Over Two Million in Funds Raised to Date
Star-Studded Night Featured Special Acoustic Songwriter in the Round Performances
by Sister Hazel, Javier Colon, The Voice Season one winner, and Matt Scannell of Vertical Horizon
NASHVILLE, TN –Platinum-selling band, Sister Hazel, hosted the Sold Out 2018 Lyrics for Life in their hometown of Gainesville, FL on Friday, September 14. Presented by Rich and Carissa Blaser, the event raised 300K for the non-profit charities Lyrics for Life’s Camp Hazelnut and Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation as well as with all Lyrics For Life events, STOP Children’s Cancer in Gainesville, FL. Attendees sipped cocktails and enjoyed heavy hors d’oeuvres as they browsed a star-studded silent auction, featuring items from some of the music industry’s biggest names. This year, the auction featured 12 lyric-inspired pieces from artists including Sir Paul McCartney, The Eagles, Toby Keith, and James Taylor. Entertainment included a Gainesville’s own Tom Petty tribute featuring a surprise appearance by Stan Lynch, the original heartbreakers drummer and all artist finale performance of Tom Petty’s “Won’t Back Down.” There was also a special intimate singer-songwriter in the round performance with Sister Hazel’s Ken and Drew, Javier Colon, The Voice Season one winner, and Matt Scannell of Vertical Horizon.
“What a night!! The entire evening was beautiful beyond words.The AMAZING experience that we all shared at Friday night’s incredible Lyrics For Life event helped us all take another BIG leap forward in the fight against Cancer,” said Sister Hazel frontman, Ken Block. “The energy was electric AND $300,000 was raised!! This one’s for you little brother! And for all the other Jeffrey Block’s out there – the fighters, the brothers and sisters, the moms and dads, we will never leave your side.” Ken and his band mates founded Lyrics For Life in memory of Ken’s younger brother, Jeffrey, who ultimately lost his four-year battle with cancer that started at age 14.
Lyrics for Life has donated $250k over the years to Gainesville’s STOP Children’s Cancer Charity. They have also benefited other Cancer Charities around the country including Children’s Cancer Center of Tampa and Camp Sunshine in Atlanta. In 2017, the event raised over $200,000 for Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation, Gainesville’s STOP Children’s Cancer Charity, and Lyrics for Life’s annual Camp Hazelnut event. More than 15,000 children under age 19 will be diagnosed with cancer this year. While survival rates have improved, cancer remains one of the leading causes of death by disease for kids. You can learn more about Lyric’s for Life HERE.