Guitar Center Donates Multiple Instruments to Cause
Canaan To Appear on CMT’s Hot 20 Countdown July 16 and Spike’s Bar Rescue July 24
Nashville, TN – Mercury Nashville’s Canaan Smith announces his new charitable initiative, Smash Cancer, benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, which is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. On stage earlier this year and feeling the energy he shares with his fans, Smith had an impulse to smash something. Canaan says, “I didn’t realize what was happening, all of a sudden I’m clutching this drum I just bashed.” Seeing the overwhelming fan response that first night and in the markets that followed led Canaan to an idea of how to make all this fun on stage also an opportunity for one of the charities he holds most dear.
“While it was fun destroying that drum at the end of our set, we didn’t know what to do with it,” notes Canaan. “To me, connecting with fans has always been the most important element in our live show so we thought; let’s get it to the people who would appreciate it the most. Fans totally latched on which made me realize we could turn this into something positive and benefit a charity I’ve been passionate about for a while. It’s been crazy and rewarding to see the reaction. I’m just thankful and humbled to do what I love and make music all while being able to give back.”
As an avid supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Canaan now autographs the drum and auctions it off after each show to fans in attendance to raise money for the organization. Prior to its official launch, Smash Cancer has already raised nearly $20,000 for St. Jude and caught the attention of Guitar Center. The instrument retailer generously donated a considerable number of drum sets and guitars to the cause.
To see an example of a Smash Cancer performance click HERE.
The Virginia Native wrapped the Black Out Tour with Brantley Gilbert earlier this year, and he was recently surprised onstage during his set at CMA Music Festival last month with a plaque celebrating the Platinum-certification of his No.1 hit single “Love You Like That.” The tune which has garnered over 90 million total streams is featured on Canaan’s debut album Bronco which was released last summer and debuted in the Top 5 on Billboard’s Country Albums Chart.
This weekend, Canaan will co-host CMT’s Hot 20 Countdown alongside Katie Cook and Cody Alan as well as Lauren Alaina and Mickey Guyton. The summer-themed episode will air Saturday, July 16 at 9am/8am Central. Canaan is also set to appear as a special, music guest on the hit Spike TV show Bar Rescue Sunday, July 24 at 9pm/8pm Central. Filmed at the Gallopin’ Goose in Coolidge, AZ, Canaan helps consult the remodel of the bar’s stage build out and performs at the grand reopening.
The road warrior who has been named “One to Watch” by The Huffington Post, Spotify, Yahoo Music and USA Today continues to hit multiple fairs and festivals this summer with upcoming stops at The Windjammer in Charleston, SC and the Menard County Fair in Petersburg, IL. For a full list of tour dates, news, images and more, visit www.CanaanSmith.com