New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Platinum-selling band, Sister Hazel, is set to host the 2017 Lyrics for Life on Sunday, November 5. This marks the first time in the 15 year history of the charities events that the band will host in their hometown of Gainesville, FL. Presented by Rich and Carissa Blaser, the evening event will raise funds for the non-profit charities Lyrics for Life's Camp Hazelnut and Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation as well as with all Lyrics For Life events, STOP Children's Cancer in Gainesville, FL. Attendees will enjoy cocktails and heavy hors d'oeuvres as they browse a star-studded silent auction, featuring items from some of the music industry's biggest names. There will be a very unique and special acoustic songwriter in the round performance by Sister Hazel, Edwin McCain, and Emerson Hart of Tonic. Tickets are $150 and available here.
"Most of us have been touched by it, a loved one, a friend, a co-worker dealing with this disease. Our desire to help comes from a real place, from real loss," said lead singer Ken Block. "It gives us the energy and ambition to fight back. We ARE fighting back! It's a personal mission of ours to foster and create events that are fun, cool, exciting, and ultimately meaningful to this vital cause. Together we can make a real difference."
Lyrics for Life has donated approximately $250k over the years to Gainesville's STOP Children's Cancer Charity. They have also benefited other Cancer Charities around the country including Children's Cancer Center of Tampa and Camp
Sunshine in Atlanta.
About Sister Hazel:
Originating from Gainesville, FL,
Sister Hazel is comprised of five gifted, seasoned musicians whose well-spring of natural talent has been called "one of the Top 100 Most Influential Independent Performers of the last 15 years" by Performing Songwriter Magazine. Song "All for You" topped the adult alternative charts during the summer of 1997 and the success propelled their album to platinum status. In their first showing on the country music charts they made a strong debut with "Lighter In The Dark" at #4 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart, #6 on Billboard's Independent Albums chart, #30 on Billboard's Top Current Albums chart and #79 on the Billboard 200 album chart. The band landed on Billboard's Top Country Albums Chart again in 2016 with "Unplugged From Daryl's House Club" at #75. Living up to their fan-centered reputation, the band hosts annual events like "Hazelnut Hang," that focuses on fan involvement and was a pioneer in themed cruise experiences by co-founding "The Rock Boat," a cruise featuring nonstop opportunities for fan/artist interaction.
Sister Hazel has been equally attentive to connecting with their audience through social media. In addition to the events and touring, the band also gives back with Lyrics For Life. Founded by singer Ken Block and the band, the charity unites musicians and celebrities for concerts and auctions to benefit cancer research and patient-care charities.
About Lyrics For Life:
Lyrics For Life is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to make a difference in the fight against pediatric cancer.
Sister Hazel frontman, Ken Block, and his band mates founded Lyrics For Life in memory of Ken's younger brother, Jeffrey, who ultimately lost his four-year battle with cancer that started at age 14. The charity unites musicians and celebrities for concert events, auctions, and other fundraising efforts. The monies raised are donated to groups that are working to find a cure, as well as those aiming to enrich the lives of patients and their families. From research to summer camps and family support groups, we are surrounding this disease and conquering it from every angle. Artists participate in many ways, often by donating handwritten lyrics to one of their songs on anything from a simple sheet of paper to a surfboard to some other unique item, which we offer for auction at one of our Lyrics For Life events. Our team of musicians, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters set high goals for the future. We accept the challenge to find new ways of raising money and awareness and to help make each day a little brighter until there is a cure. https://www.lyricsforlife.org/
About Camp Hazelnut:
Decades of familiar, happy faces cover the walls in the dining hall of Camp Crystal Lake outside Gainesville, FL. Kids around the U.S. have been spending summers there for as long as anyone can remember, so when the Camp's Director, Scott Burton, got word to the band that he would love to collaborate on an event, everyone loaded up the car and headed out for a visit. The conversation started simply as a family-focused
Sister Hazel fan event—a weekend "summer camp" retreat with activities, bonfires, cabins, and, of course, music. When
Sister Hazel decided to also invite some regional kids with cancer and their families, the idea took on a whole new meaning, and the weekend turned out to be far more powerful than anyone first imagined: so much so, that they decided to center future Camp Hazelnut events around these special kids and families. The Camp Hazelnut goal is simple: create a playful, safe, uplifting experience for kids and families navigating the overwhelming challenges of a cancer diagnosis. It's a place to simply get away and come together. The campers embark on a great exploration to discover (or rediscover!) the magic that can only be created at summer camp, and the band is right there alongside them every step of the way, leading activities, playing acoustic campfire sing-alongs, sharing, giggling, and having a blast. https://www.lyricsforlife.org/camp-hazelnut
About The Florida Cancer Specialists (FCS) Foundation:
The Florida Cancer Specialists (FCS) Foundation was founded in 2011 by a group of Florida Cancer Specialists partner physicians who recognized many patients struggle with everyday living expenses while undergoing cancer treatment. They believed no one should choose between paying bills and receiving cancer treatment. The FCS Foundation provides financial support to qualified cancer patients and their families for expenses such as rent or mortgage, car payments and utility bills. By giving patients peace of mind in knowing that their bills are being paid while they are undergoing treatment, we allow them to concentrate on what really matters fighting cancer and getting well.
Non-medical, financial aid from the FCS Foundation is available to Florida residents 18 years of age or older who are receiving cancer treatment from a Florida oncologist. Recipients must have a household income at or below 200% of the national poverty guidelines. 100% of donations received go directly towards paying the essential living expenses of someone with cancer.
https://foundation.flcancer.com/
