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On Wednesday, April 16, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) celebrated its third A Country Thing Happened On The Way to Cure Parkinson’s. The evening was hosted by NBC’s Sunday Today host, Willie Geist and featured musical headliners Chris Stapleton and Little Big Town as well as comedian, Dusty Slay.
The sold-out crowd of nearly 1,100 guests — new and old friends of MJFF’s community — gathered at the Fisher Center at Belmont University in Nashville for a curated cocktail menu provided by Chef Philip Krajeck of Rolf and Daughters. The evening kicked off with Little Big Town performing five hits including “Girl Crush” and “Boondocks.” Nine-time Grammy winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Sheryl Crow took the stage to introduce Little Big Town member Kimberly Schlapman, who provided heartfelt remarks on her family’s personal connection to Parkinson’s disease. In a touching moment, Team Human Powered Potential team members, Brendan Cusick, Peter Durso, Scott Forman and Patrick Morrissey, joined the stage while the crowd gave a standing ovation in response to the Foundation’s short film, which featured the team’s daunting 41 days at sea last summer. The audience was moved by Team HPP’s inspirational remarks and the film’s spotlight on the record-breaking $41 million that the crew raised last summer while rowing from Monterey, CA to Kauai, HA – all to advance MJFF’s mission to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease. Finally, Nashville-based comedian Dusty Slay provided a light-hearted comedy performance that had guests laughing in their seats.
Willie Geist and Foundation CEO and Co-Founder Deborah W. Brooks joined Michael J. Fox in conversation to thank MJFF’s incredible community for supporting the event and for their continuous support of the Foundation’s mission to speed better treatments and a cure for Parkinson’s disease. Brooks provided an update on the tremendous advances in science that are leading to monumental new treatments and will produce more results in the next five years, expressing gratitude for every contribution.
Michael J. Fox provided an introduction to headliner, Chris Stapleton, who had the crowd singing along during the second half of the show performances. Chris Stapleton’s set list included “You Should Probably Leave,” “Starting Over,” “Joy of My Life,” “Broken Halo,” and “Tennessee Whiskey.” The evening culminated with Little Big Town and Chris Stapleton on stage performing a finale rendition of “Johnny Be Goode,” by Chuck Berry, which got the entire room up on its feet.
Co-Chairs — Tracy Pollan & Michael J. Fox; Amy and Kenneth Adams; Virginia and Richard Fitzgerald; Senator Bill and Mrs. Tracy Frist; Christina and Willie Geist; Anastasia and Philip Krajeck; Kimberly and Steve Schlapman
Sponsors — Blake and Jennifer Bookstaff; Frist Cressey Ventures; Sylva Family/Cachengo; Hendricks Family Foundation/Fibus; Virginia and Richard Fitzgerald; Kathy Harris; Juliana and Alex Krys; Lipman; Morrell Property Collective; Pinnacle Financial Partners; ONE Community; The Schrieber Family; Christine and Sonny Whelen
Musical Guests —Chris Stapleton and Little Big Town
Comedian — Dusty Slay
Notable Guests — Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes; Alicia Witt; Willie and Christina Geist; Sheryl Crow; Chris Stapleton; Kimberly Schlapman; Jimi Westbrook; Karen Fairchild; Philip Sweet; Senator Bill and Mrs. Tracy Frist; Scott Hamilton
Photos by Getty Images