MOC Celebrates Bobby Bones, Charles Esten and the Healing Power of Music in Nashville raising $150,000
On October 10th Musicians On Call and CMT presented the sold-out A Night to Celebrate the Healing Power of Music at The CMA Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville. During this one-of-a-kind night we honored Nationally Syndicated On-Air Personality and MOC Board Member Bobby Bones with the Leadership in Music Golden Ukulele and CMT’s “Nashville” star and MOC volunteer Charles Esten with the Music Heals Golden Ukulele. The event featured live performances by Thomas Rhett and Chris Janson and raised over $150,000 for our programs in Nashville and across the country.
Bobby and Charles had many uplifting remarks to share with the audience of more than 700 people. “I continue to be inspired every single day by people that volunteer, by people that serve for us in the military, by people that are nurses and that are first responders,” said Bobby, “I am inspired every day and I feel it’s my job to inspire other people. Hopefully tonight, when you leave here, you’ll feel a bit inspired too.”
“It means everything to me to be in hospital rooms and to get to sing a song that has meaning. The doors that seem to have meant the most to me are these hospital room doors. That’s why I’m so grateful to Musicians On Call, this is literally an honor. If I can do anything it’s to point to this group and to the incredible work that they do. It’s like USO shows for people in a completely different battle,” said Charles, “I can promise you that I am the one who is blessed when that visit is over. This is a huge honor and I am grateful, but the real honor is getting to be with the patients.”
As a Musicians On Call Volunteer Musician, Bobby has played at the bedsides of patients at the Nashville VA and Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and has supported Musicians On Call’s Project Playback, where he wrote and recorded music with patients at The Children’s Hospital at TriStar Centennial. Through numerous fundraising campaigns, he has raised over $100,000 for MOC’s programs to continue to spread the healing power of music. Bobby was surprised by his high school football coach Vic Gandolph, who presented him with his award.
Over the past four years Charles has been an active Volunteer Musician and regularly plays for the patients and staff at the Nashville VA and Alive Hospice. On October 10, 2017, one year to the day of his honor, he joined Musician On Call in Las Vegas to play for victims, families, caregivers and first responders immediately following the tragedy at the Route 91 Harvest Festival.
As the final surprise of the event, Musicians On Call welcomed 28-year-old Tina Frost, a survivor of the Route 91 tragedy. She first encountered Charles Esten and Musicians On Call when she was visited by our group during her time in the hospital following the shooting. Though she was in a coma, Charles played songs for her family and shared in prayers over her healing. After numerous surgeries over the past year Tina is making an incredible recovery, and she came to Nashville to thank Charles and present him with the Music Heals honor, greeted by a standing ovation from the sold-out crowd.
“I have received support from so many people, some of the most impactful being Musicians on Call and Charles Esten. Exactly one year ago, I was in a coma when Musicians on Call and Charles visited me so I did not know what was going on. Charles met my family and a few of my friends and sang several songs. My mom said she and others were in tears during his visit,” said Tina, “I also know that Charles visited others and is so involved in the community, and I am sure his visits mean just as much to everyone as it did to me. It is amazing that he takes the time to care about other people and has such an impact on our lives.”
“At Musicians On Call we see how precious time is every day when we are in hospitals. Even with their hectic schedules, both Bobby and Charles have given remarkable amounts of time, support and passion to our mission. It was a great pleasure for us to celebrate their commitment to the healing power of music and shine a light on the unforgettable moments they have both shared with patients in Nashville and across the country,” said MOC President Pete Griffin, “Our incredible volunteers have shared their talents with more than 150,000 individuals in Nashville and over 675,000 individuals nationwide. Thanks to the support of those who join us in these special celebrations, we can continue to bring the joy of music to thousands more.”
Nashville volunteers Mary Lee Bennett, Chris Swift and Laura Vance were presented with the Volunteer Guide and Volunteer Musician Golden Ukuleles by recording artist Natalie Stovall and Southwest Airlines’ Tena Griffith. Recording artist Maggie Rose also made an appearance.
A Night To Celebrate the Healing Power of Music was presented by CMT and sponsored by Warner Music Nashville, Red Light Management, City National Bank, Jobu Presents, Tim Scarvey, CAA, RIAA, Onsite Workshops, UMG Nashville, Healthtrust, MusiCares, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Deborah Robbins, John Roberts, HCA, MediCopy, Provident Financial Management, the Grand Ole Opry and ASCAP.
Special thanks to Adagio Spa, Bobby Hotel, Bonnie Willoughby, Bridgestone, Dan Miller, Dawn Nepp, Debbie Carroll, Deborah Robbins, Diane Pearson, Donna McQueen, Doug Swanson, Dream Hotel, Ellen Crowley, Elliott Holt, Hutton Hotel, Jason Davis, Joe Hagan, Katie Goodwin, Kellie Brown, Kelly Janson, Troy Jackson, Leigh Parr, Lisa Brown, Mary Forest Findley, Miles Adcox, Mint Julep Experiences, Mitch Glazier, MStreet, Nashville Predators, Omni Hotel, Patty Puskar, Rachael Wall, Rick Whetsel, Shane Tarleton, Steve Lapiska, Suzanne Alexander, Tena Griffith, The Listening Room Cafe, Tim Beeding, TomKats Hospitality, and Vida-Flo Nashville.
