Feb 7
Grascals present St Jude check on behalf of MACC
Memphis Tenn. — The Grascals visited St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital on February 4 and presented a check for $ 40,184.60 on behalf of Musicians Against Childhood Cancer (MACC). The check represents the proceeds from the 2007 MACC benefit concert, as well as sales of the the CD, Celebration of Life: Musicians Against Childhood Cancer. The Grascals have performed at the benefit concert each year since 2005, and they also contributed a song to the album.
MACC was founded by concert promoter Darrel Adkins and his wife Phyllis in 2000 after their daughter, Mandy, lost her courageous battle with cancer. In 2001, the annual Bluegrass Classic festival promoted by Adkins Productions since 1984 was re-named Musicians Against Childhood Cancer. All of the bluegrass artists who perform at the festival donate their time in an effort to raise money for the fight against childhood cancer. Celebration of Life: Musicians Against Childhood Cancer was released in 2006 by MACC through Skaggs Family Records. It contains 37 performances by 136 bluegrass artists and musicians, recorded at the MACC benefit concert from 2000-2005. The album was International Bluegrass Music Association’s 2006 Album of the Year.
After presenting the check, The Grascals toured the hospital and visited with patients.
“We’re absolutely blown away by the courage of these kids and their families, and by the incredible research being done here. We’re honored to have been a small part of raising funds through MACC, and we’re thankful to all the artists who have participated in this project.”Jamie Johnson - Grascals vocalist/guitarist
The Grascals’ visit to St. Jude came one day after the group won three awards at the 34th Annual SPBGMA Bluegrass Music Awards held in Nashville: Instrumental Group of the Year (for the third consecutive year), Bluegrass Band of the Year (for the second consecutive year) and Mandolin Player of the Year (Danny Roberts’ second win in three years). The Grascals are the reigning International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Entertainers of the Year, having won the top honor for the second year in a row.
The Grascals recently entered into a sponsorship agreement with Mayberry’s Finest Brand Foods, a line of 35 Southern-seasoned stews, chilis, vegetables and baking mixes inspired by The Andy Griffith Show. During The Grascals’ St. Jude visit, Mayberry’s Finest Brand Foods, in keeping with the Mayberry spirit of friendship and generosity, donated some of their southern-seasoned fixings to the Target House, a home away from home for families with children receiving life-saving treatment at the hospital. For more information visit The Grascals online.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 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. For more information, please visit http://www.stjude.org/.
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