MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Country Cares for St. Jude Kids® came together for the 36th year on Oct. 20–21 at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, Tenn. to celebrate the country music community's support for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital®. This year's event marks the first seminar since the program switched to a bi-yearly format in 2024. Russell and Kailey Dickerson were honored as the 2026 Angels Among Us recipients with additional performances from HARDY, Anne Wilson, Mitchell Tenpenny, Deerock and St. Jude cancer survivor Darren Warren across the two days.
“Country music carries stories of family, faith, resilience and hope from one generation to the next,” said Ike Anand, President and CEO of ALSAC/St. Jude. “In many ways, that is what you are creating tonight. Every gift to St. Jude creates something lasting — not for a single quarter or a fiscal year, but for generations. When you support St. Jude and share our story with your audiences, that generosity does not stop with a single patient. It fuels research, clinical trials, technology, global partnerships and future breakthroughs we cannot yet imagine. One act of kindness becomes many acts of healing. And ultimately, it becomes a legacy carried forward in every birthday celebrated, every milestone reached and every child who grows up and gets the chance to dream about their future.”
Randy Owen, member of the band ALABAMA, founded the Country Cares program in 1989. St. Jude awards the Randy Owen Angels Among Us award each year in his name, recognizing a country music artist who has demonstrated exceptional dedication and service to St. Jude.
This year, Russell and Kailey Dickerson were honored with the award, joining past recipients such as Keith Urban, Old Dominion, Brothers Osborne, Scotty McCreery, Lady A, Darius Rucker, Jake Owen and Brad Paisley.
“What have Russell and Kailey Dickerson done to deserve this beautiful award?” said Russell Dickerson from stage. “I'm not the biggest superstar in country music by any means, nor am I the biggest donor to St. Jude by any means either. And the only thing I can really think of why it would be us up here is the word 'yes.' We get pulled in a lot of directions in this industry and business. We get a lot asked of us to be there, fly there, play here, call here. And honestly, as we have built a family, it's become a lot more 'no's.' But if I ever hear the two magical words 'St. Jude' – yes. And it's that same 'yes' that these St. Jude families get every day. St. Jude is going to do everything within their world class power to make sure there are as many 'yeses' while you're here as possible.”
“You meet these kids and these families and you cannot leave St. Jude the same as when you walk in, it's impossible,” added Kailey Dickerson from stage. “So we want to say thank you to Randy and Kelly. Thank you for paving the way for this calling in country music. It's such an honor to be a part of it.”
Music Gives to St. Jude Kids® is one of the most successful music fundraising programs in the United States with more than 350 radio and music partners. The success of the program is driven by radiothons, concerts, events and campaigns like This Shirt Saves Lives. Funds raised through these efforts help support the lifesaving mission of St. Jude today and for generations to come. It costs nearly $2 billion annually to operate and expand the work of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital®.
To learn more about Music Gives to St. Jude Kids® and support St. Jude, please visit musicgives.org.