WillieFest to benefit Kosair Charities

Feb. 27--GLASGOW -- A benefit concert featuring singer/ songwriter Marty Brown and local country group Steel Country will take place Saturday at the Plaza Theatre.

"The money we raise out of WillieFest will be turned over to Kosair Charities at our big fundraiser event that Willie 94.1 does with the Glasgow Shrine Club called 'Reach Out for Kosair Kids' on Aug. 2," said Freda Smith, event organizer. "This is kind of Willie's way of making a monetary contribution to the big event in August."

Money raised during "Reach Out for Kosair Kids" goes to support the financial needs of the children whose families can't cover all costs incurred when their children are patients at Kosair Children's Hospital, she said.

This is the second year for WillieFest. In 2013, the event generated around $1,500. The goal for this year is to raise $4,000, Smith said.

This is also Brown's second year to perform during WillieFest.

"He did so well with 'America's Got Talent' last year that we thought he would be good to bring back this year," Smith said.

Brown co-wrote "I'm From the Country (And I Like It That Way)" with Kentucky HeadHunter Richard Young. The song was recorded by country artist Tracy Byrd in the 1990s.

"I feel honored and proud to do it. The money goes to needy families to help pay their medical bills and expenses that insurance doesn't cover," Brown said.

"We will be singing some good music," he said.

Brown will also be showing the video to his latest single, "Whatever Makes You Smile."

The video was filmed in Glasgow with help from local filmmaker Kevin Smith.

"I am so proud of the video and to be able to shoot it over in Glasgow," Brown said. "It was just God that made that happen; how the video came together and the filming of the video."

The video features Glasgow firefighters, local residents and scenes filmed at T.J. Samson Community Hospital.

He anticipates having some of the local people who appear in the video to talk about their experience during the event.

Opening for Brown will be local country band Steel Country featuring Clyde Lane, Tim Durham, Karl Everett, Jimmy Lewis and Donnie Miller. The band plays traditional country music.

Durham and fellow band members agreed to do the concert because they feel Kosair Charities is one that "has a lot of value."

Two members of Durham's family -- his grandson and older brother -- have received care from Kosair Children's Hospital.

"They were miracle workers for my brother and for my grandson," Durham said.

INFORMATION

Plaza Theatre doors open at 5 p.m. Saturday, with the benefit concert beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets start at $10, but for an additional $5 fans can meet Marty Brown.

Read more in the print or digital Glasgow Daily Times. http://glasgowdailytimes.cnhi.newsmemory.com/

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