Blackberry Smoke Donate $15,000 at Atlanta Show
Pictured (L-R): Brandon Still and Paul Jackson, Blackberry Smoke; Scott Story, a patient’s parent; Charlie Starr, Blackberry Smoke; Karen McCarthy, CURE Childhood Cancer; Brit and Richard Turner, Blackberry Smoke. Photo: Webster PR
Blackberry Smoke performed a sold-out homecoming show at the Tabernacle in Atlanta on Friday (Nov. 27), where they donated $15,000 to CURE Childhood Cancer and $15,000 to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
The money was raised through the sale of VIP Meet & Greet packages at their 2015 shows. This latest donation brings the total given by the band to childhood cancer non-profits and research to more than $130,000 over the past three years.
Blackberry Smoke’s desire to give was inspired by Lana Turner, the daughter of drummer Brit Turner, who was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma at the age of 3. Thanks to the care she received from the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, she made a complete recovery and is now a happy and healthy 8-year-old. This year’s donations will be used to fund pediatric cancer research that will impact children throughout the Southeast region and beyond.
“We are so moved and appreciative to receive these funds from such a fantastic rock band which understands the crisis of childhood cancer after traveling the journey with the Turner family,” said Kristin Connor, Executive Director of CURE Childhood Cancer. “It means so much that Blackberry Smoke shares our mission to eradicate pediatric cancer in our lifetime.”
Luke Bryan Shakes the Salvation Army Kettle
Luke Bryan. Photo: Kelly Alexander
Luke Bryan took the stage at AT&T Stadium on Thanksgiving (Nov. 26) to kick off The Salvation Army’s 125th Red Kettle Campaign with a halftime performance on CBS during the Dallas Cowboys game against the Carolina Panthers.
The campaign officially began with the halftime performance and the inaugural Red Kettle donation from Jerry Jones, owner and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys, and his family. Since teaming up in 1997, the collaboration of The Salvation Army and the Dallas Cowboys has raised more than $2 billion for the Red Kettle campaign, which provides America’s most vulnerable with food, shelter and other support throughout the year.
Women Rock for the Cure Sets Fundraising Concert
Lucie Silvas, Nathan Barlowe, Heather Morgan and Caitlyn Smith will participate in a fundraiser for Women Rock for the Cure on Dec. 8 at 3rd & Lindsley. Billed as “A Pink Evening,” the show will begin at 7:30 p.m. Women Rocks for the Cure works to build awareness and provide outreach programs through the power of the entertainment industry. All proceeds benefit the organization’s outreach efforts, including the Young Survivors Retreat, which brings together young women diagnosed with breast cancer.
