If you've seen Casey James or any of the guys in his band lately, you know they're looking a little scruffy these days. They've thrown their grooming habits out the window ... for a good cause.

The "American Idol" alum is participating in the annual "No Shave November" competition, letting his facial hair grow until he and his "Team Casey James" members have raised a lot of money for St Jude Children's Research Hospital. They're currently in the lead, with more than $4,400 raised so far. Help Casey strengthen that lead -- and help St Jude find cures for childhood cancer and other diseases -- by donating here through Nov. 30.

Fighting cancer is actually why the hair on the singer's head is so long, too! Before "American Idol," he'd always had short hair but decided to grow it out just before the show to donate it to Locks of Love, the charity that makes wigs out of human hair and gives them to cancer patients who've lost their own hair due to chemotherapy treatments.

"My family has been really affected by cancer," the Texas native tells The Boot. "My Nana died of cancer, my Pawpaw passed away May 11 of last year of cancer. My mom is a two-time cancer survivor."

Casey and his beard are headed out with JB and the Moonshine Band on the Taste of Country Christmas tour, kicking off this Thursday in Abilene, Texas. See a full list of cities, dates and ticket information here.

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