Trailer Choir’s Vencent Hickerson Launches Music With a Mission

When Trailer Choir's Vencent Hickerson, aka Big Vinny, appeared on Season 12 of 'The Biggest Loser' in 2011, he may have lost almost 200 lbs., but he gained something valuable in its place -- a desire to see people of all ages, from children to adults, embrace a healthy lifestyle.

With that goal in mind, the singer has launched Music With a Mission, a unique way for schools to help support music programs, such as band and choir, without relying on the standard pizza or bake sale, which encourages poor eating habits.

Music With a Mission brings together local, regional and national artists at a concert that benefits schools, through a combination of ticket sales, corporate sponsorship, social media and grass roots connection.

Hickerson came up with the idea when his son came home from school with yet another highly-caloric fundraiser. He complained to his wife, Lori, about the large population of overweight children in the schools, who continued to receive junk food as rewards for achievement. She challenged him to come up with something better, so he combined his love of music with the passion he's developed for students through his motivational speaking, and Music With a Mission was born.

The first concert was held on April 19 in Quincy, Ill. Thousands of fans filled the Adams County fairgrounds for a concert by Trailer Choir, Colt Ford, Jared Blake, Kyle Grubb and Avenue Beat. Thanks to an exceedingly generous donation by Best Drug Rehabilitation, a residential treatment program, the inaugural Music With a Mission raised tens of thousands of dollars to help support music programs in area schools.

"We had an amazingly successful event," Hickerson tells The Boot. "No one left without a smile on their face, and we are already in the process of working on the event for next year. "

The Tennessee native is continuing to plan more Music With a Mission concerts, with several of his famous friends -- including Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, the Eli Young Band and Justin Moore -- all agreeing to participate in the future.

For more information, visit Music With a Mission's Facebook page, or e-mail MusicWithAMission@Live.com.