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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Lonestar and friends rolled into CMA Music Festival week with their 3rd Annual Lonestar & Friends Strike Out for the Kids Bowling Bash, raising $39,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
With the help of dedicated country artists, fans, volunteers and GAC, the sold out event surpassed previous benchmarks to reach a phenomenal $39,000 for St. Jude. This exceeds last year’s event which raised a still impressive $21,000, and it more than doubled the inaugural year’s net proceeds of $16,300.
Fans crowded into the quaint building of Hermitage Lanes in Nashville for a chance to bowl with their favorite artist, grab an autograph, take pictures, and head into CMA Music Fest week with a piece of unique memorabilia. In addition to the games, a silent auction was held for fans to bid on items from different celebrities, including one-of-a-kind autographed bowling shirts from all artists in attendance. Celebrities present included: Lonestar, GAC host Suzanne Alexander, Carolina Rain, Jeff Bates, Brad Cotter, Amy Dalley, Dusty Drake, Crystal Hunt, Emerson Drive, Buddy Jewell, Little Texas, Tracy Lawrence, Jerrod Niemann, Jimmy Olander, Jake Owen, Danielle Peck, Michael Peterson, Bobby Pinson, Julie Roberts, Keni Thomas, Trent Tomlinson, Tanya Tucker, Jimmy Wayne, Bryan White and Darryl Worley and Chris Young in addition to GAC hosts Storme Warren and Nan Kelley.
Teri Watson, Sr. Director of Radio and Entertainment Marketing for St. Jude spoke on behalf of the patients and families at St. Jude: “We are grateful to Lonestar and all the artists who participated as well as the loyal fans, volunteers and our host location Hermitage Lanes for their continued support. We are equally thrilled with the success of this year's event which we feel is due in part through the generosity of our new presenting sponsor GAC.”
Lonestar was moved by the success of this year’s event. The group commented on the great support from all avenues for this year’s event: “We are so excited about the amount of money we were able to raise for St. Jude Children's Hospital with this year's Bowling Party,” said Michael Britt on the event’s success. Richie McDonald commented on the overwhelming support received, “We couldn't have done it without all the wonderful fans and artists that came to support the event.” Dean Sams continued, “We also can't thank GAC enough for their sponsorship and coverage of the event.” “From Lonestar and especially the kids at St. Jude, we send out a big ‘thank you!!’” stated Keech Rainwater.
Bryan White commented on his continued participation in the event: “I had a blast! I bowled much better this year. Maybe because the fans got me my own ball! The guys in Lonestar are as good as they come. They have big hearts. They know what they’ve been given and want to use it to draw awareness to the needs that these children have. I’m honored to be a part of it.”
GAC was on hand all evening to film its weekly Top 20 Countdown and catch all the excitement from fans and artists as pins hit the ground.
For more information on Lonestar please visit http://www.lonestar.mu/. For details on St. Jude and how you can make a difference visit http://www.stjude.org/
About the company:
St. Jude is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Founded by late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis, Tennessee, St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. No family ever pays for treatments not covered by insurance, and families without insurance are never asked to pay. St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fundraising organization.
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