Keith Urban is so honored to be the latest recipient of the Randy Owen Angels Among Us Award, given because of Urban’s devotion to supporting the work of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Urban was surprised with the acknowledgement while at Country Radio Seminar (CRS), where Randy Owen appeared to personally deliver the award.
“Being recognized with the Angels Among Us Award is not something I take lightly,” Urban says of the honor. “I’ve witnessed the courage shown by the children and families at St. Jude for more than 20 years, and it never ceases to amaze me. By standing together, we’ve been able to help St. Jude continue advancing research and treatment for children around the world with cancer and other life-threatening diseases. It is an absolute honor to stand behind a mission this meaningful.”
Other recipients of the Randy Owen Angels Among Us Award include Darius Rucker, Lady A, Scotty McCreery, Brad Paisley, and more.
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What Randy Owen Says About Keith Urban Receiving the Angels Among Us Award
It’s Owen who started Country Cares for St. Jude Kids in 1989, raising more than one billion dollars since then to help support the work of St. Jude. For Owen, there is no one more worthy of receiving the Angels Among Us Award than Urban.
“You’ve been blessed by what we do,” Owen tells Urban. “Some of us care about others. Some of us take our time and do something that is very important. You, my friend, I’ve been chasing you around for a long time to present this award to you. When Keith came to St. Jude, did an acoustic set for us. I don’t know how many acoustic sets you’ve done. A few. And he’s really good.”
The 76-year-old recalls meeting Urban when the “Straight Line” singer was just getting started.
“I met Keith back in the 90s, I think. The first time I remember seeing you was in New York City, after we had been put in the Hall of Fame. … I got to know you there,” Owen recounts. “And when you came to St. Jude, I became a bigger fan, and always will be. ‘Cause you know what? When we leave this world, it’s what we’re gonna leave behind. We’re gonna leave something we gave, and we didn’t give. You, my friend, are a giver. I want to present the Randy Owen Angels Among Us Award to you, with all my love, all my respect, on behalf of all of the beautiful chidlren at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.”
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital offers completely free medical care for children battling cancer and other life-threatening illnesses, along with housing and meals for the families. Find more information at StJude.org.
Photo Credit: CRS / Kayla Schoen