Jones Airways Helps Country Stars Perform Sold-Out Police Benefit
CLEVELAND, Tenn., July 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Country music's biggest stars didn't hesitate when asked to perform a special concert for slain Dallas police officers – and Allan Jones didn't hesitate to offer the free use of his state-of-the-art, Falcon 900 aircraft for them to fly on.
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On Wednesday, Tanya Tucker, Randy Travis, "Elvira" hit-makers the Oak Ridge Boys and other celebrities joined with Jones for what some in the entertainment industry called "the most important concert of the year." Fans traveled from as far away as California to be a part of the history.
The legends performed Wednesday night at "Stars Behind the Stars: a Benefit for the Blue" at the famous Billy Bob's Texas club in Fort Worth. Tickets sold so quickly that the event was streamed online so that fans across the world could watch. Active police officers were given free admission if they showed their badge at the gate.
The sold-out event was made possible largely because the company Jones Airways offered the use of its Falcon 900 for the flight from Nashville to Texas. The company, based in Cleveland, TN, uses its high-performance tri-engine plane to provide travel for celebrities and corporations across the nation.
Jones Airways was founded by Allan Jones - the Cleveland, TN, native who founded Check Into Cash and a handful of other successful companies.
"I am a lifelong supporter of law enforcement and when I heard about the concert, I wanted to help," said Jones, who made national headlines in 2014 when he rescued Hardwick Clothes – America's oldest tailor-made clothing manufacturer – from bankruptcy. "Police officers do not get enough credit for putting their lives at risk to keep our communities safe. Anything we can do to let them know we care is important."
The Falcon 900 has been called the upper echelon of flight because it can fly from Cleveland, TN to London non-stop, according to Patrick Butler, aviation director for Jones Airways.
"The plane seats 14 people, has a large cabin and a state-of-the-art entertainment system," Butler said.
Butler said chartering company Advanced Aviation partnered with Jones Airways to support the concert.
Along with the Oak Ridge Boys, celebrities who flew on the Falcon included John Conlee, Collin Raye, Ronnie McDowell, Kelly Lang, T.G. Sheppard, and T. Graham Brown.
All proceeds from the concert will be donated to the "Assist the Officer" Foundation created by the Dallas Police Association in 1999. The foundation provides immediate financial assistance to officers who are facing the loss of income due to a serious injury or life-threatening illness. Immediate financial assistance is provided to the family of any active officer who is killed in the line of duty.
"Many of our artists are based in Nashville and wanted to get together for a benefit for these families of fallen officers and we looked for partners to help," said Scott Adkins, Vice President of Publicity for Webster Public Relations. "We were able to find Jones Airways and Advanced Aviation Team partnering up to organize the travel for these artists. Their committing right away made this event possible."
Jones refused to accept any credit for making "one of the biggest concerts in music history" possible.
"The focus here should be on these police officers who gave their lives protecting people of Texas," Jones said. "I encourage others out there who are able to help our officers and their families to do so. I know from firsthand experience that they really do appreciate it."
Butler added: "Our thoughts are with the families of those who have suffered the loss of their loved ones."
Related Links
Assist the Officer Foundation Website
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SOURCE Jones Airways
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