Press Releases

March 26, 2009

'The Stars Go Blue' for Colon Cancer Is A Blue Ribbon Success

To help increase colon cancer awareness, the Colon Cancer Alliance presented the inaugural 'The Stars Go Blue' for Colon Cancer concert Tuesday night at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum® (Nashville, TN). Hosted by Great American Country's Nan Kelley, the blue-themed evening featured some of Country Music's finest; Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Hal Ketchum and special guests Jamie O' Neal, Ricky Skaggs, Grammy-nominated accordionist LynnMarie Rink and Charlie Kelley who joined the writers' round to play a few tunes. Primary blue is the official ribbon color for colorectal cancer awareness. This event was inspired and created by 4-time Grammy nominee Charlie Kelley who was diagnosed and treated for colon cancer in the fall of 2008. Before the festivities got underway, the generous folks at Gibson Guitar showed their blue support and surprised Kelley with a brand new guitar. The packed crowd of industry insiders, esteemed doctors and cancer survivors were treated to an amazing night of music including Vince Gill's classic "It's Hard To Kiss The Lips At Night That Chew Your Ass Out All Day Long." A post-show reception followed complete with delicious blue cosmopolitans and several selections of Kentucky wine courtesy of the Elk Creek Vineyards and the Uncorking A Cure initiative. 'The Stars Go Blue' for Colon Cancer concert and bar stool auction was a true blue success, raising over $18K not including sponsorship or in kind donations. Proceeds will benefit both the Colon Cancer Alliance and MusiCares®. The funds raised by the Colon Cancer Alliance help support the services the CCA provides to colon cancer survivors; it's public education and awareness campaigns and colon cancer related advocacy nationwide.  

About the Colon Cancer Alliance
The Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA) is a national non-profit patient advocacy organization dedicated to ending the suffering caused by colorectal cancer. In order to increase rates of screening and survivorship, the CCA provides patient support services, public education and awareness campaigns, supports research and colorectal cancer related advocacy across the United States.
 
The CCA works as an advocate for colorectal cancer patients and their families and offers information and support from the first-hand experience of survivors and others whose lives have been touched by this disease.
 
Today, including on line communities, the CCA has over 50,000 members. Its toll free help line receives an average of 700 calls monthly, and its support networks have assisted hundreds of thousands of people. The organization has multiple local chapters, a large on line support community, live peer-to-peer assistance and multiple other support and awareness programs, including the Undy5000 5k walk/runs throughout the county. For more information visit the CCA's website at www.ccalliance.org or call 202-434-8980.

About MusiCares
MusiCares is a charitable arm of the Recording Academy and provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need. MusiCares' services and resources cover a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies, and each case is treated with integrity and confidentiality. MusiCares also focuses the resources and attention of the music industry on human service issues that directly impact the health and welfare of the music community. For more information about MusiCares, visit its website at www.musicares.com or call 877.626.2748.

Pictured (L-R):  Back Row - Amy Grant, Jamie O'Neal and Charlie Kelley
Front Row – Hal Ketchum, Vince Gill, Nan Kelley and Andrew Spiegel (The Colon Cancer Alliance CEO)
 

Pictured (L-R): Nan Kelley, Charlie Kelley and Jamie O' Neal with the Gibson Guitar
 
Photo Credit: Kay Williams - 3.24.09

www.thestarsgoblue.com

CONTACTS:

The Stars Go Blue Concert Contact: Jensen Sussman (615) 915-9318 / jensen@sweettalkpublicity.com

CCA Contact: Andrew Spiegel, CEO (202) 628-0123 / (610) 668-8600 / aspiegel@ccalliance.org

MusiCares (877) 626-2748 / www.musicares.com

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