Sister Hazel's Sold Out Lyrics for Life Event Raises 300K for Lyrics for Life's Camp Hazelnut and Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation
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
Platinum-selling band, Sister Hazel, hosted the Sold Out 2018 Lyrics for Life in their hometown of Gainesville, FL this past 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.
About Sister Hazel:
Originating from Gainesville, FL, Sister Hazel is comprised of five gifted, seasoned musicians whose well-spring of natural talent has been called "one of the Top 100 Most Influential Independent Performers of the last 15 years" by Performing Songwriter Magazine. Song "All for You" topped the adult alternative charts during the summer of 1997 and the success propelled their album to platinum status. In their first showing on the country music charts they made a strong debut with “Lighter In The Dark” at #4 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, #6 on Billboard’s Independent Albums chart, #30 on Billboard's Top Current Albums chart and #79 on the Billboard 200 album chart. The band landed on Billboard’s Top Country Albums Chart again in 2016 with “Unplugged From Daryl's House Club” at #75. In 2018, “Water,” Volume I of a collectible compilation series titled, “Elements,” landed on the Billboard Country Albums chart at #9 and at #2 on Billboard’s Independent Albums chart along with making their debut on the most revered stage in country music, the Grand Ole Opry. Living up to their fan-centered reputation, the band was a pioneer in the themed cruise industry by co-founding "The Rock Boat" and annually hosts events like the “Hazelnut Hang,” and "Camp Hazelnut" that focuses on creating unique experiences and interacting with the fans. Sister Hazel has been equally attentive to connecting with their audience through social media having amassed over a million social followers. In addition to the events and touring, the band also gives back with “Lyrics For Life.” Founded by singer Ken Block, the charity unites musicians and celebrities for concerts and auctions to benefit cancer research and patient-care charities.
About Lyrics For Life:
Lyrics For Life is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to make a difference in the fight against pediatric cancer. Sister Hazel frontman, Ken Block, 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. The charity unites musicians and celebrities for concert events, auctions, and other fundraising efforts. The monies raised are donated to groups that are working to find a cure, as well as those aiming to enrich the lives of patients and their families. From research to summer camps and family support groups, we are surrounding this disease and conquering it from every angle. Artists participate in many ways, often by donating handwritten lyrics to one of their songs on anything from a simple sheet of paper to a surfboard to some other unique item, which we offer for auction at one of our Lyrics For Life events. Our team of musicians, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters set high goals for the future. We accept the challenge to find new ways of raising money and awareness and to help make each day a little brighter until there is a cure. http://www.lyricsforlife.org/
About Camp Hazelnut:
Decades of familiar, happy faces cover the walls in the dining hall of Camp Crystal Lake outside Gainesville, FL. Kids around the U.S. have been spending summers there for as long as anyone can remember, so when the Camp’s Director, Scott Burton, got word to the band that he would love to collaborate on an event, everyone loaded up the car and headed out for a visit. The conversation started simply as a family-focused Sister Hazel fan event—a weekend “summer camp” retreat with activities, bonfires, cabins, and, of course, music. When Sister Hazel decided to also invite some regional kids with cancer and their families, the idea took on a whole new meaning, and the weekend turned out to be far more powerful than anyone first imagined: so much so, that they decided to center future Camp Hazelnut events around these special kids and families. The Camp Hazelnut goal is simple: create a playful, safe, uplifting experience for kids and families navigating the overwhelming challenges of a cancer diagnosis. It's a place to simply get away and come together. The campers embark on a great exploration to discover (or rediscover!) the magic that can only be created at summer camp, and the band is right there alongside them every step of the way, leading activities, playing acoustic campfire sing-alongs, sharing, giggling, and having a blast. http://www.lyricsforlife.org/camp-hazelnut
About The Florida Cancer Specialists (FCS) Foundation:
The Florida Cancer Specialists (FCS) Foundation provides financial support to qualified cancer patients in the state of Florida for expenses such as rent or mortgage, car payments and utility bills. By giving patients peace of mind in knowing that their bills are being paid while they are undergoing treatment, the FCS Foundation allows them to concentrate on what really matters – fighting cancer. Due to the generosity of the Florida Cancer Specialists partner physicians in covering all overhead expenses for the Foundation, 100% of donations received go directly towards paying the essential non-medical living expenses of an adult battling cancer. The Foundation is a 501(3)(c) nonprofit organization and located at 5204 Paylor Lane in Sarasota, Florida. Learn more about the FCS Foundation at: Foundation.FLCancer.com or call 941.677.7181.