Lee Ann Womack and Friends Perform for St. Jude's Benefit

Douglas Boultinghouse
Arts & Entertainment Editor

Photo by Douglas Boultinghouse

Call Her Crazy - Country star Lee Ann Womack performed a selection of her hits at the benefit concert for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. She performed her latest single "Last Call" from her album "Call Me Crazy."

      Arkansas radio station KSSN-96 held a benefit concert for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., Feb. 24 at the Clear Channel Metroplex in Little Rock.

   The station sold a limited 1,000 tickets at $10 each for an acoustic showcase starring Lee Ann Womack, Jamey Johnson and Randy Houser. All of the proceeds went towards the benefit. 

   The KSSN staff presented a check for $10,000 to the hospital at the beginning of the showcase.

   Womack, Johnson and Houser all shared the stage at the same time as they took turns performing their songs in rounds. Johnson went first and Houser next, followed by Womack.

Photos by Douglas Boultinghouse

Jamey Johnson and Randy Houser - Jamey Johnson (left) talked to the crowd in between songs about writing in Nashville, Tenn. Randy Houser (right) mentioned growing up in Mississippi before singing "Somewhere South of Memphis."

   With Johnson and Houser being relatively new artists on the music scene, the audience did not know the majority of their songs enough to sing along.

   Johnson performed songs from his debut album “That Lonesome Song.” Houser did the same from his album “Anything Goes.”

   Womack, being the veteran of the three, performed an array of songs from her six albums.

   While the three artists collaborated on the Willie Nelson classic “Whiskey River,” each had their defining moment.

  Johnson’s highlight of the night came with his performance of the hit “In Color.”

  The crowd appropriately responded with a standing ovation.

   Houser showed off his soulful, booming voice with his song “Anything Goes.” He hit impressive vocal notes throughout the song as well as chords on the guitar.

   Womack owned the room when she sang her signature song “I Hope You Dance.” She proved nine years later, she can still knock that one out of the park.

   Each artist performed about six songs.

   The fact the show was acoustic added a special touch to the benefit. In an intimate setting, the artists showed off their strength as singers and songwriters – two things often overlooked with big productions accompanying them.

   You can pick up Johnson’s and Houser’s albums, along with Womack’s latest “Call Me Crazy” in stores now.  

Photo by Douglas Boultinghouse

St. Jude Benefit - Radio personality Bob Robbins of KSSN-96 (right) presents a check for $10,000 to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Proceeds from ticket sales went towards the amount.

Have a comment? Please e-mail us.

©The Voice 2009