John Rich & Friends Concert to Benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital®

Star-studded event kicks off the 2012 FedEx St. Jude Classic

MEMPHIS, Tenn., May 14, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- John Rich, Kellie Pickler, Darius Rucker, Jeff Foxworthy and Big & Rich will perform at the St. Jude Presents John Rich & Friends concert on June 5 at the Cannon Center in Memphis, Tenn. The event will serve as the first-ever concert kick off for the 2012 FedEx St. Jude Classic. Window World® and First Tennessee Bank will serve as presenting sponsors for the event. This year, as St. Jude Children's Research Hospital® celebrates its 50th anniversary, the organization is thankful to all of its supporters who make it possible for the hospital to provide exceptional care to children fighting cancer and other deadly diseases, all while ensuring that no family ever pays St. Jude for anything.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120514/DC06539)

"The John Rich & Friends concert is an incredible way for us to kick off this year's FedEx St. Jude Classic and celebrate the 50th anniversary of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital," said Richard Shadyac Jr., CEO of ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. "This year's tournament is about so much more than golf. We've planned a full week of events for our supporters to enjoy while also helping St. Jude continue its mission of finding cures and saving children."

St. Jude patient Ben is especially looking forward to the concert. In 2011, on the day Ben, 19, was admitted to St. Jude, Rich made a special appearance at the hospital. Rich spent time with Ben that day and invited him to attend a concert when he was feeling better. Ben is just one of the many patients who have been touched by Rich in his 15 years of dedication to St. Jude.

"St. Jude Children's Research Hospital holds a very special place in my heart, that's why I'm excited to kick off the FedEx St. Jude Classic with the John Rich & Friends concert," said Rich. "I don't know how you could spend your time any better on this earth than to support something like St. Jude. It's truly God's work – taking care of them babies."

The FedEx St. Jude Classic has raised more than $25 million to help St. Jude continue its mission of finding cures and saving children. In addition to the concert, other special events include the Danny Thomas Pro-Am, Championship Pro-Am, Michelob Ultra Party Tent, a fun-filled Kid Zone and the Super T concert "after party." By purchasing tickets to the concert and tournament attendees will participate in family-friendly entertainment and sporting events while helping St. Jude do everything it can to save the lives of children battling cancer and other deadly diseases.

Window World®, America's largest replacement window and home remodeling company, is the national presenting sponsor and plays an important role in the success of the St. Jude Presents John Rich & Friends concert. Window World Cares™, the charitable foundation of Window World, has raised more than $2.3 million in support of St. Jude and also hosts a holiday party each December for the patients and their families. In 2010, St. Jude named Window World® the New Corporate Partner of the Year.

First Tennessee Bank is the Mid-South presenting sponsor for the concert and shares a long history with St. Jude over the past 50 years. First Tennessee's direct support has been well over $1.3 million dollars in addition to the bank providing volunteers and important sponsorship for many local events that benefit St. Jude. Dollar General, Delta Dental, Kroger and Brooks Brothers are also acting as contributing sponsors for this event.

About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Since opening 50 years ago, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has changed the way the world treats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. No family ever pays St. Jude for the care their child receives and, for every child treated here, thousands more have been saved worldwide through St. Jude discoveries. The hospital has played a pivotal role in pushing U.S. pediatric cancer survival rates from 20 to 80 percent overall, and is the first and only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. It is also a leader in the research and treatment of blood disorders and infectious diseases in children. St. Jude was founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas, who believed that no child should die in the dawn of life. Join that mission by visiting stjude.org or following us on facebook.com/stjude and twitter.com/stjude.

About FedEx St. Jude Classic
The tournament now known as the FedEx St. Jude Classic was founded in 1958 as the Memphis Open. The world-class event has raised more than $25 million dollars for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital since it became the sole charity in 1970.  FedEx became title sponsor in 1986 and donations to the hospital skyrocketed.  FedEx completed twenty-one years as title sponsor in 2006 and became the umbrella sponsor of the FedExCup in 2007. The tournament is produced by Youth Programs, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization. 

SOURCE St. Jude Children's Research Hospital