The Musicians Against Childhood Cancer (MACC) festival has been one of the brightest spots in the bluegrass music world over the past few years. All of the proceeds from this great festival benefit St Jude’s Children Research Hospital. Darrell and Phyllis Adkins have been some of the most loved bluegrass promoters for years, and converted their popular Bluegrass Classic into the MACC fifteen years ago.
“For the people that don’t know, we lost our daughter, Mandy, at 22 with a brain tumor. We had no other choice but to go to a research hospital,” says Darrell. “St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital is so great because of what they did for us and for so many other families who are told that their child has cancer.”
It was through this tragedy, that the MACC has been able to aid in the fight against childhood cancer. Following their loss, Darrell and Phyllis were overwhelmed by the support of their friends in the bluegrass industry who wanted to help. The first MACC festival was held in 2000, and over the course of fifteen years, the festival has donated $755,690 to St Jude’s Children Research Hospital and the YMCA.
Darrell says, “We are thrilled to reach the three-quarters of a million dollar mark and are trying to reach that million dollar mark and over!”
The idea of giving permeates everything that MACC does. In addition to the successful festival, the MACC has also released a pair of award-winning live albums, the proceeds of which benefit St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
“The MACC is a festival of hope,” says Darrell. “We are trying to give to children who have the terrible disease of cancer. We are blessed with the support of the fans and the friendship of the artists who donate their time. This festival belongs to the musicians who play and donate their time. We are just fortunate to be the organizers.”
Even after fifteen years, the MACC shows no signs of slowing down any time soon! “We are so blessed that the artists continue to want to do this thing. Hopefully, we will continue for many, many years.”
The 2014 Musicians Against Childhood Cancer festival will be held July 16-19 at Hoover YMCA Park in the Columbus, OH area. The lineup includes over forty of the top bluegrass acts in the country.
Wednesday, July 16
- Rarely Herd
- The Clay Hess Band
- Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
- Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers
- Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out
- “Hall of Fame Bluegrass” – Joe Mullins, Junior Sisk, and Michael Cleveland
- Daryle Singletary (acoustic)
- Blue Highway
Thursday, July 17
- Adkins & Loudermilk
- Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice
- Marty Raybon & Full Circle
- The Gibson Brothers
- Larry Sparks & The Lonesome Ramblers
- Lonesome River Band
- Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
- “Three Chords & The Truth” – James King, Dudley Connell, Josh Williams, Don Rigsby, Michael Cleveland, and Danny Roberts
Friday, July 18
- Flatt Lonesome
- Kenny & Amanda Smith
- Lou Reid & Carolina
- Josh Williams, Randy Kohnrs, and Aubrey Haynie
- The Larry Stephenson Band
- The Grascals
- The Seldom Scene
- The Rambling Rooks
- Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out with Centerville Alternative Strings
Saturday, July 19
- MACC Children’s Band
- Breaking Grass
- Feller & Hill
- Don Rigsby & Midnight Call
- Lost & Found
- Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time
- Bradley Walker & Friends
- MACC Opry with Carl Jackson, Val Storey, Larry Cordle, and Jerry Salley
- J.D Crowe & Josh Williams
- The Steeldrivers
Be sure to visit the MACC this summer — a good time for a great cause. For more details, go to bluegrassclassic.com.
