Chart-topping star Scotty McCreery has accepted the Randy Owen Angels Among Us Award, an honor that is given to a country artist each year for their outstanding commitment and service to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s mission: Finding cures. Saving children.
“Last night our friend @scottymccreery was honored with the Randy Owen Angel Among Us Award for the incredible support he has shown to the lifesaving mission of St. Jude,” St. Jude shared via Instagram. “We’re so grateful that Scotty is part of our St. Jude family and has brought hope, through his voice and talents, to children everywhere ❤️.”
Randy Owen, lead singer of The Alabama Band, extended the award to McCreery at the Country Cares Seminar, an annual event that brings together music artists and industry professionals to spread awareness for St. Jude and learn how to raise funds. The gathering comes before the launch of the #ThisShirtSavesLives campaign that supports the #MusicGives to St. Jude Kids initiative.
“Well before I got started in country music, my folks instilled in me the desire to impact people in a positive way, and I’ve wanted to do that through my music since I’ve started,” said McCreery as he accepted the award. “To do that, you’ve got to align yourself with like-minded people, and you’ve got to align yourself with like-minded organizations. Of people that are mpacting folks in positive way, St. Jude, you’re at the top of that list. Y’all do amazing work for children and families all around this country.”
McCreery and wife Gabi have been major advocates for the St. Jude mission since 2014. The Triple Tigers recording artist has offered support for several St. Jude campaigns throughout the almost decade of partnership, including visits to the St. Jude campus and donating his $25,000 winnings from “Celebrity Family Feud” to the institution.
“It is a tremendous honor to receive the Angels Among Us Award from St. Jude,” said McCreery. “The patients and families here have been an inspiration to me, just as I know they are to so many other Country artists as well.”
He continued, “With continued support from country radio and our loyal listeners, who pitch in to play their part for this wonderful cause, we can make a difference together by helping ensure that no family receives a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing, or food, so they can focus on helping their child live. That’s a beautiful thing to me, and I’m happy to lend my voice in support of such an amazing cause. And then to receive this award from the legendary Randy Owen himself is a moment I’ll treasure always.”
Prior to the awards dinner, the multi-platinum-selling artist reflected on his first visit to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
“I’ll never forget the ride over and just kind of being nervous,” he shared with Country Insider. “I’d been to a few children’s hospitals at that point, and it could kind of be a sad experience. That’s what I was expecting. These kids and these families are going through unimaginable things, but we got in the hospital that day and somehow, some way St. Jude had smiles on these kids’ faces. There were smiles on the families’ faces. I was thinking ‘How in the world are there smiles with the tough things they’re going through?’”
Family appears to be a priority for McCreery, even more so as the “Five More Minutes” singer and his wife expect their first child in early November.
“It’s going to be the biggest blessing,” gushed McCreery in a recent interview with ABC Audio. “I can’t wait to teach this kid things. Get him on the ball field, play him some music, teach him guitar. We’ve already got a little music stand for him to play with. So yeah, we’re pumped.”
This honor adds McCreery to the list of past recipients, including Randy Owen, Florida Georgia Line, Lady A, Jake Owen, Brad Paisley, John Rich, Darius Rucker, Lon Helton, Bill Mayne, former ALSAC Chief Operating Officer David McKee (posthumously) and St. Jude Country Cares Advisory Board member Sharon Eaves (posthumously).
Randy Owens then led event attendees in singing an early “Happy Birthday” to the country hitmaker, who celebrated his 29th birthday on Sunday (Oct. 9), making the special night even more memorable for McCreery.
The country music industry has proven to be a great support for the patients of St. Jude and helped to raise close to $50 million in 2021, moving towards the six-year, $12.9 billion St. Jude plan to enhance research and treatment.
For more information, visit musicgives.org.
