): Kinsee’s mother, Holly; grandmother, Sandra; Brett Eldredge; Kinsee; and Thomas Rhett. Photo: Dusty Draper / CMA

As part of the making of CMA Country Christmas, artists Brett Eldredge and Thomas Rhett surprised 14-year-old Kinsee with a private performance of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.” Kinsee has been a patient at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital since she was 8 years old. Kinsee was diagnosed with leukemia after becoming sick while on vacation with her grandparents. Her treatment included chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant, and radiation. Within several weeks of starting chemotherapy, Kinsee’s cancer was in remission; she has now been in remission for five years.

The performance from Eldredge and Rhett was taped for the two-hour CMA special. CMA Country Christmas offers a platform to increase awareness for the work of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“Our industry, artists, and country radio have a strong connection to St. Jude and we are honored to provide this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Kinsee while we also bring important recognition to the Hospital,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “Kinsee’s recovery is something we can all celebrate, because she represents the hope and happy ending we desire for all children – especially during the holidays.”

Hosted for the sixth time by Jennifer Nettles, CMA Country Christmas airs Thursday, Dec. 3 on ABC.  Taped at the Grand Ole Opry House, CMA Country Christmas is a celebration of the season featuring performances from Kelsea Ballerini, Dan + Shay, Mickey Guyton, Jewel, Charles Kelley, Martina McBride, David Nail, Nettles, Pentatonix, LeAnn Rimes, Darius Rucker, Brian Setzer, Michael W. Smith, and Lindsey Stirling.

Mark Wills Joins Helping A Hero National Gala

Mark Wills

Entertainer Mark Wills is slated to take part in Helping A Hero’s 2015 National Gala on Sunday, Nov. 22, at the Bayou City Events Center in Houston. Helping A Hero is a Houston-based non-profit, non-partisan organization that provides support for military personnel who are severely injured.

Wills is slated to perform during the event, which will be hosted by 60 Minutes correspondent Lara Logan. Former Presidential candidate Herman Cain will receive the Patriot Award, while Houston’s Joanne King Herring will receive the Defense of Freedom Award.

Helping a Hero was created to provide specially adapted homes at a deeply discounted price for qualifying service members while engaging the community to provide services and resources for the recipients and their families. Through the HelpingaHero.org Home Program, 100 severely wounded heroes from 22 states have been awarded a specially-adapted home that addresses their physical adaptation needs.

For more information, visit helpingahero.org.

Chase Bryant To Headline Charity Concert

Brooke Eden and Carly Pearce plus hit songwriters Shane Minor, Wendell Mobley and producer/songwriter Derek George will join headliner Chase Bryant for his inaugural “Music For Mobility”concert on Sunday, Nov. 22.  The event will raise money for The Arthritis Foundation and will take place at Nashville’s The Listening Room beginning at 7 p.m.

Raising awareness and monies for arthritis treatment research is a cause deeply personal to the rising star. In fact, two of Bryant’s close family members suffer from debilitating arthritis.

“A lot of people don’t realize just how painful arthritis is and that it also affects young children. My cousin Emma has suffered from juvenile rheumatoid arthritis since she was two years old. She’s already had a number of surgeries and treatments because of the disease. My aunt Jenifer also suffers from arthritis. This is personal for me. My hope is to raise money for research to discover more effective treatments and – ultimately a cure — for the disease,” says Bryant.

General admission tickets are $15 in advance. A limited number of VIP tickets are available for $45. Each VIP ticket includes preferred seating, a meet-and-greet with Bryant after the show and an autographed poster. VIP Table Packages are available for $500 per table. VIP Table Packages include a table for four in the front row, four meet-and-greet passes for after the show, four autographed posters and one autographed guitar.

All ticket packages are available at eventbrite.com.