left to right: Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet, Mike Kraski, Karen Fairchild, Jimi Westbrook, Laura Heatherly (photo by Randi Radcliff)
Little Big Town raised $35,000 for the T.J. Martell Foundation’s second annual Ride For A Cure motorcycle ride on Sunday, June 8, 2008. Darryl Worley, Lonestar, Jennifer Hanson, Gary Chapman, GAC’s Storme Warren, Ira Dean, Chuck Wicks, Jeff Allen, Christian Kane, Earl Brown, Bluefield, Kendall Johnson, Levi Rose, Randy Houser, Ray Scott, Jamie Johnson, The Roys and FLOORD showed great spirit as they turned out to ride from the Harley-Davidson of Cool Springs to the future Harley-Davidson of Columbia site in 95+ degree heat where they met fans, enjoyed a barbecue lunch and performed in a post-ride jam session.
“Everyone seemed to have a great time and we were so pleased to see such wonderful support from the many sponsors, participants, artists and fans that came to help us raise vital dollars for research,” said Kimberly Schlapman of Little Big Town. “Ride For A Cure was a great way for us to end CMA Music Fest week by giving back to such a wonderful cause as the T.J. Martell Foundation.”
Prior to the start of the ride, Little Big Town was awarded the T.J. Martell Foundation
– Nashville Division’s Artist Appreciation Award for their generous support in the Foundation’s mission of funding leukemia, cancer and AIDS research. Mike Kraski, Chairman of the T.J. Martell Foundation’s Board of Directors Artist Relations Committee and Laura Heatherly, Executive Director of the Foundation presented a special plaque to Karen Fairchild, Jimi Westbrook, Kimberly Roads and Phillip Sweet.
“Little Big Town is a great example of how artists can get really get involved with a music industry supported cause such as the T.J. Martell Foundation and help raise vital dollars for research,” said Kraski. “After attending some Martell events and learning about the mission of the charity, they decided they wanted to play a major role with the organization and host the motorcycle ride.”
For information on how to participate in the 2009 Ride For A Cure or the T.J. Martell Foundation, call (615) 256-2002 or log onto www.tjmartellfoundation.org.
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