Musicians On Call Raises Over $380,000 For the Healing Power of Music In Star-Studded 25th Anniversary Show

NASHVILLE, May 29, 2024 – On Wednesday, May 22nd, members of the Nashville community and music industry gathered at Marathon Music Works to commemorate the history and impact of Musicians On Call (MOC). MOC’s Anthems of Healing 25th Anniversary celebration raised more than $380,000 for the organization to continue its mission of delivering the healing power of music to patients, families and caregivers in healthcare environments. Amber Anderson and Kelly Sutton, hosts of Amazon Music’s Country Heat Weekly, emceed a night filled with moments of joy, excitement, and surprises as guests were treated to live performances by some of country music’s greatest talents, including Trisha Yearwood, Wynonna Judd, Charles Esten, Tiera Kennedy and, one of the night’s incredible honorees, Kelsea Ballerini. Volunteer Musician Abigail Rose opened the night with a performance showcasing her time visiting hospital patients at their bedside.

“We could not have asked for a more extraordinary night kicking off Musicians On Call’s 25th anniversary! To have such iconic artists joining us in honoring the great champions our mission has in Kelsea and Rondal, and the commitment of our volunteers Raffaella and Sarah, meant the world to our organization,” said Musicians On Call President & CEO Pete Griffin. “Throughout the rest of the year, MOC will be celebrating the most memorable songs and moments that have touched patients, family members and caregivers over our 25-year history.”

Following a live performance including her timeless classic “Walkaway Joe,” Trisha Yearwood presented her friend and longtime MOC supporter Rondal Richardson with the Leadership in Music Golden Ukulele. Richardson, senior entertainment and donor relations liaison for the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, has been an advocate for MOC’s mission since it first came to Nashville. He spoke to the crowd of his passion for helping others and the undeniable fact that music heals.

Actor, singer/songwriter and Musicians On Call Board Member and Volunteer Charles Esten introduced the night’s Music Heals Golden Ukulele honoree, Black River Entertainment recording artist, songwriter and producer Kelsea Ballerini. When accepting her award she spoke about her passion for the power of music and the human connection it builds, especially in a hospital room. Ballerini had everyone on their feet during her live performance, leading them through a sing-a-long of the crowd favorite “You’ve Got A Friend.”

MOC also honored the contributions of two of its outstanding volunteers. As a tribute to its 25th anniversary, the organization presented the first awards named after its co-founders. Raffaella Braun received the Vivek J. Tiwary Volunteer Guide Golden Ukulele and Sarah Harralson received the Michael Solomon Volunteer Musician Golden Ukulele. Braun has been a Volunteer Guide for MOC since 2016 and has visited more than 17,000 people in the hospital. She was presented her award by her friend and country hitmaker Scotty McCreery. Harralson began volunteering with MOC in 2015 and has performed for more than 19,000 people through the organization. Fellow Volunteer Musicians, and the recently named New Duo or Group winner at the ACM Awards, Tigirlily Gold presented Harralson with her award.

Following a heartwarming moment sharing the moving story of a patient who experienced the healing power of music through Musicians On Call, Judd closed the night with a soulful performance including fan favorites “Love Is Alive” and “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout The Good Old Days).”

Anthems of Healing Host Committee members include Hal Cato, Todd Cline, Jay & Christi DeGeare, Mitch Glazier, HCA Healthcare, Milton & Denice Johnson, Pam & Rick Leet, Diane Pearson, Dan Rogers, Todd & Sarah Rubin, Catherine Cate Sullivan, Vanderbilt Health and Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.

This special event was possible thanks to the support of premier partners Amazon Music, HCA Healthcare, Milton & Denice Johnson, and Tennessee Titans, and bar sponsors Juggernaut Wines, Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery, Southbound Tequila, Stella Artois, and Tito’s Handmade Vodka. MOC extends special thanks to table sponsors and other community partners who supported this event, including ASCAP, Black River Entertainment, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), Country Music Association (CMA), City National Bank, Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, Todd Cline, Curb Records, Jay and Christi DeGeare, Electronic Express, Eisai, FemHealth Ventures, FlyteVu, Gibson Gives, Grand Ole Opry, Hughston Clinic Orthopaedics, Live Nation, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp, Onsite, Pam & Rick Leet, PTP Live, Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Riveredge Hospital, Sandals & Beaches Resorts, Catherine Cate Sullivan, Wasserman Foundation, Vanderbilt Health and Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.

For more information on Musicians On Call visit www.musiciansoncall.org.