Grand Ole Opry Celebrates 25th Anniversary of Country Cares for St. Jude Kids

The Grand Ole Opry helped celebrate 25 years of Country Cares for St. Jude Kids with an all-star line-up on Tuesday night (Sept. 23). On hand to honor the silver anniversary of the program, which was created by Alabama's Randy Owen, were several of music and TV's reigning stars.

'Nashville' actors Jonathan Jackson and Sam Palladio were present, along with Owen, Brad Paisley, the Charlie Daniels Band, Eric Paslay, Bill Anderson and Maddie and Tae, who made their Opry debut for the momentous occasion.

In addition to unforgettable musical performances, a video of the past quarter-century of Country Cares for St. Jude Kids played on the Opry's barn screen, while Audrey Stanger, a nine-year-old patient at St. Jude, served as the guest announcer. In one of the many highlights of the night, Charlie Daniels walked on stage to hand her a dozen roses and an autographed guitar.

Owen created Country Cares for St. Jude as a way for some of his famous friends to help support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, which offers services for children facing cancer and other life-threatening illnesses, free of charge to their families.

“That’s what celebrities can do," Owen tells The Boot. "I think it’s very important that whatever is in your heart, don’t be anybody else but yourself. If it means raising money for veterans — if it means raising money for whatever, if that’s what’s in your heart, be passionate about it and don’t let it go.”

So far, Country Cares for St. Jude has raised more than $500 million. To find out more information, or to make a donation, click here.