By Marla Jones, Managing Editor • marla@southerntorch.com

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Last week during a Country Music Association (CMA) Board reception, ALABAMA frontman and CMA Hall of Famer Randy Owen received the CMA Foundation Humanitarian Award. 

“I’m truly surprised and grateful for this award,” said Owen. “Hopefully, this will inspire other artists to follow their hearts to help the down and out, the helpless and especially sick children and families in need.”

Owen, who was surprised with the award by radio veteran Lon Helton, is the founder of the Country Cares for St. Jude Kids program. It is one of the most successful fundraising campaigns in the history of radio, raising over $875 million for the St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

The CMA Foundation Humanitarian Award recognizes an individual who has served as a humanitarian through community leadership, financial support, personal volunteerism and advocacy. The individual honored has evidenced commitment to worthwhile causes that are important to the Country Music Association and the country music community. 

In addition to founding Country Cares, Owen is involved with many other charitable endeavors, including: June Jam festivals, Alabama Sheriffs Boys Ranch summer camps, celebrity golf tournaments, and tornado/hurricane benefits. ALABAMA also participated in a hurricane benefit in 2017, supporting the victims of Hurricane Harvey, Irma and Maria. The event raised $40 million and drew five former U.S. presidents to attend: Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, George H.W. Bush, and Jimmy Carter.