Sunday, July 11th, 2010


Over 500 bikers attended the fourth annual Little Big Town Ride for the Cure over the weekend in Nashville. The event was founded by the band to raise money for the Frances Williams Preston laboratories at the city's Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.
The day's events included a ride, an auction for a signed guitar and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, and a concert featuring Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Josh Thompson and the Band Perry.
"All of our families have been touched by cancer. Maybe we saved a life today," Little Big Town's Kimberly Schlapman told reporters at the event.
Bandmember Phillip Sweet, who rode in the event, explained that riding "helps you clear your mind."
He added that riding a motorcycle is fun, "especially when you have the wind and the surroundings and the smells of outside, you're not focused on anything but just riding. It's therapeutic and relaxing. I really enjoy it."


The event, which included a motorcycle ride from the Tin Roof in Nashville to the Harley-Davidson Superstore in Columbia, TN, featured pre-ride performances by Brett Eldridge, Randy Montana and Cali Rodi and post-ride performances by Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Randy Houser, Josh Thompson, and The Band Perry.

“We are thrilled with the turn out for this year's Ride for the Cure,” exclaimed Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild. “It was our biggest ride yet! The T.J. Martell Foundation is close to all of our hearts and we are so lucky to be able to support such an amazing cause so we can find a cure.”

In addition to the ride and performances, the band held an auction which included items donated by country music artists such as Zac Brown Band, Keith Urban, Jamey Johnson, Lady Antebellum, Eric Church and many others. Little Big Town’s Kimberly Schlapman and her husband personally donated their Tennessee Titan’s season football tickets to the highest bidder to attend a game this fall. Hand written and autographed lyrics to Little Big Town’s current single “Little White Church” was also auctioned off.

Proceeds from Ride For A Cure locally supports cancer research at the Frances Williams Preston Laboratories at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. The T.J. Martell Foundation supports leukemia, cancer and AIDS research at eight top hospitals in the United States. The Frances Williams Preston Laboratories were named after Frances Preston, past President and CEO of BMI and past President of the national T.J. Martell Foundation.


Performances by Cali Rodi, Brett Eldridge and Randy Montans began at 8:30 at the Tin Roof. Post ride performance in Columbia by Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Randy Hauser,Josh Thompson, and The Band Perry.

Event Emcee: Storme Warren

8-10 a.m. Registration-Tin Roof, 1516 Demonbreun
10:30 a.m. Ride Began at noon and ride ended at Harley-Davidson of Columbia Superstore (I 65 & Exit 46)

Post Ride Festivities Include:
Lunch
Special Jam Session with Little Big Town
and Friends
Live Auction


For more information
visit www.nashvillerideforacure.com


All proceeds from Ride for a Cure benefit the
T.J. Martell Foundation
About The T.J. Martell Foundation:
The T.J. Martell Foundation is dedicated to funding cutting-edge, bench to bedside research nationwide at eight top cancer and AIDS research facilities. Since its inception 35-years ago, the T. J. Martell Foundation has raised more than $240 million toward groundbreaking and innovative leukemia, cancer and AIDS research. T.J. Martell-funded research has contributed to numerous important breakthroughs and advances in the treatment of these deadly diseases.
www.tjmartellfoundation.org
This gallery is empty.